Seasonal and annual abundance of Ephuta wasp (Hymenoptera: Mutillidae) in Panama / Abundancia estacional y anual de la avispa Ephuta (Hymenoptera: Mutillidae) en Panamá

Introduction: Ephuta Say is a widespread New World genus of mutillid wasp whose ecology is poorly understood. Objective: The objective of this study was to determine how Ephuta species abundance varies annually and seasonally driven by weather conditions and hosts. Methods: Ephuta specimens, located in the "old forest" at Barro Colorado Island, were examined from weekly samples (2001-2006) of ten Malaise traps. The monthly abundance of each Ephuta species was compared with monthly average humidity, solar radiation, temperature and rainfall. Results: Nine species and ten morphospecies were identified. Most specimens were collected from March to June. April was the month reported with the greatest abundance. Of the four abiotic variables measured, only average monthly temperature was correlated with Ephuta abundance. Months with the highest number of Ephuta specimens were correlated with suspected host abundance, as indicated by the monthly abundance of Pompilidae (Hymenoptera) captured during the year 2007. Conclusions: We concluded that Ephuta display strong seasonal variation in abundance, with the peaks occurring during the end of the dry season and beginning of the rainy season, which correlate broadly with temperature and the abundance of their pompilid hosts.

Introducción: Ephuta es un género de avispas mutílidas ampliamente distribuido en el Nuevo Mundo y cuya ecología es poco conocida. Objetivo: El objetivo de este trabajo fue determinar cómo varía la abundancia de especies de Ephuta anualmente y estacionalmente debido a las condiciones climáticas y sus hospederos. Métodos: Se examinaron especímenes de Ephuta tomados de muestras semanales (2001-2006) de diez trampas Malaise, ubicadas en el "bosque viejo" de Isla Barro Colorado. La abundancia mensual de cada especie de Ephuta se comparó con el promedio mensual de la humedad, la radiación solar, la temperatura y las precipitaciones. Resultados: Se identificaron nueve especies y diez morfoespecies. La mayoría de los especímenes fueron recolectados de marzo a junio. La mayor abundancia mensual promedio se dio en abril. De las cuatro variables abióticas medidas, solo la temperatura mensual promedio se correlacionó con la abundancia de Ephuta. Los meses con el mayor número de especímenes de Ephuta se correlacionan con la sospechosa abundancia del huésped, como lo indica la abundancia mensual de Pompilidae (Hymenoptera) capturada durante el 2007. Conclusiones: Ephuta muestra una fuerte variación estacional en la abundancia, con picos durante el final de la estación seca y el comienzo de la temporada de lluvias. Esta se correlaciona ampliamente con la temperatura y la abundancia de sus huéspedes pompílidos.

A new species of spider wasps (Hymenoptera: Pompilidae) from Panama: Mystacagenia kimseyae sp. nov.

Mystacagenia Evans, 1973 is a strictly Neotropical genus of pompilid wasps (Pepsinae: Ageniellini), restricted to rain forest areas. The genus comprises four described species: M. albiceps Evans, 1973 (Peru, Brazil), M. bellula Evans, 1973 (Peru), M. variegata Evans, 1973 (Brazil), and M. elegantula Evans, 1980 (Panama). Mystacagenia is scarce in collections, with only eight specimens registered, all of these females (Evans 1973, 1977, 1980; Cambra 1993; Corro Cambra 2011).

First record and new species of the parasitoid wasp Chaenotetrastichus Graham (Hymenoptera: Eulophidae) for the Neotropical Region, with notes on its biology and a key for the species of the genus.

Chaenotetrastichus neotropicalis sp. nov. from the Atlantic Forest, Brazil, is described and illustrated. This new species is associated with a species of the pompilid wasp Auplopus Spinola (Hymenoptera: Pompilidae) and it represents the first record of the genus for the Neotropics. A key for the extant species of the genus Chaenotetrastichus Graham is also presented.

Molecular composition of the paralyzing venom of three solitary wasps (Hymenoptera: Pompilidae) collected in southeast Mexico.

The chemical and biological characterization of peptide and protein components of the paralyzing venom from three Pompilidae solitary spider wasps (Pepsis mexicana, Pepsis terminata, and Anoplius nigritus) is described for the first time. The molecular masses of the most abundant peptides were determined. The N-terminal sequences of two cysteine-rich peptides were obtained from Pepsis. Metalloproteinase and hyaluronidase activities were identified in the venom of P. mexicana. A novel non-lethal method to collect venom is described.

