The first checklist of bees (Hymenoptera: Anthophila) of the Arabian Peninsula is presented. 343 species and 61 genera are included. A further 23 morphospecies and 7 doubtful records are noted. The checklist adds 76 new country records. The United Arab Emirates presently has the richest fauna with 175 species followed by Saudi Arabia (157), Oman (150), Yemen (119), Kuwait (22), Qatar (14), and Bahrain (8). The Arabian fauna shows a clearer overlap with that of North Africa rather than other eastern arid faunas.

The tribe Apantelini sensu Mason is the largest tribe within the subfamily Microgastrinae (Hymenoptera: Braconidae). It consists of parasitoids that attack a wide range of families of Lepidoptera and have potential significance for biological control. However, genera (and species-groups) included in this tribe often overlap, and due to the large number of species, they have never been tested extensively at a large scale, such as across the whole mitogenome. This study examined the mitogenomes of 25 species, including 21 newly sequenced species, representing four genera (Apanteles Foerster, Dolichogenidea Viereck, Parapanteles Ashmead, and Pholetesor Mason) traditionally regarded as Apantelini in China. Phylogenetic relationships among these species were inferred using MrBayes and IQ-TREE based on four data matrices (PCG123, PCG123 + RNA, PCG12, and AA). The average A + T content of the sequenced mitochondrial genomes was relatively high (86.5%), and gene rearrangements were evident, especially in the ater and taeniaticornis groups of the genus Apanteles. The phylogenetic analysis among these Chinese species revealed key relationships among major species-groups and genera. The genera Apanteles and Dolichogenidea were clearly separated, but A. mycetophilus was identified as a transitional group and very likely represents a different genus. Major species-groups, such as A. ater and D. ultor, were confirmed to be monophyletic. However, the A. taeniaticornis group is no longer supported as a distinct species-group based on the results of the current study, and their members actually belong to the ater-group. And we propose a new combination, Dolichogenidea hyposidrae comb. nov. (Wilkinson, 1928), based on the molecular data from this study, which cluster the species within the ultor-group. Additionally, the relationships between Dolichogenidea, Parapanteles, and Pholetesor are discussed.

Proteroptine braconids, koinobiont endoparasitoids of sawfly larvae, are speciose and diverse in the New World though rarely collected worldwide. Here we describe a new genus, Bicariniproterops Liu and Polaszek gen. n. with a new species, Bicariniproterops brasiliensis Liu and Polaszek, sp. n. from Brazil. A new species of Proterops, P. spinatus Liu and Polaszek, sp. n. is described from El Salvador. An illustrated key to the New World Proterops is provided.http://www.zoobank.org/urn:lsid:zoobank.org:pub:423605AD-1728-489E-9EFE-6ADEC499A360

The genera of Miracinae, currently in something of a state of flux, are discussed with respect to their morphological and molecular attributes. Centistidea Rohwer, 1914 is treated provisionally as a valid genus, distinct from Mirax Haliday, 1833, based partly on propodeal morphology, though this is acknowledged to be an unstable character across the subfamily. Molecular data from two previous studies of Australian Miracinae are discussed. Centistidea albantennalis Liu & Polaszek, 2014 is newly recorded from Papua New Guinea. Two new species of Centistidea are described from Australia: Centistidea cellula Liu & Polaszek, sp. nov. and Centistidea paraillidops Liu & Polaszek, sp. nov. Two new species of Mirax: Mirax tasmaniensis Liu & Polaszek, sp. nov. and Mirax polita Liu & Polaszek, sp. nov. are described from Australia. Mirax arcicensis Slater-Baker & Fagan-Jeffries, 2022, M. caelicus Slater-Baker & Fagan-Jeffries, 2022 and M. supremus Slater-Baker, 2025 are transferred to Centistidea, hence the following new combinations Centistidea arcicensis (Slater-Baker & Fagan-Jeffries, 2022) comb. nov., Centistidea caelica (Slater-Baker & Fagan-Jeffries, 2022) comb. nov. and Centistidea suprema (Slater-Baker, 2025) comb. nov. A key to Mirax species of the world is provided, based mainly on published descriptions.

