D3545: Integrative taxonomy of Ward et al.’s Ceroptres (Hymenoptera: Cynipoidea: Ceroptresini)

Tuesday, November 12, 2024

9:00 AM – 5:00 PM MST

Location: Phoenix Convention Center, Exhibit Hall 6, PCC

Presenting Author(s)

Louis F. Nastasi

PhD Candidate
The Pennsylvania State University
State College, Pennsylvania

Co-Author(s)

CS

Cecil Smith

The Pennsylvania State University
University Park, Pennsylvania
Carly M. Tribull

Assistant Professor
Farmingdale State College
Farmingdale, New York
CD

Charles K. Davis

Graduate Student
The Pennsylvania State University
State College, Pennsylvania
AF

Andrew A. Forbes

University of Iowa
Iowa City, Iowa
Andrew R. Deans

Professor
The Pennsylvania State University
University Park, Pennsylvania

Ward et al. (2024, Evolution 78(1): 175–187) investigated evolution of inquiline gall wasps (Cynipoidea: Cynipidae) including trends in host use. However, they were unable to identify their Ceroptres specimens to species despite a recent revision of the genus. In examining their voucher material, we find that their inability to identify specimens is the result of their sampling almost entirely undescribed species, many of which we describe here. We describe 22 new Ceroptres species; after our taxonomic treatment, the genus Ceroptres includes 43 species. Among our new species are two associated with cecidomyiid midge galls, an association previously recorded but without valid taxonomic association. We suggest Ceroptres species are host specialists associated with a single host gall species or several galls that are phylogenetically or ecologically related.