A new genus of Cedriini (Hymenoptera: Braconidae, Hormiinae) from the Brazilian cerrado

A new genus of the braconid wasp tribe Cedriini, Sagarana n. gen., (Hymenoptera, Braconidae) is described and illustrated from the Brazilian cerrado based on a newly discovered species, Sagarana cerradensis n. sp. The genus is clearly distinct from the other genera of the Cedriini, with unusual fringed depressions on the second metasomal sternite that are of unknown function. The confusing taxonomy of this tribe is briefly discussed.

Ovipositor of the braconid wasp Habrobracon hebetor: structural and functional aspects

The Braconidae are a megadiverse and ecologically highly important group of insects. The vast majority of braconid wasps are parasitoids of other insects, usually attacking the egg or larval stages of their hosts. The ovipositor plays a crucial role in the assessment of the potential host and precise egg laying. We used light- and electron-microscopic techniques to investigate all inherent cuticular elements of the ovipositor (the female 9th abdominal tergum, two pairs of valvifers, and three pairs of valvulae) of the braconid Habrobracon hebetor (Say, 1836) in detail with respect to their morphological structure and microsculpture. Based on serial sections, we reconstructed the terebra in 3D with all its inherent structures and the ligaments connecting it to the 2nd valvifers. We examined the exact position of the paired valvilli, which are bilateral concave structures that protrude into the egg canal. In H. hebetor, these structures putatively divert the egg ventrally between the 1st valvulae for oviposition. We discuss further mechanical and functional aspects of the ovipositor in order to increase the understanding of this putative key feature in the evolution of braconids and of parasitoid wasps in general.

A new species of braconid wasp Meteorus Haliday (Hymenoptera: Braconidae: Meteorinae) from India

A new species of braconid wasp, Meteorus rubrum Ahmed & Shamim sp. nov. (Hymenoptera: Braconidae: Meteorinae), is described from India. The new species is closely related with M. dichomeridis (Wilkinson, 1930) and M. kotanni (Maeto, 1986).

MdBVe46 is an envelope protein that is required for virion formation by Microplitis demolitor bracovirus

Bracoviruses (BVs) are endogenized nudiviruses that braconid parasitoid wasps have coopted for functions in parasitizing hosts. Microplitis demolitor is a braconid wasp that produces Microplitis demolitor bracovirus (MdBV) and parasitizes the larval stage of the moth Chrysodeixis includens. Some BV core genes are homologs of genes also present in baculoviruses while others are only known from nudiviruses or other BVs. In this study, we had two main goals. The first was to separate MdBV virions into envelope and nucleocapsid fractions before proteomic analysis to identify core gene products that were preferentially associated with one fraction or the other. Results indicated that nearly all MdBV baculovirus-like gene products that were detected by our proteomic analysis had similar distributions to homologs in the occlusion-derived form of baculoviruses. Several core gene products unknown from baculoviruses were also identified as envelope or nucleocapsid components. Our second goal was to functionally characterize a core gene unknown from baculoviruses that was originally named HzNVorf64-like. Immunoblotting assays supported our proteomic data that identified HzNVorf64-like as an envelope protein. We thus renamed HzNVorf64-like as MdBVe46, which we further hypothesized was important for infection of C. includens. Knockdown of MdBVe46 by RNA interference (RNAi) greatly reduced transcript and protein abundance. Knockdown of MdBVe46 also altered virion morphogenesis, near-fully inhibited infection of C. includens, and significantly reduced the proportion of hosts that were successfully parasitized by M. demolitor.

Revision of parasitoids of Massicus raddei (Blessig & Solsky) (Coleoptera, Cerambycidae) in China, with one new species and genus

Fifteen parasitoids of Massicus raddei (Blessig & Solsky) (Coleoptera, Cerambycidae) are revised. The host is a serious pest of Quercus liaotungensis Koidz. and Q. mongolica Fisch. ex Ledeb. in NE China. All the parasitoids were reared from larvae of M. raddei. Pseudocyanopterus gen. nov. raddeivorus sp. nov., a new braconid wasp is described, and Cyanopterus tricolor (Ivanov) and Eubazus (E.) pallipes are new records for the Chinese fauna. An identification key to the parasitoids of M. raddei in China is provided. Detailed photographs of the parasitoids are provided.

