Two new species of Oobius Trjapitzin (Hymenoptera, Encyrtidae) egg parasitoids of Agrilus spp. (Coleoptera, Buprestidae) from the USA, including a key and taxonomic notes on other congeneric Nearctic taxa

Abstract Abstract

Oobius Trjapitzin (Hymenoptera, Encyrtidae) species are egg parasitoids that are important for the biological control of some Buprestidae and Cerambycidae (Coleoptera). Two species, Oobius agrili Zhang & Huang and Oobius longoi (Siscaro), were introduced into North America for classical biocontrol and have successfully established. Two new native North American species that parasitize eggs of Agrilus spp. (Buprestidae) are described and illustrated from the USA: Oobius minusculus Triapitsyn & Petrice, sp. n. (Michigan), an egg parasitoid of both Agrilus subcinctus Gory on ash (Fraxinus spp.) and Agrilus egenus Gory on black locust (Robinia pseudoacacia L.) trees, and Oobius whiteorum Triapitsyn, sp. n. (Pennsylvania), an egg parasitoid of Agrilus anxius Gory on European white birch (Betula pendula Roth). A taxonomic key and notes on the Nearctic native and introduced Oobius species are also included.

Introduction

The rather poorly known encyrtid genus Oobius Trjapitzin (Hymenoptera: Encyrtidae) currently includes 41 species worldwide, and seven are known from North America (Noyes 2014). Noyes (2010) recently described 20 of these species from Costa Rica and compared some of these new species to similar Nearctic taxa. Also, in Noyes (2010) the genera Avetianella Trjapitzin, Szelenyiola Trjapitzin, and Oophagus Liao were synonymized under Oobius.

As egg parasitoids of Buprestidae, Cerambycidae (Coleoptera; Noyes 2014) and Asilidae (Diptera; Annecke 1967), species of Oobius are important for the natural and classical biological control of some coleopteran species. Two species are being used as biological control agents in the USA where they are successfully established: Oobius agrili Zhang & Huang and Oobius longoi (Siscaro). The former was collected from China and was first released into the USA in 2007 as a biocontrol agent of the emerald ash borer, Agrilus planipennis Fairmaire (Buprestidae) (Bauer et al. in press). Agrilus planipennis is an invasive pest from Asia that attacks ash trees (Fraxinus spp.) (Haack et al. 2002; Bray et al. 2011). Releases of Oobius agrili are ongoing throughout infested regions of the USA. As of March 2015, establishment of Oobius agrili has been confirmed in Indiana, Maryland, Michigan, New York, Ohio, and Pennsylvania (Abell et al. 2014; Bauer et al. in press). Oobius longoi was introduced from Australia to California, USA, as a biocontrol agent for management of Phoracantha recurva Newman and Phoracantha semipunctata (Fabricius) (Cerambycidae), which are invasive pests of Eucalyptus trees in the USA (Hanks et al. 1995; Luhring et al. 2000).

Here two new species of Oobius are reported and a taxonomic key to the known native and introduced species of Oobius in North America is provided. One of the newly described species was reared initially from eggs of the native buprestid Agrilus subcinctus Gory in Michigan, whose larvae feed on the dead twigs of ash trees. This parasitoid was previously reported by Petrice et al. (2009) as Avetianella sp. Later, the second author of the current paper also reared this same species from eggs of Agrilus egenus Gory on black locust trees (Robinia pseudoacacia L.) in Michigan. Agrilus egenus is a native species that oviposits on dead or dying branches of black locust (Nelson et al. 2008; MacRae 1991). The second newly described Oobius species was reared from Agrilus anxius Gory eggs on European white birch (Betula pendula Roth) in Pennsylvania, based on the voucher specimens from the study by Loerch and Cameron (1983). Agrilus anxius is a native species that attacks both native and introduced birch trees (Betula spp.) in North America (Nelson et al. 2008).

Material and methods

Collecting and rearing new species of Oobius. Ash tree twigs with Agrilus subcinctus eggs and black locust twigs with Agrilus egenus eggs were collected in the field in Ingham and Clinton counties, Michigan in 2013 and 2014. Eggs were monitored in the laboratory for parasitoid emergence. Voucher specimens of the parasitoids were preserved in 95% ethanol and sent to the senior author for identification. See Loerch and Cameron (1983) for collection of parasitoids from Agrilus anxius.

Taxonomic studies. Parasitoid specimens used in the taxonomic studies were critical point dried from ethanol and point-mounted. Selected specimens were then dissected and slide-mounted in Canada balsam, examined under a Zeiss®™ Axioskop 2 plus compound microscope using Nomarski differential interference contrast optics. Stereomicroscopic images were compiled with Auto-Montage 4.02 (Synchroscopy®™) to illustrate select specimens. Images of specimens were produced by scanning electron microscopy (SEM) and an EntoVision Imaging Suite. A Nikon®™ SMZ1500 and Leica®™ MZ 9.5 stereomicroscope with 10X oculars (Nikon C-W10X/22) and Chiu Technical Corp.®™ Lumina 1 FO-150 and fiber optic light source was used for pinned specimen observation. Mylar film was placed over the ends of the light source to reduce glare. Scanning electron microscope (SEM) images were taken with a Hitachi®™ TM3000 desktop unit (Tungsten source). Some specimens were manually cleaned of external debris with forceps or brushes and affixed to 12.7X 3.2 mm Leica/Cambridge aluminum SEM stubs with carbon adhesive tabs (Electron Microscopy Sciences, #77825-12). Stub-mounted specimens were imaged uncoated or sputter coated using a Cressington Scientific 108 Auto with a gold-palladium mixture from at least three different angles to ensure complete coverage (~20–30nm coating). Color images were obtained using an EntoVision Imaging Suite, which includes a firewire JVC KY-75 3CCD digital camera mounted to a Leica M16 zoom lens via a Leica z-step microscope stand. Slides of Oobius buprestidis and Oobius dahlsteni were imaged with a Leica DMRB compound microscope fitted with Leica HCX PL “Fluotar” 5× and 10× metallurgical grade lenses. Both systems fed image data to a desktop computer where Cartograph 5.6.0 (Microvision Instruments®™, France) was used to capture a fixed number of focal planes (based on magnification); the resulting focal planes (manually captured via Archimed 5.5.0 on the DMRB) were merged into a single, in-focus composite image. Uniform lighting was achieved using a LED illumination dome with all four quadrants set to 99.6% intensity. The images were then retouched where necessary using Adobe Photoshop®™ CS4/CS6 with plates assembled using InDesign CS4/CS6.

