Journal of Insect Biodiversity and Systematics

Journal of Insect Biodiversity and Systematics

New contribution to the Darwin wasps (Hymenoptera: Ichneumonidae) from Vashlovani National Park, Georgia (Sakartvelo), with description of two new species

Document Type : Full-length Research Article

Authors
1 Blumenlage 22 C D-29683 Bad Fallingbostel, Germany
2 Institute of Entomology, Agricultural University of Georgia, Tbilisi, Georgia
Abstract
During a faunistic and taxonomic survey of Ichneumonidae (Hymenoptera) in Vashlovani National Park, eastern Georgia (Sakartvelo), material collected mainly using Malaise traps was examined. As a result, 127 species belonging to 18 ichneumonid subfamilies were identified, including 30 species recorded for the first time from Georgia and 25 species newly recorded from the Caucasus region. In addition, two new species: Phaenolobus longiterebra Riedel sp. n. and Tycherus parastipator Riedel sp. n. are described based on diagnostic morphological characters. This contribution increases knowledge of the ichneumonid fauna of Vashlovani National Park, Georgia, and the Caucasus, and highlights the importance of the semi–arid and steppe ecosystems of eastern Georgia for parasitoid wasp diversity.

Graphical Abstract

New contribution to the Darwin wasps (Hymenoptera: Ichneumonidae) from Vashlovani National Park, Georgia (Sakartvelo), with description of two new species
Keywords
Subjects

Agency of Protected Areas of Georgia (APA) (2014) Vashlovani Protected Areas Administration. Available from: http://apa.gov.ge/en/ [Accessed January 25, 2026]
Broad, G.R., Shaw, M.R. & Fitton, M.G. (2018) Ichneumonid wasps (Hymenoptera: Ichneumonidae): their Classification and Biology. Handbooks for the Identification of British Insects. Vol 7. Part 12. Royal Entomological Society, London. 418 pp.              https://doi.org/10.1079/9781800625471.0000
Gagnidze, R. (2005) Vascular plants of Georgia: A nomenclatural checklist. Universal, Tbilisi. 247 pp.
Horstmann, K. (1969) Typenrevision der europäischen Arten der Gattung Diadegma Förster (syn. Angitia Holmgren). Beiträge zur Entomologie, 19, 413–472.
Kolarov, J. & Gürbüz, M.F. (2010) A study of Acaenitinae (Hymenoptera: Ichneumonidae) from Turkey, with description of a new species. Entomological News, 121, 53–58. https://doi.org/10.3157/021.121.0110
Penigot, W. & Japoshvili, G. (2025) On the discovery of two new species of the genus Agrypon Foerster (Hymenoptera, Ichneumonidae, Anomaloninae) from Georgia (Sakartvelo). Linzer Biologische Beiträge, 56 (2), 617–626.
Ranin, O. (1983) Über die Artengruppe Tycherus elongatus (Thomson) und nahe Verwandte. Annales Entomologici Fennici, 49, 33–44.
Rasnitsyn, A.P. & Sityan, U.W. (1981) [Subfamily Ichneumoninae]. In: Kasparyan, D.R. (ed.) [Keys of the insects of the European part of USSR. Tom.III Hymenoptera Pars 3]. Leningrad, pp. 506–636. [in Russian]
Riedel, M., Diller, E. & Japoshvili, G. (2018) The Ichneumonid fauna (Hymenoptera: Ichneumonidae) of Lagodekhi Reserve, Sakartvelo (Georgia), with descriptions of four new species. Linzer Biologische Beiträge, 50, 1447–1507.
Riedel, M., Ameri, A., Talebi, A.A. & Ebrahimi, E. (2019) Contribution to the Ichneumonidae (Hymenoptera) of Iran, with descriptions of seven new species. Linzer Biologische Beiträge, 51, 361–390.
Riedel, M. & Japoshvili, G. (2021) New records of Ichneumonidae from Northwestern Sakartvelo (Georgia), with additions to the fauna of Lagodekhi reserve. Linzer Biologische Beiträge, 53, 241–288.
Riedel, M. & Japoshvili, G. (2025) Notes on some Darwin wasps (Hymenoptera: Ichneumonidae), new for the fauna of Sakartvelo (Georgia). Linzer Biologische Beiträge, 57, 311–341.
Riedel, M., Pénigot, W., Schwarz, M., Diller, E., Johansson, N. & Japoshvili, G. (2023) Darwin wasps (Hymenoptera, Ichneumonidae) of the Kintrishi National Park, Sakartvelo (Georgia), with descriptions of six new species. Linzer Biologische Beiträge, 55 (1), 61–153.
Schwarz, M. (2015) Zur Kenntnis paläarktischer Cryptus–Arten (Hymenoptera, Ichneumonidae, Cryptinae). Linzer Biologische Beiträge, 47, 749–896.
Yu, D.S., van Achterberg, C. & Horstmann, K. (2016) World Ichneumonoidea (2015). Taxonomy, biology, morphology and distribution. Taxapad interactive catalogue, Nepean, Ottawa. [database on flash drive]
Volume 12, Issue 2
Spring 2026
Pages 339-358

  • Receive Date 27 January 2026
  • Revise Date 17 February 2026
  • Accept Date 19 February 2026
  • Publish Date 01 June 2026