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ARS Home » Northeast Area » Beltsville, Maryland (BARC) » Beltsville Agricultural Research Center » Systematic Entomology Laboratory » Research » Publications at this Location » Publication #366894
Research Project: Systematics of Parasitic and Herbivorous Wasps of Agricultural Importance

Location: Systematic Entomology Laboratory

Title: World Cynipoidea: a key to higher-level groups

Author
item Buffington, Matthew
item LIJEBLAD, JOHAN - Swedish University Of Agricultural Sciences
item FORSHAGE, M. - Stockholm University
item TANG, CHANG-TI - George Washington University
item VAN NOORT, SIMON - Iziko Museums Of Cape Town

Submitted to: Insect Systematics and Diversity
Publication Type: Peer Reviewed Journal
Publication Acceptance Date: 2/14/2020
Publication Date: 7/1/2020
Citation: Buffington, M.L., Lijeblad, J., Forshage, M., Tang, C., Van Noort, S. 2020. World Cynipoidea: a key to higher-level groups. Insect Systematics and Diversity. 4:1-69.

Interpretive Summary: Identification keys are essential to understanding the biodiveristy of insects in the United States. This paper is the first of its kind in the world for a large group of wasps of agricultural importance. The identification key here uses hi-res images and simple text to guide the user to the correct identification; users can be novice to professional. This resource will be essential to biocontrol workers, ecologists, and taxonomists worldwide.

Technical Abstract: While much has been learned regarding the phylogeny and evolution of cynipoid wasps, clearly illustrated diagnostic tools and identification keys have remained stagnant. So too, where keys do exist, they are often to genus or species, and there are no user friendly keys to groups such as tribes, subfamilies, or families. This state of affairs leaves a knowledge gap for non-specialists, and slows future research on the group. To address this, we provide a full illustrated key to the higher-level groups of world Cynipoidea. We also provide summaries of all higher-level taxa with updated generic lists, biological data, distribution, and literature resources. The dichotomous key presented here is complimented with a multi-entry key, created in LucID, and served from Waspweb.org.