Search

Galls are novel plant structures that develop in response to select biotic stressors. These structures, extended phenotypes of the inducer, usually serve to protect and feed the inducer or its progeny. This life history strategy has evolved dozens of times, and tens of thousands of species — including many bacteria, fungi, nematodes, mites and insects — are capable of manipulating plants in this way. The variation in gall phenotypes is extraordinary across species but usually predictable for each species of inducer. We introduce here a new ontology, GallOnt, that facilitates consistent descriptions and the semantic representation of and reasoning over plant gall phenotype data. GallOnt was largely developed from ontologies in the Open Biological and Biomedical Ontology (OBO) Foundry and stands to connect plant gall phenotypes to knowledge derived from model plant systems, including genotype-phenotype and agricultural research. We also introduce the idea of a new gall data standard — Minimum Information for the Description of Galls (MIDG version 0.1) — as a starting point for discussions regarding cecidology best practices. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Mitochondrial genomes (mitogenomes) have been widely used in comparative and evolutionary genomics, molecular evolution, phylogenetics, and population genetics, but very limited information is available for the family Cynipidae. In this report, we describe the mitogenome of Dryocosmus liui Pang, Su et Zhu, providing the first complete mitogenomic data for a cynipid gall wasp species. The mitogenome of D. liui is 16,819 bp in length, and contains the typical set of 37 genes. Two control regions were detected, with the second being a perfect inverted repeat of the major portion of the first. Gene rearrangements were found in transfer RNA (tRNA) genes, protein-coding genes (PCGs) and ribosomal RNA (rRNA) genes, compared with the putative ancestral mitogenome. Similar to two other Cynipidae species with mitogenome data available, D. liui has a novel tRNA gene cluster trnL1-trnI-trnL2-trnW-trnM-trnQ between nad1 and nad2. Phylogenetic analysis based on sequences of PCGs and rRNA genes with D. liui included obtained topologies identical to previous studies supporting the a relationship of (Cynipoidea, (Platygastroidea, Proctotrupoidea)) within the monophyletic Proctotrupomorpha and (Cynipidae, Figitidae), Ibaliidae) within the Cynipoidea. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Paraulax Kieffer and Cecinothofagus Nieves-Aldrey & Liljeblad (Cynipidae: Paraulacini) were long supposed to be gall-makers on southern beeches (Nothofagus, Nothofagaceae). Dissections of galls on Nothofagus Blume, suggested that Cecinothofagus could be instead either endoparasitoid or inquiline of Aditrochus larva (Chalcidoidea). We sequenced the universal COI barcode and Ultra-Conserved Elements (UCEs) from young larvae of Aditrochus collected from galls on Nothofagus and highlighted that one of them also contained DNA from Cecinothofagus ibarrai Nieves-Aldrey & Liljeblad. So far, when galls attributed to Aditrochus were dissected in early development stages they all contained only a single larva and no remains of other larvae. Conversely, when Cecinothofagus ibarrai was reared from galls on Nothofagus, remains of the host larva were observed inside the larval chamber. Altogether, biological observations and molecular results suggest that Cecinothofagus ibarrai is likely an endoparasitoid of Adritrochus. This result confirms the tribe Paraulacini as being entomophagous and supports the hypothesis of an ancestral parasitoid lifestyle for Cynipoidea. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Larvae of Strobilomyia flies (Diptera: Anthomyiidae) are serious pests in conifer-seed orchards because they feed on the seed inside the cones. Figitid parasitoids (Hymenoptera: Cynipoidea) of Strobilomyia larvae in conifer cones are commonly reported but under various generic names. It is argued here that, across the entire Holarctic region, these figitids belong to Amphithectus and perhaps also to Sarothrus (Figitinae), but not to Melanips (Aspicerinae), contrary to some reports. We conclude that the identity of the commonly found figitid associated with conifer cones (Larix and Picea) in Europe and Asia is Amphithectus austriacus (Tavares, 1928) comb. n. This is most likely considering the original description and the host association, although the type specimen of Seitneria austriaca Tavares, 1928 is lost. This species name takes priority over the recently described Amphithectus coriaceus Paretas-Martinez & Pujade-Villar, 2013. Seitneria Tavares, 1928 becomes a new junior synonym of Amphithectus Hartig, 1840, and Amphithectus coriaceus Paretas-Martinez & Pujade-Villar, 2013 becomes a new synonym of Amphithectus austriacus (Tavares, 1928) comb. n.

