Taxonomic reappraisal of the enigmatic genus Propalachia Bouček (Hymenoptera: Torymidae)―the first confirmed association with mantid oothecae and a new species from southern India

Publication Type

Journal Article

Journal Name

Zootaxa

Publication Date

12-10-2025

Abstract

A new species of the enigmatic Old World genus Propalachia Bouček (Hymenoptera: Torymidae: Toryminae), Propalachia odontomantiphaga Binoy & Sureshan, sp. nov., is herein described from South India. Recovered from the oothecae of Odontomantis pulchra (Fabricius, 1787) (Mantodea: Hymenopodidae), P. odontomantiphaga represents the first valid host-association report for the genus and is the fourth species recorded worldwide. Detailed morphological analyses, including measurements of key diagnostic characters and comparison with type specimens of the three previously described species, reveal a unique combination of features that warrant its designation as a new species. The exceptionally low parasitisation rate (<6%) observed in random collections is discussed in relation to the rarity of the genus. Additionally, P. infumata Bouček, previously known only from Zimbabwe and South Africa, is newly recorded from Kenya, extending the known distribution of the genus in Africa. A review of the world species of Propalachia is provided, together with remarks on the ecological implications of the newly discovered host association.

Keywords

host association, Odontomantis, Oriental region, Propalachiini, taxonomy

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