Species Of Hymenoptera Research Articles

Potential and limitations of epitope mapping and molecular targeting in Hymenoptera venom allergy.

Hymenoptera venom (HV) allergy can lead to life threatening conditions by specific IgE (sIgE)-mediated anaphylactic reactions. The knowledge about major allergens from venom of different clinically relevant species increased in the last decades, allowing the development of component-resolved diagnostics in which sIgE to single allergens is analysed. Despite these advances, the precise regions of the allergens that bind to IgE are only known for few HV allergens. The detailed characterization of IgE epitopes may provide valuable information to improve immunodiagnostic tests and to develop new therapeutic strategies using allergen-derived peptides or other targeted approaches. Epitope-resolved analysis is challenging, since the identification of conformational epitopes present in many allergens demands complex technologies for molecular analyses. Furthermore, functional analysis of the epitopeś interaction with their respective ligands is needed to distinguish epitopes that can activate the allergic immune response, from those that are recognized by irrelevant antibodies or T cell receptors from non-effector cells. In this review, we focus on the use of mapping and molecular targeting approaches for characterization of the epitopes of the major venom allergens of clinically relevant Hymenoptera species. The screening of the most relevant allergen peptides by epitope mapping could be helpful for the development of molecules that target major and immunodominant epitopes blocking the allergen induced cellular reactions as novel approach for the treatment of HV allergy.

BEE‐quest of the nest: A novel method for eDNA‐based, nonlethal detection of cavity‐nesting hymenopterans and other arthropods

AbstractWild bee populations are facing strong declines due to a variety of stressors, such as habitat loss and pesticide use. Research focused on wild bees has increased over the last three decades, yet species identifications are still relying on lethal sampling approaches, followed by time‐ and labor‐intensive pinning and morphological analysis by experts. The use of DNA metabarcoding for species detection offers a time‐ and cost‐effective complement to traditional approaches and can potentially facilitate nonlethal sampling. We developed a DNA metabarcoding workflow to identify cavity‐nesting Hymenoptera using environmental DNA collected from vacated nest tubes. We compared different nest sizes and sample types and assessed the effect of these parameters on Hymenoptera species detection rates. We also tested whether our method could detect multiple species in mixed‐species nests. The eDNA results were compared to data from morpho‐taxonomical species identifications. Despite limited DNA quantity, we detected Hymenoptera at the species level in 57.4% of our samples. Hymenoptera detection was also possible from single brood cells. In mixed‐species nests, we correctly detected the presence of multiple species. In nests of solitary wasps, we additionally detected other arthropods, which are probably the remains of larval provisions. Morphological and molecular data agreed in large parts. This eDNA approach offers the opportunity for the implementation of large‐scale and nonlethal monitoring of cavity‐nesting Hymenoptera that additionally provides valuable information on trophic interactions.

Pollination Ecology of Rocket (Eruca vesicaria (L.) Cav. ssp. sativa (Mill.) Thell) in the Semi-Arid Environments of Northwest India: Native Bees Are the Major Pollinators

Several insect species visit the flowers of a plant to obtain floral rewards in the form of pollen and/or nectar. In return, we would anticipate that those visitors would contribute to the reproductive success of the plant. Do these visitors contribute equally towards the reproductive success of the plant? This issue has been the interest of many pollination ecologists. To find a solution to this problem, I investigated the pollination ecology of rocket (Eruca vesicaria (L.) Cav. ssp. sativa (Mill.) Thell), an important leafy vegetable used as salad. I captured the flower visitors with a hand net from the experimental field and had these identified. I also recorded the number of loose pollen grains carried on the body of the visitors of different species and deposited on the stigmas. Effects of single and multiple visits of visitors on the seed set of rocket flowers were also determined. Abundances and foraging rates of the flower visitors of this species were recorded and their values were used to calculate their respective contributions towards the reproductive success of this species. Five species of Hymenoptera, three of Diptera, one of Lepidoptera, and one of Coleoptera visited the flowers of the rocket. Apis florea was the most abundant among the flower visitors, followed by the dipterous flies, Apis mellifera, Apis dorsata, Andrena savignyi, and Andrena leaena in descending order. The number of loose pollen grains carried and deposited, foraging behaviors, foraging rates, and abundances did not provide conclusive measures to differentiate the contributions of different flower visitors towards the reproductive success of the rocket. However, the data recorded on abundances, foraging behaviors, and foraging rates together could do so. Accordingly, Andrena savignyi was the most efficient pollinator of rocket, followed by Andrena leaena, Apis dorsata, Apis mellifera, and Apis florea; dipterous flies were the least efficient pollinators of this plant species. In rocket, 28.84% of pollination was brought by Andrena savignyi, 24.69% by Andrena leaena, 20.34% by Apis dorsata, 18.37% by Apis mellifera, and 7.7% by Apis florea; dipterous flies caused only 0.06% pollination. Butterflies were very rare and Coccinella sp. was not a pollinator of this plant. Therefore, not all the pollinators of rocket contributed equally towards its reproductive success (seed production). Bees brought about 99.94% of total pollination and melittophily distinctly predominated over other pollination modes. However, among the bees, native bees together are the major pollinators in the flowers of rockets and accomplished more than 81.5% pollination. Therefore, the conservation of native bees is most important for the pollination of crops such as rockets.

