9521648 Johnson This research involves taxonomic study of several genera in the Scelionidae, a large group of parasitic wasps of demonstrated importance as biological control agents of insect pests and of general evolutionary interest. This group has over 3,000 species described, but the vast majority are either undescribed or unidentifiable. These wasps attack and kill the eggs of other insects and spiders, thus acting as a natural means to keep pest populations at low levels. The project will monograph the taxonomic diversity and relationships of two genera within the family. %%% The project will be an important contribution to our understanding of the taxonomy and systematic biology of scelionid wasps. The results of the study will be published in peer reviewed publications, in addition the character data, the geographic distribution data associated with each specimen, and graphical keys to identification will be stored in electronic form as the work proceeds and then made available on the Internet. Two graduate students will be trained to develop expertise on the systematic biology of these wasps as an integral part of the project.