Terms used for morphological features are those of Gibson (1997). Abbreviations used are: F = antennal funicle segment; mps = multiporous plate sensillum or sensilla on the antennal flagellar segments (= longitudinal sensillum or sensilla or sensory ridge(s) of authors). Body length was measured without the exserted part of the ovipositor.

Acronyms for depositories of specimens are as follows: BMNH, The Natural History Museum, London, England, UK; EMEC, Essig Museum of Entomology, University of California, Berkeley, California, USA; IZCAS, Institute of Zoology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing, China; MSUC, Albert J. Cook Arthropod Research Collection, Department of Entomology, Michigan State University, East Lansing, Michigan, USA; PSUC, Frost Entomological Museum, Pennsylvania State University, University Park, State College, Pennsylvania, USA; UANL, Universidad Autónoma de Nuevo León, San Nicolás de los Garza, Monterrey, Mexico; UCRC, Entomology Research Museum, University of California, Riverside, California, USA; UNCA, Institute of Agricultural Entomology, University of Catania, Catania, Sicily, Italy; USNM, National Museum of Natural History, Washington, District of Columbia, USA.

Taxonomy

Oobius

Trjapitzin, 1963

• Oobius Trjapitzin 1963: 544–545. Type species: Tyndarichus rudnevi Nowicki, by original designation.

• Avetianella Trjapitzin 1968: 97–99. Type species: Avetianella capnodiobia Trjapitzin, by monotypy. Synonymized under Oobius by Noyes 2010: 660–662.

• Szelenyiola Trjapitzin 1977: 160. Type species: Szelenyiola nearctica Trjapitzin, by original designation and monotypy. Synonymized under Oobius by Noyes 2010: 660–662.

• Oobius : Trjapitzin 1977: 161 (key to genera of the subtribe Oobiina of the tribe Discodini of the subfamily Encyrtinae); Noyes 2010: 660–662 (synonymy, diagnosis, host associations, comments); Trjapitzin and Volkovitsh 2011: 670–672 (diagnosis of Oobius s. str., taxonomic position, key to world species).

• Avetianella : Gordh and Trjapitzin 1981: 6 (comments); Trjapitzin 2001: 734–735 (comments, key to world species).

• Oophagus Liao in Liao et al. 1987: 184. Type species: Oophagus batocerae Liao, by original designation and monotypy. Synonymized under Avetianella by Zhang and Huang 2004: 34–35, and under Oobius by Noyes 2010: 660.

• Szelepyiola : Trjapitzin and Volkovitsh 2011: 671 (misspelled).

Comments.

Oobius is a cosmopolitan genus as defined by Noyes (2010) who provided its detailed diagnosis, which is omitted here for brevity. One extralimital species, Oobius striatus Annecke, is also known from eggs of Asilidae (Diptera) in Montenegro and Zimbabwe (Annecke 1967; Noyes 2010, 2014).

Key to the Nearctic species of Oobius, females (both native and introduced)

(Oobius depressus (Girault) not included)

1	Tarsi 4-segmented (Fig. 1)	Oobius agrili Zhang & Huang
–	Tarsi 5-segmented (Figs 7, 13)	2
2(1)	Clava entire (Figs 9, 10)	Oobius nearcticus (Trjapitzin)
–	Clava 3-segmented (Figs 2, 6, 8, 12, 22)	3
3(2)	Body length (dry-mounted specimens) at most 0.53 mm; mps only on F6 (Fig. 12)	Oobius minusculus sp. n.
–	Body length (dry-mounted specimens) at least 0.66 mm; mps on F6 and other funicle segments (Figs 6, 20, 22)	4
4(3)	Mps on F5 and F6 (Fig. 6)	Oobius buprestidis (Gordh & Trjapitzin)
–	Mps on F4–F6 (Figs 8, 22)	5
5(4)	Linea calva “open” posteriorly (Fig. 23), uninterrupted by row of setae	Oobius longoi (Siscaro)
–	Linea calva interrupted posteriorly by a line (or lines) of setae (Figs 19, 27)	6
6(5)	F5 and F6 each notably longer than F4 (Fig. 26), F4 0.8× length of F5	Oobius whiteorum sp. n.
–	F5 and F6 each subequal in length to F4 (Fig. 8), F4 more than 0.9× length of F5	Oobius dahlsteni (Trjapitzin)

Figures 1–8.

1–4 Oobius agrili female (from USDA Forest Service laboratory colony, East Lansing, Michigan, USA; of China origin), 1 hind leg 2 antenna 3 lateral habitus 4 forewing base 5–6 Oobius buprestidis female (holotype), 5 lateral habitus 6 antenna 7–8 Oobius dahlsteni female (holotype) 7 dorsal habitus 8 antenna.

Figures 9–16.

