Skip to main content Skip to main navigation menu Skip to site footer
Responsive image
Issue: Vol. 5823 No. 1: 4 Jun. 2026
Type: Monograph
Published: 2026-06-04
DOI: 10.11646/zootaxa.5823.1.1
Page range: 1-103
Abstract views: 19
PDF downloaded: 0

The Chinese species of the genus Ascogaster Wesmael (Hymenoptera: Braconidae: Cheloninae)

State Key Laboratory of Rice Biology & Breeding; Zhejiang University; Hangzhou 310058; China.; Northwest University; Xi’an; Shaanxi; China.
Institute of Insect Sciences; College of Agriculture and Biotechnology; Zhejiang University; Hangzhou 310058; China.
Zhejiang Provincial Key Laboratory of Biology and Ecological Regulation of Crop Pathogens and Insects; Zhejiang University; Hangzhou 310058; China.; Ministry of Agriculture Key Lab of Molecular Biology of Crop Pathogens and Insects; Zhejiang University; Hangzhou 310058; China.; Institute of Insect Sciences; College of Agriculture and Biotechnology; Zhejiang University; Hangzhou 310058; China.
State Key Laboratory of Rice Biology & Breeding; Zhejiang University; Hangzhou 310058; China.; Zhejiang Provincial Key Laboratory of Biology and Ecological Regulation of Crop Pathogens and Insects; Zhejiang University; Hangzhou 310058; China.; Ministry of Agriculture Key Lab of Molecular Biology of Crop Pathogens and Insects; Zhejiang University; Hangzhou 310058; China.; Institute of Insect Sciences; College of Agriculture and Biotechnology; Zhejiang University; Hangzhou 310058; China.
State Key Laboratory of Rice Biology & Breeding; Zhejiang University; Hangzhou 310058; China.; Zhejiang Provincial Key Laboratory of Biology and Ecological Regulation of Crop Pathogens and Insects; Zhejiang University; Hangzhou 310058; China.; Ministry of Agriculture Key Lab of Molecular Biology of Crop Pathogens and Insects; Zhejiang University; Hangzhou 310058; China.; Institute of Insect Sciences; College of Agriculture and Biotechnology; Zhejiang University; Hangzhou 310058; China.
Hymenoptera Brachistinae Chelonus Leptodrepana Schizoprymnus new species China

Abstract

The Chinese species of Ascogaster Wesmael (Hymenoptera: Braconidae: Cheloninae) are revised, resulting in 62 recognized species divided into five groups (A. annularis-, A. bidentula-, A. caucasica-, A. quadridentata- and A. semenovi-groups). Nineteen new species are described, i.e. A. aphelothoracica sp. nov., A. balicyba sp. nov., A. barya sp. nov., A. cubiceps sp. nov., A. daliensis sp. nov., A. fasciolata sp. nov., A. flavipes sp. nov., A. foveata sp. nov., A. gonagena sp. nov., A. hemileura sp. nov., A. kuankuoensis sp. nov., A. liui sp. nov., A. longiscapha sp. nov., A. ningxiaensis sp. nov., A. paragrandi sp. nov., A. paratownesi sp. nov., A. tumidifacies sp. nov., A. vescifoveata sp. nov., and A. yaoi sp. nov. In addition, one species, A. annularis (Nees), is recorded as new to China. Three new synonyms are proposed, i.e. A. wuyiensis Chen & Huang, 1994 with A. perkinsi Huddleston, 1984, A. gracilisus Ji & Chen, 2003 with A. macrogaster Tang & Marsh, 1994 and A. laticornis Chen & Ji, 2003 with A. chaoi Tang & Marsh, 1994. Ascogaster gigas Chen & Ji, 2003 is transferred to the genus Schizoprymnus Foerster (Hymenoptera: Braconidae: Brachistinae), and Leptodrepana brevicornis Chen & Huang, 1994 to the genus Chelonus Panzer. Chelonus brevicornoides nom. nov. is proposed for Leptodrepana brevicornis Chen & Huang because it is preoccupied in Chelonus by C. brevicornis McComb, 1968. A key to the species-groups and species of Ascogaster from China is provided.

