ABSTRACT Genitalia are rich source of characters in insect taxonomy. Usually, they are examined after dissection and cleaning with potassium hydroxide (KOH), procedure that may damage both genital morphological structures and intracellular molecular contents. Enzymatic procedure with Proteinase K has been used to clean muscle off the genitalia while extract DNA, but its damage to the genital structures has not been evaluated. Herein, we qualitatively compare the use of KOH and Proteinase K to prepare genital structures in minute insects (Hymenoptera: Bethylidae). We show that Proteinase K is better to preserve the genital structure and provides quality DNA.

ABSTRACT It is difficult to make reliable sex associations in several species of Hymenoptera due to sexual dimorphism. Only a few species of the flat wasp genus Dissomphalus Ashmead, 1893 have had their sexes associated, since females are rarely collected and differ morphologically from their conspecific males. Collecting couples during their phoretic copula is difficult, but it is the most reliable way to associate the sexes in Dissomphalus . Herein, we associate the sexes and discuss the mating system based on couples of six Dissomphalus species collected during copulation: D. bisserratus Azevedo, 1999, D. connubialis Evans, 1966, D. rettenmeyeri Evans, 1964, D. simulatus (Evans, 1969), comb. nov., D. mendicus Evans, 1969, and D. firmus Redighieri & Azevedo, 2006. The females of the latter three are described for the first time. The distribution of two species is expanded. Apenesia simulata Evans, 1969 is transferred to Dissomphalus and is now D. simulatus comb. nov. Finally, we briefly discuss the genital structures used during phoretic copulation, analyzing the male and female genitalia in copulation. During copulation, the mating female is attached to the male only by the genitalia and is apparently grasped by muscles attached to the male's metasoma.

A new stalk-eyed wasp Axima nordestina sp. n. is described from the Northeastern Brazilian savannah. Axima nordestina is the fourth species of stalk-eyed wasps (A. noyesi species group) and the second one known from Brazil. The head morphology of A. nordestina appears less derived than in the other known species. An updated key of the A. noyesi species group is provided.

Laelius Ashmead includes 54 known nominal species worldwide. We present a revision of the Neotropical species of Laelius and provide keys for the identification of males and females of these species. We propose fourteen nomenclatural changes and additions. For the Neotropics, seven new species from Brazil are described and illustrated: Laelius arryni sp. nov. which has clypeus bearing median lobe with apical margin straight; propodeal disc with inner discal carina complete; aedeagus with apical lobes touching each other and inner margin with hook-shaped process, L. baratheoni sp. nov. which has propodeal disc with second pair of discal carinae incomplete; genitalia with paramere wing-shaped; with long setae around the margin and cuspis wide, L. lannisteri sp. nov. which has median lobe of clypeus with apical margin straight; mesopleuron with mesopleural suture distinct; genitalia with paramere slender and angled, cuspis wide, L. martelli sp. nov. which has pronotum with series of foveae posteriorly; genitalia with paramere slender and placed dorsally, aedeagus not reaching apex of paramere, L. targaryeni sp. nov. which has head with clypeus wide and with apical margin rounded; propodeal disc without longitudinal ridge between median and inner discal carinae; forewing with r-rs & Rs longer than Rs+M, L. tullyi sp. nov. which has head densely punctate; pronotal disc, mesoscutum and mesoscutellum rugulose; mesopleuron with mesopleural suture not fused with posterior fovea, L. starki sp. nov. which has mesoscutellar sulcus straight; mesopleuron with all foveae closed; genitalia with paramere club-shaped and with aedeagus wide. For the Nearctic region, Laelius areolatus (Rosmann & Azevedo, 2005) is a new junior synonym of Laelius pedatus (Say, 1836) and lectotypes for L. rufipes Ashmead, 1893, L. nigripilosus Ashmead, 1893, L. tricarinatus Ashmead, 1893, L. trogodermatis Ashmaed, 1893, and Mesitius nigripilosus Ashmead, 1895 are designated. We also propose the name Laelius billi Barbosa & Azevedo nom. nov. for Mesitius nigripilosus Ashmead, 1895 and re-erect Laelius huachucae (Evans, 1965) from L. nigripilosus (Ashmead, 1895). As result, Laelius now includes 61 species, 15 of which are from the Neotropical region.

