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ISSN : 1225-0171(Print)
ISSN : 2287-545X(Online)
Korean Journal of Applied Entomology Vol.65 No.3 pp.293-296
DOI : https://doi.org/10.5656/KSAE.2026.08.0.008

A New Record of Pteromalus quadridentatus Gibson, 2024 (Hymenoptera: Pteromalidae) from South Korea

Jaehyeon Lee1, E. V. Tselikh2, Deok-Seo Ku3, Wonhoon Lee1,4*
1Department of Plant Medicine, Gyeongsang National University, Jinju 52828, Korea
2Zoological Institute, Russian Academy of Sciences, St. Petersburg 199034, Russia
3The Science Museum of Natural Enemies, Geochang 50147, Korea
4Institute of Agriculture & Life Science, Gyeongsang National University, Jinju 52828, Korea
*Corresponding author:wonhoon@gnu.ac.kr
February 11, 2026 August 4, 2026 August 14, 2026

Abstract


Pteromalus quadridentatus Gibson, 2024, is newly recorded from South Korea. Diagnostic characters of the species are briefly described and illustrated to facilitate identification.


Pteromalus quadridentatus , Pteromalidae , new record , South Korea

한국 미기록종 Pteromalus quadridentatus Gibson, 2024 (Hymenoptera: Pteromalidae)의 보고

이재현1, E. V. Tselikh2, 구덕서3, 이원훈1,4*
1경상국립대학교 농업생명과학대학 식물의학과
2러시아 과학아카데미 동물학연구소
3천적생태과학관
4경상국립대학교 농업생명과학연구원

초록


Pteromalus quadridentatus Gibson, 2024를 한국에서 처음으로 보고한다. 본 종의 동정을 용이하게 하기 위해 주요 진단 형질을 간략히 기술하고 도해하였다.


Pteromalus quadridentatus , 금좀벌과 , 미기록종 , 한국

    The family Pteromalidae (Hymenoptera: Chalcidoidea) is one of the largest and most diverse families of chalcidoid wasps, comprising more than 3,500 described species worldwide (Noyes, 2022). Members of this family exhibit a wide range of biological habits, and many species play important ecological roles as parasitoids of various insect groups (Gibson, 1997). Despite their ecological significance, the fauna of Pteromalidae in South Korea remains insufficiently studied, and additional species records continue to be reported through recent faunistic surveys.

    The genus Pteromalus is a cosmopolitan and taxonomically complex group currently comprising 493 valid species worldwide (Bouček and Rasplus, 1991;Gibson, 2003;Burks et al., 2022). Species of Pteromalus are primarily known as parasitoids of the orders Diptera, Coleoptera, and Lepidoptera, and several species have been investigated for their potential use in biological control programs (Askew and Shaw, 1986;Noyes, 2022). However, species-level identification within the genus is often difficult due to subtle morphological differences, which may contribute to an underestimation of regional species diversity. In South Korea, only six species of Pteromalus have been recorded to date (P. berylli Walker, P. chlorospilus (Walker), P. intermedius (Walker), P. semotus (Walker), P. puparum (Linnaeus), and P. cardui (Erdös)).

    In the present study, Pteromalus quadridentatus Gibson, 2024 is recorded from South Korea for the first time. Diagnostic morphological characters are provided along with illustrations to facilitate accurate identification. This new record contributes to a better understanding of the diversity and distribution of Pteromalidae in Korea and provides baseline data for future faunistic and taxonomic studies.

    Materials and Methods

    Specimens were collected by sweep netting. Morphological characters were examined and photographed using a Leica M205 stereomicroscope.

    Morphological terminology, including sculpture and wing venation nomenclature, follows Bouček and Rasplus (1991), Gibson (1997), and Burks et al. (2022). The antennal flagellum consists of two anelli, a funicle comprising six funicular segments, and a clava.

    Measurements of the scape were taken excluding the radicle, while the pedicel was measured in lateral view. The distance between the clypeus and toruli was measured from the lower margin of the toruli. Eye height was measured as the maximum diameter, and eye length as the minimum diameter. Measurements of the mesosoma and metasoma were taken in lateral view, with the metasoma measured inclusive of the ovipositor sheaths.