References

  1. Ashmead, W.H. (1906) Descriptions of new Hymenoptera from Japan. Proceedings of the United States National Museum, 30, 169–201. https://doi.org/10.5479/si.00963801.30-1448.169
  2. Baker, C.F. (1926) Braconidae-Cheloninae of the Philippines, Malaya, and Australia. 1. Cheloniid (except Chelonus). Philippine Journal of Science, 31, 451–489.
  3. Bartlett, B.R., Clausen, C.P., DeBach, P., Goeden, R.D., Legner, E.F., McMurtry, J.A. & Oatman, E.R. (1978) Introduced parasites and predators of arthropod pests and weeds: A world review. Agriculture Handbook No. 480. Agricultural Research Service, United States Department of Agriculture, Washington, 545 pp.
  4. Chen, J.H., Huang, J.C. & Wu, Z.S. (1994) Notes on two new species and six new records of the genus Ascogaster Wesmael from China (Hymenoptera: Braconidae Cheloninae). Journal of Fujian Agricultural University (Natural Sciences Edition), 23 (1), 51–57.
  5. Chen, J.H. & Ji, Q.E. (2003) Systematic studies on Cheloninae of China (Hymenoptera: Braconidae). Fujian Science and Technology Publishing House, Fuzhou, 230 pp. [in Chinese with English summary]
  6. Chen, J.H., Wu, Z.S. & Huang, J.C. (1995) A new species of Ascogaster Wesmael from Jilin (Hymenoptera: Braconidae). Entomologia Sinica, 2 (2), 122–124. https://doi.org/10.1111/j.1744-7917.1995.tb00032.x
  7. Curtis, J. (1837) British entomology: being illustrations and descriptions of the genera of the insects found in Great Britain and Ireland: containing coloured figures from nature of the most rare and beautiful species, and in many instances of plants upon which they are found. Vol. 14. Printed for the author, London, 672 pp.
  8. Dahlbom, A.G. (1833) Fösök till beskrifning öfver Hymenopterslägtet Chelonus, med dertill hörande Skandinaviske arter. Kongliga Svenska Vetenskaps-Akademiens Handlingar, 53 (1832), 147–167.
  9. de Redolfi, H.I. (1995) Diversidad de Braconidae (Hymenoptera) en el Peru. Revista Peruana de Entomologia, 37, 11–22.
  10. De Saeger, H. (1948) Cardiochilinae et Sigalphinae (Hymenoptea: Apocrita) Fam. Braconidae. Exploration du Parc National Albert. Mission G.F. de Witte, 53, 1–272.
  11. Fahringer, J. (1934) Opuscula braconologica. Band 3. Palaearktische Region. Lieferung 5–8. Verlag von Fritz Wagner, Vienna, 274 pp. [pp. 321–594]
  12. Foerster, A. (1863) Synopsis der Familien und Gattungen der Braconiden. Verhandlungen des Naturhistorischen Vereins der Preussischen Rheinlande und Westfalens, 19, 225–288.
  13. Fullaway, D.T. (1919) New genera and species of Braconidae, mostly Malayan. Journal of the Straits Branch of the Royal Asiatic Society, 80, 39–61.
  14. Harris, R.A. (1979) A glossary of surface sculpturing. Occasional Papers of the Bureau of Entomology of the California Department of Agriculture, 28, 1–31.
  15. He, J.H., Chen, X.X., Fan, J.J., Li, Q., Liu, C.M., Lou, X.M., Ma, Y., Wang, S.F., Wu, Y.R., Xu, Z.H., Xu, W.A. & Yao, J. (2004) Hymenopteran insect fauna of Zhejiang. Science Press, Beijing, 1373 pp.
