MORPHOLOGICAL AND CHEMICAL DIFFERENCES BETWEEN THE ECTOPARASITOIDS EUPLECTRUS-COMSTOCKII AND E-PLATHYPENAE (HYMENOPTERA, EULOPHIDAE)

Several traits have been examined for use as reliable determinants to distinguish species of the genus Euplectrus. Coloration and formation of the clypeus, head measurements, facial setae, and wing venation wer e insufficient for differentiating species of four laboratory colonies . The pattern of sensory pores on the male scape proved to be the most reliable morphological distinction between E. comstockii Howard and E . plathypenae Howard. Cuticular hydrocarbon analyses and comparison of any one of four allozyme loci (PGM-1, GOT-1, MDH-1, and Est-4) could also distinguish species. Determination of species differences using t he patterns of sensory pores, cuticular hydrocarbons, or allozyme patt erns concurred with results of mating studies. Chemical analyses provi de promising methods of species recognition that are rapidly executed on a single specimen and yield easily interpreted results.