Towards the conservation of parasitoid wasp species in Canada: Preliminary assessment of Microgastrinae (Hymenoptera: Braconidae)

Abstract This paper is the first to consider braconid parasitoid wasps in conservation efforts in Canada. Out of the 28 genera of the subfamily Microgastrinae (Hymenoptera: Braconidae) present in the country, 13 genera were studied and 16 species were identified as potential candidates to be included in the Species Candidate Lists of COSEWIC (The Committee on the Status of Endangered Wildlife in Canada). For every selected species a brief summary of its broad geographical distribution is provided, with detailed and in many cases new information of its distribution and collecting dates in Canada, hosts (Lepidoptera) if known, and color pictures of all wasp species. A preliminary assessment is made using Prioritization Criteria developed by COSEWIC, and some general recommendations are made based in those analyses.


Introduction
The parasitoid wasps (Hymenoptera) have been considered as a keystone group that has a disproportionately large role in maintaining the diversity of other animals and plants (LaSalle and Gauld 1993). This is mainly a result of the profound and often highly specialized interactions between them and other organisms (particularly plants and other insects), as well as their inherent contribution to biodiversity by being a large and ramified group (Shaw and Hochberg 2001). In spite of its importance, parasitoid wasps have rarely been considered in conservation biology efforts. For example, there are no parasitoid wasps among the 302 species of Hymenoptera included in The IUCN Red List of Threatened Species (http://www.iucnredlist.org/). Very few countries have provided information or strategies to be used in species conservation of parasitoid wasps (e.g. Söderman et al. 2010, Hansen et al. 2010, Ward et al. 2012).
The Committee on the Status of Endangered Wildlife in Canada (COSEWIC, http:// www.cosewic.gc.ca/) exists to provide advice regarding the status of wildlife species that are nationally at risk of extinction or extirpation. Its committee of experts assesses and designates which wildlife species are in some danger of disappearing from the national territory. As part of its work, COSEWIC produces a Species Candidate Lists based on Prioritization Criteria (http://www.cosewic.gc.ca/eng/sct3/index_e.cfm#p1). There has never been a species of braconid parasitoid wasp being considered by COSEWIC, mostly because lack of available information about any potential species to be considered. This paper is an effort to provide new and/or updated information about species of Microgastrinae wasps (Hymenoptera: Braconidae) with potential to be considered by COSEWIC to be included in future Species Candidate Lists. Microgastrinae is one of the most diverse and important groups of parasitoids wasps (Yu et al. 2012, Whitfield 1995, Rodriguez et al. 2013).

Materials and methods
This paper is mostly based on the study of specimens from the Canadian National Collection of Insects (CNC). In a few cases, examination of photographs and distribution records of specimens deposited in the Biodiversity Institute of Ontario (BIO) was done by accessing public data available in the Barcode of Life Data Systems (http:// www.boldsystems.org/). are 194 described species of Microgastrinae in Canada (Fernandez-Triana 2010, Yu et al. 2012).
For every selected species, a brief summary of its broad geographical distribution is provided, with detailed and in many cases new information of its distribution and collecting dates in Canada, hosts (Lepidoptera) if known, and color pictures of the wasp species. A preliminary assessment is then made using the prioritization criteria developed by COSEWIC (http://www.cosewic.gc.ca/eng/sct0/appdx_e1_2_e.cfm): Proportion of the species global range in Canada, Details on existing global conservation status, Canadian population size and trends, Threats, Small extent of occurrence or area of occupancy are also discussed. That information is provided to comply with COSEWIC standards when considering potential candidate species. Meeting the COSEWIC criteria allows a species to be evaluated and eventually incorporated to the COSEWIC Species Candidate Lists -and once in those lists, the species can be studied further and considered for the IUCN Red List of Threatened Species, if applicable.
Most of the photos were taken with a Keyence VHX-1000 Digital Microscope, using a lens with a range of 13-130 ×. Some of the species were photographed with a Canon EOS 60D with MPE-65 lenses (aperture: 4.0, ISO: 100, CR2 format images), and a 600EX-RT Speedlight (manual) flash; the camera was mounted on a Kaiser copy stand with a Zstepper (Stackshot) to allow for taking of multiple images. Multiple images through the focal plane were taken of a structure and these were combined to produce a single in-focus image. For the pictures taken with the Canon camera, the Zerene Stacker program (http:// zerenesystems.com/cms/stacker) was used; the software associated with the Keyence System produced the focused images taken with that camera.
Maps with the distribution in Canada of all species were generated using SimpleMappr (http://www.simplemappr.net/).   Alphomelon winniewertzae, specimen deposited the CNC with code "DNA Voucher CNCHYM 00025".

