(Platyplectrus)
Examples of groups of insects that are poorly studied abound for the African fauna. Euplectrine wasps (family Eulophidae) are one such group. Euplectrini are easily recognized by the formidable spines on the hind tibiae. In the Afrotropical region the tribe consists of three genera, one of which (Platyplectrus) was studied recently by workers at icipe and Tel Aviv University. Before this study, 11 species were known from the entire Afrotropical region and only a single species had been recorded from Kenya. From the insects collected during icipe’s insect survey and inventory project we identified 18 Platyplectrus species in Kenya, 9 of which are new to science, including the species accompanying this message. These data suggest that East Africa was the centre of speciation of the genus in the Afrotropical region. Little is known about Playplectrus behaviour. Three species have been reared from the moth families Tortricidae, Limacodidae, and Lymantriidae.
Credits: Courtesy of Dr Robert Copeland, icipe