Bracon (Glabrobracon) picticornis Wesmael, 1838

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 : 78-83

Bracon (Glabrobracon) picticornis Wesmael, 1838

Figs 37 A-L, 38A-I

Braco picticornis Wesmael, 1838: 42 ♀♁ (type material: 10 ♀♀ + 5 ♁♁, seen: 5 ♀♀ + 2 ♁♁), type locality: “environs de Bruxelles ” ( Belgium), ♀ lectotype (and four ♀ + two ♁ paralectotypes, present designations) in the Royal Belgian Institute of Natural Sciences, Brussels; examined.

Bracon amoenus Ratzeburg : nom. nud., Königsmann 1964: 659.

Bracon gallarum Ratzeburg, 1852: 39 ♀♁ (type material: several ♀♀ and ♁♁), type locality: (?) Germany, syntype series (?)destroyed.

Bracon juniperatae Ratzeburg : nom. nud., Königsmann 1964: 659.

Bracon laevigatissimus Dalla Torre, 1898: 276 (new name for B. laevigatus Ratzeburg, 1852 nec Brullé, 1846).

Bracon scutellaris Ratzeburg, 1848 (nec Wesmael, 1838): 41 ♀♁ (type material: several ♀♀ and ♁♁), type locality: Germany, syntype series?destroyed.

Bracon versicolor Szépligeti, 1901: 263 (in key), 278 (description) (in Hungarian); 1904 (1901): 176 (in key), 180 (description) (in German) ♀, type locality: “P.-Maróth” (=Pilismarót, Hungary), ♀ lectotype in Magyar Természettudományi Múzeum, Budapest; examined.

Bracon vitripennis Ratzeburg, 1852: 37 ♁ (type material: “Wenige Exemplare...”), type locality: Germany, syntype series destroyed (after Königsmann 1964: l.c.); syn. nov.

Bracon picticornis – Szépligeti 1901: 263 (in key, in Hungarian); 1904 (1901): 176 (in key, in German) ♀ ♁.

Bracon (Lucobracon) picticornis – Fahringer 1927: 251, 274 (♀), 257, 281 (♁) (in key) and 365 (redescription) ♀ ♁, assigned to “Section Lucobracon ”.— Telenga 1936: 172 (♀), 178 (♁) (in key) 280 (redescription) (in Russian) and 375 (♀), 380 (♁) (in key, in German) ♀ ♁.

Bracon (Glabrobracon) picticornis – Tobias 1958: 100 (in key, in Russian). — Shenefelt 1978: 1643 (listed four varieties and nine aberrations, literature up to 1974). — Tobias 1986: 136 (in key, in Russian). — Tobias & Belokobylskij 2000: 150 (in key, in Russian).

Bracon gallarum – Szépligeti 1901: 267 (in key, cf. B. pallidipes Szépligeti, in Hungarian ); 1904 (1901): not mentioned. — Fahringer 1928: 510 (redescription, as sp. inquir.). — Telenga 1936: 280 (as syn. of B. picticornis ). — Shenefelt 1978: 1644 (as synonym of B. picticornis ).

Bracon laevigatissimus – Ratzeburg 1848: 41 (description under the name B. scutellaris Wesmael, 1838 ) and 1852: 39 (as B. laevigatus new name for B. scutellaris sensu Ratzeburg ) ♀ ♁. — Szépligeti 1901: as valid species 266 (in key, in Hungarian); 1904 (1901): as valid species 176 (in key, in German). — Telenga 1936: 280 (as synonym of B. picticornis ). — Papp 1971b: as valid species 281 (present type designations: ♀ lectotype + one ♀ paralectotype, redescription, synonyms). — Shenefelt 1978: as valid species 1637 (literature up to 1974).

Bracon scutellaris – Fischer 1965: 134 (as synonym of B. picticornis ). — Shenefelt 1978: 1637 (as synonym of B. laevigatissimus , literature up to 1971).

