Metasomal Tergite Research Articles

Leiobracon, a new genus of the subfamily Braconinae (Hymenoptera, Braconidae) from Vietnam

The genus Leiobracon gen. nov. and the type species Leiobracon vietnamicus sp. nov., are described from Vietnam. The new genus differs morphologically from all known braconine genera with bifurcate tarsal claws (Mesobracon group of genera) by having the metasoma smooth, the first metasomal tergite more than 2.6 × longer than wide medially, with its lateral areas largely reduced and without crenulations.

Discovery of a new Pseudalomya Telenga, 1930 (Hymenoptera, Ichneumonidae, Ichneumoninae) species from Taiwan and its implications for the systematic position of this genus

The rare genus Pseudalomya Telenga comprises two species, which are found only in the Eastern Palaearctic region and high mountains of the Oriental region. The phylogenetic position of Pseudalomya remains unclear because of its intermediate morphology between two ichneumonine tribes, Alomyini and Phaeogenini. This article reports the discovery of a new species of Pseudalomya: Pseudalomya truncaticornissp. nov. Specimens were collected during a survey of insect fauna in the Dasyueshan area of Shei-Pa National Park, one of the high-altitude regions in Taiwan. The new species can be diagnosed by its body coloration, frontal horn shape, facial punctures, metasomal tergite sculpture, and wing venation. To the best of our knowledge, this is the first record of Pseudalomya in Taiwan. This article also presents a diagnostic key to the global species of Pseudalomya. In this study, molecular phylogenetic analyses were performed using one mitochondrial and two nuclear gene sequences from P. truncaticornissp. nov. and other members of the Ichneumoniformes group. The results indicate that Pseudalomya should be classified within Phaeogenini, distinct from Alomyini, but more comprehensive phylogenomic studies are needed to confirm this placement.

Priopoda macrophyae (Hymenoptera, Ichneumonidae, Ctenopelmatinae), a new species of parasitoid of Macrophya satoi (Tenthredinidae), a serious pest of Japanese ash tree (Oleaceae).

A new species, Priopoda macrophyae sp. nov., is described. This species is an important parasitoid of a serious pest of Japanese ash (Fraxinus japonica), Macrophya satoi Shinohara & Li, 2015. This species resembles P. otaruensis (Uchida, 1930) in the black colouration of the hind coxa, hind femur, and all metasomal tergites, but can be clearly distinguished by the length of the malar space, the smooth interspace of the punctures on the mesopleuron, the large smooth area of the speculum, the complete and strongly raised propodeal carinae, and the length of the first metasomal tergite. The bionomics of this species is also noted. The host record of this species is also the first record for Asian species of this genus.

New species of the Genus Messatoporus Cushman (Hymenoptera, Ichneumonidae, Cryptinae) from the Neotropical Region.

Three new species of Messatoporus are described and illustrated from Brazil: Messatoporus claretee sp. nov., Messatoporus luizae sp. nov. and Messatoporus suzane sp. nov. The species are characterized by having long mandibles, with dorsal tooth much longer than ventral tooth, propodeum with long transverse striation and first metasomal tergite long with spiracle near the middle.

The identity of Chivinia Shestakov (Hymenoptera: Braconidae, Braconinae), with description of a similar species from the Oriental region.

A peculiar new species from Vietnam (Bracon (Pseudochivinia) tobiasi Long & van Achterberg, sp. nov.) is described and illustrated. It is included in a new subgenus Pseudochivinia Long & van Achterberg, subgen. nov., because it does not fit into the superficially similar subgenus Chivinia Shestakov. The new subgenus shares with Chivinia Shestakov the absence of vein r-m of the fore wing (resulting in the absence of a closed second submarginal cell) but can be distinguished from Chivinia and other subgenera of the genus Bracon Fabricius by the deep and crenulate medio-longitudinal depression of the first metasomal tergite and the different venation. Bracon (Chivinia) zimini Shestakov, 1932 is redescribed and illustrated for the first time.

A new species of Dicaelotus Wesmael (Hymenoptera, Ichneumonidae, Ichneumoninae) parasitizing Asclerobia sinensis (Lepidoptera) in seed pods of Caragana spp.

