Van Achterberg Research Articles

Phylogenomics of the lepidopteran endoparasitoid wasp subfamily Rogadinae (Hymenoptera: Braconidae) and related subfamilies

AbstractRogadinae are a cosmopolitan, species‐rich braconid wasp subfamily whose species are endoparasitoids that attack larvae of a number of lepidopteran families. Members of this subfamily are characterized by pupating within the mummified host larval skin. The subfamily contains six tribes whose relationships have only been partially clarified: Aleiodini, Betylobraconini, Clinocentrini, Rogadini, Stiropiini and Yeliconini. The limits and composition of the closely related subfamilies to the Rogadinae, Hormiinae and Lysiterminae, also remain unclear. Here, we generated ultraconserved element data to reconstruct an almost fully resolved phylogeny for the members of Rogadinae and related subfamilies. Based on our best estimate of phylogeny, we confirm the monophyly of Rogadinae including Betylobraconini, synonymize Xenolobus Fahringer and Bequartia Cameron within the species‐rich genus Aleiodes Wesmael (syn.n.) based on DNA, and synonymize Promesocentrus van Achterberg with Pilichremylus Belokobylskij (syn.n.) based on morphology. We also consistently recovered Hormiinae and Lysiterminae as not reciprocally monophyletic, and thus propose to unite their members under Hormiinae. The ancestral host preference for Rogadinae was probably attacking concealed lepidopteran larvae, with the occurrence of at least two main subsequent transitions to attack both concealed and exposed hosts, one within Rogadini and a second within Aleiodini. We highlight the importance of natural history collections as a source for conducting genomic‐based studies using techniques that allow to obtain a substantial amount of data from considerably old preserved insect specimens.

Sexual variation in two species of Helorus Latreille (Hymenoptera, Heloridae) from NW China, with description of female of Helorus caii He amp; Xu.

The intra-specific variation of two species of Helorus Latreille (Hymenoptera, Heloridae) from NW China is studied and for the first time the sexual variation in Chinese Helorus species is described. Both sexes of Helorus antefurcalis He Xu, 2015 (new for Shaanxi) and H. caii He Xu, 2015 (up to now only known from one male), are described and illustrated. Helorus xinjiangensis He Xu, [June] 2015, is a new junior synonym of H. alborzicus Izadizadeh, van Achterberg Talebi, [April] 2015 and H. elgoni Risbec, 1950, is re-instated as valid species. A revised key to the Old World species of Helorus Latreille (except Australian region) is included.

Why a National University Hospital should Prioritize and Fund Research

Why a National University Hospital should Prioritize and Fund Research

Discovery of a trigonalid wasp, Bareogonalos xibeidai (Hymenoptera: Trigonalyidae), reared from nests of Vespula koreensis koreensis (Hymenoptera: Vespidae) in South Korea

Bareogonalos xibeidai Tan and van Achterberg, 2017 (Hymenoptera: Trigonalyidae) was newly recognized in South Korea. The species was reared from the nest cells of the Korean yellowjacket, Vespula koreensis koreensis Radoszkowski, 1887 (Hymenoptera: Vespidae), which is a new host record for the trigonalid species. Diagnoses and images of the species and genus are provided in the present study.

Discovery of the ichneutine genus Paroligoneurus Muesebeck (Hymenoptera: Braconidae) from the Indian subcontinent with the description of a new species from Northwest India.

The small braconid subfamily, Ichneutinae is one of the least studied groups within the Braconidae. Old world species of the widely distributed ichneutine genus, Paroligoneurus (unknown from the Neotropical region) is revised along with description of a new species, P. harishi Ranjith van Achterberg sp. nov. We reinstate the genera Anaprixia Mason and Muesebeckia Mason based on the following characters; exodont mandibles and absence of spiracles in the alternate tergites (in Anaprixia) and presence of carinae on propodeum and anterior subalar depression with carina (in Muesebeckia). Five species, Paroligoneurus cosmopterygivorus (He, 2000), P. crassicornis (He, 2000), P. flavifacialis (He, 2000), P. sinensis (He, 2000) and P. songyangensis (He, 2000) were described from the Oriental part of China are transferred from Oligoneurus to Paroligoneurus. A taxonomic key to the Old world species Paroligoneurus and a provisional checklist of extant species are provided.