Taxon treatments
(Lepidoptera: Hesperidae). Based on the information available, A. winniewertzae could be distributed in Canada in an area between the rivers Ottawa and Saint Lawrence (44-45°N, 77-78°W). That represents less than 5% of the global range of the species. Alphomelon is mostly a Neotropical genus, with only three species reaching the Nearctic (mostly southern and eastern US), and A. winniewertzae is the only known in Canada and the northenmost species of the genus.

Conservation
Assessment using the prioritization criteria developed by COSEWIC. Existing global conservation status: None (species is not listed on Natureserve nor has it been assigned a Canadian national conservation status rank). Canadian population size and trends: No information on population size is available. Threats: Residential and commercial development -high (most of the areas where the species occur in Canada are already heavily populated); Agriculture and aquaculture -unknown; Human intrusions and disturbance -medium; Natural system modifications -high (alteration of the natural areas currently protected would likely extirpate the species from Canada); Invasive and other problematic species and genes -unknown but likely low, unless another wasp species parasitizing the same host would be introduced (and then competing for the same host, an scenario not likely to occur); Climate change and severe weather -unknown but likely low (climate change increasing the temperatures would not affect much the presence of this species in Canada, because it is already distributed in warmer areas). Small extent of occurrence or area of occupancy: Recorded from two localities in Canada. Limiting biological factors: Unknown.

Conservation
Assessment using the prioritization criteria developed by COSEWIC. Existing global conservation status: None (species is not listed on Natureserve nor has it been assigned a Canadian national conservation status rank). Canadian population size and trends: No information on population size is available. Threats: Residential and commercial development -medium to high (some of the areas where the species occur in Canada are already heavily populated); Agriculture and aquacultureunknown; Human intrusions and disturbance -medium; Natural system modificationshigh (alteration of the natural areas currently protected would likely extirpate the species from Canada); Invasive and other problematic species and genes -unknown but likely low, unless another wasp species parasitizing the same host would be introduced (and then competing for the same host, an scenario not likely to occur); Climate change and severe weather -unknown but likely low (climate change increasing the temperatures would not affect much the presence of this species in Canada, because it is already distributed in warmer areas). Small extent of occurrence or area of occupancy: Recorded from a few localities in southern Ontario. Limiting biological factors: Unknown.   Clarkinella canadensis, holotype specimen deposited in the CNC.

Clarkinella canadensis
This species was described from a single female from Canada (Ontario, Ottawa, holotype deposited in the CNC). Fernandez-Triana 2010 mentioned two additional specimens from the same locality, without giving more details. Here complete information of those records is provided for the first time. The new data confirms the current presence of C. canadensis in Canada, so far only known from a single locality (100% of the global range of the species). Clarkinella is mostly a Neotropical genus, with only C. canadensis reaching the Nearctic, and no more species expected from North America (Fernandez-Triana 2010, Whitfield 1995. Nothing is known about the hosts caterpillars parasitized by this braconid wasp.

Conservation
Assessment using the prioritization criteria developed by COSEWIC. Existing global conservation status: None (species is not listed on Natureserve nor has it been assigned a Canadian national conservation status rank). Canadian population size and trends: No information on population size is available, but the only known specimens are all from a single locality, and have been repeatedly collected over a span of 50 years, usually during late July (but with one record from early September). Threats: Residential and commercial development -high (the single area where the species occurs in Canada is already heavily populated); Agriculture and aquacultureunknown; Human intrusions and disturbance -medium; Natural system modificationshigh (alteration of the area would likely extirpate the species from Canada); Invasive and other problematic species and genes -unknown but likely low, unless another wasp species parasitizing the same host would be introduced (and then competing for the same host, an scenario not likely to occur); Climate change and severe weatherunknown. Small extent of occurrence or area of occupancy: Recorded from one locality in Canada (the only locality known for the species). Limiting biological factors: Unknown. This species is rather widely distributed in western North America from Mexico to British Columbia, with most of the records from California, United States (Whitfield andOltra-Moscardo 2004, Whitfield 1985). It is only know in Canada from one female specimen (British Columbia, specimen deposited in the CNC), by far the northernmost record, and representing less than 5% of the global range of the species. It has been reared from two species of Bucculatrix (Lepidoptera: Bucculatrigidae) feeding on plants of Artemisia spp., Baccharis pilularis, and Iva axillaris (information summarized in Yu et al. 2012).  Deuterixys pacifica, specimen deposited in the CNC with code "DNA Voucher CNCHYM 00751".