9–10 Oobius nearcticus female (holotype), 9 antenna 10 clava 11a–11b: 11a holotype slide of Oobius minusculus 11b holotype slide of Oobius whiteorum 12–16 Oobius minusculus 12 antenna (holotype female) 13 mesosoma and metasoma (holotype female) 14 metasoma (paratype male) 15 head (paratype female) 16 pedicel and flagellum (paratype male).

Figures 17–24.

17–18 Oobius depressus female 17 dorsal scutellum (lectotype) 18 dorsal habitus (paralectotype) 19 Oobius zahaikevitshi female (environs of Volgograd, Krasnoarmeyskiy District, Volgograd Province, Russia), forewing 20–21 Oobius hasmik female (paratype) 20 antenna 21 forewing 22–23 Oobius longoi female (from University of California laboratory colony, Riverside, California, USA; of Australia origin), 22 antenna 23 forewing 24 Oobius nearcticus female (holotype), lateral habitus.

Figures 25–32.

25 Oobius minusculus male (paratype), mesosoma 26–29 Oobius whiteorum 26 antenna (holotype female) 27 a pair of wings (holotype female) 28 dorsal habitus (holotype female) 29 genitalia (paratype male) 30 Oobius zahaikevitshi female (environs of Volgograd, Krasnoarmeyskiy District, Volgograd Province, Russia), antenna 31 Oobius minusculus female (holotype), a pair of wings 32 Oobius whiteorum (paratype male), antenna.

Alphabetical synopsis of the Nearctic species

Oobius agrili

Zhang & Huang, 2005

Figures 1–4

• Oobius agrili Zhang & Huang in Zhang et al. 2005: 254–258. Holotype female [IZCAS], not examined. Type locality: Changchun, Jilin, China.

• Oobius agrili Zhang & Huang: Trjapitzin and Volkovitsh 2011: 671 (key), 672–673 (taxonomic history, host associations, use in biological control for Agrilus planipennis).

Material examined.

USA, Michigan, Ingham Co., East Lansing, United States Department of Agriculture (USDA) Forest Service Northern Research Station, laboratory culture of Oobius agrili reared in Agrilus planipennis eggs: 37^th-generation progeny, emerged 10.viii.2014, D.L. Miller, originally from CHINA, Jilin (Jingyuetan Forest Park, Changchun), 2006, T. Zhao (Zhao Tonghai), from eggs of Agrilus planipennis [10 ♀, UCRC]; 6–7^th-generation progeny, emerged 31.vii.2014, D.L. Miller, originally from CHINA, Jilin (Jingyuetan Forest Park, Changchun), 2008, T. Zhao, from eggs of Agrilus planipennis [11 ♀, UCRC]; 4–8^th-generation progeny, emerged 10.viii.2014, D.L. Miller, originally from CHINA, Jilin (Jingyuetan Forest Park, Changchun), 2009, T. Zhao, from eggs of Agrilus planipennis [16 ♀, UCRC]; 9^th-generation progeny, emerged 18.vii.2014, D.L. Miller, originally from CHINA, Jilin (Jingyuetan Forest Park, Changchun), 2008, T. Zhao, from eggs of Agrilus planipennis [11 ♀, UCRC].

Distribution.

China (Zhang et al. 2005; Liu et al. 2007); USA (introduced): Indiana, Maryland, Michigan, New York, Ohio, and Pennsylvania, as of March 2015 (Abell et al. 2014; Bauer et al. in press).

Host.

Agrilus planipennis Fairmaire.

Comments.

Oobius agrili is a solitary thelytokous egg parasitoid of Agrilus planipennis, discovered in 2004 during foreign exploration for natural enemies in northeast China (Zhang et al. 2005; Liu et al. 2007; Trjapitzin and Volkovitsh 2011). Adults Oobius agrili were reared from eggs at the USDA Forest Service Northern Research Station laboratory in East Lansing, Michigan, USA. Rearing stock for this colony originated from parasitized Agrilus planipennis eggs collected from Fraxinus pennsylvanica trees in Jingyuetan Forest Park, Changchun, Jilin Province, China in 2004–2009. In 2007, Oobius agrili introductions began in Michigan, USA, for classical biological control of Agrilus planipennis. As of fall 2014, releases of Oobius agrili had expanded to 19 states (Bauer et al. in press). Abell et al. (2014) reported parasitism of Agrilus planipennis eggs averaged approximately 20% in 2012–2013 at some sites where Oobius agrili was established, however, more studies are needed to assess the impact of Oobius agrili and other Agrilus planipennis biocontrol agents on ash recovery in the USA. Since 2010, stock cultures of Oobius agrili have been provided to the USDA Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service Emerald Ash Borer Biocontrol Facility, Brighton, Michigan, USA, for mass-rearing and releasing as a biocontrol agent of Agrilus planipennis in infested regions of the USA (Mapbiocontrol 2014). To distinguish Oobius agrili from the known native and the other introduced Oobius species, we provide illustrations of its metatarsus (Fig. 1), female antenna (Fig. 2), lateral habitus of the female (Fig. 3), and base of the forewing (Fig. 4).

Oobius buprestidis

(Gordh & Trjapitzin, 1981)

Figures 5–6

• Avetianella buprestidis Gordh and Trjapitzin 1981: 7–8, 9 (key), 59 (illustrations). Type locality: Portland, Multnomah Co., Oregon, USA.

• Avetianella buprestidis : Trjapitzin 2001: 735 (key), 736 (list).

• Oobius buprestidis (Gordh & Trjapitzin): Noyes 2010: 662.

Type material examined.