The genus Clinocentrus Haliday (Hymenoptera, Braconidae, Rogadinae) in Iran, with the description of a new species

ABSTRACT The Iranian species of the genus Clinocentrus Haliday are reviewed. Clinocentrus amiri Rakhshani & Farahani sp. nov. is described and illustrated. The new species was collected exclusively using light traps and it is most probably a nocturnal species. It was found in association with Tamarisk forests around the Hamoon wetlands. A brief diagnosis is provided for the previously recorded species of Clinocentrus in Iran, with an illustration of their morphological characters, and the similarity of the new species to the genus Artocella van Achterberg is discussed. www.zoobank.org/urn:lsid:zoobank.org:pub:B55A33DB-2E2D-441A-A70A-82AE5479C1D4

Identifications, Characteristics, and Expression Patterns of Small Heat Shock Protein Genes in a Major Mulberry Pest, Glyphodes pyloalis (Lepidoptera: Pyralidae)

Six candidate sHSP genes were identified from the Glyphodes pyloalis transcriptome. All sHSP genes included full-length open reading frames and shared high similarity with the sequences of other lepidopteran species. These sHSP genes encoded 175–191 amino acid residues, and the predicted proteins had a molecular weight from 19.5 to 21.8 kDa. All GpsHSPs were expressed at lower levels at larval stages. All GpsHSPs were expressed at higher levels at diapaused, prepupal, or pupal stages, suggesting that sHSPs may be involved in metamorphosis in G. pyloalis. In addition to the developmental stage, extreme temperatures can induce variations in the expression of sHSPs genes. All GpsHSPs were significantly upregulated in larvae following exposure to heat shock, except GpHSP21.4 which downregulated at 4 h following exposure to the cold shock treatment. Furthermore, Starvation influenced the expression patterns of GpsHSPs as a function of the duration of food deprivation. Four GpsHSPs increased their expression with time of starvation until reaching to the peak level at 6 d of starvation. Finally, parasitism by the endoparasitoid Aulacocentrum confusum He et van Achterberg (Hymenoptera: Braconidae)-induced fluctuations in the expression of all GpsHSPs, and the expression varied with time after parasitization. Our results from this study strongly suggest functional differentiation within the sHSPs subfamily in G. pyloalis. The present study would provide further insight into the roles of sHSPs in G. pyloalis and novel avenues for promoting integrated management of this pest.

New species and new records of Trigonalyidae (Hymenoptera) from Tibet, China.

Two new species of Trigonalyidae are described from Tibet (SW China): Jezonogonalos nyingchiensis Chen & van Achterberg, sp. nov., and Taeniogonalos eurysoma Chen & van Achterberg, sp. nov. In total, seven species representing four genera are known from Tibet, and two of them are newly recorded from Tibet: Taeniogonalos bucarinata Chen, van Achterberg, He & Xu, 2014, and Teranishia crenulata Chen, van Achterberg, He & Xu, 2014.

Additional knowledge respecting taxonomy of the social wasp genus Ropalidia (Hymenoptera: Vespidae: Polistinae) from Vietnam, with new records of three species and an updated key to species.

Species composition of social wasps of the genus Ropalidia from Vietnam is reported, with 24 species having been recorded. Of those, three species are newly recorded for the Vietnamese fauna, namely Ropalidia binghami van der Vecht, 1941, R. parartifex Tan van Achterberg, 2014 and R. variegata (Smith, 1852). The presence of R. sumatrae (Weber, 1801) in Vietnam is confirmed. An updated key to all recorded species of the genus Ropalidia from Vietnam is also provided.

