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THREE NEW MEGALYRIDS FROM SOUTH AMERICA 
(HYMENOPTERA: MEGALYRIDAE)* 
By Scott Richard Shaw 
Department of Entomology, 
Museum of Comparative Zoology, 
Harvard University, 
Cambridge, MA 02138 
Introduction 
The neotropical Megalyridae are very rare and virtually unstud- 
ied. Some confusion has resulted over the classification of Iseura 
Spinola, which was based on a single specimen from Brazil (Spinola 
1853). Although the wasp is actually a cenocoeline braconid, it was 
incorrectly classified as a megalyrid by Dalla Torre (1900). This 
error was perpetuated by subsequent authors (Froggatt 1906, Fah- 
ringer 1928, Hedqvist 1959) who continued to treat Iseura as a 
megalyrid, though they expressed doubts about the correct classifi- 
cation of the genus. The holotype finally was examined by Hedqvist 
(1967), who correctly determined Iseura to be a braconid (I have 
also examined the holotype and concur with this identification). 
Therefore, to date, no authentic megalyrid species are described 
from South America. 
Even so, Nelson and Platnick (1981) characterized the family 
Megalyridae as “moderately diversified” in South America, citing 
Kuschel (1960). Although Kuschel (1960) listed Megalyridae as 
occurring in South America, it is uncertain whether this observation 
was based on specimens examined, or merely a perpetuation of the 
incorrect Iseura classification. After surveying the Megalyridae 
from 25 insect collections, only four neotropical specimens have 
been found. These represent three new species, each representing a 
new genus. Although there are few available specimens, it is desira- 
ble to describe and name these at the present time, so the taxa may 
be included in a phylogenetic and biogeographic study of the Meg- 
alyridae, currently in progress by the author. 
* Manuscript received by the editor March 28, 1987. 
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