1. DNA barcodes are useful for species-level sorting of specimen samples, but rarely used in time-sensitive projects that require species richness estimates or identification of pest or invasive species within hours. The main reason is that existing express barcoding workflows are either too expensive or can only be carried out in very well equipped laboratories by highly trained staff. 2. We here introduce a simple workflow that combines rapid DNA extraction with HotSHOT, amplicon production with the aid of NextGenPCR thermocyclers, and sequencing with low-cost MinION sequencers. 3. We demonstrate the power of the approach by generating and identifying 250 barcodes for 285 specimens within 6 hours. The workflow only required the following major equipment that easily fits onto a lab bench: Conventional thermocycler, NextGenPCR thermocycler, microplate sealer, Qubit, and MinION. 4. We argue that species-level sorting with simplified barcoding workflows is now faster, more accurate, and sufficiently cost-effective that it can and should replace morpho-species sorting in many projects.

DNA barcodes provide a reliable and efficient solution to resolving cryptic species complexes and accelerate species discoveries. The superfamily Ceraphronoidea (Hymenoptera) is a group of parasitoid wasps for which a barcoding approach could be of great help, if it were not for the very poor results. The inability to obtain barcodes for the majority of treated ceraphronoids halts progress on the taxonomy of this hyperdiverse parasitoid group. We here present a working protocol for the barcoding of ceraphronoid wasps which yields a first-time over 90% success rate.

The monotypic genus Latonius Kononova, 1982 (Platygastroidea, Scelionidae), was described from a single female specimen collected in southern Ukraine. It somewhat resembles Trissolcus Ashmead but has a distinctive claval formula. The only species in the genus, Latonius planus Kononova, 1982, is lacking any details regarding biology, sexual dimorphism, intraspecific variability, or distribution. Based on recently collected specimens the present study clarifies the position of Latonius within the Telenominae, provides a comprehensive description accompanied by high quality images, and compares Latonius and Trissolcus. Five molecular markers were amplified, and sequences of L. planus were analyzed using a data set for the molecular phylogeny of Telenominae (Taekul et al. 2014) and a molecular phylogeny of Trissolcus (Talamas et al. 2019). We dissected the metasoma, tarsi, antennae, and ovipositor and performed SEM imaging. The genera Latonius and Ioseppinella Mineo, O’Connor & Ashe, 2010, are treated as junior synonyms of Trissolcus and the type species of Latonius and Ioseppinella are considered to be conspecific (syn. nov.).

Scelionid wasps are arthropod egg parasitoids, many of which are relevant to global biosecurity. However, the scelionid fauna of Germany has not received much attention from professional taxonomists. Eleven species and four genera are recorded for the first time from Germany, including species of interest to agriculture and biological control. First genus records include Baryconus Förster, Macroteleia Westwood, Paratelenomus Dodd and Probaryconus Kieffer. First species records include B. europaeus (Kieffer), Idris nigroclavatus (Kieffer), Idris semiflavus (Kieffer), M. bicolora Kieffer, M. pannonica Szabo, Paratelenomus saccharalis (Dodd), Trimorus varicornis (Walker), Trissolcus basalis (Wollaston), Trissolcus belenus (Walker), Trissolcus colemani (Crawford) and Trissolcus flavipes (Thompson). COI barcodes are identified for the first time from B. europaeus and M. bicolora. Each species is illustrated and updated world distributions are provided. Implications for agriculture are discussed.

No abstract