A new subfamily, a new genus and a new species of Bethylidae are described and illustrated from a single individual in Early Cretaceous amber from central Lebanon. Lancepyrinae subfam. nov. represented by Lancepyris opertus gen. and sp. nov. present a mosaic of features common among several bethylid subfamilies. The new taxon is easily distinguished from related taxa mainly by the forewing venation, which has an unusual combination of closed lanceolate marginal cell, Rs+M tubular and well pigmented and M+RS angled. Phylogenetic analysis including indicates that Lancepyris opertus gen. and sp. nov. is a sister group of all subfamilies that have Coleoptera as hosts. A checklist of the 45 known fossil bethylid species is provided.

São descritas e ilustradas duas espécies: Apenesia quelata sp. nov. e A. trivisa sp. nov. São fornecidos registros geográficos novos e dados sobre variações morfoestruturais de A. membranaceus Lanes & Azevedo, 2004, A. paraensis Kieffer, 1910, A. quadrata Evans, 1963, A. serrulata Azevedo & Batista, 2002 e A. williamsi Evans, 1966. Duas espécies são sinonimizadas: A. laticeps Evans, 1963 como sinônimo júnior de A. quadrata Evans, 1963; A. truncaticeps (Kieffer, 1910) como sinônimo júnior de A. paraensis Kieffer, 1910. A fêmea de A. quadrata é descrita e ilustrada pela primeira vez. É fornecida chave de identificação para as espécies do grupo nitida, baseada em machos.

Two species are described and illustrated: Apenesia quelata sp. nov. and A. trivisa sp. nov. New geographic records and data on morphostructural variation of A. membranaceus Lanes & Azevedo, 2004, A. paraensis Kieffer, 1910, A. quadrata Evans, 1963, A. serrulata Azevedo & Batista, 2002, e A. williamsi Evans, 1966 are provided. Two species are synonymyzed: A. laticeps Evans, 1963 as junior synonym of A. quadrata Evans, 1963; A. truncaticeps (Kieffer, 1910) as junior synonym of A. paraensis Kieffer, 1910. The female of A. quadrata is described and illustrated for the first time. Key to the species of the nitida species-group based on males is provided.

Pseudisobrachium é um gênero de Bethylidae pouco estudado na região Neotropical, embora seja um dos mais abundantes em coletas e museus. Há 19 espécies de Pseudisobrachium citadas para a Mata Atlântica Brasileira até o momento. Material de 45 localidades da Mata Atlântica Brasileira foi estudado e foram investigados 134 caracteres. Foram reconhecidas 48 espécies, 17 previamente descritas (P. amplum Waichert & Azevedo, 2004; P. apenesoides Waichert & Azevedo, 2004; P. castaneiceps Evans, 1966; P. corvinum Evans, 1969; P. cuspidatum Waichert & Azevedo, 2004; P. filum Waichert & Azevedo, 2004; P. formosum Waichert & Azevedo, 2004; P. intentum Waichert & Azevedo, 2004; P. latum Waichert & Azevedo, 2004; P. magnum Waichert & Azevedo, 2004; P. opimum Waichert & Azevedo, 2004; P. optimum Evans, 1964; P. plaumanni Evans, 1964; P. rotundum Waichert & Azevedo, 2004; P. steinbachi Evans, 1966; P. triacutum Waichert & Azevedo, 2004 e P. ventriosum Waichert & Azevedo, 2004) e 31 descritas como novas para a ciência.