A new species of Ichneumoninae, Dicaelotus caraganae Sheng & Li, sp. nov.,is described and illustrated. Specimens were reared from the cocoon of Asclerobia sinensis (Caradja, 1937) (Lepidoptera, Pyralidae), from Hangjinqi, Inner Mongolia Autonomous Region, China. The new species is characterized by face very short, median length shorter than clypeus; clypeus 2.9 × as wide as long, apical margin with weak median convex; area basalis of propodeum very short, lateral carinae indistinct; hind coxa partly irregularly black; fourth and subsequent metasomal tergites black. A key to species of Dicaelotus known in China is provided.

A new Darwin wasp genus, Soliga (Hymenoptera: Ichneumonidae: Metopiinae), from India

Metopiinae is a relatively large subfamily of Darwin wasps with a cosmopolitan distribution. Species of this subfamily can be distinguished by a convex, and mostly undivided face and clypeus. Among 113 species in 24 genera of the Oriental region, only 24 species in eight genera are reported from India. Here, we describe and illustrate a new genus, Soliga, based on collections made from the Western Ghats and Eastern Himalayas, two important biodiversity hotspots. The combination of absence of epicnemial carina on dorsolateral part of mesopleuron, absence of propodeal carinae and dorsal carinae of first metasomal tergite differentiates the new genus from other metopiine genera. An illustrated key to the Indo-Australian metopiine genera is provided along with comments on new generic placement and character variability of metopiines.

Genus Diaparsis Förster (Hymenoptera: Ichneumonidae: Tersilochinae) from Madagascar: a review of the species with interstitial vein 2m-cu

Five species of the genus Diaparsis Förster characterized by the fore wing with interstitial vein 2m-cu are found to occur in Madagascar. One species, D. apophis sp. nov., is described as new to science; three species, D. interstitialis Khalaim, 2013, D. inusitata Khalaim, 2013 and D. voluptuosa Khalaim, 2013, are recorded from Madagascar for the first time. Diagnoses, references and general distribution to the five reviewed Madagascar species are given. Partial identification key to the species of Diaparsis occurring in Madagascar is provided.Diaparsis apophis sp. nov. is widely distributed through Madagascar from extreme north to south of the island; it was collected from Diana, Antananarivo, Androy, Analamanga, Vakinankaratra and Vatomandry provinces. The new species is easily distinguished from its Afrotropical congeners by the combination of interstitial vein 2m-cu in the fore wing; first metasomal tergite evenly arcuate in lateral view, round in cross-section centrally and entirely smooth; and black antennal flagellum with 33–37 flagellomeres in female and 30–40 flagellomeres in male. It is a rather large species with body length about 6.8 mm and fore wing length 4.2 mm. The species name derives from Apophis, an Ancient Egyptian god of chaos.

A remarkable new genus and species of Euryproctini (Hymenoptera: Ichneumonidae, Ctenopelmatinae) from Thailand

Rhytidaphora Reshchikov & Quicke gen. nov. (type species Rhytidaphora thailandica Reshchikov & Quicke gen. et sp. nov.) from Thailand is described and illustrated. It belongs to the tribe Euryproctini of the subfamily Ctenopelmatinae (Hymenoptera, Ichneumonidae) based on the absence of glymma and the subapical notch on the ovipositor. The new taxon differs from all other genera of Euryproctini by the occipital carina being broadly incomplete dorsally, the hypostomal carina joining the occipital carina shortly before the base of the mandible, distinctly pectinate tarsal claws, and immovably fused and strongly sculptured second and third metasomal tergites.

Chrysis tripotini Soon, 2010, new to Japan, with description of the male (Hymenoptera: Chrysididae)

Chrysis tripotini Soon, 2010 is reported from Honshu Island, Japan and the male is described for the first time. Among the chrysidid fauna of Japan, the male is most closely related to C. solida Haupt, 1956, but it can be distinguished by the combination of following characters: bidentate mandible; punctation on the metasomal tergite II.

The Waterston’s evaporatorium of Ceraphronidae (Ceraphronoidea, Hymenoptera): A morphological barcode to a cryptic taxon

The Waterston’s evaporatorium (=Waterston’s organ), a cuticular modification surrounding the opening of an exocrine gland located on metasomal tergite 6, is characterized and examined for taxonomic significance within the parasitoid wasp family Ceraphronidae. Modification of the abdominal musculature and the dorsal vessel are also broadly discussed for the superfamily Ceraphronoidea, with a novel abdominal pulsatory organ for Apocrita being discovered and described for the first time. Cuticular modification of T6, due to the presence of the Waterston’s evaporatorium, provides a character complex that allows for genus- and species-level delimitation in Ceraphronidae. The matching of males and females of a species using morphology, a long standing challenge for the group, is also resolved with this new character set. Phylogenetic analysis including 19 Waterston’s evaporatorium related characters provides support for current generic groupings within the Ceraphronidae and elaborates on previously suggested synapomorphies. Potential function of the Waterston’s organ and its effects on the dorsal vessel are discussed.

