Taxon classification Animalia Hymenoptera Ichneumonidae

Ophion idoneus Viereck, 1905 Figures 10b, 11b; Plate 2

Material examined.

Holotype: ♂ USA: Kansas: Douglas Co. ft. 900; May; U. of K., Lot 878, 8ub (SEMC)

Other material: 109 ♀♀, 83 ♂♂, 2 unknown: CAN: AB: 2 ♀♀ (MS12403, MS12405) 11 km NE of Lacombe, J.J. Collett Natural Area, N-facing slope, P. glauca, B. papyrifera, 835m, 52.553 -113.641, 18 vi 2009, UV, C.D. Bird (CNC); 4 ♀♀, 1 ♂ (MS11824-28) 5km NEE of Dunstable, George Lake Research Station, aspen forest, MT-7, 53.957 -114.130, 25-29 v 2007, Malaise, M. Schwarzfeld (UASM); 11 ♀♀, 6 ♂♂ (MS13317, MS13319-20, MS13322-26, MS13328-36) same data except date is 29 v-6vi 2007 (CNC); 2 ♀♀, 6 ♂♂ (MS12920, MS12922-28) 5km NEE of Dunstable, George Lake Research Station; Black spruce forest; MT-8, 53.957 -114.128, 29 v-6 vi 2007, Malaise, M. Schwarzfeld (UASM); 4 ♀♀ (MS12433-35, MS12444) 8 km NW of Winfield, Bird East Poplar Creek quarter, mixed woods, 900m, 53.01 -114.50, 12 vi 2010, UV, C.D. Bird (CNC); 1 ♂ (MS12335) same data except date is 15 v 2010 (UASM); 1 ♂ (MS11457) same data except date is 16 v 2009 (UASM); 1 ♀ (MS13925) same data except date is 21 v 2011 (UASM); 1 ♀ (MS2261) 8 km SE Sherwood Park, aspen forest, 53.478 -113.229, 12-15 v 2008, MV light, G.R. Pohl (UASM); 1 ♀ (MS7373) Bragg Creek, 50.917 -114.533, 15 viii 2007, at light, F. Sperling (CNC); 1 ♀ (MS4026), Calgary, Edgemont, 51.115 -114.142, 18 v 2010, light, T. Pike (CNC); 3 ♀♀ (MS2275, DNA3910, GenBank KF594486, KF615953; MS2280; MS2274) Edmonton, nr. Fulton Ravine, 53.545 -113.439, 15-16 v 2008, light, G. Anweiler (CNC); 1 ♂ (MS2284) same data except date is 17 v 2008 (UASM); 1 ♀ (MS9688, DNA3974, GenBank KF594547, KF615956) same data except date is 23 v 2009 (CNC); 2 ♀♀ (MS2286, MS2290) same data except date is 24 v 2008 (UASM); 1 ♀, 1 ♂ (MS5632, DNA3933, GenBank KF594507, KF615951; MS4301) same data except date is 26 v 2011 (CNC); 9 ♀♀ (MS13809, MS13811, MS13815, MS13820-22, MS13826-28) same data except date is 27 v 2011 (UASM); 3 ♀♀ (MS12169, MS12171-72) same data except date is 31 v 2009 (UASM); 7 ♀♀ (MS13834-35, MS13842-43, MS13858, MS13862) same data except date is 6-8 vi 2011 (UASM); 5 ♀♀, 2 ♂♂ (MS13763-65, MS13767, MS13757, MS13774, MS13782) same data except date is 9-11 vi 2011 (UASM); 2 ♂♂ (MS78, MS80) same data except date is v 2007 (CNC); 2 ♀♀ (MS2879, MS2886) Edmonton, Edith Ravine, 53.510 -113.622, 12 v 2010, UV light, J. Acorn (UASM); 1 ♀ (MS2885) same data except date is 27 v 2010 (UASM); 1 ♀ (MS2234, DNA5552, GenBank KF594576, KF615958) Edmonton, inside building, 53.521 -113.521, J. Dombroskie (CNC); 3 ♂♂ (MS100, MS103, MS107) Edmonton, River Valley at U.Alberta, 53.529 -113.519, 28 v 2007, Sweep, M. Schwarzfeld (CNC); 1 ♀ (MS2770, DNA6551, GenBank KF594763, KF615949) EMEND site, 48 km NW of Dixonville; Decid. forest, uncut, 56.7525 -118.3282, 28 v-10 vi 2008, Malaise, 852-2, M. Schwarzfeld (CNC); 2 ♀♀ (MS12420, MS12423) Erskine, 5 Maple Close, backyard with aspen, 830m, 52.322 -112.883, 19 v 2010, UV, C.D. Bird (UASM); 1 ♀, 1 ♂ (MS9763-64) George Lake Research Site, 53.953 -114.120, 29 v 2007, Sweep, M. Schwarzfeld (UASM); 1 ♂ (MS39) George Lake Research