Pseudisobrachium is a poorly studied Neotropical bethylid genus, although it is one of the most abundant in field collections and museums. Hitherto, there are 19 species of Pseudisobrachium recorded from the Brazilian Atlantic Rain Forest. Material of 45 sites from Brazilian Atlantic rain forest was examined. A total of 134 characters was investigated. Forty eight species were recognized, 17 previously known (P. amplum Waichert & Azevedo, 2004; P. apenesoides Waichert & Azevedo, 2004; P. castaneiceps Evans, 1966; P. corvinum Evans, 1969; P. cuspidatum Waichert & Azevedo, 2004; P. filum Waichert & Azevedo, 2004; P. formosum Waichert & Azevedo, 2004; P. intentum Waichert & Azevedo, 2004; P. latum Waichert & Azevedo, 2004; P. magnum Waichert & Azevedo, 2004; P. opimum Waichert & Azevedo, 2004; P. optimum Evans, 1964; P. plaumanni Evans, 1964; P. rotundum Waichert & Azevedo, 2004; P. steinbachi Evans, 1966; P. triacutum Waichert & Azevedo, 2004 and P. ventriosum Waichert & Azevedo, 2004) and 31 were described as new to science.

Melanepyris Kieffer, 1913 was proposed to accommodate a single species of Epyris Westwood, 1832, E. imicola Kieffer, 1913, mainly based on the absence of the posterior propodeal carina. Today, Melanepyris includes only two nominal species. The type-material of these species has been considered lost since their original description. In this study, the single known adult male (holotype) of Melanepyris asiaticus Kieffer, 1922 from the Philippines has been rediscovered, redescribed and illustrated. Melanepyris asiaticus is transferred to Epyris Westwood due to the following features: scutellar groove absent, well separated scutellar pits and lower mesopleural fovea large and with undefined upper margin. We checked the original description of M. imicola and concluded that it also fits the definition of Epyris perfectly, except for the (described) absence of a posterior carina. However, the thickness of the posterior carina of the propodeal disc varies within species of different Epyrinae genera. The diagnostic characters used by Kieffer to create Melanepyris and other genera from Epyris are briefly discussed. Melanepyris is proposed as a new junior synonym of Epyris, with the transfer of M. imicola to Epyris.

No município de Iranduba, Estado do Amazonas - Brasil há grande consumo de madeira pelas comunidades locais para fabricação de carvão, e pelas olarias na queima para produção de tijolos. Diante deste panorama, a EMBRAPA vem desenvolvendo um projeto visando implementar plantios nas comunidades deste município. Neste contexto, o presente trabalho tem como objetivo avaliar as espécies Acacia auriculiformis (exótica) e Ormosia paraensis (nativa) a partir das variáveis dendrométricas, determinação da densidade básica, poder calorífico e análise imediata. O experimento foi implantado na Estação Experimental da EMBRAPA no município de Iranduba. O delineamento foi em blocos ao acaso com três repetições perfazendo um total de 6 parcelas compostas de 25 plantas cada. Foram retiradas cinco árvores dentre as nove centrais da área útil. Destas foram retirados os discos com 5cm espessura e desdobrados em corpos de prova para determinar a densidade básica e demais testes. Foi efetuada a análise de variância e teste de Tukey a 5% de probabilidade para todos os testes realizados. A A. auriculiformis (23,61cm-15,90m) superou a O. paraensis (7,26 cm-7,06 m) em diâmetro a altura, respectivamente. As espécies mostraram densidade média, onde A. auriculiformis (0,63 g/cm³) superou a O. paraensis (0,55 g/cm³). O potencial calorífico encontrado para A. auriculiformis (4383,65 kcal/kg) foi superior estatisticamente ao encontrado na O. paraensis (4381,24 kcal/kg). Na análise imediata a A. auriculiformis superou a O. paraensis, mas foi inferior em carbono fixo. Os resultados conduzem ao emprego das duas espécies para plantio por apresentarem-se promissoras para o cultivo e uso final como fonte energética proposto no trabalho.

At the municipality of Iranduba, in the state of Amazonas, there is a high consumption of wood by the local communities, for both charcoal production and to burn for producing bricks. As a result, EMBRAPA has developed a project to grow trees at Iranduba's communities. So, the goal of this study was to evaluate the species Acacia auriculiformis (exotic) and Ormosia paraensis (native) by dendrometric variables, basic density, heating power and immediate analysis, through an experiment at Estação Experimental da EMBRAPA, in Iranduba. The experimental design was by random blocks with three repetitions, in a total of six parcels with 25 plants each. Five trees were taken out of the nine middle trees of the useful area. Discs 5 cm thick were taken from those trees and turned into proof bodies in order to determine the basic density and other tests. Analysis of variance and Tuckey tests, at 5% probability, were performed. A. auriculiformis (23,61 cm -15,90 m) was larger than O. paraensis (7,26 cm-7,06m) in diameter and height, respectively. Both species presented medium density, but A. auriculiformis (0,63 g/cm³) had greater values than O. paraensis (0,55 g/cm³). The heating potential of A. auriculiformis (4383,65 kcal/kg) was statistically higher than that of O. paraensis (4381,24 kcal/kg). For the immediate analysis A. auriculiformis showed greater values than O. paraensis, but presented lower values for fixed carbon. The results of this study showed that both species can be grown and used as proposed.

