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Issue: Vol. 855 No. 1: 11 Feb. 2005
Type: Articles
Published: 2005-02-11
DOI: 10.11646/zootaxa.855.1.1
Page range: 1–8
Abstract views: 32
PDF downloaded: 18

Parapanteles rooibos, n. sp. (Hymenoptera: Braconidae: Microgastrinae): the first record of the genus from the African continent

Current Address: Department of Entomology, University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign, IL 61801, USA
Central American Institute of Biological Research and Conservation (CIBRC). P.O. Box 2398-2050 San Pedro de Montes de Oca, San José, Costa Rica
ENTOCARE CV, Biologische Gewasbescherming, Haagsteeg 4, P.O. Box 162, 6700 AD Wageningen, the Netherlands
Hymenoptera Braconidae Microgastrinae Parapanteles taxonomy Afrotropical region host records biology

Abstract

Currently Parapanteles Ashmead (1900) has been recorded only from the Australian and American continents. However, in this publication we describe Parapanteles rooibos n. sp. from the African continent. We also provide information about its ecology and biology. The species may ultimately prove to be an important natural enemy of Isturgia exerraria (Prout) (Lepidoptera: Geometridae: Ennominae), an herbivore of the commercially produced shrub Aspalatus linearis (Fabaceae), from which rooibos tea is made. A hyperparasitoid, Pediobius sp. (Hymenoptera: Eulophidae), is recorded. A key to the four currently known Parapanteles species is included to facilitate species identification.

References

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