Description of a new Dendrocerus species (Hymenoptera: Megaspilidae) hyperparasitic on Stomaphis aphids and additional notes on their primary parasitoid, Protaphidius nawaii (Braconidae), and another hyperparasitoid, Euneura stomaphidis (Pteromalidae)

Abstract

AbstractA food chain through three trophic levels on certain trees, Stomaphis aphids – a primary parasitoid, Protaphidius nawaii– a hyperparasitoid, Euneura stomaphidis, has been known in Japan. In the course of my survey on the seasonal prevalence of three Stomaphis species and their parasitoids from 1981–2007 in Kyoto, Japan, I found another hyperparasitoid, which I describe here as a new species, Dendrocerus stomaphis. From fragmentary observations, I inferred the life cycles of P. nawaii, E. stomaphidis and D. stomaphis. These three species have different strategies to escape ant aggression: P. nawaii by specific morphological and behavioral adaptation, E. stomaphidis by general anti‐predator behavior like quick movement and D. stomaphis by a unique univoltine life cycle with the active phase from late autumn to early winter when the ants are less active.