Empria aridicola Macek & Prous, sp. nov. *, 1828

Liston, Andrew, Prous, Marko & Macek, Jan, 2019, On Bulgarian sawflies, including a new species of Empria (Hymenoptera, Symphyta), Deutsche Entomologische Zeitschrift 66 (1), pp. 85-105 : 86-90

Empria aridicola Macek & Prous, sp. nov. *

Description of the holotype

(variability in other specimens in parentheses).

Male (Figs 9-15 ).

Body length. 5.2 (5.1-6.0) mm.

Colour. Black; following parts white or pale brown: (anterior and posterior margins of tegula); posterior margin of pronotum; profemur apically; anterior of protibia and posterior slightly (posterior completely black); anterior of mesotibia; (base of metatibia slightly); large triangular membranous area on tergum 1; posterior margins of terga and sterna slightly; cenchri; and paired patches on posterior margins abdominal terga 2-4 (2-3).

Head. Clypeus tridentate, with rather inconspicuous median keel, and median tooth smaller than lateral teeth; head behind eyes in dorsal view parallel to subparallel with posterior halves converging toward the occipital carina; area between frontal crests in dorsal view reaching (slightly exceeding) the level of crests; malar space 1.2 (0.9-1.3) times as long as the frontal ocellar diameter; length of postocellar area 2.2 (1.8-2.7) times as long as the lateral ocellar diameter; postocellar area 2.2 (1.9-2.4) times as wide as long; flagellum 1.9 (1.8-2.3) times as long as breadth of head.

Thorax. Propleura not meeting in front; distance between cenchri slightly longer than (as long as) cenchrus width; wings smoky (hyaline), venation brown; vein 2A+3A of fore wing complete; vein m-cu in hind wing present; subbasal tooth of tarsal claw close to apical one and distinctly shorter.

Abdomen. Subgenital plate (sternum 9) without emargination. Penis valve with distinct spine subapically at dorsal margin of valviceps; valviceps slightly longer than (as long as) valvura; ventral margin of valviceps distinctly concave; dorsal margin of valviceps with few teeth and its basal and apical part bending similarly, forming nearly semicircle; valvar strut slightly curved.

Female (Figs 1-8 ).

Body length. 5.9-6.9 mm.

Colour. Black; following parts white or pale brown: anterior and posterior margins of tegula, or completely black; posterior margin of pronotum; profemur apically; protibia anteriorly and sometimes slightly posteriorly; mesotibia anteriorly; metatibia slightly basally or completely black; large triangular membranous area on tergum 1; posterior margins of terga and sterna slightly; cenchri; and paired patches on posterior margins abdominal terga 2-3 or 2-4.

Head. Clypeus tridentate, with rather inconspicuous median keel, and median tooth smaller than lateral teeth; head behind eyes in dorsal view parallel to subparallel with posterior halves converging toward the occipital carina; area between frontal crests in dorsal view reaching or slightly exceeding the level of crests; malar space 1.2-1.5 times as long as the frontal ocellar diameter; length of postocellar area 2.1-2.6 times as long as the lateral ocellar diameter; postocellar area 1.8-2.4 times as wide as long; flagellum 1.6-1.9 times as long as breadth of head.

Thorax. Propleura not meeting in front; distance between cenchri as long as or slightly longer than cenchrus width; wings hyaline or smoky, venation brown; vein 2A+3A of fore wing complete; vein m-cu in hind wing present; subbasal tooth of tarsal claw close to apical one and distinctly shorter.

Abdomen. Sawsheath simple, narrow in dorsal view and distinctly longer than cerci. Lancet with 14 or 15 serrulae, more or less triangular with microdenticles at anterior margin.

Holotype.

1♂, DEI-GISHym12004, Bulgaria, Varna, Goren Chiflik 1 km SW, 43.001N, 27.621E, 40 m, 13.4.2018, leg. A. Liston & M. Prous (SDEI).

