Revision of the genus Neuroscelio Dodd, primitive Scelionids (Hymenoptera : Scelionidae) from Australia, with a discussion of the Ovipositor system of the tribe Gryonini

Abstract

The endemic Australian genus Neuroscelio Dodd, previously known only from the holotype of N. nervalis Dodd and treated as a genus incertae sedis by previous authors, is revised, with the inclusion of four new species: N. doddi, sp. nov. and N. storeyi, sp. nov. from Queensland, and N. noyesi, sp, nov. and N. stirlingensis, sp. nov. from south-western Western Australia. An illustrated key to species is provided along with information on their distribution and habitat. The genus is redescribed and its relationships with other genera in the Scelioninae and tribe Gryonini are discussed. Neuroscelio retains a number of character states primitive within the subfamily. The morphology of the ovipositor system is described for the Gryonini for the first time, with Neuroscelio having an ovipositor and associated structures typical of the group.