Updated checklist, dubious and erroneous records of Trichogramma species (Hymenoptera: Trichogrammatidae) in South America

Taxonomic studies of the genus Trichogramma have advanced since the 1970s, mainly due to the use of reliable morphological characters, based on male genital capsule, for species identification. Here, we discus the Trichogramma species that actually occur in South America, and also the dubious or erroneous records of species, which should not be considered present in the South American countries. We found that 70 species are recorded in South America, of which 46 correspond to correctly identified species and 24 are dubious or erroneous species records. Most of the species (44) belong to the subgenus Trichogramma, and only two species to the subgenus Vanlisus. In the first part, we listed the 46 species of Trichogramma, focusing on taxonomic information, including type material, type locality, insect hosts, and geographical distribution, based on bibliographic references, to confirm if the species was correctly identified. Thus, we gathered information scattered throughout the literature on taxonomic studies, including descriptions, identification keys, checklists, morphological, morphometric and molecular studies. In the second part, we discussed dubious and erroneous records of 24 species of Trichogramma in South America based on extensive literature review, taking into account that the identification of Trichogramma species was clarified in the 1970s. There are no voucher specimens available to verify the identification of the introduced species in South America. Nevertheless, based on extensive literature review, it was possible to reliably confirm whether a species was misidentified or not established in a South American country. Although these records of Trichogramma species are clearly dubious or erroneous, they have been cataloged and discussed in several publications. To avoid incorrect records, an introduced species should be considered present in a country only after releases and field recoveries. Among the introduced species in South America, only T. pintoi Voegelé was established in Peru.