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28 November 2024 Synthesis of the host associations of Ceraphronoidea (Hymenoptera): a key to illuminating a dark taxon
Marina Moser, Tobias Salden, István Mikó, Lars Krogmann
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Abstract

Understanding the complexity of trophic interactions of parasitoid Hymenoptera remains a critical challenge in biodiversity research, particularly in vastly understudied dark taxa. Using Ceraphronoidea (Hymenoptera) as a case study, we conduct a comprehensive analysis of host associations at both genus level and species level across the four prominent genera AphanogmusThomson, 1858 (Ceraphronidae), Ceraphron Jurine, 1807 (Ceraphronidae), Conostigmus Dahlbom, 1858 (Megaspilidae) and Dendrocerus Ratzeburg, 1852 (Megaspilidae), drawing from an extensive synthesis of existing literature. We shed light on the ecological interactions and explore their potential to advance integrative taxonomic efforts within this moderately species-rich yet highly understudied taxon. Our analysis reveals a broad host range that spans up to nine insect orders with species from the four major ceraphronoid genera parasitizing dipteran and hymenopteran hosts. Notably, 80.8% of ceraphronoid species lack documented host associations, reflecting significant gaps in autecological knowledge, with rates varying significantly between the genera. Our findings highlight the urgent need to improve our understanding of host-parasitoid interactions beyond economically relevant species, emphasizing both the significance and the potential of this data for biodiversity research within taxonomically challenging taxa, particularly in times of escalating species decline.

Marina Moser, Tobias Salden, István Mikó, and Lars Krogmann "Synthesis of the host associations of Ceraphronoidea (Hymenoptera): a key to illuminating a dark taxon," Insect Systematics and Diversity 8(6), 1-12, (28 November 2024). https://doi.org/10.1093/isd/ixae039
Received: 5 July 2024; Accepted: 5 November 2024; Published: 28 November 2024
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KEYWORDS
biocontrol
biological catalogue
hosts
multitrophic interactions
parasitoids
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