Pediobius tetratomus ( Thomson, 1878 )

Cao, Huan-Xi, Salle, John La & Zhu, Chao-Dong, 2017, Chinese species of Pediobius Walker (Hymenoptera: Eulophidae), Zootaxa 4240 (1), pp. 1-71 : 62

34. Pediobius tetratomus ( Thomson, 1878)

( Fig. 31 )

Pleurotropis (Rhopalotus) tetratomus Thomson, 1878: 257 ; ♀. Lectotype ♀, LUZN, not examined; designated by Hansson 1991: 35.

Pediobius tetratomus ( Thomson, 1878) , Graham, 1963: 200.

Diagnosis. Antenna with four funicular segments and clava one-segmented; four funicular segments freely separated by narrow petioles ( Fig. 31 d). Mesoscutum and scutellum coarsely reticulate except polished notaular depressions ( Fig. 31 a). Notauli distinct, merging to inner margins of deep notaular depressions posteriorly. The posterior pair of mesoscutal setae situated at the inner margins of notaular depressions. Stripe between the subparallel submedian carinae of propodeum raised anteriorly; submedian area impressed along posterior margin ( Fig. 31 a).

Material examined. China, Guangxi: 1♀, Guilin, Xingan , the National Reserve of Maoershan , VI.2013, coll. Kan Wang ; Hubei: 1♀, Badong , 12.VIII.1989, coll. Da-Wei Huang ; Shandong: 1♀, Linyi, Lanling, Bianzhuanzhen , Xizhifangshan , 10.IX.2013, coll. Xue-Jun Yang ; Yunnan: 1♀, Lijiang, Yulong, Ludian , VIII.1984, coll. Chang-Fang Li . Determined specimens compared ( BMNH): 1♀, BurnhamBeaches , Bucks. England, 04.X.1975, coll. Bouček, det. Bouček.

Biology. Unknown.

Distribution in China. Guangxi, Hubei, Yunnan, Shandong.

Remarks. Newly recorded from China. If only consider the formula of antenna (4-segmented funicle, Figs 23 e–f, 31d) and the deep notaular depressions ( Figs 23 a, 31a) in female, P. tetratomus seems to be closer to P. atamiensis , but they are distinctly different in sculpture on mesoscutum and scutellum and coloration of tibiae ( Figs 23 g–i, 31f–g) (see also couplet 7 of the key). Besides the characters given in the key, P. tetratomus has fore wing with slightly infuscate area below STV ( Fig. 31 e), whereas P. atamiensis has fore wing hyaline ( Fig. 23 d). In the future, as more fresh material becomes available, it is necessary to study character evolution of color of tibiae and antennal formula, which will assist in understanding relationships between P. tetratomus and P. atamiensis . Both species probably belong to two species groups that are closely related. As discussed by Bouček (1965a), if ignoring the formula of antenna, P. tetratomus seems to be allied to the alcaeus -group by deep notaular depressions and the forms of propodeum and gaster (e.g., Figs 3 a–b, 31a, 31c). However, discussions on relationships among these species require additional data to test.

Figures

FIGURE 3. Pediobius petiolapilus Cao & Zhu, sp. n., female. a: body in dorsal view; b: body in lateral view; c: antenna; d: fore wing; e: fore leg; f: mid leg; g: hind leg. Scale bar: a – b, 0.5 mm; c, e – g, 0.2 mm; d: 0.4 mm.

FIGURE 23. Pediobius atamiensis (Ashmead, 1904). a: female, body in dorsal view; b: female, body in lateral view; c: male, body in dorsal view; d: female, fore wing; e: female, antenna; f: female, antenna; g: female, fore leg; h: female, mid leg; i: female, hind leg. Scale bar: a – c, 0.5 mm; d, g – i, 0.2 mm; e – f, 0.4 mm.

FIGURE 31. Pediobius tetratomus (Thomson, 1878), female. a: body in dorsal view; b: body in lateral view; c: mesosoma in dorsal view; d: antenna; e: fore wing; f: fore leg; g: hind leg. Scale bar: a – c, 0.5 mm; d, f – g, 0.2 mm; e, 0.4 mm.