Revision of the neotropical anacharitinae genus acanthaegilips (Hym., cynipoidea, figitidae)

Abstract

We revise the genus Acanthaegilips, a genus of anacharitine figitids ocurring in South America. Members of this genus are characterized by having a long scutellar spine, a unique character in the Anacharitinae. The only previously known species (A. brasiliensis) is redescribed and eleven new species are described: A. macropennis, A. ashmeadi, A. levis, A. masneri, A. diazi, A. dentis, A. occultus, A. alienus, A. exiguus, A. huggerti, and A. carinatus. A key to species is presented and distribution records are bgiven for each species. The known records of the genus extend from the southern Neotropics to Mexico. The biology of Acanthaegilips remains unknown; other members of the Anacharitinae are parasitoids of aphid-feeding Neuroptera larvae.