First record of the genus Phradis Förster (Hymenoptera, Ichneumonidae, Tersilochinae) from the Neotropical Region

One new species of the genus Phradis, Phradis peruvianus sp. n., from the mountainous part of Peruvian Amazonia, is described and illustrated. This is the first record of the genus from South America and the Neotropical region.This work was supported by the Russian Foundation for Basic Research (No. 10-04-00265), by the Presidium of the Russian Academy of Sciences Programme “Origin and Evolution of Biosphere, Subprogram II”, and by Project A/013484/07 from Agencia Española de Cooperación Internacional para el Desarrollo (Ministerio de Asuntos Exteriores y de Cooperación, Spain). A research visit made by the second author to the Universidad Nacional Agraria la Molina (Lima, Peru), was supported by a grant from University of Alicante, Spain (Vicerrectorado de Relaciones Internacionales y Cooperación, Programa Propio para el Fomento de las Relaciones Institucionales, 2010)

Ichneumonidae (Hymenoptera) associated with xyelid sawflies (Hymenoptera, Xyelidae) in Mexico

Se describen dos especies de Ichneumonidae, Gelanes horstmanni Khalaim, sp. n. (Tersilochinae) e Idiogramma elbakyanae Khalaim sp. n. (Tryphoninae), de un bosque de pinos a 2800–2900 msnm en el Estado de Tlaxcala en la zona central de México; una tercera especie, I. comstockii (Ashmead), se reporta del Estado de Nuevo León en el noreste de México. Los géneros Gelanes Horstmann e Idiogramma Förster están asociados con moscas sierra xyélidas (Xyelidae), ambos géneros y la tribu Idiogrammatini de la subfamilia Tryphoninae se reportan para México por primera vez. Se elaboró una clave para la identificación de las dos especies de Idiogramma que ocurren en México. ABSTRACT Two species of ichneumon wasps (Ichneumonidae), Gelanes horstmanni Khalaim, sp. n. (Tersilochinae) and Idiogramma elbakyanae Khalaim sp. n. (Tryphoninae), are described from the pine forest at 2800– 2900 m from the State of Tlaxcala in Central Mexico; a third species, I. comstockii (Ashmead), is found to occur in the State of Nuevo León in Northeast Mexico. The genera Gelanes Horstmann and Idiogramma Förster are associated with xyelid sawflies (Xyelidae), and both, as well as the tryphonine tribe Idiogrammatini, are recorded from Mexico for the first time. An identification key to the two Idiogramma species occurring in Mexico is provided

First record of Sathropterus pumilus (Holmgren) (Hymenoptera: Ichneumonidae: Tersilochinae) from Mexico

Primer registro de Sathropterus pumilus (Holmgren) (Hymenoptera: Ichneumonidae: Tersilochinae) para México. Acta Zoológica Mexicana (n. s.), 31(1): 141-142

Taxonomy of the genus Peucobius Townes (Hymenoptera, Ichneumonidae, Sisyrostolinae)

The genus Peucobius Townes previously comprised two species occurring in the Nearctic region: P. fulvus Townes and P. piceus Townes. In the current study we revise this genus, transfer it to the subfamily Sisyrostolinae (comb. nov.), and describe two new species – P. bennetti Khalaim & Ruíz-Cancino, sp. nov. from Central Mexico and P. shimizui Khalaim, sp. nov. from Japan. The genus Lygurus Kasparyan occurring in Russian Far East and Taiwan is morphologically similar to Peucobius; characters for distinguishing these two genera are provided for the first time with the use of colour photographs. Identification keys to four world species of Peucobius, and to species of Lygurus and Peucobius occurring in the East Palaearctic region, are provided. We suggest that species of Peucobius are associated with xyelid sawflies (Xyelidae) whose larvae feed in staminate pine cones

Darwin wasps: a new name heralds renewed efforts to unravel the evolutionary history of Ichneumonidae