Conservation
Assessment using the prioritization criteria developed by COSEWIC. Existing global conservation status: None (species is not listed on Natureserve nor has it been assigned a Canadian national conservation status rank). Canadian population size and trends: No information on population size is available. Threats: Residential and commercial development -high (the single area where the species occur in Canada is populated); Agriculture and aquaculture -unknown; Human intrusions and disturbance -medium; Natural system modifications -high (alteration of the area would likely extirpate the species from Canada); Invasive and other problematic species and genes -unknown but likely low, unless another wasp species parasitizing the same host would be introduced (and then competing for the same host, an scenario not likely to occur); Climate change and severe weather -unknown but likely low (climate change increasing the temperatures would not affect much the presence of this species in Canada, because it is already distributed in warmer areas). Small extent of occurrence or area of occupancy: Recorded from one locality in Canada. Limiting biological factors: Probably none.  This species is distributed in central and eastern United States (Yu et al. 2012). Fernandez-Triana 2010 recorded the species as also present in the province of Ontario, without giving more details. Here complete information of that specimen is provided for the first time (Ontario, Thamesville, one female deposited in the CNC). This represent the northernmost record and less than 5% of the global range of the species. Diolcogaster garmani has been recorded as a parasitoid of Ogdoconta cinereola (Lepidoptera: Noctuidae) in the United States (information summarized in Yu et al. 2012).

Conservation
Assessment using the prioritization criteria developed by COSEWIC. Existing global conservation status: None (species is not listed on Natureserve nor has it been assigned a Canadian national conservation status rank). Canadian population size and trends: No information on population size is available. Threats: Residential and commercial development -high (the single area where the species occurs in Canada is already heavily populated); Agriculture and aquaculture -unknown; Human intrusions and disturbance -medium; Natural system modifications -high (alteration of the area would likely extirpate the species from Canada); Invasive and other problematic species and genes -unknown but likely low, unless another wasp species parasitizing the same host would be introduced (and then competing for the same host, an scenario not likely to occur); Climate change and severe weather -unknown but likely low (climate change increasing the temperatures would not affect much the presence of this species in Canada, because it is already distributed in warmer areas). Small extent of occurrence or area of occupancy: Recorded from one locality in Canada. Limiting biological factors: Host distribution (limited to southern Ontario and Quebec) may affect the distribution of the wasp in Canada. Diolcogaster garmani, specimen deposited in the CNC with code "DNA Voucher CNCHYM 00832".
Towards the conservation of parasitoid wasp species in Canada: Preliminary ...

Conservation
Assessment using the prioritization criteria developed by COSEWIC. Existing global conservation status: None (species is not listed on Natureserve nor has it been assigned a Canadian national conservation status rank). Canadian population size and trends: No information on population size is available. Threats: Residential and commercial development -low (the single area where the species occurs in Canada has some degree of protection); Agriculture and aquaculture -low; Human intrusions and disturbance -high (the park where the species occurs has a relative heavy load of visitors); Natural system modifications -high (alteration of the natural area currently protected would likely extirpate the species from Canada); Invasive and other problematic species and genes -unknown but likely medium; Climate change and severe weather -unknown but likely to be high. Small extent of occurrence or area of occupancy: Recorded from one locality in Canada (the only locality known for the species). Limiting biological factors: Unknown.

Conservation
Assessment using the prioritization criteria developed by COSEWIC. Existing global conservation status: None (species is not listed on Natureserve nor has it been assigned a Canadian national conservation status rank). Canadian population size and trends: No information on population size is available. Threats: Residential and commercial development -medium to high (the single area where the species occurs is populated); Agriculture and aquaculture -unknown; Human intrusions and disturbance -medium; Natural system modifications -high (alteration of the area would likely extirpate the species from Canada); Invasive and other problematic species and genes -unknown but likely low, unless another wasp species parasitizing the same host would be introduced (and then competing for the same host, an scenario not likely to occur); Climate change and severe weather -unknown. Small extent of occurrence or area of occupancy: Recorded from one locality in Canada (the only locality known for the species). Limiting biological factors: Unknown.   Lathrapanteles heleios, holotype specimen deposited in the CNC.