Solepyris Azevedo é um gênero neotropical raramente coletado. O gênero é reconhecido dentre os gêneros de Sclerodermini por possuir a nervação das asas anteriores com apenas uma célula fechada grande. É descrita e ilustrada uma segunda espécie, Solepyris montuosus, sp. nov., do Brasil. Esta espécie é caracterizada por possuir a nervura radial da asa anterior longa. É incluída uma diagnose emendada de Solepyris unicus Azevedo. Foi fornecida uma chave para as duas espécies de Solepyris.

Solepyris Azevedo is a rarely collected Neotropical genus. It is differentiated from other Sclerodermini genera by having the fore wing venation with a single large closed cell and currently is monotypic containing S. unicus Azevedo. A second species, Solepyris montuosus, sp. nov., from Brazil is described and illustrated. This new species is diagnosed by having radial vein of the fore wing long. An amended diagnosis of Solepyris unicus Azevedo is included. A key for the two species of Solepyris is provided.

Atualmente é difícil reconhecer a identidade de muitas espécies neotropicais de Pseudisobrachium Kieffer, 1904, principalmente por que as descrições e ilustrações disponíveis não são suficientes para permitir identificações precisas. Para resolver este problema, foram examinadas 115 espécies válidas, além de seus sinônimos juniores. Foram realizados doze atos nomenclaturais, e reconhecidas 110 espécies válidas para a região Neotropical. Foram designados dois lectótipos: Pristocera crassicornis Westwood and Pristocera haemorrhoidalis Westwood. Foram propostas sete sinonímias novas para espécies: Pseudisobrachium retusum Evans syn. nov. de P. pauxillum Evans; P. cunco Perez syn. nov. de P. erythrocephalum Evans; P. navajo Evans, P. rectangulatum Evans, P. emarginatum Evans e P. foutsi Evans syn. nov. de P. flavinervis Fouts; P. acuminatum Waichert & Azevedo syn. nov. de P. latum Waichert & Azevedo. Foi proposta a seguinte sinonímia nova para gênero: Parisobrachium Kieffer syn. nov. de Dissomphalus Ashmead. Foi estabelecida a seguinte combinação nova e revalidado o nome: Dissomphalus albipes (Kieffer) comb. nov. e nom. rev. de Pseudisobrachium paraguayense Kieffer.

The identity of many Neotropical species of Pseudisobrachium Kieffer, 1904 is currently unreachable, mostly because the available descriptions and illustrations are not sufficiently accurate to allow precise identifications. To help solve the problem, 115 valid species and their junior synonyms were examined. Twelve nomenclatural acts are made, and 110 valid species are recognized for the Neotropical region. Two lectotypes are designated: Pristocera crassicornis Westwood and Pristocera haemorrhoidalis Westwood. Seven new species-group synonyms are proposed: Pseudisobrachium retusum Evans syn. nov. for P. pauxillum Evans; P. cunco Perez syn. nov. for P. erythrocephalum Evans; P. navajo Evans, P. rectangulatum Evans, P. emarginatum Evans and P. foutsi Evans syn. nov. for P. flavinervis Fouts; P. acuminatum Waichert & Azevedo syn. nov. for P. latum Waichert & Azevedo. The following new genus-group synonym is established: Parisobrachium Kieffer syn. nov. for Dissomphalus Ashmead. The following new combination and reinstated name are proposed: Dissomphalus albipes (Kieffer) comb. nov. and nom. rev. from Pseudisobrachium paraguayense Kieffer.