Bracon versicolor – Fahringer 1927: as valid species 261 (in key) 431 (redescription) ♀, assigned to “Section Orthobracon ”. — Telenga 1936: as valid species 172 (in key), 280 (redescription) (in Russian) and 375 (in key, in German). — Papp 1974: 433 (synonym as B. picticornis var. versicolor stat. n.). — Shenefelt 1978: 1645 (as B. picticornis var. versicolor after Papp l.c., literature up to 1974). — Papp 2004: 183 (type designation and depository, as B. picticornis var. versicolor ), 2008: 1791 (as synonym of B. picticornis ).

Bracon vitripennis – Fahringer 1928: 531 (as uncertain species, redescription). — Telenga 1936: 305 (as uncertain species). — Königsmann 1964: 638 (uncertain single ♁ present). — Shenefelt 1978: 1550 (as valid species, literature up to 1964).

Designation of the ♀ lectotype of B. picticornis ( Fig. 37 A-K) (First label, printed) “Coll. Wesmael”; (second label, printed) “2055”; (third label) “ Braco ♁ ♀ /

picticornis mihi” (handwritten) / “dét. C. Wesmael” (printed); (fourth label, printed red) “Type”; fifth label (printed) is with the locality Bruxelles after Wesmael (l.c.); sixth label is the lectotype card (fifth and sixth labels attached by me). Lectotype is in good condition: (1) micropinned (pin thick); (2) left antenna apically deficient, i.e. with 24 antennomeres; (3) right hind leg (except coxa + trochanters) missing; (4) membrane of wing instantly distally from pterostigma torn.

Designations of the four ♀ paralectotypes (one ♀: “var. 1.”) of B. picticornis

Labels 1-5 identical to those of the lectotype. Sixth labels are the paralectotype cards. Paralectotypes are in more or less good condition: (1) micropinned (pin thick); (2) head missing (one ♀); (3) flagelli partly deficient; (4) left middle leg missing (one ♀), legs partly deficient (one ♀); (5) metasoma glued on separate small card attached to the pin (one ♀); (6) pair of ovipositor sheath missing (one ♀).

Designations of two ³ paralectotypes of B. picticornis

Labels 1-6 identical to those of the paralectotypes. - Paralectotypes are in good condition: (1) micropinned (pin thick); (2) left flagellum missing (one ♁) and flagelli deficient (on ♁); (3) left fore wing basally torn.

Material examined

79 ♀♀ + 27 ♁♁ from twenty countries: ENGLAND: 2 ♀♀ + 1 ♁ from three localities. SWEDEN: 1 ♀. FINLAND: 1 ♁. THE NETHERLANDS: 5 ♀♀ from four localities. GERMANY: 6 ♀♀ + 12 ♁♁ from thirteen localities. DENMARK: 5 ♀♀ + 2 ♁♁ from six localities. AUSTRIA: 1 ♀. BOHEMIA: 6 ♀♀ + 1 ♁ from seven localities. SLOVAKIA: 1 ♀. HUNGARY: 38 ♀♀ + 11 ♁♁ from 43 localities. ROMANIA (Transsylvania): 1 ♀ + 2 ♁♁ from three localities. ITALY: 1 ♀ + 1 ♁ from two localities. BULGARIA: 5 ♀♀ from five localities. GREECE: 2 ♀♀ + 1 ♁ from three localities. TURKEY: 1 ♀. ARMENIA: 1 ♀. IRAN: 1 ♀. AFGHANISTAN: 2 ♀♀ + 4 ♁♁ from two localities. MONGOLIA: 1 ♁. KOREA: 1 ♁.

Redescription of the ♀ lectotype of B. picticornis ( Fig. 37 A-K)

LENGTH. Body 3 mm long.

ANTENNAE. As long as body and with 31 antennomeres. First flagellomere 2.5 times, further flagellomeres attenuating so that penultimate flagellomere also 2.5 times as long as broad ( Fig. 37A ).

HEAD. In dorsal view less transverse ( Fig. 37B ), 1.7 times as broad as long, eye nearly 1.7 times longer than temple, temple (rounded-)receded, occiput weakly excavated. Eye in lateral view 1.3 times as long as wide and 1.7 times wider than temple ( Fig. 37C , see arrows). Horizontal diameter of oral opening one-fifth wider than shortest distance between opening and compound eye ( Fig. 37D ). Head polished.

MESOSOMA. In lateral view almost twice as long as high, polished. Propodeum above lunule with rugae and rugulae ( Fig. 37E ).