Site, Aspen forest, 53.957 -114.125, 25 v 2007, Sweep, M. Schwarzfeld (UASM); 1 ♀ (MS3613) N. Wyndham-Carseland Provincial Park, 50.8366 -113.4347, 31 v 2008, light, T. Pike (UASM); 2 ♀♀ (MS5650, DNA3977, GenBank KF594549, KF615957; MS5651, DNA3950, GenBank KF594524, KF615952) Pigeon Lake, Itaska, 53.072 -114.072 3 vi 2008, UV light, F. Sperling (CNC); 1 ♀ Pigeon Lake, Itaska, May 28, 2006, F.A.H. Sperling coll.; 9 ♀♀ 14 ♂♂ (MS12460, MS12463, MS12472, MS12474-83, MS12485-93, MS12495) Rochon Sands Prov. Park, 15 km N Erskine, 720m, aspen, chokecherry, aspen, 52.46 -112.88, 2 vi 2010, UV, C.D. Bird (UASM); 1 ♂ (MS12197) Spruce Grove, 13 km South, 53.4 -113.9, 28 v-2 vi 1989, Malaise, A.T. Finnamore (CNC); 1 ♀ (MS12265) Summer Village of Gull Lake, 52.460 -113.947, 31 v 2009, UV trap, J.H. Acorn (UASM); 1 ♂ (MS13966) Wintering Hills West, 51.2552 -112.6261, 29 v 2011, net, J. Dupuis (UASM); BC: 1 ♂ (ENT008-002270) Robson, “?” v 1951, H.R. Foxlee, Ex. H.R. Foxlee Collection U.B.C. 1971 (RBCM); 1 ♂ (ENT008-005274) same data except date is 14 v 1954 (RBCM); 1 ♀ (ENT008-002250) same data except date is 15 v 1951 (RBCM); 1 ♂ (ENT008-002274) same data except date is 15 v 1954 (RBCM); 1 ♀, 1 ♂ (ENT008-002252, ENT008-002275) same data except date is 17 v 1954 (RBCM); 1 ♂ (ENT008-002230) same data except date is 29 v 53 (RBCM); 1 ♂ (ENT008-002239) same data except date is 3 v 51 (RBCM); 1 ♂ Robson, 8 v 1954, H.R. Foxlee (UBCZ); MB: 2 ♀♀ 10 mi. S. of Winnipeg, 1 vi 1973, coll. C. Starr, at UV light (SEMC); 2 ♀♀ same data except date is 30 v 73 (SEMC); 1 ♀ Brandon, 29 v 49, Light Trap (NFRC); ON: 4 ♀♀, 2 ♂♂ (MS2927, MS2932-34, MS2940, MS2943) Bells Corners, Monaghan Forest, 45.272 -75.808, 18 v 2010, Light, B.C. Schmidt (UASM); 1 ♀, 1 ♂ (MS8020, MS8039) Bells Corners, Stony Swamp, 45.295 -75.830, 25 v 2008, B.C. Schmidt (UASM); 1 ♂ (MS12164) Bells Corners, Stony Swamp, 45.295 -75.830, 3 v 2010, MV light, J. Dombroskie, B.C. Schmidt (UASM); 1 ♀, 1 unknown (MS10755, DNA5554, GenBank KF594578, KF615955; MS10754) Grenadier Is., St. Lawrence Islands Nat. Pk., Carya grove, 44.4 -75.9 10-21 vi 1994, YPT, Coll. CNC Hym Team (CNC); 1 ♀ (MS10710) same data except date is 24 v– 9 vi 1994 (CNC); 7 ♂♂ (MS10713, DNA6552, GenBank KF594764, KF615960; MS10711; MS10716-17; MS10719-21) same data except trap is Malaise, date is 24 v– 9 vi 1994 (CNC); 1 ♀ (MS10751) same data except trap is Malaise, date is 3-13 v 1994 (CNC); 1 ♀ (MS8007, DNA3976, GenBank KF594548, KF615961) Leeds Grenville Co., Long Mtn. 44.487 -76.008, 7 vi 2008, B.D. Schmidt (CNC); 2 ♀♀ (MS10807, MS10813) same data except date is 21 v 2009 (UASM); 5 ♀♀, 22 ♂♂ (MS10793, DNA5717, GenBank KF594635, KF615959; MS10794, DNA5552, GenBank KF594576, KF615958; MS10779, DNA5551, GenBank KF594575, KF615954; MS10768-78, MS10780-92) Ottawa, city garden, 45.356 -75.707, 5 v-5 vi 2008; Malaise, Coll. H. Goulet (CNC); 1 ♂ Waterloo Co., Cambridge, malaise, Skevington & Cannings (RBCM); SK: 1 ♀ S’toon, May 22, 1940, D.R. Foskett (RBCM); USA: MI: 1 ♀ Ag. Coll. Mich 5-23 93 22 (CUIC); 1 ♂ Ag. Coll. Mich 5-23 95 22 (CUIC); NY: 1 ♀, 1 ♂ Ithaca, v 23 1936 (CUIC); 1 unknown Orient, L.I. June 2, 1932, Roy Latham/ Roy Latham Collection (CUIC).