    Taxonomic Accounts

    Family Pteromalidae Dalman, 1820

    Subfamily Pteromalinae Dalman, 1820

    Genus Pteromalus Swederus, 1795

    Pteromalus quadridentatus Gibson, 2024 네톱니금좀벌 (신칭) (Fig. 1)

    Pteromalus quadridentatus Gibson, 2024: 225‒236.

    Male. The examined Korean specimen agrees with the diagnostic features of Pteromalus quadridentatus given by Gibson et al. (2024). Both mandibles bear four teeth, resulting in a 4:4 mandibular formula. POL is more than 1.6× OOL. Sculpture of the lower face adjacent to the clypeus differs distinctly from that of the parascrobal region. The scape is elongate and extends above the level of the anterior ocellus, and the funicular segments are longer than wide. The gaster bears a distinct yellow band subbasally.

    Head. Similar in structure to female, but with sculpture lateral to clypeus more distinctly strigose. Antenna with two anelli, six funicular segments, and a three-segmented clava; funicular segments usually elongate, giving the flagellum a filiform appearance, though more clavate in smaller individuals. Mandibles with four teeth each (4:4 mandibular formula) and separated from the head capsule by a distinct membranous region.

    Mesosoma. Similar to female in sculpture and setation; mesoscutum slightly longer than scutellum. Fore wing with postmarginal vein longer than stigmal vein. Propodeum generally similar to female, but lateral panels more frequently with median carina reaching the nucha. Gaster in dorsal view more ovate to subcircular, reflecting secondary sexual differences.

    Specimen examined. Republic of Korea, Jeju-do, Seogwipo-si, Sanbangsan, 12.ix.2024, 1 ♂, sweep net, coll. J. H. Lee; GNU.

    Host. The species has been reported in association with Anthonomus rubi (Herbst) (Coleoptera: Curculionidae) (Gibson et al., 2024).

    Distribution. South Korea (new record), Canada and the United States (north of Mexico) (Gibson et al., 2024). Although Pteromalus quadridentatus was previously known only from North America, its known host, Anthonomus rubi, has a broad Eurasian distribution (Tonina et al., 2021). Therefore, the present Korean record suggests that the distribution of P. quadridentatus may be broader than previously recognized. However, additional specimens and records are required to clarify its geographic distribution and host association in East Asia.

    Key to the Korean species of Pteromalus Swederus, 1795

    The following key was constructed based on diagnostic characters provided by Graham (1969), Klimmek and Baur (2018), and Gibson et al. (2024), together with published records of Korean Pteromalus.

    • 1. Both mandibles with four teeth (4:4 mandibular formula) ··· 2

    • - Left mandible with three teeth and right mandible with four teeth (3:4 mandibular formula) ··· 3

    • 2. Male with POL more than 1.6× OOL; sculpture of lower face adjacent to clypeus distinctly different from that of parascrobal region; gaster usually with a conspicuous subbasal yellow band ··· P. quadridentatus Gibson

    • - Male with POL and OOL of similar length; lower face mostly meshlike-reticulate and similar to parascrobal region except immediately adjacent to clypeus; gaster entirely dark ··· P. puparum (Linnaeus)

    • 3. Lower margin of antennal toruli distinctly above lower ocular line; anterior margin of clypeus moderately incised; fore-wing costal setal line usually interrupted medially; posterior plicae of propodeum strongly convergent ··· 4

    • - Characters not in the above combination ··· 6

    • 4. Pronotal collar about one-fifth as long as mesoscutum and usually elevated anteriorly; clypeal emargination broad and smooth; paraspiracular inclination blunt; area below propodeal foramen without pit but with median fissure ··· P. intermedius (Walker)

    • - Pronotal collar shorter; clypeal emargination not with the above combination ··· 5

    • 5. Propodeum with distinct transverse costula; head, mesosoma, metasoma and coxae metallic green; legs predominantly yellow ··· P. cardui (Erdös)

    • - Propodeum without a distinct transverse costula; not possessing the above combination of colour and propodeal characters ··· P. berylli Walker

    • 6. Propodeum relatively long, approximately one-half as long as scutellum; funicular segments longer than broad; gaster elongate-lanceolate ··· P. chlorospilus (Walker)

    • - Propodeum shorter; gaster elongate and distinctly acuminate; femora partly infuscate ··· P. semotus (Walker)

    Acknowledgements

    This study was supported by 2024 Cultural Heritage Smart Preservation & Utilization R&D Program by Cultural Heritage Administration, National Research Institute of Cultural Heritage (Project Number: RS-2024-00398914). This study was also supported by a grant from the Honam National Institute of Biological Resources (HNIBR), funded by the Ministry of Climate, Energy and Environment (MCEE) of Republic of Korea (HNIBR2026-A-2-04).

