Alaptus pallidicornis Foerster, 1856

Serguei V. Triapitsyn, 2017, Revision of Alaptus (Hymenoptera: Mymaridae) in the Holarctic region, with taxonomic notes on some extralimital species, Zootaxa 4279 (1), pp. 1-92 : 55-63

Alaptus pallidicornis Foerster, 1856

( Figs 111–129 )

Alaptus pallidornis Foerster 1856: 120 . Type locality: environs of Aachen , North Rhine-Westphalia, Germany.

Alaptus excisus Westwood 1879: 586 –587 + plate LXXIII (figs 10, 11). Type locality: England, not specified but possibly Wilton, Wiltshire Co., UK. Synonymized under A. pallidicornis by Hincks 1959: 146 –147.

Alaptus pallidornis Foerster (or Förster): Westwood 1879: 587 (comment); Vidal 2001: 60 (list); Pricop 2008: 36 –37 (distribution, host associations, taxonomic notes), 39, 45 (illustrations); Pricop 2009: 123 (list); Pricop 2010a: 70 (list); Noyes 2016 (database).

Alaptus pallidicornis Foerster (or Förster): Kirchner 1867: 201 (catalog); Westwood 1879: 587 (as A.? pallidicornis ); Dalla Torre 1898: 428 (catalog, name emendation); Girault 1908: 184 (list, comments); Girault 1910: 244 (list); Soyka 1937: 75 – 76 (historical review, redescription, invalid designation of “ neotypes ”, distribution); Soyka 1939b: 30 (key); Debauche 1948: 55 –58 (list, key, diagnosis of both sexes, remarks), plate VII (illustrations); Soyka 1948: 74 (key); Kryger 1950: 35 (list, English translation of the original description); Soyka 1949: 14 (illustration); Soyka 1950: 121 (distribution); Hincks 1959: 143 (illustration), 146–147 (historical review, diagnosis); Hincks 1960: 170, 172 (mentioned); New 1969: 182 –192 (biology); Trjapitzin 1978: 521 (key, distribution, host associations); Donev 1978: 458 (distribution); Graham 1982: 194 (comments); Vikberg 1982: 142 (list); Donev 1987: 75 (distribution); Viggiani & Jesu 1988: 1020 (distribution in Italy, comments); Viggiani 1989: 144 (illustration of male genitalia); Pintureau & Keita 1990: 239 (host associations), 242 (population dynamics); Pagliano & Navone 1995: 35 (list); Triapitsyn 2002: 215 –216 (distribution, hosts, comments); Baquero & Jordana 2002: 77 (measurements), 79 (distribution, host associations), 87, 91 (illustrations); Arnaldos et al. 2004: 226 (list); Viggiani 2005: 61 –62 (illustration and description of male genitalia); Huber et al. 2009: 271 (list); Pricop 2010b: 92 –93 (list, statistics); Triapitsyn 2015: 218 (list).

Alaptus minimus Walker : Girault 1908: 182 –184 (redescription, in part).

Alaptus excisus Westwood : Dalla Torre 1898: 428 (catalog); Girault 1908: 185 –186 (list, history, comments).

Metalaptus torquatus Malenotti 1917: 339 -340. Syntypes: 5 females and 1 male on slides in Faure’s liquid [type depository unknown, most likely lost] (not examined) ( Malenotti 1918). Type localities: Centuripe, Catania and Palermo, Sicily, Italy ( Malenotti 1918). Syn. n. (from the previous synonymy under A. auranti by Nikol’skaya 1952: 540, followed by Peck 1963: 26).

Metalaptus torquatus Malenotti: Malenotti 1918 : 82 –92 (redescription, illustrations, type information, comments, etc.); Viggiani & Jesu 1988: 1020 (most likely a synonym of A. pallidicornis ).

Alaptus psocidivorus Gahan 1927: 180 –181. Type locality: Stanford University , Stanford, Santa Clara Co., California, USA. Syn. n.

Alaptus psocidivorus Gahan: Spruyt 1927 : 182 –184 (biology, host association, good illustrations of both sexes); Soyka 1939b: 31 (list); Peck 1963: 28 (catalog); Doutt 1973: 222 (fossil records); Guzmán-Larralde et al. 2017: 9 (list).

Alaptus minimus (Haliday) Walker : Bakkendorf 1934: 17 –23 (hosts, development, distribution, illustrations: in most part, misidentification), 131 (hosts).

Alaptus torquatus (Malenotti) : Debauche 1948: 55 (list).

Alaptus pechlaneri Soyka 1948: 73 –74. Type locality: Arzler Alm (1200 m), Innsbruck , Tyrol, Austria. Syn. n.