Diagnosis.

Smallest species within the species group; MLC fused immediately apically of ASu, therefore appears Y-shaped; ramellus usually absent or extremely short; Wing L: 8.4-11.5 mm, Flag: 51-57.

Description.

Head: Eyes weakly convergent in frontal view; stemmaticum very weakly raised, sulci not complete; IOD/OL: 0.58-1.25, OOD/OL: 0.25-0.43 (♀), 0.35-0.92 (♂); occipital carina rounded, often very slightly rippled or wavy, usually with a small peak at centre, OC/OL: 0.58-0.95; temple receding, approximately equal to eye width in lateral view; clypeus convex in lateral view and distinctly separated from face, coriaceous, with small regular shallow punctures only slightly larger than on face, separated by approximately their diameter, CH/CAW: 0.57-0.70; face subpolished to very weakly coriaceous, with small shallow punctures separated by approximately their diameter, slightly more dense on sides; FW/FH: 1.28-1.45; antennae with 51-57 flagellomeres, F1: 2.93-4.00; F20: 1.33-2.00; MS/MW: 0.50-0.82; GI/MW: 0.46-0.73.

Mesosoma: Mesoscutum subpolished with very small to minute regular punctures separated by approximately 2 × their diameter; mesopleuron weakly coriaceous, strongly closely punctate, punctures separated by their diameter ore less, above mesopleural fovea subpolished with small punctures separated by 1 –3× their diameter; metapleuron slightly more coriaceous, punctures similar in size to those of mesopleuron, only slightly less dense; epicnemial carina with pleurosternal angle obtuse; scutellum with lateral carina strong along most of length, SL/SW: 1.21-1.69.

Propodeum: ATC strong, weakly arched above ASu; PTC weak to obsolete along ASu, raised into small crests where intersects with MLC, absent along AD, strong along AJC; MLC obsolete and weakly convergent along ASu, strongly convergent just apical to ASu, so that the carinae fuse into one stronger carina for most of AP; LLC almost absent, short carina in AJC may be remnant of this carina; PC strong, not connected to spiracle; spiracular area slightly sloping, nearly horizontal, subpolished with shallow minute indistinct punctures, separated by 2 –3× their diameter; posterior area wavy-wrinkled with very shallow indistinct punctures basally, more wrinkled apically.

Wings: Wing L: 8.4-11.5 mm, CI: 0.48-0.84, AI: 1.95-3.31, SDI: 1.03-1.29, ICI: 0.44-0.80; wings with veins dark brown, stigma light brown with apex whitish-gray, ramellus completely absent or represented by a minute vestigial stub, rarely somewhat long, fenestra not extending below prestigma.

Legs: CL/CW: 1.41-1.85, FL/FW: 6.31-7.85, MT1/MT2: 2.09-2.50; MTS: 0.71-0.89.

Metasoma: Expansion from petiole to postpetiole gradual.

Colour: Reddish-orange, mandibles, palps and legs slightly paler; orbits, tegula and dorsal part of mesepimeron yellowish.

Seasonality.

All collection records are from May and June, with the exception of a single specimen collected on Aug 15 from Bragg Creek, Alberta.

Remarks.

Common and wide-spread early-season species. Most small dark reddish individuals, lacking yellow notauli, collected in May will be this species, at least in the northern Nearctic region. The original description (Viereck 1905) for this species is quite detailed, and is sufficient to identify this species; I have re-described it here so that the description is consistent with the other members of the species group. I excluded characters from the original description that apply to the species group as a whole, and focused on characters that distinguish it from other species within the group.