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A review of the species of Mesopolobus (Chalcidoidea: Pteromalidae) associated with Ceutorhynchus (Coleoptera: Curculionidae) host-species of European origin

Published online by Cambridge University Press:  24 July 2007

H. Baur
Affiliation:
Department of Invertebrates, Natural History Museum, Bernstrasse 15, CH-3005 Bern, Switzerland
F.J. Muller
Affiliation:
CABI Switzerland Centre, Rue des Grillons 1, 2800 Delémont, Switzerland
G.A.P. Gibson
Affiliation:
AAFC, Biodiversity (Entomology) and IPM, Research Centre, 960 Carling Avenue, Ottawa, Canada
P.G. Mason
Affiliation:
AAFC, Biodiversity (Entomology) and IPM, Research Centre, 960 Carling Avenue, Ottawa, Canada
U. Kuhlmann*
Affiliation:
CABI Switzerland Centre, Rue des Grillons 1, 2800 Delémont, Switzerland
*
*Author for correspondence Fax: +41 (0)32 421 4871 E-mail: u.kuhlmann@cabi.org
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Abstract

Four species of Mesopolobus Westwood were reared as parasitoids of Ceutorhynchinae hosts in Europe during surveys in 2000–2004. An illustrated key is given to differentiate the four species, M. gemellus Baur & Muller sp. n., M. incultus (Walker), M. morys (Walker) and M. trasullus (Walker), plus M. moryoides Gibson, a parasitoid of the cabbage seedpod weevil, Ceutorhynchus obstrictus (Marsham), in North America. Pteromalus clavicornis Walker is recognized as a junior synonym of M. incultussyn. n., and Pteromalus berecynthos Walker (also a junior synonym of M. incultus) is considered a correct original spelling. For Disema pallipes Förster (a junior synonym of Mesopolobus morys), a lectotype is designated. Mesopolobus morys is for the first time accurately associated with the seed weevil Ceutorhynchus turbatus (Schultze), a potential agent for classical biological control, of hoary cress, Lepidium draba L. (Brassicaceae), in North America. Mesopolobus gemellus is associated with another seed weevil, Ceutorhynchus typhae (=C. floralis) (Herbst), in pods of shepherd's purse, Capsella bursa-pastoris (L.) Medik. (Brassicaceae). Implications of the host–parasitoid associations are discussed relative to the introduction of species to North America for classical biological control of the cabbage seedpod weevil.

Information

Type
Research Article
Copyright
Copyright © Cambridge University Press 2007
Figure 0

Fig. 1. Mesosoma (dorsal) of (a) ♀ Mesopolobus gemellus Baur & Muller sp. n.; (b) ♀ Mesopolobus morys (Walker); (c) ♀ Mesopolobus incultus (Walker); (d) ♂ M. gemellus; (e) ♂ M. morys; (f) ♂ M. incultus; (g) ♀ Mesopolobus trasullus (Walker). Scale bars=100 μm. tg, tegula; pli, plica.

Figure 1

Fig. 2. Gaster (dorsal) of (a) ♀ Mesopolobus gemellus Baur & Muller sp. n.; (b) ♀ Mesopolobus morys (Walker); (c) ♀ Mesopolobus incultus (Walker); (d) ♀ Mesopolobus trasullus (Walker); (e) ♂ M. gemellus; (f) ♂ M. morys; (g) ♂ M. incultus. Scale bars=100 μm.

Figure 2

Fig. 3. Head and antennae (front-lateral) of (a) ♀ Mesopolobus gemellus Baur & Muller sp. n.; (b) ♀ Mesopolobus morys (Walker); (c) ♀ Mesopolobus incultus (Walker); (d) ♂ M. gemellus; (e) ♂ M. morys; (f) ♂ M. incultus; (g) ♀ Mesopolobus trasullus (Walker). Scale bars=100 μm. ped, pedicel; flag, flagellum.

Figure 3

Fig. 4. Fore wings of (a) ♀ Mesopolobus gemellus Baur & Muller sp. n.; (b) ♀ M. gemellus: detail of speculum; (c) ♂ M. gemellus; (d) ♀ Mesopolobus morys (Walker); (e) ♀ M. morys: detail of speculum; (f) ♂ M. morys; (g) ♀ Mesopolobus incultus (Walker); (h) ♂ M. incultus; (i) ♀ Mesopolobus trasullus (Walker). Scale bars=100 μm. bf, basal fold; mv, marginal vein; spe, speculum.

Figure 4

Fig. 5. Head (frontal) of (a) ♂ Mesopolobus gemellus Baur & Muller sp. n.; (b) ♂ Mesopolobus morys (Walker); (c) ♂ Mesopolobus incultus (Walker); (d) ♀ Mesopolobus trasullus (Walker). Scale bars=100 μm. cly, clypeus.

Figure 5

Fig. 6. Habitus of (a) ♀ Mesopolobus gemellus Baur & Muller sp. n.; (b) ♂ M. gemellus; (c) ♀ Mesopolobus morys (Walker); (d) ♂ M. morys; (e) ♀ Mesopolobus incultus (Walker); (f) ♂ M. incultus; (g) ♀ Mesopolobus trasullus (Walker). Scale bars=200 μm.