Revision of the Afrotropical species of Pristomerus (Ichneumonidae: Cremastinae), with descriptions of 31 new species

Abstract

We revised the species of the genus Pristomerus Curtis, 1836 in the Afrotropical Region. Fortynine species are recognized, of which 31 are newly described. The following new species are described: P. afrikaner, P. aka, P. babinga, P. bemba, P. dikidiki, P. herero, P. hutu, P. kagga, P. khoikhoi, P. kuku, P. masai, P. mbaka, P. mbama, P. mboum, P. nzakara, P. protea, P. restio, P. san, P. sara, P. sotho, P. swahili, P. teke, P. tutsi, P. venda, P. wolof, P. xhosa, P. yakoma, P. yangere, P. yoccolo, P. zande and P. zulu spp. nov. New synonyms: P. africator, P. cunctator and P. luteolus are new junior synonyms of P. pallidus. New records: new host records are reported for the widespread P. pallidus; new country-level distribution records are added for P. bullis, P. keyka, P. kelikely and P. pallidus; and reports of Trathala concolor and P. veloma in South Africa are shown to have been erroneous. An illustrated dichotomous key to females is provided; an online Lucid interactive matrix key is also available at www.waspweb.org. Finally, the ecological and geographical correlates of colour patterns exhibited by Pristomerus in the Afrotropical region are discussed.

Species richness estimation of the Afrotropical Darwin wasps (Hymenoptera, Ichneumonidae)

“…Due to inadequate funding, logistical constraints, and lack of inventory surveys in many Afrotropical countries, the collection and curation of (insect) samples, as well as species descriptions, experienced a drastic bottleneck for many decades [ 72 , 73 ]. Many ecotypes and whole countries have never been adequately sampled for Darwin wasps and are severely underrepresented in natural history collections [ 61 , 62 , 74 ]. Furthermore, due to the colonialist history, important natural history collections are currently split between the former colonial power and the countries of origin, resulting in many logistic barriers both for local and international researchers [ 75 ].…”

First Record of <i>Pristomerus pallidus</i> (Hymenoptera: Ichneumonidae: Cremastinae) (Kriechbaumer) Parasitizing <i>Hellula undalis</i> (F.) (Lepidoptera: Pyralidae) in Crucifer Crop in Senegal

“…Pristomerus pallidus is moderately small to moderately sized (6 -8 mm long); yellow to reddish overall with variable dark markings on first tergites and often around scutellum [16]. bend the ovipositor tip and thus to forage more efficiently within the host's hideaway [17].…”

“…The parasitoid P. pallidus is reported to be a potentially useful host for biological control. The parasitoid P. pallidus is a common species in Africa with many known hosts [16]. New species of the genus Pristomerus are reported in Africa and especially in the Afro-tropical region [16] [18].…”

“…][32] and in Asia[33] [34] Rousse and Van Noort (2015). report that in Senegal, paralectotypes of Prisomerus cunctator were observed on the larvae of Rhaguva sp.…”