ABSTRACT
A tritrophic relationship involving the plant Croton floribundus Spreng (Euphorbiaceae), an unidentified gall-midge belonging to either Clinodiplosis Kieffer 1895 or Alycaulus Rübsaamen 1916 (Diptera: Cecidomyiidae), and a new species of parasitic wasp belonging to Omphale Haliday 1833 (Hymenoptera: Eulophidae) is described. The gall and Omphale japii sp. nov., are described and illustrated. This is the third record of Omphale from Brazil and the new species is compared to other Omphale species from the Neotropical region.
Neste estudo foi descrita a relação tritrófica envolvendo a planta Croton floribundus Spreng (Euphorbiaceae), um galhador não-identificado pertencente à Clinodiplosis Kieffer 1895 ou Alycaulus Rübsaamen 1916 (Diptera: Cecidomyiidae), e uma nova espécie de vespa parasitoide pertencente à Omphale Haliday 1833 (Hymenoptera: Eulophidae). A galha e Omphale japii sp. nov., foram descritas e ilustradas. Este é o terceiro registro de Omphale no Brasil e a nova espécie foi comparada a outras espécies de Omphale da região Neotropical.
ABSTRACT
A new and morphologically very distinct species of Pediobius from Costa Rica is described. The new species (P. nishidai) is unique among New World species of Pediobius in having the propodeum elongated and extended backwards (i.e. with an elongated nucha). The entire type series (15 females, two males) was reared from a single prepupa of Epilachna mexicana and it has been concluded that the new Pediobius species is a gregarious endoparasitoid that pupates inside its host. The possible use of this new species as a biological control agent against "the Mexican bean beetle" (E. varivestis) should be tested.