Eretmocerus iulii Laudonia et Melone sp. n.: parasitoid associated with Aleurocanthus spiniferus

A meticulous study has led to description and identification of a novel member of the aphelinid genus Eretmocerus as a species associated with nymphs of the orange spiny whitefly, Aleurocanthus spiniferus (Quaintance) (Hemiptera Aleyrodidae). The detailed morphological analysis of the parasitoid has revealed distinctive characteristics that differentiate it from known species within the genus. Molecular analysis has been conducted to provide additional evidence to the morphological analyses. Molecular data obtained from DNA sequencing of the mitochondrial COI and 28S ribosomal genes has been compared with sequences from existing databases, revealing a genetic divergence from other available Eretmocerus species and genetically defining the studied entity. The integrated methodology employed in this study enabled the delineation of a new species within the Eretmocerus serius Silvestri group, Eretmocerus iulii Laudonia et Melone sp. n. (Hymenoptera Aphelinidae).