Alaptus fusculus (Haliday) Walker : Kryger 1950: 34 (in part, misidentification).

Type material examined. Alaptus pallidicornis Foerster : lectotype female [NHMW], here designated to avoid the existing confusion regarding the status of the type specimens of this taxon, on slide ( Fig. 111 ) labeled: 1. [in W. Soyka’s handwriting, copied from the original labels] “Collect. G. Mayr ♀ 2.8.47. Fenster Förster, Type In Canadab.”; 2. [red] “Type”; 3. [W. Soyka’s slide number, apparently one of the first ones he made of the A. Foerster specimens] “12”; 4. [in W. Soyka’s handwriting] “ Alaptus ♀ pallidicornis Förster ohne Fühler det. Soyka (Canadabals.)”. The lectotype ( Fig. 112 ) is in poor condition, shriveled, lacking flagellum of one antenna, 1 hind wing, and 3 legs; one fore wing ( Fig. 113 ) is detached from the body; yet it is the most complete specimen among the three original syntypes. The collection date was 2.viii.1847. Paralectotypes [NHMW]: 1 ♀ on slide ( Fig. 116 ) labeled: 1. [the original A. Foerster’s label; prior to being slide-mounted by W. Soyka sometime in the mid 1930s, the three syntypes had been mounted on minuten pins, probably inserted in the same balsa wood piece on one pin] “♀ 2/8 47. [an illegible word] Fenster.”, 2. [partially in India Ink, partially printed] “ Al. pallidicornis Förster , Type”, 3. [printed] “Collect. G. Mayr”, 4. [W. Soyka’s slide number] “13”, 5. [W. Soyka’s label] “ Alaptus ♀ pallidicornis Förster (Canadabal.) ” (the specimen ( Fig. 115 ) is in very bad condition, poorly remounted, and incomplete: missing are the entire anterior part of mesosoma, head, antennae, and all legs except for 1 hind leg; remainder of the body is mounted laterally and one fore wing ( Fig. 114 ) is detached); 1 ♀ on slide labeled: 1. [in W. Soyka’s handwriting, copied from the original labels] “Collect. G. Mayr ♀ 2.8.47 Fenster Förster, Type”, 2. [in W. Soyka’s handwriting] “ Alaptus ♀ pallidicornis Förster (Canadabals.) ” (the specimen, which could rather belong to A. minimus although that is not certain, is in poor condition, shriveled, lacking pedicels and flagella of both antennae and 3 legs; one pair of wings and 3 legs are detached from the body).

Alaptus excisus Westwood : neotype female [OUMNH], here designated to avoid any ambiguity about the identity of this species, on a large card ( Fig. 119 ) labeled: “ Alaptus excisus (Soyka) Mymar 188h [or 188sh] ♀ [encircled] ♀ ♂ [encircled] ♂ [an illegible word] F. Whitmarsh”, 2. “ TYPE HYM 684 21/2 Alaptus excisus WESTWOOD HOPE DEPT. OXFORD”. There is also a conspecific male on the same card with the neotype, both are intact and mounted on their backs. Graham (1982) was not sure if these specimens were the original syntypes because of the ambiguous year of collection indicated on the label, and particularly because Westwood (1879) explicitly indicated that a female and a male, collected by Whitmarsh in 1871, were mounted on glass slides in Canada balsam; these are lost ( Hincks 1959; Graham 1982). Graham (1982) also suggested that a neotype could be designated if needed, based on one of these dry-mounted non-type specimens in OUMNH. I believe that it is reasonable because there is no doubt that these were also collected by F. Whitmarsh and represent A. excisus , identified as such by J.O. Westwood. I accept the synonymy of A. excisus under A. pallidicornis , as established by Hincks (1959).

Alaptus pechlaneri Soyka : holotype female (as “type” in the original description) [NHMW] on slide ( Fig. 121 ) labeled: 1. “ Alaptus ♀ pechlaneri (Soyka) dt. Soyk. Type”, 2. [red] “Type”, 3. “Innsbruck Arzler Alm 1200 m, lg Pechlaner 12 Sept. 1948 In Canadab”. The collector was E. Pechlaner. The holotype ( Fig. 120 ) is in fair condition, lacking one antenna, mounted laterally. Paratype (as “cotype” in the original description): 1 female [NHMW] on slide labeled the same as the holotype except the second (red) label says “Co-Type”.

