Review of the genus Leptopilina (Hymenoptera, Cynipoidea, Figitidae, Eucoilinae) from the Eastern United States, including three newly described species

By

Lue, Chia Hua
Driskell, Amy
Leips, Jeff
Buffington, Matthew L.

Type

Article

Date of Publication

2016

Original Publication

Journal of Hymenoptera research

Volume

53

Pages

35-76

Subjects

DNA barcoding , Drosophila , Geographic distribution , Nearctic region , parasitoid wasps

Contributed by

Pensoft Publishers

Language

English

Published by

Washington, D.C International Society of Hymenopterists

Identifiers

DOI: https://doi.org/10.3897/jhr.53.10369

 

Abstract

The genus Leptopilina has historically been a poorly understood group. However, some species of Leptopilina are among the best-known model organisms for studying host-parasitoid interactions. As there is no identification system for Leptopilina in any part of the United States, we review species that were collected throughout their range in Eastern North America and those commonly used in laboratories. We provide a key for seven species, L. boulardi, L. heterotoma, L. clavipes, L. victoriae, L. decemflagella sp. n., L. maia sp. n. and L. leipsi sp. n., the last three of which are newly described here. This study is the first of its kind for Leptopilina species in North America, as our review and key were developed by examining a large number of specimens collected across broad chronological and geographic scales. This allowed us to account for the phenotypic variation within species, and helped us discover diagnostic characters. The geographic distribution and taxonomic information from this review provides a solid foundation for future research on Leptopilina.