Fauna of the genus Diglyphus (Hymenoptera: Eulophidae) in the alfalfa fields of Iran

Abstract

Considering the importance of the species of the genus Diglyphus Walker, 1844 (Hym., Eulophidae: Eulophinae) in the biological control of leafminers, a faunal study was conducted during 2018–2020 in alfalfa fields in West Azarbaijan province, northwestern Iran. Six Diglyphus species were collected and identified, i.e. Diglyphus crassinervis Erdös, 1958; D. isaea (Walker, 1838); D. poppoea Walker, 1848; D. propodealis Szelényi, 1978; D. pusztensis (Erdös & Novicky, 1951); and D. sabulosus Erdös, 1951; of which D. propodealis is a new record for Iranian fauna, that is known just from its type locality, Hungary. Notes on diagnostic characters and illustrations of D. propodealis are given. Its association with alfalfa fields is the first association report. All six reported species are new to the West Azarbaijan province. A distribution map of reported species is provided and the known Diglyphus species in association with alfalfa in Iran are also reviewed.

Keywords

• biological control
• diglyphus propodealis
• eulophinae
• medicago sativa
• parasitoid