Messatoporus discoidalis ( Cresson 1872 )

Santos, Bernardo F. & Aguiar, Alexandre P., 2013, <strong> Phylogeny and revision of <em> Messatoporus </ em> Cushman (Hymenoptera, Ichneumonidae, Cryptinae), with descriptions of sixty five new species </ strong>, Zootaxa 3634 (1), pp. 1-284 : 107-113

Messatoporus discoidalis ( Cresson 1872)

( Figs 130–132 , 268 , 279 , 320 )

* Mesostenus ferrumequinum Walsh & Riley 1869: 133 . Description. Holotype lost. Name preoccupied by Brullé 1846. * Mesostenus discoidalis Cresson 1872: 162 . Description. Holotype ♀ (USNM, examined). Type data: [ USA] Texas, Belfrage.

Type No. 1575. * Mesostenus jocosus Provancher 1874: 300 . Description. Lectotype ♀ ( ULQC, examined). Type data: 304. Synonym by

Cushman (1929: 9). Revalidated by Kasparyan & Ruíz 2005: 2005:115. * Messatoporus discoidalis: Cushman 1929: 3–5 , 9–11. Generic transfer, description, figure, keyed. * Messatoporus rufiventris Cushman 1929: 11–12 , new synonym. Description, keyed. Holotype ♀ ( USNM, examined). Type data: [ USA] Maryland [Md], Cabin John, 5.VIII.1917. Type No. 40579. Messatoporus discoidalis: Townes 1962: 465–466 , 561. Description, distribution, figure, keyed. Messatoporus rufiventris: Townes 1962: 463–465 , 561. Description, distribution, figure, keyed. Messatoporus discoidalis: Yu & Horstmann 1997:274 . Listed Messatoporus rufiventris: Yu & Horstmann 1997:274 . Listed Messatoporus discoidalis: Yu et al. 2005 . Listed. Messatoporus rufiventris: Yu et al. 2005 . Listed. Messatoporus discoidalis: Kasparyan & Ruíz 2005: 106 , 109. Distribution, keyed. * Messatoporus jocosus: Kasparyan & Ruíz 2005:106 . Diagnosis, distribution, figure, keyed. Messatoporus rufiventris: Kasparyan & Ruíz 2005: 106 , 120. Distribution, keyed.

Messatoporus discoidalis: Kasparyan & Ruíz 2008: 309 , 317–318, 373. Diagnosis, distribution, figure, keyed.

Messatoporus jocosus: Kasparyan & Ruíz 2008: 311 , 324. Diagnosis, distribution, figure, keyed.

Messatoporus rufiventris: Kasparyan & Ruíz 2008: 311 , 334–335. Diagnosis, distribution, figure, keyed.

Female. Holotype ♀. Fore wing 6.64 mm. HEAD: Mandible densely covered with long hairs; MLW 2.11; MWW 0.35; dorsal tooth in front view projected upwards, much longer than ventral tooth; ventral tooth triangular. MSM 0.3. Clypeus slightly and more or less uniformly convex, centrally straight; CHW 2.11; CWW 1.31; apical area medially straight, laterally slightly projected, its margin regular, not raised. Antenna with 26 flagellomeres (holotype of M. rufiventris ); flagellum uniform; apex of apical flagellomere much narrower than base, distinctly tapered. Supra-antennal area shiny, scarcely punctate, not striate near antennal sockets, ventrally distinctly concave, without median line. Occipital carina uniformly curved, fading out at distance shorter than basal width of mandible from the hypostomal carina. Temple and gena moderately wide, gena regular (as in Fig. 260 ).

