Systematics, distribution and biology of the Australian 'micro-flea' wasps, Baeus spp. (Hymenoptera : Scelionidae): parasitoids of spider eggs

Abstract

<jats:p>Baeus represents one of the most unusual genera of parasitic wasps in that females are apparently wingless, highly compact and flea-like in appearance. They are endoparasitoids of spider eggs of host families associated with above-ground vegetation and crytobiotic niches such as leaf-litter. The genus has remained poorly studied, with only 25 species described world-wide, with three from Australia; B. dux Girault, B. leai Dodd and B. saliens (Hickman). This study revises the Australian fauna, and describes 17 new species: Baeus arthuri Stevens sp. nov., B. glenysae Stevens sp. nov., B. hallarakeri Stevens sp. nov., B. iqbali Stevens sp. nov., B. jenningsi Stevens sp. nov., B.maryae Stevens sp. nov., B. matthewi Stevens sp. nov., B. moorei Stevens sp. nov., B. murphyi Stevens sp. nov., B. mymyae Stevens sp. nov., B. ocellatus Stevens sp. nov., B. prolatusspissus Stevens sp. nov., B. scrobiculus Stevens sp. nov., B. spirolimbus Stevens sp. nov., B. tropaeumusbrevis Stevens sp. nov., B. tropaeumusdensus Stevens sp. nov. and B. vulcanus Stevens sp. nov. In addition, information is presented on the distribution of species which generally show the greatest diversity along the eastern seaboard of the Australian continent, including Tasmania. The biology of Baeus, its monophyly and relationships within the Baeini are also discussed. The African genera Angolobaeus Kozlov syn. nov. (type species Parabaeus machadoi Risbec, from Angola) and Paraneurobaeus Risbec syn. nov. (type species Paraneurobaeus arachnevora Risbec, from Cameroon) are placed in synonymy with Baeus, and a lectotype is designated for P. arachnevora Risbec.</jats:p>