The diversity of insect antennal structures involved in communication is still poorly known because of the limited number of comparative studies and as such studies often exclusively focus on one sex. Within Cynipoidea, a recent study on female gall-wasps (Hymenoptera: Cynipidae) and some of their non-gall associated relatives (Ibaliidae and Figitidae) showed a great diversity of the antennal sensillar equipment both between and within lineages. In order to better understand possible patterns of this diversity, we here present a study in males. By Scanning Electron Microscopy analysis of 45 species of Cynipoidea (30 of them gall-wasps) from most known lineages, we found that the male antennal flagellum is generally filiform and bears overall eight types of sensilla: s. placoidea (SP), s. coeloconica (SCo-A), s. campaniformia (SCa), s. basiconica (SB) and s. trichoidea (ST-A, ST-B, ST-C, ST-D) (5–8 types per species). The number, size and arrangement of sensilla greatly varied among and within cynipoid lineages, with only a partial effect of phylogeny on this variation. By using data of 27 species for which both sexes were analysed, we found that males generally possess a lower number of sensillar types than females in gall-inducers and a greater number of sensillar types than females in non-gall-inducers. Sexes shared 40–100% of sensillar types independently from their biology. Males seem to possess an overall greater number of SP than females, with a weak tendency of such difference to be larger in gall-inducers. A possible hypothesis is that gall-inducing female cynipids may have evolved a richer sensillar equipment in response to female-only activities (e.g. plant host recognition), while cynipid males may have evolved higher density of sensilla devoted to mate recognition. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

A complete revision of the world species of the genus Phaenoglyphis Förster, 1869 has been conducted. A total of 25 species of Phaenoglyphis are valid after studying their type material. Two new species are described: Phaenoglyphis belizini sp. n. and Phaenoglyphis palmirae sp. n. Two species are synonymized: P. dolichocera (Cameron, 1889) with P. nigripes (Thomson, 1877) and P. pecki Andrews, 1978 with P. villosa (Hartig, 1841). Phaenoglyphis bangalorensis Kurian, 1953 was considered as incertae sedis. Phaenoglyphis duplocarpentieri (Kieffer, 1904) and P. hedickei Hedicke, 1928 are considered lost. Other three species are discarded as valid species because they are missing important parts without which the species cannot be defined: P. cincta (Hartig, 1841), P. frigidus (Belizin, 1968) and P. repentinus Belizin, 1962. A complete redescription and an illustrative plate are presented. A key to species of the genus Phaenoglyphis is given. Phylogenetic analysis based on morphological characters has been performed. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Mitochondrial genomes (mitogenomes) have been widely used in comparative and evolutionary genomics, molecular evolution, phylogenetics, and population genetics, but very limited information is available for the family Cynipidae. In this report, we describe the mitogenome of Dryocosmus liui Pang, Su et Zhu, providing the first complete mitogenomic data for a cynipid gall wasp species. The mitogenome of D. liui is 16,819 bp in length, and contains the typical set of 37 genes. Two control regions were detected, with the second being a perfect inverted repeat of the major portion of the first. Gene rearrangements were found in transfer RNA (tRNA) genes, protein-coding genes (PCGs) and ribosomal RNA (rRNA) genes, compared with the putative ancestral mitogenome. Similar to two other Cynipidae species with mitogenome data available, D. liui has a novel tRNA gene cluster trnL1-trnI-trnL2-trnW-trnM-trnQ between nad1 and nad2 . Phylogenetic analysis based on sequences of PCGs and rRNA genes with D. liui included obtained topologies identical to previous studies supporting the a relationship of (Cynipoidea , (Platygastroidea, Proctotrupoidea)) within the monophyletic Proctotrupomorpha and (Cynipidae, Figitidae), Ibaliidae) within the Cynipoidea., Competing Interests: The authors declare there are no competing interests., (©2023 Su et al.)

