Aphelinus asychis Walker, 1839

Shirley, Xanthe A., Woolley, James B. & Hopper, Keith R., 2017, Revision of the asychis species group of Aphelinus (Hymenoptera: Aphelinidae), Journal of Hymenoptera Research 54, pp. 1-32 : 5-9

publication ID	https://dx.doi.org/10.3897/jhr.54.10457
publication LSID	lsid:zoobank.org:pub:6F3F5A35-3EBD-48FE-9DFC-9B350F129DE3
persistent identifier	https://treatment.plazi.org/id/0B261401-B74D-5097-E393-87B2A8495D44
treatment provided by	Journal of Hymenoptera Research by Pensoft
scientific name	Aphelinus asychis Walker, 1839
status

Treatment

Aphelinus asychis Walker, 1839 View in CoL View at ENA

Figs 3 View Figure 3 , 4 View Figure 4

Aphelinus asychis Walker, 1839, lectotype designation by Graham (1976).

Aphelinus euthria Walker, 1839, synonymy and lectotype designation by Graham (1976).

Myina affinis Förster, 1841, synonymy and lectotype designation by Graham (1976).

Aphelinus affinis ( Förster, 1841): Dalla Torre (1898).

Aphelinus brevicalcar Thomson, 1876, synonymy and lectotype designation by Graham (1976).

Aphelinus brachyptera Kurdjumov, 1913, synonymy and lectotype designation by Graham (1976).

Aphelinus dubia Kurdjumov, 1913, synonymy and lectotype designation by Graham (1976).

Diagnosis.

Females and males. Legs with procoxa brown (Fig. 3d View Figure 3 ) [not yellow (Fig. 9d View Figure 9 )], profemur and mesofemur dark brown with apex yellow or pale (Fig. 3d View Figure 3 ) [not entirely yellow (Figs 7d View Figure 7 , 9d View Figure 9 ) or light brown with apex yellow or pale (Fig. 5d View Figure 5 )], mesotibia dark brown with apex yellow (Figs 3c View Figure 3 , 3d View Figure 3 ) [not entirely yellow (Figs 5d View Figure 5 , 7d View Figure 7 , 9d View Figure 9 )] and metatibia dark brown with apex yellow (Figs 3c View Figure 3 , 3d View Figure 3 ) [not entirely yellow (Fig. 9d View Figure 9 ) or light brown with apex yellow or pale (Figs 5d View Figure 5 , 7d View Figure 7 )].

Description.

Female (Figs 3b View Figure 3 , 3d View Figure 3 , 3f View Figure 3 and 4b View Figure 4 , 4d-4g View Figure 4 ).

Color (Fig. 3b View Figure 3 , 3d View Figure 3 , 3f View Figure 3 ). Head and mesosoma dark brown; radicle and basal portion of scape yellow/white, apical portion of scape and pedicel brown, and F1, F2, F3, and club yellow, tip of club dusky; legs with mesocoxa and metacoxa brown, metafemur yellow, protibia yellow; metasoma yellow from base to apex, lateral margins of metasoma darker than mesal area except in basal quarter.

Body length. 0.9 mm (n=2; slide mounts).

Head (Figs 3b View Figure 3 and 4b View Figure 4 ). Width 0.8-1.1 head length in anterior view; frontovertex width 0.5 × head width and 1.4-2.6 × frontovertex length; posterior ocelli diameter 0.5 × posterior ocelli to eye margin distance and 1.5 × posterior ocelli to occipital margin distance; antenna as in Figure 4b View Figure 4 with scape length 6.5-6.6 × scape width, pedicel length 1.9-2.1 × pedicel width, F1 and F2 subquadrate, length of both 1.1 × width, F3 length 1.3-1.5 × F3 width, and club length 2.9-3.2 × club width and 2.8-3.4 × F3 width, club with 8 longitudinal sensilla.