A combined RAD-Seq and WGS approach reveals the genomic basis of yellow color variation in bumble bee Bombus terrestris

Bumble bees exhibit exceptional diversity in their segmental body coloration largely as a result of mimicry. In this study we sought to discover genes involved in this variation through studying a lab-generated mutant in bumble bee Bombus terrestris, in which the typical black coloration of the pleuron, scutellum, and first metasomal tergite is replaced by yellow, a color variant also found in sister lineages to B. terrestris. Utilizing a combination of RAD-Seq and whole-genome re-sequencing, we localized the color-generating variant to a single SNP in the protein-coding sequence of transcription factor cut. This mutation generates an amino acid change that modifies the conformation of a coiled-coil structure outside DNA-binding domains. We found that all sequenced Hymenoptera, including sister lineages, possess the non-mutant allele, indicating different mechanisms are involved in the same color transition in nature. Cut is important for multiple facets of development, yet this mutation generated no noticeable external phenotypic effects outside of setal characteristics. Reproductive capacity was reduced, however, as queens were less likely to mate and produce female offspring, exhibiting behavior similar to that of workers. Our research implicates a novel developmental player in pigmentation, and potentially caste, thus contributing to a better understanding of the evolution of diversity in both of these processes.

First record of Rilipertus Haeselbarth (Hymenoptera: Braconidae: Euphorinae) from China with description of a new species.

Euphorinae (Hymenoptera, Braconidae) is a large subfamily of endoparasitoid wasps with 1,270+ described species worldwide (Yu et al. 2016). In the phylogenetic analysis of Stigenberg et al. (2015) Rilipertus Haeselbarth, 1996 was recovered within the tribe Perilitini Forster,1862 together with several other genera. Rilipertus is morphologically similar to Microctonus Wesmael, 1836 and Perilitus Nees, 1819 by the type of wing venation, structure of propodeum, and shape and structure of first metasomal tergite. However, Rilipertus differs distinctly from them by having shorter and conspicuously broadened ovipositor sheaths and the sculpture of the first tergite is reduced. Six species of Rilipertus are currently known (Yu et al. 2016).

Phylogenomic analyses reveal a rare new genus of wasp (Hymenoptera, Ichneumonidae, Cryptinae) from the Brazilian Atlantic Forest

Within the ichneumonid wasp tribe Cryptini (Ichneumonidae, Cryptinae), Acrosnemus gen. nov. and its single species A. occultus sp. nov. are proposed, described, and illustrated. The phylogenetic placement of the new genus is tested using data from genomic ultraconserved elements in a matrix with 126 other species of Cryptini and five outgroup taxa. Phylogenetic analyses indicate the new genus is related to Melanocryptus Cameron, from which it can be distinguished by the presence of a conspicuous anterolateral tooth on the first metasomal tergite; tip of ventral valve of ovipositor with a dorsal lobe that partly encloses dorsal valve; posterior transverse carina represented only by two distinct sublateral crests; and female antenna with a distinct white band. The new genus presents a mosaic of morphological traits from various cryptine lineages, highlighting the ubiquitous morphological homoplasy among cryptines. The single species is recorded only from one Atlantic Forest fragment in south-eastern Brazil. Sampling history suggests it is naturally rare. http://www.zoobank.org:pub:F2519AD0-9150-4207-9F17-74E72DDC4C6

Description of the male of Misetus strumiai Di Giovanni, Scaramozzino amp; Diller, 2018 (Hymenoptera, Ichneumonidae, Ichneumoninae, Phaeogenini) from Italy.

