A new species of Diaspiniphagus (Hymenoptera: Chalcidoidea: Aphelinidae) and key to the Nearctic species

Aphelinidae is a family of parasitoid wasps included in the superfamily Chalcidoidea; it is the family of Hymenoptera with the greatest number of successful cases in biological control, especially in soft scales (Hemiptera: Coccidae), armored scales (Hemiptera: Diaspididae) and whiteflies (Hemiptera: Aleyrodidae). Fourteen genera of Aphelinidae have been recorded in Mexico. Diaspiniphagus Silvestri is an aphelinid genus with nine species at world level; it was recorded from the Mexican Republic in 2017. A new species, Diaspiniphagus mexicanus Myartseva sp. nov., is described and illustrated in this article, it was reared in the State of Tamaulipas from the lac scale Tachardiella mexicana (Craw.) (Hemiptera: Kerriidae) on tenaza Havardia pallens (Benth.) Britton & Rose (fam. Fabaceae) and it is recorded as the first species of Diaspiniphagus attacking this scale and this family. Kerriidae includes the lac scales, about 90 species in nine genera have been described, especially from tropical areas; six species are known in Mexico. A key to the Nearctic species of Diaspiniphagus is presented. Considering the new species, ten species are known from this aphelinid genus.