Mesosoma (Figs 3d View Figure 3 , 3f View Figure 3 and 4g View Figure 4 ). Mid lobe of mesoscutum length 0.7-0.8 × mid lobe width with two pairs of long setae (one pair lateral and one pair posterior) and 29 short setae; side lobes of mesoscutum each with one pair of long setae and one pair of short setae; scutellum with two pairs of long setae (one pair anterior and one pair posterior); mesotibial spur length 0.6 × mesobasitarsus length, metatibial spur length 0.6-0.8 × metabasitarsus length.

Fore wing (Fig. 4d View Figure 4 ). Length 2.8 × fore wing width, longest marginal seta 0.2 × fore wing width; costal cell length 0.7 × length of marginal vein, with one line of 5 setae on ventral surface and 1 dorsal setae in apical quarter; marginal vein with two rows of 10 large dorsal setae, one row of 5 small dorsal setae, and one row of 7 ventral setae; interspace between basal cell and linea calva with 25 setae arranged in three complete line and one incomplete line; linea calva closed with three setae at its posterior end, setae bordering linea calva proximally are arranged uniformly and evenly to posterior margin of wing.

Hind wing (Fig. 4e View Figure 4 ). Length 4.4 × hind wing width, longest marginal seta 0.5 × hind wing width.

Metasoma (Figs 3d View Figure 3 , 3f View Figure 3 and 4f View Figure 4 ). Length 1.8-2.0 × mesosoma length; ovipositor length 1.2-1.3 × mesotibia length and 1.0-1.2 × metatibia length; third valvula length 0.2-0.3 × ovipositor length.

Description. Male (Figs 3a View Figure 3 , 3c View Figure 3 , 3e View Figure 3 and 4a View Figure 4 , 4c View Figure 4 , 4h View Figure 4 ). Similar to female except:

Color (Fig. 3a View Figure 3 , 3c View Figure 3 , 3e View Figure 3 ). All antennal segments yellow/brown; metasoma yellow at base darkening gradually to light brown at apex.

Head (Figs 3a View Figure 3 and 4a View Figure 4 ). Antenna with scape length 4.7-4.8 × scape width with five pores along mid line of single continuous convex ridge on ventral surface, pores small, approximately same diameter as base of adjacent seta, pedicel length 1.8-1.9 × pedicel width, F1 length 0.6 × F1 width, F2 length 0.5-0.6 × F2 width, F3 length 3.5-3.7 × F3 width, club length 3.3-6.5 × club width and 1.5-1.6 × F3 length.

Metasoma (Fig. 3c View Figure 3 , 3e View Figure 3 and 4h View Figure 4 ). Length 1.1-1.4 × mesosoma length; phallobase length (including digiti) 5.4-7.0 × phallobase width; digiti length 3.6-4.5 × digiti width.

Type material examined.

Aphelinus asychis Walker, 1839, lectotype female (BMNH, examined). Card-mounted. Label data: " A. asychis | Walker || Aphelinus | Aphelinus asychis | LECTOTYPE | M. de V. Graham | det. 1974 || B.M.N.H. TYPE | HYM | 5.2881".

Aphelinus euthria Walker, 1839, lectotype female and paralectotype female (BMNH, examined). Three paralectotype females.

Myina affinis Förster, 184, lectotype female (NHW, examined). Card-mounted. Label data: " Myina affinis | Förster | Lectotype ♀|| M. affinis Förster || Collect. G. Mayr". Paralectotype female (NHW, examined). Card-mounted. Label data: " M. affinis | Förster, Type || Collect. | G. Mayr".

Aphelinus brevicalcar Thomson, 1876, lectotype female (LUZN, examined). Card-mounted. Label data: " Aphelinus brevicalcar | Lectotype ♀. Thomas. | M. de V. Graham || Lectotype || Type No. 1574:1".

Aphelinus brachyptera Kurdjumov, 1913, lectotype female (NHW, examined). Card-mounted. Label data: " Aphelinus brachyptera | ( Först. MS). | Lectotype | M. de V. Graham || A. brachyptera | Förster Type || Collect. G. Mayr || 182".

