Erythrodolius Seyrig, 1932

Bennett, Andrew M. R., Sääksjärvi, Ilari E. & Broad, Gavin R., 2013, Revision of the New World species of (Hymenoptera: Ichneumonidae: Sisyrostolinae), with a key to the world species, Zootaxa 3702 (5), pp. 425-436 : 425-436

Erythrodolius Seyrig, 1932

Figs 1–16

Erythrodolius Seyrig, 1932 , 115. Type species: Erythrodolius maculosus Seyrig, 1932 by original designation.

Diagnosis: Erythrodolius can be distinguished from other genera of the Sisyrostolinae by the following combination of characters: 1) fore wing with vein 3rs-m absent, so that cell 1+2Rs (areolet) is open; 2) tarsal claws simple (not pectinate); 3) clypeus smoothly convex in profile, lacking a transverse medial ridge; 4) posterior transverse carina of propodeum present; 5) tergite 1 relatively slender, at least 2.5 times as long as posterior width. As the subfamily is currently defined, Erythrodolius is the only genus known from the New World.

Description: Fore wing length 7.0 to 19.0 mm. Clypeus well-separated from face by a suture, smoothly convex to almost flat in profile, lacking a transverse ridge medially, with a medial apical tooth ( Figs 5–8 ) or with about six rounded crenulations medially. Frons with a median, longitudinal carina between antennal bases. Occipital carina joining hypostomal carina (not mandible). Pronotum lacking epomia. Mesoscutum with notauli weak to moderately deep, extending posteriorly to less than midpoint of mesoscutum ( Fig. 16 ). Posterior transverse carina of mesosternum incomplete, present medially, but absent anterior to mid coxae. Propodeum with all carinae present (most species) ( Figs 9, 11, 12 ) or in some species, the anterior transverse carina and/or longitudinal carina medially absent ( Fig. 10 ). Pleural carina complete ( Figs 13–15 ). Propodeal spiracle nearly round to narrowly ovoid. Apex of fore and mid tibiae each with a tooth anteriorly. Tarsal claws simple. Fore wing with vein 3rs-m absent, vein 2m-cu with one bulla ( Fig. 4 ). Hind wing with distal abscissa of vein Cu1 present, joining vein cu-a closer to vein 1A than to vein M ( Fig. 4 ). Metasoma with tergite 1 slender anteriorly, at least 2.5 times as long as posteriorly wide, glymmae deep, separated only by a translucent partition, spiracles slightly anterior to midpoint of segment ( Fig. 2 ). Metasomal segment 2 with laterotergites wide and completely separated from tergite by a crease ( Fig. 2 ). Ovipositor 1.0 to 3.5 times as long as length of hind tibia, straight or gently to strongly upcurved ( Figs 1– 4 ).

Species included: 13 (see key), including 3 new species described below.

Distribution: Afrotropical ( Madagascar, central and southern Africa) and Neotropical (Central America).

Biology: Unknown; the only host record for the subfamily is for a species of Brachyscleroma that has been reared from a weevil: Apoderus quadripunctatus (Gyllenhal) ( Coleoptera : Curculionidae ) ( Cushman 1940).

Comments: Erythrodolius forms a putatively monophyletic group with all other genera of Sisyrostolinae except Brachyscleroma based on the synapomorphies of the loss of vein 3rs-m and the presence of an apical tooth on the anterior of the fore tibia. It appears to be most closely related to the monotypic Icariomimus , differing only in that the latter genus has a large round protuberance between the antennal bases (absent in Erythrodolius ) and the propodeal carinae: Icariomimus has a complete anterior transverse carina but the posterior transverse carina is lacking except laterally, whereas all species of Erythrodolius have a strong posterior transverse carina, at least medially, and the anterior transverse carina may be present or absent. As more species of Erythrodolius are described from the Afrotropical region it may be found that Icariomimus renders Erythrodolius paraphyletic, but for the moment, both genera are maintained. The New World species of Erythrodolius all possess an upcurved, relatively short ovipositor (much shorter than the length of the body). In comparison all Old World species have an ovipositor that is equal to or longer than the body, and for the species examined ( E. maculosus Seyrig , E. calamitosus Seyrig and two undescribed species), the ovipositor is straight.

Figures

FIGURE 1. Lateral habitus, Erythrodolius griffithsorum, female, non-type (ZMUT).

FIGURE 2. Lateral habitus, Erythrodolius incompletus, female, holotype.

FIGURE 3. Lateral habitus, Erythrodolius luteus, female, holotype.

FIGURE 4. Lateral habitus, Erythrodolius tenebrosus, female, holotype.

FIGURES 5 – 8. Head, anterior view, Erythrodolius spp. females. 5. E. griffithsorum, non-type (ZMUT); 6. E. incompletus, holotype; 7. E. luteus, holotype; 8. E. tenebrosus, holotype.

FIGURES 9 – 12. Propodeum, dorsoposterior view, Erythrodolius spp. females. 9. E. griffithsorum, non-type (ZMUT); 10. E. incompletus, holotype; 11. E. luteus, holotype; 12. E. tenebrosus, holotype.

FIGURES 13 – 16. Erythrodolius spp. females. 13 – 15. Propodeum, lateral view, 16. Mesoscutum, dorsal view. 13. E. griffithsorum, non-type (ZMUT); 14. E. incompletus, holotype; 15. E. luteus, holotype; 16. E. incompletus, holotype.