THORAX: Pronotum sparsely pilose, shiny, densely punctate, ventrally with strong wrinkles (and weakly striated along posterior margin); epomia moderately strong, complete, moderately long, ending near dorsal margin of pronotum, after diverging from pronotal collar distinctly curved. Mesoscutum strongly and uniformly convex, subcircular, 1.06 × as long as wide, densely covered with short hairs, shiny, densely punctate; notaulus reaching about 0.7 of mesoscutum length, moderately impressed, surface over notaulus with weak and short transverse wrinkles; scuto-scutellar groove shallow, with vestigial longitudinal wrinkles. Subalar ridge moderately projected; epicnemial carina reaching about 0.85 of distance to subalar ridge, ventrally abruptly curved, dorsally straight; sternaulus moderately strong, wider on posterior apex, strongly sinuous, with weak vertical wrinkles; scrobe moderately deep; mesopleural suture with strong longitudinal wrinkles along entire length. Mesosternum medially with short transverse wrinkles; median portion of posterior transverse carina of the mesothoracic venter short, slightly arched forwards. Transverse sulcus at base of propodeum very wide, about 0.97 × as long as anterior area of propodeum, with weak longitudinal wrinkles; metapleuron minutely rugulose-colliculate, without transverse wrinkles, densely pilose; juxtacoxal carina represented by very short ridges. Fore tibia weakly swollen. Mesal lobe of t4 with 3–4 bristles. Hind coxa basally foveolate-areolate, apically punctate, interior face minutely rugulose.

PROPODEUM: 1.13 × as long as wide, shiny, moderately pilose; anterior area densely punctate, medially rugulose; spiracle elongate, SWL 6.75; anterior transverse carina medially straight. Propodeal wrinkles anteriorly very close and moderately strong, posteriorly stronger and more widely spaced, mostly incomplete and overlapped, with some disperse complete wrinkles, mostly slightly curved or somewhat sinuous; posterior transverse carina entirely absent.

WINGS: Fore wing vein 1-Rs+M distinctly sinuous, with bulla placed on basal 0.25; crossvein 1m-cu more or less uniformly curved, limit between 1m-cu and 1-Rs+M more or less traceable; vein 1M+Rs anteriorly straight, posteriorly weakly curved; fore wing crossvein 1 cu-a basad of 1M+Rs by 0.41 of its own length; vein 2Cua 0.61 × as long as crossvein 2cu-a; bulla of crossvein 2m-cu placed on midlength; cell 1+2Rs small, APH 0.55, pentagonal, about as high as wide, AWH 0.88; crossvein 3r-m fully spectral, 2r-m and 3r-m distinctly convergent, about same length; vein 3-M distinctly shorter than 2-M; 4-Rs very weakly sinuous; 4-M semi-spectral, straight. Hind wing vein 1-M+Cu forming straight angle with vein Cua; vein 2-Rs entirely tubular, apically weaker, reaching wing margin; HW1C 1.15; vein Cub distinctly convex on posterior half, forming distinctly obtuse angle with vein Cua (basally curved); vein 2–1A reaching 0.76 of distance to posterior wing margin.

METASOMA: First tergite very long, about 0.46 × as long as T2–8, somewhat depressed, dorsally sparsely pilose, laterally moderately pilose; T1LW 3.23; T1WW 1.75; spiracle on 0.56 of its length, slightly prominent; median depression elongate, very shallow; lateral and median posterior depressions absent; ventrolateral carina absent. T2LW 1.08; T2WW 1.93; thyridium longer than wide, without small circular depression just behind it; T2–8 minutely and very weakly coriarious, densely and uniformly pilose. OST 0.73.

Color. Head, meso– and metasoma black and yellow. Head: black; clypeus, mandible except apex, mouthparts, malar space, supra-clypeal area and complete orbital band, yellow (222, 184, 089); [scape ventrally yellow; f7–14 white]. Mesosoma: mostly yellow; pronotum black except collar and dorsal margin connected; mesoscutum black except subcircular central spot; scuto-scutellar groove, axillary though of metanotum, posterior border of scutellum, postscutellum, epicnemium, dorsal margin of mesoscutum, scrobe, mesopleural suture, mesepimeron, posterior spot on metapleuron, anterior area of propodeum, anterior and lateral borders of posterior area and posterior ovoid spot on propodeum, black; mid leg yellow, darker at tarsus, t5 fuscous; mid coxa with weak brownish mark; hind coxa yellow, with narrow longitudinal brownish stripe; hind trochanters and femur yellow hind tibia hind basal 0.8 yellow, gradually turning to black on apical 0.2; basal 0.2 of t1 blackish, apical 0.8 and t2–5 whitish. Metasoma: dark brown; T1 yellow, dorsally brown at median 0.3; S1 yellow; T2–8 with posterior yellow stripes; S2–6 yellow with lateral brownish marks.