Holotype female [USNM] on point mount labeled with following seven labels: “Ex egg of Bupretus [sic] aurulentus”, “Portland, Ore., F.D. Keen Colr.”, “Hopk. US No. 33150-D”, “Lot No. 41-14524”, “Habrolepoidea n. sp. det. Gahan”, “Avetianella sp.n. Det Trjapitzin et Gordh”, [red] “Holotypus Avetianella buprestidis G. & T.”. The head and antenna are slide mounted separately: [left label] “♀ Holotype, Head & antenna, Avetianella buprestidis Gordh & Trjapitzin”, [right label] “Portland, Oregon, Hopkins #33150-D, Lot #41-14524, Ex eggs Buprestus aurulentus”. The forewing is mounted on an additional slide with the forewing of a male paratype: [left label] “♂ Forewing, top, Avetianella buprestidis G.&T., Portland, Ore., Lot # 41-14524, Hopkins # 33150-D, ♂ paratype”, [right label] “♀ Forewing, bottom, (Holotype) Ex. eggs Buprestus aurulentus, F.P. Keen, col. Head & antenna, Avetianella buprestidis Gordh & Trjapitzin, [right label] “Portland, Oregon, Hopkins #33150-D, Lot #41-14524, Ex eggs Buprestus aurulentus”.

Distribution.

USA (Oregon) (Gordh and Trjapitzin 1981).

Host.

Buprestis aurulenta L. (Gordh and Trjapitzin 1981 [as Buprestus aurulentus]; Trjapitzin 2001 [as Cypriacus aurilentus L.]).

Comments.

The point-mounted portion of the type (Fig. 5) is positioned at the apex of the point. Co-mounted proximally is a complete male paratype. A sliver of wood is pinned in the main collection (USNM) on which are eight eggs of Buprestis aurulenta (7 of which have parasitoids emergence holes) bearing the 33150-D Hopkins number designation.

Oobius dahlsteni

(Trjapitzin, 1971)

Figures 7–8

• Avetianella dahlsteni Trjapitzin 1971: 890–892. Type locality: McCloud [Flat], Siskiyou Co., California, USA.

• Avetianella dahlsteni : Gordh and Trjapitzin 1981: 9 (key); Trjapitzin and Gordh 1984: 1275; Trjapitzin 2001: 735 (key), 736 (list).

• Oobius dahlsteni (Trjapitzin): Noyes 2010: 662.

Type material examined.

Holotype female [EMEC] on slide labeled: [left label] “Avetianella dahlsteni Trjapitzin ♀, Trjapitzin 1970, CFL III-69, Ch. phenol gum damar, Div. Biol. Conn. Univ. Calif [“holotype” handwritten at top, middle, and bottom of label in red ink]”, [right label] “McCloud Flat, Siskiyou Co. Calif., July, 1968, Agrilus brevicornis rearing carton, A900, MF2-5 SR., D. L. Dahlsten”.

Distribution.

USA (California) (Trjapitzin 1971).

Hosts.

Unknown.

Comments.

The holotype (Fig. 7) is complete and whole mounted; its antenna (Fig. 8) is also illustrated to facilitate recognition of this species.

Oobius depressus

(Girault, 1916)

Figures 17–18

• Habrolepoidea depressa Girault 1916: 343–344. Type locality: Morristown, Henry Co., Illinois, USA.

• Avetianella depressa (Girault): Gordh and Trjapitzin 1981: 8; Trjapitzin and Gordh 1984: 1275 (lectotype designation, comments); Trjapitzin 2001: 735 (mentioned), 736 (list). Oobius depressus (Girault): Noyes 2010: 662, 690.

Type material examined.

Lectotype female [USNM], designated by Trjapitzin & Gordh (1984), on point with following six labels: “Morristown XII-8-14 Ill”, “ExEggs Cylene robinae”, “JRMalloch Coll.”, [red] “Paratype No. 20328 U. S. N. M.”, “Avetianella Det. Trjapitzin et Gordh”, [red] “Lectotypus ♀ Habrolepoidea depressa Grlt Des. Trjapitzin et Gordh”. Paralectotypes, 2 males, 2 females: 1 female [USNM] on point with following six labels: “Morristown XII-8-14 Ill”, “ExEggs Cylene robinae”, “JRMalloch Coll.”, [red] “Paratype No. 20328 U. S. N. M.”, [red] “Paralectotypus ♀ Habrolepoidea depressa Grlt Des. Trjapitzin et Gordh”, “Avetianella depressa (Girault) ♀ Det. V. Trjapitzin May 1997”; 1 female [USNM] on point with following six labels: “Morristown XII-8-14 Ill”, “ExEggs Cylene robinae”, “JRMalloch Coll.”, [red] “Paratype No. 20328 U. S. N. M.”, 5. “Habrolepoidea depressa Gir Type”, “LECTOTYPE Habrolepoidea depressa Girault By B.D. Burks”; 2 males [USNM] on points, each with following four labels: “Morristown XII-8-14 Ill”, “ExEggs Cylene robinae”, “JRMalloch Coll.”, [red] “Paratype No. 20328 U. S. N. M.”. All specimens of the type series lack the heads and antennae (Trjapitzin and Gordh 1984; Trjapitzin 2001).

Distribution.

USA (Illinois) (Girault 1916).

Host.

Megacyllene robiniae (Forster) (Cerambycidae) (Girault 1916 [as Cyllene robiniæ]).

Comments.

The identity of this species remains unclear because the original description is poor and without any illustrations; unfortunately, the slide with a head and a forewing of each sex (Girault 1916) could not be found in the USNM and is presumed lost. The lectotype label affixed by B. D. Burks was not validly designated and is merely a paralectotype. To facilitate identification of this species, we provide illustrations of its scutellum (Fig. 17) and habitus of the female in dorsal view (Fig. 18).

