Bracon (Osculobracon) osculator Nees, 1811

Papp, Jenő & Xviii, Budapest, 2012, A revision of the Bracon Fabricius species in Wesmael’s collection deposited in Brussels (Hymenoptera: Braconidae: Braconinae), European Journal of Taxonomy 21, pp. 1-154 : 134-138

Bracon (Osculobracon) osculator Nees, 1811

Fig. 65 A-J

Taxonomic remark on the subgenus Osculobracon

The subgenus was described recently ( Papp 2008: 1749-1750), type species is Bracon osculator Nees, 1811 . The subgenus is nearest to the subgenus Glabrobracon , it can be distinguished from the latter by

the following features: second tergite antero-laterally and tergites 3-4(-5) posteriorly membraneous (or desclerotized). Chitinized part of tergites polished, rarely uneven to (sub-)rugulose in variable extent.

Bracon osculator Nees, 1811: 10 ♀ (type material: several ♀♀, destroyed), type locality:?Sickershausen ( Germany).

Braco bisignatus Wesmael, 1838: 56 ♀ (type material: 6 ♀♀ taken in Brussels: 5 ♀♀ and Oostmael: 1 ♀), type locality: “environs de Bruxelles ” ( Belgium), ♀ lectotype (and two ♀ paralectotypes, present designations, further three ♀♀ not seen) in the Royal Belgian Institute of Natural Sciences, Brussels; examined.

Bracon (Glabrobracon) coniferarum Fahringer, 1927 (Schmiedeknecht in litt.): 287 (in key) and 1928: 449 (description), ♀ (type material: 4 ♀♀), type locality: Blankenburg, Thüringen, Germany, ♀ lectotype (designated by Quicke in 1988) in Zoologisches Museum, Berlin, examined; two ♀ paralectotypes (with similar locality by Schmiedeknecht) in Zoologisches Museum, Berlin (1 ♀ paralectotype) and in Naturhistorisches Museum, Wien (1 ♀ paralectotype), examined.

Bracon degenerator Marshall, 1885: 44 ♀ (type material: 1 ♀), type locality: “ Leicestershire ” ( England), depository of the ♀ syntype unknown (cf. Shenefelt l.c.).

Bracon minutus Szépligeti, 1901: 262 (in key) and 277 (description) (in Hungarian) ♀, 1904 (1901): 162 (in key), 173 (description) (in German) ♀ (type material: 1 ♀), type locality: “ Budapest ” ( Hungary), ♀ lectotype (designated by Papp in 2004) in Magyar Természettudományi Múzeum, Budapest; examined. Bracon (Glabrobracon) venustus Telenga, 1936: 145 (♀), 155 (♁) (in key), 191 (description) (in Russian) and 347 (♀), 357 (♁) (in key), 385 (description) (in German) ♀ ♁ (number of type material not given), type locality: Crimea (Yalta), Daghestan (Kislyar), Georgia and “Heptapotamien” (lectotype and paralectotype designations needed), syntype series (supposedly) in Zoologicheskiy Institut, Sankt Petersburg; not examined.

Bracon osculator – Nees 1834: 84 (♀ ♁, detailed redescription). Szépligeti 1901: 267 (in key, in Hungarian); 1904 (1901): 185 and 186 (in key, in German). Bracon (Glabrobracon) osculator – Fahringer 1927: 298 (♀), 308 (♁) (in key), 1928: 475 (redescription), assigned to “Section Glabrobracon ”. — Telenga 1936: 146 (♀), 156 (♁) (in key), 198 (redescription) (in Russian) and 348 (♀), 359 (♁) (in key, in German). — Papp 1966: 377 (in key) and 387 (redescription). — Shenefelt 1978: 1577 (literature up to 1974). — Tobias 1986: 135 (in key, in Russian). — Tobias & Belokobylskij 2000: 146 (in key, in Russian). Bracon bisignatus – Marshall 1897: 85 (synonymization). — Szépligeti 1901: as valid species 269 (in key, in Hungarian), 1904 (1901): as valid species 189 (in key, in German). — Fahringer 1927: 298 (in key), 1928: 475 (as synonym of B. osculator ). — Telenga 1936: 198 (as synonym of B. osculator ). — Shenefelt 1978: 1577 (as synonym of B. osculator ). Bracon (Glabrobracon) coniferarum – Telenga 1936: as valid species 145 (in key), 192 (redescription) (in Russian) and 347 (in key, in German). — Shenefelt 1978: 1564 (as valid species, literature up to 1962. Bracon degenerator – Szépligeti 1901: as?valid species 269 (in key, in Hungarian), 1904 (1901): as?valid species 189 (in key, in German). — Szépligeti 1904: Genera Insectorum 22: 28 (as synomym of B. osculator ). — Fahringer 1927: 298 (in key) and 1928: 475 (synonym as B. osculator var. degenerator ). — Shenefelt 1978: 1577 (as B. osculator var. degenerator (Marshall) after Fahringer l.c.). Bracon minutus – Fahringer 1927: as valid species 239 (in key) and 327 (redescription), assigned to “Section Striobracon ” (= Bracon s. str.). — Telenga 1936:as valid species 161 (in key), 245 (redescription) (in Russian) and 364 (in key, in German). — Papp 1966: 387 (as synonym of B. osculator ), 2004: 178 (type designation and depository). Bracon (Glabrobracon) venustus – Tobias 1958: as valid species 97 (in key), 1959: as valid species 894, 1976: 77 (first synonymization with B. osculator , in key) and 1986: 135 (as synonym of B. osculator ). — Tobias & Belokobylskij 2000: 146 (as synonym of B. osculator ).

