Occurrence of the rare root aphid parasitoid, Aclitus obscuripennis (Hymeoptera: Braconidae: Aphidiinae) in Iran

Abstract

The sampling surveys were conducted in the northern Iran, using several Malaise traps, during 2010-2011. A single specimen of a rare root aphid parasitoid, Aclitus obscuripennis Förster, 1862 (Hym.: Braconidae: Aphidiinae) was identified among the collected specimens. This is the first record of the genus Aclitus in Iran and western Asian area. Aclitus obscuripennis is re-described and illustrated and its occurrence in Iran is discussed. Additional specimens from central Europe were examined and compared. Our findings introduced a new tritrophic ecological system to be further investigated in upcoming studies.