Alaptus psocidivorus Gahan : holotype and paratype females [USNM] on slide ( Fig. 122 ) labeled: 1. “ ALAPTUS n.sp. FROM EGGS OF PSOCUS CALIF. STANFORD UNIV. 1923 F.J. Sprüyt, Coll. ♀♀ FJS’”; 2. [red] “ Alaptus psocidivorus Gahan ♀ Type Type No. 28676 U.S.N.M.”; 3. [database barcode] “USNMENT 01049087”. The likely holotype ( Fig. 123 , the female which is next to its both (detached) fore wings ( Fig. 124 ), which lacks flagellum of one antenna, both hind wings, tibia and tarsus of one fore leg, one hind leg except metacoxa and also tarsus of the other hind leg) is otherwise in fair condition and mounted dorsoventrally under the same coverslip with another female (a likely paratype which lacks most of its wings). Gahan (1927, p. 181) mentioned that “Type, allotype, and thirty-six para-types in the United States National Museum”, so it is absolutely impossible to figure out which of these two females was considered him to be the “type” (= the holotype), but it can be assumed that the more complete specimen is far more likely to be the holotype. Other, uncounted specimens of both sexes of the type series mentioned by Gahan (1927) are paratypes. Those examined in USNM are as follows: 1 ♀ on slide labeled: 1. “from: Psocid Eggs on: HETEROMELES Club Shaped Antenna April 9, 23 F. J. Spruÿt Entomological Laboratory Stanford University”, 2. [red] “ Alaptus psocidivorus Gahan Paratype No. 28676 U.S.N.M.”; 7 ♀, 9 ♂ on slide labeled as above except: “Ex. psocid eggs IV-9 - Collected north of Museum at nursery gate Stanford Univ. Calif. F. J. Spruyt, Coll.” and also 1 ♀ on a separate slide; 1 ♂ (the original allotype) on slide labeled: “ ALAPTUS n. sp. from: Psocid Eggs on: HETEROMELES . The cool shaped antennae April 9, 23 F. J. Spruÿt Entomological Laboratory Stanford University ♂.”; 1 ♀, 3 ♂ on slide labeled: “ Alaptus n. sp. Gahan Ex psocid eggs Stanford Univ Apr. 1923. F. J. Spruyt, Col.”. Also the following specimens on three slides in USNM were similarly labeled by A.B. Gahan as paratypes and apparently included in the paratype series even though they were not collected in April 1923 as stated in the original description: 1 ♀: “Parasite in eggs of Psocid. Coll. Mch. 20, 1923 Stanford Univ. Calif North of Museum. Emerged in cage Mch. 31, 1923 F. J. Spruÿt, Coll.”; 1 ♀, 2 ♂, same data; 5 ♀, 4 ♂: “Ex. Psocid eggs V-11-23. Reared in Laboratory Stanford Univ. Calif. F. J. Spruyt, Coll.”. According to the original description, the other paratypes were deposited in CAS (however, I could not find them there during my several visits) and also the collector’s own collection, whereabouts of which are unknown.

