The invasive Nearctic wasp Isodontia mexicana (Hymenoptera, Sphecidae) now established in Türkiye
Abstract
The genus Isodontia Patton, 1880, consisting of grass-carrying wasps belonging to the family Sphecidae, has 62 described species distributed worldwide. Two are native to the Western Palaearctic and occur in Türkiye: Isodontia paludosa (Rossi, 1790) and Isodontia splendidula (A. Costa, 1858). Isodontia mexicana (de Saussure, 1867) and Isodontia nigella (F. Smith, 1856) are non-native species recorded in the Western Palaearctic. Former is the North American species of the genus, accidentally introduced into Europe and spread to many countries. This study reports for the first-time presence of Isodontia mexicana in Türkiye. The present record from near the western edge of Asia Minor constitutes the second locality where the species was detected in the Asian continent after Iran. Differential morphologic characters for the species are provided and illustrated. This new species record brings the number of Sphecidae fauna of Türkiye to 80.
Keywords
Türkiye, Hymenoptera, Invasive, Isodontia mexicana, New record
Ethical Statement
No approval from the Board of Ethics is required.
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