    Statements for Authorship Position & Contribution

    • Lee, J.: Gyeongsang National University, Student in Ph.D; Designed the research, wrote the manuscript, Collected and examined specimens

    • Tselikh, E.V.: Russian Academy of Sciences, Researcher, Ph.D; Collected and examined specimens

    • Ku, D.-S.: The Science Museum of Natural Enemies, Researcher, Ph.D; Collected and examined specimens

    • Lee, W.: Gyeongsang National University, Professor, Ph.D; Examined specimens and designed the research

    All authors read and approved the manuscript.

    Figure

    KJAE-65-3-293_F1.jpg

    Pteromalus quadridentatus. A, habitus, dorsal view; B, head, frontal view; C, head, dorsal view; D, fore wing; E, antenna.

    Table

    Reference

    1. Askew, R.R.,Shaw, M.R. ( 1986). Parasitoid communities: their size, structure and development . In: Waage, J.,Greathead, D. (Eds.), Insect parasitoids. Academic Press, London, pp. 225-264.
    2. Bouček, Z.,Rasplus, J.-Y. ( 1991). Illustrated key to West-Palaearctic genera of Pteromalidae (Hymenoptera: Chalcidoidea). Institut National de la Recherche Agronomique (INRA), Paris, 140 pp.
    3. Burks, R.A.,Mitroiu, M.-D.,Fusu, L.,Heraty, J.M.,Janšta, P.,Peters, R.S.,Woolley, J.B. ( 2022). Towards a stable classification of Pteromalidae (Hymenoptera: Chalcidoidea): phylogenetic analysis of molecular and morphological data . Zootaxa, 5125, 1-113.
    4. Gibson, G.A.P. ( 1997). Morphology and terminology . In: Gibson, G.A.P.,Huber, J.T.,Woolley, J.B. (Eds.), Annotated keys to the genera of Nearctic Chalcidoidea (Hymenoptera). NRC Research Press, Ottawa, pp. 16-44.
    5. Gibson, G.A.P. ( 2003). Phylogenetics and classification of Chalcidoidea and Mymarommatoidea (Hymenoptera) . Zool. J. Linn. Soc.137, 1-58.
    6. Gibson, G.A.P.,Uriel, Y.,Sherwood, J.,Abram, P.K.,Gariepy, T.D.,Zhang, Y.M.,Baur, H.,Gates, M.,Franklin, M.T. ( 2024). The species of Pteromalus Swederus in America north of Mexico with a 4:4 mandibular formula, and description of a potential biocontrol agent of the introduced pest Anthonomus rubi (Herbst) (Coleoptera: Curculionidae) . Zootaxa5501, 201-236.
    7. Graham, M.W.R. de V. ( 1969). The Pteromalidae of north-western Europe (Hymenoptera: Chalcidoidea) . Bulletin of the British Museum (Natural History) (Entomology), Supplement 16, 1-908.
    8. Klimmek, F.,Baur, H. ( 2018). An interactive key to Central European species of the Pteromalus albipennis species group and other species of the genus (Hymenoptera: Chalcidoidea: Pteromalidae), with the description of a new species . Biodivers. Data J.6, e27722.
    9. Noyes, J.S. ( 2022). Universal Chalcidoidea Database. World Wide Web electronic publication.https://www.nhm.ac.uk/our-science/data/chalcidoids/database/(accessed on 11 February, 2026).
    10. Tonina, L.,Zanettin, G.,Miorelli, P.,Puppato, S.,Cuthbertson, A.G.S.,Grassi, A., 2021. Anthonomus rubi on strawberry fruit: Its biology, ecology, damage, and control from an IPM perspective . Insects12, 701.

    Vol. 40 No. 4 (2022.12)

    Journal Abbreviation Korean J. Appl. Entomol.
    Frequency Quarterly
    Doi Prefix 10.5656/KSAE
    Year of Launching 1962
    Publisher Korean Society of Applied Entomology
    Indexed/Tracked/Covered By