The genus Phanuromyia in the subfamily Telenominae (Hymenoptera: Scelionidae) consists of 60 described species, for which host records indicate they are egg parasitoids of lanternflies and planthoppers (Hemiptera: Auchenorrhyncha). In this study, we describe a new species of the genus, P. ricaniae sp. n., reared from the eggs of a planthopper, Ricania shantungensis Chou Lu (Hemiptera: Ricaniidae). This planthopper has been considered as a serious invasive pest in South Korean agriculture. Ricania shantungensis has a wide host range, including economically important crops such as apple, peach, and pear. Phanuromyia ricaniae therefore has the potential to be a biological control agent against ricaniid planthoppers.
Keywords: Hymenoptera, Biological control, Ricania, Platygastroidea, Phanuromyia.