LEGS. Hind femur 2.9 times as long as broad distally ( Fig. 37F ). Claw moderately curved, its basal lobe small ( Fig. 37G ).

WINGS. Forewing as long as body. Pterostigma ( Fig. 37H ) fairly wide, 2.8 times as long as wide and issuing r just proximally from its middle, r almost 0.8 times as long as width of pterostigma. Second submarginal cell long, 3-SR somewhat longer than 2-SR, SR1 straight, 2.1 times longer than 3-SR and reaching tip of wing. First discal cell usual in size, 1-M just twice as long as m-cu, 1-SR-M 1.25 times as long as 1-M ( Fig. 37I ).

TERGITES. First tergite ( Fig. 37J ) slightly longer than broad behind, evenly broadening posteriorly, margin of scutum crenulate, scutum posteriorly striolate. Second tergite clearly 2.5 times as broad as long laterally and a bit longer than third tergite, suture between tergites 2-3 bisinuate, smooth. Second tergite striate (laterally smooth), further tergites polished ( Fig. 37J ). Hypopygium pointed, ovipositor sheath as long as hind tibia ( Fig. 37K ).

COLOUR. Head brown, oral part yellow, palpi pale yellow. Scape and pedicel yellow, flagellum light brown. Mesosoma brown to dark brown, tegula yellow. First tergite dark brown, further tergites brown,

tergites 2-3 laterally yellow. Sternites yellow. Legs yellow, hind tibia apically and tarsi very faintly brownish fumous. Wings hyaline, pterostigma light brown, veins yellowish brown.

Variable features of the three ♀♀ of B. picticornis ( Figs 37B ; 38 A-B)

Similar to the ♀ lectotype. Body 2.5 mm (1 ♀) and 3.1 mm (1 ♀) long. Antenna with 26 antennomeres (1 ♀). Head in dorsal view 1.8-1.7 times as broad as long ( Figs 37B ; 38A ). 3-SR nearly 2.3 times as long as 2-SR. First tergite 1.5 times longer than broad (2 ♀♀, Fig. 38B ). Head above with faint reddish pattern, pronotum and mesoscutum reddish yellow. Tergites laterally reddish yellow (1 ♀: “var. 1.” by Wesmael).

Variable features of the two ³ paralectotypes of B. picticornis ( Fig. 38 C-D)

Similar to the ♀ types. Body 2.2 mm long. Antenna with 27 antennomeres. Temple rather rounded ( Fig. 38C ). First tergite 1.2-1.3 times as long as broad behind ( Fig. 38D ). Body dark coloured, legs yellow, hind coxa basally brown to brownish.

Variable features of the ♀ and ³ of B. picticornis ( Fig. 38 E-I)

(79 ♀♀ + 27 ♁♁) Similar to the types. Body (2.2-) 2.4-3.5 mm long. Antenna with (25-)26-32(-35) antennomeres. Head in dorsal view 1.8 times as broad as long (6 ♀♀ + 2 ♁♁, Fig. 38A ), temple either more receded (8 ♀♀ + 2 ♁♁, Fig. 38E ) or rounded (4 ♀♀, Fig. 38F ). Propodeum usually entirely polished. First tergite clearly broadening posteriorly, almost as broad as long (12 ♀♀, Fig. 38G ) or beyond pair of spiracles parallel-sided (2 ♀♀ + 4 ♁♁, Fig. 38H ); tergites 2-3 transverse, second tergite 2.5-3 times as broad behind as long laterally and clearly longer than second tergite, second tergite distinctly and almost entirely striate (8 ♀♀, Fig. 38I ).

Hosts

COL. Cerambycidae : Clytus sp., Plagionotus arcuatus Linnaeus. Anobiidae : Ernobius abietis Fabricius. — LEP. Momphidae :! Mompga subdivisella Bradley. Choreutidae : Millieria dolosalis Herrich-Schäffer. Tortricidae : Cochylis pallidana Zeller. — DIPT. Cecidomyiidae : Cecidomyia salicis Schrank , Dasineura rosaria Loew. — HYM. Tenthredinidae : Nematus bipartitus Lepeletier , N. capreae Linnaeus ,? N.

gallicola Westwood, N. saliceti Foerster , N. salicis Linnaeus , N. viminalis Linnaeus , Pontania pedunculi Hartig ,! P. gallarum Hartig ,! P. proxima Lepeletier ,! P. varia Kopelke ,! P. vesicator Bremi.