Oobius longoi

(Siscaro, 1992)

Figures 22–23

• Avetianella longoi Siscaro 1992: 206–211. Holotype female [UNCA], not examined. Type locality: Grammichele, Catania Prov., Sicily, Italy.

• Avetianella longoi : Trjapitzin 2001: 735 (key), 737–738 (taxonomic history, host associations); Wang et al. 2008: 1772–1777 (host associations, morphological and molecular data).

• Oobius longoi (Siscaro): Noyes 2010: 662, 692.

Material examined.

Australia, New South Wales, Corowa, 22.i.2006, Q. Wang, from eggs of Phoracantha recurva [1 ♀, 1 ♂, UCRC]. Portugal: Lisboa, Montijo, Pegões, viii.1992, P. Albino, M. R. Paiva, from eggs of Phoracantha semipunctata [9 ♀, 11 ♂, UCRC]. Viseu, Villa Cova à Coelheira, viii.1992, P. Albino, M. R. Paiva, from eggs of Phoracantha semipunctata [11 ♀, UCRC]. USA, California, Riverside Co., Riverside, University of California campus, Department of Entomology Insectary, laboratory culture on eggs of Phoracantha semipunctata on Eucalyptus sp.: 29.ix.1994, L. Hanks (originally from Australia) [4 ♀, UCRC]; 1998, S. McElfresh, J. Gould (originally from: Australia, Victoria, Melbourne, Bundoora, La Trobe Wildlife Sanctuary, i.1992, Q. Wang, from eggs of Phoracantha semipunctata on fallen Eucalyptus sp.) [25 ♀, 22 ♂, UCRC].

Distribution.

Australia (indigenous); introduced (in some cases possibly unintentionally) into Hungary, Italy, Portugal, South Africa, Spain, USA (California), and Zambia (Trjapitzin 2001; Noyes 2014).

Hosts.

Phoracantha recurva Newman and Phoracantha semipunctata (Fabricius) (Cerambycidae) in California, USA (Wang et al. 2008); its other longhorned beetle hosts in Australia are listed by Trjapitzin (2001) and Noyes (2014).

Comments.

Oobius longoi is well known as an effective biological control agent and a successfully established parasitoid of Phoracantha recurva and Phoracantha semipunctata in California and elsewhere in the world (Hanks et al. 1995; Luhring et al. 2000; Trjapitzin 2001).

Oobius minusculus

Triapitsyn & Petrice sp. n.

http://zoobank.org/A7698FE3-D6BF-4AB1-B796-9D006B040D45

Figures 11a , 12–16 , 25 , 31 , 33–34

Figures 33–35.

33–34 Oobius minusculus (paratype females) 33 dorsal habitus (from Agrilus subcinctus) 34 lateral habitus (from Agrilus egenus) 35 Oobius whiteorum (paratype female), dorsal habitus.

• Avetianella sp.: Petrice et al. 2009: 179–180 (egg parasitoid of Agrilus subcinctus in Livingston Co., Michigan, USA).

Type material.

Holotype female [UCRC] on slide (Fig. 11a) with following four labels: “USA: Michigan, Clinton Co., near Bath, 42.812°N, 84.410°W, 255 m, parasitized Agrilus subcinctus Gory eggs collected 12.vii.2013, T.R. Petrice, emerged 16-22.vii.2013 in laboratory (Lansing, MI)”, “Mounted by V. V. Berezovskiy 2014 in Canada balsam”, [magenta] “Oobius minusculus Triapitsyn & Petrice HOLOTYPE ♀”, [database label] “Univ. Calif. Riverside Ent. Res. Museum UCRC ENT 142420”. The holotype is in good condition, complete, dissected under 3 coverslips.

Paratypes: USA, Michigan: Clinton Co. (same data as the holotype), 2 ♀ on points [MSUC, UCRC] and 1 ♀, 1 ♂ on slides [UCRC]. Ingham Co., Michigan State University Tree Research Center, 42°40'12"N, 84°28'12"W, 267 m, 14.viii.2014, T. R. Petrice, emerged in laboratory (East Lansing) from parasitized Agrilus egenus Gory eggs on black locust, Robinia pseudoacacia, twigs: emerged 22.viii.2014 [3 ♀ on points, MSUC, UCRC, USNM]; emerged 29.viii.2014 [3 ♀ on points, MSUC, UCRC, USNM, and 1 ♂ on slide, UCRC]; emerged 6.ix.2014 [1 ♀ on point, UCRC]; emerged 17.ix.2014 [1 ♂ on slide, UCRC].

Description.

FEMALE (holotype). Body dark brown to black except scutellum and propodeum brown; scape and pedicel brown, flagellum light brown; legs whitish or pale yellowish with wide brown bands on coxae, femora, and tibiae.

Frontovertex and mesonotum with faint mesh-like or lineolate sculpture [very difficult to see in dry-mounted specimens, best observed in slide-mounted ones (as in Fig. 25)]. Pronotum, mesoscutum, axillae, and scutellum with short, dusky setae; scutellum also with a pair of long, fine setae near posterior margin.

Head (as in Fig. 15, collapsed when air-dried) with ocelli in an obtuse triangle, posterior ocellus a little less than its diameter away from eye margin. Transfacial and inner orbital sutures present. Mandible 3-dentate, the inner tooth with two denticles; maxillary palpus 4-segmented, labial palpus 1-segmented (i.e., palpal formula 4–1).