Halticopterella dzayerensis Tselikh and Belkacem sp. n. is described from Dechmia, Algeria. The new species is compared with its closest congener Halticopterella slavica (Bou & ccaron;ek) comb. rev. from Lyubana Bou & ccaron;ek syn rev. which is redescribed in detail.

The wood-boring endoparasitoid beetle genus Wroughtonia Cameron (Hymenoptera: Braconidae: Helconinae) is quite diverse in the Oriental region, yet its equatorial fauna remains poorly understood. In this study, the genus is reported for the first time from Borneo. Three new species from Brunei are described and illustrated: Wroughtonia vermiculata Yan & Polaszek, sp. nov., W. belalongensis Yan & Polaszek, sp. nov. and W. variivena Yan & Polaszek, sp. nov. A key to the species of Wroughtonia from Borneo is provided.

Taxonomic studies of Microgastrinae (Hymenoptera: Braconidae) are seldom conducted on material from Borneo, despite its being widely recognized as one of the world's biodiversity hotspots. As part of our preliminary studies on the braconids from this island in the Natural History Museum (UK) collection, we describe and illustrate four new species of Diolcogaster Ashmead: D. dolichogaster Liu & Polaszek, sp. nov., D. flavicoxa Liu & Polaszek, sp. nov., D. hamus Liu & Polaszek, sp. nov., and D. parallela Liu & Polaszek, sp. nov. Two previously described species, D. eclectes (Nixon) and D. urios (Nixon), are redescribed and illustrated. The species examined in this study are classified into two distinct groups, the basimacula-group (D. dolichogaster, D. eclectes, and D. hamus) and the xanthaspis-group (D. flavicoxa, D. parallela and D. urios). Additionally, we provide an identification key to the six Diolcogaster species from Borneo, with a distribution map. A concise discussion of the Diolcogaster species-groups is provided.

[This corrects the article DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0288306.].

Family, tribal and generic concepts of some taxa within, or historically associated with, Aphelinidae are revised. At the family level, we transfer Noyesaphytis from Aphelinidae to Azotidae, and we remove Encarsia gallicola and Encarsia metallica from Encarsia and place them in Galeopsomyia (Eulophidae: Tetrastichinae) as nomina dubia. At the subfamily level, we synonymise Eriaphytinae with Coccophaginae and retain Eriaphytini as a tribe therein. At the tribal level, we revive the status of Prospaltellini and establish the tribes Euxanthellini trib. n. and Prococcophagini trib. n. all within Coccophaginae. At the generic level, we revive the status of Euxanthellus stat. rev. and Prococcophagus stat. rev. In addition, we propose the following new generic synonymies: Allomymar syn. n. as a junior synonym of Encarsia, Prophyscus syn. n. as a junior synonym of Coccobius, and Metanthemus syn. n. as a junior synonym of Eretmocerus. Additionally, Coccobius desantisi, Oenrobia kinabaluensis and Timberlakiella applanatonervus are redescribed, and the holotype of Eretmocerus aureus comb. n. is photographed for the first time. Phtuaria and Verekia are treated as incertae sedis within Chalcidoidea, and Encarsia orangae is regarded as a nomen nudum due to the lack of an original description or type depository. Encarsia taitae is treated as a nomen dubium. A new species, Prococcobius platycephala sp. n. is described from South Africa.http://www.zoobank.org/urn:lsid:zoobank.org:pub:E03B39C4-275E-4BA2-9FAC-654A3C35844A

A new species of Megaphragma Timberlake (Hymenoptera: Chalcidoidea: Trichogrammatidae), Megaphragma wolfi Lahey & Polaszek, is described from Costa Rica and the southeastern United States. Both sexes are completely apterous (wingless), representing the first occurrence of this phenomenon in the genus and the first apterous female of the family Trichogrammatidae. Morphological features, and a molecular analysis of two gene sequences (28S rDNA, COI mtDNA), place the new species in the recently established M. polychaetum-group.