Distribution

Palaearctic Region, in Europe frequent to common.

Taxonomic position

Within the subgenus Glabrobracon the species B. picticornis Wesmael is nearest to B. epitriptus Marshall (Palaearctic Region, in Europe frequent) and B. subsinuatus Szépligeti (Europe) , the three species are distinguished by a few subtle features:

1 (2) Second tergite distinctly, 1.3-1.4 times longer than third tergite, second tergite less transverse than third tergite ( Fig. 39A ). Claw downcurved, its basal lobe more distinct ( Fig. 39B ). Head in dorsal view 1.7-1.9 times as broad as long ( Fig. 39C ). ♀ ♁: (2.5-) 3-4 mm ........... .................................................................................................. B. (Gl.) subsinuatus Szépligeti, 1901

2 (1) Second and third tergites transverse, second tergite usually slightly longer than third tergite ( Fig. 37J , 38I ). Claw less ( Fig. 37G ) or more distintly downcurved ( Fig. 39D ), its basal lobe less distinct ( Figs 37G ; 39D ). Head in dorsal view 1.6-1.8 times as broad as long ( Figs 37B ; 38A ; 39F ).

3 (4) Claw faintly downcurved, its basal lobe rounded ( Fig. 37G ). Tergites 2-3 slightly less transverse, second tergite 2.3-2.5 times as broad as long ( Fig. 37J ). Head in dorsal view 1.8-1.7 times as broad as long, temple receded, eye 1.7 times as long as temple ( Fig. 37B ; 38A ). Hind coxa usually yellow, at most basally darkening. ♀ ♁: (2.2-) 2.4-3.5 mm ............................................ ........................................................................................................ B. (Gl.) picticorni s Wesmael, 1838

4 (3) Claw clearly downcurved, its basal lobe angled ( Fig. 39D ). Tergites 2-3 transverse, second tergite 2.4-3 times as broad as long ( Fig. 39E ). Head in dorsal view 1.6-1.7 times as broad as long, temple rounded, eye twice as long as temple ( Fig. 39F ). Hind coxa frequently more or less blackish to black. ♀ ♁: 2.5-3.5(-4.5) mm ........................................................... B. (Gl.) epitriptus Marshall, 1885

Taxonomic remark

The two species, B. epitripus and B. picticornis , are very similar to each other.The few distinctive features described in the above key are average ones and not always clear-cut, i.e., there may be specimens with transitional appearance hardly assignable to any of the species in question. A DNS-sequence or other modern proceeding method will, supposedly, disclose their true taxonomic / systematic position.

Figures

Fig. 37. Bracon (Glabrobracon) picticornis Wesmael, 1838 (A-K: ♀ lectotype, L: ♀ paralectotype). A. Flagellomeres 1-2 and 29-31. B. Head in dorsal view. C. Head in lateral view. D. Head in frontal view. E. Propodeum. F. Hind femur. G. Claw. H. Distal part of right forewing. I. First discal cell of right forewing. J. Tergites 1-3. K. Hypopygium and ovipositor apparatus. L. Head in dorsal view.

Fig. 38. Bracon (Glabrobracon) picticornis Wesmael, 1838 (A, E-F, H: ♀ / ♁, B: ♀ paralectotype, C-D: ♁ paralectotype, G, I: ♀). A. Head in dorsal view. B. First tergite. C. Hind half of head in dorsal view. D. First tergite. E-F. Hind half of head in dorsal view. G-H. First tergite. I. Tergites 2-3.

Fig. 39. — A-C. Bracon (Glabrobracon) subsinuatus Szépligeti, 1901, ♀ lectotype. A. Tergites 1-3. B. Claw. C. Head in dorsal view. — D-F. Bracon (Glabrobracon) epitriptus Marshall, 1885, ♀ paralectotype. D. Claw. E. Tergites 1-3. F. Head in dorsal view.