Antenna (Fig. 12) inserted below lower eye margin. Radicle about 0.3× total scape length, rest of scape slender, 4.5× as long as wide, a little wider in the middle, with faint longitudinal sculpture. Pedicel longer than any funicle segment; F1–F5 slightly transverse, F1–F4 subequal in length, F5 a little longer and slightly wider than long; F6 the longest funicle segment, longer than wide; F1–F5 without mps, and F6 with 2 mps. Clava 3-segmented, about 2.3× as long as wide and almost as long as funicle; first claval segment with 1 mps, second and third segments each with 3 mps.

Mesosoma a little shorter than gaster (Fig. 13). Mesoscutum about 1.7× as wide as long. Scutellum a little wider than long, a little shorter than mesoscutum; scutellar placoid sensilla closer to the posterior margin of scutellum and close to each other.

Wings (Fig. 31) not abbreviated, forewing extending far beyond apex of gaster. Forewing 2.1× as long as wide, hyaline; marginal setae very short; disc densely setose, linea calva interrupted posteriorly by an irregular row of setae, filum spinosum present. Hindwing 4.2× as long as wide, hyaline; longest marginal seta 0.3× maximum wing width.

Mesotibial spur a little longer than mesobasitarsus.

Ovipositor occupying a little more than 0.5× length of gaster, exserted markedly beyond gastral apex (by 0.2× own length) (Fig. 13); ovipositor length:metatibia length ratio 1.2:1. Outer plate of ovipositor with two subapical setae.

Measurements of the holotype (mm, as length or length:width). Body (of the dry-mounted specimen prior to slide-mounting): 0.462; mesosoma: 0.233; gaster: 0.245; ovipositor: 0.173. Antenna: radicle: 0.03; rest of scape: 0.103; pedicel: 0.045; F1: 0.012; F2: 0.012; F3: 0.011 (0.012); F4: 0.012; F5: 0.015; F6: 0.03; clava: 0.103. Forewing: 0.495:0.234; longest marginal seta: 0.021; hindwing: 0.357:0.085; longest marginal seta: 0.025.

Variation (paratypes). Body length 0.43–0.46 mm (dry-mounted specimens from Agrilus subcinctus, Fig. 33) or 0.46–0.53 mm (critical-point dried specimens from Agrilus egenus, Fig. 34). In the latter specimens, legs (except tarsi) are somewhat darker (mostly brown), scape (minus radicle) of the female antenna is about 5.0× as long as wide, and clava is about 2.5× as long as wide. Mandibles are identical for specimens reared from both host species, and there is no doubt that they are conspecific. In all specimens, F6 is sometimes slightly paler than other flagellomeres but not contrastingly, still almost concolorous or often concolorous.

MALE (paratype from Agrilus subcinctus). Head dark brown, mesosoma and gaster dark brown to black except mesoscutum with a brownish tinge, base of gaster whitish; antenna with scape and pedicel brown to dark brown, flagellum light brown. Antenna (Fig. 16) with scape minus radicle 2.9× as long as wide; F2–F4 more or less subequal in length, F1 and F5 slightly longer, F6 the longest funicle segment; F2–F4 without mps, F1, F5, F6 and clava with mps; flagellar segments with very long setae (slightly longer than each funicle segment’s width); clava entire, 2.6× as long as wide, a little wider than funicle segments. Mesosoma (Fig. 25) about as long as gaster. Forewing 2.0× as long as wide, hyaline. Genitalia (Fig. 14) typical for the genus.

Variation (paratypes from Agrilus egenus). Body length 0.4–0.5 mm (critical-point dried specimens).

Diagnosis.

This species is similar to the European Oobius zahaikevitshi Trjapitzin (Figs 19, 30), whose type locality is Zhuravlivka, Vinnytsia Oblast, Ukraine, where it was reared from eggs of Agrilus viridis (Linnaeus) on Carpinus betulus (Trjapitzin 1963). Oobius zahaikevitshi was recently well illustrated by Gumovsky et al. (2013). It was recorded from several European countries and Agrilus spp. hosts, listed by Trjapitzin and Volkovitsh (2011) and Noyes (2014). However, we are not absolutely confident that all these records are correct: it is quite possible that they might represent a complex of more than one cryptic species that are difficult to distinguish without supporting molecular data and thorough morphological studies based on good quality slide-mounted specimens. Proportions of funicle segments of the female antenna seem to be somewhat different between the specimens of Oobius zahaikevitshi from Ukraine illustrated by Trjapitzin (1963) and Gumovsky et al. (2013), in which F5 is about as long as wide, and the examined specimens from Volgograd Province of Russia, in which F5 is a little wider than long (Fig. 30).

Oobius minusculus differs from Oobius zahaikevitshi in having the palpal formula 4–1, a relatively smaller F5 of the female antenna and also by F6 being longer than wide and almost concolorous or often concolorous with other flagellomeres (Fig. 12). In contrast, the palpal formula for Oobius zahaikevitshi is 3–1, F5 is relatively larger, and F6 is about as long as wide and contrastingly lighter than other flagellomeres (Fig. 30), as also described and illustrated in Trjapitzin (1963) and Gumovsky et al. (2013).

Oobius minusculus is the only described native Nearctic species of Oobius s. str., as characterised by Noyes (2010) in having the outer plate of the ovipositor being relatively short and apically rounded with paired subapical setae (one long and one short), in which this new taxon fits well. In the key by Trjapitzin and Volkovitsh (2011) to the world species of Oobius (s. str.), it keys to Oobius zahaikevitshi. In Noyes (2010), Oobius minusculus tentatively keys (although it really does not key to any of the included Neotropical species) to the same couplet with Oobius xochipili Noyes and Oobius zagan Noyes from Costa Rica, from both of which it differs by F5 of the female antenna being much less transverse, just slightly wider than long (Fig. 12) whereas in Oobius xochipili and Oobius zagan F5 is anelliform, much wider than long (Noyes 2010).