Espécies do gênero Neotropical Alongatepyris Azevedo são raramente coletadas. O gênero é reconhecido dentre os Sclerodermini por possuir o corpo extremamente achatado e a célula submediana da asa anterior pequena e completamente fechada. É descrita e ilustrada uma segunda espécie, Alongatepyris ingens sp. nov. da Colômbia. Esta espécie é caracterizada por não possuir a nervura radial da asa anterior. É apresentada uma diagnose de A. platunissimus Azevedo, 1992. É apresentada uma chave para as espécies do gênero.

Species of the Neotropical Alongatepyris Azevedo are rarely collected. It is recognized among Sclerodermini genera by having the body extremely flattened and the submedian cell of the fore wing small and completely closed. Originally monotypic, a second species, A. ingens sp. nov. from Colombia, is described and illustrated. This species is characterized by the absence of the radial vein of the fore wing. A diagnosis of A. platunissimus Azevedo, 1992 is presented and both species are compared. A key to species Alongatepyris is provided.

Foram estudadas as espécies de Anisepyris Kieffer, 1905, coletadas em 31 localidades ao longo da Mata Atlântica Brasileira. Foram descritas e ilustradas as seguintes espécies novas: A. basilongus Santos sp. nov., A. foveapertus Santos sp. nov., A. artus Santos sp. nov., A. basilargus Santos sp. nov., A. cepus Santos sp. nov. e A. ramosus Santos sp. nov.. Foram examinados espécimes adicionais de dezesseis espécies previamente descritas: A. amazonicus Westwood, 1874, A. bifidus Evans, 1966, A. bipartitus Santos & Azevedo, 2000, A. delicatus Evans, 1966, A. dentatus Santos & Azevedo, 2000, A. divisus Santos, 2002, A. inconspicuus Santos, 2002, A. lobatus Santos & Azevedo, 2000, A. longimerus Santos & Azevedo, 2000, A. nigripes Evans, 1966, A. proteus Evans, 1966, A. rotundus Santos, 2002, A. similis Santos & Azevedo, 2000, A. triangularis Moreira & Azevedo, 2003, A. trinitatis Evans, 1966 e A. tuberosus Santos & Azevedo, 2000, incluindo citações geográficas novas e suas variações taxonômicas, sendo o primeiro registro de A. bipartitus, A. dentatus, A. similis e A. trinitatis para a Mata Atlântica.

Species of Anisepyris Kieffer, 1905, from 31 sites along the Atlantic rain forest were studied. A. basilongus Santos sp. nov., A. foveapertus Santos sp. nov., A. artus Santos sp. nov., A. basilargus Santos sp. nov., A. cepus Santos sp. nov. and A. ramosus Santos sp. nov. were described and illustrated. Sixteen previously described species were analyzed and had their distribution broadened: A. amazonicus Westwood, 1874, A. bifidus Evans, 1966, A. bipartitus Santos & Azevedo, 2000, A. delicatus Evans, 1966, A. dentatus Santos & Azevedo, 2000, A. divisus Santos, 2002, A. inconspicuus Santos, 2002, A. lobatus Santos & Azevedo, 2000, A. longimerus Santos & Azevedo, 2000, A. nigripes Evans, 1966, A. proteus Evans, 1966, A. rotundus Santos, 2002, A. similis Santos & Azevedo, 2000, A. triangularis Moreira & Azevedo, 2003, A. trinitatis Evans, 1966 and A. tuberosus Santos & Azevedo, 2000. Anisepyris bipartitus, A. dentatus, A. similis and A. trinitatis are recorded for the first time from the Atlantic rain forest.

