The description of Humboldteria, a new genus Neotropical Eucoilinae (Hymenoptera: Figitidae)

Authors: Buffington, Matthew

Submitted to: Proceedings of the Entomological Society of Washington
Publication Type: Peer Reviewed Journal
Publication Acceptance Date: 8/7/2017
Publication Date: 12/20/2017
Citation: Buffington, M.L. 2017. The description of Humboldteria, a new genus Neotropical Eucoilinae (Hymenoptera: Figitidae). Proceedings of the Entomological Society of Washington. 119(sp1):718-736.

Interpretive Summary: Gall wasps and their relatives include numerous agricultural pests, as well as many predators important in biological control. In most cases, the biological attributes of these wasps are poorly known. Some species induce unsightly and damaging galls, other species are parasitoids of economically important species of flies that attack plants and livestock. The genus and species described in this paper possesses characters unlike any other known wasp species. This paper provides detailed diagnostic information and illustrations that will assist other researchers in distinguishing the new species from other species. This information will assist a broad array of scientists in better understanding the relationships, evolution, and feeding habits of these enigmatic wasps.

Technical Abstract: A new genus of eucoiline wasps, Humboldteria, new genus is described from the Neotropical Region. The type species of the genus is H. davesmithi, new species; other new species include H. aquilafrons new species, H. kerri new species, H. montanai new species, and H. kojaki new species. The phylogenetic analysis presented herein recovers the new genus in the Ganaspini, and sister-group with either Glauraspidia (Bayes analysis) or Steleucoela (parsimony analysis); arguments are presented supporting the hypothesis of Humboldteria being sister-group to Glauraspidia. Distribution maps and a key to species is provided.