Etymology.

The name of this new taxon is an adjective referring to its small size.

Hosts.

Agrilus subcinctus on ash (Fraxinus spp.) and Agrilus egenus on black locust (Robinia pseudoacacia).

Notes on biology.

Originally reported by Petrice et al. (2009) as Avetianella sp. that parasitized Agrilus subcinctus eggs. The second author has never found this parasitoid to overwinter in Agrilus subcinctus eggs. However, collections of Agrilus egenus eggs found overwintering Oobius minusculus larvae in eggs. This species likely attacks other Agrilus spp. in North America, and has multiple generations per year.

Comments.

The following specimens of Oobius zahaikevitshi were examined: Bulgaria, Plovdiv Prov., Klisura, 27.vi–8.vii.1975, A. Atanasov, from eggs of Agrilus cuprescens (Ménétriés) on Rosa sp. [1 ♂, BMNH] (det. V. A. Trjapitzin 1977). Russia, Volgograd Prov. (oblast’), Krasnoarmeyskiy District (rayon), environs of Volgograd, vi.1971, A. M. Makhmadziyoev (Makhmadzieev), from eggs of Agrilus viridis on Acer tataricum [1 ♀, BMNH; 5 ♀, UCRC] (det. V. A. Trjapitzin 1977 and 1975, respectively).

Oobius nearcticus

(Trjapitzin, 1977)

Figures 9–10 , 24

• Szelenyiola nearctica Trjapitzin 1971: 160–161. Type locality: Blodgett Forest (8 mi. E. of Georgetown), University of California Blodgett Forest Research Station, El Dorado Co., California, USA.

• Oobius nearcticus (Trjapitzin): Noyes 2010: 662, 668, 671.

Type material examined.

Holotype female [EMEC] on point mount with following four labels: “UC Blodgett Forest 8 mi E. Georgetown, El Dorado Co., California Coll. F. M. Stephen 1970”, “Traps A-1094”, [red] “Holotypus Szelenyiola nearctica Trjapitzin”, “U.C. Berkeley EMEC 82,322”. Paratype female [EMEC] on point with following five labels: “UC Blodgett Forest 8 mi E. Georgetown, El Dorado Co., California Coll. F. M. Stephen 1970 A-1094 Traps”, “Head with appendages on slide No. 1955”, “Also forewing”, “Paratypus”, [red] “Szelenyiola nearctica Trjapitzin ♀”.

Distribution.

USA (California) (Trjapitzin 1977).

Hosts.

Unknown.

Comments.

The holotype (Fig. 24) is missing its left hindwing and the apical 2/3 of the left forewing.

Oobius whiteorum

Triapitsyn sp. n.

http://zoobank.org/00F395AF-FD46-4102-A70E-BBD69B5176C1

Figures 11b , 26–29 , 32 , 35

• Avetianella sp.: Loerch and Cameron 1983: 1798–1799 (egg parasitoid, host information); Trjapitzin 2001: 738 (list).

Type material.

Holotype female [UCRC] on slide (Fig. 11b) with following five labels: “USA, Pennsylvania, Venango Co., Bullion, 8.VII.1982, C. R. Loerch, Ex. Agrilus anxius Gory eggs”, “Mounted by V. V. Berezovskiy 2014 in Canada balsam”, “Avetianella sp. (Encyrtidae) Det. J. LaSalle”, [magenta] “Oobius whiteorum Triapitsyn HOLOTYPE ♀”, [database label] “Univ. Calif. Riverside Ent. Res. Museum UCRC ENT 401252”. The holotype is in good condition, complete, dissected under 3 coverslips.

Paratypes: same data as the holotype, 4 ♀ on points and 1 ♂ on slide [UCRC].

Description.

FEMALE (holotype). Body somewhat flattened, dark brown to black; appendages brown except tarsi light brown; scape and pedicel a little darker than flagellum, and F6 just slightly lighter than other flagellar segments but still brown.

Frontovertex and mesonotum with faint mesh-like sculpture [very difficult to see in dry-mounted specimens]. Pronotum, mesoscutum, axillae, and scutellum with short, dusky setae; scutellum also with a pair of long, fine setae near posterior margin.

Head (Fig. 28) with ocelli in an obtuse triangle, posterior ocellus about its diameter away from eye margin. Transfacial and inner orbital sutures absent. Mandible 3-dentate; palpal formula 4–3.

Antenna (Fig. 26) inserted below lower eye margin. Radicle about 0.2× total scape length, rest of scape slender, 4.1–4.2× as long as wide, a little wider in the middle, with faint longitudinal sculpture. Pedicel longer than any funicle segment. F1–F3 about as long as wide, F4–F6 longer than wide; F1–F3 subequal, F4–F6 each progressively a little longer than the preceding funicle segment; F1–F3 without mps, F4 with 1 mps, F5 with 2 mps, and F6 with 3 or 4 mps. Clava 2.8× as long as wide, and slightly shorter than combined length of F2–F6; each claval segment with 3 mps; apical claval segment obliquely truncate ventrally.

Mesosoma (Fig. 28) shorter than gaster. Mesoscutum about 1.6× as wide as long. Scutellum wider than long, almost as long as mesoscutum.

Wings (Fig. 27) not abbreviated, forewing extending far beyond apex of gaster. Forewing 2.1× as long as wide, hyaline; marginal setae very short; disc densely setose, linea calva interrupted posteriorly by rows of setae, filum spinosum present. Hindwing 3.7–3.8× as long as wide, hyaline; longest marginal seta 0.18× maximum wing width.

Mesotibial spur as long as mesobasitarsus.