The parasitoid wasp family Ichneumonidae is arguably one of the groups for which current knowledge lags most strongly behind their enormous diversity. In a five-day meeting in Basel (Switzerland) in June 2019, 22 researchers from 14 countries met to discuss the most important issues in ichneumonid research, including increasing the speed of species discovery, resolving higher-level relationships, and studying the radiation of these parasitoids onto various host groups through time. All agreed that it is time to advertise ichneumonid research more broadly and thereby attract young talents to this group for which specialists are sorely lacking, as well as increase public awareness about their exciting biology and ecological impact. In order to popularize the group, we here suggest a new vernacular name for the family, “Darwin wasps”, to reflect the pivotal role they played in convincing Charles Darwin that not all of creation could have been created by a benevolent god. We hope that the name catches on, and that Darwin wasps start buzzing more loudly across all disciplines of biology

Diaparsis (Diaparsis) vulgaris Khalaim 2013, sp. n.

Diaparsis (Diaparsis) vulgaris sp. n. Figs 72–76 Etymology: From the Latin vulgaris (usual, common), because it is the most abundant species of Diaparsis in the Afrotropical region. Diagnosis: Differs from Afrotropical congeners in having the following combination of features: long ovipositor, finely and sparsely punctate mesopleuron and dorsolateral area of propodeum, broad clypeus and clavate flagellum of female with 20–23 segments. Description: Female. Body length 4.8 mm. Head rounded behind eyes in dorsal view; temple 0.7× as long as eye width. Flagellum of antenna slightly clavate at apex, with 20–23 segments (21 in holotype); sub-basal flagellomeres about 1.8 and subapical flagellomeres 1.0–1.2× as long as broad. Mandible slender, with upper tooth distinctly longer than lower tooth. Malar space 0.7–0.8× as long as basal width of mandible. Clypeus 2.9× as broad as long, slightly convex or flat in lateral view, smooth, sparsely punctate in upper half. Face and frons finely and densely punctate on granulate background. Vertex finely granulate and very indistinctly punctate. Temple finely granulate (almost smooth centrally), with fine punctures. Occipital carina complete. Mesosoma with mesoscutum finely and densely punctate on granulate background. Notaulus with short wrinkle. Mesopleuron finely punctate, granulate peripherally and almost smooth centrally. Foveate groove in anterior half of mesopleuron, moderately deep, strongly oblique, with transverse wrinkles. Propodeal spiracle separated from pleural carina by 1.5–2.5 diameters of spiracle. Propodeum with basal keel 0.36× as long as apical area; dorsolateral area granulate, with very fine (sometimes indistinct) punctures.Apical area flat, pointed or roundly pointed anteriorly, granulate, impunctate; apical longitudinal carinae weak, usually not reaching transverse carina anteriorly. Fore wing length 3.55 mm. First abscissa of radius straight, longer than width of pterostigma. Metacarp almost reaching apex of fore wing. Second recurrent vein postfurcal. Intercubitus usually about as long as abscissa of cubitus between intercubitus and second recurrent vein. Hind wing with nervellus slightly reclivous, slanted at 10–15°. Legs slender. Hind femur 4.45× as long