Integrative Taxonomic Study of Chinese Anastatus (Hymenoptera: Eupelmidae) Based on Morphology and COI Barcoding, with Description of Eleven New Species

Abstract

Simple Summary Parasitoid wasps of the genus Anastatus are tiny insects that oviposit into the eggs of agricultural and forest pests, killing them before they can hatch and cause damage to agricultural crops and forest trees. These wasps are already used successfully as natural pest control against different agricultural insect pests in China, Europe, the United States, and other countries. However, identifying these wasps has long been difficult because most of them are morphologically similar. Therefore, in this study, we combined detailed morphology with DNA analysis to revise all known Chinese Anastatus species. We examined specimens from 23 provinces and described eleven species new to science, recorded one species in China for the first time, and corrected a previous misidentification by merging two species into one. Species identification is essential when selecting the most effective wasp against a specific pest in an integrated pest management (IPM) program. This work therefore directly supports the development of safer, more targeted biological control strategies that reduce reliance on chemical pesticides.