First record of Leptoomus janzeni Gibson (Hymenoptera, Chalcidoidea) from Rovno amber

The large and distinctive chalcidoid wasp Leptoomus janzeni Gibson, 2008, originally described from late Eocene Baltic amber, is newly recorded from coeval Rovno amber (Ukraine) based on a single well-preserved female specimen. Only 66 species of Rovno hymenopterans (49%) are also known from Baltic amber. High resolution photomicrographs and measurements of the specimen are given. Some character states of the new specimen, such as a green metallic coloration, a bare and flat prepectus, location and number of multiporous plate sensillae on the flagellum, sclerotized spur vein of the hind wing, and two metatibial spur are reported in this species for the first time.

First Hungarian records of Aprostocetus eriophyes, an acariphagous chalcidoid wasp (Hymenoptera: Eulophidae)

Aprostocetus eriophyes (Taylor, 1909) (Hymenoptera: Eulophidae) is reported as new to the Hungarian fauna. Female specimens were reared from galls of the hazelnut big bud mite (Phytoptus avellanae Nalepa, 1889) (Phytoptidae) collected in February to April 2017 at six different locations in Hungary. Diagnosis, hosts, biology and distribution of A. eriophyes is discussed. With 3 figures.

Doddifoenus wallacei, a new giant parasitoid wasp of the subfamily Leptofoeninae (Chalcidoidea: Pteromalidae), with a description of its mesosomal skeletal anatomy and a molecular characterization

A third species of Doddifoenus Bouček (Pteromalidae: Leptofoeninae), is described from Laos and Thailand. Doddifoenus wallacei sp. n. is the first species of the genus occurring west of Wallace’s Line, and with a body length of up to 4.2 cm it is among the longest known of any chalcidoid wasp. A differential key and distribution map for the world species of Doddifoenus are given. A detailed description of the mesosoma, including external and internal features, and molecular data (D2-D5 fragments of the 28S gene) are provided to facilitate future phylogenetic analyses. The phylogenetic placement of Leptofoeninae is briefly discussed, especially with respect to the pteromalid subfamilies Pteromalinae and Cleonyminae.

Torymus apiomyiae sp. n. (Hymenoptera: Torymidae), a parasite of Apiomyia bergenstammi (wachtl) (Diptera: Cecidomyiidae) on pears in Yugoslavia

A chalcidoid wasp, Torymus apiomyiae sp. n., is described from material reared in southern Yugoslavia. The host is Apiomyia bergenstammi (Wachtl), a gall midge galling young fruit-bearing twigs of pear trees, which is locally a serious pest.

STRUCTURAL DAMAGE BY FEMALE HEMADAS NUBILIPENNIS (HYMENOPTERA: PTEROMALIDAE) AS A FACTOR IN GALL INDUCTION ON LOWBUSH BLUEBERRY

The chalcidoid wasp, Hemadas nubilipennis (Ashmead), induces a reniform gall on the adventitious shoots of lowbush blueberry. Eggs are laid within shoot tissues 5–15 mm below the tip and then the female destroys the apex of the shoot by stabbing with her ovipositor. Stabbing terminates growth of the shoot, and as a result all nutrients flowing into the shoot are redirected towards the gall tissues and larvae. This is a rare example of an insect damaging tissues of the host plant for the benefit of the offspring. It also is suggested that stabbing and gall formation have a pruning effect on the host plant.

A NEW GENUS OF EURYTOMIDAE (CHALCIDOIDEA: EURYTOMIDAE, AXIMINAE) FROM BRAZIL

An interesting, highly unusual chalcidoid wasp was found recently for Dr. L. Masner in material collected for him by Mr. F. M. Oliveira from Brazil. This unique specimen proved to belong to an undescribed genus in the subfamily Aximinae of the family Eurytomidae. It keys to the genera Axima Walker and Conoaxima Brues in Burks’ (1971) key to the genera of Eurytomidae, but differs in a number of morphological characters discussed below.The structure and sculpture of this unique female specimen are illustrated by scanning electron photographs, the wings and antennae by macrophotography.

Bairamlia fuscipes Waterston, a Chalcidoid Parasite on Ceratophyllus wickhami Baker (Siphonaptera)

The Chalcidoid wasp, Bairamlia fuscipes, was found parasitising the flea Ceratophyllus wickhami in the nest of the North American Grey Squirrel (Sciurus carolinensis) from Gerrard's Cross.The larval and pupal stages of B. fuscipes were found in the cocoons of C. wickhami, and the adults were crawling about in the squirrel's nest.The parasites were scarce, only 7 per cent, of the cocoons dissected at intervals during fifteen months were parasitised.The parasite has not been reared in the laboratory beyond the second instar larva, though full grown larvae have successfully reached maturity under experimental conditions.B. fuscipes oviposits through the flea cocoon and fixes the egg on the abdomen of a resting larva or pupa. Only one egg has been found in each parasitised cocoon. The larva feeds externally on the flea, fixing itself to the fourth abdominal segment or thereabouts.Attempts were made to parasitise larvae of Xenopsylla astia, but without success.The external anatomy of the full grown larva of B. fuscipes is described.