Molecular phylogeny places the enigmatic subfamily Masoninae within the Ichneumonidae, not the Braconidae

AbstractThe Masoninae (type genus Masona van Achterberg) is a widespread but seldom collected group of morphologically aberrant tiny (body length 2 mm or less) wasps that have always been considered as a subfamily of Braconidae, albeit on little supporting evidence. Discovery of a fully winged female of Masona from remote Australia has enabled a reassessment of its relationships. This specimen yielded sequence data for the nuclear 28S and 18S rDNA genes, the barcoding fragment of mitochondrial cytochrome oxidase subunit 1 and the mitochondrial 16S rDNA gene. These were analysed separately and together, along with representatives of Braconidae and Ichneumonidae. Maximum likelihood analyses of all four genes separately and combined concur that Masona is nested within the Ichneumonidae and, therefore, is not a member of Braconidae. This is also supported by the position of the sternaulus low on mesopleuron, absence of fore wing vein (RS + M)a (though the great reduction in wing venation makes further interpretation problematic) and the articulated junction of metasomal tergites 2 and 3. On balance, molecular analyses place Masona basally among the ophioniformes lineage of Ichneumonidae. Formal description of the Australian species as Masona timpaynei Quicke sp. n. and a revised diagnosis of Masoninae are provided in S1 together with illustration of the holotype.

First South American record of the rare ichneumonoid subfamily Masoninae van Achterberg (Hymenoptera: Ichneumonoidea: Ichneumonidae) with description of a new species from Brazil.

Masona popeye Quicke Chaul sp. n. is described from Brazil, and differentiated from other species of the genus. Described extant species of Masona are known from Australia and south eastern U.S.A. (Georgia and Florida including the Key Islands). Two undescribed species are known from Tanzania and Cambodia. The new species is therefore the first representative of the subfamily Masoninae van Achterberg from South America, demonstrating the completely cosmopolitan distribution of this very poorly known group. The new species most closely resembles a fossil species, M. pyriceps van Achterberg, 2001, from Dominican amber with which it shares the plesiomorphic presence of a scutellum.

Buckwheat strip crops increase parasitism of Apolygus lucorum in cotton

Cropping system diversification, including the in-field establishment of strip crops can improve the effectiveness of natural enemies and enhance biological control of pestiferous herbivores. In China, habitat management such as the in-field establishment of alfalfa strips is used for pest control in cotton. However, their effect on other economically important pests, such as the mirid bug Apolygus lucorum (Meyer-Dur), has not been evaluated. In this study, we first assessed parasitism of A. lucorum within plots of 13 different host plant species. Next, we established strips of one suitable plant species within a commercial cotton field and evaluated its effect on A. lucorum parasitism level. The results showed that two A. lucorum parasitoids, i.e., Peristenus spretus Chen et van Achterberg and Peristenus relictus Ruthe, responded differently to host plant species. In 2014, the parasitism levels of P. spretus were highest on buckwheat Fagopyrum esculentum Moench, while parasitism levels of P. relictus were generally low and did not differ between the various plants. Furthermore, A. lucorum attained low population levels on buckwheat. In 2016, A. lucorum parasitism levels in buckwheat plots were higher than in cotton. When (2 m wide) buckwheat strips were established in cotton fields, P. spretus parasitism of A. lucorum on cotton plants increased 2.4-fold in 2016 and 8.5-fold in 2017 compared to cotton monocrops. In conclusion, the establishment of buckwheat strips in commercial cotton fields enhances A. lucorum parasitism. By deploying these habitat management tactics, parasitoid-mediated biological control may complement existing management schemes for the polyphagous mirid bug in China and abroad.

Three new species of the New Zealand endemic, Neptihormius van Achterberg & Berry (Hymenoptera: Braconidae), with diverse host records

AbstractThree new species of the New Zealand endemic braconid genus Neptihormius van Achterberg & Berry (Mesostoinae) are described. One of these species was reared from dipteran hosts on Coprosma (Rubiaceae): N. dipterophagus Quicke, Ward & van Achterberg sp. nov. from an agromyzid and unidentified gall‐forming cecidomyiid hosts. Neptihormius whakapapa Quicke & Ward sp. nov. was reared from a gall, thought to have been caused by a curculionid beetle. The third new species, N. herbaspicatum Quicke & Ward sp. nov., was reared from the New Zealand endemic moth Glyphipterix iocheaera Meyrick, 1880. A key to the species of Neptihormius is provided. Host records show Neptihormius attack galls and concealed leaf‐miner hosts indicating evolutionary plasticity in host utilisation.