The genus Misetus Wesmael, 1845 is a small taxon of the subfamily Ichneumoninae, tribe Phaeogenini. The genus can be distinguished from other genera of the tribe by having mandible with two teeth, clypeus with more or less developed median apical tooth, genae short and sublinearly narrowed behind eyes in dorsal view; males are characterized by thyridia large and placed far off the base of metasomal tergite II; females are easily recognized by metasoma elongate and compressed apically, apical margin of last metasomal tergite more or less concave and ovipositor short and bent upwards (Selfa Diller 1994, 1995, Di Giovanni et al. 2018). Misetus includes seven known species, six of which occur in Europe (Wesmael 1845, Kusigemati 1974, Kolarov 1985, Selfa Diller 1995, Di Giovanni et al. 2018) and one in Japan and South Korea (Kwon et al. 2011; Yu et al. 2012). Misetus strumiai Di Giovanni, Scaramozzino Diller, 2018 was described recently from females known only from the island of Montecristo (Italy, Tuscany) (Di Giovanni et al. 2018, Di Giovanni Scaramozzino 2019). Here we described the male of this species and provide a comparative diagnosis with other known males of European members of the genus.

A New Genus and Two New Species of the Subfamily Nesomesochorinae Ashmead (Insecta: Hymenoptera: Ichneumonidae).

Nesomesochorinae is a rather small subfamily of Darwin wasps (Insecta: Hymenoptera: Ichneumonidae), only with three described genera. We recognize a fourth nesomesochorine genus from Perú and describe it as a new genus, Bina Shimizu & Alvarado gen. nov. The new genus is distinguished from previously described genera of Nesomesochorinae by the following combination of character states: mandible parallel-sided proximally and abruptly strongly narrowed ventroapically so that its lower apical tooth is much smaller and sharper than upper tooth; propodeum with lateromedian longitudinal carinae between anterior and posterior transverse carinae developed on more than posterior 0.9 so that the area superomedia is more or less enclosed; thyridium of 2nd metasomal tergite sometimes very large; 1st metasomal tergite stout and arched; body highly shiny. Bina gen. nov. comprises two species also described as new to science: B. huayrurae Shimizu & Alvarado sp. nov. (type species of Bina gen. nov.) and B. nigra Shimizu & Alvarado sp. nov. Identification keys to genera of Nesomesochorinae and to species of Bina gen. nov. are provided.

Emended Description and New Data on the Distribution of Eurytoma campanulae Zer. (Hymenoptera, Chalcidoidea: Eurytomidae)

New data on the distribution of Eurytoma campanulae Zer., based on material from various parts of Ukraine and that from Finland received from Dr. Veli Vikberg, are reported. The characteristic morphological features of Eu. campanulae and the other members of the campanulae species-group are discussed. Specific traits of this species-group are outlined; this group is notable within Eurytoma due to the characteristic sculpture of the thorax and the features of the metasomal tergites. A key to the species of the campanulae species-group is given. The entire material mentioned in the paper is deposited in the collection of I.I. Schmalhausen Institute of Zoology, National Academy of Sciences of Ukraine (Kyiv).

<p><strong>New species of the genus <em>Xorides</em> Latréille, 1809 (Hymenoptera, Ichneumonidae, Xoridinae) from Kenya</strong></p>

Xorides tertiusdecimus sp. nov., a thirteenth known Afrotropical species of the genus Xorides Latréille, 1809, is described from Kenya. The newly described species is similar to Xorides maculiceps (Cameron, 1906), but differs in having the carinate propodeum and rugulo-punctate first metasomal tergite. Key words: Xoridinae, parasitoid, new species, Kenya

Synopsis of world Discleroderma Kieffer (Hymenoptera, Bethylidae)

We provide a synopsis of the genus Discleroderma, which is known only from females. The genus is easily recognized by having tubercles on metasomal tergites III-V. In this synopsis we recognized D. gundari Terayama, D. indiensis Lanes Azevedo, D. tuberculatum Magretti, and D. yemenensis Lanes Azevedo as valid species. Additionally we discovered four more species D. concursum sp. nov., D. dolium sp. nov., D. plymouthoides sp. nov., and D. guamensis sp. nov., which are described and illustrated. We also provide an emended diagnosis and a key to the world species of this genus.

Venanides caspius sp. nov. from Iran, the first species of Venanides (Hymenoptera: Braconidae) described from the Palaearctic Region

Abstract The genus Venanides Mason, 1981 (Hymenoptera: Braconidae: Microgastrinae) is recorded from Iran for the first time, and a new species, Venanides caspicus Abdoli, Fernandez-Triana & Talebi sp. nov., is described and illustrated. This new species is characterized by its long metasomal tergite 1, that is narrowing towards the posterior end; scutoscutellar sulcus very narrow, obliterated or weakly crenulate; wing veins pale or almost transparent. The newly described taxon is the first representative of Venanides in the Palaearctic Region identified to the species level.