Male. Fore wing 4.50–8.67 mm long. Very similar to female. All of the observed variation between males and females are also found, usually in higher degree, among females of different localities.

Variation. Fore wing 5.76–9.10 mm long. Specimens of M. discoidalis show a very wide array of variation in color pattern, mostly in the extension of black areas at the meso– and metasoma. That has often complicated species delimitation (see below). The type of M. discoidalis ( Fig. 132 ) has the most extensively yellow mesosoma; the specimens usually determined as rufiventris ( Fig. 131 ) present more extensively orange metasoma, with the black areas at mesosoma widely varied. The specimens which correspond to the previous definition of jocosus ( Fig. 130 ) are the most extensively black, both at meso– and metasoma, as follows. Mesosoma black; yellow marks at collar and dorsal margin of pronotum not, or only narrowly connected; central spot on mesoscutum U-shaped, sometimes surface over notaulus only partially yellow; yellow areas on mesopleuron restricted to a central mark, medially narrower, covering about 0.4–0.5 of its surface; metapleural triangle black; black portion of posterior area of propodeum covering about 0.3 of its surface; hind coxa with two distinct blackish marks; hind tibia with apical 0.4 blackish. In the specimens with most orange metasoma, the T2–8 are entirely orange, anteriorly darker; these specimens usually also have the hind coxa entirely orange. Most specimens are intermediary between metasoma entirely orange and distinctly banded with black and yellow. Biometric variation was observed in APH, 0.88–1.00, and OST, 0.83–0.9. Some specimens from Central and South America present the following additional variations: T1 laterally entirely blackish, dorsally blackish at median 0.4–0.6; apical area of clypeus medially concave (vs. straight); supra-antennal area with a slight depression; and epomia distinct only after diverging from pronotal collar, short and distinctly curved. There are no distinctive boundaries to divide the apparently continuous morphological variation observed into different species (see below).

Comments. The delimitation of the M. discoidalis , M. jocosus and M. rufiventris is traditionally controversial in the taxonomic literature. Cushman (1929), when describing M. rufiventris , stated that “structurally, I can see no difference between this and discoidalis (Cresson) , and am inclined to think it merely a color variation.” The same author considers M. jocosus as a synonym of M. discoidalis . Townes and Townes (1962) kept this classification, but commented that “there is some doubt about the type of discoidalis . It may be a specimen of M. rufiventris with unusual coloration.” The distinction between the two species provided by Townes and Townes (1962) is based on two characters of general morphology and three color features. For two of the color features (shape of central spot of mesoscutum and color pattern of metasoma), it is acknowledged that there is some overlapping (e.g., the metasoma of M. rufiventris “more or less banded with fuscous, but never so sharply banded with black and white as in M. discoidalis ”), and the third one is a slight variation of the hind tibia color. In fact, what has usually happened in most collections is that specimens is that the specimens most extensively black have been determined as M. discoidalis , whereas the more orange/fulvous specimens have been determined as M. rufiventris .

Kasparyan and Ruíz (2005) considered M. discoidalis and M. rufiventris as separate species and revalidated M. jocosus . By that definition, M. discoidalis correspond to the specimens with more extensively yellowish mesopleuron, central spot on mesoscutum subcircular and T2–8 black with posterior yellowish stripes. Messatoporus rufiventris , to specimens with more extensively black mesopleuron, central spot on mesoscutum subcircular and T2–8 orange to fuscous. Messatoporus jocosus , on its turn, correspond to the specimens with mesopleuron extensively black, central spot on mesoscutum U-shaped and T2–8 black with posterior yellowish stripes.