Lathrapanteles heleios
garden, and Leeds-Grenville County forest). Altogether, 43 specimens are deposited in the CNC, comprising 100% of the global range of the species. The genus Lathrapanteles has three described species in the Nearctic and one in the Neotropics, but L. heleios is the only Canadian endemic, and the species with the most restricted distribution within the genus. Nothing is known about the hosts caterpillars parasitized by this braconid wasp.

Conservation
Assessment using the prioritization criteria developed by COSEWIC. Existing global conservation status: None (species is not listed on Natureserve nor has it been assigned a Canadian national conservation status rank). Canadian population size and trends: No information on population size is available, but the species has been collected over a span of 33 years, usually on early July (but ranging from June to early October). Threats: Residential and commercial development -medium to high (some of the areas where the species occur in Canada are already heavily populated); Agriculture and aquaculture -unknown; Human intrusions and disturbance -medium; Natural system modifications -high (alteration of the natural areas currently protected would likely extirpate the species from Canada); Invasive and other problematic species and genes -unknown but likely low, unless another wasp species parasitizing the same host would be introduced (and then competing for the same host, an scenario not likely to occur); Climate change and severe weather -unknown. Small extent of occurrence or area of occupancy: Recorded from a few localities in southern Ontario. Limiting biological factors: Unknown.

Distribution of Microgaster deductor in Canada.
Towards the conservation of parasitoid wasp species in Canada: Preliminary ...

The distribution and other data about this species was revised and updated recently by
Fernandez-Triana 2014. It is of interest because some partial evidence suggests that the species might be shifting towards northern localities, although more study is necessary. Nothing is known about the hosts caterpillars parasitized by this braconid wasp.

Assessment using the prioritization criteria developed by COSEWIC.
Existing global conservation status: None (species is not listed on Natureserve nor has it been assigned a Canadian national conservation status rank). Canadian population size and trends: No information on population size is available. Threats: Residential and commercial development -low (areas where the species occur in Canada are not heavily populated); Agriculture and aquaculture -unknown; Human intrusions and disturbance -medium; Natural system modifications -high (alteration of the natural areas currently protected would likely extirpate the species from Canada); Invasive and other problematic species and genes -unknown but likely medium; Climate change and severe weather -likely to be high (Fernandez-Triana 2014). Small extent of occurrence or area of occupancy: Recorded from two localities in Canada. Limiting biological factors: Unknown.

Notes
Materials: see Fernandez-Triana 2014. Microgaster deductor, photos from two specimens deposited in the CNC.   Paroplitis beringianus, holotype specimen deposited in the CNC. This species is rather widely distributed in central and eastern United States (Yu et al. 2012), with only a few specimens from Canada being recently reported by Fernandez-Triana 2010. The Canadian specimens (Ontario, Metcalfe and Stitsville, all specimens deposited in the CNC) comprise less than 5% of the global range of the species and the northernmost limit. It has been reported as a parasitoid of two species of Condica (Lepidoptera: Noctuidae) (information summarized in Yu et al. 2012).

Assessment using the prioritization criteria developed by COSEWIC.
Existing global conservation status: None (species is not listed on Natureserve nor has it been  Protomicroplitis calliptera, specimens deposited in the CNC. Towards the conservation of parasitoid wasp species in Canada: Preliminary ... assigned a Canadian national conservation status rank). Canadian population size and trends: No information on population size is available. Threats: Residential and commercial development -medium to high (the areas where the species occur in Canada are already heavily populated); Agriculture and aquaculture -unknown; Human intrusions and disturbance -medium; Natural system modifications -high (alteration of the areas would likely extirpate the species from Canada); Invasive and other problematic species and genes -unknown but likely low, unless another wasp species parasitizing the same host would be introduced (and then competing for the same host, an scenario not likely to occur); Climate change and severe weatherunknown but likely low (climate change increasing the temperatures would not affect much the presence of this species in Canada, because it is already distributed in warmer areas). Small extent of occurrence or area of occupancy: Recorded from two nearby localities in Canada. Limiting biological factors: Host distribution (limited to southern Ontario) may affect the distribution of the wasp in Canada.  Creek by Mallorytown, County Road 5, specimens deposited in BIO). With the new data, the known distribution of the species is slightly expanded, but still remains an endemic species from southern Ontario (43-46°N and 74-80°W), Canada comprising 100% of the global range for the species. P. gouleti is the northernmost known species of the genus Pseudapanteles, and has been reported by Fernandez-Triana 2010 as a parasitoid of Paraclemensia acerifoliella (Lepidoptera: Incurvariidae).

