Report of a Novel Biological Association for \u3ci\u3eParacrias huberi\u3c/i\u3e Gumovsky (Hymenoptera: Eulophidae) with Redescription of the Female and Description of the Unknown Male

The female of Paracrias huberi Gumovsky (Hymenoptera: Eulophidae) is redescribed and the previously unknown male described from material collected by George B. Vogt near Plummers Island, Maryland. The species is diagnosed and placed within the current phylogenetic concept for the genus Paracrias. Collection records indicate this species was reared from Homoeolabus analis Illiger (Coleoptera: Attelabidae), which is a leaf-rolling herbivore of Quercus spp. and Castanea spp. (Fagales: Fagaceae), thus expanding the potential host guild range of the genus Paracrias and the known biology of the species. In addition, these records report an association with Q. prinus L., a species native to the eastern United States. The implications of these discoveries in relation to the biology of the plant, host, and wasp parasite are reviewed and discussed

Aximopsis pythmenis Gates, n. sp.

<i>Aximopsis pythmenis</i> Gates, n. sp. <p>(Figs. 58, 68–69)</p> <p> <i>Etymology</i></p> <p> <i>pythmen</i> (Greek, noun, masculine) = bottom, base; this name is a feminized adjective describing the long petiole of this species.</p> <p> <i>Diagnosis and identification</i></p> <p> Lower face (Fig. 68) is much longer, head 1.25–1.30X as broad as long compared to approximately 1.50X in other species of <i>Aximopsis</i>. The vertex horns are as broad as high (at base, defined by hypothetical continuation of preorbital carinae through base of horn) as opposed to being much broader than high (1.5–2.0X as broad as high) in other <i>Aximopsis</i>.</p> <p> <i>Female</i>. Length 3.1–4.3 mm. Prepectus with a shallow finely alveolate concavity in middle. Gaster effaced reticulation occurring dorsally on some segments; Gt1 coarsely alveolate anteriorly above petiolar insertion. Antenna dark brown, extreme base of scape light brown. Legs brown, except extreme apices of femora, bases and apices of tibiae, and tarsomeres pale yellow, pretarsus brown.</p> <p> <i>Head</i> (Fig. 58). 1.3X wider than high; 1.5X wider than width of pronotum; HTE:msp 2.5. Preorbital carina produced into a horn at vertex. POL 2.1X longer than OOL. Width of oral fossa 0.36X width of head. Scape 5X longer than broad. Antennal segment ratios 21:5:1:10:10:10:9:8:. Clava 3X longer than broad.</p> <p> <i>Mesosoma.</i> Dorsal pronotum 2X wider than long, with paired pronotal processes. Mesoscutum 2X broader than long. Scutellum 1.3X longer than wide at its widest. Dorsellum disc composed of a central ovoid structure with lateral arms broadening laterally into paddle­shapes. Propodeum central depression not obvious, entire dorsal surface with large fovea, lateral ridges obscured (Fig. 69). Postmarginal vein subequal in length to stigma, ratio of mv:pmv 0.86.</p> <p> <i>Metasoma.</i> Petiole 1.7X longer than wide; dorsal surface lateral carinae higher and thickened in mediolateral plane in middle; ventral surface with strong medial and lateral carinae.</p> <p> <i>Male.</i> Unknown.</p> <p> <i>Type material (2</i> Ψ <i>)</i></p> <p> Holotype Ψ (USNM ENTO 00480014) (USNM); Brazil; Santa Catarina; Bananal Selva; vi.1961; G.B. Vogt; Vogt coll. #61­1295; reared from <i>Taphrocerus</i> (Coleoptera: Buprestidae) ex. <i>Bactris</i>. Paratype 1Ψ (USNM ENTO 00480008) (USNM), same data as holotype; Vogt coll. # 61­1296.</p>Published as part of <i>Gates, M. W., Metz, M. A. & Schauff, M. E., 2006, The circumscription of the generic concept of Aximopsis Ashmead (Hymenoptera: Chalcidoidea: Eurytomidae) with the description of seven new species, pp. 9-54 in Zootaxa 1273</i> on pages 45-46, DOI: <a href="http://zenodo.org/record/173289">10.5281/zenodo.173289</a&gt

Aximopsis lanceolepis Gates, n. sp.

