The taxonomy and biology of Diadegma chrysostictos (Gmelin) and Diadegma fabricianae sp. n. (Hymenoptera: Ichneumonidae)

A combination of morphological and biological evidence is used to separate two species of Ichneumonidae parasitizing Lepidoptera: Diadegma chrysostictos (Gmelin), a parasitoid of phycitine and galleriine Pyralidae, and Diadegma fabricianae sp.n. which parasitizes the choreutid Anthophila fabriciana (Linnaeus). An inbred laboratory culture of D.chrysostictos was found to be atypical with respect to some character states, illustrating the unsuitability of artificially maintained populations for morpho-taxonomic study. A neotype is designated for Ichneumon chrysostictos Gmelin, 1790.