Variation in intrinsic resistance of pea aphids to parasitoid wasps: A transcriptomic basis

Evolutionary interactions between parasitoid wasps and insect hosts have been well studied at the organismal level, but little is known about the molecular mechanisms that insects use to resist wasp parasitism. Here we study the interaction between a braconid wasp (Aphidius ervi) and its pea aphid host (Acyrthosiphon pisum). We first identify variation in resistance to wasp parasitism that can be attributed to aphid genotype. We then use transcriptome sequencing to identify genes in the aphid genome that are differentially expressed at an early stage of parasitism, and we compare these patterns in highly resistant and susceptible aphid host lines. We find that resistant genotypes are upregulating genes involved in carbohydrate metabolism and several key innate immune system genes in response to parasitism, but that this response seems to be weaker in susceptible aphid genotypes. Together, our results provide a first look into the complex molecular mechanisms that underlie aphid resistance to wasp parasitism and contribute to a broader understanding of how resistance mechanisms evolve in natural populations.

Interactions between Two Parasitoids of Tephritidae: Diachasmimorpha longicaudata (Ashmead) and Psyttalia cosyrae (Wilkinson) (Hymenoptera: Braconidae), under Laboratory Conditions

The braconid wasp, Diachasmimorpha longicaudata (Ashmead), was introduced in Kenya from Hawaii for classical biological control of the invasive tephritid, Bactrocera dorsalis Hendel. Following reports that D. longicaudata had formed new associations with Ceratitis cosyra, laboratory experiments were conducted to assess the interaction between the introduced and the native parasitoid of C. cosyra; Psyttalia cosyrae (Wilkinson) under three scenarios: B. dorsalis only, C. cosyra only and mixed populations of the two species. Parasitoids were introduced to the host as sole, sequential and simultaneous releases. Host searching and probing events were five times higher for D. longicaudata than P. cosyrae with both hosts. Total parasitism was highest (78%) when D. longicaudata was released alone on C. cosyra, compared to 20% for P. cosyrae released on the same host. Releases of P. cosyrae on B. dorsalis resulted in 0% parasitism, compared to 64% parasitism by D. longicaudata. Specific parasitism for P. cosyrae was three times higher when P. cosyrae was released first in sequential releases on C. cosyra compared to when it was released after D. longicaudata. These findings suggest that the two parasitoids can both suppress C. cosyra but B. dorsalis acts as a reproductive sink for P. cosyrae. Our findings should form the basis of field investigations where options are much wider for both parasitoids.

Orientocardiochiles, a new genus of Cardiochilinae (Hymenoptera, Braconidae), with descriptions of two new species from Malaysia and Vietnam

For the first time in 21 years, a new genus of cardiochiline braconid wasp, Orientocardiochiles Kang & Long, gen. nov. (type species Orientocardiochiles joeburrowi Kang, sp. nov.), is discovered and described. This genus represents the ninth genus in the Oriental region. Two new species (O. joeburrowi Kang, sp. nov. and O. nigrofasciatus Long, sp. nov.) are described and illustrated, and a key to species of the genus, with detailed images, is added. Diagnostic characters of the new genus are analyzed and compared with several other cardiochiline genera to allow the genus to key out properly using an existing generic treatment. The scientific names validated by this paper and morphological data obtained from this project will be utilized and tested in the upcoming genus-level revision of the subfamily based on combined morphological and molecular data.

Species Diversity in the Braconid Wasp Genus Allorhogas (Doryctinae) Associated With Cynipid Galls on Live Oaks (Quercus: Fagaceae) Using Natural History, Phylogenetics, and Morphology

The discovery of new biodiversity, during an age of unprecedented extinction, is vital for all the life sciences and the quality of human life. One ecologically and economically important group that requires attention is the hymenopteran family Braconidae, which is estimated to include thousands of undescribed species. Here we assessed the genetic structure and species diversification in the braconid wasp genus Allorhogas Gahan (Doryctinae) that were reared from galls of five cynipid wasp species associated with three live oak species (Fagaceae: Quercus: subsection Virentes) in the southeastern United States. We explored genetic variation in the single-locus barcoding COI region of the mitochondrial DNA (mtDNA), and conducted analyses with different DNA sequence-based species delimitation approaches both for the above marker and genome-wide nuclear data using ultraconserved elements (UCEs). We found high variation in the mtDNA barcoding region among specimens of Allorhogas reared from galls made by different cynipid species in distinct plant organs and among specimens reared from the same type of gall from two separate geographic regions. In addition, our analyses of mtDNA and multilocus nuclear data were concordant in consistently delimiting at least five genetic lineages. We combined this molecular evidence with morphological data to describe four new species and redescribe the type species of the genus, Allorhogas gallicola Gahan, which exhibited similar morphological, ecological, and biogeographic characteristics to the four new species. This study highlights the importance of carrying detailed rearing surveys to uncover the intricate species interactions and species diversity that is present in gall-former systems.