Aximopsis lanceolepis Gates, n. sp. (Figs. 3, 57, 68) Etymology lancea (Latin, noun, feminine) = spear + lepis (Greek, noun, feminine) = scale; “the one with lanceolate, scalelike setae a noun in apposition describing the dense setation of the thorax. Diagnosis and identification Aximopsis lanceolepis is unique among the other species by have a dense covering of distinctly lanceolate, scalelike setae on the lower head including the gena, lower face, supraclypeal area, and interantennal projection (Fig. 57). Other species have setae that is mostly filiform or, at most, only slightly flattened. Female. Length 3.0 mm. Prepectus with a shallow weakly striate concavity in middle. Gaster with effaced reticulation occurring dorsally on some segments; Gt 1 with striate sculpturing anteromedially and expanding posterolaterally into “Y” shape. Antenna dark brown, scape at extreme base and pedicel dark yellow. Legs brown, except extreme apices of fore­ and midfemora, apices of tibiae, and tarsomeres pale yellow, pretarsus brown. Head (Fig. 57). 1.2 X wider than high; subequal to width of pronotum; HTE:msp 2.38. Preorbital carina produced into a horn at vertex. POL 3.6 X longer than OOL. Width of oral fossa 0.38 X width of head. Scape 5.4 X longer than broad. Antennal segment ratios 20: 4: 1: 9: 8: 8: 7: 7: 14. Clava 2.3 X longer than broad. Mesosoma. Dorsal pronotum 2.9 X wider than long, with paired pronotal processes. Mesoscutum 2 X broader than long. Length and width of scutellum subequal. Dorsellum disc composed of a central ovoid structure with lateral arms broadening laterally into paddle­shapes. Propodeum central depression formed from a reduction of interstices, large foveum present dorsally, lateral ridges expanded and umbilicate. Postmarginal vein subequal in length to stigma, ratio of mv:pmv 0.87. Metasoma (Fig. 3). Petiole length and width subequal; dorsal lateral carinae higher and thickened in mediolateral plane in middle; ventral surface with weak medial and lateral carinae. Male. Unknown Type material Holotype Ψ (USNM ENTO 00480018) (USNM); Bolivia: Santa Cruz: La Guardia, v. 5 ­13.1962, G.B. Vogt, Vogt coll. # 62­345, reared from Pachyschelus (Coleoptera: Buprestidae) ex Annona.Published as part of Gates, M. W., Metz, M. A. & Schauff, M. E., 2006, The circumscription of the generic concept of Aximopsis Ashmead (Hymenoptera: Chalcidoidea: Eurytomidae) with the description of seven new species, pp. 9-54 in Zootaxa 1273 on pages 43-44, DOI: 10.5281/zenodo.17328

Aximopsis hippolytis Gates, n. sp.

