Abstract
Ten new species within four genera of Microgastrinae parasitoid wasps (Hymenoptera: Braconidae) are described from Canada and United States: Diolcogaster ichiroi, Diolcogaster miamensis, Glyptapanteles pseudotsugae, Microgaster archboldensis, Microgaster syntopic, Microplitis altissimus, Microplitis jorgeluisi, Microplitis juanmanueli, Microplitis julioalbertoi, and Microplitis mariamargaritae. The new taxa are significant because they represent the first North American records of a tropical group (species of the basimacula group in Diolcogaster), exemplify interesting ecological cases (niche-based host selection in Glyptapanteles, syntopic species in Microgaster), and showcase unique morphological features and/or altitudinal records (Microplitis). Most of the new species were collected in protected areas or areas with strong research programs (Archbold Biological Station and hammock forests near Miami, Florida; Great Sand Dunes National Park and Preserve, and Mount Evans Wilderness Area, Colorado; Sapelo Island, Georgia; Tonto National Forest, Arizona), and thus are also of value and interest for conservation and research efforts.
Highlights
Microgastrine wasps are the second largest subfamily of Braconidae (Hymenoptera) with 2,700+ described species and an estimate 17,000-46,000+ worldwide (Rodriguez et al 2013, Yu et al 2016)
To highlight how few we currently know about the group in the region, we describe below ten new species within four genera of Microgastrinae
The description of the new species contains some ratios commonly used in taxonomic studies of Microgastrinae, but raw measurements of morphological structures are provided as they allow for additional ratios to be explored in the future, if needed
Summary
Microgastrine wasps are the second largest subfamily of Braconidae (Hymenoptera) with 2,700+ described species and an estimate 17,000-46,000+ worldwide (Rodriguez et al 2013, Yu et al 2016). The two new species described below are very distinctive because of their large body size and characteristic color patterns, as well as the arrangement of placodes on the antennal flagellomeres, unique among all other known species of the genus in North America.
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