Preliminary revision of the Indian cuckoo wasp genera Trichrysis Lichtenstein, 1876 and Chrysidea Bischoff, 1910, with description of a new species (Hymenoptera, Chrysididae)

Abstract

The genera Trichrysis Lichtenstein, 1876 and Chrysidea Bischoff, 1910 from India are reviewed. A new species, Trichrysis poseidonia sp. nov. from India and Nepal is described. Trichrysis bengalensis (Mocsáry, 1889) is revalidated from the previous synonymy with T. lusca (Fabricius, 1804). Trichrysis inops (Gribodo, 1884) is recorded from India for the first time. The lectotype of Chrysis spectrum Wickwar, 1908 is designated. Chrysis mendicalis Cameron, 1897 is transferred from the genus Trichrysis to the genus Chrysidea. Keys and illustrations are provided for the identification of the eleven species of Trichrysis and the four species of Chrysidea so far known in the country, including a Sri Lankan species.