title: A review of the species of Mesopolobus (Chalcidoidea: Pteromalidae) associated with Ceutorhynchus (Coleoptera: Curculionidae) host-species of European origin.
abstract: Four species of Mesopolobus Westwood were reared as parasitoids of Ceutorhynchinae hosts in Europe during surveys in 2000-2004. An illustrated key is given to differentiate the four species, M. gemellus Baur & Muller sp. n., M. incultus (Walker), M. morys (Walker) and M. trasullus (Walker), plus M. moryoides Gibson, a parasitoid of the cabbage seedpod weevil, Ceutorhynchus obstrictus (Marsham), in North America. Pteromalus clavicornis Walker is recognized as a junior synonym of M. incultus syn. n., and Pteromalus berecynthos Walker (also a junior synonym of M. incultus) is considered a correct original spelling. For Disema pallipes Förster (a junior synonym of Mesopolobus morys), a lectotype is designated. Mesopolobus morys is for the first time accurately associated with the seed weevil Ceutorhynchus turbatus (Schultze), a potential agent for classical biological control, of hoary cress, Lepidium draba L. (Brassicaceae), in North America. Mesopolobus gemellus is associated with another seed weevil, Ceutorhynchus typhae (=C. floralis) (Herbst), in pods of shepherd's purse, Capsella bursa-pastoris (L.) Medik. (Brassicaceae). Implications of the host-parasitoid associations are discussed relative to the introduction of species to North America for classical biological control of the cabbage seedpod weevil.
authors.affiliation: Department of Invertebrates, Natural History Museum, Bernstrasse 15, CH-3005 Bern, Switzerland.
authors.forename: H
authors.initials: H
authors.lastname: Baur
authors.forename: F J
authors.initials: FJ
authors.lastname: Muller
authors.forename: G A P
authors.initials: GA
authors.lastname: Gibson
authors.forename: P G
authors.initials: PG
authors.lastname: Mason
authors.forename: U
authors.initials: U
authors.lastname: Kuhlmann
mesh_terms: D000818:Animals; D001517:Coleoptera / Q000469:parasitology*; D005060:Europe; D005260:Female; D008297:Male; D012727:Sex Characteristics; D014863:Wasps / Q000033:anatomy & histology / Q000145:classification*