A new species-group in Calliscelio Ashmead (Hymenoptera: Scelionidae) takes shape

Abstract

Two new species of Calliscelio Ashmead (Hymenoptera: Scelionidae) are described: C. safavii Popovici & Talamas, sp. nov. from Iran and C. rungu Talamas & Copeland, sp. nov. from Kenya. Bidentate mandibles are found in both species, a rare condition for Calliscelio that is also known from two other species in Africa, C. erana (Nixon) and C. aphrodite (Nixon). Furthermore, C. rungu has two characters that are unique within Calliscelio: a frontal ledge and broad, colorful setae on the dorsal head and mesosoma.