In the present work, 314 specimens of this taxonomic complex were evaluated, from southern Canada to Oregon, at east, and Central America, at south, including the three holotypes. The observed variation, although intense, is totally continuous, both for color features and for the two characters of general morphology mentioned by Townes and Townes (1962), namely the shape of thyridium and presence of transverse wrinkles dorsad to hypoepimeron. When only the extremes of the observed variation are considered, the differences seem to be significant, but the examination of a long series of specimens from several localities enable the perception of the taxonomic unity of the species. The differences in color tones of mesopleuron seems to be at least partially related to latitude, with specimens from more southern areas having more extense yellowish marks. Figs 130–132 show the continuum of variation in mesopleuron for the species. This may have already been noticed by Townes and Townes (1962) for the form that was termed as M. rufiventris ; according to them, “in specimens from the Canadian zone and cooler parts of the Transition zone there is usually an increase of both infuscation and of fulvous”.

Messatoporus discoidalis is more similar to M. opacus sp. nov., from which it can be differentiated by having orbital band wide at dorsal margin of eye (vs. very narrow); postscutellum black (vs. pale yellow); posterior blackish spot on propodeum distinct (vs. usually very weak); posterior transverse carina of propodeum distinct as very weak sublateral crests; (vs. entirely absent); clypeus centrally straight (vs. concave); supra-antennal area, pronotum and mesoscutum shiny (vs. mat); supra-antennal area not striate near antennal sockets (vs. distinctly striate); and ovipositor longer, OST 0.83–0.90 (vs. 0.61), its ventral valve with nine to eleven teeth (vs. six). Also readily differentiated from M. terebrator by having T7–8 about same length as T5–6 (vs. much longer than T5–6); and ovipositor shorter, OST 0.90 (vs. 1.33), slender, dorsal valve without ridges (vs. moderately stout, dorsal valve with four moderately strong ridges).

Biology. Recorded in the literature attacking Ageniella conflicta Banks , Phanagenia bombycina (Cresson) , Auplopus mellipes (Say) and Ceropales maculata fraterna Smith (Pompilidae) . There is some uncertainty, however, about the last record: according to Townes, the cocoons labeled as from Ceropales were “doubtless from Auplopus or Phanagenia .” One specimen was reared from an undetermined species of Auplopus . Many specimens were labeled only as having being reared from “mud nest”, “mud cells”, etc.

