Daane, K.M., Barzman, M.S., Caltagirone, L.E., & Hagen, K.S. 2000 Metaphycus anneckei and Metaphycus hageni: two discrete species parasitic on black scale, Saissetia oleae.. BioControl 45(3): 269-284.

Notes: Parasitized black scale, Saissetia oleae, were collected from olives (Olea europaea L.) in Spain and from this material an encyrtid parasitoid was reared that is taxonomically similar to Metaphycus anneckei Guerrieri and Noyes. Differences were noted between the Spanish Metaphycus nr. sp. anneckei and material described as M. anneckei that is resident to California. Although dissimilar in few morphological characters, the ovipositor length and shape of the male genitalia and the antennal club of both sexes can be used to discriminate between M. anneckei resident to California and the Spanish material, which was subsequently named Metaphycus hageni Daane and Caltagirone. To determine if morphological differences correspond to biological differences, reproductive and oviposition behaviours of Californian M. anneckei and Spanish M. hageni were studied. Mating was not observed between individuals of the two types and only male progeny were produced in interspecific pairings. Metaphycus anneckei females deposit eggs through the scale‘s ventral side and were never observed to host feed, while M. hageni females oviposit through the scale‘s dorsum and frequently host fed. The collective biological evidence agrees with morphological evidence, indicating that M. anneckei and M. hageni are discrete species. Specimens from recent collections in California and Spain were compared with specimens from earlier collections (1910s to 1980s) in Australia, California, Greece, Hawaii, Italy, Israel, Mexico, and South Africa. With the exception of Greek and Spanish material, all specimens examined were M. anneckei. We discuss the significance of this new information with respect to biological control and provide a key to separate these and other closely related black scale parasitoids.