A Review of the Genus Lipolexis Förster, 1862 (Hymenoptera, Braconidae: Aphidiinae) in the Fauna of Ukraine

Abstract

Genus Lipolexis Förster, 1862 is represented by four species in the world fauna and only one species, Lipolexis gracilis Förster, 1862, in the fauna of Europe, and Ukraine as well. Data on the genus Lipolexis and its species L. gracilis are presented according to available published information and material from collection of I. I. Schmalhausen Institute of Zoology, NAS of Ukraine, identified by author. Lipolexis gracilis is distributed generally in Palaerctic and Oriental regions, where it prefers steppificated habitats. In Ukraine species is recorded in Cherkasy, Kirovohrad and Ternopil Regions, which are situated in Forest-Steppe Zone and Zone of Broadleaf Forests of Ukraine. Lipolexis gracilis is polyphagous species that parasitizes various aphid species mostly from subfamily Aphidinae, as well as aphids from subfamily Anoeciinae and subfamily Calaphidinaе. Data on tritrophic interactions of L. gracilis in the fauna of Ukraine is given and possibility of species application as a biocontrol agent is discussed. In Ukraine L. gracilis was reared from Aphis craccae L., Aphis craccivora Koch, Aphis fabae Scopoli, and Brachycaudus cardui L. Among hosts of L. gracilis, there are economically important aphids, and this species was previously used as biocontrol agent of soybean aphid, Aphis glycines Matsumura. On our opinion this aphidiine species could be considered as potential biocontrol agent of other economically important aphid species. To facilitate identification of L. gracilis a new morphological character is established: this is the ratio of the forewing length and the length of C+SC+R vein. This character will facilitate identification of broken specimens.

Resolving the Taxonomic Status of Potential Biocontrol Agents Belonging to the Neglected Genus Lipolexis Förster (Hymenoptera, Braconidae, Aphidiinae) with Descriptions of Six New Species

“…Moreover, it seems that neither species has been mentioned in the scientific literature since their description. Lipolexis gracilis has a Palaearctic distribution and it is the only Lipolexis currently thought to be widely distributed in Europe [ 13 , 14 , 15 ]. By contrast, L. oregmae , an Oriental species, has been introduced to USA (Florida) [ 16 ], Jamaica [ 17 ], Dominica [ 18 ] and Costa Rica [ 19 ].…”

Natural enemies of Pentalonia nigronervosa, vector of Banana Bunchy Top Virus

“…A third instar of A. gossypii parasitized by Lipolexis oregmae, was reported to be more parasitoids than other instars of aphid (Prasad and Singh 2020). Lipolexis was a polyphagous predator that preyed on various aphid species, such as Aphis craccivora, A. gossypii, A. spiraecola, Toxoptera aurantii, and T. citricida (Persad et al 2004;Parween and Ahmad 2015;Kaliuzhna 2019). L. bengalensis parasitizing P. nigronervosa was also found to be parasitized by hyper-parasitoid Microterys angustus (Hymenoptera: Encrytidae).…”