Material examined. 161 ♀, 153 ♂♂, 2 specimens of unknown sex. Holotype ♀ ( M. discoidalis ) from USA, Texas, Belfrage. Pinned. Both antennae, fore legs, hind tarsus and left wing missing; head broken and re-glued to thorax, glue apparent; metasoma broken and re-glued to the specimen label. Holotype ♀ ( M. josocus ). Pinned. Left mid tibia and tarsus, right mid t2–5, both hind legs after coxae missing; left fore leg broken and re-glued to the specimen; right mid leg (except missing t2–5) broken and re-glued to pin; left fore right wing ripped in half of its width on midlength, its apex broken and re-glued; right fore wing shortly ripped on midlength and apex; ovipositor broken on basal 0.2. Holotype ♀ ( M. rufiventris ) from USA, Maryland, Cabin John, 5.VIII.1917. Pinned. Junction between right hind coxa and first trochanter very fragile; left hind t3–5 missing; otherwise in good shape. Paratypes ( M. rufiventris ): 1 ♀ without label; 1 ♀ from CANADA, Quebec. 1 ♀ from Maryland, Glen Echo, RMFouts. 1 ♀ from USA, Colorado, Boulder Co., 9.V.1926, CHHicks, 150. 1 ♀ from USA, Virginia, Glencarlyn, 18.VIII.1912. 1 ♀ from USA, Alabama, Chambers Co., Langdale, HHSmith ( USNM). Other specimens: Homotype ♀ ( M. rufiventris – det. by HTownes) from USA, New Jersey, Moorestown, 10.VIII.1939, HTownes & MTownes. Homotype ♀ ( M. discoidalis , M. jococus – det. by HTownes) from USA, New York, Bemus Pt., 222. VII.1937, HTownes. 1 ♂ from CANADA, Quebec, Aymler, 18.VII.1924, CHCuran ( BMNH) 1 ♀, same data except Montreal Island, 10.IX.1901. 1 ♀ from USA, 24.IV.1884, TPergande, ex. Agenia bombycina . 1 ♂ from USA, New Hampshire, Durham, 24.[?].1940, W & F, Ideu 40 605 ( USNM). 1 ♀ from CANADA, British Columbia, Enderby, 25.IX.1954, JWynne. 1 ♀ from USA, New York, Ithaca, 31.VIII.1937, HIScudder ( CASC). 1 ♂ from CANADA, Ontario, St. Lawrence Island National park, McDonald island, 14.VIII.1976, ACarter, code 4417–Y ( CNCI). 2 ♀, same data except Nepean, 6–11.VII.1989, LMasner ( AEIC). 2 ♂♂ from USA, Maine, Dryden, VI.1957; 1 ♂, same data except 25.IX.1958 ( ZSMC). 1 ♀ from USA, New York, Bemus Pt., 21.VII.1937, Townes; 1 ♀, same data except 22.VII.1937; 2 ♂♂, same data except 28.VII.1937; 1 ♂, same data except 2.VIII.1937; 1 ♂, same data except 15.VIII.1937 ( AEIC); 1 ♂, same data except 10.VIII.1937 ( RMNH); 1 ♂, same data except Bemus Pt., 28.VII.1937 ( ZMGB). 1 ♂, same data except 11.VIII.1937; 1 ♂, same data except Poughkeepsie, 22.[?].1936; 1 specimen of unknown sex, same data except Ithaca, 20.V.1937, Coy Glen ( NRMS); 1 ♂, same data except 20.V.1934 ( USNM); 1 ♀, same data except 18.V.1934 ( RMNH). 1 ♀, same data except 24.VIII.1947, Townes ( CNCI); 1 ♂ from USA, New York, Ithaca, 2.VI.1936. HTownes; 1 ♀, same data except 6 miles e. Ithaca, 2.VIII.1940, PPBabiy; 1 ♀, same data except Lotchnorth, 21.VIII.1956 ( ZSMC). 