A new Aphidius Nees species (Hymenoptera, Braconidae), a parasitoid of Acyrthosiphon malvae (Mosley, 1841) in Europe

Here we describe Aphidius erodii sp. n. associated with Acyrthosiphon malvae (Mosley, 1841), which is a pest on herbaceous ornamental Geranium and Pelargonium plants, but also an increasingly serious pest of strawberry in Northern and Western Europe. Aphidius erodii sp. n. is diagnosed on the basis of the COI barcode gene and morphological traits, illustrations of which are provided. In addition, we discuss phylogenetic relationships of all Aphidius species parasitizing A. malvae in Europe.

Automated summary

In this study, a new plant-feeding wasp Aphidius erodii sp. n. associated with the herbaceous ornamental plants and strawberry pest Acyrthosiphon malvae is described. Diagnosis of Aphidius erodii sp. n. was based on the COI barcode gene and morphological traits, with illustrations provided. Additionally, the phylogenetic relationships of all Aphidius species parasitizing A. malvae in Europe were discussed.