JHR 73: |—2 (20 I 9) yaa JOURNAL OF A peer-reviewed open-access journal
aa eee (-f-) Hymenoptera

http://jhr.pensoft.net Thelmernaonl Society of Hymenopexriss, RESEARCH

Introduction

Elijah Talamas'

| Florida Department of Agriculture and Consumer Service, Division of Plant Industry, Gainesville, Florida, USA

Corresponding author: Elijah Talamas (elijah.talamas@fdacs.goy)

Received 19 October 2019 | Accepted 6 November 2019 | Published 18 November 2019
http://zoobank. ore!726 907 16-CFFO-455F-82 18-42CF531LA7CAB

Citation: Talamas E (2019) Introduction. In: Talamas E (Eds) Advances in the Systematics of Platygastroidea II. Journal
of Hymenoptera Research 73: 1-2. https://doi.org/10.3897/jhr.73.47436

The second installment of Advances in the Systematics of Platygastroidea presents nine
articles on an array of subjects that include paleontology, molecular phylogenetics and
diagnostics, mating compatibility, field surveys, and a variety of taxonomic treatments.
Designation of a new family name, Proterosceliopsidae, portends further changes to
family-level classification in Platygastroidea and characterizes an extinct lineage. Two
generic revisions bring much needed attention to Sceliotrachelinae, a group that has
received relatively little attention. Importantly, the concepts of these genera are up-
dated and synthesized through analysis of their constituent species and examination
of related taxa.

From the remaining articles emerges the primary theme of this special issue: the
systematics of scelionids that attack the eggs of invasive pests. During the past two
decade, three pentatomoid pests of agricultural significance have invaded new conti-
nents, Halyomorpha halys, Bagrada hilaris, and Megacopta cribraria, generating impetus
and funding for research on their parasitoids, particularly those in the scelionid genus
Trissolcus. This issue contains treatments of scelionids that attack the eggs of each of
these stink bugs, as well as a parasitoid of the widespread lepidopteran pest, Spodoptera
frugiperda, highlighting the importance of these wasps in agricultural ecosystems. The
molecular phylogeny of Trissolcus analyzes relationships between species found in the
native and invaded ranges of H. Aalys and provides a context for delimiting species
groups. This phylogeny independently confirms the results of a reanalysis of Trissolcus

Copyright Elijah Talamas. This is an open access article distributed under the terms of the Creative Commons Attribution License (CC BY 4.0),
which permits unrestricted use, distribution, and reproduction in any medium, provided the original author and source are credited.

f Elijah Talamas / Journal of Hymenoptera Research 73: 1-2 (2019)

species that were considered junior synonyms of Trissolcus semistriatus in the first is-
sue of Advances in the Systematics of Platygastroidea. This complex contains some of
the most common and widespread species in the genus, some of which have defied
accurate diagnosis since their original description. Coupled with characterization of
primary types described by Francis Walker in the 19" century, this marks a significant
step in stabilizing the species-level taxonomy of Trissolcus.

This special issue is made by possible by the work of contributors representing 24
institutions spread throughout ten countries and four continents. By presenting these
publications as part of a cohesive unit, it is hoped that they will promote further col-
laboration and interest in the beneficial and beautiful taxon that is Platygastroidea.