Agriculture plays an essential role in meeting global food demand, and so effective pest control is crucial. Aphids (Hemiptera: Aphididae) are a significant problem for many crops worldwide, and cause crop losses. They are considered one of the most important groups of pests in the world. Aphid parasitoids are very important as biological agents, both for their effectiveness and their host range selectivity. This study provides a review of these groups of parasitoids and their possible role and use in aphid biological control. Two groups of primary parasitoids, Aphelinidae and Braconidae: Aphidiinae, are the main groups that can be used in the biological control of aphids. There is also a diversity of hyperparasitoids whose hosts are these primary parasitoids and therefore are likely to be detrimental to the biological control programs: Megaspilidae in the superfamily Ceraphronoidea, the following Chalcidoidea families: Encyrtidae, Eulophidae, Moranilidae, Pteromalidae, and Signiphoridae, and Cynipoidea: Figitidae: Charipinae. Records of Mymaridae emerging from aphids, while assumed to be obligate egg-parasitoids, are discussed. Dichotomous keys are provided to identify the superfamilies, families and most important genera associated with aphids.

Four new species of the subfamily Miracinae (Hymenoptera: Braconidae) are described from Brazil based on specimens in the Natural History Museum, UK: Centistidea areolaris sp. nov., C. breviantennalis sp. nov., C. radialis sp. nov., and C. latisulca sp. nov. New distribution records of C. insularis (Muesebeck, 1937) and C. vertus (Papp, 2013) from the Neotropical region are provided, together with an illustrated key to all species of Centistidea known in Brazil.

Ants of the genus Crematogaster Lund, 1831 are ecologically important and are distributed in a wide range of tropical and subtropical regions. Crematogaster dhofarensis Sharaf sp. n., a new species from Oman's Dhofar Governorate, is described based on morphological characterisation, including detailed measurements via established indices and imaging techniques. The new species is distinguished from its most closely related congeneric species, C. melanogaster from South Africa, by its small size, long acute propodeal spines, and shining cephalic sculpture. The type locality highlights the ecological significance of Dhofar at the junction between the Afrotropical, Palearctic, and Indomalayan biogeographical realms. An updated synoptic list of the Crematogaster species hitherto known from Oman is provided. This study underscores the importance of Dhofar as a region with remarkable biodiversity, with seven endemic ant species.http://www.zoobank.org/urn:lsid:zoobank.org:pub:8DD5EB51-549C-4D92-A88E-C709F70F3A52

During investigations in the Fujian and Hunan Provinces of China, 5 parasitoids associated with Parlatoria ziziphi were identified based on morphological characteristics and 28SrDNA sequences. They comprised 4 ectoparasitoids: A. chrysomphali (Mercet), Aphytis jinshanensis Wang & Huang, sp.n., Aphytis nigromaculata Wang & Huang, sp.n., and A. nr. melinus DeBach, and 1 endoparasitoid, Encarsia citrina (Craw). The 2 new species are described and illustrated in detail, and the relationships of the 4 Aphytis parasitoids treated here are analyzed, resulting in a phylogenetic tree based on 28SrDNA sequences. Moreover, the 5 Aphytis species (including 1 new species described in this work) having the mid-tibia tipped with black in the male are summarized with their scale hosts and distribution, and an identification key to these species is provided.

Saissetia miranda (Cockerell & Parrott) (Hemiptera: Coccomorpha: Coccidae), a soft scale insect found in tropical and subtropical regions, is reported from Algeria for the first time. It was found in surveys conducted in Bouira (northern Algeria) on fig trees ( Ficus carica ). Taxonomic illustrations and a key are provided to facilitate the identification of Saissetia species known to occur in North Africa.