<i>Aximopsis hippolytis</i> Gates, n. sp. <p>(Figs. 27, 56, 66–67)</p> <p> <i>Etymology</i></p> <p> <i>hippolyta</i> (Greek, noun, feminine) = the Amazon queen of Greek myth; a feminized adjective attributing the exotic, fantastical Brazilian locality.</p> <p> <i>Diagnosis and identification</i></p> <p> <i>Aximopsis hippolytis</i> lacks distinct preorbital horns on the vertex, being represented by only a slight angulation of the preorbital carina (Fig. 27, 66). It is unique among the known species in lacking distinct paired spinelike processes anteromedially on the dorsal pronotum, which are present as low alveolate bosses (Fig. 56).</p> <p> <i>Female</i>. Length 2.9–3.3 mm. Prepectus with only a shallow weakly striate concavity in middle, alveolate ventrally. Metacoxa posterolateral carina weak. Gaster effaced reticulation occurring dorsally on some segments; Gt1 lacking sculpture anteriorly. Antenna dark brown. Legs brown, except extreme apices of femora, bases and apices of tibiae, and tarsomeres pale yellow, apical tarsomere and pretarsus brown.</p> <p> <i>Head.</i> 1.2X wider than high; 1.1X width of pronotum; HTE:msp 2.14. Preorbital carina horn at vertex greatly reduced. POL 0.83X longer than OOL. Width of oral fossa 0.36X width of head. Scape 4X longer than broad. Antennal segment ratios 20:5:1:11:10:10:9:9:17. Clava 3X longer than broad.</p> <p> <i>Mesosoma.</i> Dorsal pronotum 2X wider than long, paired pronotal processes absent. Mesoscutum 2X broader than long. Scutellum 1.3X longer than wide at its widest. Dorsellum disc composed sublateral shaped structures with lateral arms descending into space between scutellum and propodeum (Fig. 67). Propodeum (Fig. 67) central depression scarcely recognizable. Postmarginal vein subequal in length to stigma, ratio of mv:pmv 0.83.</p> <p> <i>Metasoma.</i> Petiole 1.9X longer than wide; dorsal lateral carinae formed by discontinuous anterior and posterior portions; ventral surface with weak sublateral carinae.</p> <p> <i>Male.</i> Unknown</p> <p> <i>Va r i a t i o n</i></p> <p>One female (USNM ENT 00480026) has slightly more distinct paired, differential sculpturing on the dorsal pronotum that correlate with the spinelike pronotal processes of other species.</p> <p> <i>Type material (2</i> Ψ <i>)</i></p> <p> Holotype Ψ (USNM ENTO 00480028) (USNM); Brazil; Rio Grande do Sul; Ilha do Pavao; ii.1962; G.B. Vogt; Vogt coll. #62­269; reared from <i>Taphrocerus</i> (Coleoptera: Buprestidae) ex. <i>Cyperus</i> (giant flatsedge). Paratype 1Ψ (USNM ENTO 00480026) (USNM) same locality as holotype; ii.22 ­23.1962; Vogt coll. # 62­229; reared from <i>Taphrocerus</i> (Coleoptera: Buprestidae) ex. <i>Scirpus</i> (bullrush).</p>Published as part of <i>Gates, M. W., Metz, M. A. & Schauff, M. E., 2006, The circumscription of the generic concept of Aximopsis Ashmead (Hymenoptera: Chalcidoidea: Eurytomidae) with the description of seven new species, pp. 9-54 in Zootaxa 1273</i> on pages 42-43, DOI: <a href="http://zenodo.org/record/173289">10.5281/zenodo.173289</a&gt