as broad and 0.82× as long as tibia. Spurs of hind tibia almost straight. Tarsal claws not pectinate, strongly curved. Tergite 1 of metasoma very slender, 4.4× as long as broad posteriorly, smooth, with small glymma and petiole round in cross-section. Second tergite 1.65× as long as broad anteriorly; thyridial depression distinct, 1.5–2.5× as long as broad. Ovipositor upcurved, with shallow dorsal subapical depression; sheath about 2.8× as long as hind tibia and 3.0× as long as first tergite. Head, mesosoma and tergite 1 of metasoma black; pronotum anteriorly and upper part of mesopleuron sometimes reddish brown. Scape and pedicel of antenna, palpi, mandible (except for blackish teeth), lower half of clypeus and tegula brownish yellow. Flagellum brownish basally to fuscous apically, or more or less entirely black. Pterostigma brown. Legs yellow-brown to brown. Metasoma behind tergite 1 predominantly brown, ventrally yellowish; tergites 2+ with hind margin more or less yellowish. Male. Similar to female but flagellum distinctly tapered towards apex, with 25–27 segments, malar space shorter, tergite 2 and thyridial depression longer. Holotype: ♀ SOUTH AFRICA: KwaZulu­Natal: Royal Natal Nature Reserve, Gudu Forest, 28°40.9'S 28°55.78'E, 1680–1730 m, 18.xi.2006 – 27.ii.2007, M. Mostovski, Malaise trap (SAMC). Paratypes: SOUTH AFRICA: KwaZulu­Natal: 12♀ 1♂ same data as holotype (6♀ SAMC, 6♀ 1♂ ZISP); 4♀ same data but 28.xi–8.xii.2005 (2♀ SAMC, 2♀ ZISP); 6♀ 3♂ same data but 13.xii.2005 – 28.i.2006 (1♂ SAMC, 3♀ 1♂ ZISP, 3♀ 1♂ BMNH); 1♀ 1♂ same data but 29.i–28.v.2006 (SAMC); 1♀ same data but 29.v–21.ix.2006 (ZISP); 2♀ 1♂ same data but 22.ix–17.xi.2006 (2♀ ZISP, 1♂ SAMC); 1♀ Royal Natal Nature Reserve, Mahai Camp, 28°41.4'S 28°56.3'E, 1450 m, 20–22.ix.2006, M. Mostovski, yellow pan traps (ZISP); 4♀ 2♂ Cathedral Peak Nature Reserve, Rainbow Gorge, 28°57.6'S 29°13.61'E, 1480 m, 25.xi– 12.xii.2005, M. Mostovski, Malaise trap (1♀ 1♂ ZISP, 3♀ 1♂ ZSM); 6♀ same data but 3–15.xii.2005 (2♀ ZISP, 2♀ BMNH, 2♀ ZSM); 2♀ same data but 29.v–21.ix.2006 (ZISP); 4♀ same data but 22.ix–17.xi.2006 (1♀ ZISP, 3♀ SAMC); 2♀ same data but 18.xi–26.ii.2007 (SAMC); 1♀ Cathedral Peak Nature Reserve, Education Camp, 28°57.4'S 29°14.4'E, 1420 m, 11–12.ix.2004, M. Mostovski, yellow pan traps (BMNH); 1♀ Cathedral Peak Nature Reserve, 28°57.4'S 29°14.4'E, 1420 m, 8–11.ii.2004, V. Kolyada, yellow pan traps (SAMC); 1♀ Ngoye Forest, i–ii.2006, G. Davies, Malaise trap (SAMC); 1♀ Pietermaritzburg, Cumberland private nature reserve, 29°30.8'S 30°30.3'E, 640 m, 21–22.ii.2005, V. Kolyada, on light (SAMC); 2♀ Pietermaritzburg, Winterskloof, 29°34.56'S 30°17.40'E, 1085 m, 3.iii–20.iv.2007, M. Mostovski, Malaise trap (ZISP); 2♀ same data but 20.iv–1.ix.2007 (SAMC); 3♀ Vernon Crookes Nature Reserve, 30°17.4'S 30°36.9'E, 250 m, 26.vii–29.ix.2005, M.Mostovski, Malaise trap (SAMC); 2♀ same data but 23.x–19.xii.2005 (SAMC, ZISP); 1♀ same locality, [date absent], G. Davies, yellow pan traps (SAMC). Eastern Cape: 1♀ East London, 32°58.9'S 27°53.2'E, 115 m, 24–29.xii.2004, M. Mostovski, Malaise trap (ZISP).Published as part of Khalaim, Andrey I., 2013, Afrotropical species of Diaparsis Förster, 1869 (Hymenoptera: Ichneumonidae: Tersilochinae), pp. 127 in African Invertebrates 54 (1) on pages 156-158, DOI: 10.5733/afin.054.0104, http://zenodo.org/record/766167

Allophrys matsumurai Khalaim, sp. nov.