Aphelinus dubia Kurdjumov, 1913, lectotype female (NHW, examined). Mounted on minuten pin on block. Label data: " Aphelinus | ( Föst. MS.) K | Lectotype || M. dubia | Förster, Type || Collect. | G. Mayr". Paralectotypes, five females. Mounted on minuten pins on block. Label data as lectotype.

Other material examined.

AUSTRALIA: Australian Capital Territory: 1 sex unknown, 3 males, 17 females. ANIC 64571-64591 (ANIC) . BRAZIL: 57 females. TAMU-ENTO X0852695-X0852751 (TAMU) . CANADA: 16 females, 1 mixed series, 1 unknown. CNC HYMEN 122773-122774, 122777, 122805, 122828, 122830, 122832-122833, 122835-122839, 122843, 122849, 122891, 122893, 122897 (CNC) . CANADA: Nova Scotia: 1 sex unknown. CNC HYMEN 122825 (CNC) . CANADA: Ontario: 1 male, 2 sex unknowns, 4 females. CNC HYMEN 122728 (EMEC); TAMU-ENTO X0854432 (TAMU); CNC HYMEN 18232, 122727, 122738-122740 (CNC) . CHILE: 7 males, 29 females. TAMU-ENTO X0852752-X0852753, X0852784- X0852793, X0852834-X0852837, X0852839-X0852844, X0852846-X0852847, X0852849-X0852854, X0852856-X0852861 (TAMU) . EGYPT: 1 male, 3 females. BMNH(E) 1039587-1039590 (BMNH) . FRANCE: 52 males, 1 mixed series, 8 sex unknowns, 3 unknowns, 81 females. EMEC 749093 (EMEC); BMNH(E) 1039558, 1039562, 1039575; ANIC 64736-64746, 64749-64765, 64772-64779 (ANIC); TAMU-ENTO X0616384-X0616385, X0852794-X0852803, X0852893-X0852917, X0852947, X0853323-X0853325, X0855642-X0855645, X0855777-X0855778, X0856082- X0856095, X0856301-X0856304, X0856306-X0856307, X0856319, X0856321-X0856322, X0856325, X0856327-X0856328, X0856330, X0856333, X0856337-X0856345, X0856568-X0856569, X0856625, X0856674 (TAMU); CNC HYMEN 19026 (CNC); UCRC ENT 75231 View Materials -75232, 326836, 326868, 326870 (UCRC); USNM ENT 1212186-1212195, 1212272 (USNM) . GERMANY: 2 males, 2 females. USNM ENT 763812, 1119640-1119642 (USNM) . INDIA: 1 sex unknown, 20 females. BMNH(E) 1039638 (BMNH); USNM ENT 1119615, 1119620-1119631, 1119633-1119634, 1119637, 1119639, 1212205, 1212213-1212214 (USNM) . ISRAEL: 7 males, 1 mixed series, 3 sex unknowns, 15 females. UCRC ENT 300205, 300211, 300225 (UCR); EMEC 749000, 749098-749099; UCRC ENT 300206-300208, 300210, 300212-300224, 300226-300227, 326859 (UCRC) . ITALY: 9 males, 2 sex unknowns, 19 females. BMNH(E) 1039570, 1039574, 1038774; X0856351, X0856358-X0856360, X0856361-X0856368, X0856564-X0856567 (TAMU); CNC HYMEN 19045 (CNC); USNM ENT 1212200-1212204, 