Ophion variegatus Rudow, 1883

Verheyde, Fons, Hoekstra, Paul, Libert, Pierre-Nicolas, Meijer, Hilco, Ketelaere, Augustijn De, Vandaudenard, Thibaud, Belgers, Dick & Brosens, Edwin, 1880, Two hundred and five ichneumonid wasps reported for the first time in Belgium and the Netherlands (Hymenoptera: Ichneumonidae), Belgian Journal of Entomology 122, pp. 1-142 : 83

Ophion variegatus Rudow, 1883 (Fig. 43)

This species has only been recently described in all clarity. It belongs to the so-called O. obscuratus -aggregate, which consists of species with a creamy to yellowish pattern on their mesosoma. Presumably, some unknown species are yet to be described (pers. comm. G. Broad and JOHANSSON & CEDERBERG, 2019) and therefore all authors are keeping material for future reconsiderations. However, O. variegatus is a well-established species now. It is a smaller species (fore wing length 14–16 mm), usually with 60 flagellomeres or fewer. These flagellomeres are 1.5–1.6× as long as wide in the males. Furthermore, the occipital carina is joining the hypostomal carina at an angle of 80–90 degrees and the scutellum is more narrowed posteriorly ( JOHANSSON & CEDERBERG, 2019). Although specimens always have to be checked with a microscope, on habitus, the species seems to be slightly more reddish, while the pattern on its mesosoma often is slightly more creamy-yellow than light yellow in for example Ophion obscuratus Fabricius, 1798 (Fig. 43). There is also an important difference in phenology, with O. variegatus being mainly active from April to June.

First report for Belgium and the Netherlands.

MATERIAL EXAMINED:

BELGIUM: • 1 ♀; Zeebrugge (WVL); 51°19’14”N 3°10’39”E; 13/vi/2020; A. Beidts leg.; coll. ADK; light trap; A. De Ketelaere det. (ObsID: 194639244) . • 1 ♂; Jamagne (NA); 50°13’40”N 4°31’46”E; 23/vi/2020; T. Vandaudenard leg.; coll. TV; light trap; T. Vandaudenard det. (ObsID: 202044165); Fig. 43 .

THE NETHERLANDS: • 1 ♂; Beuningen , Personnenbos (GE); 51°50’08”N 5°45’28”E; 9/iv/2020; P. Hoekstra leg.; coll . PH; light trap; P. Hoekstra & F. Verheyde det. (ObsID: 188427643) .