A New Species of Genus Cassidibracon Quicke (Hymenoptera: Braconidae: Braconinae) with New Host Record from India

Abstract

A new species, Cassidibracon repens Gupta sp. n. from Karnataka, India, is described and illustrated along with the host caterpillar and cocoons and differentiated from other closely allied Indian species. The species was reared from cocoons of a Pyralidae caterpillar which is a new host record for Cassidibracon. The main diagnostic characters include - second, third and fourth metasomal tergites with midlongitudinal carina; ovipositor length 0.53í— length of gaster; OOL/POL = 2.5; eye length/malar space = 3.33; median flagellomeres approximately 2−2.27í— longer than wide and antenna with 24 flagellomeres. Revised Key to the Oriental species of the Genus Cassidibracon Quicke is also provided.