Discovery of the genus Mirodryinus Ponomarenko, 1972 (Hymenoptera, Chrysidoidea, Dryinidae) associated with salt cedar trees in the eastern part of Iran

Abstract

In 2015 and 2016 a survey was carried out on the parasitoids of leafhoppers (Hemiptera, Cicadomorpha) feeding on salt cedar trees (Tamarix spp.) growing around Hamoon Lake in the Sistan region (Iran). Among the collected material, a series of dryinid specimens belonging to Mirodryinus atlanticus Olmi, 1984 (Hymenoptera, Dryinidae, Bocchinae) was captured on branches of Tamarix aphylla (L.) Karst. and Tamarix stricta Boiss., infested by Opsius versicolor (Distant) (Hemiptera, Cicadellidae). The subfamily Bocchinae and the genus Mirodryinus Ponomarenko, 1972 are new records for Iran. Diagnostic characters and notes on the morphological variability of the newly collected specimens are presented and discussed.