New species and barcode analysis of Bethylus Latreille (Hymenoptera, Bethylidae) from South Korea

For the first time, Bethylus Latreille, the type genus of Bethylidae (Hymenoptera, Chrysidoidea, Bethylinae), is reported from the Korean Peninsula based on the discovery of a new species, Bethylus colligatus sp. nov., which was collected in Gangwon Province near the Demilitarized Zone. This new species is described and illustrated. A phylogenetic analysis was conducted using mitochondrial cytochrome c oxidase subunit I sequences from common Bethylus species to better understand the evolutionary relationships within the genus.

The resulting phylogeny supports the distinction between B. colligatus sp. nov. and other species. Additionally, a key to the species of Bethylus in East Asia is provided.