Estudou-se a riqueza e abundância de gêneros de Bethylidae coletados em quatro áreas de mata de encosta da Mata Atlântica do Espírito Santo, com estados de preservação diferentes: Santa Maria de Jetibá (SMJ), Domingos Martins (DM), Pancas (P) e Atílio Vivácqua (AV). Foram coletados 2.840 espécimes alocados em 12 gêneros, sendo Lepidosternopsis Ogloblin e Bakeriella Kieffer citados pela primeira vez para esse estado. A riqueza dos táxons foi obtida através do procedimento Jackknife com auxílio do programa EstimateS. Curvas de acumulação de gêneros foram construídas para avaliar o esforço amostral. Os dados se ajustaram à distribuição geométrica e calculou-se o parâmetro k para comparar as localidades. O perfil genérico não foi equivalente em todas as localidades, e todas foram consideradas perturbadas. SMJ e DM apresentaram riqueza de gêneros maior em comparação com P e AV. As diferenças relatadas neste estudo para as áreas amostradas refletem o grau diferente de preservação das matas. Pseudisobrachium Kieffer e Dissomphalus Ashmead foram os gêneros mais abundantes em SMJ, DM e P e Anisepyris Kieffer em AV. Este estudo reforça o fato de Dissomphalus ser mais abundante em florestas tropicais úmidas e que o perfil genérico encontrado em AV assemelha-se a dados publicados para o cerrado.

The generic richness and abundance of Bethylidae collected in four different hillside areas of Atlantic rain forest from Espírito Santo, Brazil were studied. The sites are Santa Maria de Jetibá (SMJ), Domingos Martins (DM), Pancas (P) and Atílio Vivacqua (AV). A total of 2,840 specimens of 12 genera were collected. Lepidosternopsis Ogloblin and Bakeriella Kieffer are first recorded from the State. Richness of taxa was calculated using first-order Jackknife richness with EstimateS program. Genera accumulation curves were ran to evaluate the samples. Abundance data were adjusted to the geometric distribution. Parameter k was used to compare areas. The generic profile was not equal for the sites we studied. The areas were considered disturbed. SMJ and DM presented genera richness bigger than in P and AV. The differences in the sites reflect the different preservation of each environment. Pseudisobrachium Kieffer and Dissomphalus Ashmead are most dominant genera in SMJ, DM and P, and Anisepyris Kieffer in AV. This study emphasizes the fact of Dissomphalus as the most abundant genus in rain forests. The generic profile found in AV is similar to that of some areas of Brazilian savannah.

Foram estudadas as espécies de Apenesia Westwood, coletadas em 29 localidades ao longo de um gradiente latitudinal na Mata Atlântica. Foram descritas e ilustradas as sete espécies novas seguintes: Apenesia pectinata sp. nov., A. atlantica sp. nov., A. perlonga sp. nov., A. exigua sp. nov., A. patens sp. nov., A. simplex sp. nov., A. hepatica sp. nov.. Foi descoberta e descrita a fêmea de Apenesia elongata Evans, 1963. Foram adicionados registros novos de distribuição geográfica de quatorze espécies previamente descritas: A. apicilata Azevedo & Batista, A. aurita Waichert & Azevedo, A. clypeata Leal & Azevedo, A. concavata Corrêa & Azevedo, A. crenutala (Kieffer), A. distincta Corrêa & Azevedo, A. elongata Evans, A. inca Evans, A. neotropica (Kieffer), A. photophila (Ogloblin), A. quadrata Evans, A. spinipes Evans, A. stricta Corrêa & Azevedo e A. transversa Evans. Apenesia é registrada pela primeira vez para os estados de Paraíba, Pernambuco, Alagoas, Sergipe e Bahia.

Species of Apenesia Westwood, from 29 sites along a latitudinal gradient in the Atlantic rain forest were studied. The following seven new species were described and illustrated: Apenesia pectinata sp. nov., A. atlantica sp. nov., A. perlonga sp. nov., A. exigua sp. nov., A. patens sp. nov., A. simplex sp. nov. and A. hepatica sp. nov. The female of A. elongata Evans was discovered and described. New distribution records are provided for fourteen previously described species: A. apicilata Azevedo & Batista, A. aurita Waichert & Azevedo, A. clypeata Leal & Azevedo, A. concavata Corrêa & Azevedo, A. crenutala (Kieffer), A. distincta Corrêa & Azevedo, A. elongata Evans, A. inca Evans, A. neotropica (Kieffer), A. photophila (Ogloblin), A. quadrata Evans, A. spinipes Evans, A. stricta Corrêa & Azevedo and A. transversa Evans. Apenesia is recorded for the first time from the states of Paraíba, Pernambuco, Alagoas, Sergipe and Bahia.