Material examined. AUSTRIA: TYROL, Krössbach, 26.ix.1949, W. Soyka (on window) [1 ♀, ISNB] (identified and incorrectly labeled by W. Soyka as a “Para-Type” of A. pechlaneri ). BELGIUM: FLEMISH BRABANT: Groenendael [Priory] (in Sonian Forest): 8.v.1947, J. Ghesquière [2 ♀, 1 ♂, ISNB] (misidentified by J. Ghesquière as A. minimus ); 23.v.1947, L. Nuyts [1 ♀, ISNB] (misidentified by J. Ghesquière as A. minimus ); Leuven, Heverlee, H.R. Debauche: 9.vi.1942 [2 ♀, ISNB]; 9.vii.1942 [1 ♀, 1 ♂, ISNB]; 22.vii.1942 [1 ♂, ISNB]. Tervuren, H.R. Debauche: Bois des Capucins, 20.vi.1942 [1 ♂, ISNB]; 26.vi.1942 [1 ♂, ISNB]. LIÈGE, Wanze, Antheit, Corphalie, 28.ix–12.x.1990, R. Detry [1 ♀, ISNB]. CANADA: ONTARIO, Ottawa, Constance Bay: 20.vii.1973, G.A.P. Gibson [1 ♀, 1 ♂, CNC]; 29.vi–27.vii.1978, J. Redner, C. Dondale [1 ♀, CNC]. CHINA: BEIJING, Mentougou District, Xiaolongmen Station, 39°59.22’N 115°31.48’E, 1095 m, 28.vii.2002, G. Melika [1 ♀, UCRC]. CZECH REPUBLIC: Prague, Krč, 12.ix.1926, A.A. Ogloblin [1 ♂, MLPA]. DENMARK: HOVEDSTADEN: Dyrehaven (Jaegersborg Dyrehave, Zealand Island), Fortunens Indelukke: collected 2.vii.1924, emerged 29–30.vii. 1924 in Copenhagen, O. Bakkendorf [2 ♀, 1 ♂, ZMUC] (misidentified by O. Bakkendorf as A. minimus );?1924, O. Bakkendorf [3 ♀, 1 ♂, ZMUC]. Geelskov [Forest] (near Virum), collected 6.iv.1952, emerged 21–29.v.1952, O. Bakkendorf (from psocid eggs) [3 ♀, ZMUC]. Locality unknown, x.1924, O. Bakkendorf (from psocid egg) [1 ♀, USNM]. FINLAND: NORTHERN SAVONIA, Sonkajärvi, 8.vii.2000, M. Koponen [1 ♀, FMNH]. SOUTHERN SAVONIA, Mikkeli, M. Koponen: Suomenniemi, 5.ix.1981 [1 ♀, FMNH]; 25.viii.1996 [1 ♀, FMNH]. SOUTHWEST FINLAND, Sauvo, 27.viii–12.ix.2000, R. Jussila [1 ♀, FMNH]. UUSIMAA, Nurmijärvi, M. Koponen: 14.vii.1982 [1 ♀, FMNH]; 1.ix.1991 [1 ♀, FMNH]. FRANCE: ESSONNE, Gif-sur- Yvette, 24.i.1968, L. Duregeau (“ex Psocid eggs”) [5 ♀, USNM]. GIRONDE, Sainte Colombe, 44°54’N 00°02’W, M. van Helden: 2.vii.1998 [1 ♀, UCRC]; 30.vii.1998 [1 ♀, UCRC]; 13.viii.1998 [1 ♀, UCRC]; 17.viii.1998 [1 ♀, 1 ♂, UCRC]. MARNE, Bouchy-Saint-Genest, iv-v.1952, E. Noury (“ex. Psocus ? longicornis F. on leaves of Quercus pedunculata ”) [6 ♀, MNHN]. SEINE-ET-MARNE, Fontainebleau, Gros-Fonteau, 12.viii.1981, M.W.R. de Vere Graham [1 ♀, BMNH]. GERMANY: MECKLENBURG-WESTERN POMERANIA, Malchin, ca. 1 km E of Pisede, Jettchenshof, H.-J. Stammer: viii.1935 [1 ♀, ISNB; 5 ♀, NHMW] (1 ♀ in NHMW labeled as a “Type” of A. perpallidus , which is W. Soyka’s manuscript name); viii.1936 [2 ♀, NHMW, USNM] (the one in USNM incorrectly labeled by W. Soyka as a “Para-Type”). ISRAEL: Central District, Petah Tikva [as “Palestine, Petach Tikwah” on the label], 1935, H. Steinitz (“from eggs of Graphopsocus cruciatus L.”) [1 ♀, BMNH]. ITALY: CALABRIA, Cosenza Prov., Camigliatello Silano, vii–viii.1985, L. Micieli [5 ♀, DEZA] (det. by G. Viggiani). CAMPANIA, Napoli Prov., Portici: 17.ii [year unknown], F. Silvestri [3 ♀, 2 ♂, DEZA]; Parco Gussone, 3.x.1963, G. Viggiani [1 ♀, DEZA] (det. by G. Viggiani). LAZIO, Roma Prov.: Bosco di Manziana, 42°07.392’N 12°07.314’E, 400 m, 9.vi.2003, M. Bologna, J. Munro, A. Owen, J.D. Pinto [1 ♀, UCRC]. Castelporziano Presidential Estate: coastal dunes in N corner, 41°42.150’N 12°21.038’E, 5 m, 11.vi.2003, M. Bologna, J. Munro, A. Owen, J.D. Pinto [1 ♀, 1 ♂, UCRC]; La Focetta, 41°41.474’N 12°22.633’E, 10 m, 11.vi.2003, M. Bologna, J. Munro, A. Owen, J.D. Pinto [1 ♀, 1 ♂, UCRC]. Ponte Guidoni, 41°45.415’N 12°23.851’E, 80 m, 11–12.vi.2003, M. Bologna, J. Munro, A. Owen, J.D. Pinto [12 ♀, 2 ♂, UCRC]. Viterbo Prov.: Ponte San Pietro, 42°31.669’N 11°36.353’E, 75 m, 10.vi.2003, M. Bologna, J. Munro, A. Owen, J.D. Pinto [1 ♀, UCRC]. Roccaccia, 42°19.809’N 11°45.671’E, 125 m, 10.vi.2003, M. Bologna, J. Munro, A. Owen, J.D. Pinto [1 ♀, UCRC]. San Giovenale, 42°13.568’N 12°00.039’E, 225 m, 9.vi.2003, M. Bologna, J. Munro, A. Owen, J.D. Pinto [1 ♀, UCRC]. SICILY, Trapani Prov., Castelvetrano, 26.iii [year unknown], F. Silvestri [3 ♀, DEZA] (det. by G. Viggiani). [Locality unknown]: intercepted at New York (New York, USA), 12.iii.1937, Peltier (“On lemon fruit from Italy”) [1 ♀, USNM]; intercepted at Boston (Suffolk Co., Massachusetts, USA), 18.iv.1952 (“Italy On bay leaves J. D. Cramp”) [1 ♀, USNM]. NETHERLANDS: GELDERLAND, Wageningen, iii.1990, L.G. Moraal (from eggs of Psocoptera): on Abies sp. [3 ♀, DEZA]; on Ilex aquifolium [2 ♀, DEZA]; on Rhododendron sp. [1 ♀, DEZA] (det. by G. Viggiani). Limburg, Valkenburg, St. Ignatius Jesuit College (Ignatiuskolleg), W. Soyka (on window): 15.x.1930 [4 ♀, 2 ♂, NHMW]; 18.vi.1931 [1 ♀, NHMW]; 25.vii.1931 [6 ♀, NHMW] (1 ♀ labeled as a “Type” and invalidly designated by Soyka (1939a) as one of the two “neotypes”); 7.x.1931 [1 ♂, DEZA; 1 ♀, 1 ♂, EMEC; 1 ♀, 1 ♂, ISNB; 19 ♀, 5 ♂, NHMW; 1 ♂, USNM] (1 ♀ in NHMW labeled as a “Type” of A. mutatus , which is W. Soyka’s manuscript name, and 1 ♀, 1 ♂ in NHMW were incorrectly labeled by him as “Para-Types” of A. pallidicornis ); 28.vi.1932 [1 ♀, DEZA]. SOUTH HOLLAND, Boskoop, 15–28.iv.1914 (“Bred from egg masses on Rhododendron ”) [2 ♂, USNM]. POLAND: LOWER SILESIAN VOIVODESHIP: Karkonosze Mountains (50°44’18’’N 15°42’19’’E, 1434 m), Karkonosze National Park (as “Riesengebirge” on the label), 28.ix.1933, H.-J. Stammer [1 ♂, ISNB; 6 ♀, 6 ♂, NHMW] (1 ♀, 2 ♂ in NHMW incorrectly labeled by W. Soyka as “Para-Types”). Małkowice (Gmina Kąty Wrocławskie, Wrocław Co.; on the label, as Malkwitz b.[ei] Breslau [in the former Schlesien, Germany]), v.1934, W. Soyka [1 ♀, NHMW]. Wrocław, Bierdzany (on the label, as Pirscham b.[ei] Breslau [in Schlesien]), ix.1933, H.-J. Stammer [1 ♀, NHMW]. OPOLE VOIVODESHIP, Prudnik (on the label, as Neustadt in the former Oberschlesien, Germany), v.1934, W. Soyka [1 ♀, NHMW]. PODLASKIE VOIVODESHIP, Białowieża, 10.vii.1988, M. Koponen [1 ♂, FMNH]. POMERANIAN VOIVODESHIP, Gmina Miastko, 13.vii.1988, M. Koponen [1 ♀, FMNH]. PORTUGAL: [mainland, locality unknown], viii.1998, R. Paiva [1 ♀, BMNH]. MADEIRA, Madeira Island, Funchal, Vale do Paraíso, 740 m, 7.ix.1996, M. Koponen [1 ♀, 1 ♂, FMNH]. RUSSIA: MOSKOVSKAYA OBLAST’, Pushkinskiy rayon, Pushkino, Mamontovka, 5–15.vii.2001, E.Ya. Shuvakhina [1 ♀, UCRC]. SWITZERLAND: GENEVA, Vandoeuvres, F. Brocher (from eggs of Valenzuela flavidus (Stephens)) [1 ♀, NHMW]. UK: ENGLAND: Berkshire Co.: Slough, 1.x.1932, J.F. Pentamen [1 ♀, BMNH]. Sunninghill (near Ascot), Silwood Park, O.W. Richards (from eggs of V. flavidus on broom): 22.ix.1958, emerged during winter 1958–1959 [1 ♀, MMUE]; 5.viii.1959, emerged 14.viii–8.ix.1959 [4 ♀, MMUE]; 2.viii.1960, emerged 5–30.viii.1960 [2 ♀, 1 ♂, MMUE]; 27.vi–4.vii.1984, J. Waage, M.J. Matthews [1 ♀, BMNH]. Cambridgeshire Co., Meldreth, 28.v–4.vi.1981, R.S. George [1 ♀, BMNH]. Cheshire Co., Chester, F. Enock: 14.iii.1913 [1 ♂, MMUE] (misidentified by F. Enock and H. Britten as A. minimus ); iii.1913 [1 ♀, MMUE] (F. Enock’s slide No. 27517, misidentified by him as A. minimus ). Devon Co., Torquay, 1.vii.1980, J.R. Vockeroth (in pine plantation) [1 ♀, CNC]. Dorset Co., Bournemouth, S.G.C. Brown: ix.1960 (from psocid eggs on aspen) [numerous ♀, ♂, BMNH; 2 ♀, 2 ♂, MMUE]; ix.1979 (from psocid eggs on oak) [8 ♂, BMNH]; 15.ix.1980 (from psocid eggs on oak) [numerous ♀, ♂, BMNH]; ix.1980 (from psocid eggs on oak) [numerous ♀, ♂, BMNH]; ix.1982 [1 ♀, 1 ♂, BMNH]; 8.x.1981 [2 ♀, BMNH]; x.1981 (from psocid egg on oak) [1 ♂, BMNH]; 29.v.1982 [1 ♂, BMNH]; 12.vii.1982 [1 ♀, BMNH]; vii.1982 [1 ♀, BMNH]; 7.viii.1982 [2 ♀, BMNH]; viii.1982 [1 ♀, BMNH]; 8.x.1982 [7 ♀, BMNH]. Hampshire Co., Awbridge, 51°01’18’’N 1°32’27’’W, 52 m, C. Vardy: viii.1981 [1 ♀, BMNH]; ix.1981 [1 ♀, BMNH]. Herefordshire Co., Ross-on-Why, 3–9.ix.1979, R.S. George [2 ♀, BMNH]. London: London Borough of Enfield: Hadley Wood, 3.x.1972, M.W.R. de Vere Graham [1 ♀, BMNH]. Southgate, 9.ix.1971, M.W.R. de Vere Graham [1 ♀, BMNH]. London Borough of Merton: Wimbledon Park, vi–viii.1929, J.K. Close [1 ♀, BMNH]. North Yorkshire Co., Scarborough, Wrea Head, W.D. Hincks (from psocid eggs): 8.ix.1957, emerged 25.ix.1958 [5 ♀, 2 ♂, MMUE]; 26.viii.1958, emerged 3.ix.1958 [4 ♀, MMUE]. [No data]: H. Britten [1 ♀, MMUE] (misidentified by H. Britten as A. minimus ); F. Enock (“Fairy-Fly Spot Lens 84.60”) [1 ♀, BMNH]. SCOTLAND: Edinburgh, 6–9.viii.1991, R. Wharton [1 ♀, UCRC]. Renfrewshire, Paisley, Foxbar, 5– 10.vii.1982, R.S. George [2 ♀, BMNH]. [Locality unknown], intercepted at Baltimore (Maryland, USA), 15.ix.1934 (“On heather from Scotland”) [1 ♀, USNM]. WALES, Bridgend Co. Borough, Coychurch, Coed-ymwstwr School, emerged iv.1948, B.M. Hitchings (from psocid eggs on leaves of cherry laurel) [8 ♀, 3 ♂, MMUE]. USA: CALIFORNIA: Alameda Co., Berkeley, University of California at Berkeley Botanical Garden, 19.v.1966 [numerous ♀, ♂, EMEC]. Los Angeles Co., Norwalk, Studebaker, 29.xii.1911, P.H. Timberlake [1 ♂, UCRC]. Marin Co., Mill Valley: 22.x.1965 [3 ♀, 4 ♂, EMEC]; 23.x.1965 [4 ♀, EMEC]; 25–26.x.1965 [8 ♀, 4 ♂, EMEC]; 27.x.1965 [8 ♀, 5 ♂, EMEC]; 29.x.1965 [1 ♀, 3 ♂, EMEC]; 2.vi.1968, R.L. Doutt [1 ♀, EMEC]. Mendocino Co., Hopland, Campovida Vineyard, 38°58’07’’N 123°05’54’’W, 151 m, H. Wilson: 21.i–23.i.2014 (on Umbellularia californica ) [1 ♀, UCRC]; 21.i–30.i.2014 (on Heteromeles arbutifolia ) [2 ♀, UCRC]. Orange Co.: Anaheim, S.E. Flanders (identified by S.E. Flanders as A. psocidivorus Gahan ): 13.ix.1933 (from psocid eggs on citrus) [8 ♀, EMEC]; 20.ix.1933 (from psocid egg) [1 ♀, EMEC]. Buena Park, 17.x.1932, H. Compere [2 ♀, 1 ♂, EMEC] (identified by P.H. Timberlake as A. psocidivorus ). Sonoma Co., Hoot Owl Creek Vineyards, 38°39’13’’N 122°47’29’’W, 19–21.iv.2012, H. Wilson (on Umbellularia californica ) [1 ♀, UCRC]. ILLINOIS, Centralia (roadside Hwy. 51, 2 mi. S of downtown), 13–17.ix.1995, S.V. Triapitsyn [1 ♀, UCRC]. MICHIGAN, Livingston Co., University of Michigan E.S. George Reserve, [date unknown], K. Bohnsack [1 ♂, USNM].

