A new species of Braunsia (Hymenoptera, Braconidae, Agathidinae), a natural enemy of Cydalima perspectalis (Lepidoptera, Crambidae) from South Korea: species description and notes on its biology

Abstract

The invasion of Cydalima perspectalis (Walker, 1859) (Lepidoptera, Crambidae) poses a significant threat to European ecosystems and North American ornamentals. In an effort to identify potential biological control agents from the native habitats of C. perspectalis, a field survey was conducted from 2022 to 2024 in South Korea. During the survey, a new braconid agathidine species of Braunsia Kriechbaumer, 1894 was discovered: Braunsia hodorii Kang, sp. nov. The new species is delimited and described based on morphological, molecular, and phylogenetic data. Additionally, information on the behavior of B. hodorii sp. nov. is presented regarding the larval external feeding phase. A key to species of Braunsia in Korea is included accompanied by detailed images. This research contributes to the evaluation of natural enemies as biological control agents against C. perspectalis in its invasive range.