Ovipositor occupying about 0.5× length of gaster, exserted markedly beyond gastral apex (by 0.36× total ovipositor length); ovipositor length:metatibia length ratio 1.3:1. Outer plate of ovipositor with 1 subapical seta.

Measurements of the holotype (mm, as length or length:width). Body (of the dry-mounted specimen prior to slide-mounting): 0.66; head: 0.19; mesosoma: 0.313; gaster: 0.35; ovipositor: 0.283. Antenna: radicle: 0.039; rest of scape: 0.151; pedicel: 0.06; F1: 0.021; F2: 0.021; F3: 0.021; F4: 0.028; F5: 0.035; F6: 0.044; clava: 0.155. Forewing: 0.677:0.314; longest marginal seta: 0.021; hindwing: 0.5:0.133; longest marginal seta: 0.024.

Variation (paratypes). Body (Fig. 35) length 0.66–0.75 mm (dry-mounted specimens).

MALE (paratype). Body length (of the dry-mounted specimen prior to slide-mounting) 0.66 mm. Head and mesosoma dark brown, gaster brown; scape and pedicel brown, flagellum light brown; legs light brown to brown. Antenna (Fig. 32) with scape minus radicle 3.2× as long as wide; funicle segments longer than wide, more or less subequal in length (F5 and particularly F6 slightly longer), F1 and F2 without mps, F3 with or without mps, F4–F6 and clava with mps; flagellar segments with very long setae (slightly longer than each funicle segment’s width and about as long as width of clava); clava entire, 2.6–2.7× as long as wide, a little wider than funicle segments. Mesosoma about as long as gaster. Forewing 1.9× as long as wide, hyaline. Hindwing 3.5× as long as wide, hyaline. Genitalia (Fig. 29) typical for the genus.

Diagnosis.

Among the Nearctic species of Oobius, Oobius whiteorum is most similar to Oobius dahlsteni, from which it differs by the proportions of the funicle segments of the female antenna, as indicated in the key. In Trjapitzin’s (2001) key to the world species of the former genus Avetianella (s. str.) in which this new species mostly fits, as characterised by Noyes (2010) in having the outer plate of the ovipositor being conspicuously distally elongate and ribbon-like and always with only a single subapical seta, it keys to Oobius dahlsteni. Oobius whiteorum differs from Oobius depressus, to which it is also somewhat similar, by a relatively less flattened body and by the much smaller body size in females; according to Girault (1916), the body length of the latter species is 1.15 mm. Oobius whiteorum differs from the North American species, but Neotropical species Oobius hasmik (Trjapitzin), known from Mexico (Trjapitzin 2001) and also Costa Rica (Noyes 2010), by the “closed” linea calva (Fig. 27) on the forewing (“open”, not interrupted, in Oobius hasmik, Fig. 21) and also by the different proportions of the scape of the female antenna (Figs 26 and 20, respectively). In Noyes (2010), Oobius whiteorum keys to the same couplet with Oobius lutron Noyes from Costa Rica and Brazil, from which it differs by each of F4–F6 of the female antenna being of different length and longer than wide (Fig. 26) whereas in Oobius lutron F4–F6 are subequal and each quadrate or hardly longer than broad (Noyes 2010).

Host.

Agrilus anxius Gory on European white birch (Betula pendula).

Etymology.

This species is named in honor of Lisa and Michael White of Chicago, Illinois, USA, good friends of the author’s family.

Comments.

According to Loerch and Cameron (1983), additional voucher specimens of the egg parasitoids of Agrilus anxius were deposited by them in PSUC; any of them belonging to this species are non-type specimens. Unfortunately, due to a renovation of the museum, point-mounted specimens in that collection are now inaccessible (A. Deans, personal communication).

The following paratypes [UCRC] of Oobius hasmik were examined, all collected at Las Barracas (~30 km E of Santiago, 23°28'02"N, 109°27'01"W, 50 m), Baja California Sur, Mexico: 1 ♀ on point with following five labels: “Mex. Baja Cal. Sur Las Barracas 17 - V - 1985”, “Coll. P. DeBach Pan trap”, “Avetianella ♀ Det. V. Trjapitzin May 1997”, [red] “Paratypus ♀ Avetianella hasmik Trjapitzin”, “Praep. micr. 22M” (an antenna, head, and a forewing were detached from this specimen; they are mounted on a slide with following two labels: “Avetianella hasmik ♀ Trjapitzin México: Baja California Sur, Las Barracas. Pan trap 17.V.1985 (Coll. P. DeBach) 22M Antena, cabeza, ala anterior”, [red] “Paratypus Avetianella ♀ hasmik Trjapitzin”); also 16 ♀, 1 ♂ on points, all collected by P. DeBach during 1985 and 1986, as indicated by Trjapitzin (2001).

Oobius sp.

• Oobius sp. (Not included in the key)

• Oobius sp. n.: Trjapitzin et al. 2008: 186 (record from Mexico).

• Oobius sp. n. aff. rudnevi (S. Nowicki, 1928): Trjapitzin and Volkovitsh 2011: 674 (list, Mexico).

Comments.

One female [UANL] of this undescribed species from Mexico, which has no host information, was mentioned by Trjapitzin and Volkovitsh (2011); however, they did not indicate the collecting locality so it is unknown from which part of that country it was found (Nearctic or Neotropical).

Citation

Triapitsyn SV, Petrice TR, Gates MW, Bauer LS (2015) Two new species of Oobius Trjapitzin (Hymenoptera, Encyrtidae) egg parasitoids of Agrilus spp. (Coleoptera, Buprestidae) from the USA, including a key and taxonomic notes on other congeneric Nearctic taxa. ZooKeys 498: 29–50. doi: 10.3897/zookeys.498.9357