Revisiting the host use and phylogeny of Colastomion Baker (Hymenoptera, Braconidae, Rogadinae), with a new host record from Japan

Abstract

We report the solitary parasitism by Colastomion formosanum (Watanabe) (Hymenoptera, Braconidae, Rogadinae) on the larva of Nevrina procopia (Stoll) (Lepidoptera, Crambidae) feeding on Turpinia ternata Nakai (Staphyleaceae) in Amami Ôshima Is., Japan. This is the first host record for the genus Colastomion Baker outside of Papua New Guinea. We have also inferred the phylogenetic relationships of Colastomion species using Bayesian and maximum likelihood approaches, based on the mitochondrial cytochrome oxidase 1 gene. The results indicate two major clades–solitary and gregarious parasitoids–within Colastomion. Colastomion formosanum belongs to the clade of solitary parasitoids that specifically parasitize the crambid subfamily Spilomelinae. Plant-host-parasitoid associations and the evolutionary scenario of the host use of Colastomion are discussed.