Paratypes.

BULGARIA: 3♂, Burgas, Indzhe Voivoda 3 km NE, 42.235N, 27.451E, 250 m, 12.4.2018, leg. A. Liston & M. Prous (SDEI); 2♂ (one with ID number DEI-GISHym88915), Varna, Tsonevo 5 km S, 42.982N, 27.451E, 100 m, 8.4.2018, leg. A. Liston & M. Prous (SDEI).

CZECH REPUBLIC: 2♀, 1♂, Bohemia or., Chlumec nad Cidlinou env., Báň NR, 24.04. -30.04.2001, MT, leg. B. Mocek ( NMPC); 1♂, Bohemia cent., Milovice, 5.05.2006, swept, leg. J. Macek ( NMPC); 1♀, Bohemia cent., Karlštejn NNR, 24.04.2011, swept, leg. J. Macek ( NMPC); 1♂, Moravia mer., Bílé Karpaty PLA, Čertoryje NNR, 29.05.2005, MT, leg. J. Macek ( NMPC); Moravia mer.: 3♀, Dolní Dunajovice, 10.04.2017, swept, leg. V. Kubáň ( NMPC).

FRANCE: 1♀, MNHN_Empria_82, Picardie, Laigneville, 49.3N. 2.45E ( MNHN); 1♂, MNHN_Empria_7, Ile-de-France, Lardy, 48.517N, 2.267E, 6.6.1913 ( MNHN); 2♂, MNHN_Empria_72 and MNHN_Empria_73, Rhone-Alpes, Rochecolombe, 44.5N, 4.45E, 8.4.1951 (MNHN); 1♀, BC ZSM HYM 04606, Alsace, Mulhause, Westhalten, 47.967N, 7.267E, 327 m, 6.4.1999, leg. C. Schmid-Egger ( ZSM).

GERMANY: 1♂, Brandenburg, Drehna, Weinberg, 51.767N, 13.8E, 13.5.1980, leg. J. Oehlke (SDEI); 1♂, Brandenburg, Kleiner Rummelsberg, Nordhang, 1.M, 52.917N, 14.017E, 27.4.1993-29.4.1993, leg. M. Sommer, Malaise trap (SDEI); 1♀, Thüringen, Lausnitz, FND Totenstein, Hecke, 50.733N, 11.678E, 28.4.2009, leg. F. Burger (SDEI); 1♂, Brandenburg, Mallnow, Oderhänge, NSG Adonishänge, 52.45N, 14.5E, 1.5.2013, leg. A.D. Liston (SDEI); 1♂, BC ZSM HYM 04610, Bayern, Auwald b. Breitenfurt, 49.137N, 11.447E, 390 m, 5.4.2009, leg. J. Hable ( ZSM); 1♂, BC ZSM HYM 16743, Bayern, Magerrasen zw. Grossbissendorf und Hohenfels, 49.215N, 11.827E, 435 m, 2.5.2012, leg. J. Hable ( ZSM); 1♀, BC ZSM HYM 11775, Bayern, Neumarkt, TK 6834, Qu. 4, S-exponierter Hang, Berching NW-Rand, Haarbe, 49.105N, 11.442E, 388 m, 10.4.2011, leg. J. Hable ( ZSM); 1♂, BC ZSM HYM 11810, Bayern, Neumarkt, TK 6934, Qu. 2, Kreuzberg, noerdl. Ortsrand von Dietfurt, 49.04N, 11.586E, 453 m, 21.4.2011, leg. J. Hable ( ZSM); 1♂, BC ZSM HYM 04613, Bayern, Zeil, 50.010N, 10.594E, 229 m, 7.7.1998, leg. K. Mandery ( ZSM).

