| Abstrakt: |
Simple Summary: Aphelinus species (Hymenoptera: Aphelinidae) are primary parasitoids of aphids (Hemiptera: Aphididae), playing an important role as biological control agents of aphid pests. The genus currently contains 99 described species. The mali-group is an important taxon within Aphelinus, but identification of closely related species within the group has been problematic. The mali-group was proposed and defined mainly based on characters of the body and leg colour, and, importantly, the fore wing with the linea calva bordered proximally with only one complete row of setae, and open posteriorly. At present, the mali-group consists of fourteen described species, and three species described in this paper, including eight species found in China. Here we summarize the present status of the mali-group, and describe three new species of the group and note one species new to China. An identification key to species of the mali-group is provided, excluding two species with inadequate original descriptions. Seventeen species of the mali-group of Aphelinus (Hymenoptera: Aphelinidae) are reviewed worldwide, including three new species, and five previously described species in China. The mali-group was defined by a combination of characters: head and body dark with parts of metasoma pale; fore wing with a complete row of setae inside the linea calva, or also only with a few setae in the angle between the linea and marginal vein; legs with mesocoxae, metacoxae and metatibia dark, metafemur pale. In this paper, three new species, Aphelinus tuberocephalus Wang & Huang, sp.n., Aphelinus hainanensis Wang & Huang, sp.n. and Aphelinus ruellia Wang & Huang, sp.n., are described and illustrated, with notes on one species, Aphelinus coreae Hopper & Woolley, new to China. A revised key to species of the mali-group is provided. Mitochondrial (COI) partial sequences were obtained successfully for A. tuberocephalus, A. hainanensis, A. ruellia and A. coreae. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR] |
