On the parasitoid community of Aulacidea laurae (Hym., Cynipidae), with description of a new species of Adontomerus (Hym., Torymidae)

Abstract

An account is given of parasitoids (Hym., Chalcidoidea) reared from Spanish galls of Aulacidea laurae (Hymenoptera, Cynipidae) which develop in achenes of Scorzonera laciniata (Asteraceae). The parasitoid community includes Adontomerus brevicaudatus (Hym., Torymidae) which is described as new. Final instar larva of the new species is also described. The generic placement of A. brevicaudatus and the composition of the parasitoid community are discussed.

Keywords:

• Adontomerus
• Chalcidoidea
• Cynipidae
• Eupelmidae
• parasitoid
• Scorzonera
• Torymidae

Acknowledgements

This study was supported by a grant to R.R.A. from the European Community's Programme Structuring the European Research Area under SYNTHESYS, facilitating research at the Museo Nacional de Ciencias Naturales, Madrid. We are grateful to Laura Tormo for technical assistance in preparing the SEM photographs. Financial support was provided by the Spanish Ministry of Education and Science, research project CGL2005‐01922/BOS to J.L.N.‐A.