<i>Allophrys matsumurai</i> Khalaim, sp. nov. <p>(Figs 1–7)</p> <p> <b>Comparison.</b> Differs from two other Japanese species of <i>Allophrys</i> by its distinctly punctate and smooth between punctures mesopleuron, and deep and long foveate groove with strong transverse wrinkles (Figs 1, 2). It also differs from <i>A. takemotoi</i> <b>sp. nov.</b> by granulate temple and longer ovipositor, and from <i>Allophrys</i> sp. by occipital carina lacking dorsally. See also Table 1.</p> <p> <b>Description.</b> <i>Female</i>. Body length 4.3 mm. Fore wing length approximately 2.7 mm (both fore wings crumpled).</p> <p>Head strongly narrowed, weakly rounded behind eyes in dorsal view; temple about half as long as eye width. Clypeus lenticular, convex in lateral view, smooth, with fine punctures in upper part. Mandible slender, with upper tooth 2.5× longer than the lower tooth. Malar space 0.8× as long as basal mandibular width (Fig. 2). Antennal flagellum slender, slightly tapered towards apex, with 14 flagellomeres (Fig. 2). Face, frons, vertex and temple granulate, dull, without distinct punctures. Occipital carina distinct laterally and absent dorsally. Hypostomal carina complete, strong.</p> <p>Mesoscutum granulate, dull, with very fine dense punctures. Scutellum with lateral longitudinal carinae developed in its basal half. Notaulus with rather strong wrinkle anterolaterally. Foveate groove long, situated in anterior 0.8 of mesopleuron, S-curved, deep, coarsely crenulate (Figs 1, 2). Propodeum (Fig. 3) with basal area moderately broad, strongly widened anteriorly, 0.35× as long as apical area; basal longitudinal carinae well developed. Propodeal spiracle separated from pleural carina by about 2.5× diameter of spiracle (Fig. 1). Apical area (Fig. 3) impressed along midline, narrowly rounded anteriorly, transversely wrinkled posteriorly; apical longitudinal carinae strong, reaching transverse carina anteriorly.</p> <p> Fore wings partly crumpled, therefore some characters of venation not discernible. Second recurrent vein (2 <i>mcu</i>) interstitial or slightly postfurcal, weakly pigmented anteriorly but distinct. Intercubitus (2 <i>rs-m</i>) moderately long, not unusually thick. Pterostigma large; first abscissa of radius (<i>Rs</i> +2 <i>r</i>) much shorter than width of pterostigma. First section of radius (<i>Rs</i> +2 <i>r</i>) distinctly curved, meeting with second section (<i>Rs</i>) at right angle. Hind wing with nervellus (<i>cu</i> 1& <i>cu-a</i>) weakly reclivous (less than 30°). Legs slender.</p> <p>First tergite very slender, 5.8× as long as posteriorly broad, smooth, without glymma, with dorsolateral carina present only at extreme base. Second tergite 2.8× as long as anteriorly broad (Fig. 4). Thyridial depression deep, about 2.5× as long as broad. Ovipositor short, with shallow dorsal subapical depression (Fig. 5); its sheath 0.8× as long as first tergite.</p> <p>Head black. Palpi, mandible (teeth dark red) and lower half of clypeus yellow. Antenna yellow basally to fuscous apically. Mesosoma mostly black; pronotum, propleuron and mesopleuron dark reddish brown. Tegula brown. Pterostigma dark brown. Legs yellow. First metasomal tergite dark brown. Metasoma behind first tergite yellow with extensive brown markings laterally, predominantly dark brown dorsally.</p> <p> <i>Male</i> (Fig. 6). Malar space very short, base of mandible almost touching the eye margin. Flagellum basally very slender, with 14 flagellomeres. Eyes strongly enlarged; anterior ocellus almost touching the eye margin, its maximum diameter less than shortest distance between inner eye margins (Fig. 7). Occipital carina dorsally absent. Hypostomal carina strong, complete. Propodeum with basal area wider, basal longitudinal carinae somewhat stronger and apical area broader than in female. Tergites 1 and 2 much slenderer than in female. Thyridial depression very long. Mesosoma extensively dark reddish brown. Hind coxa basally brown. Metasoma brown to dark brown. Otherwise similar to female.</p> <p> <b>Etymology.</b> The species is named in honour of the collector of the type specimen, T. Matsumura. <b>Material examined. Holotype</b> female (NIAES), Japan, Kyushu Region, Okinawa Pref., Iriomote I., Otomi, Malaise trap, 15–23.III.1995, coll. T. Matsumura.</p> <p> <b>Paratype. Japan, Kyushu Region:</b> 1 ♂ (NIAES) Okinawa Pref., Ishigaki I., 6.V.1993, coll. M. Hayashi. <b>Distribution.</b> Japan (Kyushu I.).</p>Published as part of <i>Khalaim, Andrey I., 2017, A review of Japanese species of Allophrys Förster (Hymenoptera: Ichneumonidae: Tersilochinae), pp. 386-392 in Zootaxa 4221 (3)</i> on pages 388-390, DOI: <a href="http://zenodo.org/record/250336">10.5281/zenodo.250336</a&gt

