Diolcogaster choi sp. nov. from Brazil, a new gregarious microgastrine parasitoid wasp (Hymenoptera: Braconidae) reared from Hypercompe cunigunda (Lepidoptera: Erebidae) in Brazil

Abstract

A new species of Diolcogaster (Hymenoptera: Braconidae) is described and illustrated. Additionally, its position within the recently published key to New World species of the xanthaspis species-group (to which the described Diolcogaster belongs) is provided. The gregarious larval parasitoid Diolcogaster choi sp. nov. was collected in Maringá, Paraná State, Brazil. This natural enemy was recovered from a caterpillar of Hypercompe cunigunda (Stoll, 1781) (Lepidoptera: Erebidae) that was feeding on plant of passionflower, Passiflora edulis Sims (Passifloraceae). The fauna of the xanthaspis group in the New World now includes five species, including the new species from Brazil described in this paper. Diolcogaster choi sp. nov. differs anatomically, and is morphologically diagnosed, from all other known member of the xanthaspis group of the genus Diolcogaster, to which it belongs. The species also differs in recorded host, and its DNA barcode appears to be distinctive among described Diolcogaster.