Xanthopimpla stemmator (Thunberg, 1824)

(Figs 21 g)

Habropimpla sesamiae Rao, 1953: 166; Ichneumon stemmator Thunberg, 1824: 313; Pimpla integrata Smith, 1860: 140; Xanthopimpla bimaculata Cameron, 1906c: 116; Xanthopimpla doleschali Krieger, 1915: 4; Xanthopimpla facialis Szépligeti, 1908b: 256; Xanthopimpla maculifrons Cameron, 1903: 138; Xanthopimpla nursei Cameron, 1907: 592; Xanthopimpla thoracalis Krieger, 1899: 95; Xanthopimpla transfuga Krieger, 1915: 10

Diagnosis. This is the only Xanthopimpla species reported in Reunion. Xanthopimpla species are bright yellow usually with black spots or bands. The position of the black spots on meso- and metasoma is a rather reliable characteristic for the specific determination of X. stemmator .

Description. Townes & Chiu (1970).

Host records. Parasitoid of numerous Pyraloidea (more than 30 host species reported), including many stem borers of cultivated Poaceae like Chilo, Sesamia and Procerata spp.

Comments. Xanthopimpla is a very large genus, with nearly 100 species reported within the studied area. In particular, 21 other species are known in Madagascar and Mauritius and might possibly be found to occur in Reunion. The precise determination of X. stemmator therefore requires further examination.

Distribution records. India, South Eastern Asia, Japan, Indonesia, Phillipines. Introduced into South Africa, Madagascar, Mauritius and Reunion (Kfir et al. 2002).

Material examined. 1Ƥ St André, I.2010, leg. D. Pastou; 1Ƥ St Pierre / Ligne Paradis, alt. 170m, VII.2006, leg. P. Rousse; 13 St Louis / Le Gol, alt. 20m, IV.2003, leg. P. Rousse; 1Ƥ (MHNSD 2818), locality and date of collection unknown.