New records of interaction between Pseudoxenos (Strepsiptera) and the solitary wasp Pachodynerus grandis in Brazil (Hymenoptera, Vespidae, Eumeninae) with an updated worldwide checklist of eumenine host species of Pseudoxenos

Interactions between Strepsiptera (Pseudoxenos Saunders, 1872) and solitary wasps (Eumeninae) are recorded for the first time in Brazil for Pachodynerus grandis Willink & Roig-Alsina, 1998. An updated worldwide checklist of the host species of Eumeninae for Pseudoxenos is provided.

Using non-parametric statistical analysis to estimate the numbers of solitary wasp and bee species (Hymenoptera: Aculeata) at study sites

The potential total number of solitary aculeate wasp and bee species on 34 research sites was estimated using non-parametric Chao and Jackknife tests of presence/absence. Successful estimates of the maximum number of species were achieved for some but not for other sites. Making further visits to a site or removing 'tourist' species data led to further success in estimating the potential number of species. The optimum number of visits required to successfully evaluate the aculeate fauna at a site was determined.

Chemical and Biological Characteristics of Antimicrobial α-Helical Peptides Found in Solitary Wasp Venoms and Their Interactions with Model Membranes

Solitary wasps use their stinging venoms for paralyzing insect or spider prey and feeding them to their larvae. We have surveyed bioactive substances in solitary wasp venoms, and found antimicrobial peptides together with some other bioactive peptides. Eumenine mastoparan-AF (EMP-AF) was the first to be found from the venom of the solitary eumenine wasp Anterhynchium flavomarginatum micado, showing antimicrobial, histamine-releasing, and hemolytic activities, and adopting an α-helical secondary structure under appropriate conditions. Further survey of solitary wasp venom components revealed that eumenine wasp venoms contained such antimicrobial α-helical peptides as the major peptide component. This review summarizes the results obtained from the studies of these peptides in solitary wasp venoms and some analogs from the viewpoint of (1) chemical and biological characterization; (2) physicochemical properties and secondary structure; and (3) channel-like pore-forming properties.

A new species of the genus Discoelius Latreille, 1809 (Hymenoptera: Vespidae: Eumeninae) from India

Discoelius vasukii Pannure & Carpenter, sp. nov. is described and illustrated from Tamil Nadu, India. Discoelius Latreille, 1809 is a small genus of solitary wasp with ten species and one subspecies described, of which D. aurantiacus Nguyen, D. emeishanensus Zhou & Li, D. esakii Yasumatsu, D. longinodus Yamane, D. nigriclypeus Zhou & Li, D. turneri (Meade-Waldo), D. wangi Yamane and D. zonalis (Panzer) are recorded from Oriental Region (Zhou et al. 2013; Nguyen 2016). Only a single species, D. turneri described from Shillong (Meghalaya) (Meade-Waldo, 1910) and later recorded from Sikkim (Giordani Soika 1960) has been previously known from India. In this study, we describe a new species of Discoelius from India based on a single female specimen collected at Valparai (Tamil Nadu), India.