1212206-1212209, 1212435 (USNM) . JAPAN: 4 females, 5 males. CNC HYMEN 19030, 19032-19033, 19035-19036, 19038, 19040-19042 (CNC) . MOROCCO: 5 males, 1 sex unknown, 15 females. TAMU-ENTO X0856308-X0856311, X0856313-X0856318, X0856320, X0856323- X0856324, X0856326, X0856329, X0856331-X0856332, X0856334-X0856336 (TAMU) . NEPAL: 1 female. BMNH(E) 1039267 (BMNH) . PAKISTAN: 20 males, 3 sex unknowns, 8 females. TAMU-ENTO X0852974-X0853002, X0854532, X0854632, X0854732 (TAMU) . SOUTH AFRICA: 9 males, 5 females. ANIC 65020-65021, 65023-65029, 65032-65034 (ANIC); USNM ENT 1119565, 1119573 (USNM) . SPAIN: 6 males, 12 females. BMNH(E) 1039559, 1039561, 1039565-1039566, 1039568-1039569; TAMU-ENTO X0616389, X0616411, X0852950, X0856305, X0856346-X0856350, X0856352, X0856781 (TAMU); USNM ENT 1212437 (USNM) . SWEDEN: 4 males, 6 females. BMNH(E) 1039571-1039573, 1039578, 1039581-1039586 (BMNH) . TURKEY: 2 females. BMNH(E) 1039563-1039564 (BMNH) . UNITED KINGDOM: 2 males, 6 females. BMNH(E) 1038770-1038773, 1039560, 1039636-1039637 (BMNH); USNM ENT 1212436 (USNM) . USA: California: 10 females, 2 males, 1 unknown. UCRC ENT 75429 View Materials , 75431 (UCRC), EMEC 749077-749079, 749081, 749083-749087, 749089, 749732 (EMEC) . USA: Colorado: 3 males, 6 females. USNM ENT 1119605-1119608, 1119612-1119614, USNM ENT 1119578-1119579 (USNM) . USA: Florida: 2 females. CNC HYMEN 122771, 122813 (CNC) . USA: Hawaii: 3 females. USNM ENT 1212218-1212220 (USNM) . USA: Kansas: 2 females. USNM ENT 1119500, 1119580 (USNM) . USA: Maine: 1 female. USNM ENT 1119576 (USNM) . USA: Maryland: 2 females. USNM ENT 1119577, USNM ENT 1119599 (USNM) . USA: Minnesota: 1 sex unknown, 1 female. USNM ENT 1212238-1212239 (no date) (USNM) . USA: Missouri: 1 unknown, 23 females. CNC HYMEN 122780-122782, 122783-122801, 122804, 122809-122811 (CNC) . USA: Ohio: 5 females. USNM ENT 1119610-1119611, 1119617-1119619 (USNM) . USA: Oklahoma: 6 males, 7 mixed series, 19 females. EMEC 749510, 749578-749582, 749589, 749617, 749619, 749621-749635, 749664 (EMEC); TAMU-ENTO X0616388 (TAMU); USNM ENT 1119550-1119553, 1212245, 1212438 (USNM) . USA: Texas: 7 males, 1 sex unknown, 2 females. TAMU-ENTO X0852918-X0852925, X0853732, X0852938, (TAMU). Country not specified: 8 males, 9 females. UCRC ENT 13848 View Materials , 13996 (UCR); ANIC 64766-64771, 64780-64781, 65065-65067 (ANIC); EMEC 749618, 749620, 749636 (EMEC); USNM ENT 1119589 (USNM) .

