# The parasitoids of Parlatoria ziziphi (Lucas) (Hemiptera: Diaspididae): with descriptions of two new species of Aphytis (Hymenoptera: Aphelinidae) from China, and a note on Aphytis species with black-tipped mid tibiae in the male

## TL;DR

This paper describes two new parasitoid species in China that attack a harmful citrus pest, Parlatoria ziziphi, and provides a guide to identify similar species.

## Contribution

The study introduces two new Aphytis species from China and provides a phylogenetic analysis and identification key for black-tipped mid tibia Aphytis species.

## Key findings

- Two new Aphytis species were identified and described from China.
- A phylogenetic tree based on 28SrDNA sequences was generated for four Aphytis species.
- An identification key was provided for five Aphytis species with black-tipped mid tibia in males.

## Abstract

The black parlatoria scale, Parlatoria ziziphi (Lucas) (Hemiptera: Diaspididae), is a destructive pest attacking citrus plants worldwide. Parasitoids are important natural enemies used for the biological control of P. ziziphi. In Egypt from 2005 to 2007, the parasitoid, Aphytis melinus DeBach, was mass reared and released in large numbers to control P. ziziphi. Currently, 10 parasitoids associated with P. ziziphi have been recorded worldwide, including 8 species of Aphelinidae (including 1 hyperparasitoid) and 2 species of Encyrtidae. In China, 3 parasitoids are recorded, 2 Aphelinidae and 1 Encyrtidae. This study investigates and identifies 5 parasitoids in Fujian and Hunan Provinces of China, including 2 new species of Aphytis. Information on the 5 Aphytis species having the mid-tibia tipped with black in the male is summarized, and an identification key to these species is provided.

During investigations in the Fujian and Hunan Provinces of China, 5 parasitoids associated with Parlatoria ziziphi were identified based on morphological characteristics and 28SrDNA sequences. They comprised 4 ectoparasitoids: A. chrysomphali (Mercet), Aphytis jinshanensis Wang & Huang, sp.n., Aphytis nigromaculata Wang & Huang, sp.n., and A. nr. melinus DeBach, and 1 endoparasitoid, Encarsia citrina (Craw). The 2 new species are described and illustrated in detail, and the relationships of the 4 Aphytis parasitoids treated here are analyzed, resulting in a phylogenetic tree based on 28SrDNA sequences. Moreover, the 5 Aphytis species (including 1 new species described in this work) having the mid-tibia tipped with black in the male are summarized with their scale hosts and distribution, and an identification key to these species is provided.