Redescription. FEMALE (lectotype). Body brown, appendages pale ( Fig. 112 ).

Antenna (F1 and F2 poorly visible as it is obscured by the uncleared head) with scape 4.2× as long as wide, pedicel about 2× as long as wide; F5 the widest funicle segment; clava 3.8× as long as wide, apparently with 4 mps, a little longer than combined length of F3–F5.

Fore wing ( Fig. 113 ) about 9.8× as long as wide; disc almost hyaline and bare besides the admarginal rows; longest marginal seta 3.9× maximum wing width.

Ovipositor barely exserted beyond apex of gaster, 1.0× length of metatibia.

Measurements of the lectotype (µm). Body 330; ovipositor 142. Antenna: scape (including radicle) 72; pedicel 42; F3 36; F4 32; F5 30; clava 115. Fore wing 439:45; longest marginal seta 176.

Variation. Paralectotype of A. pallidicornis : fore wing ( Fig. 114 ) about 9.1× as long as wide, longest marginal seta about 3.3× maximum wing width; hind wing about 14× as long as wide, longest marginal seta about 4.9× maximum wing width; ovipositor length 150 µm. Holotype ( Fig. 120 ) and paratype of A. pechlaneri and non-type specimens from Europe ( Figs 125, 127 ): body length of dry-mounted specimens 270–430 µm, of slide-mounted specimens 330–455 µm (usually less than 400 µm); head dark brown, mesosoma mostly brown, gaster usually a little lighter, appendages grayish or light brown; antenna from a little shorter to a little longer than body, with scape (including radicle) 3.6–4.4× as long as wide, F1 shorter than pedicel, F2 the longest funicle segment and usually 4.0–5.5× as long as wide but in a few very large specimens only tentatively attributable to A. pallidicornis up to about 7.0× as long as wide, F4 and F5 the widest funicle segments, clava 3.2–4.7× as long as wide, with 4 mps, slightly longer than combined length of F3–F5; fore wing 7.9–10.3× as long as wide (length 310–500 µm, usually 330–390 µm); disc with a slight brownish tinge and bare besides the admarginal rows, longest marginal seta 3.5– 4.8× maximum wing width; hind wing 15–20× as long as wide, disc more strongly infumate, with 1 row of setae closer to posterior margin, longest marginal seta 5.4–6.7× maximum wing width; ovipositor (length usually 97–154 µm but in a few very large specimens up to 210 µm) usually barely exserted beyond apex of gaster but in large specimens sometimes exserted by up to 0.2× total own length, and 0.8–1.3× length of metatibia (usually 0.9–1.1×).

MALE (non-type specimens from Europe, Fig. 128 ). Body length (slide-mounted specimens) 330–480 mm.

Similar to female except for normal sexually dimorphic features and the following. Antenna ( Fig. 117 ) with scape (including radicle) 3.3–3.7× as long as wide; F1 shorter than pedicel. Mesosoma as in Fig. 126 ; fore wing ( Fig. 129 ) 8.0–10.0× as long as wide. Genitalia ( Fig. 118 ) length 63–78 µm.

Diagnosis. See the diagnoses of A. antennatus , A. plih , A. santetrapsi , and A. sp. near pallidicornis .

