Zealastoa Quicke & Ward, gen. nov., a new basal cyclostome braconid wasp (Hymenoptera: Braconidae) from New Zealand

Abstract

The Mesostoinae are an almost entirely Gondwanan subfamily of Braconidae, known from Australia, New Zealand and South America (extending into MesoAmerica). They are morphologically and biologically diverse and, together with Aphidiinae and Maxfischeriinae, are the sister group to all other extant cyclostome braconids. Here we describe and illustrate a new genus, Zealastoa Quicke & Ward, gen. nov., and three new species: Z. waitakerensis Quicke & Ward, sp. nov., Z. hirta Belokobylskij, Quicke & Ward, sp. nov., and Z. multiarticulata Belokobylskij, Quicke & Ward, sp. nov., all from New Zealand. Molecular phylogenetic analysis based on combined nuclear 28S rDNA D2‐D3 expansion region and the barcoding region of mitochondrial COI strongly support a monophyletic clade comprising the endemic New Zealand genera (Doryctomorpha Ashmead, Metaspathius Brues, Rhyssaloides and Zealastoa gen. nov.) as being the sister group to all other members of the subfamily.

Taxonomic revision of the New Zealand endemic parasitoid genus Rhyssaloides Belokobylskij, 1999 (Hymenoptera: Braconidae)

“…This genus is very similar to the recently described Zealastoa Quicke & Ward, 2020 (Quicke et al . 2020b), but differs from it in having fewer (18–28) antennal segments (33–35 segments in Rhyssaloides ); mesoscutum smooth and shiny but with many deep setiferous punctures (densely and finely or very finely granulate to coriaceous with punctation in Rhyssaloides ); second transverse anal vein (2a) in fore wing absent (present but usually colourless in Rhyssaloides ); second radial abscissa (3‐SR) in fore wing less than 1.5 × length of the first radial abscissa (r) (2.0–2.8 × in Rhyssaloides ); median area of metanotum in posterior half with distinct median longitudinal carina transformed in dorsal obtuse lobe (without such carina and lobe in Rhyssaloides ); and the ovipositor shorter than metasoma (much longer in Rhyssaloides ).…”

“…2016, Quicke et al . 2019a, 2020a, 2020b). The genus Zeachremylus Belokobylskij, 2018, described as an endemic from New Zealand, is also very likely to belong this subfamily (Quicke et al .…”

“…A recent molecular‐based phylogenetic study of cyclostome taxa (including several genera of Mesostoinae) (Quicke et al . 2020b) showed Rhyssaloides is sister to Doryctomorpha , while the morphologically similar Zealastoa is sister to Metaspathius . All four genera formed a distinct New Zealand clade separate to other included mesostoine genera.…”

“…A substantial part of the cyclostome diversity in New Zealand is in the subfamily Mesostoinae, which is a monophyletic group of Gondwanan origins (Quicke et al 2020a). The following genera have been recorded in New Zealand: Austrohormius Belokobylskij, 1989 (genus originally described from Australia), and the endemic taxa Doryctomorpha Ashmead, 1900, Metaspathius Brues, 1922, Neptihormius van Achterberg & Berry 2004, Rhyssaloides Belokobylskij, 1999and Zealastoa Quicke & Ward, 2020 (Ashmead 1900, Brues 1922, Belokobylskij 1989, 1999, Belokobylskij et al 2004, van Achterberg & Berry, 2004, Yu et al 2016, Quicke et al 2019a, 2020a, 2020b. The genus Zeachremylus Belokobylskij, 2018, described as an endemic from New Zealand, is also very likely to belong this subfamily (Quicke et al 2020a).…”

Enigma moth parasitoid: a new Australian cyclostome genus and species, Ovaustra aurantia Tetley, Glatz & Fagan Jeffries, gen. et sp. nov. (Hymenoptera: Braconidae) from Kangaroo Island

“…(Quicke et al 2020b) (bootstrap value = 100) and is sister to the remaining Mesostoinae s.l. + Maxfischeriinae.…”