Taxonomic remark on B. coniferarum

The species name “ Bracon coniferarum ” was created by Schmiedeknecht; however, the species was never described by him, i.e. it remained in litteris. Fahringer (l.c.) applied Schmiedeknecht’s name to validate this taxon, his description is based on three ♀♀ of which the ♀ lectotype (designated by Quicke in 1988) and one ♀ paralectotype (designated by J. Papp) are deposited in the Zoological Museum, Berlin and, furthermore, one ♀ paralectotype (designated by J. Papp) deposited in the Naturhistorisches Museum, Wien; the ♀ lectotype is identical with B. osculator , the two ♀ paralectotypes are representing B. cingulator Szépligeti, 1901 , named accordingly by me. Two ♁ specimens (one ♁ in Berlin Museum, one ♁ in Natur Museum, Coburg) were also labelled as B. coniferarum by Schmiedeknecht; however, they did not serve for the original description by Fahringer (l.c.).

Designation of the ♀ lectotype of B. bisignatus Wesmael and the ♀ neotype (identical specimen to

the lectotype of B. bisignatus ) of B. osculator Nees

(First label, printed) “Coll. Wesmael”; (second small label, printed) “2080”; (third label, printed red) “Type”; (fourth label) “ Braco bisignatus mihi ♀ ” (handwritten) “dét. C. Wesmael” (printed); fifth label is the lectotype card (of B. bisignatus ) and sixth label is the neotype card (of B. osculator ) attached by me; seventh label is with the (?)inventory number “3317”. Lecto- or neotype is in good condition (1) micropinned by mesosoma (micropin thick); (2) left flagellum apically deficient, i.e. left antenna with 23 antennomeres; (3) mesoscutum close to micropin shortly splitted; (4) left hind leg (except coxa + trochanter) missing.

Taxonomic remark on the neotype designation

In the neotype designation of B. osculator the respective statutes of the International Code of Zoological Nomenclature are taken into consideration: to stabilize the taxonomic status as well as to distinguish the nearest allies of B. osculator .

Designation of the two ♀ paralectotypes of Bracon bisignatus

First four and the seventh labels are identical to those of the ♀ lectotype (or ♀ neotype); fifth label is the paralectotype card attached by me; sixth label is with the actual name B. osculator Nees given by me in 1982. The two paralectotypes are in good condition: (1) micropinned by mesosoma (micropin thick); (2) left hind leg (except coxa + trochanter) of one paralectotype missing; (3) right fore leg (except coxa + trochanter) of one paralectotype also missing.

Material examined

194 ♀♀ + 104 ♁♁ from 27 countries: ENGLAND: 4 ♀♀ + 2 ♁♁ from six localities. FRANCE: 1 ♀ + 2 ♁♁ from three localities. DENMARK: 1 ♀ + 1 ♁ from two localities. SWEDEN: 2 ♀♀ + 2 ♁♁ from four localities. FINLAND: 3 ♁♁ from three localities. THE NETHERLANDS: 2 ♀♀ from two localities. GERMANY: 8 ♀♀ + 5 ♁♁ from eleven localities. SWITZERLAND: 3 ♀♀ from two localities. LIECHTENSTEIN: 1 ♀. AUSTRIA: 3 ♀♀ from two localities. HUNGARY: 108 ♀♀ + 62 ♁♁ from 149 localities. SLOVAKIA: 3 ♀♀ + 1 ♁ from four localities. ROMANIA: 7 ♀♀ + 4 ♁♁ from ten localities. PORTUGAL: 1 ♁. SPAIN: 2 ♀♀ + 2 ♁♁ from three localities. ITALY: 6 ♀♀ + 3 ♁♁ from seven localities. CROATIA: 1 ♀ + 1 ♁ from two localities. SERBIA: 2 ♀♀ from two localities. KOSOVO: 1 ♀. MACEDONIA: 5 ♀♀ + 4 ♁♁ from seven localities. GREECE: 1 ♀. BULGARIA: 14 ♀♀ + 7 ♁♁ from eighteen localities. TURKEY: 3 ♀♀ + 2 ♁♁ from three localities. EUROPEAN RUSSIA: 2 ♀♀ from two localities. ASIATIC RUSSIA: 1 ♁. ARMENIA: 3 ♀♀ from three localities. MONGOLIA: 8 ♀♀ + 1 ♁ from eight localities. KOREA: 3 ♀♀ from two localities.

