title: Terminal-instar larval systematics and biology of west European species of Ormyridae associated with insect galls (Hymenoptera, Chalcidoidea).
abstract: A systematic study of the genusOrmyrus(Chalcidoidea, Ormyridae) was conducted based on the morphology and biology of the terminal-instar larvae of ten west European species that are parasitoids of gall wasps and gallflies of the families Cynipidae, Eurytomidae and Tephritidae. The first detailed descriptions are provided of the terminal-instar larvae of these ten species using SEM images to illustrate diagnostic characters with systematic values. A key is provided for the identification of ormyrid larvae associated with galls in Europe, which is based particularly on characters of the head, mouthparts and mandibles. Although only limited informative variation in body shape was found, the setation of the head provided several characters of potential taxonomic value. The larval biology of the ten ormyrid species inhabiting different galls is also summarised. AlthoughOrmyruslarvae are usually solitary idiobiont ectoparasitoids of the host larva of various gall-inhabiting insects, evidence of secondary phytophagy was observed in some species.
authors.affiliation: Facultad de Ciencias Biológicas (UCM), Departamento de Zoología y Antropología Física, C/ José Antonio Novais 2, 28040 Madrid, Spain.
authors.forename: Jose F
authors.initials: JF
authors.lastname: Gómez
authors.affiliation: Área de Zoología, Facultad de Biología, Universidad de Salamanca, 37071 Salamanca, Spain.
authors.forename: María Hernández
authors.initials: MH
authors.lastname: Nieves
authors.affiliation: Área de Zoología, Facultad de Biología, Universidad de Salamanca, 37071 Salamanca, Spain.
authors.forename: Severiano F
authors.initials: SF
authors.lastname: Gayubo
authors.affiliation: Museo Nacional de Ciencias Naturales (CSIC), Departamento de Biodiversidad y Biología Evolutiva, C/ José Gutiérrez Abascal 2, 28006 Madrid, Spain.
authors.forename: Jose Luis
authors.initials: JL
authors.lastname: Nieves-Aldrey
keywords: Chaetotaxy; cryptic species; cynipid galls; identification keys; immature stages; mouthparts Ormyrus; parasitoid