Aphelinus mali group from China

The species of <i>Aphelinus</i> (Hymenoptera: Aphelinidae) are primary parasitoids of aphids (Hemiptera: Aphididae), playing an important role as biological control agents of aphid pests. The genus currently contains 99 described species. The <i>m</i><i>ali</i>-group is an important taxon within <i>Aphelinus</i>, however, identification of closely related species within the group has been problematic. Zehavi &amp; Rosen (1989) first proposed and defined the <i>m</i><i>ali</i>-group based on characters of the body and leg colour, and, importantly, the fore wing with the linea calva bordered proximally with only one complete row of setae, and open posteriorly. Hopper <i>et al</i>. (2012) redefined the <i>mali-</i>group based on Zehavi &amp; Rosen’s (1989) description, and supported by a combination of six characters. Where we follow Hopper <i>et al</i>. (2012) and summarize the present status of the <i>mali</i>-group. Three new species of the group are described below, and one species is reported new to China. An identification key for fifteen species (excluding two species with inadequate descriptions) of the <i>mali</i>-group is provided.