GREECE: 1♂, DEI-GISHym80304, Achaia, Ano Vlasia 4 km S, 37.97N, 21.894E, 1000 m, 24.4.2017, leg. SDEI Hym-group (SDEI); 1♀, DEI-GISHym80378, Achaia, Kalavryta Ski Center, 38.005N, 22.199E, 1700 m, 27.4.2017, leg. SDEI Hym-group (SDEI); 2♀ (DEI-GISHym15134 and DEI-GISHym15131), 1♂ (DEI-GISHym15132), Ioánnina, Kónitsa E 1km, 40.043N, 20.767E, 870 m, 10.5.2007, leg. M. Wei (SDEI); 1♂, DEI-GISHym80396, Sterea Ellas, Lamia W 48 km, Timfristos SW 3 km, 38.91N, 21.93E, 1101 m, 11.5.2007, leg. A.D. Liston (SDEI); 1♀, Achaia, Pirgaki 2 km NNW, 38.178N, 22.084E, 750 m, 25.4.2017, leg. SDEI Hym-group (SDEI); 1♂, TUZ109463, Sterea Ellas, Timfristos Oros, East flank, 38.95N, 21.817E, 1700 m, 14.4.2008, leg. A.D. Liston ( TUZ).

HUNGARY: 8♂, 1♀, Tokód, 16.04.2005, swept, leg. J. Macek; 1♀, Epöl, 16.04.2005, swept, leg. J. Macek ( NMPC); 1♂, Pest, Veroce, 47.826N, 19.022E, 122 m, 1.5.2005-10.5.2005, leg. Z. Nyiro, Malaise trap ( USNM).

RUSSIA: 1♀, I02-01a, Ulyanovsk Oblast, Radishchevsky, 8 km S Vjazovka ( “Радищевский р-н 8 Ю с. Вяазовка”), 2.5.2002, leg. A. Isajev (CMH).

SLOVAKIA: 1♀, Slovakia mer., Devínska Kobyla, 6.v.1982, swept, leg. J. Macek ( NMPC).

Etymology. The species name, a noun, is formed from the Latin components aridus (dry) and the suffix - cola (inhabitor), and refers to its occurrence in dry places.

Genetic data. Based on mitochondrial and nuclear genes, the exact placement within Empria s. str. (i.e. excluding E. candidata and E. multicolor ) is not well supported (Fig. 16 ). According to mitochondrial COI barcodes, all the specimens belong to the same BIN, the nearest neighbour being a BIN within the E. immersa group with a distance of 7.5%.

Host plants. Possibly Rubus caesius L. (ex larva rearing by JM), but likely other Rosaceae in addition because R. caesius seemed to be absent in places where the Bulgarian specimens were collected. From the larva illustrated in Figures 17 and 18 an adult female was reared, but the specimen was destroyed during an attempt to dissect the ovipositor (Czech Republic, Bohemia or., NR Báň u Hradčan, 31.5.2005, on Rubus caesius , adult emerged 31.3.2006, J. Macek coll. et det.). The adult did, however, closely resemble paratype specimens of E. aridicola from the same site.

Distribution.

West Palaearctic. Confirmed country records are from Bulgaria, Czech Republic, France, Germany, Greece, Hungary, Russia (Ulyanovsk Oblast), and Slovakia.

Notes.

