Encarsia species (Hymenoptera: Aphelinidae) of Australia and the Pacific Islands attackingBemisia tabaciandTrialeurodes vaporariorum(Hemiptera: Aleyrodidae) – a pictorial key and descriptions of four new species

Abstract

AbstractAfter the recent introduction of the pest whiteflyBemisia tabaci(Gennadius) biotype B into Australia, research was undertaken to study the parasitoids of the long established nativeB. tabaciandTrialeurodes vaporariorum(Westwood). The genusEncarsiaspecies which are important biological control agents of whiteflies and hard scales. The taxonomy of theEncarsiaspecies attackingB. tabaciandT. vaporariorumin Australia and the Pacific Islands is revised. DNA sequencing of the 28S D2 ribosomal DNA was used characterize species. Sixteen species are recognized, with 12 occurring in Australia, eight in the Pacific region, and four in both regions. All except one species (E. formosaGahan) are new records for Australia. Four species are described as new from Australia:E. accenta& Naumannsp. n.,E. adustaSchmidt & Naumannsp. n.,E. oakeyensisSchmidt & Naumannsp. n., andE. ustulataSchmidt & Naumannsp. n.Diagnostic descriptions are given for all species and each species is illustrated. pictorial key is provided to allow the identification of species by non-specialists.