Encarsia species (Hymenoptera : Aphelinidae) of Australia and the Pacific Islands attacking Bemisia tabaci and Trialeurodes vaporariorum (Hemiptera :Aleyrodidae) - a pictorial key and descriptions of four new species

After the recent introduction of the pest whitefly Bemisia tabaci (Gennadiu s) biotype B into Australia, research was undertaken to study the parasitoi ds of the long established native B. tabaci and Trialeurodes vaporariorum ( Westwood). The genus Encarsia contains species which are important biologic al control agents of whiteflies and hard scales. The taxonomy of the Encars ia species attacking B. tabaci and T. vaporariorum in Australia and the Pac ific Islands is revised. DNA sequencing of the 28S D2 ribosomal DNA was use d to characterize species. Sixteen species are recognized, with 12 occurrin g in Australia, eight in the Pacific region, and four in both regions. All except one species (E. formosa Gahan) are new records for Australia. Four s pecies are described as new from Australia: E. accenta Schmidt & Naumann sp . n., E. adusta Schmidt & Naumann sp. n., E. oakeyensis Schmidt & Naumann s p. n., and E. ustulata Schmidt & Naumann sp. n. Diagnostic descriptions are given for all species and each species is illustrated. A pictorial key is provided to allow the identification of species by non-specialists.