1 ♀, same data excepr Amer. Boreal, VII.1923 ( NHWH); 1 ♂, same data except Ulster Co., 4.VII.1969; 1 ♂, same data except 8.VII, FHough ( USNM); 1 ♀, same data except Cherrtown, 4 mi. NW Kerkonkson, 19.VIII–12.IX.1971, PWygodzinsky & BWygodzinsky; 1 ♂, same data except Manchester Co., Lewisboro, 29.VIII.1982, MFavreau ( AMNH). 1 ♂ from USA, Wisconsin, Door Co., 23.VII.1932, MHDoner ( USNM). 1 ♀ from USA, Michigan, Ann Arbor, 30.VIII.1957, LWing ( AEIC); 1 ♀ 1 ♂, same data except 7.VI.1959 ( ZSMC). 1 ♀ from USA, Idaho, Little Cottonwood, Craters of the Moon National Monument, 19.VIII.1965, Malaise trap, DSHorningJr ( USNM). 2 ♀ from USA, Oregon, Corvallis, 11.VII.1978, Townes & Townes; 1 ♀, same data except 16.VII.1937; 1 ♀, same data except 21.VII.1978; 1 ♀, same data except 27.VII.1978; 1 ♀, same data except 11.VIII.1978; 1 ♀ 1 ♂, same data except 28.VIII.1978; 1 ♀, same data except 8.IX.1978; 1 ♀, same data except 5.X.1978; 1 ♂, same data except 8.X.1978; 2 ♂♂, same data except Hyatt Reservoir, 22.VII.1978 ( AEIC); 1 ♀, same data except Jackson Co. Siskiyou Pass, 1370 m, 15.VII.1930, HAScullen ( USNM); 1 ♀ 2 ♂♂, same data except Ochoco Creek, 11.VII.1978, Townes & Townes; 3 ♀ 3 ♂♂, same data except 14.VII.1978; 3 ♂♂, same data except Pinehurst, 19.VII.1978; 1 ♀ 2 ♂♂, same data except 21.VI.1978; 2 ♀ 3 ♂♂, same data except 29.VI.1978 ( AEIC); 1 ♀, same data except 29.VI.1978; 1 ♂, same data except Hackelbarney State Park, 7.VIII.1954 ( FSCA); 2 ♂♂, same data except Selma, 20.V.1978; 1 ♀, same data except Union Co., Mt. Emily, 8.IX.1987. 1 ♀ from USA, New Jersey, Moorestown, 10.VIII.1939, Townes & Townes ( AEIC). 1 ♀ from USA, same data except Metuchen, Woodwild Park, 24.VI.1954; 1 ♀, same data except 28.VII.1953; 1 ♂, same data except 6.IX.1954; 1 ♀, same data except 31.VII.1954; 1 ♂, same data except 23.VIII.1956; 1 ♀, same data except 21.VII.1957; 1 ♀, same data except 8.VI.1959; 1 ♂, same data except 15.VI.1959; 1 ♂, same data except 30.VI.1959; 1 ♂, same data except 23.VIII.1962; 1 ♀, same data except 30.VII.1960; 1 ♂, same data except 14.VII.1965; 1 ♀, same data except 26.VII.1955; 1 ♂, same data except 11–14.VIII.1960, CPorter ( FSCA). 1 ♀ from USA, Penssylvannia, Carlise Jc., 28.VIII.1909, WSFisher, 2401 ( USNM). 1 ♀, same data except Paupack, 10.VIII.1936, Wmiddlekauff ( RMNH). 1 ♂ from USA, Maryland, Bowie, 27.VIII.2944, HTownes & MTownes, 17.VIII.1944; 1 ♀, same data except Hudson, 26.V.1965; 1 ♂, same data except 7.VII.1965; 1 ♀, same data except 26.X.1966; 1 ♀, same data except 29.VIII.1968; 1 ♀, same data except 30.VII.1969; 1 ♂, same data except 23.VII.1969; 1 ♀, same data except 5.VII.1969; 1 ♀, same data except 23.VII.1969 ( FSCA); 1 ♀, same data except Plummer’s Island, 28.IX.1963 ( RMNH); 1 ♀, same data except 11.IX.1909, JCCrawford, at light; 1 ♀, same data except 1.VIII.1909; 1 ♀, same data except 22.X.1911, HSBarber; 1 ♀, same data except 6.X.1912; 1 ♀, same data except 11.VIII.1909; 1 ♀, same data except 29.IX.1912, PRMyers; 1 ♀, same data except 6.X.1912; 1 ♂, same data except 1910, EASchwarz; 1 ♀, same data except 16.VI.1912, Schwarz & Barber ( USNM). 