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An overview of the family Leucospidae (Hymenoptera, Chalcidoidea) is provided for the leucospid fauna of the Arabian Peninsula. Two genera containing four species are identified based on morphometrics and colour patterns. One species, Leucospis ayezae Usman, Anwar & Ahmad, sp. nov. , is described. Leucospis elegans Klug had been previously recorded from Arabia Felix (= Yemen) and is recorded here for the first time from Saudi Arabia. The status of Leucospis aff. namibica from Yemen has been clarified, and this species is placed here in the genus Micrapion Kriechbaumer as M. clavaforme Steffan. An updated key and a map showing the distribution of the family Leucospidae in the Arabian Peninsula is provided. The occurrence and color morphs of all leucospid species that have been recorded so far from the region are briefly discussed.

The bee genus Pseudoanthidium is represented by nine species in Europe. Of these nine species, Pseudoanthidium nanum is the most widespread, occurs mainly in xerothermic open habitats and creates nests in various cavity types. In this study, we provide information on the nest structure of this species in reed stalks and oak galls and about its parasitic species. We provide the first report of P. nanum as a host of Xylophrurus augustus (Ichneumonidae). The biology of the much rarer related species Pseudoanthidium tenellum is described here for the first time. This species occurs in terrestrial reed beds and wet meadows with the presence of reed galls and flowering plants in the family Asteraceae and is rare throughout its entire distribution area. This species nests inside reed galls induced by Lipara frit flies, and the nest structure is very similar to that of P. nanum . We report new parasitic species of this bee, namely, the cuckoo bee Stelis punctulatissima , the predator-inquiline Gasteruption nigrescens and two parasitoids, Leucospis biguetina and Miltogramma punctata . This bee collects pollen mainly from wetland plants in Bidens and Pulicaria . We also describe mature larvae of both species. The larvae do not differ greatly from one another; only the shape of mandibles and sclerotisation of mouthparts are slightly different. Further research should address the ecological requirements of P. tenellum , a poorly understood reed gall inquiline.

The fauna of Iranian Leucospidae and Tetracampidae (Hymenoptera: Chalcidoidea) is summarized in this paper. A total of six species of Leucospidae (all within the genus Leucospis Fabricius, 1775) and four species of Tetracampidae (within four genera, Epiclerus Haliday, 1844, Foersterella Dalla Torre, 1897, Platynocheilus Westwood, 1837 and Tetracampe Förster, 1841) are listed as the fauna of Iran. Platynocheilus cuprifrons (Nees, 1834) (Tetracampidae) is a new record for the fauna of Iran.

The Chinese fauna of the family Leucospidae (Hymenoptera, Chalcidoidea) is reviewed and illustrated for the first time. Twelve species of Fabricius, 1775 are recorded; of which two species are new to science: and and one species is reported new for China: Illiger, 1807. An identification key to Chinese species is included. A lectotype is designated for Shestakov, 1923.

Dos especies de Leucospis se reportan por primera vez para Colombia Leucospis aliena y Leucospis enderleini. Teniendo en cuenta estos nuevos registros, el número de especies de Leucospis reportadas para el país se eleva a 11. Además se reporta una nueva localidad en Colombia para Leucospis colombiana en el departamento del Magdalena y un registro adicional para Polistomorpha conura en el departamento del Amazonas. Los especímenes se encuentran depositados en la colección entomológica del Museo José Hernández Camacho del Instituto de Investigación de Recursos Biológicos Alexander von Humboldt (IAvH-E), Villa de Leyva (Boyacá, Colombia).

The parasitic behavior of Leucospis cayennensis Westwood, the rates of parasitism and other mortality factors in populations of Centris analis (Fabricius), were studied on the campus of the University of São Paulo, Ribeirão Preto, SP, Brazil, from May 1996 to April 1999. The host species nested in cardboard trap-nests. Parasite activity was monitored throughout the host's nesting periods. The attacks to the nests began from one to five months after the nesting activities of the host had been initiated and ended within one month after nesting activity stopped. The parasites attacked the cells in several ways: 1) ovipositing through the side wall of the nest; 2) by entering the unplugged or abandoned nests and ovipositing through the cell partition of the last constructed brood cell; 3) by breaking through the nest plug, entering the nest and ovipositing through the cell partition or, 4) by trying to reach the host cell by inserting their ovipositor through the nest plug and cell partition. Most attacks were made on cells containing host prepupae or pupae. The eggs were placed inside the host cocoons attached to the lateral wall of the cocoon, to the cellular partition, or on the surface of the host. The total duration from attack to adult emergence took 24 to 56 days for females and 23 to 49 days for males. Leucospis cayennensis was the most destructive enemy of C. analis, accounting for 83.8% and 91.7% of parasitized cells in each year. Coelioxys sp. and Mesocheira bicolor (Fabricius) were the other insect parasites associated with the nests of C. analis.