The Afrotropical braconine genus Dioxybracon Granger with descriptions of four new species and new generic synonymy

ABSTRACTThe braconine parasitoid wasp genus Dioxybracon Granger, 1949 was known from a single species, D. bimucronatus Granger, from Madagascar. Three new species from the African mainland are described and illustrated, and a key provided to enable identification of Afrotropical species. The new species are D. maridadi Quicke & Butcher sp. n. from Uganda, D. aurumoram Quicke & Butcher sp. n. from Ghana and D. vannoorti Quicke & Butcher sp. n. from South Africa. D. bimucronatus is redescribed and illustrated photographically, and is recorded from the Aldabra Atoll for the first time. The morphology of the new species considerably blur the boundary between Dioxybracon and Pedinopleura van Achterberg, 1984, described species of which are from Japan, Papua New Guinea and Australia. In particular, we note that the holotype of D. bimucronatus differs from its redescription in having tergites 4–6 with deep basal grooves rather than shallow ones, a state used previously to differentiate it from Pedinopleura. Here we therefore formally synonymise Pedinopleura with Dioxybracon.http://www.zoobank.org/urn:lsid:zoobank.org:pub:EE7CF371-A335-4DDF-96AA-F0BE9DDFADEA

Three newly recorded genera from China (Hymenoptera, Braconidae, Opiinae), with the notes on the genus Neopius and descriptions of three new species.

The genera Bitomoides van Achterberg, 2004, Neopius Gahan, 1917 and Sternaulopius Fischer, 1965 of the subfamily Opiinae are newly discovered in China and one new species of each genus are described and illustrated, viz. Bitomoides platyaulicis Sheng Chen sp. n., Neopius citrinus Sheng Chen, sp. n. and Sternaulopius macrophthalmos Sheng Chen sp. n. The status of the genus Neopius Gahan is discussed.

Herbivore-induced plant volatiles enhance field-level parasitism of the mirid bug Apolygus lucorum

In China, the braconid wasp Peristenus spretus Chen & van Achterberg (Hymenoptera: Braconidae) is a native endoparasitoid of the mirid bug Apolygus lucorum (Meyer-Dür) (Hemiptera: Miridae). Castor bean (Ricinus communis L.) is a preferred host plant of A. lucorum, and P. spretus adults are attracted to its herbivore-damaged flowering plants. Here, we used headspace collection to sample the volatiles emitted by A. lucorum-damaged flowering R. communis plants, and employed gas chromatography-electroantennography (GC-EAD) to identify two electrophysiologically-active compounds. Active compounds were identified as m-cymene and 4′-ethyl-acetophenone. Electrophysiological activities were confirmed by EAG, with a gradient of five doses of each compound eliciting significant antennal responses. Next, in Y-tube olfactometer bioassays, female P. spretus were attracted to two synthetic volatile compounds at two different concentrations (10 mg/ml and 100 mg/ml). Under field conditions, A. lucorum parasitism rates – as recorded in volatile-baited barrel traps – for the two compounds were significantly higher than those for mineral oil (control). Our findings emphasize the important role of herbivore-induced plant volatiles in the P. spretus host selection process, and provide a potential way to enhance in-field parasitoid populations and improve biological control of A. lucorum.

Braconid and ichneumonid (Hymenoptera) parasitoid wasps of Lepidoptera from the Maltese Islands.