Larvae of Strobilomyia flies (Diptera: Anthomyiidae) are serious pests in conifer-seed orchards because they feed on the seed inside the cones. Figitid parasitoids (Hymenoptera: Cynipoidea) of Strobilomyia larvae in conifer cones are commonly reported but under various generic names. It is argued here that, across the entire Holarctic region, these figitids belong to Amphithectus and perhaps also to Sarothrus (Figitinae), but not to Melanips (Aspicerinae), contrary to some reports. We conclude that the identity of the commonly found figitid associated with conifer cones (Larix and Picea) in Europe and Asia is Amphithectus austriacus (Tavares, 1928) comb. n. This is most likely considering the original description and the host association, although the type specimen of Seitneria austriaca Tavares, 1928 is lost. This species name takes priority over the recently described Amphithectus coriaceus Paretas-Martinez & Pujade-Villar, 2013. Seitneria Tavares, 1928 becomes a new junior synonym of Amphithectus Hartig, 1840, and Amphithectus coriaceus Paretas-Martinez & Pujade-Villar, 2013 becomes a new synonym of Amphithectus austriacus (Tavares, 1928) comb. n. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The West Palearctic species of Rhoptromeris are revised. A total of 11 species are recognised as valid in this region, including four newly described species: Rhoptromeris dichromata sp. nov., Rhoptromeris koponeni sp. nov., Rhoptromeris leptocornis sp. nov. and Rhoptromeris macaronesiensis sp. nov. Eucoila luteicornis Ionescu, 1959 is synonymised with Rhoptromeris heptoma (Hartig, 1840) syn. nov. A checklist of the Holarctic Rhoptromeris is presented and an identification key to the West Palearctic species is provided. www.zoobank.org/urn:lsid:zoobank.org:pub:8164332C-93E2-4E3F-A408-F5FF5DFB366E [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

We describe and illustrate two techniques for enhancing curatorial and processing efficiency as it pertains to parasitic Hymenoptera (Chalcidoidea, Cynipoidea). These techniques were developed in response not only to the massive number of parasitoids that have been acquired through various biodiversity studies, but also the difficulty in mobilizing the human resources to curate this material. The first technique uses small, crystal polystyrene boxes with tight-fitting lids to store dehydrated specimens prior to mounting. Locality information is affixed to the box and specimens are spread in a layer for ease of examination by researchers. Solutions for managing static electricity within the specimen boxes are discussed. The second involves a vacuum pump connected to a funnel with a filtration membrane and flask apparatus to rapidly dehydrate hard-bodied parasitoids (Figitidae) that are not subject to collapse during air-drying.

Neralsia is a genus of Figitid hymenopterans present in both the Neartic and the Neotropical regions. In this work, material from several museums (including all types of the South American species of Neralsia) was analyzed with light and electron microscopy. The South American species are studied as a whole, reviewing 26 previously cited species and describing eight new species. A key for their identification is included and the characters to differentiate species here considered are illustrated. Rev. Biol. Trop. 56 (2): 795-828. Epub 2008 June 30.Neralsia es un género de himenópteros de distribución americana, presente tanto en la región Neártica como en la Neotropical. En este trabajo se estudian, usando microscopia de luz y electrónica, las especies sudamericanas en su conjunto, 26 anteriormente citadas y ocho especies nuevas, que se describen aquí formalmente. Se presenta, además, una clave para su identificación; y se ilustran los caracteres que permiten definir las especies consideradas en este estudio.