  16. He, J.H., Chen, X.X. & Ma, Y. (1989) The Braconid (Hymenoptera) Parasites of Adoxophyes orana Fischer von Rosterstamm (Lepidoptera: Tortrieidae) from China. Acta Agriculturae Universitatis Zhejiangensis, 15 (4), 437–439.
  17. Herrich-Schäffer, G.A.W. (1838) Faunae Insectorum Germaniae initiae oder Deutschlands Insecten. Auseinandersetzung der Gattung Chelonus (Jurine). Felsecker, Regensburg, 154 pp.
  18. Huang, J.C., Chen, J.H. & Wu, Z.S. (1994) Notes on a new species and a new record of genus Leptodrepana Shaw (Hymenoptera: Braconidae) from China. Entomological Journal of East China, 3 (2), 5–7.
  19. Huddleston, T. (1984) The Palaearctic species of Ascogaster (Hymenoptera: Braconidae). Bulletin of the British Museum (Natural History) Entomology, 49 (5), 341–392.
  20. Ji, Q.E. & Chen, J.H. (2002) A new species of the genus Ascogaster Wesmael from China (Hymenoptera: Braconidae: Cheloninae). Entomological Journal of East China, 11 (2), 6–9.
  21. Kittel, R.N. & Austin, A.D. (2015) New species of Australian arid zone chelonine wasps from the genera Phanerotoma and Ascogaster (Hymenoptera: Braconidae) informed by the ‘Bush Blitz’ surveys of national reserves. Journal of Natural History, 50, 211–262. https://doi.org/10.1080/00222933.2015.1074747
  22. Kittel, R.N. (2016) Eighty-nine Replacement Names for Braconidae and Ichneumonidae (Insecta: Hymenoptera: Ichneumonoidea). Japanese Journal of Systematic Entomology, 22 (2), 161–174.
  23. Kittel, R.N., Austin, A.D. & Klopfstein, S. (2016) Molecular and morphological phylogenetics of chelonine parasitoid wasps (Hymenoptera: Braconidae), with a critical assessment of divergence time estimations. Molecular Phylogenetics and Evolution, 101, 224–241. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.ympev.2016.05.016
  24. Kokujev, N.R. (1895) Fragments Braconologiques. I–III. Trudy Russkago Entomologicheskago Obshchestva [Horae Societatis Entomologicae Rossicae], 29, 77–95.
  25. Ku, D.S., Belokobylskij, S.A. & Park, J.S. (1998) Korean species of the genus Ascogaster Wesmael (Hymenoptera: Braconidae: Cheloninae). Korean Journal of Entomology, 28 (1), 7–30.
  26. Latreille, P.A. (1809) Genera Crustaceorum et Insectorum secundum ordinem naturalem in familias disposita iconibus exemplisque plurimis explicata. Tomus Quartus. Amand Koenig, Parisiis & Argentorati, 399 pp.
  27. Marsh, P.M. (1989) Notes on Braconidae (Hymenoptera) associated with Jojoba (Simmondsia chinensis) and descriptions of new species. Pan-Pacific Entomologist, 65 (1), 58–67.
  28. Marshall, T.A. (1885) Monograph of British Braconidae. Part I. Transactions of the Entomological Society of London, 1885, 1–280. https://doi.org/10.1111/j.1365-2311.1885.tb00886.x
  29. Marshall, T.A. (1900) Les Braconides (Supplement). In: André, E. (Ed.), 1897–1900. Species des Hyménoptères d’Europe & d’Algérie 5bis. Froment-Bubosclard, Paris, pp. 1–369.
  30. Muesebeck, C.F.W. & Walkley, L.M. (1951) Family Braconidae. In: Muesebeck, C.F.W., Krombein, K.V. & Townes, H. (Eds.), Hymenoptera of America North of Mexico - Synoptic catalog No. 2. U.S. Dept. Agriculture Monograph, Washington, pp. 90–184.
