World Cynipoidea (Hymenoptera): A Key to Higher- Level Groups
Author
Buffington, Matthew L.
Systematic EntomologyLaboratory, ARS-USDAc / oNational Museumof NaturalHistory, SmithsonianInstitution, 10 th & Constitution Ave NW, Washington, DC 20013, USA,
matt.buffington@usda.gov
Author
Forshage, Mattias
Department of Zoology, Naturhistoriska Riksmuseet, Box 50007, SE- 104 05 Stockholm, Sweden,
Author
Liljeblad, Johan
Swedish Species Information Centre, PO Box 7007, SE- 750 07 Uppsala, Sweden,
Author
Tang, Chang-Ti
Department of Biological Sciences, The George Washington University, SEH, Suite 6300, 800 22 nd Street, NW, Washington, DC 20052, USA,
Author
Noort, Simon van
Research and Exhibitions Department, South African Museum, Iziko Museums of South Africa, P. O. Box 61, Cape Town 8000, South Africa,
text
Insect Systematics and Diversity
2020
2020-07-01
4
2020
1
1
69
http://dx.doi.org/10.1093/isd/ixaa003
journal article
10.1093/isd/ixaa003
2399-3421
4552110
Charipinae
Figs. 243
–248
This is an extremely diverse group known exclusively as hyperparasitoids in aphid and psyllid systems. While not particularly
diverse at the genus level, the species diversity in
Alloxysta
is remarkable, and it is possible numerous cryptic species complexes are present in the genus. The small size and smooth cuticle of charipines make them easily recognized at the subfamily level. While genera are relatively approachable with respect to identification, species limits are still being addressed, and in some cases, species-level identification is difficult if not impossible. The research group at the University of Barcelona (Pujade-Villar Lab) is the most active in the world and has produced the most recent research on the group, spearheaded by Mar Ferrer-Suay. The volume of papers and new taxa in recent years is remarkable, and has been particularly valuable in making the
types
accessible. Up to a point, nomenclatural issues, as well as distribution knowledge and practical identification have benefitted significantly from this. But this is not definitive since species circumscriptions are still often uncertain, as revisions have usually been made on the basis of rather small numbers of specimens and a set of preferred morphological characters, not considering biological or molecular evidence nor phylogenetic considerations. Particularly troublesome was the erection of all wingless forms into separate species.
Biology. Hyperparasitoids of aphidiine braconids and aphelinid chalcidoids through aphids and psyllids. Data summarized online at http://www.charipinaedatabase.com.
Distribution. Worldwide, but with the largest number of species in the Holarctic, while two unusual groups (
Dilapothor
and
Thoreauana
) are from
Australia
.
Relevant literature.
Menke and Evenhuis (1991)
provided the first modern update of the group.
Ferrer-Suay et al. (2012)
provided a world catalog, which has also been merged into an online database (Ferrer-Suay et al. 2014);
Ferrer-Suay et al. (2013a)
review Neotropical species, Oriental species (
Ferrer-Suay et al. 2013b
) and Palearctic species (
Ferrer-Suay et al. 2018
);
van Noort et al. (2015)
reviewed the Afrotropical species.
Classification.
Charipinae
Dalla Torre and Kieffer, 1910
Alloxysta
Förster
; 137 species worldwide but mainly Holarctic, despite recent revisions many problems remain
Apocharips
Fergusson, 1986
; 6 species NT, PA, AT
Dilapothor
Paretas-Martinez and Pujade-Villar, 2006
; 1 species AU
Plate 18.
Charipinae
. Figs. 243 and 244,
Apocharips trapezoidea
, USNMENT
01231873. Figs. 245 and 246,
Lytoxysta brevipalpis
, USNMENT
01231836. Figs. 247 and 248,
Alloxysta
sp., USNMENT01231840.
Dilyta
Förster, 1869
; 14 species AT, PA, NA, OR
Lobopterocharips
Paretas-Martinez and
Pujade-Villar, 2008
; 1 species OR
Lytoxysta
Kieffer, 1909
; 1 species NA
Phaenoglyphis
Förster, 1869
; 44 species, worldwide but mainly Holarctic, despite recent revisions many problems remain
Thoreauana
Girault, 1930
; 4 species AU