Saturday, December 10, 2016

[Entomology • 2016] Genaemirum phagocossorum, G. phacochoerus & G. fumosum • Review of the Genus Genaemirum Heinrich (Hymenoptera, Ichneumonidae) with Interactive Identification Keys to Species


Genaemirum phacochoerus Broad, Rousse & van Noort, 2016

Abstract
We describe Genaemirum phagocossorum Rousse, Broad & van Noort, sp. n., a new ichneumonine parasitoid wasp reared from Eucalyptus nitens logs infested by the cossid moth Coryphodema tristis, which is considered a major pest of forestry and food crops in South Africa. This is the first plausible host association for the genus, and fits with the host association predictions of Heinrich. Two further undescribed species were found in the collections of the Natural History Museum in London and are described as Genaemirum phacochoerus Broad, Rousse & van Noort, sp. n. and Genaemirum fumosum Broad, Rousse & van Noort, sp. n. An identification key to the eight known species and a diagnosis for each species are provided, including photographs of all the primary type specimens. Online Lucid interactive identification keys are available at: http://www.waspweb.org.

Keywords: Africa, Afrotropical region, biocontrol, Ichneumonidae, Ichneumoninae, host, identification key, parasitoid wasp, species description, systematics



 
Genaemirum phagocossorum Rousse, Broad & van Noort, 2016
Genaemirum phacochoerus Broad, Rousse & van Noort, 2016
Genaemirum fumosum Broad, Rousse & van Noort, 2016



Genaemirum phagocossorum Rousse, Broad & van Noort, sp. n.

Etymology: From the latin “cossus” for “worm or grub found in wood”, which is the likely host (Cossidae), and “phago” = latin for “a glutton”. Noun in the genitive case.




Genaemirum phacochoerus Broad, Rousse & van Noort, sp. n.

Etymology: The name is derived from the genus name for warthogs, after the resemblance of the head to that of a warthog. Noun in apposition.


Genaemirum fumosum Broad, Rousse & van Noort, sp. n.

Etymology: The name is derived from the Latin for "smoky", in reference to the infuscate wings. Noun in apposition.


 Pascal Rousse, Gavin R. Broad and Simon van Noort. 2016. Review of the Genus Genaemirum Heinrich (Hymenoptera, Ichneumonidae, Ichneumoninae) with Interactive Identification Keys to Species. ZooKeys. 636: 77-105. DOI: 10.3897/zookeys.636.10216

'Monstrous' wasps could reveal their species' secrets
Scientists have identified three new species of parasitoid wasp - including two that previously lay undescribed in the Museum's collections.