This species could most easily be confused with E. parvula and E. sexpunctata by its external morphology (2 or 3 pairs of pale patches on posterior margins abdominal terga, tarsal claw with distinct subbasal tooth). The most reliable way to distinguish E. parvula from E. aridicola is to examine saws and penis valves (Figs 6 , 13 , 19 , 20 , 24 , 25 , 29 ). Serrulae are distinctly more flat in E. parvula (Figs 19 , 20 ) compared to E. aridicola (Fig. 6 ). In E. aridicola males, the dorsal margin of the valviceps bends basally and apically in a rather similar way, so that the dorsal margin nearly forms a semicircle (Figs 13 , 29 ). In E. parvula , the dorsal margin of the valviceps is quite asymmetric, bending basally much more abruptly than apically (Figs 24 , 25 ). In E. parvula , the paired patches on abdominal terga are often detached from posterior margins of the terga, which can also be helpful in distinguishing the species. The best character to separate females of E. sexpunctata and E. aridicola is the position of paired patches on abdominal terga, which are detached from the posterior margin in E. sexpunctata (cf. Figs 1 , 30 ). Head shape can also be helpful to distinguish females and males of E. sexpunctata and E. aridicola : the postocellar area is usually more than 2.5 times as broad as long in E. sexpunctata (Fig. 31 ), while in E. aridicola this ratio is less than 2.4 (Fig. 3 ), although there might be overlap. Although saws of E. sexpunctata and E. aridicola (Figs 6 , 23 ) are hardly distinguishable, penis valves of these species are quite easy to separate (Figs 13 , 28 , 29 ). Many of the males of E. sexpunctata can be distinguished from E. aridicola also by the larger number (3-5) of pale patches on abdominal terga. Prous (2012) used the name E. kuznetzovi Dovnar-Zapolskij, 1929 for E. aridicola based on the original description ( Dovnar-Zapolskij 1929), which is, however, consistent also with E. parvula . Because no type specimens of E. kuznetzovi Dovnar-Zapolskij, 1929 have been found in ZIN, we maintain the synonymy with E. parvula (Konow, 1892) as proposed by Conde (1940), who apparently did study the type specimen(s).

Figures

Figure 16. Maximum likelihood tree of Empria based on three genes. Best-fit model chosen according to Bayesian information criterion was GTR + R 3. Numbers beside nodes show SH-aLRT support (%) / ultrafast bootstrap support (%) values. Support values for weakly supported branches (<90) are not shown. Letters " f " and " m " stand for " female " and " male ". Numbers at the end of the tip labels refer to the length of the sequence and the number of ambiguous positions (e. g. polymorphisms). Empria candidata and E. multicolor were used to root the tree. The scale bar shows the number of estimated substitutions per nucleotide position.

Figures 9 - 15. Empria aridicola male holotype, DEI-GISHym 12004. 9 body dorsal 10 head dorsal 11 body lateral 12 tarsal claw 13 penis valve 14 head frontal 15 head and thorax lateral.

Figures 1 - 8. Empria aridicola female paratypes, DEI-GISHym 80378 (1 - 5, 7, 8) and DEI-GISHym 15134 (6). 1 body dorsal 2 body lateral 3 head dorsal 4 head frontal 5 head and thorax lateral 6 saw 7, 8 tarsal claws.

Figures 17, 18. Empria aridicola larva.

Figures 19 - 23. Saws of Empria. 19 Empria parvula DEI-GISHym 18703 (Greece) 20 E. parvula, E. pseudoklugi lectotype ZIN _ Empria _ 8 (Russia) 21 E. pravei, lectotype ZIN _ Empria _ 11 (Russia) 22 E. pravei BMNH 1967 - 364 (Iran) 23 E. sexpunctata DEI-GISHym 15130 (Greece).

Figures 24 - 29. Penis valves of Empria. 24 Empria parvula TUZ 615399 (Estonia) 25 E. parvula DEI-GISHym 88775 (Bulgaria) 26 E. pravei DEI-GISHym 88735 (Bulgaria) 27 E. pravei DEI-GISHym 88758 (Bulgaria) 28 E. sexpunctata DEI-GISHym 88818 (Bulgaria) 29 E. aridicola paratype DEI-GISHym 80304 (Greece).

Figures 30 - 35. Empria species. 30 Empria sexpunctata DEI-GISHym 88916, body dorsal; 31 head dorsal. 32 E. parvula DEI-GISHym 88913, ventrolateral 33 E. pravei DEI-GISHym 88735, ventrolateral. 34 E. parvula larva TUZ 615249 (Estonia) 35 E. pravei larva, reared ex ovo from DEI-GISHym 84166 (Bulgaria).