T h e NPWZeala?zd Entomologist, 1975, V o l . 6, No. I
~idditionsand Corrections to Hymenoptera hyperparasitic on
Aphids in New Zealand
E. W. VALESTINE
Entomology Division. Department of Scientific and Industrial Research,
Auckland
Summary
Notice is given of detenninatiolls of secondar) parasites from various aphids in
New Zealand. A complex of cynipid parasites previously known as Charips brassicae
(Ashmead) includes the species Alloxysta infztscata (Kieffer), A. zlictrix (Westwood) and Phacnog1)lphis piciceps (Thomson). The Ceraphronid recorded as Lygoceruc niger (Ashmead) is determined as Dcndrocerus carpenteri (Curtis) and a
Pteromalid. incorrectly listed as P a c l l p e u r o n siphonophorae (Ashmead), as P.
afihidic BouchC.
INTRODUCTION
The dominant Hymenopterous primary parasites of aphids in New Zealand, the
family Aphidiidae, are parasitised b j mernbers of the families Cjnipidae, Ceraphronidae and Pteromalidae. In local literature the names Charips brassicae (Ashmead)
(Cynipidae), Lygoccrus nicer (Ashmead) (Ceraphronidae) and Pachyneuron
siphonophorae (Ashmead) (Pteromalidae) have been used far the common species.
Recent studies of the groups to which they belong; El enhuis (1972), Dessart (1972)
and examinations of New Zealand specimens have shown the true identities of these
species.
A1lox)sta infuscata (Kieffer) . A. uictrix (Westwood), Plzaenoglyphis piciceps
(Thomson) .
The c a b b a ~ eaphid B r e ~ w o 7 y ~ ib~assicac
e
(L.) and its parasite Diaereti~ l l arapae (McIntosh) are distributed all oler the world where its food plant,
cabhaye, has been introduced. Both the host and primar) parasite are readily recognised. but many names are applied to the seconda~ycynipid parasites associated with
this aphid. The name Xystus (= Allotlza, = Charips) brassicae Ashmead was first
applied to the species in New Zealand by Gourlay (1930), possibly because this was
the name given to the common hyperparasite of cabbage aphid in North America.
In his study of cynipids reared from cabbage aphid, Evenhuis (1972 and pers.
con~m.) established that the t)pe of the American Allotria brassicae (Ashmead,
1887) is conspecific with the European Alloxysta infuscata (Kieffer, 1902). But
since Ashmead's description does not fit the ( t ~ b o )type specimens and appears to
refer to a Phaenogl>thzs species the name infuccata is provisionally retained. Dr
Evenhuis kindly examlned specimens from Kelt Zealand which he found to be the
same as Alloxpcta infuscata. This is the most common secondary parasite reared from
cabbage aphid in New Zealand, but specimens have also been reared from Cauariella aegopodzz Del Guercio, Aulacorthum solani (Kltb.), Lipaphis erysirni (Kltb.)
and 3'eoph~llaphis totarae Cottier.
T h e New Zealand Entomologist, 1975, V o l . 6, NO. I .
Fig. 1. Pachyneuron aphidis BouchC. Fig. 2 Dendrocerus capenteri (Curtis). Fig. 3 Alloxysta
infuscata (Kieffer). Fig. 4 Phaenoglyphis piciceps (Thomson).
A second cynipid parasite, similar in appearance to A . infuscata, reared from
cabbage aphid, belongs to the genus Phaenoqiyphzs (fig. 1).N e l ~Zealand specimens
were compared with the type and determined as P. pzcicep~ (Thomson). This genus
differs, in part, from A l l o x ) ~ t a(fig. 3 ) in havinq a longitudinal furrow on the mesopleuron. scutellum with a groole or uith t\\o pits at the base (absent in Alloxysta),
and the second abdominal segment dorsall) longer than the third (about equal in
Alloxysta). Specimens reared from M ~ r t i cornntur Lain?. Rho~alosiplzurnpadi (L.),
and Aulacorthurn fielargonzl (Kltb.) are also pro\isionall) placed in this species. It
is not common on any of its known hosts.
Another Alloxj.sta nhich may have been recorded as "Charifis brassicae" but
known. as yet. only from A. pelarqonii is determined as A l l o ~ j s t a~ i c t r i x(Westwood),
a common secondan parasite of Macrosiplzum rosap (L.) in Europe. I t is distinguished, by its ) ellow to I eddish-) ello~t head and basal three antennal segments,
,
has a dark brown to black head and only slightly paler basal
from z n f u ~ c a t a which
antennal segments. .4 more detailed diagnosis of these two species is given by Evenhuis (1972).
The primary hosts of these Al1ox)stinae. apart from Diaeretiella rapae in cabbage
aphids. have not been identified. Known genera include Aphidius, Ephedrus and
Trioxyr, but more precise rearing and identification is required to determine relationships.
T h e N e w Zealand Entomologist, 1975, V o l . 6, N o . I .
61
Four other species of Alloxysta in the Entomology Division collections could not
be identified with any European forms. Since these were collected, or reared from
aphids, on native vegetation the possibility arises that they are endemic? Little is
known of parasitism of endemic aphids, with only one primary aphidiid recorded
(from Neophyllaphis totarae) . Others may occur and further examination may reveal
their existence and associated .illoxystinae.
Family CERAPHRONIDAE
Dendrocerus carpenteri (Curtis).
A common secondary parasite of cabbage
aphid known in New Zealand as Lyqoccrus nigrr (Howard. 1890) has been shown
by Dessart (1972a) to be a synonym of Dendocerus carpenteri (Curtis, 1829), (fig.
2 ) . Specimens collected by K. A. Cumber and recorded as Hy 57 by Cumber (1959)
and Cumber and Eyles (1961) were included in Dessart's study, compared with the
type of Megaspilus niger Howard and with D . carpenteri and confirmed as being
this species. A detailed description is given in Dessart (1972b). It appears to have
a wide host range: having been reared from Aphis nerii Fonsc., A . spiraecola Patch,
Brevicoryne brassicae, Cavariella aegopodii, Macrosiphum euphorbiae (Thorn.),
M y z u s persicae Sulzer and Neoplzyllaphis totarae.
Family PTEROMALIDAE
Pachyneuron aphidis BouchC.
This parasite is apparently both secondary, on
primary Aphidiidae and tertiary on the secondary Alloxysta and Dendrocerus. Its
host range is wide, including Aphis nerii, A . spiraecola, Brevicoryne brassicae, Cavariella aegopodii, Marrosiphuna euphorbiae, M y z u s persicae and Tuberculoides annulatus (Hartig). I t was previously wrongly listed as P. siphonophorae (Ashmead) by
Valentine ( 1967) .
ACKNO\VLEDGEMENTS
I gratefully acknowledge Dr Z. Boucek, Commonwealth Institute of Entornology, Dr P. Dessart, Institut Royal des Science Naturelles, Brussels, and D r H. H .
Evenhuis, Institut voor Plantenziektenkundig Ondersoek, Wageningen, for examination of specimens and for helpful comments.
REFERENCES
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. .