Conostigmus ottawensis ( Ashmead, 1888 )

Trietsch, Carolyn, Mikó, István, Ezray, Briana & Deans, Andrew R., 2020, A Taxonomic Revision of Nearctic Conostigmus (Hymenoptera: Ceraphronoidea: Megaspilidae), Zootaxa 4792 (1), pp. 1-155 : 71-72

Conostigmus ottawensis ( Ashmead, 1888)

Fig. 38

Species Comments and History. As with C. canadensis, Ashmead (1888) described this species from a single female specimen as part of the genus Eumegaspilus , characterized by the females being wingless or having reduced wings. Conostigmus ottawensis is distinguished from C. canadensis by being “more slender and more highly pol- ished” (pg. 49), as well as having differences in coloration and microsculpture. Harrington (1900) later described C. ottawensis as a common species, with both males and females having macropterous and brachypterous forms, despite the fact that the male was never described.

We located ten specimens labeled as C. ottawensis at the CNC (notes left inside the tray read “ C. ottawensis = C. canadensis ”), including brachypterous and macropterous males and females. However, all of the specimens are in poor condition (damaged and badly glued, obscuring characters), and due to the limited collecting information on both these specimens and the type, it is not possible to determine if any were collected with the type specimen (it seems unlikely). There were three males among these specimens: one brachypterous, with the metasoma glued in such a way that it was not possible to remove it without damaging the specimen (PSUC_FEM 56001); one macropterous, but missing the metasoma (PSUC_FEM 56019); and one macropterous, from which we did not dissect the metasoma (PSUC_FEM 56016). The ten specimens may not be the same species based on their morphology, but it is not possible to tell from the poor condition of the specimens. Further work, and perhaps new technology and techniques, is required to determine if these specimens are C. ottawensis . The CNC specimens are listed in the material examined section to aid in future research efforts.

The female type specimen of C. ottawensis is present at the USNM, and is in relatively good condition other than the fact that it is missing the last four flagellomeres of the right antenna, which is consistent with Masner and Muesebeck’s description (1968). We compared this type with the type of C. canadensis , and found that both specimens have a postocellar carina, facial pit, preoccipital furrow extending into the ocellar triangle, and reduced wings. The sternaulus appears to be present in C. ottawensis and may also be elongate, as in C. canadensis , but it is difficult to tell with glue partially obscuring this part of the specimen. As Ashmead noted, there are differences in the coloration and microsculpture; C. ottawensis has lighter coloration on the propleural area, whereas C. canadensis has uniform coloration. Conostigmus ottawensis also has less longitudinal carinae on the petiole than C. canadensis . These two female specimens could be the same species, but it is not possible to tell at this time. We consider C. ottawensis as a species inquirenda until more (preferably freshly collected) specimens are located or until the type specimens can be studied more in depth and compared with the CNC specimens.

Material Examined. Lectotype female: CANADA: USNMENT01339741 ( USNM).

Non-type material (1 sex unknown, 3 males, 6 females): Canada: 1 sex unknown, 3 males, 6 females. PSUC _ FEM 56001, 56010 , 56011 , 56014 , 56016 , 56018 , 56019 , 56042 , 56063 , 56069 ( CNC) .

Figures

FIGURE 38. Conostigmus ottawensis (Ashmead, 1888) female lectotype (USNMENT01339741). A. Dorsal view. B. Lateral view.