# Uncovering Norway: Descriptions of Four New Aphidiinae Species (Hymenoptera, Braconidae) with Identification Key and Notes on Phylogenetic Relationships of the Subgenus Fovephedrus Chen

## TL;DR

This study discovers four new aphid parasitoid species in Norway, suggesting the country's biodiversity in this group is much higher than previously thought.

## Contribution

The paper introduces four new Aphidiinae species from Norway and provides an identification key for the subgenus Fovephedrus.

## Key findings

- Four new Aphidiinae species were identified in Norway using morphological and molecular analyses.
- The study provides an identification key for species in the subgenus Fovephedrus.
- Phylogenetic relationships within the subgenus Fovephedrus are discussed.

## Abstract

The subfamily Aphidiinae, comprising over 500 known species globally, consists of obligatory endoparasitoids of aphids. Recognised for their role as biological control agents of various aphid pests, this group is considered relatively well-studied, particularly in Europe. However, Norway’s documented Aphidiinae diversity is notably low, with only 33 reported species. Our study aimed to assess the true biodiversity of aphid parasitoids in Norway using malaise traps. The results of morphological and molecular analyses identified several specimens distinct from any known species. In this paper, we describe four species new to science across three genera, provide an identification key for species of the subgenus Fovephedrus, and discuss their phylogenetic relationships.

With only 33 reported species, Norway ranks among the European countries with the lowest documented diversity of parasitoids from the subfamily Aphidiinae. The “MUST Malaise” project, carried out by Museum Stavanger in Norway, aimed to assess insect abundance and biodiversity and create a reference base for future studies. The preliminary results of our study revealed four species new to science, indicating that the current number of recorded species in Norway is significantly lower than the actual diversity. All species possess unique combinations of morphological characters, distinguishing them from other known Aphidiinae species. Molecular analysis of the barcoding region confirmed that these specimens all belong to the previously undescribed species. In this study, we describe Aphidius norvegicus sp.n., Praon breviantennalis sp.n., Ephedrus gardenforsi sp.n., and Ephedrus borealis sp.n., all collected in Norway. We also provide an identification key and discuss the phylogenetic relationships within the subgenus Fovephedrus Chen, 1986.