Pristiphora sermola Liston, 1993

Prous, Marko, Kramp, Katja & Liston 1, Veli VikbergAndrew, 2017, North-Western Palaearctic species of Pristiphora (Hymenoptera, Tenthredinidae), Journal of Hymenoptera Research 59, pp. 1-190 : 53-54

Pristiphora sermola Liston, 1993 Figs 209, 304

Lygaeonematus (Lygaeophora) variipes Lindqvist, 1952: 106-107. Secondary homonym of Pristiphora varipes Serville, 1823. Holotype ♀ (DEI-GISHym20889) in MZH, examined. Type locality: Island Ruissalo (=Runsala), Turku, Finland.

Lygaeonematus (Lygaeophora) variipes ab. xanthopus Lindqvist, 1952: 107. Not available. Infrasubspecific name.

Lygaeonematus (Lygaeophora) variipes ab. morio Lindqvist, 1952: 107. Not available. Infrasubspecific name.

Pristiphora sermola Liston, 1993: 104. Replacement name for Lygaeonematus (Lygaeophora) variipes Lindqvist, 1952.

Similar species.

Species limits in the micronematica group are still unclear.

Genetic data.

Based on COI barcode sequences, specimens of the micronematica group belong to the BIN cluster BOLD:ACG2488. Maximum distance within the BIN is 2.45%. The nearest neighbour to BOLD:ACG2488, diverging by a minimum of 4.1%, is BOLD:ACO1401 ( P. euxantha ). Based on nuclear data, maximum divergence within the group is 2.5% (based on four specimens and TPI) and the nearest neighbour is 4.7% ( P. nigella , only TPI) or 0.6% different ( P. siskiyouensis , only NaK).

Host plants.

Salix caprea L. [ Liston 1982, as Pristiphora (Lygaeophora) lanifica ], S. phylicifolia (ex larva and ex ovo rearings by J. Kangas and VV), Salix starkeana Willd. (ex ovo rearing experiments by VV). The report by Kontuniemi (1960) of P. lanifica from Salix phylicifolia L. possibly refers to P. sermola .

Rearing notes.

Ovipositing experiment no. 2/1971 as P. variipes : Finland, North Karelia: Kontiolahti, Jaamankangas. On 30-31.V.1971 one captured female laid several eggs in pockets near leaf margin of Salix phylicifolia . Larvae hatched on 2-3.VI.1971. Four larval instars were observed, their development was rapid and prepupae were seen on 11-13.VI.1971. No extra moult after feeding.

Ovipositing experiment no. 23/1973: Finland, North Karelia, Kontiolahti, Jaamankangas. On 28-29.V.1973 one captured female laid several eggs in buds of Salix starkeana , in egg pockets on the undersides of leaves near the leaf margin. Larvae hatched on 1.VI.1973. Five larval instars were observed, their development was rapid and on 11.VI.1973 prepupae were seen. No extra moult after feeding.

Distribution and material examined.

West Palaearctic. Specimens studied are from Finland and Sweden.