Opiine parasitoids (Hymenoptera: Braconidae) of tropical fruit flies (Diptera: Tephritidae) of the Australian and South Pacific region

• Published in: Bulletin of entomological research Vol. 95; no. 6; pp. 545 - 569
• Main Authors: Carmichael, A.E., Wharton, R.A., Clarke, A.R.
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: Cambridge, UK Cambridge University Press 01.12.2005
• Subjects: Animals; Australia; Bactrocera; Biological and medical sciences; Biological control; biological control agents; Braconidae; Control; Entomology; Fopius ferrari; Fopius illusorius; Fruits; Fundamental and applied biological sciences. Psychology; geographical distribution; insect morphology; insect taxonomy; Jargon; Museums; natural enemies; new combination; new host records; new species; Oceania; Opiinae; Papua New Guinea; parasitoids; Phytopathology. Animal pests. Plant and forest protection; Protozoa. Invertebrates; taxonomic keys; taxonomic revisions; Taxonomy; Tephritidae; Tephritidae - parasitology; Wasps - anatomy & histology; Wasps - classification; Australia; Papua New Guinea; Pacific Ocean Islands; Melanesia; Oceania; Fiji; Queensland Australia; United States > US; Texas; Hawaii; Bactrocera; natural enemies; Papua New Guinea; biological control; Australia; Taxonomy; Tephritidae; Insecta; Biological control; Diagnosis (taxonomy); Pest; Parasitoid; Entomophagous; Faunal survey; Geographic distribution; Beneficial animal; Arthropoda; Morphology; Taxonomic key; New species; Hymenoptera; Invertebrata; Braconidae; Diptera
• ISSN: 0007-4853; 1475-2670
• DOI: 10.1079/BER2005383

Opiine wasps are parasitoids of dacine fruit flies, the primary horticultural pests of Australia and the South Pacific. A taxonomic synopsis and distribution and host records (44% of which are new) for each of the 15 species of dacine-parasitizing opiine braconids found in the South Pacific is presented. Species dealt with are Diachasmimorpha hageni (Fullaway), D. kraussii (Fullaway), D. longicaudata (Ashmead), D. tryoni (Cameron), Fopius arisanus (Sonan), F. deeralensis (Fullaway), F. ferrari Carmichael & Wharton sp. n., F. illusorius (Fischer) comb. n., F. schlingeri Wharton, Opius froggatti Fullaway, Psyttalia fijiensis (Fullaway), P. muesebecki (Fischer), P. novaguineensis (Szépligeti) and Utetes perkinsi (Fullaway). A potentially undescribed species, which may be a colour morph of F. vandenboschi (Fullaway), is diagnosed but not formally described. Fopius vandenboschi sensu stricto, Diachasmimorpha fullawayi Silvestri, Psyttalia concolor Szépligeti and P. incisi Silvestri have been liberated into the region but are not considered to have established: a brief diagnosis of each is included. Biosteres illusorius Fischer is formally transferred to the genus Fopius. A single opiine specimen reared from a species of Bactrocera (Bulladacus) appears to be Utetes albimanus (Szépligeti), but damage to this specimen and to the holotype (the only previously known specimen) means that this species remains unconfirmed as a fruit fly parasite: a diagnosis of U. cf. albimanus is provided. Psyttalia novaguineensis could not be adequately separated from P. fijiensis using previously published characterizations and further work to resolve this complex is recommended. A key is provided to all taxa.