Entomology, Department of
Department of Entomology: Faculty Publications
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ORCID IDs
https://orcid.org/0000-0001-7825-480X
https://orcid.org/0000-0001-6056-3903
https://orcid.org/0009-0003-2835-3377
https://orcid.org/0000-0003-0299-5569
https://orcid.org/0000-0002-9303-6699
https://orcid.org/0000-0002-2119-4663
https://orcid.org/0000-0002-4711-7455
https://orcid.org/0000-0001-6930-9741
https://orcid.org/0000-0001-7926-9624
https://orcid.org/0000-0003-2623-7834
https://orcid.org/0000-0002-8180-8508
https://orcid.org/0009-0008-2236-6982
Document Type
Manuscript
Date of this Version
6-23-2026
Citation
Nastasi, L. F.; Davis, C. K.; Nieves-Aldrey, J.L.; Smith, C.N.; Van Noort, S.; Murrell, E.G.; Frey, T.S.; Friesen, C.; Hatfield, M.J.; Hines, H.M.; Tooker, J.F. Lost in the weeds no more! Revision of the robust herb gall wasps (Hymenoptera, 2 Cynipidae, Aulacideini) in North America. Preprint. University of Nebraska-Lincoln Digital Commons.
Abstract
We revise the North American fauna of Aulacideini (Hymenoptera: Cynipidae) using morphological, ecological, and genetic (DNA barcode) data, incorporating observations from over 5,000 adult specimens and galls. Prior to revision, the fauna included 24 species in four genera. Six new genera and 25 new species are described, all authored by Nastasi: Argyrix gen. nov., Barathria gen. nov., Cosmita gen. nov., and Ketsia gen. nov., for species previously placed in Antistrophus Walsh; Prixima gen. nov., for a new species inducing galls on Pyrrhopappus DC.; and Tookeria gen. nov., for a new species inducing galls on Silphium L.; Antistrophus frieseni sp. nov., Antistrophus torqueus sp. nov., Argyrix insidia sp. nov., Argyrix laurae sp. nov., Argyrix mathisae sp. nov., Argyrix michaeli sp. nov., Argyrix smithi sp. nov., Aulacidea rachelae sp. nov., Aulacidea wolfeae sp. nov., Barathria sandrae sp. nov., B. sigourneyae sp. nov., Cosmita ametra sp. nov., C. confluenta sp. nov., C. davisi sp. nov., C. freyi sp. nov., C. hatfieldae sp. nov., C. hendersoni sp. nov., C. intrafolia sp. nov., C. murrellae sp. nov., C. perplexa sp. nov., C. russelli sp. nov., C. spiceri sp. nov., C. vandermeeri, sp. nov., Prixima radika sp. nov., and Tookeria chaplini sp. nov. Two new synonymies are proposed: Aulacidea annulata Kinsey, 1920 is a syn. nov. of Aulax tumida Bassett, 1890, and Aulax ambrosiaecola Ashmead, 1896 is a syn. nov. of Aulax harringtoni Ashmead, 1887. The following 10 new combinations are proposed for species formerly placed in Antistrophus: Argyrix microseris (McCracken & Egbert, 1922) comb. nov., Barathria bicolor (Gillette, 1891) comb. nov., B. laciniata (Gillette, 1891) comb. nov., B. silphii (Gillette, 1891) comb. nov., Cosmita jeanae (Tooker & Hanks, 2004) comb. nov., C. laurenae (Nastasi, 2024) comb. nov., C. meganae (Tooker & Hanks, 2004) comb. nov., C. minor (Gillette, 1891) comb. nov., C. rufa (Gillette, 1891) comb. nov., and Ketsia chrysothamni (Beutenmüller, 1908) comb. nov. Lectotypes are designated from syntype series for multiple species. We also propose the vernacular names “robust herb gall wasps” for Aulacideini and “slender herb gall wasps” for Phanacidini. After revision, the North American Aulacideini includes species in ten genera, and the world fauna now includes 119 species in 17 genera. Morphological descriptions of adult insects and galls, diagnoses, and identification keys are provided along with ecological and DNA barcode data. We discuss the implications of our discoveries, especially with regard to emerging trends in ecology and species diversity, and future directions for work on herb gall wasps.
Comments
Copyright, authors, used with permission. Preprint
DISCLAIMER This document contains the exact submitted text and accompanying content of a taxonomic manuscript that is presently under peer review at Proceedings of the Entomological Society of Washington as a candidate for the Memoirs monograph series. This study is not yet published. As a result, taxonomic acts presented in this document, including establishment of new taxa and nomenclatural acts, are not to be considered valid or otherwise representative of established zoological nomina until formal publication in a peer-reviewed outlet in compliance with guidelines for availability put forward by the International Commission on Zoological Nomenclature. This document is provided solely for the purpose of facilitating external review as part of a funding submission to the National Science Foundation.