Preliminary Study of Insect Pests on Carthamus tinctorius L. and their Associated Natural Enemies along the Syrian Coast

Arab, A., A. Y. Ali, M. Zeity, M. Saleh, O. Salman, L. El-Dahhak, R. Darwish and J. Ammar. 2023. Preliminary Study of Insect Pests on Carthamus tinctorius L. and their Associated Natural Enemies along the Syrian Coast. Arab Journal of Plant Protection, 41(3): 258-265. https://doi.org/10.22268/AJPP-41.3.258265 The study was conducted on safflower fields at both Al-Sanoubar (Latakia) and Jamasa (Tartous) Research Stations during 2018, 2019 and 2020 seasons. It aimed to identify insect pests and associated natural enemies on the safflower. Results obtained identified 28 insect pest species feeding on different parts of safflower, ten species of sucking insects (Uroleucon sp., Brachycaudus sp., Mzyus persica, Aphis fabae, Lygus sp., Oxycarenus sp., Dionconotus neglectus, Carpocoris mediterraneus, Eurydema ornata and Thrips tabaci), eight lepidopteran species, six species of beetles and four dipteran species (one species of Agromyzidae and three species of Tephritidae). The incidence of fruit flies at Al-Sanoubar station was 49% in the 2019 season. Seven species of predator insects were identified: Coccinella septempunctata, Cheilomenes sp., Hippodamia variegate, Scymnus syriacus, Orius sp., Chrysoperla carnea and Syrphus sp. Three hymenoptera species of parasitoids Bracon spp. and Apanteles sp. were also recorded. Keywords: Safflower, insect pests, natural enemies, Syria

Prescribed Burning Alters Insects and Wood Decay in a Sagebrush-Steppe Rangeland in Southwestern Idaho, United States

Prescribed fall burning is commonly used worldwide on rangeland sites to enhance vegetation resources and restore disturbed ecosystems, but little is known about how it may alter microbial communities and insect activities. We used two site treatments (low- to moderate-burn severity plots and unburned control plots) at a high-elevation (2 100 m above sea level) shrub-steppe rangeland site. Four yr after the prescribed burn, captured insects primarily consisted of Coleoptera (beetles), Hymenoptera (ants, bees, and wasps), and Orthoptera (grasshoppers and crickets) species with similar or greater numbers captured on burned plots as compared with unburned plots. We used wood stakes to assess microbial population changes. Aspen (Populus tremuloides Michx.) and pine (Pinus taeda L.) wood stakes were placed horizontally on the soil surface and vertically into the mineral to determine microbially altered wood decay rates. In mineral soil, mass loss (wood decay) of both aspen and pine increased significantly in the burned plots after 5 yr. Surface aspen also had increased decay in the burned plots, but pine surface stakes were unaffected. Surprisingly, at this high-elevation site we also found subterranean termites (Reticulitermes tibialis Banks) feeding on both stake species, with greater numbers on aspen stakes in burned plots leading to greater wood mass loss and organic matter turnover rates. Our results suggest that that fall prescribed burning can enhance insect numbers and microbial decay in sagebrush-steppe ecosystems. Understanding these changes can help land managers predict the influence of fall prescribed burning operations on soil biological properties and insect communities.