1 ♀, same data except Takoma Park, 29.IX.1945 ( FSCA); 1 ♂, same data except 7.VI.1942, Townes & Townes; 1 ♂, same data except 16.IV.1942; 1 ♀, same data except 10.IX.1943.; 1 ♀, same data except 25.VIII.1943 ( BMNH). 1 ♂, same data except Shore of Potomac, near Nanjemoy, under bank, 3.X.1953, RHArnett, ex. cell Auplopus sp. 1 ♀ from USA, West Virginia, Bolivar, 22.IX.1942, Townes ( AEIC). 1 ♂ from USA, DC, Washington, 13.VIII.1945, Morton Vogel; 1 ♂, same data except 27.IX.1946, David Shappirio. 1 ♀ from USA, Nebraska, Big Ban Mt. Ridge, NW of Orville Co, 1958, [Callihack?]. 1 ♀ from USA Illinois, Rockford, 17.XII.1920, OHS, reared with Ceropales fraternal from mud cell ( USNM). 2 ♀, from USA, Virginia, Vienna, 1.V.1936, JCBridwell, ex. Agenia bombycina ; 1 ♂, same data except 16.IV.1942, ex. Pseudogenia mellipes ; 1 ♂, same data except 26.IV.1942 ( USNM); 1 ♀, same data except Westmoreland, Westmoreland State Park, 5.VII.1951, KVKrombein; 2 ♀, same data except 8 km NW Blacksburgh, 305 m, 9.IX.1987, LMasner. 1 ♀, from USA, Colorado, Lyons, 14.VI.1948, HMGTownes & DTownes ( AEIC). 1 ♂ from USA, Missouri, Columbia, 49e9, ex. nest #1; 1 ♂, same data except 49E5, 1st emerged nest-2; 1 ♀, same data except SW Oxford, 3.V.1963, Sylbia Spears; 1 ♀, same data except Coluisiana, 8.II.1967, ESCraig, mud nest under bank (emerged indoors) 38. 1 ♀ from USA, Kansas. 1 ♂ from USA, California, Bangor, 3.V.1902, Earharm ( USNM); 1 ♀, same data except Marin Co., Mill Valley, 21.VIII.1950, HBLeech; 1 ♀, same data except 8.X.1956; 1 ♀, 1 specimen of unknown sex, same data except IX.1951, ESRoss ( CASC); 1 ♂, same data except Camino, 29.VI.1948, HMGTownes & DTownes; 1 ♀, same data except 2.VII.1948; 1 ♀, same data except Davis, 1.IX.1952, BMartin; 1 ♂, same data except N of Leggett, 17.V.1978, Townes & Townes; 1 ♂, same data except Lake Wohlford, 22.IV.1974 ( AEIC). 1 ♂, same data except Penlo Park, I.1905, FHornug; 1 ♂, same data except Siskiyou Co., Black Bear Summot, [illegible] River Klamath, 6.XI.1958, CRDarek ( USNM). 1 ♂ from USA, North Carolina, Haywood, Lake Junaluska, 23.VIII.1960, HVWeemsJr ( FSCA); 1 ♂, same data except. 21.VIII.2969, blacklight; 1 ♂, same data except Souther Pines, 31.X.1950, Townes; 1 ♀, same data except Wake Co., 7.VIII.1951, Townes & Townes; 1 ♀, same data except 12.VIII.1951 ( ZSMC); 1 ♂, same data except Middlebush, 18.III.1958, DWhitehead ( AEIC); 2 ♀, same data except Raleigh, 10.VI.1951 ( ZSMC). 1 ♂, same data except Yancy Co., Crabtree Mds, 1100 m, 28.VII.1937, HMDTownes & JTownes ( ZMHB). 1 ♀ from USA, South Carolina, 8.VII.1951, GFTownes ( RMNH); 2 ♀, same data except Cleveland, 13.V.1976; 1 ♀, same data except McCleanville, 18.V.1944, HTownes & GTownes ( AEIC); 1 ♀, same data except 17.V.1944, HTownes & MTownes ( BMNH). 1 ♂, same data except Pendleton, Tanglewood spring, 13.V.1987, JMorse. 1 ♂ from USA, Arizona, Oak Creek Canyon, 16.V.1946, Townes & Townes; 1 ♀. same data except 20.V.1947 ( AEIC). 