Aximopsis morio Ashmead

<i>Aximopsis morio</i> Ashmead <p>(Fig. 33)</p> <p> <i>Aximopsis morio</i> Ashmead, 1904: 460.</p> <p> <i>Diagnosis and identification</i></p> <p> <i>Aximopsis morio</i> is unique among the species of <i>Aximopsis</i> in having the pronotum with distinctly different patch of short, thickened, yellowish brown setae anteromedially on the dorsal surface (Fig. 33) and by having the setae on the disk of the forewing reduced to the apical half.</p> <p> <i>Redescription of the holotype female</i></p> <p>Prepectus with shallow finely alveolate concavities in middle and along ventral border. Metacoxa posterolateral carina irregular. Gaster absent. Scape, pedicel, anellus, and first funicle dark brown. Pro­ and mesolegs brown, except extreme apices of femora, bases and apices of tibiae, and tarsomeres pale yellow, pretarsus brown, hindleg missing.</p> <p> <i>Head</i>. 1.4X wider than high; 1.7X wider than pronotum; HTE:msp 2.62. Preorbital carina produced into a horn at vertex. POL 1.5X longer than OOL. Width of oral fossa 0.36X width of head. Scape 5X longer than broad. Antennal formula 1:1:1:?:?, only F1 remains on specimen.</p> <p> <i>Mesosoma.</i> Dorsal pronotum 2.6X wider than long, with paired pronotal processes. Mesoscutum 2.2X broader than long. Scutellum 1.4X longer than wide at its widest. Dorsellum disc composed of a central ovoid structure with lateral arms broadening laterally into paddle­shapes. Propodeum central depression created from reduction of interstices, mostly only alveolate. Postmarginal vein subequal in length to stigma, ratio of mv:pmv 1.75.</p> <p> <i>Metasoma.</i> Petiole 2X longer than wide; dorsal lateral carinae higher and thickened in mediolateral plane in middle; ventral surface with weak sublateral carina. Gaster absent.</p> <p> <i>Male.</i> Unknown. There exists in the USNM a series of males, 3 from Trinidad and Tobago (Santa Cruz) and 2 from Ecuador (Cononaco & Tzapino), that share the patch of yellowish brown setae between the pronotal processes. One specimen from Trinidad and Tobago also shares with the type a dorsally continuous preorbital carina that is produced as a low protuberance posterolaterad posterior ocellus near the eye margin. The remaining males from Trinidad and Tobago and Ecuador lack this posterior protuberance and have a distinct, bulging ventral plaque on the scape. This is unlike males of other <i>Aximopsis</i> described herein. It is likely that several more species exist that are similar to <i>Aximopsis morio</i>, but it is impossible to associate females and males until more reared material becomes available.</p> <p> <i>Notes</i>. The holotype is labeled with four labels: Santarem; Type (handwritten); Type No. 60507 U.S. N.M. (Red label); <i>Aximopsis morio</i> Ψ Type (handwritten). The specimen is incomplete, missing antennae beyond F1, left mesoleg, both hindlegs beyond hind coxa, and gaster.</p>Published as part of <i>Gates, M. W., Metz, M. A. & Schauff, M. E., 2006, The circumscription of the generic concept of Aximopsis Ashmead (Hymenoptera: Chalcidoidea: Eurytomidae) with the description of seven new species, pp. 9-54 in Zootaxa 1273</i> on pages 44-45, DOI: <a href="http://zenodo.org/record/173289">10.5281/zenodo.173289</a&gt

Aximopsis hespenheidei Gates, n. sp.

