Molecular evolution of the subfamily Telenominae (Hymenoptera: Platygastridae)

The subfamily Telenominae is a cosmopolitan taxon with more than 870 described species. All telenomines are egg parasitoids of insects and are considered to be the most important group within the superfamily Platygastroidea in biological control for agriculture. A preliminary phylogenetic reconstruction was performed examining 6 genera of telenomines, including 3 species groups of the genus Trissolcus and 8 species groups within the genus Telenomus. The total number of in group taxa is more than 70 species from several localities around the world. Phylogenetic reconstruction was performed using Maximum Parsimony, Maximum Likelihood and Bayesian approaches, all of which were executed using three molecular markers: the mitochondrial cytochrome oxidase I and the 28S and 18S rRNA. The monophyly of the subfamily and its primary constituent genera and species groups are tested. The results set the stage for more in-depth analysis of these taxa; the formal classification will require significant revision. This work is part of the ongoing Platygastroidea Planetary Biodiversity Inventory.