A new species of Aphidius Nees, 1818 (Hymenoptera, Braconidae, Aphidiinae) attacking Uroleucon aphids (Homoptera, Aphididae) from Iran and Iraq

Abstract

A new endemic aphid parasitoid species, Aphidius persicus sp. n., parasitic on Uroleucon chondrillae (Nevsky) in Iran and Iraq, is described. The identities of the new species and other co-existing species of Aphidius are discussed. In the parasitoid association with Uroleucon aphids, A. persicus sp. n. probably replaces Aphidius funebris Mackauer in the studied area. The latter species is a common member of the parasitoid guild on Uroleucon species in the Western Palaearctic and Western Mediterranean. © 2006 Taylor & Francis.