Comparisons of body size for native and exotic Hymenoptera established in New Zealand

ABSTRACT Body size is a fundamental component of morphology, related to many physiological and ecological traits, and is influenced by a variety of biotic and abiotic factors. Body size may also have a role in influencing the establishment of exotic species. We compared the body size of New Zealand native species, accidentally introduced exotic species, and deliberately introduced species of Hymenoptera. Specimens in the New Zealand Arthropod Collection were used to measure body and forewing length. Linear mixed effects regression models were used to compare the overall body sizes between biostatus groups, and specifically between species within a genus and family. A total of 2231 specimens were measured from 740 species of Hymenoptera, comprising 503 native, 201 exotic, and 36 biocontrol species. There was a strong positive correlation between body length and forewing length (R 2 > 0.97). Overall, the average body size of species did not differ significantly between native and accidentally introduced exotic species, but deliberately introduced biocontrol species were significantly smaller than native species. Exotic species had greater interspecific variation in body size than either native or biocontrol species. There were no significant differences in the body sizes of native and exotic species within the same genus or same family. Levene’s tests revealed there was equal variance between biostatus groups at the genus level but unequal variance at the family level. This study provides a large dataset on a key morphological trait, body size, that can be used to further examine how morphology can be shaped by, and influence, ecological communities, and interactions between species.

The reproductive traits that contribute to the invasive success of Mediterranean onionweed (Asphodelus fistulosus)

Background and aims – Understanding the traits that lead to the invasion potential of invasive alien species (IAS) provides insight for their management. The reproductive traits of IAS help us understand the mechanisms that allow for their invasive potential, and colonization into new ranges. Asphodelus fistulosus is a native Mediterranean species commonly found invading Australia, South-East Asia, South Africa, and North America. Materials and methods – Two populations of A. fistulosus in the Chihuahuan Desert were monitored for reproductive phenology. Floral visitors and their behaviour were described, and we assessed the breeding system through floral morphological characters and the mating system in controlled pollination experiments. Key results – Reproductive phenology showed continuous reproduction throughout the year. Floral morphology suggested a facultative autogamous breeding system, but the mating system was mixed with autonomous selfing. Flowers lasted one day, with anthesis lasting 11 h. Floral visitors of A. fistulosus consisted of a variety of taxa including species of Coleoptera, Hymenoptera, and Lepidoptera, the exotic Apis mellifera being the most frequent visitor. Conclusions – The reproductive traits of A. fistulosus in the invaded range provide the biological potential for further invasion. The continuous production of reproductive structures attracts many diverse pollinators, and the autonomous self-pollination implies that a single plant has the potential to develop a new population, which makes the control of this IAS a global challenge.

Canopy openness as the main driver of aculeate Hymenoptera and saproxylic beetle diversity following natural disturbances and salvage logging

Forests are increasingly affected by natural disturbances like fires, insect outbreaks, and windstorms. Such disturbances are commonly followed by salvage logging. Disturbance and salvage logging affect biodiversity by altering microclimate, habitat structure, and deadwood amount. To mitigate possible negative effects of salvage logging on biodiversity, ecologists often recommend the retention of disturbance-created structures. However, the mechanisms through which retained structures affect biodiversity remain largely unknown. We analysed 9,602 individuals of saproxylic beetles belonging to 268 species and 3,172 individuals of aculeate Hymenoptera belonging to 68 species of cavity-nesters and 126 species of non-cavity-nesters over two years in a wind-disturbed beech forests with various intensity of salvage logging. We quantified the relative importance of canopy openness and deadwood amount. Our final dataset consisted of 268 saproxylic beetle species and 194 species of aculeate Hymenoptera out of which 68 were cavity-nesters and 126 non cavity-nesters. Generalized linear mixed effect models showed the lowest number of Hymenoptera and beetle species in undisturbed forest. Permutational analysis of variance revealed that treatment and canopy openness drive community composition of both taxa. Increased canopy openness was the main factor positively affecting numbers of species of aculeate Hymenoptera and saproxylic beetles in the first two years after the disturbance. Deadwood amount only affected community composition of saproxylic beetles. However, gamma diversity and community composition of saproxylic beetles indicated that disturbed and extensively logged plots resembled disturbed unlogged plots rather than disturbed and intensively logged plots. Our findings suggest that at least some timber might be extracted from disturbed areas, without major losses of biodiversity of saproxylic beetles and aculeate Hymenoptera.