A new species and notes on unusual natural history of Cladochaeta Coquillett, 1900 (Diptera: Drosophilidae).

A new species of Cladochaeta Coquillett (Diptera: Drosophilidae) is described, C. caxiuana sp. nov. from the Brazilian Amazon, based on 10 male and 10 female specimens obtained from nymphs of Sphodroscarta trivirgata (Amyot Serville, 1843) (Hemiptera: Auchenorrhyncha: Aphrophoridae). The female of Cladochaeta atlantica Pirani Amorim, 2016 is described based on specimens reared from spider egg sacs of the spider Cryptachaea migrans (Keyserling, 1884) (Araneae: Theridiidae) obtained in the state of Espírito Santo, Brazil. This is the first record of this fly genus attacking a spider egg sac. The species Cladochaeta sororia (Williston, 1896) is recorded for the first time from Brazil, based on specimens collected in an urban garden in the Amazon. In addition, an unidentified female specimen of Cladochaeta Coquillett, 1900 was obtained from the cocoon of a spider wasp of the genus Notocyphus Smith (Hymenoptera: Pompilidae).

Ephuta icema Casal, 1969 and its host Auplopus subaurarius Dreisbach, 1963 (Hymenoptera: Mutillidae, Pompilidae) from Brazil.

The male and female of Ephuta icema Casal, 1969 are reared from the host Auplopus subaurarius Dreisbach, 1963 (Hymenoptera: Pompilidae) that allow to unit both sexes for this mutillid and describe hitherto unknown male. A review of all the previous host records for the genus Ephuta Say, 1836 is given.

New records of spider wasps (Hymenoptera, Pompilidae) from Colombia.

New records of genera and species of spider wasps (Hymenoptera: Pompilidae) from Colombia are provided. Agenioideus, Cryptocheilus, Evagetes, Mystacagenia, and Xerochares are newly recorded genera from Colombia. Nineteen species are first recorded from Colombia: Aimatocarevitrea (Fox); Ageniellaazteca (Cameron); Ageniellacurtipinus (Cameron); Ageniellafallax (Arlé); Ageniellahirsuta Banks; Ageniellapilifrons (Cameron); Ageniellapretiosa Banks; Ageniellasanguinolenta (Smith); Ageniellazeteki (Banks); Agenioideusbirkmanni (Banks); Aporus (Aporus) cuzco Evans; Aporus (Cosmiaporus) diverticulus (Fox); Aporus (Notoplaniceps) canescens Smith; Euplanicepsexilis (Banks); Euplanicepsherbertii (Fox); Irenangelusclarus Evans; Mystacageniabellula Evans; Phanochilusnobilitatus (Smith) and Xerocharesexpulsus Schulz. The following species and genera have their occurence ranges expanded for South America: Ageniellaazteca (Cameron); Ageniellazeteki (Banks); Agenioideusbirkmanni (Banks); and Xerocharesexpulsus Schulz; Cryptocheilus Panzer; and Xerochares Evans.

Functional and Taxonomic Diversity of Stinging Wasps in Brazilian Atlantic Rainforest Areas.

Vespoidea are the most functionally diverse superfamily of Hymenoptera. Ecological studies involving this family are primarily based on eusocial groups, including ants and social paper wasps. In the present study, we examine stinging wasp (Vespoidea) faunal diversity in the Atlantic Rain Forest, which is one of the most diverse and threatened ecosystems in the World. Three conservation areas were sampled employing a standardized sample protocol. Families and functional groups of Vespoidea were collected in each area, with the exception ants (Formicidae), and analyzed using diversity analyses, to generate taxonomic diversity and distinctness indices. Results indicated Pompilidae was the most diverse family, and the idiobiont parasitoid type was the most diverse functional group in the three study areas. Núcleo Picinguaba of the Parque Estadual da Serra do Mar was taxonomically and functionally the most diverse and species rich area. Parque Estadual Intervales showed the highest number of dominant species and diversity of koinobiont parasitoids, while the Rebio Sooretama exhibited a decrease in several diversity parameters.