NEW DATA ON DISTRIBUTION OF CALIAESCHNA MICROSTIGMA (SCHNEIDER, 1845) (ODONATA: AESHNIDAE) IN SERBIA

Caliaeschna microstigma is a species distributed mainly in the eastern Mediterranean, from Croatia in the west to northern Iran and Caucasus in the east. Until this study, it was reported only from a few localities in Serbia, which are located in far south. Here we have summarized all available data and presented new data on the distribution of C. microstigma in Serbia. The Eastern Spectre was detected at seven new localities (four during field study and three from publicly available databases), extending its current range in Serbia by more than 120 km to the north

APHIDIUS NEES (HYMENOPTERA, BRACONIDAE, APHIDIINAE) IN SERBIA: KEY TO SPECIES IDENTIFICATION INCLUDING PARASITOID – APHID HOST LIST

This study offers a comprehensive guide to the identification of 34 Aphidius species that were found in the territory of Serbia. Also, for all Aphidius species, a total of 97 aphid hosts were represented. Aphidius linosiphonis Tomanović & Starý and Aphidius balcanicus Tomanović & Petrović were described from Serbia. Aphidius ericaphidis Pike & Starý and A. banksae Kittel are allochthonous species in Serbia of North American and Asian origin, respectively. For both allochthonous species, the first records for the fauna of Europe were from Serbia

ALLOMETRIC SHAPE CHANGES INDICATE SIGNIFICANT DIVERGENCE IN THE WING SHAPE BETWEEN ASEXUAL AND SEXUAL LINEAGES OF LYSIPHLEBUS FABARUM (MARSHALL) (HYMENOPTERA: BRACONIDAE)

We used landmark-based geometric morphometrics to explore and quantify the forewing shape variation between asexual and sexual lineages of Lysiphlebus fabarum aphid parasitoids. We found a significant divergence in wing size and wing shape between the two reproductive lineages. Static allometry, which denotes size-related shape changes measured in different individuals at the same developmental stage within a population or species, accounts for the significant amount of variation in wing shape within each lineage (11.16 % in asexual, 7.5% in sexual). The allometric shape changes appear to be lineage specific, i.e., the allometric slopes of wing shape significantly diverge between lineages. Such a pattern indicates that asexual and sexual lineages differ in the covariation pattern of the wing shape. Further studies on larger datasets, including other Lysiphlebus taxa and closely related groups, would shed more light on the pattern of morphological variation and the significance of the reproductive mode on the morphological evolution of parasitoid wasps

Aphidius geranii sp. n. (Hymenoptera: Braconidae) from Southeast Europe – a new member of the Aphidius urticae s. str. group

Aphidius geranii Tomanovic and Kavallieratos, sp. n., is described as an additional member of the Aphidius urticae s. str. group from high-mountain habitats of Southeast Europe. The new species was reared from Amphorophora sp./Geranium coeruleatum associations. Parasitoid guilds associated with G. coeruleatum are discussed. Key for identification Aphidius spp. on Geranium plants in Europe is given

ENSIGN WASPS OF SERBIA AND MONTENEGRO (HYMENOPTERA: EVANIOIDEA: EVANIIDAE)

This paper presents the first report on ensign wasp fauna in two central Balkan countries, Serbia and Montenegro. We established the presence of three species  (out of five recorded in Europe): Brachygaster minutus, Prosevania fuscipes and Zeuxevania splendidula, the last based on an old literature report. We briefly discuss the patterns of their distribution and occurrence, in relation to their specific bionomy and the collecting techniques applied

Lysiphlebus orientalis (Hymenoptera, Braconidae), a new invasive aphid parasitoid in Europe - evidence from molecular markers

We report the occurrence of Lysiphlebus orientalis in Serbia, an aphid parasitoid from the Far East that is new to Europe and has the potential to become invasive. Our finding based on morphological characters is confirmed by analyses of mitochondrial cytochrome oxidase subunit I sequences. An increase in number and an expansion of the host range were observed during field studies over the past two years, and it is determined that the current host range encompasses nine aphid hosts on 12 different host plants, forming 13 tri-trophic associations. A host range determined for European populations of L. orientalis appears wider compared with that in its Far Eastern native habitats where Aphis glycines Mats. is the sole known host. Moreover, it overlaps considerably with the host ranges of European parasitoids that play an important role in the natural control of pest aphid

