Revision of the coffee berry borer ectoparasitoid genus Prorops (Hymenoptera: Bethylidae), with insights into functional morphology linked to host exploitation

SummaryProrops Waterston, 1923 (Bethylidae, Scleroderminae) is revised, resulting in the recognition of 14 species. This includes nine previously described ones: P. impotens Waichert & Azevedo, 2012, P. mandibularis Lim, 2011, P. maya Honsberger, Lorenzo-Elarco & Magnacca, 2024, P. nasuta Waterston, 1923, P. obsoleta Evans, 1977, P. petila Evans, 1977, P. rakan Terayama, 2006, P. sparsa Waichert & Azevedo, 2012 and P. umiehu Honsberger, Lorenzo-Elarco & Magnacca, 2024. In addition, five new species are described and illustrated: P. blasa n. sp. from Malaysia and Thailand, P. drava n. sp. from the Solomon Islands, P. tintica n. sp. from Vietnam and Thailand, P. vina n. sp. and P. xista n. sp., both from Thailand. An amended diagnosis of the genus is provided, along with a detailed discussion of the morphological diagnostic characters of both the genus and its species. A taxonomic key to all species is included. We further propose that the distinct frontal projection, a consistent and diagnostic structure throughout the genus, represents a functional adaptation linked to host exploitation, with potential ecological and evolutionary implications. This revision offers an integrated morphological framework, and advances our understanding of the taxonomy, biogeography, and functional traits of Prorops.