The preponderance of matter over antimatter in the early Universe, the dynamics of the supernova bursts that produced the heavy elements necessary for life and whether protons eventually decay -these mysteries at the forefront of particle physics and astrophysics are key to understanding the early evolution of our Universe, its current state and its eventual fate. The Long-Baseline Neutrino Experiment (LBNE) represents an extensively developed plan for a world-class experiment dedicated to addressing these questions.Experiments carried out over the past half century have revealed that neutrinos are found in three states, or flavors, and can transform from one flavor into another. These results indicate that each neutrino flavor state is a mixture of three different nonzero mass states, and to date offer the most compelling evidence for physics beyond the Standard Model. In a single experiment, LBNE will enable a broad exploration of the three-flavor model of neutrino physics with unprecedented detail. Chief among its potential discoveries is that of matter-antimatter asymmetries (through the mechanism of charge-parity violation) in neutrino flavor mixing -a step toward unraveling the mystery of matter generation in the early Universe. Independently, determination of the unknown neutrino mass ordering and precise measurement of neutrino mixing parameters by LBNE may reveal new fundamental symmetries of Nature.Grand Unified Theories, which attempt to describe the unification of the known forces, predict rates for proton decay that cover a range directly accessible with the next generation of large underground detectors such as LBNE's. The experiment's sensitivity to key proton decay channels will offer unique opportunities for the ground-breaking discovery of this phenomenon.Neutrinos emitted in the first few seconds of a core-collapse supernova carry with them the potential for great insight into the evolution of the Universe. LBNE's capability to collect and analyze this high-statistics neutrino signal from a supernova within our galaxy would provide a rare opportunity to peer inside a newly-formed neutron star and potentially witness the birth of a black hole.To achieve its goals, LBNE is conceived around three central components: (1) a new, highintensity neutrino source generated from a megawatt-class proton accelerator at Fermi National Accelerator Laboratory, (2) a fine-grained near neutrino detector installed just downstream of the source, and (3) a massive liquid argon time-projection chamber deployed as a far detector deep underground at the Sanford Underground Research Facility. This facility, located at the site of the former Homestake Mine in Lead, South Dakota, is ∼1,300 km from the neutrino source at Fermilab -a distance (baseline) that delivers optimal sensitivity to neutrino charge-parity symmetry violation and mass ordering effects. This ambitious yet cost-effective design incorporates scalability and flexibility and can accommodate a variety of upgrades and contributions.With its exceptional combi...

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The D2 variable region of 28S rRNA was sequenced in a wide range of Ichneumonoidea to provide the first comprehensive phylogenetic reconstruction of this superfamily. The two constituent families (Braconidae and Ichneumonidae) were each found to contain a single well‐supported clade dominated by the more plesiomorphic life history strategies (idiobiosis, ectoparasitism and attacking endoephytic hosts). In the Braconidae this clade corresponds to the morphologically‐defined group called the cyclostomes. In the Ichneumonidae the clade unites for the first time the pimpliformes (sensu Wahl) with most of the phygadeuontoid subfamilies and several small taxa including Adelognathus and Euceros. Relationships among the remaining, more biologically‐derived, subfamilies were less well resolved, but included among the Braconidae a well‐supported microgastroid clade and strong evidence for a sister group relationship between the Agathidinae and Sigalphinae.

The morphology, function and phylogenetic significance of the hymenopterous ovipositor, as revealed by transverse sections, is explored. Ovipositors (including stings) of > 240 species belonging to some 69 families (representing all superfamilies) have been prepared and examined, and almost 180 are illustrated. Particular attention is paid to Ichneumonoidea. Sections show many new, phylogenetically informative characters as well as providing further insight into ovipositor function. Examples of synapomorphies are given which suggest various groupings at the family or subfamily levels. Functional interpretations are given for several characters, with particular reference to substrate penetration, passage of the egg along the ovipositor and stinging.

The Hymenoptera known to be obligatory parasitoids or predators of spiders or their eggs in Europe form a rather diverse assemblage. Their biologies are briefly reviewed; known host associations are summarized for each genus; and a key is given to the genera of Hymenoptera (other than Pompilidae) involved.

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The species of Diadegma that attack Plutella xylostella (Linnaeus) are revised. Following a morphometric study involving principal components and discriminant analyses, seven distinct morphospecies are recognized. One species is described as new: D. novaezealandiae from New Zealand. Diadegma mollipla (Holmgren) is the name for the species from sub-Saharan Africa and some Indian Ocean and South Atlantic islands. Diadegma varuna Gupta syn. nov. and D. niponica Kusigemati syn. nov. are both synonymized with D. fenestrale (Holmgren). Diadegma xylostellae Kusigemati is strongly presumed to be a synonym of D. semiclausum (Hellén). An illustrated identification key is provided and each species is described in a standard way.