In this paper we listed and examined four type specimens of Ceraphronoidea, 94 of Cynipoidea and 198 of "Proctotrupoidea" (Hymenoptera) housed at the Museo de La Plata, Argentina (División Entomología) not included in previous papers. We also provide update information on categories of types, data of collection and hosts for all cases. These types belong to one, 10 and 12 species respectively and the species were described by Martínez (1), Diaz (2), Diaz & Gallardo (3), Gallardo, Diaz & Marchiori (1), Gallardo, Diaz & Uchoa (1), Kerrich & Quinlan (1), Pujade-Villar & Diaz (1), Ros-Farré & Pujade-Villar (1), De Santis & Loiácono (9), Loiácono (2), and Loiácono & Margaría (1).Una actualización de la lista de los tipos de Ceraphronoidea, Cynipoidea y "Proctotrupoidea" (Hymenoptera) depositados en el Museo de La Plata, Argentina. En este estudio listamos y examinamos cuatro tipos de Ceraphronoidea, 94 de Cynipoidea y 198 de "Proctotrupoidea" depositados en el Museo de La Plata (División Entomología) no incluidos en trabajos previos. Para cada taxón se brinda la información actualizada acerca de los materiales tipo, datos de recolección y huéspedes. Estos tipos pertenecen a una, 10 y 12 especies respectivamente, las cuales fueron descriptas por Martínez (1), Diaz (2), Diaz & Gallardo (3), Gallardo, Diaz & Marchiori (1), Gallardo, Diaz & Uchoa (1), Kerrich & Quinlan (1), Pujade-Villar & Diaz (1), Ros-Farré & Pujade-Villar (1), De Santis & Loiácono (9), Loiácono (2), y Loiácono & Margaría (1).

We revise the genus Acanthaegilips, a genus of anacharitine figitids ocurring in South America. Members of this genus are characterized by having a long scutellar spine, a unique character in the Anacharitinae. The only previously known species (A. brasiliensis) is redescribed and eleven new species are described: A. macropennis, A. ashmeadi, A. levis, A. masneri, A. diazi, A. dentis, A. occultus, A. alienus, A. exiguus, A. huggerti, and A. carinatus. A key to species is presented and distribution records are given for each species. The known records of the genus extend from the southern Neotropics to Mexico. The biology of Acanthaegilips remains unknown; other members of the Anacharitinae are parasitoids of aphid-feeding Neuroptera larvae.Revisamos Acanthaegilips, um gênero de figitídeos anacharitíneos que ocorre na América do Sul. Membros desse gênero são caracterizados por apresentar um longo espinho escutelar, caráter único entre os Anacharitinae. A única espécie conhecida anteriormente (A. brasiliensis) é redescrita e onze espécies novas descritas: A. macropennis, A. ashmeadi, A. levis, A. masneri, A. diazi, A. dentis, A. occultus, A. alienus, A. exiguus, A. huggerti e A. carinatus. Uma chave para a identificação das espécies é apresentada e registros de distribuição apresentados para cada espécie. Os registros para o gênero estendem-se do Sul da Neotrópica ao México. A biologia de Acanthaegilips permanece desconhecida; outros membros de Anacharitinae são parasitóides de larvas de Neuroptera que alimentam-se de afídeos.

A new species of Zamischus (Hymenoptera, Cynipoidea, Figitidae) from Brazil. A new species of Zamischus from Brazil is described and diagnosed. The species is closely related to Z. brasiliensis but differs in the morphology of antennae and scutellum. Z. aquilesi sp. nov. was collected via Malaise trapping in a tobacco field in Santa Cruz do Sul, Rio Grande do Sul.

One new species has been discovered: Alloxysta nottoni Ferrer-Suay & Pujade-Villar sp. nov. This new species is here described and illustrated. An update of the Charipinae knowledge in India and a key of the Charipinae present in this country are also given. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

A remarkable new eucoiline genus and species,Muhaka icipe, is described herein. The genus is clearly a Kleidotomini, but is distinguished from other genera in the tribe by a unique head and scutellar morphology. The genus belongs to the ‘wedge-head’-syndrome group of species that, to date, is unique to Afrotropical eucoilines. The new genus and species is reminiscent ofStentorcepsQuinlan andNanocthulhuBuffington, but is readily distinguished from these genera.Muhakawas collected from a threatened kaya (sacred forest) of coastal Kenya. The biological importance of this and other kaya forests, as well as their protection, is discussed. http://www.zoobank.org/urn:lsid:zoobank.org:pub:6918ED2C-69A4-48FC-A1E4-2B5DFF58E876 [ABSTRACT FROM PUBLISHER]

