Cremnops boliviensis Berta

Tucker, Erika M., Chapman, Eric G. & Sharkey, Michael J., 2015, A revision of the New World species of Cremnops Förster (Hymenoptera: Braconidae: Agathidinae), Zootaxa 3916 (1), pp. 1-83 : 41-42

Cremnops boliviensis Berta

[ Plate 4 , Figs A–I]

Cremnops boliviensis Berta de Fernandez, 1988. Male.

Diagnosis. This species is easily distinguished by its relatively large size, merged subpronopes, and yellow stigma. Description. Holotype: male. Body length 9 mm (9–13 mm).

Head (Figs C & F). Antennae broken on type specimen, 40–43 flagellomeres. Lateral carina of frons weak, ending significantly anteriad lateral ocellus. Interocellar space elevated, higher than lateral ocelli (to level with lateral ocelli). Malar space 1.2x (0.8–1.2x) eye height. Mandible with distinct and elongate basal lobe, giving mandible a forked appearance.

Mesosoma (Figs D, E & H). Subpronopes contiguous, merged into one large pit. Median mesonotal lobe not depressed medially. Notaulus smooth. Scutellar sulcus with 1 longitudinal carina. Hind margin of posterolateral scutal flange not prominent; reduced and blunt (to 90° to obtuse). Mesoscutellar trough without longitudinal carinae laterally. Metanotal trough with extensive longitudinal carinae laterally. Sternaulus with 3 (2–3) pits; about 1/ 3x length of mesopleuron. Discrimen smooth. Medial propodeal areola with 4 (2–4) transverse carinae. Metapleuron rugose on ventral 1/3.

Hind leg (Fig. I). Femur length about 3.5x width. Trochantellar carina absent. Distal tibia with 2 spines. Claw missing on type specimen, inner tooth of inner and outer claws symmetrical, narrow and angled (to curved), with 7–8 (female) or 3–4 (male) basal pectines.

Fore wing (Fig. G). Melanic; veins melanic; stigma yellow. 2nd submarginal cell about as high as wide (to slightly higher than wide). Hyaline spot in dorsal part of 1st submarginal cell, dorsobasal part of marginal cell, and basal part of 2nd discal cell. (Hyaline spot absent in 2nd discal space and present in 2nd submarginal cell).

Metasoma (Figs A & B). 1st median tergite length about 1.5– 2 x apical width, apical width about 3x basal width.

Body Color Red, except melanic as follows: patch on center of face; scape red (to all black except red as follows: propodeum, metapleuron, parts of hind leg, most of metasomal dorsal tergites).

Biology. Host —Unknown.

Adults Collected —July, November & December.

Geographic Range — Bolivia, Brazil, and Paraguay. See map in Appendix II.

Comments. Cremnops boliviensis is one of only four species that has merged subpronopes ( C. cubensis , C. slossonae and C. violaceipennis ), but is distinguished by its yellow stigma (compared to the melanic stigma in C. cubensis , C. slossonae and C. violaceipennis ). The best way to differentiate C. violaceipennis from C. cubensis and C. slossonae is by color: C. cubensis is all orange with at least some melanic coloration on the head, C. slossonae is black with an orange propodeum and metasoma, and C. violaceipennis is black with an orange propodeum and black metasoma. Cremnops violaceipennis also tends to have a tubercle on the lateral anteromesoscutum (60% of specimens).

Etymology. Presumably named for the collecting locale, Bolivia.

Material examined. HOLOTYPE: images, male, Bolivia, Santa Cruz, Palmar del Oratio, 12/VII/1973, ( IFML). ALLOTYPE: female, Bolivia, Santa Cruz, Palmar del Oratio, 12/VII/1973 ( IFML).Non-Types: 2 ( HIC). For holotype and additional images see Appendix VIII.

Figures

PLATE 4. Cremnops boliviensis. A. lateral habitus (2 color variations); B. dorsal habitus (2 color variations); C. lateral head; D. mesopleuron; E. mesoscutum; F. face; G. wings with stigma insert; H. propodeum (2 carination variations); I. hind leg.