Aleiodes quadratus Shaw and Marsh

Shaw, Scott R., Marsh, Paul M. & Fortier, Joseph C., 2006, Revision of Nearctic Aleiodes Wesmael (Part 8): the coxalis (Spinola) Species­Group (Hymenoptera: Braconidae, Rogadinae), Zootaxa 1314, pp. 1-30 : 18-23

Aleiodes quadratus Shaw and Marsh , NEW SPECIES

( Figs. 9 , 16 , 20 )

Female. Body colo r: ( Fig. 9 ) usually entirely honey yellow, but head, mesosoma and/or legs often brown or black; antenna usually yellow on basal 2/3, black on apical 1/3, but often entirely brown particularly when head and mesosoma are brown; wing veins brown, stigma yellow on basal 1/3 ( Fig. 20 ). Body length, 6.0–7.0 mm; fore wing length, 4.5–5.0 mm. Head: eyes and ocelli small, normal size; 51–54 antennomeres, first flagelomere slightly longer than second, basal half of flagellomeres beyond second about as wide as long; malar space long, 2 times basal width of mandible and about 5/6 eye height; temple wide, equal to eye width; occipital carina complete, meeting hypostomal carina; oral space small and circular, width 1/2 malar space and about 1/2 face length; clypeus swollen; ocelli small, ocellocular distance about 2 times greatest diameter of lateral ocellus; face, temple, vertex and frons rugose coriaceous, face with short median longitudinal ridge below antennae; maxillary palpus not swollen; mandible small, tips not overlapping when closed. Mesosoma: pronotum rugose; mesonotum and scutellum coriaceous; notauli weakly scrobiculate, meeting in a wide longitudinally rugose area before scutellar furrow and occasionally with a stronger median carina; mesopleuron coriaceous, smooth and shining above episternal scrobe; subalar sulcus and sternaulus strongly rugose, sometimes rugosities covering nearly entire mesopleuron; propodeum rugose, median carina complete, apicolateral corners swollen into blunt tubercles ( Fig. 16 ). Legs: tarsal claws not pectinate but with several strong spines at basal half; inner spur of hind tibia less than half length of hind basitarsus; hind coxa coriaceous dorsally at base, rugose near apex. Wings: slightly dusky; fore wing ( Fig. 20 ) with veins r, 3RSa, 2RS, r­m and 2M all about equal in length, thus second submarginal cell nearly square, veins r and 3RSa nearly on straight line, vein r nearly as long as m­cu, vein 1cu­a beyond 1M by distance equal to length of 1cu­a, 1CUa 1/3 length of 1CUb; hind wing with vein RS slightly arched, marginal cell narrowest in middle, vein 1r­m nearly equal in length to 1M, vein M+CU longer than 1M, m­cu indicated by short very weak infuscated line. Metasoma: first tergum rugose striate, apical width slightly longer than length, median carina complete; second tergum rugose striate, median carina complete; third tergum rugose striate, median carina weak on basal half; fourth tergum rugose striate on basal 1/2–3/4, remainder coriaceous; ovipositor about 1/2 length of hind basitarsus.

Male. Essentially as in female, antenna often entirely black, mesosoma often with black markings on subalar sulcus, metapleuron, metanotum and propodeum.

Holotype. Female: VIRGINIA, Louisa Co., 4 mi. S Cuckoo, August 24­September 14, 1988, Malaise trap, Kloke and D. R. Smith. Deposited in USNM.

