Parasitic wasps of the genus Scelio play an important role in the regulation of orthopteran populations and are implicated in suppressing numbers of numerous pest locusts and grasshoppers. This landmark volume provides a full taxonomic treatment of the sixty species of Scelio found on the Australian continent and reviews in detail the biology and ecology and host relationships of Scelio on a worldwide basis. Taking an international perspective, the text outlines our current knowledge on topics such as host finding, population biology, and methods and techniques for collection and study in the field. The use of Scelio as biological control agents is discussed and comprehensive checklists document the recorded host relationships of each known species worldwide. There is a full taxonomic revision of all Australian species of Scelio, half of which are newly described. Each species description is complemented with high-quality line drawings, micrographs and distribution maps. In addition, an illustrated key to species enables easy identification of species by non-taxonomists. Biology, Ecology and Systematics of Australian Scelio provides wasp taxonomists, researchers of orthoptera and biological control workers with a basis for detailed studies elsewhere on this economically important group of insects.

This issue contains the first of a planned set of three publications greatly expanding knowledge of the platygastroid genus Oxyscelio Kieffer. We recognize 90 species in the Indo-Malayan and Palearctic realms, 71 of which are described here as new species. We divided these species into 13 species groups in order to highlight unique or unusual morphological features shared by certain species. A total of 438 specimen photographs are provided to aid in specimen identification. Newly discovered species are described from Brunei, China, Christmas Island, India, Indonesia, Japan, Laos, Malaysia, Nepal, The Philippines, Singapore, South Korea, Sri Lanka, Taiwan, Thailand, and Vietnam.

Parasitoid wasps are cosmopolitan, numerous and enormously diverse with probably one million or more species worldwide, most of which occur in the moist tropics. Their ecological importance is enormous although perhaps most evident in their major roles in the control of insect pest populations. In natural ecosystems they are integral in regulating populations of a vast number of insects, and therefore are key players in terrestrial food webs. Knowledge of their biology is still very poor because the current state of taxonomy is still in its infancy in most parts of the world.In this book, we provide an overview of the more than 30 families of parasitoid wasps that occur in the 11 countries in South East Asia. Particular emphasis is given to those most commonly encountered and reared, as well as to those used in biological control programmes. Outlines of the morphology, biology, ecology and behaviour of each family, as well as of various important subfamilies are presented. The current state of taxonomy in the region is summarised. Other chapters cover basic biology, behaviour, morphological terminology, phylogeny and methods of specimen collecting, preparation and rearing with particular relevance to the tropics. Modern molecular approaches to speeding taxonomic description of hyperdiverse taxa are considered in depth. All groups are illustrated with colour photographs. This book will be of value to professional entomologists, academics, entomology students and the growing body of amateur entomologists and insect photographers.

Parasitic wasps of the genus Scelio (Hymenoptera: Platygastri-dae) attack and destroy the eggs of short-horned grasshoppers (Acrididae). Included among these hosts are some of the most destructive of all insects, the plague locusts. As a result, species of Scelio are potential allies in the biological control of these pests. This paper is the first comprehensive examination of the species of Scelio of the Afrotropical region in over 50 years. A total of 62 species were found, 77% of which are new to science. Descriptions and keys for identification are provided, and each species is extensively illustrated. This work is a product of the Platygastroidea Planetary Biodiversity Program and was conducted using biodiversity informatics tools and applications developed as part of that project.

This issue celebrates the 75th birthday ofÿ Dr. Lubom?r Masner, a source of knowledge, enthusiasm, and inspiration for systematic entomologists in all fields, but especially for students of Hymenoptera. His unflagging dedication to the study of the parasitoid wasps of the superfamilies Proctotrupoidea, Platygastroidea, and Ceraphronoidea has completely transformed our understanding of the richness and evolutionaryÿ history of these insects. His zeal and innovation in collecting have not only dramatically enhanced the basis for our understanding of hymenopteran diversity, but also contributed to the development of the Canadian National Collection of Insects into one of the premiere systematic entomology research institutions in the world. Twenty-six authors have contributed to this volume in 17 papers on the systematics of the families Braconidae, Ceraphronidae, Chalcididae, Eucharitidae, Eupelmidae, Eurytomidae, Figitidae, Mymaridae, Platygastridae, Vespidae, and Xiphydriidae. Six new genera and 33 new species are described, encompassing fossil material as well as species from the Neotropical, Afrotropical, Oriental, and Australasian regions. A short biography of Dr. Masner is accompanied by a bibliography of his scientific papers, a list of taxa he has described over 55 years of research, and a list of taxa named in his honor.