Encyrtoscelio Dodd (Hymenoptera: Platygastridae) From India

Abstract

Members of Genus Encyrtoscelio Dodd are rather relatively small with a limited distribution globally. They can be easily identified from other genera by the unique shape of the head, with a frontal ledge protruding between the eyes. The genus is not common in collections. Taxonomic studies on a small sample size of Encyrtoscelio collected from different parts of India revealed a total of 6 species, of which four species, E. circumeo sp.nov., E. latus sp.nov., E. malabarensis sp. nov. and E. nigrum sp.nov. are new to science, while E. mediterraneus Caleca and E. mirissimus Dodd form the first reports from India. The goal of this paper is to provide adequate clarity to species concepts of Indian Encyrtoscelio. All of the species are illustrated, and a key to species is included.