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Type: Article
Published: 2026-08-05
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Parasitoid wasps (Hymenoptera: Braconidae) associated with Antigastra catalaunalis (Duponchel) (Lepidoptera: Crambidae) attacking Sesamum indicum in Saudi Arabia, with new records, new tritrophic associations and descriptions of two new species

Entomology Department; Faculty of Science; Cairo University; Giza; Egypt; 12613
Department of Biology; College of Science; Jazan University; PO Box 114; Jazan 45142; Kingdom of Saudi Arabia; Environment and Nature Research Centre; Jazan University; Jazan 45142; PO Box 114; Kingdom of Saudi Arabia
Department of Biology; College of Science; Jazan University; PO Box 114; Jazan 45142; Kingdom of Saudi Arabia
Department of Biology; College of Science; Jazan University; PO Box 114; Jazan 45142; Kingdom of Saudi Arabia
Entomology Department; Faculty of Science; Cairo University; Giza; Egypt; 12613
Hymenoptera Agathidinae Braconinae Microgastrinae new records new species tritrophic relationship

Abstract

This study is based on specimens reared from the larvae of Antigastra catalaunalis (Duponchel) (Lepidoptera: Crambidae) attacking sesame, Sesamum indicum, in fields located in Jazan Province, southwestern Saudi Arabia. The reared specimens belong to the Braconidae subfamilies Agathidinae (one genus, one species), Braconinae (one genus, two species), and Microgastrinae (one genus, one species). Camptothlipsis intermedia Gadallah & Edmardash (Agathidinae), and Apanteles catalaunalis Edmardash & Gadallah (Microgastrinae) are described and illustrated here as new species. Furthermore, all recorded species, except Habrobracon hebetor Say, are reported for the first time in association with A. catalaunalis on S. indicum, thus expanding the known host and plant associations for these parasitoids.

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How to Cite

Edmardash, Y.A., El-Ghiet, U.M.A., Mashlawi, A.M., Soliman, M.M. & Gadallah, N.S. (2026) Parasitoid wasps (Hymenoptera: Braconidae) associated with Antigastra catalaunalis (Duponchel) (Lepidoptera: Crambidae) attacking Sesamum indicum in Saudi Arabia, with new records, new tritrophic associations and descriptions of two new species. Zootaxa, 5862 (2), 293–314. https://doi.org/10.11646/zootaxa.5862.2.5