Key to the genera of the Aulacideini tribe

The re-classification of the different tribes of herb gall wasps, and the recognition of the tribe Aulacideini as a monophyletic entity (Ronquist et al. 2015), necessitate updating the identification keys of the genera included in this new tribe. A thorough revision of this tribe’s genera, particularly of those that form galls on Lamiaceae, i.e., Rhodus Quinlan, 1968, Neaylax Nieves-Aldrey, 1994 and Hedickiana Nieves-Aldrey, 1994, whose current taxonomic arrangement is unsatisfactory, is currently being carried out (unpublished data). However, in the meanwhile, a provisional updated identification key for the Aulacideini genera is provided here.

1. Dorsal part of pronotal plate distinct, with lateral margins marked, close reaching anterior margin of mesoscutum (Figs 9A, 9B). Facial strigae radiating from clypeus either weak and short, not reaching compound eye, or irregular and indistinct (Figs 9E, 9F). Clypeus strongly trapezoid with ventral part broadly projecting over mandibles (Figs 9E, 9F). Gall inducers associated with Lamiaceae of the genera Nepeta, Glechoma and Phlomis .................................................. 2

-- Dorsal part of pronotal plate usually less distinct and with lateral margins only marked ventrally (Figs 9C, 9D). Facial strigae radiating from clypeus regular and distinct, usually reaching compound eye (Figs 9G, 9H) Clypeus trapezoid or subquadrate, with ventral part usually not or only slightly projecting over mandibles (Fig. 9G). Gall inducers associated with Valerianella, Salvia, Hypecoum, Fumaria and several Asteraceae genera,.................................................... 3

2. Female antenna with 11 flagellomeres (Fig. 10D). Lateral margins of dorsal part of pronotal plate converging dorsally (Fig. 9A). Notauli conspicuous, marked entirely (Fig. 10A). Mesoscutum with almost smooth to weak coriaceous sculpture. Propodeum without a median propodeal carina; lateral propodeal carinae well marked, subparallel (Fig. 10B). Third abdominal tergum with a dense hair patch anterolaterally (Fig. 10C). Gall inducers on Nepeta and Glechoma (Lamiaceae) ...................................................................................................... Liposthenes

-- Female antenna with 12 flagellomeres (Fig. 10H). Lateral margins of dorsal part of pronotal plate subparallell or slightly divergent dorsally (Fig. 9B). Notauli faint anteriorly, indistinct posteriorly (Fig. 10E). Mesoscutum with conspicuous alutaceousreticulate sculpture. Propodeum with a median propodeal carina; lateral propodeal carinae not well marked and divergent (Fig. 10F). Third abdominal tergum without a dense hair patch anterolaterally (Fig. 10G). Gall inducer on Phlomis (Lamiaceae) .............................................................................................. Panteliella

3. Clypeus subquadrangular; clypeo-pleurostomal lines subparallell or slightly converging towards ventral margin of clypeus; ventral margin not or only slightly projecting over mandibles (Figs 11A, 11B, 11C, 11E). Gall inducers on Valerianella, Salvia, and some genera of Nearctic Asteraceae, mainly Silphium ..................................................... 4

-- Clypeus trapezoidal; clypeo-pleurostomal lines diverging towards ventral margin of clypeus and ventral margin of clypeus usually more or less projecting over mandibles (Figs 11D, 11F). Gall inducers on Fumarioideae (Papaveraceae) and Lactuceae (Asteraceae) ......................................................................................... 6

4. Head female in anterior view as high as wide, slightly higher than wide in male (Fig. 11B); Genae long; malar space more of ½ as long as height of an eye in female, longer (about 0.7) in male. Female antenna with 11 flagellomeres; third antennal segment longer than A 4 in male antenna; with dense placodeal sensilla (Figs. 12A, 12B). Facial strigae radiating from clypeus strong, reaching compound eyes and extended to ventral margin of antennal sockets (Fig. 11B). Gall inducers on Valerianella, ( Valerianaceae)................................................................................ Cecconia

-- Head in anterior view wider than high in both sexes (Figs 11A, 11C, 11D); malar space shorter than 1/2 of height of an eye. Female antenna with 11 or 12 flagellomeres. Third antennal segment as long as or shorter than A 4 in male antenna; with few and sparse placodeal sensilla (Figs 12C, 12D, 12E, 12F). Gall inducers on Salvia (Lamiaceae) and some Nearctic genera of Asteraceae ........................................................................................... 5

5. Mesoscutum, pronotum and mesopleuron with strong reticulate rugose sculpture. Notauli deeply impressed, medial mesoscutal impression marked (Fig. 13A). Distal margin of forewing without hair fringe (Fig. 13E). Gall inducers on Silphium and other Nearctic genera of Asteraceae ................................................................. Antistrophus

-- Mesoscutum usually with coriaceous or coriaceous-punctate sculpture (Figs 13B, 13C, 13D); mesopleuron striate-reticulate. Notauli usually faint in anterior half; medial mesoscutal impression short and weakly marked. Distal margin of forewing with or without hair fringe (Figs 13F, 13G). Gall inducers on Salvia (Lamiaceae) ............ Neaylax, Rhodus and Hedickiana *

*These three genera together form a monophyletic clade; they are closely related and could eventually be considered synonymous. A revision of the genera and species of this clade is necessary and will be treated elsewhere.

6. Female antenna with 10 flagellomeres (Figs. 2C, 4E). Notauli weakly impressed in anterior one third of mesoscutum; vertex and mesoscutum weakly coriaceous with scattered piliferous punctures (Figs. 2D, 4D). Radial cell open on anterior margin of forewing; R1 reaching anterior margin (Figs 5C, 5D). Gall inducers on Hypecoum and Fumaria (Fumaroideae) Papaveraceae))............................................................................ Fumariphilus gen. nov.

-- Female antenna with 11 flagellomeres (Fig. 14A). Notauli usually impressed throughout (Figs 14B, 14C, 14D); vertex and mesoscutum without piliferous punctures (Fig. 14B). Radial cell either open or closed on anterior margin (Fig. 14E); if open, then R1 not reaching anterior margin of forewing (Fig. 14F). Gall inducers on Asteraceae ............................ 7

7. Radial cell open on anterior margin of forewing; R1 not quite reaching anterior margin (Fig. 14F). Distal margin without hair fringe. Gall inducers mainly on Centaurea ........................................................... Isocolus

-- Radial cell closed on anterior margin of forewing (Fig. 14E). Distal margin with hair fringe present, more or less long. Gall inducers on several genera of Asteraceae, mainly Hieracium ............................................ Aulacidea