Abstract
Two parasitoids, Metapelma beijingense Yang (Hymenoptera, Eupelmidae) and Spathius ochus Nixon (Hymenoptera, Braconidae) are redescribed and illustrated. Both were reared from Coraebus cavifrons Descarpentries & Villiers (Coleoptera, Buprestidae) boring in Symplocos stellaris Brand (Symplocaceae). Metapelma beijingense is a solitary parasitoid with a parasitism rate of about 13.5% and S. ochus is a gregarious parasitoid with a parasitism rate of about 21.2%. A revised key to Oriental and Palaearctic species of Metapelma Westwood and a key to the species of the Spathius labdacus-group are provided.
Highlights
Symplocos stellaris Brand (Symplocaceae) is common landscape ornamental tree in South China
During recent investigations of woodborer biodiversity and their natural enemies in Guizhou Province, South China, we found a beautiful but little-known beetle, Coraebus cavifrons Descarpentries & Villiers (Coleoptera, Buprestidae) (Fig. 1D), which feeds on this tree and can cause serious damage (Fig. 1A)
The pupal chambers are constructed about 5–10 mm under the bark in the xylem and close each other
Summary
Symplocos stellaris Brand (Symplocaceae) is common landscape ornamental tree in South China. It is popular for its beautiful clusters of small white flowers in the spring. This pest infests healthy trees rather than stressed trees It bores into the main trunk making long longitudinal galleries (Fig. 1C). During our investigations on the biology of C. cavifrons, two parasitoid species belonging to different families of Hymenoptera were discovered parasitizing the buprestid larvae. One of the parasitoid species belongs to Metapelma Westwood (Eupelmidae) Members of this genus are solitary parasitoids, with one larva parasitizing a single host larva (Yang 1996). In the Palaearctic region, Yang (1996) described two species parasitizing bark beetles in Beijing, China. Eight species have been included in this group, including three species occurring in China
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