Integrative taxonomy improves understanding of native beneficial fauna: revision of the <scp>N</scp> earctic <i> <scp>P</scp> eristenus pallipes </i> complex ( <scp>H</scp> ymenoptera: <scp>B</scp> raconidae) and implications for release of exotic biocontrol agents

Abstract

Abstract The N earctic P eristenus pallipes complex ( H ymenoptera: B raconidae) consists of two species groups that are further divided into nine species, separated largely using ecological rather than morphological differences. The species are re‐examined with an integrative approach using morphometric multivariate ratios, molecular ( COI and CytB ), and ecological data to test the validity of the nine species. The data support only three valid species [ P . dayi G oulet, P . mellipes ( C resson) and P . howardi S haw] rather than nine. New synonymies include: P . braunae G oulet under P . dayi G oulet 2006 syn.n. ; P . carcamoi G oulet, P . otaniae G oulet and P . pseudopallipes ( L oan) under P . mellipes ( C resson) syn.n. , and finally P . broadbenti G oulet 2006 and P . gillespiei G oulet 2006 under P . howardi S haw 1999 syn.n . In light of these taxonomic revisions, the biology and distributions of the N earctic P . pallipes complex are updated, resulting in three morphologically variable, widespread, multivoltine species rather than nine largely univoltine species with patchy distributions. The integrative taxonomic approach used here allowed for a more accurate delineation of native fauna and their potential to be competitively displaced by foreign biocontrol agents.