Distribution and Prolonged Diapause of the Rowan Seed Predators Argyresthia conjugella (Lepidoptera: Yponomeutidae) and Megastigmus brevicaudis (Hymenoptera: Torymidae) and their Parasitoids in Norway

The seed predator Argyresthia conjugella Zeller has rowan as its preferred host plant. In years of poor fruiting in rowan, it oviposits on apples. To improve the knowledge of this apple pest, rowanberries were collected from localities all over Norway from 1971 to 1985, and seed predators and their parasitoids were allowed to emerge for up to five years. Two species of seed predators, A. conjugella and Megastimus brevicaudis Ratzeburg, and seven species of parasitic Hymenoptera were common. The distribution of these species is shown on EIS (European Invertebrate Survey) maps of Norway. The biology of the parasitoids is summarized based on the published literature and their behavior during emergence. The tendency for delayed emergence, which is an indication of prolonged diapause, was more pronounced in M. brevicaudis than in A. conjugella, the former appearing in all five years. Five of the parasitoids also delayed their emergence, and three of them to a high degree, up to five years. Prolonged diapause must be taken into account in studies of rowanberry insect guilds.

Apomixis for no bacteria-induced thelytoky in Diglyphus wani (Hymenoptera: Eulophidae).

In Hymenoptera species, the reproductive mode is usually arrhenotoky, where haploid males arise from unfertilized eggs and diploid females from fertilized eggs. In addition, a few species reproduce by thelytoky, where diploid females arise from unfertilized eggs. Diploid females can be derived through various cytological mechanisms in thelytokous Hymenoptera species. Hitherto, these mechanisms were revealed mainly in endosymbiont-induced thelytokous Hymenoptera species. In contrast, thelytokous Hymenoptera species in which a reproductive manipulator has not been verified or several common endosymbionts have been excluded were paid less attention in their cytological mechanisms, for instance, Diglyphus wani (Hymenoptera: Eulophidae). Here, we investigated the cytological mechanism of D. wani using cytological methods and genetic markers. Our observations indicated that the diploid karyotypes of two strains of D. wani consist of four pairs of relatively large metacentric chromosomes and one pair of short submetacentric chromosomes (2n = 10). The arrhenotokous strains could complete normal meiosis, whereas the thelytokous strain lacked meiosis and did not expulse any polar bodies. This reproductive type of lacking meiosis is classified as apomictic thelytoky. Moreover, a total of 636 microsatellite sequences were obtained from thelytokous D. wani, dominated by dinucleotide repeats. Genetic markers results showed all three generations of offspring from thelytokous strain maintained the same genotype as their parents. Our results revealed that D. wani is the first eulophid parasitoid wasp in Hymenoptera whose thelytoky was not induced by bacteria to form an apomictic thelytoky. These findings provide a baseline for future inner molecular genetic studies of ameiotic thelytoky.

Insects Associated with the European Mistletoe (Viscum album) in Western Ukraine: a Pilot Study

The first insect-targeted study of the European mistletoe, Viscum album L., was conducted in Ukraine. In total, 35 species of insects reared from mistletoe were identified to belong to 5 orders, 20 families and 34 genera. Twenty-seven identified species were reared from mistletoe for the first time, including 17 species of Hymenoptera, 8 species of Coleoptera and 2 species of Diptera. Our results revealed significant gaps in knowledge about insects associated with mistletoe. This is appeared in the fact that more than 77 % of the insects we reared have never been detected on mistletoe before. It is obviously that 70 % to 90 % of the insects associated with mistletoe remain unknown. We also found a highly probable tripartite link between the European mistletoe, parasitic fungus Sphaeropsis visci and the saproxylic and mycetophagous Coleoptera. The in[1]teraction of Coleoptera with S. visci is facultatively mutualistic, and beetles act as vectors to spread spores and mycelium among mistletoes. In addition, we found the mass breading of invasive species Leiopus femoratus on V. album. Hence, V. album might play a crucial role in the mass and rapid invasion of L. femoratus in Europe.