  31. Nees von Esenbeck, C.G. (1816) Ichneumonides Adsciti, in Genera et Familias Divisi. Magazin Gesellschaft Naturforschender Freunde zu Berlin, 7 (1813), 243–277.
  32. Papp, J. (1989) Braconidae (Hymenoptera) from Korea. XI. Acta Zoologica Hungarica, 35 (3–4), 295–326.
  33. Ratzeburg, J.T.C. (1852) Die Ichneumoniden der Forstinsecten in entomologischer und forstlicher Beziehung 3. Nicolaische Buchhandlung, Berlin, 272 pp.
  34. Reinhard, H. (1867) Beiträge zur Kenntniss einiger Braconiden-Gattungen. Berliner entomologische Zeitschrift, 11, 351–374. https://doi.org/10.1002/mmnd.18670110311
  35. Sharkey, M.J., Janzen, D.H., Hallwachs, W., Chapman, E.G., Smith, M.A., Dapkey, T., Brown, A., Ratnasingham, S., Naik, S., Manjunath, R., Perez, K., Milton, M., Hebert, P., Shaw, S.R., Kittel, R.N., Solis, M.A., Metz, M.A., Goldstein, P.Z., Brown, J.W., Quicke, D.L.J., van Achterberg, C., Brown, B.V. & Burns, J.M. (2021) Minimalist revision and description of 403 new species in 11 subfamilies of Costa Rican braconid parasitoid wasps, including host records for 219 species. ZooKeys, 1013, 1–665. https://doi.org/10.3897/zookeys.1013.55600
  36. Shaw, S.R. (1983) A taxonomic study of Nearctic Ascogaster and a description of a new genus Leptodrepana (Hymenoptera: Braconidae). Entomography, 2, 1–54.
  37. Shenefelt RD (1973) Braconidae 6 Cheloninae. In: Vander Vecht, J. & Shenefelt, R.D. (Eds.), Hymenopterorum Catalogus. Nova Editio. W. Junk, ‘s Gravenhage, pp. 813–936.
  38. Sonan, J. (1932) Notes on some Braconidae and Ichneumonidae from Formosa, with descriptions of 18 new species. Transactions of the Natural History Society of Formosa. Taihoku, 22, 66–87.
  39. Szépligeti, G. (1905) Exotische Braconiden aus den aethiopischen, orientalischen und australischen Regionen. Annales Musei Nationalis Hungarici, 3, 26–55.
  40. Szépligeti, G. (1908) Hymenoptera, Braconidae & Ichneumonidae. In: Michaelson, W. & Hartmeyer, R. (Eds.), Die Fauna Südwest-Australiens. Vol. 1. G. Fischer, Jena, pp. 317–324.
  41. Szépligeti, G. (1896) Beiträge zur Kenntnis der ungarischen Braconiden. Természetrajzl Füzetek, 19, 165–186.
  42. Tang, Y.Q. & Marsh, P.M. (1994) A taxonomic study of the genus Ascogaster in China (Hymenoptera: Braconidae: Cheloninae). Journal of Hymenoptera Research, 3, 279–302.
  43. Telenga, N.A. (1941) Family Braconidae, subfamily Braconinae (continuation) and Sigalphinae. Fauna USSR. Hymenoptera, 5 (3), 1–466.
  44. Thomson, C.G. (1874) Ofversigt af Sveriges Sigalpher. Opuscula entomologica, 6, 553–588.
  45. Thomson, C.G. (1892) XLIV. Bidrag till Braconidernas kannedom. Opuscula Entomologica,16, 1659–1751.
  46. Tobias, V.I. (1986a) New species of Subfamily Cheloninae (Hymenoptera: Braconidae) from the Far East of the USSR. Trudy Zoologicheskogo Instituta Akademiya Nauk SSSR, 159, 3–17.
  47. Tobias, V.I. (1986b) Guide to the insects of European part of the USSR Hymenoptera. Opredeliteli Faune SSSR, 3 (4), 1–500.
