The first survey for egg parasitoids of native North American lanternflies (Hemiptera: Fulgoridae) reveals two species of Anastatus (Hymenoptera: Eupelmidae)

Biodiversity surveys are essential for discovering species that provide ecosystem services which may assist with sustainable pest management. Surveys were conducted for North American egg parasitoids of native Fulgoridae to detect potential biological control agents for Lycorma delicatula (White, 1845) (Hemiptera: Fulgoridae). Two parasitoid species, Anastatus reduviopsis sp. nov. and A. ruficollis (Cameron, 1905), were collected in Arizona from Scaralina Yanega (Hemiptera: Fulgoridae) eggs, representing the first record of egg parasitoids of native US Fulgoridae and supporting the hypothesis that native Anastatus Motschulsky (Hymenoptera: Eupelmidae) may have biocontrol potential for L. delicatula. Laboratory colonies of A. reduviopsis sp. nov. were established from field-collected parasitoids, and preliminary observations demonstrated successful parasitism of L. delicatula eggs, providing a basis for future evaluation of its potential as a biocontrol agent for this invasive pest. Morphological and molecular analyses confirmed species identities and revealed a close relationship between A. reduviopsis sp. nov. and A. reduvii (Howard, 1880), previously shown to reduce the survival of L. delicatula eggs through parasitism and host-feeding in laboratory trials. Molecular barcodes of three Anastatus, two Merostenus Walker (Hymenoptera: Eupelmidae), and two Scaralina species are provided for the first time, supporting accurate species identifications for future research. By linking taxonomy, ecology, and applied entomology, this research is the first attempt to advance Anastatus taxonomy in North America after nearly 60 years. This work demonstrates that targeted biodiversity surveys can reveal native parasitoids potentially contributing to biotic resistance to invasive pests, thereby emphasizing the value of investing in biodiversity research.