Phenotypic and Numerical Characterization and Detection of the Genetic Relationship of a Number Ants Species of Hymenoptera: Formicidae in Iraq

The study aimed at the phenotypic characterization of a number of species of real ants, Hymenoptera: formicidae, in some governorates of central and northern Iraq, as well as revealing similarities and genetic differences depending on the phenotypic characteristics of 16 samples of real ants. The samples were collected from the governorates (Salah al-Din, Kirkuk, Sulaymaniyah, Erbil) using Collection kit, ants samples were diagnosed in the Research Center and Natural History Museum \ University of Baghdad, and the study was conducted in the laboratories of the College of Science \ University of Tikrit in the period 12/15/2021 – 5/1/2022. Samples were collected and preserved according to the methods used in preserving insects. A phenotypic study was conducted for (38) phenotypic characteristics of the general shape of the head, thorax, abdomen, legs and wings in detail using a anatomical microscope. Temporary sections were photographed using a digital camera and kept until the results are studied. Numerical classification and phenotypic genetic dimension were conducted based on the results of the studied phenotypic traits. The results showed a clear discrepancy between the species, it was shown from the results of the statistical analysis of the values of the phenotypic genetic dimension, which ranged between (0.230-0.958), where the least genetic dimension was between sample No. 1 (Camponotint xerxes Erbil 1) and No. 8 (Camponotint xerxes Kirkuk 2), as it reached 0.230, and that is It is the highest percentage of similarity between the two samples within the studied species. As for the highest genetic dimension, it was 0.958 between sample 14 (Camponotint xerxes Salah al-Din 1) and samples No. 9 and 10 (9-Messor sp Kirkuk, 10- Messor sp Sulaymaniyah 1). There is no match in the traits studied between these two samples, while the values of the genetic dimension for the rest of the species ranged between those values.

Automated detection of the yellow-legged hornet (Vespa velutina) using an optical sensor with machine learning.

The yellow-legged hornet (Vespa velutina) is native to Southeast Asia and is an invasive alien species of concern in many countries. More effective management of populations of V. velutina could be achieved through more widespread and intensive monitoring in the field, however current methods are labor intensive and costly. To address this issue, we have assessed the performance of an optical sensor combined with a machine learning model to classify V. velutina and native wasps/hornets and bees. Our aim is to use the results of the present work as a step towards the development of a monitoring solution for V. velutina in the field. We recorded a total 935 flights from three bee species: Apis mellifera, Bombus terrestris and Osmia bicornis; and four wasp/hornet species: Polistes dominula, Vespula germanica, Vespa crabro and V. velutina. The machine learning model achieved an average accuracy for species classification of 80.1 ± 13.9% and 74.5 ± 7.0% for V. velutina. V. crabro had the highest level of misclassification, confused mainly with V. velutina and P. dominula. These results were obtained using a 14-value peak and valley feature derived from the wingbeat power spectral density. This study demonstrates that the wingbeat recordings from a flying insect sensor can be used with machine learning methods to differentiate V. velutina from six other Hymenoptera species in the laboratory and this knowledge could be used to help develop a tool for use in integrated invasive alien species management programs. © 2022 The Authors. Pest Management Science published by John Wiley & Sons Ltd on behalf of Society of Chemical Industry.

Diversity of Hymenoptera in the Forest Area with Special Purpose (KHDTK) Aek Nauli, North Sumatra

As one of the four largest insect orders, Hymenoptera are important pollinators, parasitoids, and predators in the agricultural sector. The objective of this research was to study the diversity and abundance of hymenoptera in the Forest Area with Special Purpose/KHDTK Aek Nauli, Simalungun Regency, North Sumatra, Indonesia. The insect sampling was conducted during the day and night using yellow and light trap technique. The results obtained a total of 13 species of Hymenoptera consisting of 45 ind. The relative abundance was recorded from 2.22 to 22.22 with the highest abundance from Vespula sp (Vespidae) and Sceliphron curvatum (Spechidae). The highest Importance Value Index (IVI) of Hymenoptera species was documented from Brachymyrmex sp. (Formicidae) at 115.56 and Polybia fastidiosuscula (Vespidae) at 106.67. The Shannon’s diversity (H’) of Hymenoptera ranged between 0.89 and 1.83 among sites or categorized as low-to-medium level of biodiversity with an evenness index (E) from 0.64 to 1.00. This finding may be noted as our first attempt in documenting the beta diversity of insects in the forest region.

On the diversity of Neotropical Hymenoptera

Hymenoptera is globally one of the most diverse groups of insects. There are no recent estimates nor sound data on the size of the fauna of this order in the Neotropical Region. Based on printed or digital catalogs, lists, as well as reviews of monographs, and other sources, the Neotropics comprises 26 superfamilies, 92 families, 3162 genera, and over 33 640 species of Hymenoptera. Hymenoptera diversity in the Neotropics is greater than in the Nearctic, Palearctic and Australian regions. The Neotropics is probably the richest region in the World in families, genera, and species of the order, with the majority of taxa endemic to this region.

