| dc.description.abstract | The intent of this thesis is to present a systematic revision of Aphidius species occurring or likely to occur in Calif ornia. There are fourty-four species included in this paper, twenty-nine of which are given full systematic treatment. Eight of these were previously known in California, thirteen are recorded for the first time in this state, and eight more are new species. Fifteen species are only listed in the appendix due to lack of female specimens or host information.
Adults of Aphidius are small, morphologically similar wasps, difficult to recognize. In this paper one hundred fifteen figures are included to assist understanding the morphological characteristics which are discussed in the key, the diagnoses and the. descriptions.
The genus Aphidius is holarctic in distribution, and several species are native to western North America. Some species have been accidentally or intentionally introduced from Europe or the Orient for biological control of aphid pests. Maps are included to show the distribution of species collected in California.
This thesis consists of a key to species, a taxonomic treatment of important species in California, and an index of host/parasite associations as an appendix. The key combines in-formation on morphology and hosts with references to figures to aid in distinguishing species. The taxonomic treatment of each species includes synonymy, systematic relationship, morphological description or diagnosis, type or material data, geo-gtaphical distribution and habitat information. The appendix, gives general information regarding the parasite, host aphid and host plant relationships. Lot numbers, which are considered significant for further study or specimen examination are included with the host-parasite relationship data. | en_US |