Conservation
Assessment using the prioritization criteria developed by COSEWIC. Existing global conservation status: None (species is not listed on Natureserve nor has it been assigned a Canadian national conservation status rank). Canadian population size and trends: No information on population size is available, but the species has been collected over a span of 60 years between mid July to August (with one record on early September). Threats: Residential and commercial development -medium to high (the areas where the species occur are already heavily populated); Agriculture and aquaculture -unknown; Human intrusions and disturbance -medium; Natural system modifications -high (alteration of the areas would likely extirpate the species from Canada); Invasive and other problematic species and genes -unknown but likely low, unless another wasp species parasitizing the same host would be introduced (and then competing for the same host, an scenario not likely to occur); Climate change and severe weather -unknown. Small extent of occurrence or area of occupancy: Figure 24.
Towards the conservation of parasitoid wasp species in Canada: Preliminary ...
Recorded from a few localities in Canada. Limiting biological factors: Host distribution (limited to southeastern Canada) may affect the distribution of the wasp in the country.   This species is distributed in southern and eastern United States (Yu et al. 2012). Fernandez-Triana 2010 mentioned the species from Canada (Ontario, Niagara Falls), without giving more details. Here complete information of those records is provided for the first time (two specimens deposited in the CNC). The Canadian specimens comprise less than 20% of the global range for the species and the northernmost limit. It has been reported as a parasitoid of Synanthedon scitula (Lepidoptera: Sesiidae) (information summarized in Yu et al. 2012).

Conservation
Assessment using the prioritization criteria developed by COSEWIC. Existing global conservation status: None (species is not listed on Natureserve nor has it been assigned a Canadian national conservation status rank). Canadian population size and trends: No information on population size is available. Threats: Residential and commercial development -high (the areas where the species occur are already heavily populated); Agriculture and aquaculture -medium; Human intrusions and disturbance -high; Natural system modifications -high (alteration of the areas would likely extirpate the species from Canada); Invasive and other problematic species and genes -unknown but likely low, unless another wasp species parasitizing the same host would be introduced (and then competing for the same host, an scenario not likely to occur); Climate change and severe weather -unknown but likely low (climate change increasing the temperatures would not affect much the presence of this species in Canada, because it is already distributed in warmer areas). Small extent of occurrence or area of occupancy: Recorded from one locality in Canada. Limiting biological factors: Host distribution (limited to southeastern Canada) may affect the distribution of the wasp in the country. This species is widely distributed in the New World, from Brazil to Canada (Yu et al. 2012Mason 1981, Mason 1981. Here new localities and collecting dates are provided  for 20 Canadian specimens deposited in the CNC (Ontario, Simcoe, Vineland, Chambers Corner, Courtland, Rondeau Provincial Park, St. Williams, Saint Lawrence National Park, Thwartway Island; Manitoba, Delta). Canada comprises less than 20% of the global range for the species and the northernmost limit. It has been reported as a parasitoid of several species in the genera Chionodes and Dichomeris (Lepidoptera: Gelechiidae) (information summarized in Yu et al. 2012).

Conservation
Assessment using the prioritization criteria developed by COSEWIC. Existing global conservation status: None (species is not listed on Natureserve nor has it been assigned a Canadian national conservation status rank). Canadian population size and trends: No information on population size is available, but specimens have been collected between June and August (although no specimen has been collected since 1976). Threats: Residential and commercial development -medium to high (some of the areas where the species occur are already heavily populated); Agriculture and aquaculture -unknown; Human intrusions and disturbance -medium; Natural system modifications -high (alteration of the areas would likely extirpate the species from Canada); Invasive and other problematic species and genes -unknown but likely low, unless another wasp species parasitizing the same host would be introduced (and then competing for the same host, an scenario not likely to occur); Climate change and severe weather -unknown but likely low (climate change increasing the temperatures would not affect much the presence of this species in Canada, because it is already distributed in warmer areas). Small extent of occurrence or area of occupancy: None. Limiting biological factors: Unknown.