Modeling of adaptive counteraction of the induced biotic environment during the invasive process

Purpose is to develop a mathematical model for the analysis of a variant in the development of a population process with a non-trivially regulated confrontation between an invading species and a biotic environment. Relevance. The situation we are studying arises in invasive processes, but is a previously unexplored special variant of their development. The task of modeling is to describe the transition to a deep ν-shaped crisis after intensive growth. The model is based on examples of the adaptive dynamics of a bacterial colony and the suppression of mollusk populations, carriers of dangerous parasitic diseases, after targeted anti-epidemic introduction of their antagonists. Methods. In our work equations with a retarded argument in the range of parameter values that have a biological interpretation were studied. The model uses a logarithmic form of species regulation, taking into account the theoretically permissible capacity of the medium. In the equation we included the function of external influence with flexible threshold regulation relative to the current and previous population size. Results. It is shown that the proposed form of impact regulation leads to the formation of a stable adapted population after the crisis, which does not have a destructive impact on the habitat. With an increase in the reproductive potential of an invasive species, a deep crisis becomes critically dangerous. The form of the crisis passage depends on the reproductive potential, on the size of the initial group of individuals, and also on the time of activation of the adaptive counteraction from the environment. It is established that at a sufficient level of resistance, a non destructive equilibrium is established. Conclusion. The actual scenario of sudden depression of an actively spreading population with a large reproductive 𝑟-parameter, which is caused by the delayed activity of its natural antagonists, has been studied. The threshold form of biotic regulation is characteristic of insects, the abundance of which is regulated by competing species of parasitic hymenoptera. The variant of rapid phase change considered by us in the model is relevant as a description of one of the forms of developing the body’s immune response to the development of an acute infection with a significant delay. If the immune response is prematurely inhibited by the body itself, then the chronic focus of the disease persists. Examples of the dynamics of two real biological processes in experiments with biological suppression methods are given, which correspond to the invasion scenario obtained in the new model.

Managed pollination is a much better way of increasing productivity and essential oil content of dill seeds crop

Dill seeds (Anethumgraveolens L.) is the most valuable medicinal seed spice crop of Apiaceae. It bears small yellow flowers in the form of umbels. Being a cross-pollinated crop, floral visitors play vital role in pollination and seed sets. Hence, the present study was conducted at the ICAR-National Research Centre on Seed Spices, Ajmer (Rajasthan), India to discover the pollinator’s community, foraging behaviour and abundance of most frequent pollinators and different modes of pollination on seed yield and quality of this seed spice crop. The insect visitors community of dill seeds was composed of 28 insect species belonging to 14 families of 6 orders. Most of floral visitors started their foraging activity at 8.00 h, reached peak activity between 12.00 and 14.00 h and their activity ceased at 18.00 h. Apisflorea,A.dorsata,A.mellifera, solitary bee, Halictus sp. and two unidentified species of Hymenoptera; Episyrphusbalteatus (DeGeer), Episyrphus sp., Eristalis sp and two other Musca species of Diptera were identified as potential and regular floral visitors of dill seeds. The highest seed yield of 1505.63 kg/ha was recorded in the treated plots provided with only 10% jaggery solution and was at par with the open pollination. A lower seed yield of 1432.5 kg/ha was recorded in plots pollinated only with A.mellifera inside insect cages. Open pollination with 10% jaggery solution spray increased the seed yield of dill seed crop by 57%, one-thousand seed test weight by 96% and the essential oil content by 27% over control plots. These results show that managed pollination is a much better way to enhance yields and quality of dill seed crop than other treatments including only honeybee-based pollination.

The Oriental Chestnut Gall-wasp Dryocosmus Kuriphilus Yasumatsu, 1951, (Hymenoptera: Cynipidae) and Its Introduced and Native Parasitoids in Madeira Island, Portugal, with Notes on Some Other Parasitic Hymenoptera Reared from Gall Samples

The accidental introduction to Madeira of the invasive chestnut gall wasp (CGW), Dryocosmus kuriphilus, is reviewed, as is the subsequent biological control programme implemented by the Regional authorities. This control programme was based on the importation of a non-native parasitoid, Torymus sinensis. Results from five years of parasitoid release are presented, including a list of native parasitoid species associated with D. kuriphilus galls in Madeira. Five species of Hymenoptera are listed as new records for Madeira: Dryocosmus kuriphilus Yasumatsu, 1951; Torymus sinensis Kamijo, 1982; Bootanomyia dorsalis (Fabricius, 1798); Colpoclypeus florus (Walker, 1839), and Ufens foersteri (Kryger, 1918).

