No abstract

A number of wasps in the family Diapriidae, subfamily Diapriinae (Proctotrupoidea), are parasitoids that specialize on ant larvae. These wasps are abundant and diverse in the Neotropics, but little is known about their biology. We studied parasitism rates by an array of diapriine wasps that attack the larvae of fungus-growing ants, Trachymyrmex cf. zeteki, in a single population (near Gamboa, Panamá). Relatively little is known about the biology and natural history of these ants, so we also present data on colony size and nest architecture. We excavated 136 colonies in central Panamá We reared six wasp morphotypes; two of them in the genus Mimopriella Masner and Garcia, one Oxypria Kieffer, two Szelenyiopria Fabritius and one Acanthopria Ashmead. The mean intensity of larval parasitism per ant colony was 33. 9% (2006), and its prevalence across all ant populations was 27. 2% (2006 and 2009). Parasitism rates were not positively correlated with host colony size. A single case of super-parasitism was documented in which two Oxypria males were reared from the same host larva.

Ceraphronoidea, Platygastroidea e Proctotrupoidea do Brasil (Hymenoptera) RESUMO -As vespas do "complexo" Proctotrupoidea (Ceraphronoidea, Proctotrupoidea strictu sensu e Platygasteroidea) são um grupo grande e diverso de Hymenoptera parasítica, relativamente antigo, com fósseis a partir do período Jurássico. Todos os proctotrupóideos são parasitóides ou hiperparasitóides de outros artrópodes, atacando a maioria dos grupos de insetos terrestres bem como centípedes e aranhas. O presente estudo resume o conhecimento desse complexo no Brasil. Foi listado um total de 221 espécies, distribuídas nas famílias Ceraphronidae (1), Megaspilidae (1), Diapriidae (84), Monomachidae (9), Pelecinidae (2), Proctotrupidae (12), Platygastridae (20), Scelionidae (92). As vespas desse complexo foram revisadas taxonomicamente, discutindo-se também, os registros fósseis, atualização da distribuição geográfica e os hospedeiros associados. PALAVRAS-CHAVE: Parasitóide, vespa, distribuição geográficaABSTRACT -The wasps of the "Proctotrupoidea complex" (Ceraphronoidea, Proctotrupoidea y Platygasteroidea) are a very large and diverse group of parasitic Hymenoptera. It is a relatively old group, with fossils from the Jurassic period. All of them are parasitoids or hiperparasitoids of other arthropods, attacking most groups of terrestrial insects as well as centipeds and spiders. The present study summarizes the knowledge of this complex in Brazil. A total of 221 species are listed; they are distributed in the families Ceraphronidae (1), Megaspilidae (1), Diapriidae (84), Monomachidae (9), Pelecinidae (2), Proctotrupidae (12), Platygastridae (20), Scelionidae (92). Taxonomy, fossil records, distribution and hosts are reviewed.

Neotropical Entomology 32(2): 355-358 (2003) Primeiro

This contribution provides new parasitoid/host associations for scelionid species distributed in Argentina, Brazil, Colombia and Uruguay, and new geographic records. The parasitoid species examined belong to the genera Gryon Haliday, Phanuropsis Girault, Trissolcus Ashmead, and Telenomus Haliday, and all of them attack insect pests. Three cases of multiple scelionid species emerging from a single egg mass of Pentatomidae are reported.

We provide an overview of diapriid wasps associated with ants in Argentina and the diversity of interactions they have developed with their hosts. As a result, we report 16 species of nine genera of Diapriinae, two new geographic distributions, three new association records, illustrations, and photographs. We highlight myrmecophile symphylic species, with a high degree of integration with the host ants, adaptation being morphological and behavioral. A table with diapriid species and ant hosts is given.

The solitary egg parasitoids (Hymenoptera: Scelionidae) of Pentatomidae species complex are potential candidates for soybean (Glycine max L.) integrated pest management programs in Brazil. The correct identification of species and strains of these parasitoids is necessary to implement the use of biological control. Polymerase chain reaction (PCR) was used to generate random amplification of polymorphic DNA (RAPD) from male individuals of Telenomus podisi Ashmead and Trissolcus spp. collected in a soybean field in Brasília, Brazil in 1996. The analysis of 18 primers used to screen Trissolcus spp. individuals revealed different patterns related to the species analyzed. These results indicate the potential of RAPD markers to differentiate T. teretis Johnson, T. urichi Crawford and T. basalis (Wollaston). The 13 selected primers used to analyze T. podisi individuals produced 103 clear polymorphic scorable markers. Different genotypes were observed within this population analyzed, although the cluster analysis applied to the RAPD data showed high homogeneity (similarity >78.2%) among individuals.

ABSTRACT.A redescription of the genus Bruchopria and its two species, B. hexatoma Kieffer (female and male) and B. pentatoma Kieffer (male only) is presented. New record for B. hexatoma from Argentina is provided. Some aspects of diapriid biology with emphasis on their myrmecophilic evidence and association with ants are discussed. Scanning photographs of morphological structures are included.