Brachycyrtus cosmetus ( Walkley, 1956 )

Nascimento, Alexsandra C. & Fernandes, Daniell R. R., 2024, Synopsis of Brachycyrtus Kriechbaumer, 1880 (Hymenoptera: Ichneumonidae: Brachycyrtinae) from Brazil, with description of two new species, Zootaxa 5430 (1), pp. 1-62 : 25-30

Brachycyrtus cosmetus ( Walkley, 1956)

( Figs. 32–34 )

Habryllia cosmeta Walkley, 1956: 320 . Holotype female, Trinidad (USNM) [ National Museum of Natural History , Smithsonian Institution].

Brachycyrtus cosmeta (Walkley) ; Wahl 1993: 104.

Brachycyrtus cosmetus (Walkley) ; Gauld & Ward 2000: 24.

Material examined. 69 ♀ ♀ and 15 ♂ ♂. Holotype ♀ (scanned image) ( Fig. 32 ). TRINIDAD, St. Augustine,/ Trinidad, BWI/ MAY 1953.// Collector / F. D. BENNETI.//516// Type No. 62052/ U.S. N.M. [Museu Nacional de História Natural, Instituto Smithsonian]// Habryllia / cosmeta / det wlkl. [Walkley] / Wlkl [Walkley] 1956// USNMENT 01524816 (http://n 2t.net/ark:/65665/320bdb6b4-3978-482e-8173http://n 2t.net/ark:/65665/320bdb6b4- 3978-482e-8173-5911df32ad295911df32ad29) (1 ♀, USNM). BRAZIL, RN [Rio Grande do Norte]: Mossoró /Faz. [Fazenda] Sta. [Santa] Júlia – Caatinga / 05º01’10” S / [,] 37º22’56” O / Armadilha Malaise – 01/14.IV.2008/DRRF Fernandes e eq.[team] cols.[collectors] (5 ♀ ♀, MNRJ); Patu, Serra do Lima, Sítio / Miranda / 6º6’18” S / [,] 37º37’41” W, / Malaise, ix.2008 / D.R.R. Fernandes et al. legs. [collectors] (2 ♀ ♀, INPA); same, except x.2008 (11 ♀ ♀, INPA). BA [Bahia]: Jequié, Distrito de / Irrigação da Fazenda Velha / 13º86’18,6” S / 40º15’79,5” W / Borda do Pasto, Malaise / 09.iv.2005, Santos, / J.T. leg. [collectors] (4 ♀ ♀, INPA); same, except 23.iv.2005 (1 ♀, INPA); same, except 13º52’51,9”S / 40º10’42,6”W / Agroecossistemas, Malaise 25.xi.2006, Alves, F.P. leg.[collectors] (1 ♀, INPA); same, except 09.xi.2006 (1 ♂, INPA); same, except 20.xi.2006 (1 ♀, INPA); Módulo de Odontologia / 13º49’54,8”S / 40º04’30,1”W / UESB [Universidade Estadual do Sudoeste da Bahia] – Campus 2, Malaise / 18.viii.2006, Alves, F.P. leg. [collectors] (1 ♀, INPA); same, except 20.xi.2006 (2 ♀ ♀, INPA). Ceará: Caucaia, / Village das Palmeiras, / 29.vii-05.viii.2017,/ malaise, D. Nogueira leg.[collector] (1 ♀, INPA); ES [Espírito Santo], João Neiva/ Sítio Montenegro/ 7-13.VII.2007 Malaise Pt. 03/ FGRampinelli & eq. [team] Leg. [collectors] // UFES /nº48864 (1 ♀, UFES). Mato Grosso: Tangará da Serra, Faz. [Fazenda] Aparecida da Serra, 14º18’36.64” S 57º44’47.00” W / Cerrado, Malaise, 19-XI-2017, / G.S. Carvalho // C6,G1, P 150, / Cerrado Nº562 (1 ♂, INPA); same, except C6, G3, P 300, / Cerrado, Nº561 (1 ♂, INPA). AM [Amazonas]: Manaus, Res. [Reserve] Ducke/ Platô norte/[-]sul, Dossel/ 03º0’27.00”S / [,] 59º56’22.92”W / Arm. [Armadilha] Suspensa, 27.IX-09.X./2006, J.Vidal, R. Alê-Rocha, / G. Freitas e Cols.[collectors] (1 ♀, INPA); Rio Preto da Eva / Aprisco Pasárgada / 2º42’21.59”S - [,] 59º42’55.00”W / Suspensa – Borda / 30.i.2014 / B.G.Oliveira leg.[collectors] (3 ♀ ♀ and 1 ♂ INPA); same, except 09.i.2014 (1 ♀, INPA); same, except 2º40’10.97”S - [,] 59º39’24.87”W 09.i.2014 (1 ♀, INPA); same, except 28.xi.2013 (1 ♂, INPA); same, except – 80 Plantio, 30.i.2014 (1 ♀, INPA); same, except 13.xi.2013 (1 ♀, INPA); same, except 2º42’21.59”S - [,] 59º42’55.00”W – 60 Plantio 9.i.2014 (3 ♀ ♀ and 1 ♂, INPA); same, except 30.i.2014 (1 ♀, INPA); same, except 13.ii.2014 (2 ♀ ♀, INPA); same, except 14.iv.2014 (1 ♀, INPA); same, except 13.xi.2013 (7 ♀ ♀ and 4 ♂ ♂, INPA); same, except 28.xi.2013 (3 ♀ ♀, INPA); same, except 29.xi.2013 (5 ♀ ♀ and 1 ♂ INPA); same, except Santa Terezinha 30.v.2014 (1 male, INPA); same, except 29.iv.2014 (1 ♂, INPA); 2º40’16.53”S - [,] 59º39’20.50”W; same, except 2º42’24.65” - [,] 59º42’52.56”W – 40 Plantio 09.i.2014 (1 ♀ and 1 ♂ INPA); same, except 30.i.2014 (1 ♀, INPA); same, except 28.xi.2013 (2 ♀ ♀, INPA); same, except 2º42’28.91”S - [,] 59º42’55.82”W 13.ii.2014 (1 ♀, INPA); same, except Santa Terezinha 2º40’16.53”S - [,] 59º39’20.50”W 27.ii.2014 (1 ♀, INPA); same, except 12.v.2014 (1 ♀, INPA); same, except 30.v.2014 (1 ♂, INPA); same, except 2º42’21.59”S - [,] 59º42’55.00”W 30.i.2014 (1 ♀, INPA).

