Descriptions of some African Eulophidae (Hym. Chalc.)

Abstract

The family of the Eulophidae, which is probably the largest family of the Chalcidoidea, is still very little known, both systematically and biologically. Being small, they are often bred in large numbers from a single host and are thus of great economic importance, but not always useful, as many species are hyperparasites. The study of the African Eulophidae is still at its beginning, since only about 60 species are known, two-thirds of which have been described by Waterston and Silvestri. The Imperial Institute of Entomology has received and is receiving many species which still remain unnamed. Most of them belong to large genera, like Euplectrus, Pleurotropis, or Tetrastichus, which should be studied monographically. The six species described below have been chosen partly for their possible economic importance, partly because they are represented by series of males and females.