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Systematics and Biodiversity of Biological Control Agents with Special Reference to the Braconidae
M.J. Sharley
Department of Entomology
Project Description
Parasitoid Hymenoptera are amongst the most species rich of all insects, and various species attack and kill almost every known pest insect species. Fundamental research that elucidates their identities and that provides a predictive classification is essential to allow information on these animals to be stored and retrieved efficiently. Over the last year I have published a number of scientific papers with new species' descriptions, new concepts for genera as well as a phylogenetic overview of the Hymenoptera. Several long-term projects are nearing completion, including a revision of the subfamilies of the Braconidae and the families of the Hymenoptera. High impact papers on both of these topics are expected in 2008.
Impact
A number of new wasp species were described and named. These are all parasaitoids of other insects and potentially important in natural control. The genus Trachagathis, a lepidoptera parasitoid genus, was revised and new species were described increasing the concept of the genus. Members of the genus may be important in the control of the sugar-cane borer, which also attacks corn and other large grass crops. An invited review paper on the phylogeny of the Hymenoptera was published. Besides a historical review all of the recent data were reviewed and the superfamily classification was modified to reflect our current knowledge.
Publications
Sharanowski, B.J., and M.J. Sharkey. 2007. Description of three new species of Helconichia Sharkey & Wharton (Hymenoptera: Braconidae: Ichneutinae) with a revised key to all species. Zootaxa 1502: 45-53.
Pitz, K.M. and M.J. Sharkey. 2007. Three new species of Cenocoeliinae (Hymenoptera: Braconidae) with novel morphological characteristics and habitat records. Journal of Hymenoptera Research 16:167-177.
Sharkey, M.J. 2007 (2006). Revision of the neotropical genus Trachagathis Viereck (Hymenoptera: Braconidae: Agathidinae). Journal of the Entomological Society of Ontario 137: 51-61.
Seltmann, K. and M.J. Sharkey. 2007. A new genus and species of apterous Doryctinae (Hymenoptera: Braconidae) from Costa Rica. Zootaxa 1415: 17-21.
Sharkey, M.J. 2007. Phylogeny and Classification of Hymenoptera. pp. 521-548. In: Zhang, Z.-Q. & Shear, W.A. (Eds) Linnaeus Tercentenary: Progress in Invertebrate Taxonomy. Zootaxa 1668: 1-766.