Paratypes. ARKANSAS: 1 female, Johnson County, 8 mi. N. Clarksville, T10N, R23W, Sec. 2, May 10–12, 1987, R. L. Brown, blacklight in deciduous woods; 1 female, same locality, 29 May 1982, R. L. Brown, blacklight trap. CALIFORNIA: 1 female, Citrus Heights, Sacramento Co., August 18, 1967, C. J. and A. D. Keuter coll.; 1 female, 1 male, Davis, August 28, 1955, September 2, 1959, A. T. McClat, C. G. Moore. COLORADO: 3 females, 19 males, Weld Co., Pawnee Grassland, dates ranging from April 6–July 23, 1986, J. Przybyszewski. 1 female, 4 males, Larimer Co., Glacier View Meadow, 2300m, July 1995, H.E. Evans. 1 male, same data except Stevens Gulch, 2130m, July 1994. CONNECTICUT: 3 males, Bethany, September, 1968, H. E. Evans. FLORIDA: 7 females, 11 males, Lake Placid, April–May, 1968, G. Heinrich; 2, female, 4 males, Highland Hammock St. Pk., May 20–28, 1968, G. Heinrich; 1 male, Ft. Myers, May 1968, G. Heinrich; 6 females, 18 males, Alachua Co., Austin Carey Forest, Gainesville, September 10, 1975 to July 20, 1976, G. B. Fairchild, light trap, and CO2 baited flight trap; 2 females, 2 males, Gainesville, Alachua Co., August 28, 1960, July 2, 1976, June 5, 1989, W. H. Pierce, L. A. Stange, R. Wharton; 4 females, 16 males, Alachua Co., Gainesville, Pierce’s Homestead, November 11, 1975 ­ March 22, 1976, W. H. Pierce; 1 female, Paines Prairie, Alachua Co., March 16, 1977, G. B. Fairchild; 2 females, 2 males, Olustee, Baker Co., April 10–15, 1978, H. V. Weems & G. B. Faichild; 1 male, Marion Co., Lake Eaton, September 10–October 2,1975, J. Wiley; 3 females, 1 male, Alachua Co., Monteoca, June 1977 – January 1978, Jerry F. Butler; 1 male, Alachua Co., San Felasco Hammock, March 9–14, 1977, G. B. Faichild & H. V. Weems; 6 males, Putnam Co., 2 mi. NW Orange Springs, August 10 to October 2, 1975, J. Wiley; 2 females, 25 males, Gadsden Co., Quincy, August 12–September 15, 1970, W. L. Hasse; 1 female, 4 males, Indian River Co., 5 mi. S Vero Bch., July 16–October 22, 1983, J. H. Frank; 1 female, 3 males, Highlands Co., Highlands Hammock St. Park, Sebring, April 3, 1968 to April 21, 1970, G. H. Heinrich, H. V. Weems Jr. colls.; 14 females, 56 males, Highlands Co., Archbold Biol. Sta., various dates and collectors; 13 females, 39 males, Columbia and Baker Co. Line, Osceola Nat. For., various dates and collectors. 1 female, Suwannee Co., Suwannee River St. Park, April 13–25, 1977, J.R. Wiley, Malaise trap. GEORGIA: 1 female, Atlanta, July 8, 1940, P. W. Fattig. ILLINOIS: 1 female, Seymor, May 25, 1929, A. R. Park; 1 female, 1 male, Hart collection, #484, #500 (no other data). KENTUCKY: 2 females, Golden Pond, May 26–June 10, 1964, S. G. Breeland. LOUISIANA: 9 males, Lake Bistineau St. Pk., April and May 1972, G. Heinrich, Malaise trap. MAINE: 1 male, Bridgeton, August 11–15, 1945, J. C. Bradley. MARYLAND: 1 male, Plummers Is., October 19, 1963, K. V. Krombein; 18 females, 14 males, Laurel, May–June, 1965, Malaise trap; 2 males, Buck Lodge Park, Adelphi, Prince George's Co., June 3–11, 1989, S. L. Heydon; 1 female, 2 males, Beltsville, June 10 and September 19–November 11, 1988, G. Steck. MASSACHUSETTS: 1 female, Marthas Vineyard, 4 mi W Edgartown, June 26, 1972, sweeping oak, C. T. Parsons; 1 female, 5 males, Bedford, dates ranging from July 16–August 31, 1968, Malaise trap, H. E. Evans. MICHIGAN: 1 male, Ann Arbor, July, 1976, Gauld; 1 male, Gun Lake, mal. trp., July–August, 1976, I. D. Gauld; Ag. Coll. (presumed to refer to the present Michigan State University in East Lansing), collection Ashmead; 7 males, Wexford Co., June 19–August 22, 1973, R. D. Averill, Malaise trap; 1 female, Gull Lake Bio. Sta., Kalamazoo Co., July 21, 1964, Roland L. Fischer; 1 male, Galien, Berrien Co., May 31, 1968, M. Gomulinski; 1 female, E. Lansing, July 11, 1941; 1 male, Benzie Co., September 1968, R. W. Carlson. MISSISSIPPI: 1 female, Oktibbeha County, Starkville, August 26, 1981, W. H. Cross, white pan trap under blacklight; 1 female, Winston County, 13 mi. S. Starkville, July 12–19, 1982, N. Bedwell, Malaise trap in pine forest; 1 female, 1 male, Oktibbeha County, Craig Springs, November 6, 1981, W. H. Cross, interception trap —yellow; 1 male, Jackson County, Gulf Island National Seashore, April 19–20, 1985, R. L. Brown; 1 male, Pontotoc County, 1 mi. SE. Ecru, June 9, 1981, J. McDonald, canopy trap; 1 male, Winston County, 13 mi. S. Starkville, June 7, 1982, N. Bedwell, Malaise trap in pine forest; 1 male, Oktibbeha County, 6 mi. SW.

