A new species of Ixodiphagus (Hymenoptera: Chalcidoidea: Encyrtidae) parasitizing seabird ticks in New Zealand

Abstract

Ixodiphagus taiaroaensis n. sp., is described and illustrated from specimens of Encyrtidae that emerged from nymphs of Ixodes uriae White, 1852 and I. eudyptidis Maskell, 1885 (Acari: Ixodidae) collected on the Otago Peninsula, New Zealand. The findings represent the first record of a tick parasitoid in New Zealand as well as the first recorded instance worldwide of parasitism in the host tick species. Aspects of the biology and possible origins of the new species are discussed. © 2010 The Royal Society of New Zealand.