PARNIPINAE

Fredrik Ronquist & José Luis Nieves-Aldrey, 2001, A new subfamily of Figitidae (Hymenoptera, Cynipoidea), Zoological Journal of the Linnean Society 133, pp. 483-494 : 485-486

PARNIPINAE RONQUIST & NIEVES-ALDREY,

SUBFAM. NOV.

Based on Parnips new genus ( Fig. 2 ).

Diagnosis. Differs from all other figitids by the combination of a dull mesoscutum and the lack of a horizontal mesopleural furrow ( Fig. 4 A,B). Differs from cynipids by having a prominent lateral pronotal carina (lpc, Fig. 4 A) (present only in Synergus among cynipids), a closed marginal cell ( Fig. 6 ) (usually open in cynipids), Rs+M issuing from the posterior end of the basal vein ( Fig. 6 ), and a basal flexion point in the ninth tergum of the female (flp, Fig. 8 ). The new subfamily also differs in a number of additional respects from cynipids, figitids and other cynipoids ( Ronquist, 1995a, 1999; Liljeblad & Ronquist, 1998). Possible autapomorphies (see also discussion below) of the Parnipinae include the pronotal depressions being united medially with a shallow transverse furrow ( Fig. 5 A), the procoxa having a distinct anterolateral crest, and the median mesoscutal impression and notauli being indistinct anteriorly ( Fig. 4 B) ( Ronquist 1995a, 1999; Liljeblad & Ronquist, 1998). However, none of these characters is uniquely derived within the Figitidae + Cynipidae .

Description. Female antenna connate, not moniliform. Lower face without median frontal carina ( Fig. 3 A). Head not distinctly depressed posteriorly ( Fig. 3 B). Occipital carina missing. Anterior flange of pronotum short ( Fig. 4 A). Lateral pronotal carina (lpc, Fig. 4 A) prominent. Dorsal pronotal area (dpa, Fig. 4 B) short, pronotal crest missing. Mesoscutum with dull sculpture, without prominent transverse costae. Mesopleural triangle distinctly impressed ( Fig. 4 A). Posterior subalar pit present. Mesopleuron without horizontal furrow or carinae. Bulla in R1+Sc present ( Fig. 6 ). Submedian pits on articular bulb of petiole deep and distinct ( Fig. 7 ). Abdominal terga 3–8 free. Third abdominal tergum of female longer than the fourth along the dorsal curvature of the metasoma; posterior margin oblique in lateral view ( Fig. 7 A). Ovipositor coiled spirally almost 360°, not elbowed ( Fig. 8 ). Ninth tergum of female with a distinct flexion point above the base of the third valvula. Dorsal process anterior to the flexion point absent. Basal part of terebra twisted 180° so that the first valvulae are in dorsal position at the apex. First valvula narrowing gradually, not broadened apically.

Diversity and distribution. Includes a single genus and species occurring in the Mediterranean region.

Figures

Figure 2. Habitus of Parnips nigripes.

Figure 3. Head of Parnips nigripes, female (SEM). A,

Figure 4. Mesosoma of Parnips nigripes, female (SEM). A, lateral view. B, dorsal view. Abbreviations: lpc – lateral pronotal carina; dpa – dorsal pronotal area.

Figure 6. Left forewing of Parnips nigripes, female.

Figure 7. Metasoma of Parnips nigripes, lateral view (SEM). A, female. B, male.

Figure 8. Ovipositor of Parnips nigripes, lateral view from the left side. Drawing from a slide mount of an ovipositor cleared in KOH. Abbreviations: b 3 v – base of third valvula; ce – cercus; cla – clear (but not weak) area in the third valvula; flp – flexion point in the ninth tergum, consisting of a weak and flexible, triangular area surrounded by more heavily sclerotized regions; tw – basal twist in terebra; 2 vlf – second valvifer; 9 tg – ninth abdominal tergum.