<i>Aximopsis hespenheidei</i> Gates, n. sp. <p>(Figs. 5, 55, 65)</p> <p> <i>Etymology</i></p> <p>This epithet is a patronymic noun, genitive masculine singular, recognizing Dr. Henry A. Hespenheide for his contribution to the study of leaf­mining Buprestidae, which this group of wasps parasitizes.</p> <p> <i>Diagnosis and identification</i></p> <p> <i>Aximopsis hespenheidei</i> is unique among the remaining species in having the median, excavated furrow of the propodeum composed of fine punctulae rather than large punctae and the anterior and posterior sections of furrow separated by one transverse carina (Fig. 55).</p> <p> <i>Female</i>. Length 1.9–3.3 mm. Prepectus with shallow finely alveolate concavities in middle and along ventral border. Metacoxa posterolateral carina irregular. Gaster with effaced reticulation occurring dorsally on some segments; Gt1 coarsely alveolate anteriorly in shape of an isosceles triangle. Antenna dark brown, scape and pedicel light brown. Legs brown, except extreme apices of femora, bases and apices of tibiae, and tarsomeres pale yellow, pretarsus brown.</p> <p> <i>Head.</i> 1.3X wider than high; subequal in width to pronotum; HTE:msp 2.32. POL 2.25X longer than OOL. Width of oral fossa 0.36X width of head. Scape 5X longer than broad. Antennal segment ratios 18:5:1:9:7:7:8:8:16. Clava 3X longer than broad.</p> <p> <i>Mesosoma.</i> Dorsal pronotum 3X wider than long, with paired pronotal processes. Mesoscutum 2X broader than long. Scutellum 1.1X longer than wide at its widest; broadly convex dorsally. Dorsellum disc composed of a central ovoid structure with lateral arms broadening laterally into paddle­shapes. Propodeum alveolate only in central depression. Postmarginal vein subequal in length to stigma, ratio of mv:pmv 0.87 (Fig. 5).</p> <p> <i>Metasoma.</i> Petiole length and width subequal; dorsal lateral carinae higher and thickened in mediolateral plane in middle (Fig. 65); ventral surface with weak medial and lateral carinae.</p> <p> <i>Male.</i> Length 3.2 mm. Similar to female in coloration and structure except as follows: scape 4.0X longer than broad; petiole 5.0–5.4X longer than broad, reticulate­rugose, broadest and highest in anterior half, thinning apically, with anterodorsal carinae fading by midlength, mpp reticulate with ventrolateral carinae diverging from mpp, extending length of petiole.</p> <p> <i>Va r i a t i o n</i></p> <p>One female (USNM ENT 00480021) is approximately 2/3 the size of the holotype. This specimen has more brown undertones and the legs are more of a concolorous brown. The femora and tibiae, for example, in the remaining material tend toward a much darker brown to black medially. The sculpture on this specimen is slightly reduced, a presumed scaling effect due to reduced size.</p> <p> <i>Type material</i> (10Ψ, 2ɗ). Holotype Ψ (USNM ENTO 00480033) (USNM), Mexico, Tabasco, 83km E Palo Mulato, 1982, G.B. Vogt, Vogt coll. #82­61, reared from <i>Pachyschelus</i> (Coleoptera: Buprestidae) ex. <i>Psidium</i> (guava). Paratypes 2Ψ (USNM ENTO 0 0 480038, 00480457) (USNM), 1ɗ (USNM ENTO 00480025) (USNM) same data as holotype; 1Ψ (USNM ENTO 00480010) (USNM), Colombia, Valle de Cauca, San Jose de Anchicaya, vii.21 ­27.1970, G.B. Vogt, Vogt coll. #70­96; 1Ψ (USNM ENTO 00480012) (USNM) same data, vii.21­viii.27­1970, Vogt coll. #70­97; 1Ψ (USNM ENTO 00481004) Panama, Canal Zone, Pipeline Road, 13km NW Gamboa, 9°12’N 79°47’W, Coll.: 16.vii.1978, Emer.: 1.viii.1978, H.A. Hespenheide, reared from <i>Pachyschelus</i> (Coleoptera: Buprestidae), VS HAH 78:81, (Urticaceae); 1ɗ (USNM ENTO 00481000) (USNM) same data, VS HAH 78:82; 1Ψ (USNM ENTO 00481002) (USNM) same locality, Coll.: 31.viii.1977, Emer.: 2.ix.1977, T.W. Sherry, reared from <i>Pachyschelus</i> (Coleoptera: Buprestidae), V.S. 77:1325, IN LEGUME; 1Ψ (USNM ENTO 00481001) (USNM) Panama, Canal Zone, 7km W Margarita, 9°20’N 79°58’W, Coll.: 23.vii.1978, Emer.: 13.viii.1978, H.A. Hespenheide, reared from <i>Pachyschelus</i> (Coleoptera: Buprestidae), VS HAH 78:207, (Leguminosae); 1Ψ (USNM ENTO 00481003) (USNM) Costa Rica, Puntarenas Prov., Parque Nacional Corcovado, Estacion Sirena, 8°28­31’N 83°36’W, Coll.: 20.iii.1981, Emer.: 5.iv.1981, H.A. Hespenheide, reared from <i>Pachyschelus</i> (Coleoptera: Buprestidae), VS # 81­09, (Urticaceae); 1Ψ (USNM ENTO 00480021) (USNM) no data, Vogt coll. #60­750.</p>Published as part of <i>Gates, M. W., Metz, M. A. & Schauff, M. E., 2006, The circumscription of the generic concept of Aximopsis Ashmead (Hymenoptera: Chalcidoidea: Eurytomidae) with the description of seven new species, pp. 9-54 in Zootaxa 1273</i> on pages 41-42, DOI: <a href="http://zenodo.org/record/173289">10.5281/zenodo.173289</a&gt