DNA barcoding of rhopalosomatid larvae reveals a new host record and genetic evidence of a second species of Rhopalosoma Cresson (Hymenoptera, Rhopalosomatidae) in America north of Mexico

By

Miller, Lance
Benefield, Torie D.
Lounsbury, Sarah
Lohrmann, Volker
Blaschke, Jeremy D

Type

Article

Date of Publication

2019

Original Publication

Journal of Hymenoptera research

Volume

74

Pages

35--46

Subjects

molecular phylogenetics , Orthoptera , parasitoid wasps , Vespoidea

Contributed by

Pensoft Publishers

Language

English

Published by

Washington, D.C International Society of Hymenopterists

Identifiers

DOI: https://doi.org/10.3897/jhr.74.38276

 

Abstract

Rhopalosomatidae are unusual wasps whose larvae develop as ectoparasitoids on crickets. In America north of Mexico, three genera and six species are recognized. Host species are known only forRhopalosoma nearcticumBrues and includeHapithus agitatorUhler,H. brevipennis(Saussure), andH. saltator(Uhler) (Gryllidae: Hapithinae). Here we report a new host species: theAnaxipha exigua(Say) species-group (Trigonidiidae: Trigonidiinae) discovered by barcoding nine rhopalosomatid larvae collected from Cypress Grove Nature Park, Jackson, Tennessee.Rhopalosoma nearcticumis currently the only documented species ofRhopalosomaCresson in America north of Mexico, but our phylogenetic analyses recovered two genetically distinct clades ofRhopalosomaand thus reveal the presence of at least two species ofRhopalosomain America north of Mexico.