The Australian species of Encarsia Förster (Hymenoptera, Chalcidoidea: Aphelinidae), parasitoids of whiteflies (Hemiptera, Sternorrhyncha, Aleyrodidae) and armoured scale insects (Hemiptera, Coccoidea: Diaspididae)

Abstract

The species of Encarsia Förster known from Australia are revised. This study is based mainly on material collected over the last 10 years. Ninety‐four species are recognized, including 38 new species, and seven new records for Australia. All species are fully described or diagnosed, and illustrated by microphotographs. Seven new specific synonymies are proposed and two lectotypes are designated. A key to the females of Australian species of Encarsia is provided. The known hosts and distribution are summarized. The diversity of the Australian Encarsia fauna is discussed.

Keywords:

• Aleyrodidae
• Aphelinidae
• Australia
• Diaspididae
• natural enemies
• parasitoids

Acknowledgements

We would like to thank the following researchers and curators for providing reared Encarsia specimens and loans of material: Paul De Barro (CSIRO Entomology, Brisbane, Australia), Chris Burwell (Queensland Museum, Brisbane, Australia), John F. Donaldson (Department of Primary Industries, Brisbane, Australia), Bernie Franzmann, Davie Lea (†) (Department of Primary Industries and Fisheries, Toowoomba, Australia), John LaSalle (Australian National Insect Collection, Canberra, Australia), Andras Szito (Department of Agriculture, Perth, Australia), Paolo Pedata (Istituto CNR per la Protezione delle Piante, Portici, Italy) and Gennaro Viggiani (University of Naples, Portici, Italy), and John Noyes (Natural History Museum, London, UK) who also allowed us to use his digital microphotography system. Thanks to the Paul De Barro lab and the Australian Biological Resources Study (Canberra, Australia) for financial support of this project, and for initiating the study of Encarsia in Australia and encouragingly supporting this revision. We are also grateful to Paul De Barro and Jon Martin (the Natural History Museum, London, UK) for the identification of whitefly adults. Identifications of whitefly and scale insect host plants by Alice Wells (Australian Biological Resources Study, Canberra, Australia) and staff of the Australian National Botanic Gardens in Canberra is also gratefully acknowledged. The Australian Biological Resources Study is gratefully acknowledged for financial support of part of this study, which was otherwise largely funded by CSIRO, and we acknowledge in particular the support of Paul De Barro. Sincere thanks to Emilio Guerrieri, John Noyes, and Paolo Pedata for their reviews of, and comments on, the manuscript of this paper, which led to great improvements, particularly in the key.