Distribution. Nearctic: Canada * and USA *; Palaearctic: Austria, Belarus ( Triapitsyn 2002), Belgium, Bulgaria ( Donev 1978, 1987), China *, Czech Republic *, Denmark, Egypt ( Soyka 1950), Finland ( Vikberg 1982), France ( Pintureau & Keita 1990), Germany, Israel *, Italy ( Viggiani & Jesu 1988; Viggiani 2005), Netherlands ( Soyka 1937), Poland ( Soyka 1937), Portugal * (including Madeira *), Romania ( Pricop 2008, 2009, 2010a), Russia ( Triapitsyn 2002), Spain ( Baquero & Jordana 2002; Arnaldos et al. 2004), Sweden ( Noyes 2016), Switzerland *, and UK: England ( Hincks 1959; New 1969), Scotland *, and Wales ( Hincks 1959). Neotropical: Mexico (fossil—in amber, Doutt 1973; De Santis 1983; Guzmán-Larralde et al. 2017). Although Sysoev et al. (1967) mentioned A. excisus from Krasnodarskiy kray, Russia, this record needs confirmation (if their voucher specimens exist, but that is quite doubtful).

Hosts. Caecilius fuscopterus (Latreille) and Valenzuela flavidus (Stephens) (Caeciliusidae) ( Triapitsyn 2002), Ectopsocus californicus (Banks) (Ectopsocidae) ( Peck 1963; Doutt 1973) [as A. psocidivorus ]), as well as Graphopsocus cruciatus (Linnaeus) , Lachesilla pedicularia (Linnaeus) ( Bakkendorf 1934; Debauche 1948; Kryger 1950; Arnaldos et al. 2004), and Stenopsocus stigmaticus (Imhoff & Labram) (Stenopsocidae) ( Triapitsyn 2002), and also some other Psocoptera listed by Spruyt (1927), New (1969) and Noyes (2016).

Comments. The rationale of using the name A. pallidicornis rather than the originally published name A. pallidornis ( Foerster 1856) , which was an obvious typographical mistake ( Soyka 1937), needs to be further explained here to avoid the existing controversy. Alaptus pallidicornis was an unjustified emendation proposed by Dalla Torre (1898) based on the fact that the syntypes of this species in the NHMW were all labeled by A. Foerster himself as such and, unlike the original misspelling, it is the name that makes sense by referring to a fair color of the antennae. But because the name A. pallidicornis (at least 20 qualifying uses in the scientific literature, see some of them listed above) has been in an overwhelming prevailing usage over the name A. pallidornis (at most 2 qualifying uses by Pricop (2008, 2010a)) and is without any doubt attributed to the original author and publication date of this species, according to Article 33.2.3.1. (ICZN 1999) it is deemed to be a justified emendation being in prevailing usage and thus is to be maintained as the correct spelling.

There is no doubt whatsoever that Metalaptus torquatus is conspecific with A. pallidicornis , as suggested earlier by Viggiani & Jesu (1988); particularly, Malenotti (1918), who redescribed and illustrated both sexes of his species thoroughly, provided drawings of the male which has a typical habitus and characteristic genitalia of A. pallidicornis . The syntypes of M. torquatus are presumed lost, as they could not be found anywhere in Florence, Tuscany, Italy (Gennaro Viggiani, personal communication).

There are numerous other A. pallidicornis specimens on slides in the W. Soyka collection in NHMW; for brevity, they are not recorded here; many of them (from the Netherlands and Poland) were listed by Soyka (1937). Along with many A. minimus and some A. fusculus , this species is also present in great numbers among at least a full drawer of dry-mounted Alaptus spp. in the BMNH, mostly from England.

Figures

FIGURES 111 – 114. Alaptus pallidicornis ♀. 111, slide (lectotype); 112, habitus (lectotype); 113, fore wing (lectotype); 114, fore wing (paralectotype, W. Soyka’s slide # 13).

FIGURES 115 – 118. Alaptus pallidicornis (115, 116 — ♀ paralectotype, W. Soyka’s slide # 13; 117, 118 — ♂, Castelporziano Presidential Estate, Roma Prov., Lazio, Italy). 115, habitus; 116, slide; 117, antenna; 118, genitalia.

FIGURES 119 – 121. Alaptus pallidicornis. 119, ♀ neotype and non-type ♂ of A. excisus; 120, ♀ habitus (holotype of A. pechlaneri); 121, slide (♀ holotype of A. pechlaneri).

FIGURES 122 – 124. Alaptus pallidicornis ♀ (presumed holotype of A. psocidivorus). 122, slide; 123, body and antenna; 124, fore wing.

FIGURES 125 – 129. Alaptus pallidicornis (125 — St. Ignatius Jesuit College, Valkenburg, Limburg, Netherlands; 126 – 129 — Groenendael, Flemish Brabant, Belgium). 125, ♀ habitus of one of the two W. Soyka’s invalidly designated “ neotypes ”; 126, ♂ head and mesosoma; 127, ♀ habitus; 128, ♂ habitus; 129, ♂ fore wing.