Agriotypus armatus Curtis, 1832, a parasitoid of Silo pallipes Fabricius, 1781: the first record for the Balkan Peninsula

Among the diverse order of Hymenoptera, aquatic species are of special interest. During macrozoobenthos sampling in the rivers of Serbia in 2003 and during the period 2011-2012, pupae of Silo pallipes Fabricius, 1781 were recorded which were parasitized by an ichneumonid wasp Agriotypus armatus Curtis, 1832, this being the first record of it for the Balkan Peninsula. A total of 217 A. armatus specimens were collected at 29 localities situated along 16 watercourses of Serbia. All four parasitoid stages (egg, larva, pupa and resting adult) were recorded. The identity of the parasitoid was confirmed using standard molecular methods. This study also focuses on the ecology of the parasitoid and its host. The widespread distribution of A. armatus in Europe suggests the presence of this species in other Balkan countries, but this has not yet been confirmed due to a lack of surveys and/or the constantly increasing pollution of freshwaters

CHARIPINAE (HYMENOPTERA: FIGITIDAE) OF SERBIA – DISTRIBUTION AND TROPHIC INTERACTIONS

The distribution and trophic interactions of aphid associated Charipinae of Serbia are presented. In total, 77 different trophic associations (plant-aphid-primary parasitoid-hyperparasitoid) have been reported. Four Charipinae species are recorded for the first time from Serbia: Alloxysta citripes (Thomson, 1862), Alloxysta mullensis (Cameron, 1883), Alloxysta pusilla (Kieffer, 1902), and Alloxysta sawoniewiczi (Kierych, 1988)

Identification of Two Cryptic Species within the Praon abjectum Group (Hymenoptera: Braconidae: Aphidiinae) Using Molecular Markers and Geometric Morphometrics

The genus Praon represents a large group of aphid endoparasitoids and is exemplary for the problems encountered in their taxonomy because of a great variability of morphological characters. To investigate the intraspecific variability and to ascertain cryptic speciation within the Praon abjectum Haliday group, biotypes in association with the aphid hosts Aphis sambuci L., Longicaudus trirhodus Walker, and Rhopalosiphum spp. were examined. We combined molecular and geometric morphometric analyses, that is, partial sequences of the mitochondrial cytochrome oxidase subunit I and nuclear 28SD2 genes and the shape of the forewing. Low variation of 28SD2 sequences confirmed the close relatedness of species from the genus Praon. Analysis of the cytochrome oxidase subunit I sequences however identified three separate taxa within the P. abjectum group with substantial genetic divergence. The biotype of P. abjectum associated with L. trirhodus differed from those associated with Rhopalosiphum sp. and A. sambuci by 5.4-6.5% and 7.7% sequence divergence, respectively, while the genetic distance between the latter two biotypes ranged from 9.5 to 10%. The main changes in the forewing shape that discriminate these three biotypes as revealed by geometric morphometrics are related to the stigma shape and the position of the radial nerve. Based on the differences determined in mitochondrial sequences and in the shape of the wing, we describe two new cryptic species within the P. abjectum group as follows: P. sambuci sp. n. in association with A. sambuci/S. nigra and P. longicaudus sp. n. in association with L. trirhodus/T. aquilegifoliu

Resolving the taxonomic status of potential biocontrol agents belonging to the neglected genus lipolexis Förster (Hymenoptera, Braconidae, Aphidiinae) with descriptions of six new species

Lipolexis is a small genus in the subfamily Aphidiinae represented by one species in Europe (Lipolexis gracilis Förster) and by four in Asia (Lipolexis wuyiensis Chen, L. oregmae Gahan, L. myzakkaiae Pramanik and Raychaudhuri and L. pseudoscutellaris Pramanik and Raychaudhuri). Although L. oregmae is employed in biological control programs against pest aphids, the last morphological study on the genus was completed over 50 years ago. This study employs an integrative approach (morphology and molecular analysis (COI barcode region)), to examine Lipolexis specimens that were sampled worldwide, including specimens from BOLD database. These results establish that two currently recognized species of Lipolexis (L. gracilis, L. oregmae) are actually a species complex and also reveal phylogenetic relationships within the genus. Six new species are described and a global key for the identification of Lipolexis species is provided.info:eu-repo/semantics/publishedVersio