Cecinothofagus Nieves-Aldrey & Liljeblad (Hymenoptera, Cynipidae) is likely an endoparasitoid of the gall-maker genus Aditrochus Rübsaamen (Hymenoptera, Pteromalidae)

Paraulax Kieffer and Cecinothofagus Nieves-Aldrey & Liljeblad (Cynipidae: Paraulacini) were long supposed to be gall-makers on southern beeches ( Nothofagus , Nothofagaceae). Dissections of galls Blume, suggested that could instead either endoparasitoid or inquiline Aditrochus larva (Chalcidoidea). We sequenced the universal COI barcode Ultra-Conserved Elements (UCEs) from young larvae collected highlighted one them also contained DNA ibarrai Liljeblad. So far, when attributed dissected in early development stages they all only a single no remains other larvae. Conversely, was reared host observed inside larval chamber. Altogether, biological observations molecular results suggest is likely an Adritrochus . This result confirms tribe Paraulacini as being entomophagous supports hypothesis ancestral parasitoid lifestyle for Cynipoidea.