Fourteen species of Ichneumonidae are here recorded from the Maltese Islands. Of these, all were reared from Lepidoptera hosts with the exception of Netelia (Paropheltes) inedita (Kokujev) which was collected from a malaise trap. Of these, the following species (or genera) are here reported for the first time from the Maltese Islands: Chirotica meridionalis Horstmann, Gelis carbonarius (de Stefani), G. exareolatus (Fӧrster), G. seyrigi Ceballos, Glypta sp., Meloboris sp., Netelia (Paropheltes) inedita (Kokujev), Ophion obscuratus Fabricius and Orthizema sp. Twenty-five species of Braconidae are also here reported from Lepidoptera hosts with the exception of Homolobus (Phylacter) meridionalis van Achterberg which was collected from a malaise trap. Of these, the following species (or genera) represent new records for the Maltese Islands: Apanteles metacarpalis (Thomson), Ascogaster sp., Clinocentrus excubitor (Haliday) [previously misidentified as C. exsertor (Nees) by Papp (2015)], Cotesia vestalis (Haliday) [previously misidentified as C. ruficrus (Haliday) by Papp (2015)], Dolichogenidea britannica (Wilkinson), Homolobus (Phylacter) meridionalis van Achterberg, Iconella ? meruloides (Nixon), Lysitermus tritoma (Bouček), Lysitermus suecius (Hedqvist), Microgaster messoria Haliday, Meteorus pulchricornis (Wesmael), Pholetesor circumscriptus (Nees) [previously misidentified as P. bicolor (Nees) by Papp (2015)] and Spathius pedestris Wesmael. Thus previous records of Clinocentrus exsertor and Pholetesor bicolor from Malta were found to be based on misidentifications and are here excluded from the braconid fauna of Malta. Maltese records of Cotesia abjecta (Marshall) and Cotesia jucunda (Marshall) by Papp (2015) were found to be misidentifications and should both refer to C. glomerata (Linnaeus). Thus, both Cotesia abjecta and Cotesia jucunda are also here removed from the braconid fauna of Malta. The record of Cotesia tibialis (Curtis) by Papp (2015) was also based on a misidentification and should be attributed to C. ruficrus (Haliday). Thus, C. tibialis is also removed from the braconid fauna of Malta.

First host record and morphological notes on the rare Chilean wasp Vervoortihelcon scaramozzinoi van Achterberg (Hymenoptera, Braconidae, Helconinae, Vervoortihelconini)

The first host record for Vervoortihelcon scaramozzinoi van Achterberg, 1998 is presented and additional notes on its morphology are provided and illustrated. The species is recorded as parasitizing the cerambycid beetle Stenorhopalus rubiginus in Podocarpus L’Hér ex Pers (Podocarpaceae). The metasomal carapace is shown to be sexually dimorphic and comprising 4 tergites in females but 5 in males. Some aspects of metasomal sculpture are reported as being variable and others highly consistent between individuals and differing somewhat from the original description.

Two new species of Rhogadopsis Brèthes (Braconidae: Opiinae) as solitary <br />parasitoids of Merochlorops species complex (Diptera: Chloropidae) from India

During surveys for the potential biocontrol agents Merochlorops species complex (Diptera: Chloropidae), to control the invasive weed Hedychium gardnerianum Sheppard ex Ker Gawl. (Zingiberaceae), two new species of Rhogadopsis Brèthes (Braconidae: Opiinae) viz., R. gratia Gupta van Achterberg, sp. n. and R. macrusa Gupta van Achterberg, sp. n. were reared as solitary larval-pupal parasitoids of Merochlorops in the stems of H. gardnerianum. Interestingly, both wasp species have very different ovipositor lengths, in addition to other characters for species delimitation. Perhaps parasitism by the respective wasp species depends on the thickness of the stem harbouring the chloropid larvae. In the present study, both these new species of wasps are described and illustrated, together with notes on their biology. For the first time the genus Rhogadopsis has been found associated with Chloropidae; earlier records concern Agromyzidae.

Extending rarity: discovery of the rare braconine genus, Carinibracon van Achterberg (Hymenoptera: Braconidae) in the Oriental region with the description of a new species from south India.

The extremely rare, monobasic Afrotropical braconine genus, Carinibracon van Achterberg, is recorded for the first time from the Oriental region through the description of a new species, C. orientalis Ranjith sp. nov. from south India. An illustrated key to the two known species is provided along with re-illustration of the type species of the genus, C. danielssoni van Achterberg.