A Revision of Zaeucoila Ashmead (Hymenoptera, Figitidae), Parasitoids of Agromyzidae (Diptera): New Species, Identity, Distribution, and Hosts

Abstract

The eucoiline genus Zaeucoila Ashmead is revised. Following a reevaluation combining previously published phylogenetic data and new specimens, Agrostocynips Díaz is synonymized with Zaeucoila. All species included in Zaeucoila are systematically treated, and now amounts to twelve, seven of which are described as new here: Zaeucoila bitiburculata new species, Z. fidalgoii new species, Z. infuscata new species, Z. johnsonii new species, Z. lignys new species, Z. normae new species, Z. patera new species. The following new combinations are proposed and species redescribed: Zaeucoila grenadensis (Ashmead), new combination; Z. robusta (Ashmead), new combination; Z. flavipes (Ashmead), new combination. Agrostocynips diastrophi (Ashmead), Agrostocynips clavatus Díaz, and Agrostocynips enneatoma (Díaz) are new synonyms of Zaeucoila robusta. Zaeucoila incompleta (Kieffer), Z. triangulifera Kieffer, and Z. unicarinata Ashmead are redescribed. Zaeucoila is an unusual genus of Zaeucoilini in its wide distribution area: it can be found from southern Argentina well into the eastern United States and southern Canada; no other zaeucoiline genus shows such a pattern. Host records and geographic data for Zaeucoila are brought up to date, as well as a key to species. Zeucoila are primary parasitoids of Agromyzidae, including Liriomyza trifolii and other species that are notable economic pests of agriculture. Tropideucoila fulvonotata (Kieffer) is transferred to Marthiella (new combination).

The Potential of the Figitidae Family as Natural Insect Regulators Pests (Insecta: Hymenoptera)

“…However, although entomophagous insects are essential for maintaining the population balance of phytophagous insects, these usually occur in insufficient quantity to promote effective control of insect pest populations. Due to this, it is necessary to carry out periodic releases to provide the maintenance of populations of natural enemies for pest control [29][30][31][32][33][34][35][36][37][38] .…”

Insect (Hexapoda) diversity in the oceanic archipelago of Fernando de Noronha, Brazil: updated taxonomic checklist and new records

“…Remarks. Fernando de Noronha is the type-locality of Zaeucoila enneatoma Diaz, 1975 (De Santis andDiaz, 1975;Buffington et al, 2017). Formicidae Camponotus (Myrmosphincta) sexguttatus (Fabricius, 1793) Camponotus bimaculatus (Smith, 1858): Kirby (1890); Alvarenga (1962).…”

World Cynipoidea (Hymenoptera): A Key to Higher-Level Groups

“…Species-level identification is very often not possible, but many common European species can still be keyed with Quinlan (1978) even though taxonomy is obsolete, and odd taxa globally can be recognized using Weld (1952). Useful generic treatments are available for Ganaspidium (Buffington 2010a), Banacuniculus (Buffington 2010b), Zaeucoila (Buffington et al 2018), European Rhoptromeris (Nordlander 1978, Costa Baião and, Leptopilina in different regions (Nordlander 1980, Allemand et al 2002, Novkovic et al 2011, Lue et al 2016, and several genera in Taiwan (Lin 1987(Lin , 1988, as well as for several lesser, recently described genera or regional assemblies thereof, while many recent studies still await publication. Fontal-Cazalla et al (2002) and Bothrochacis Cameron, 1904; 8 species currently in genus but a few more belong here, mostly AT but also OR and Hawaii Eucoila Westwood, 1833; only 3 described species currently are classified as Eucoila in a meaningful sense, while many need to be removed elsewhere and yet a few others need to be moved in or described as new, PA, NAPA, NA Leptopilina Förster, 1869; 41 described species currently in the genus in a meaningful sense but more are currently being described and still ca 12 need to be moved in from other genera, worldwide Linaspis Lin, 1988; 1 species ePA Linoeucoila Lin, 1988; 11 species, OR but undescribed species also AT Maacynips Yoshimoto, 1963; 3 described species and numerous undescribed in Australia and throughout the Pacific and East Asia Quasimodoana Forshage, Nordlander & Ronquist, 2008; 2 species PA, NA Trybliographa Förster, 1869; 43 described species currently in the genus in a meaningful sense but some 20 more need to be moved in from other genera and far more described as new, worldwide but mainly Holarctic Ganaspini Belizin, 1961 Acantheucoela Ashmead, 1900; 6 species NT Aganaspis Lin, 1987; 7 described species currently in the genus in a meaningful sense but ca 10 more need to be moved in and more described as new; worldwide but mainly Oriental and Neotropic Areaspis Lin, 1988; 2 species but 2 more need to be moved in and additional ones described as new, OR, AT Aspidogyrus Yoshimoto, 1962;4 species Hawaii Caleucoela Kieffer, 1909; 1 species NT Chrestosema Förster, 1869; 3 described species currently in the genus in a meaningful sense but more will soon be moved in, and described as new, while remaining others will be moved out; mainly OR, PA Coneucoela Kieffer, 1909; 1 species NT Didyctium Riley, 1879; 12 described species currently in the genus in a meaningful sense but ca 10 need to be moved in and many more described as new; worldwide Dieucoila Ashmead, 1903; 7 described species currently in the genus in a meaningful sense but ca 10 need to be moved in and more described as new; NT, NA Discaspis Lin, 1988; 1 species OR Ditanyomeria Yoshimoto, 196...…”