  48. Tobias, V.I. (1988) Two new species of Braconidae of the subfamily Cheloninae (Hymenoptera) from the protected territories of the Lituanian SSR. Acta Entomologica Lituanica, 9, 89–94.
  49. Tobias VI (2000) Cheloninae. In: Ler, P.A. (Ed.), Key to the insects of Russian Far East. Vol. IV. Neuropteroidea, Mecoptera, Hymenoptera. Pt 4. Opredelitel nasekomykh Dalnego Vostoka Rossii. T. IV. Setchatokryloobraznye, skorpionnitsy, pereponchatokrylye. Ch. 4. Dalnauka, Vladivostok, pp. 426–571.
  50. van Achterberg, C. (1988) Revision of the subfamily Blacinae Foerster (Hymenoptera, Braconidae). Zoologische Verhandelingen, Leiden, 249, 1–324.
  51. van Achterberg, C. (1990) Revision of the Western Palaearctic Phanerotomini (Hymenoptera: Braconidae). Zoologische Verhandelingen, Leiden, 255, 1–106.
  52. van Achterberg, C. (1993) Illustrated key to the subfamilies of the Braconidae (Hymenoptera: Ichneumonoidae). Zoologische Verhandelingen, Leiden, 283, 1–189.
  53. Viereck, H.L. (1909) Descriptions of new Hymenoptera. Proceedings of the Entomological Society of Washington, 11, 42–51.
  54. Viereck, H.L. (1912) Contributions to our knowledge of bees and Ichneumon-flies, including descriptions of twenty-one new genera and fifty-seven new species of Ichneumon-flies. Proceedings of the United States National Museum, 42 (1920), 613–648. https://doi.org/10.5479/si.00963801.42-1920.613
  55. Viereck, H.L. (1916) One new genus and five new species of Ichneumon-flies. Proceedings of the Biological Society of Washington, 29, 165–172.
  56. Walker, A.K. & Huddleston, T. (1987) New Zealand chelonine braconid wasps (Hymenoptera). Journal of Natural History, 21 (2), 339–361. https://doi.org/10.1080/00222938700771061
  57. Watanabe, C. (1934) H. Sauter’s Formosa-Collection: Braconidae. Insecta Matsumurana, 8 (4), 182–205.
  58. Watanabe, C. (1937) A contribution to the knowledge of the Braconid fauna of the Empire of Japan (Hymenoptera). Journal of Faculty of Agriculture, Hokkaido University, 42 (1), 1–188.
  59. Watanabe, C. (1967) Description of a new species of the genus Ascogaster Wesmael and notes on synonymy of Apanteles species (Hymenoptera, Braconidae). Insecta Matsumurana, 29, 41–44.
  60. Wesmael, C. (1835) Monographie des Braconides de Belgique. Nouveaux Mémoires de l’Academie Royale des Sciences et Belles-lettres Bruxelles, 9, 1–252. https://doi.org/10.3406/marb.1835.2692
  61. Yoneda, Y. (1978) A new species of the genus Ascogaster Wesmael (Hymenoptera, Braconidae) from Japan. Kontyu, 46 (2), 291–296.
  62. Yu, D.K., van Achterberg, C. & Horstmann, K. (2016) World Ichneumonoidea 2015. Taxonomy, Biology, Morphology and Distribution. Taxapad, Ottawa, Ontario, Canada. [flash drive]
  63. Zettel, H. (1990) Eine Revision der Cheloninae (Hymenoptera: Braconidae) mit Beschreibungen neuer Gattungen und Arten. Annalen des Naturhistorischen Museums in Wien, 91, 147–196.

How to Cite

Tan, J.-L., He, J.-H., Achterberg, C.V., Tang, P. & Chen, X.-X. (2026) The Chinese species of the genus Ascogaster Wesmael (Hymenoptera: Braconidae: Cheloninae). Zootaxa, 5823 (1), 1–103. https://doi.org/10.11646/zootaxa.5823.1.1