The small microgastrine braconid genus Wilkinsonellus Mason was known previously from parts of the Australo-Oriental region, but it has never been reported from Borneo (Brunei and Sarawak), Peninsular Malaysia, Seram, or the Solomon Islands before this study. Here we describe three new species, namely, Wilkinsonelluscarinatus Liu & Polaszek, sp. nov. from Brunei, Sarawak, and Seram; Wilkinsonellusparacorpustriacolor Liu & Polaszek, sp. nov. from Sarawak; and Wilkinsonellusrugiscutum Liu & Polaszek, sp. nov. from Peninsular Malaysia. We also present a new distribution record of Wilkinsonellusamplus Austin & Dangerfield from the Solomon Islands, along with a key to 21 species known from the Australo-Oriental region.

Aphelinids are minute parasitoids belonging to the wasp superfamily Chalcidoidea. Typical hosts of Aphelinidae include soft-bodied Hemiptera, such as aphids, scale insects, and whiteflies, but some species are oophagous or hyperparasitic on other parasitoids. The family currently contains 37 genera and approximately 1,500 species, although the latter is a gross underrepresentation of their true diversity. The bionomics of Aphelinidae was last reviewed 40 years ago. Since then, phylogenomic analyses and high-quality taxonomic works have clarified relationships between and within different lineages of Aphelinidae, and knowledge of their interactions with their environment and hosts has increased considerably. In this review, we summarize this research, with an emphasis on the recognition, morphology, systematics, biology, genomics, and economic importance of aphelinids as biological control agents. Finally, we present future issues regarding this important family of parasitoids.

In this study, the invasive orange spiny whitefly (“OSW”; Aleurocanthus spiniferus) and a species of Encarsia parasitising its puparia were studied in three different areas of the province of Modena (Emilia-Romagna, northern Italy): a pear orchard in Bomporto, an organic pear orchard in Carpi, and the semi-natural botanical garden “La Pica” in San Felice sul Panaro. The material of both species was collected for taxonomic and molecular studies. The abundance of OSW and parasitoid activity were surveyed in whitefly puparia, with a focus on the botanical garden. A total of 1800 leaves of Malus domestica, Pyrus communis and Vitis vinifera were sampled to assess whitefly infestation. The results showed a significant variation in the abundance of A. spiniferus puparia, with the highest infestation observed in V. vinifera. Morphological and molecular analyses, including mitochondrial COI and rRNA 16S for whiteflies and COI and 28S for parasitoids, confirmed the identity of A. spiniferus and identified the parasitoid as Encarsia nipponica. Molecular data also revealed the presence of three haplotypes of A. spiniferus, including a haplotype from China, new to Europe. The parasitisation rate by E. nipponica was low (0.015%). Our results provide the first European record of E. nipponica and new genetic data on the invasion pathways of A. spiniferus. Collectively, these findings offer a critical baseline for monitoring their ecological interactions and developing future pest management strategies.

The rare braconid subfamily Dirrhopinae van Achterberg is formally recorded for the first time from the Afrotropical region. Three new species of Dirrhope Foerster: D. albobasalis Liu & Polaszek, sp. nov., D. nixoni Liu & Polaszek, sp. nov. and D. ocellimacula Liu & Polaszek, sp. nov. are described, and an illustrated key to these species is provided.

The bee genus Borgatomelissa Patiny, 2000 (Anthophila: Andrenidae: Panurginae) is found across North Africa, the Sahel, and throughout the Arabian Peninsula. Using both morphology and DNA barcodes, a new species, B. samailensis sp. n., is described from Oman, increasing the known number of species to four. Due to the holotype of B. brevipennis Walker, 1871 being lost, we designate a neotype from a specimen collected from Oman. Additionally, new country records are documented herein for B. flavimaura Ortiz-Sánchez and Patiny, 2019 and B. brevipennis, based on specimens housed in the collections of the Natural History Museum, London and Biologiezentrum Linz, Austria. A key to the species in the genus is given.