The genome of the rice planthopper egg parasitoid wasps Anagrus nilaparvatae casts light on the chemo- and mechanosensation in parasitism

BackgroundMymaridae is an ancient insect group and is a basal lineage of the superfamily Chalcidoidea. Species of Mymaridae have great potential for biological control. Anagrus nilaparvatae, a representative species of Mymaridae, is ideal for controlling rice planthopper due to its high rate of parasitism and ability to find hosts efficiently in paddy ridges and fields.ResultsUsing both PacBio single-molecule real-time and Illumina sequencing, we sequenced and assembled the whole genome of A. nilaparvatae, a first for the family Mymaridae. The assembly consists of 394 scaffolds, totaling 488.8 Mb. The assembly is of high continuity and completeness, indicated by the N50 value of 25.4 Mb and 98.2% mapping rate of Benchmarking Universal Single-Copy Orthologs. In total, 16,894 protein-coding genes in the genome were annotated. A phylogenomic tree constructed for A. nilaparvatae and other 12 species of Hymenoptera confirmed that the family Mymaridae is sister to all remaining chalcidoids. The divergence time between A. nilaparvatae and the other seven Chalcidoidea species was dated at ~ 126.9 Mya. Chemoreceptor and mechanoreceptor genes are important in explaining parasitic behavior. We identified 17 odorant binding proteins, 11 chemosensory proteins, four Niemann-Pick type C2 proteins, 88 olfactory receptors, 12 gustatory receptors, 22 ionotropic receptors and 13 sensory neuron membrane proteins in the genome of A. nilaparvatae, which are associated with the chemosensory functions. Strikingly, there is only one pickpocket receptors and nine transient receptor potential genes in the genome that have a mechanosensory function.ConclusionsWe obtained a high-quality genome assembly for A. nilaparvatae using PacBio single-molecule real-time sequencing, which provides phylogenomic insights for its evolutionary history. The small numbers of chemo- and mechanosensory genes in A. nilaparvatae indicate the species-specific host detection and oviposition behavior of A. nilaparvatae might be regulated by relatively simple molecular pathways.

Taxonomy and nomenclature of some Fennoscandian Sawflies, with descriptions of two new species (Hymenoptera, Symphyta)

While working on an identification guide to the sawflies of Fennoscandia, we encountered numerous taxonomic problems, for some of which we present solutions.DicrostemaBenson, 1952 is a new synonym ofPhymatoceropsisRohwer, 1916, and not congeneric withParacharactusMacGillivray, 1908. Two species occurring in Europe are transferred toPhymatoceropsis.Dolerus aericepsellusHeidemaa and Mutanensp. nov.andHeptamelus viitasaariiListon, Mutanen and Proussp. nov.are described from Finland.Abia brevicornisLeach, 1817nom. rev.is the valid name ofAbia nitensauct. nec Linnaeus, andAbia nitens(Linnaeus, 1758) is the valid name for what has recently been calledAbia sericea(Linnaeus, 1767).Tenthredo haemorrhoidalisFabricius, 1781 is treated as an unplaced species of Hymenoptera, possibly Ichneumonoidea.Calameuta variabilis(Mocsáry, 1886) is the valid name of the species recently generally calledC. haemorrhoidalis.Claremontia confusa(Konow, 1886)sp. rev.andClaremontia brevicornis(Brischke, 1883) are distinct species.Dolerus coracinus(Klug, 1818) is the valid name forD. anthracinusauct.Dolerus anthracinus(Klug, 1818) is a valid species similar toD. nitensZaddach, 1859.Dolerus coruscansKonow, 1890sp. rev.is a valid species.Dolerus junci(Stephens, 1835) is the valid name forDolerus cothurnatusauct.Dolerus timidus(Klug, 1818)sp. rev.is distinguished from the similarD. pratensis(Linnaeus, 1758). A neotype is designated forAstatus punctatusKlug, 1803. Lectotypes are designated for 39 nominal species. 29 species group names are new junior synonyms. We present data on some species recently collected for the first time in Finland, including first records for the Palaearctic and West Palaearctic.