Aneuclis lanternaria Khalaim 2009, sp. n.

Aneuclis lanternaria sp. n. Figs 4–7, 10, 11 Etymology: From Latin lanternarius (carrying a lantern). Description: Female. Body length 3.3 mm. Head roundly narrowed behind eyes in dorsal view; temple short, 0.63 times as long as eye width. Flagellum of antenna with 14 segments; all flagellomeres, except apical one, distinctly elongate, mostly 1.4–1.6 times as long as wide (Fig. 4). Upper tooth of mandible longer than lower tooth. Malar space about as long as basal width of mandible. Face and frons granulate. Vertex very finely granulate, matt. Mesonotum granulate, usually impunctate (indistinctly punctate in one paratype). Notaulus substituted by a short distinct carina. Mesopleuron granulate, usually indistinctly punctate centrally. Sternaulus in anterior part of mesopleuron weakly impressed, more coarsely granulate than the remaining mesopleuron, sometimes also with very shallow wrinkles. Propodeum evenly granulate, impunctate; basal keel 0.4 times as long as apical area; spiracle separated from pleural carina by about 1.5 diameters of spiracle; apical area more or less rounded anteriorly, with a pair of longitudinal carinae reaching transverse carina (Fig. 11). Fore wing length 2.26 mm. First section of radial vein about as long as width of pterostigma. Metacarp not reaching apex of fore wing. Second recurrent vein interstitial (Fig. 10). Vein 2 rs–m moderately long (Fig. 10). First tergite length 0.66 mm; tergite slender, almost entirely smooth, with petiole slightly striate laterally, with small deep glymma (Fig. 7). Second tergite length 0.28 mm. Thyridia very shallow (sometimes hardly discernible), about 2.5 times as long as wide. Ovipositor long; sheath 2.0 mm, 3.0 times as long as first tergite (Fig. 6). Body brown to black with brownish hue. Palpi, mandibles (except teeth), clypeus, scape and pedicel of antenna, tegula and legs yellow to yellowish brown. Flagellum usually yellowish basally, evenly darkening towards apex. Pronotum reddish.Pterostigma brown, sometimes with pallid basal, apical and peripheral spots. Metasoma behind first segment usually brown to dark brown, with second tergite yellowish dorsally; sometimes tergites yellowish ventrally. Male. Unknown. Holotype: ♀‘ South Africa, W. Cape, Fernkloof Nat. Reserve, Hermanus, Die Mond se Kop, above Voëlklip [34°24'S: 19°16'E]’, ‘ 60 m, 19–20 Feb 1994, S. van Noort, Mesic Mountain Fynbos, Malaise Trap’, ‘SAMHYM-P006185’ (SAMC). Paratypes: SOUTH AFRICA: Western Cape: ♀same data as holotype (ZISP); ♀Brandfontein Reserve, 34°46'S: 19°52'E, Strandveld, sweep, 16–18.x.1992, S. van Noort (SAMC); ♀‘ Mossel bay [34°11'S: 22°08'E] SAMuseum [South African Museum]’, ‘ R. Turner 29-11-41’ (underside of label, both sides contain handwritten illegible text), ‘SAM-HYM-P001294’, head absent (SAMC).Published as part of Khalaim, Andrey I., 2009, South African species of Aneuclis Förster, 1869 (Hymenoptera: Ichneumonidae: Tersilochinae), pp. 123-136 in African Invertebrates 50 (1) on page 127, DOI: 10.5733/afin.050.0105, http://zenodo.org/record/767164