Hosts.

Acyrthosiphon kondoi Shinji, 1938, Acyrthosiphon pisum (Harris, 1776), Aphis gossypii (Glover, 1877), Aphis umbrella ( Börner, 1950), Brevicoryne brassicae (Linnaeus, 1758), Chaetosiphon fragaefolii (Cockerell, 1901), Diuraphis noxia , Hyperomyzus lactucae (Linnaeus, 1758), Myzus persicae , Rhopalosiphum maidis (Fitch, 1856), Schizaphis graminum , Therioaphis trifolii , and Toxoptera Koch, 1856 sp.

Distribution.

Old World and some New World populations, discussed below.

Discussion.

The collections from France, Italy, Morocco, and Spain correspond to those discussed in Kazmer et al. (1996). The leg coloration of of A. asychis specimens as described in the diagnosis is unique among species in the Aphelinus asychis group. We are treating collections from Spain, Morocco, and Italy as conspecific, noting that the metafemora are dark brown [not yellow]. We are also treating the collection from England, Sussex, as conspecific, noting that the profemora and mesofemora are yellow [not dark brown with apex yellow or pale]. We are treating the population from Hoda, Hawaii, and Bangalore, India, as conspecific, noting that the protibia are brown [not yellow]. Although the male antennal club in Aphelinus asychis is usually longer than in other species, we note that it is of comparable length (4.0-4.5 L/W) in the series from Montpellier and Antibes, France.

Numerous populations of A. asychis are present in North America. The population from Randall Co., Texas, is presumed to have originated from biological control program releases of A. asychis against the Russian wheat aphid in that area. The population from Wayne Co., Missouri, was collected from a Malaise trap, and one specimen from Florida was collected by a flight interception trap, both in the late 1980's. The populations from Stillwater, Oklahoma, originated from a lab culture of A. asychis for Schizaphis graminum biological control. The two specimens collected from Manhattan, Kansas, from spotted alfalfa aphid in a greenhouse probably result from agricultural research at Kansas State University. The series from Alameda Co., California, 1962, is from the former UC Insectary, Oxford Tract, and was possibly being researched as a candidate for biological control of yellow clover aphid or other pest aphids.

However, in a few cases, A. asychis was found in North America before any documented biological control releases. An A. asychis specimen was collected in Florida in 1952, which does not have any associated host data. Two specimens from Maryland, one from Myzus persicae and one from strawberry aphids were collected in 1962 and 1950, respectively. One specimen from Maine in 1958 was collected from a Capitophorus aphid mummy. Two specimens from Colorado were collected from Myzus persicae mummies, one in 1940 and the other in 1988. These records are especially interesting because they are geographically close to the type locality and host of A. semiflavus . The specimens from Minnesota, Ohio, and California (UCRC ENT 75429 and 75431) did not have collecting date or host information.

The lectotype and paralectotype females of Aphelinus affinis Förster were examined (NHW, Vienna). They are point-mounted specimens in good condition. We concur with Graham (1976) that Aphelinus affinis Förster is a junior synonym of Aphelinus asychis Walker. The lectotype of Aphelinus brachyptera Kurdjumov (NHW, Vienna) was examined. It is a brachypterous female mounted on a minuten pin through the mesosoma. We concur with Graham (1976) that Aphelinus brachyptera Kurdjumov is a junior synonym of Aphelinus asychis Walker. The lectotype female of Aphelinus brevicalcar Thomson (LUZN, Sweden) was examined. It is a card-mounted female in reasonably good condition. We concur with Graham (1976) that Aphelinus brevicalcar Thomson is a junior synonym of Aphelinus asychis Walker.

The type material of Aphelinus dubia Kurdjumov (NHW, Vienna) which consists of a female lectotype and five female paralectotypes, mounted together on a small wooden block on minuten pins, and a second pin with a wooden block bearing five additional female paralectotypes, was examined. A red dot next to one pin identifies the lectotype. The specimens are dirty and in poor condition and the minuten pins are rusting. Although we note some color variation in the metasoma of these specimens, we concur with Graham (1976) that Aphelinus dubia Kurdjumov is a junior synonym of Aphelinus asychis Walker. The lectotype female and paralectotype females of Aphelinus euthria Walker (BMNH, London) were examined. The lectotype and one paralectotype are mounted on the same card and are in poor condition (lectotype is missing all of the metasoma). Three additional paralectotypes individually card mounted are in reasonably good condition. We concur with Graham (1976) that Aphelinus euthria Walker is a junior synonym of Aphelinus asychis Walker.

Kingdom	Animalia
Phylum	Arthropoda
Class	Insecta
Order	Hymenoptera
Family	Aphelinidae
Genus	Aphelinus