Starkville, August 8, 1984, R. L. & B. B. Brown, Malaise trap in mixed pine —hardwood forest; 17 males, same data except collected on the following dates: August 8, 30, September 24, October 5, 22, 1984; April 23–25, May 12–24, 26, 29, June 5 (2 specimens), 1985; March 24, April 4, 8 (2 specimens), May 5, 12, 14, 1986. MISSOURI: 2 females, 1 male, Williamsville, May 27 and July 5, 1969, J. T. Becker, Malaise trap. NEW BRUNSWICK: 2 males, Kouchibouguac N. P., July 20, 1977, G. A. Calderwood. NEW HAMPSHIRE: 2 males, Ashland, June 27, 1975, August 12, 1975, Malaise trap; 1 female, 1 male, Moultonboro, July 1–11, 1975, Malaise trap; 1 female, 4 males, Straf. Co., 4 mi. W Durham, dates ranging from June 28–September 25, 1982, R. M. Reeves, Malaise trap. NEW JERSEY: 1 female, Iselin, August 26, 1926, ex. D. virginica Fab. NEW YORK: 2 females, Six Mile Creek, Ithaca, September 2–3, 1954, D. M. Anderson; 1, female, 1 male, Ithaca, June 16, 1936, August 3, 1935; 1 female, Spencer lake, June 30, 1907; 1 female, Minetto, June 19, 1938, W. T. M. Forbes. NORTH CAROLINA: 8 females, Martin Co. near Williamston, July 27–October 6, 1978, Malaise trap; 13 females, 1 male, Burke Co., Benn knob, Juky 14– October 3, 1978, Malaise trap; 2 females, 1 male, Northampton Co. near Henrico, July 3–16, 1978, Malaise trap; 1 male, Wayne Co., Cliffs of Neuse Park, September 12, 1977, Malaise trap; 1 male, Wake Co. near Morrisville, June 1, 1977, Malaise trap; 1 female, Robeson Co. near St. Pauls, October 31, 1978, Malaise trap; 1 male, Johnston Co. near Selma, June 21, 1977, Malaise trap; 2 females, 3 males, Buncombe Co. near Swannanoa, September 16, 1977 to July 14, 1978, Malaise trap; 2 males, Warren Co. near Littleton, September 14, 1977 and October 23, 1978, Malaise trap; 2 females, 3 males, Mecklenburg Co., Charlotte, July 2, 1978 to September 8, 1979, Malaise trap; 2 males, Bertie Co. near Cahaba, October 6, 1978, Malaise trap. OHIO: 1 male, Hocking Co., June 2, 1957, F.W. Mead. ONTARIO: 1 female, Innisville, August 1–7, 1982, R. Wharton, W. Mason. QUEBEC: 1 male, St. Placide, June 20 (no year). SASKATCHEWAN: 1 male, Waskesiu Lake, July 28, 1969, A. R. Brooks. SOUTH CAROLINA: 1 female, 2 males, McClellanville, May 6, 1971, Malaise trap; 4 females, 7 males, Greenville, July 10, 1981 to September 1982, R. S. Peigler. TENNESSEE: 4 females, 3 males, Lexington, Natchez Trace S. P., June 23, 1972, G. Heinrich, malaise trap. 1 female, Oak Ridge, June 22, 1968, R.E. Woodruff, in blacklight trap. VERMONT: 1 male, Woodstock, A. P. Morse. WYOMING: 1 male, 12 mi. E Gillette, August 29, 1962. VIRGINIA: 21 females, 57 males, same data as holotype, various dates ranging from April–November, 1987–1989; 19 females, 42 males, Clarke Co., U. Va. Blandy Exp. Farm, 2 mi. S Boyce, various dates from May–October, 1989–1990, Malaise trap, David R. Smith; 7 females, 4 males, Essex Co., 1 mi. SE Dunnsville, April 30–October 10, 1991, Malaise trap, D. R. Smith. Deposited in USNM, RMSEL, MCZ, AMNH, BMNH, UNEB, MISS, CAS, CNC, CORN, NCSU, NCDA, UCD, Leiden, IllNHS, TAMU, FSCA, MSU.

Distribution. Material examined indicates this species is common and widespread throughout North America.

Biology. One paratype is labeled "Ex. D. virginica Fab." which likely refers to the arctiid Spilosoma virginica (F.).

Comments. This species is similar to aciculatus but is distinguished by the nearly square cell 1+2Rs of the fore wing and the apicolateral swellings on the propodeum.

Etymology. The species name is from the Latin quadratus meaning squared, referring to the often nearly square second submarginal cell in the fore wing.

Figures

FIGURES 9 – 10. Habitus illustrations of the A. coxalis species group. 9, A. quadratus; 10, A. whartoni.

FIGURES 11 – 16. Head and mesosomal characters of the Aleiodes coxalis species­group. 11, A. aciculatus pronotum; 12, A. brevis pronotum; 13, A. aciculatus vertex; 14, A. wyomingensis vertex; 15, A sanctihyacinthi vertex (Arrow indicates yellow coloration around eye); 16, A. quadratus propodeum (Arrows indicate tubercles).

FIGURES 17 – 22. Wing features of the Aleiodes coxalis species­group. 17, A. aciculatus forewing (Arrow indicates bicolored stigma); 18, basi­posterior section of forewing of A. aquilonius; 19, A. itamevorus hind wing; 20, A. quadratus forewing (Arrow indicates bicolored stigma); 21, A. quadratus forewing (Arrow indicates nearly square second submarginal cell); 22, A. sanctihyacinthi forewing (Arrow indicates unicolored stigma).