MORPHOLOGICAL AND ELECTROPHORETIC TAXONOMY OF THE AUSTRALIAN EUCALYPTLEAF-BLISTER SAWFLY GENUS PHYLACTEOPHAGA (HYMENOPTERA, PERGIDAE) - A POTENTIAL MAJOR PEST GROUP OF EUCALYPTS WORLDWIDE

The taxonomic status of Phylacteophaga Froggatt is re-evaluated using the independent techniques of allozyme electrophoresis and detailed mo rphological comparison. Analysis of 45 scorable loci showed highly sig nificant fixed differences (46-51%) among two currently recognized sub species, P. eucalypti eucalypti Froggatt P. e. froggatti Riek, and a p reviously unrecognized taxon from Tasmania, demonstrating that they ar e different species. In addition to colour, significant variation is r evealed among P. e. occidens Benson, P. rubida Riek and the three elec trophoretically defined species, in body size, structure of the antenn ae, the shape of the crest, dorsal spines and saw teeth of the oviposi tor, and in male genitalia. Based on these results there is substantia l justification in recognizing P. occidens and P. rubida as separate s pecies, distinct from P. eucalypti, P. froggatti, and P. amygdalini sp . n. Further, comparison of the holotype of P. e. tasmanica Riek shows it to be conspecific with the lectotype of P. eucalypti (designated h ere) so that the former species is considered a junior synonym. The di stribution of P. eucalypti and P. froggatti is extended to include Tas mania, and a key is presented to distinguish the males and females of all five species. The biology and host plant relations of the species concerned are discussed, along with their pest status and potential to spread to other regions of the world where eucalypts are grown.