Description of the ♀ neotype of Bracon osculator ( Fig. 65 A-I)

LENGTH. Body 2.9 mm long.

ANTENNAE. Right antenna slightly longer than body and with 27 antennomeres. First flagellomere twice and penultimate flagellomere almost twice as long as broad, flagellum indistinctly attenuating distally ( Fig. 65A ).

HEAD. In dorsal view transverse ( Fig. 65B ), almost 1.9 times as broad as long, eye nearly 1.7 times longer than temple, temple rounded, occiput weakly excavated. Eye in lateral view 1.6 times as high as wide and 1.3 times wider than temple, temple ventrally faintly broadening ( Fig. 65C , see arrows). Oral opening: its horizontal diameter as long as shortest distance between opening and compound eye ( FIG. 65D ). Head polished.

MESOSOMA. In lateral view 1.4 times as long as high, polished. Notaulix distinct, uneven. Propodeum polished.

LEGS. Hind femur 3.3 times as long as broad distally ( Fig. 65E ). Claw less downcurved, its basal lobe as in Fig. 65F.

WINGS. Forewing about one-fourth longer than body. Pterostigma ( Fig. 65G ) 2.6 times as long as wide and issuing r just proximally from its middle, r a bit shorter than width of pterostigma. Second submarginal cell usual in size, 3-SR nearly 1.3 times as long as 2-SR, SR1 straight, nearly 1.7 times as long as 3-SR and approaching tip of wing. First discal cell fairly high, 1-M 1.6 times longer than m-cu, 1-SR-M 1.25 times longer than 1-M ( Fig. 65H ).

TERGITES. First tergite ( Fig. 65I ) 1.4 times as long as broad behind, beyond pair of spiracles sides slightly converging posteriorly, margin of scutum smooth, tergite polished. Second tergite five times broader behind than long laterally ( Fig. 65I ). Third tergite one-third longer than second tergite, suture between them bisinuate, chintinized part of tergites polished, membraneous hind part of tergites 3-6 gradually narrowing ( Fig. 65I ). Hypopygium hardly visible (owing its shrinking), ovipositor sheath less long, as long as tibia of middle leg.

COLOUR. Antenna dark brown. Head black with weak brownish tint, orbit just pale reddish, palpi brown. Mesosoma black, tegula brown. First tergite brownish black, chitinized part of tergites 2-6 anteroposteriorly brown to light brown, antero-lateral part of second tergite yellow, membraneous part of tergites 3-6 yellowish. Sternites with yellow maculae. Legs brown, femora distally and tibiae proximally yellow(ish). Wings subhyaline, pterostigma and veins brown.

Deviating features of the two ♀ paralectotypes of B. bisignatus (= B. osculator ) ( Fig. 65J )

Body 2.8-3 mm long. Antenna with 25-26 antennomeres. Head in dorsal view almost 1.9 times as broad as long. Pterostigma 2.8 times as long as wide and issuing r close before its middle or just beyond its middle. First tergite beyond pair of spiracles parallel sided ( Fig. 65J ). Hypopygium small and less pointed, ovipositor sheath somewhat longer than middle tibia (1 paralectotype).

Taxonomic remark

In the original description (Nees 1811) and redescription (Nees 1834) of B. osculator the describer emphasized the variabilities of this species. This variability mainly extends to the corporal colour and partly to the size and sculptural features, each variable feature was signed by him with Latin and Greek letters.

Variable features of the ♀ (194 ♀♀)

Body (1.5-) 2.2-3.5 mm long. Antenna as long as to somewhat longer (rarely somewhat shorter) than body and with 19-30, usually with 24-29, antennomeres. Flagellomeres 1.5-2 times longer than broad. Head in dorsal view (1.8-)1.9-2(-2.2) times broader than long, eye 1.6-1.7 times as long as temple, temple rarely receded. Hind femur 3.2-3.5 times as long as broad medially to distally. Pterostigma 2.4-2.8(-2.9) times as long as wide; 3-SR 1.3-1.4(-1.5) times longer than 2-SR, SR1 usually approaching, sometimes almost reaching, tip of wing. First tergite (1.3-)1.4-1.5 times as long as broad behind. Ovipositor sheath rarely (almost) as long as hind tibia.

Variable features of the ³ (104 ³³)

Similar to the ♀. Body (1.3-)1.8-3.2(-3.5) mm long. Antenna somewhat longer than body and with 17- 30, usually with 25-29, antennomeres. Flagellomeres (1.5-)1.8-2.2 times longer than broad.

Figures

Fig. 65. Bracon (Osculobracon) osculator Nees, 1811 (A-I: ♀ neotype, B. bisignatus Wesmael, 1838, J: ♀ paralectotype). A. Flagelomeres 1-2 and 25-27. B. Head in dorsal view. C. Head in lateral view. D. Head in frontal view. E. Hind femur. F. Claw. G. Distal part of left forewing. H. First discal cell of left forewing. I. Tergites 1-4. J. First tergite.