The Afrotropical Cynipoidea are represented by 306 described species and 54 genera in four families: Cynipidae, Figitidae, Liopteridae and Ibaliidae, the latter represented by a single introduced species. Seven of these genera are only represented by undescribed species in the region. Seven new genus-level synonymies, one genus resurrected from synonymy, 54 new combinations, one combination reinstated, and one new replacement name are presented. We provide identification keys to the families, subfamilies and genera of cynipoid wasps occurring in the Afrotropical region (Africa south of the Sahara, including Madagascar and southern Arabian Peninsula). Online interactive Lucid Phoenix and Lucid matrix keys are available at: http://www.waspweb.org/Cynipoidea/Keys/index.htm. An overview of the biology and checklists of species for each genus are provided. This paper constitutes the first contributory chapter to the book on Afrotropical Hymenoptera. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Wasps of the genus Leptopilina ( Hymenoptera: Figitidae) are larvo-pupal parasitoids of Drosophila species. Here we report three putative thelytokous species of this genus from Japan, with description of two new species L. tokioensis and L. tsushimaensis, which have been recorded from central Japan and Tsushima, respectively. Another thelytokous species is L. longipes occurring in northern Japan, although its European populations are assumed to be arrhenotokous. Preliminary phylogenetic analyses suggest the present three species are diversified from one another and also from the other Leptopilina species. These three thelytokous species are infected by B-supergroup Wolbachia as in European thelytokous species, L. clavipes and L. australis. The evolution of these thelytokous species is discussed based on the present and previous results, and the occurrence and distributions of Leptopilina species in Japan and surrounding regions are briefly reviewed. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

A new species of Melanips Walker (Hymenoptera: Figitidae) from Mexico, Melanips lomeyva sp. nov. is described. This species represents the first record of the genus Melanips from Mexico and to the Neotropical region. Diagnostic characters of the new species are illustrated and discussed. The adults were obtained from pupae of Leucopis bellula (Chamaemyiidae) natural enemy of wild cochineal of prickly pear Dactylopius opuntiae (Dactylopiidae). Biological data and hosts of this new species are commented. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The cynipoid subfamily Figitinae is poorly represented in the Afrotropical region with two genera (Figites Latreille and Xyalophora Kieffer) and six species currently known. Here we record an additional two genera (Neralsia Cameron and Lonchidia Thomson) for the region and describe three new species: Neralsia haddocki sp. n.; Xyalophora tedjoansi sp. n.; Xyalophora tintini sp. n. Benoit's species described in 1956 are synonymized under Figites aciculatus (Benoit, 1956): Figites effossus syn. n.; F. favonius syn. n.; F. furvus syn. n.; F. fraudator syn. n. Identification keys to the figitine genera and species occurring in the Afrotropical region are provided. Online interactive Lucid Phoenix and Lucid matrix keys are available at: http://www.waspweb.org/Cynipoidea/Keys/index.htm [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The final instar larva of Synergus filicornis (Cameron) (Hymenoptera: Cynipidae: Synergini) is described and illustrated. Morphological structures of a diagnostic value are discussed. The most remarkable character states shown by the mature larva of this species lie in the integument, which unlike the rest of described cynipoid mature larvae, presents tegumental differentiations. Additionally the antennal orbits, unlike those of other described Synergini mature larvae, did not present one seta on each antennal orbit. The immature larvae can be differentiated from the mature larva by the following characters: a) number and location of sensorial tegumental differentiations on the head, b) number of sensilla on the maxillary palpi, and c) morphology of the mandibles. The determination of the mandibles size, in this species, permits the estimation of the larval stages number. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

A new genus and three new species of parasitic hymenopterans of the family Archaeocynipidae are described from the Lower Cretaceous of Transbaikalia: Khasips alisectus gen. et sp. nov., K. sculptus sp. nov., and K. kovalevi sp. nov. The placement of archaeocynipids in the system of Cynipoidea is discussed. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]