Diagnosis. Brachycyrtus cosmetus can be differentiated from other Neotropical Brachycyrtus by the combination of the following characters: propodeum granulate with sparse setae with area anterolateral black, area superomedia confluent with area petiolaris, anterior transverse carina complete to pleural carina, area dentipara not completely delineated, area posteroexterna and coxalis closed, lateral longitudinal carina anteriorly incomplete extending forward from the area posteroexterna ( Figs. 33D, 33G ; 34E–F ).

Variation (n=83). Body length 4.64–5.73 mm. Antenna length 4.31–4.84 mm; 29–31 flagellomeres. Ocelli forming an isosceles triangle, shortest distance between the posterior ocellus and the compound eye 0.07–0.08 mm; ocellus diameter 0.21–0.31 mm; distance between the anterior and posterior ocellus 0.05–0.06 mm; distance between the posterior ocellus 0.17–0.22 mm. Front view, eye height 0.56–0.67 mm. Frons width 0.46–0.50 mm. Face width 0.40–0.44 mm. Malar space 0.05–0.08 mm. Basal mandible width 0.10–0.17 mm. Propodeum with lateral longitudinal carina incomplete in some specimens. Fore wing length 3.27–4.08 mm; Hind wing length 1.89– 2.45 mm. Length tergite 1 0.72–0.99 mm; basal width tergite 1 0.16–0.18 mm; apical width tergite 1 0.25–0.31 mm. Length tergite 2 0.60–0.77 mm; basal width tergite 2 0.26–0.42 mm; apical width tergite 2 0.73– 0.48 mm. Length tergite 3 0.52–0.69 mm; basal width tergite 3 0.49–0.78 mm; apical width tergite 3 0.54–0.78 mm. Length ovipositor 0.88–1.24 mm. The scuto-scutellar groove spot is absent in some specimens. Mesosoma can be predominantly yellow. The spot in the anterolateral area can be absent, reddish-yellow, or dark-brown. Tegula can be brownish. The spot of the central diagonal mesopleuron band can be reddish-yellow; epicnemium can have scattered reddish-yellow spots and the outer region can be black. Hind legs may be yellow with black spots on the coxa, trochanter, bands on the femur, basal and apical tibia. Metasoma can be whitish-yellow, tergite 1 anterodorsally reddish-yellow, tergite 2 and 3 with brown spot anteriorly and wide and shallow V-shaped whitish-yellow spot posteriorly, tergite 4 onwards with wide reddish-yellow band posteriorly.

Geographical records. Brazil (Alagoas, Mato Grosso, Minas Gerais, Paraíba, Roraima, São Paulo, Amazonas*, Bahia *, Ceará *, Espírito Santo *, Rio Grande do Norte *), Costa Rica, Mexico, Suriname, Trinidad and Tobago, and Venezuela ( Walkley 1956; Gonçalves 1973; Wahl 1993; Gauld & Ward 2000; Onody et al. 2009; Collantes 2011; González-Moreno & Bordera 2011; Yu et al. 2016; Fernandes et al. 2020b; Yanez et al. 2020; Fernandes et al. 2023) ( Fig. 35 ).

