A new species of bethylid parasitoid wasp, Goniozus omanensis Polaszek sp. n., is described based on morphology and DNA sequence data. The species is currently known only from the lesser date moth Batrachedra amydraula, a pest of economic importance, but can be reared on two factitious host species. G. omanensis is compared with G. swirskiana, known from the same host in Israel. We summarise current knowledge of G. omanensis lifehistory, and its potential as an agent of biological pest controlinformally as “Goniozus omani” [14] Specimens from Oman were sent to the first author in 2017 and examined morphologically, including the preparation of male genitalia, critical for recognising Goniozus at species-level. The conclusion based on morphology alone was that these specimens belong to an undescribed species, and therefore were not G. swirskiana. The same specimens then underwent a DNA extraction protocol that leaves the sclerotized structures intact, and the resulting DNA sequence data supported the initial conclusion that the specimens belonged to an undescribed species. Here we describe this new species, as Goniozus omanensis Polaszek, both to facilitate future identification, and to provide the formal nomenclature essential to support further work using this parasitoid. We also provide a summary of its currently known biology, and areas for further research.

A new species of bethylid parasitoid wasp, Goniozus omanensis Polaszek sp. n., is described based on morphology and DNA sequence data. The species is currently known only from the lesser date moth Batrachedra amydraula, a pest of economic importance, but can be reared on two factitious host speci...