Conservation
Assessment using the prioritization criteria developed by COSEWIC. Existing global conservation status: None (species is not listed on Natureserve nor has it been assigned a Canadian national conservation status rank). Canadian population size and trends: No information on population size is available, although the species has been repeatedly collected over a span of 75 years, from mid August to early September. Threats: Residential and commercial development -medium to high (some of the areas where the species occur in Canada are already heavily populated); Agriculture and aquaculture -unknown; Human intrusions and disturbance -medium; Natural system modifications -high (alteration of the natural areas currently protected would likely extirpate the species from Canada); Invasive and other problematic species and genes -unknown but likely low, unless another wasp species parasitizing the same host would be introduced (and then competing for the same host, an scenario not likely to occur); Climate change and severe weather -unknown. This species was described by Mason 1981 and considered to be widely distributed in the Nearctic. However, a recent revision of the species combining molecular, biological and geographical data (Fernandez-Triana 2010) found that the species is restricted to western North America. The specimens from eastern Canada mentioned in Yu et al. 2012 actually represent V. heberti (see above for details on that species). Here complete details on the localities where Canadian specimens of V. pinicola were collected are reported for the first time (Alberta, Banff National Park, Mount Eisenhower, Johnston Canyon; British Columbia, Langford, Robson, Hixon, Victoria;  Yukon Territory, Pelly Crossing; all specimens deposited in the CNC). Venanus pinicola has been reported by Fernandez-Triana 2010 as a parasitoid of Coleotechnites milleri and C. starki (Lepidoptera: Gelechiidae).

Conservation
Assessment using the prioritization criteria developed by COSEWIC. Existing global conservation status: None (species is not listed on Natureserve nor has it been assigned a Canadian national conservation status rank). Canadian population size and trends: No information on population size is available, although the species has been repeatedly collected over a span of 50 years, between July and August. Threats: Residential and commercial development -medium to high (some of the areas where the species occur in Canada are already heavily populated); Agriculture and aquaculture -unknown; Human intrusions and disturbance -medium; Natural system modifications -high (alteration of the natural areas currently protected would likely extirpate the species from Canada); Invasive and other problematic species and genes -unknown but likely low, unless another wasp species parasitizing the same host would be introduced (and then competing for the same host, an scenario not likely to occur); Climate change and severe weather -unknown but likely low (climate change increasing the temperatures would not affect much the presence of this species in Canada, because it is already distributed in warmer areas). Small extent of occurrence or area of occupancy: Recorded from a few localities in western Canada. Limiting biological factors: Unknown.

Discussion
This paper is the first to consider braconid parasitoid wasps in conservations efforts in Canada. Out of the 28 genera of the subfamily Microgastrinae (Hymenoptera: Braconidae) present in the country, 13 genera and close to 80 species were studied, and 16 species were identified as potential candidates to be included in the Species Candidate Lists of COSEWIC. As such it is just a preliminary effort, to be expanded with more studies in the near future. Based on the analyses made, some recommendations and comments are provided below.

•
Because of the relationship that any microgastrine wasp has with its lepidopteran host(s), it will be important to link future conservation efforts with studies done within Lepidoptera. This is an opportunity to work together on the biological and ecological sides of both host and parasitoid species. For example, search for parasitoid wasps can be conducted by rearing caterpillars (e.g. Janzen et al. 2009). • Several of the species of microgastrine wasps dealt with in this paper are found in protected areas. Having those species added to COSEWIC lists will also increase the profile of those particular protected areas. • A significant number of the species were collected in or nearby Ottawa. This is a collecting artifact (due to the continue presence of entomologists in the Canadian capital for more than 150 years), but it actually provides an opportunity to explore further the population dynamics of some of those species. Two ideal candidates would be Lathrapanteles heleios and Pseudapanteles gouleti. • At least one species (Microgaster deductor) might be linked to climate change (Fernandez-Triana 2014), although the current information is not enough to conclude on this matter. • Two of the species mentioned in this paper (Distatrix carolinae and Exix columbica) are only known from one specimen, in both cases collected 50-60 years ago. Both might be rare species, or be already extinct, but more collecting effort in the type localities will be needed.