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This project will provide comprehensive taxonomic monographs in four key groups of parasitic Hymenoptera. Parasitic Hymenoptera (wasps) are extraordinarily diverse, containing some 70,000 described species, but comparatively poorly known taxonomically despite their importance to understanding the biological diversity and ecological processes of terrestrial ecosystems. Nearly all parasitic Hymenoptera are parasitoids of other insects and many are quite host-specific. They are therefore essential components in the complex food webs of natural ecosystems and they provide a valuable source of natural enemies for pest insects in managed ecosystems. Improved taxonomy and more natural classifications of parasitic wasps will enable better characterization and management of biological diversity, and it will directly support research directed at a more sustainable agriculture with fewer negative impacts on the environment.

The project will address the taxonomic needs in four families representing the four major lineages (superfamilies) of parasitic Hymenoptera: 1) Braconidae (superfamily Ichneumonoidea), 2) Encyrtidae (superfamily Chalcidoidea), 3) eucoiline Figitidae (superfamily Cynipoidea), and 4) Diapriidae (superfamily Proctotrupoidea). Specific objectives in Braconidae are to produce worldwide monographic treatments of Ademon, Euopius, Fopius, and selected subgenera of Opius s. l.  These taxa have been selected for their relevance to establishing the monophyly of the braconid subfamily Opiinae and of the genus Opius, one of the largest genera in the Braconidae. Objectives in Encyrtidae are to produce worldwide monographic treatments for two key genera in the tribe Anagyrini and for the entire tribe Habrolepidini, and to analyze phylogenetic relationships within Habrolepidiniand Anagyrini. For Eucoilinae the world genera of the Gronotoma Foerster group of genera will be monographed. Completion of this monograph is essential for rigorous delineation of the genera and generic groups of Holarctic Eucoilinae. The objective in Diapriidae is to initiate a monographic treatment of the genus Entomacis. At least half of the approximately 1000 species to be treated are presently undescribed.

One Ph.D. and four M.S. students will be trained in the course of the project, with at least one student working in each of the major lineages noted above (Chalcidoidea, Cynipoidea, Ichneumonoidea, and Proctotrupoidea). The collaborative nature of the project and the outstanding specialists in each major group that have agreed to participate will provide exceptionally broad training and experience for the students in all aspects of modern, collection-based systematics research. Training will emphasize methods for collection, preparation and curation of specimens, methods for study of species-level taxonomy including computer/video-aided image analysis and measurement, scanning electron microscopy and computer databasing of character and measurement data as well as host and locality data, and computer cataloging of taxonomic literature. All students will be trained in contemporary, quantitative methods of phylogenetic analysis. Yearly seminars, discussion groups, and two workshops during the course of the project will provide the opportunity to articulate common goals, objectives and problems to be solved, and they will provide students with exposure to the very different manner in which diverse specialists approach monographic research. Through specific cooperative agreements, students will benefit from outstanding specialists whose expertise will soon be lost.

During the last fifteen years, many hymenopterists have used mass collecting methods extensively in expeditions to all parts of the world. These collections have been deposited in several major repositories and in many cases represent the fauna of habitats now destroyed. This project will capitalize on this enormous but under-utilized taxonomic resource. Output of the project will be comprehensive monographic revisions of the key taxa chosen in each of the four superfamilies. In addition, phylogenetic analysis of relationships in a wider context in each group will provide more natural and more informative classifications.