Biological note. Brachycyrtus cosmetus has been found parasitizing pupae of Chrysopa sp. ( Chrysopidae : Neuroptera ), this in turn preys on whitefly Aleurodicus cocois (Curtis) ( Aleyrodidae : Hemiptera ), a pest on cashew leaves ( Anacardium occidentale L.) ( Gonçalves 1973). And also, the species was found parasitizing a chrysopid pupa on a fig leaf ( Ficus benjamina L.) attacked by Gynaikothrips uzeli (Zimmermann) ( Thripidae , Thysanoptera ), which was kept under laboratory observation for seven days until the emergence of a male parasitoid ( Collantes 2011).

Yanez et al. (2020) have recorded for the first time Ceraeochrysa valida (Banks) and Ceraeochrysa fairchildi (Banks) ( Chrysopidae : Neuroptera ) as hosts of B. cosmetus and described the cephalic structure of the last larval stage of the parasitoid. Furthermore, B. cosmetus can be collected in different Brazilian ecosystems, such as: caatinga, cerrado and areas where organic and conventional agriculture is practiced, as well as coffee cultivation areas ( Onody et al. 2009; Fernandes et al. 2020b), are also found in the Amazon and the Atlantic Rainforest.

Discussion. Brachycyrtus cosmetus is morphologically similar to B. convergens , mainly in the set of carinae of the propodeum, propodeum granulate with sparse setae, area basalis septate and not delineated laterally, area superomedia confluent with area petiolaris, anterior transverse carina complete to pleural carina, area dentipara not completely delineated, area posteroexterna and coxalis closed. In B. convergens a white band on flagellomeres 18– 23 ( Fig. 30A ), ocelli forming an equilateral triangle ( Fig. 30C ), lateral longitudinal carina present only posteriorly extending forwards area posteroexterna and posterior transverse carina not delineated centrally ( Figs. 30D, 30G ). In contrast, in B. cosmetus does not have a white band on the flagellomeres ( Fig. 30A ), ocelli forming an isosceles triangle ( Fig. 33C ), lateral longitudinal carina anteriorly incomplete extending forward from the area posteroexterna ( Figs. 33D , 30G , 34E–F ). The variation in coloration of B. cosmetus is diverse. Onody et al. (2009) mention about this variation, especially in coloration of the mesopleuron and legs.

Remarks. Additional characters from the material examined of the states of Amazonas, Bahia, Ceará, Espírito Santo, Mato Grosso and Rio Grande do Norte ( Brazil) (n=83) (♀ and ♂) are the following: Head. Polished with sparse fine setae. Dorsal view ( Figs. 33C ; 34D ), strongly convex oblique temple. Front view ( Figs. 33B ; 34C ), Frons polished, convex, punctate with sparse setae. Face convex, polished, punctate with sparse fine setae. Mandible bidentate. Mesosoma. Dorsal view ( Figs. 33E ; 34B ), mesoscutum polished, smooth with sparse setae; notaulus absent. Scutellum polished punctate with sparse fine setae. Lateral view ( Figs. 33A ; 34A ), propleuron polished with setae. Pronotum polished, punctate with sparse fine setae; without epomia. Epicnemial carina ascending about middle from the anterior margin of the mesopleuron and ventrally approaching the posterior carina of the sternum; sternaulus absent. Metapleuron smooth with sparse setae. Wings. Fore, 2m-cu with two bullae. Hind, abscissa CU spectral. Metasoma. Apex of ovipositor slightly curved and truncated with four teeth and without nodus ( Fig. 33A ).

Figures

FIGURE 30A–G. Brachycyrtus convergens Cushman, 1936, female. (A) Lateral habitus. (B) Head, Frontal view. (C) Head, dorsal view. (D) Propodeum, dorsal view. (E) Body, dorsal view. (F) Ovipositor, lateral view. (G) SEM of propodeum, dorsal view.

FIGURE 32A–C. Brachycyrtus cosmetus (Walkley, 1956), holotype female. (A) habitus; (B) body, dorsal view; (C) tags. Photos: (A, B, C) Bekah Rogers.

FIGURE 33A–G. Brachycyrtus cosmetus (Walkley, 1956), female. (A) Lateral habitus. (B) Head, Frontal view. (C) Head, dorsal view. (D) Propodeum, dorsal view. (E) Body, dorsal view. (F) Ovipositor, lateral view. (G) SEM of propodeum, dorsal view.

FIGURE 34A–F. Brachycyrtus cosmetus (Walkley, 1956), male. (A) habitus; (B) body, dorsal view; (C) head, frontal view; (D) head, dorsal view; (E) propodeum; dorsal view; (F) SEM of propodeum; dorsal view.

FIGURE 35. Map of geographical records of Brachycyrtus cosmetus (Walkley, 1956) (Legend: the Brazilian states of Alagoas, Amazonas, Bahia, Ceará, Espírito Santo, Mato Grosso, Minas Gerais, Paraíba, Rio Grande do Norte, Roraima, and São Paulo where the species occurs is highlighted in gray. Blue circle for new record, red triangle for previous record and yellow star for type locality).