1 ♂ from USA, Georgia, Athens-Nicholsen, 31.VIII–7.IX.1970; 1 ♂, same data except 7–21.IX.1970 ( ZSMC); 1 ♀, same data except Forsyth, 20–31.V.1968, GHeinrich ( CNCI); 1 ♀, same data except Monroe Co., Forsyth, 23–30.IX.1970 ( ZSMC); 2 ♂♂, same data except Smyrna, Pt. 3, 26.V.1983, Malaise trap, Gupta; 2 ♂♂, same data except 11.V.1983; 1 ♂, same data except VII.1983; 2 ♂♂, same data except 8.VI.1983; 1 ♂, same data except V.1983; 2 ♂♂, same data except VI.1983; 2 ♂♂, same data except VII.1983; 2 ♂♂, same data except VIII.1983 ( FSCA); 1 ♂, same data except Liberty Co., St. Catherines Island, 24–28.IV.1972, Thompson & Picchi ( AMNH). 1 ♀ from USA, Mississipi, Yalobasha Co., Water Valley ( ZSMC). 1 ♂ from USA, Louisiana, Natchitoches, 8.III.1964, CKnotts & ECross, 640308-B, nest #305. 1 ♀ from USA, Texas; 1 ♀, same data except, Belfrage, through CVRiley; 1 ♂, same data except 27.XII.1915, JDMitchell, ex. Ageniella petiolata , emerged 10.I.1916, hunter no. 37481; 1 ♂, same data except 23.III.1969, from mud nest ( USNM). 1 ♂, same data except Brazos Co., College Station, 6.IV.1975 ( TAMU); 2 ♂♂, same data except Big Bend, 1524 m, 1.VIII.1975, Townes & Townes; 1 ♂, same data except 10.VIII.1975; 3 ♂♂, same data except Fredericksburg, 3.V.1988; 1 ♀ 1 ♂, same data except 7.V.1988; 1 ♀, same data except 17.V.1988; ( AEIC); 2 ♀, same data except Hidalgo Co., Bentsen Rio Grande Valley State Park, 10–11.?.1978, CCPorter; 1 ♂, same data except 11–12.?.1978; 2 ♀, same data except 13–14.?.1978; 4 ♂♂, same data except 16–26.VI.1978; 1 ♂, same data except Anderson Co., Salmon, 6–19.X.1974, Malaise trap, HRBurke; 1 ♀, same data except 19–31.X.1974; 2 ♂♂, same data except 5–26.IV.1975; 1 ♀, same data except 26–27.IV.1975; 1 ♀, same data except 17–18.V.1975; 1 ♂, same data except 21–28.IX.1975; 1 ♀, same data except 1–12.X.1975; 1 ♂, same data except 12–26.X.1975; 2 ♂♂, same data except 1–15.XI.1975 ( TAMU); 1 ♀, 29.XII.1976, CPorter; 1 ♀, same data except McAllen, 5.IV.1975; 1 ♂, same data except ca. Mission Bentsen Rio Grande Valley State Park, 19.I.1976 ( AEIC); 2 ♂♂, same data except Kerr Co., Kerrville Dam Guadeloupe River, 21.VII.1974, sweeping, HGreenbaum ( TAMU). 2 ♀ 4 ♂♂, same data except Kerrville, 1.V.1988; 1 ♂, same data except 4.V.1988; 1 ♂, same data except 6.V.1988; 2 ♀ 1 ♂, same data except 8.V.1988; 1 ♀, same data except 12.V.1988; 1 ♂, same data except 18.V.1988 ( AEIC); 1 ♀, same data except San Antonio, VII.1947, ESRoss ( CASC). 1 ♀ from USA, Florida, Brooksville, 13.XI.1961, Steiner trap, GFWadeSr; 1 ♀, same data except Center Hill, 16.XI.1961; 1 ♂, same data except Clay Co., Gold Held Branch State Park, ravine hardwoods, 15.VI.1996, Malaise trap, CPorter & LStange; 1 ♂, same data except Gainesville, 510 NW 54yn Terr. mixed pine /hardwoods, 10.III.1997, LStange; 1 ♂, same data except 15.IV.1997; 1 ♂, same data except 15.V.1997; 1 ♀, same data except Beville Hts, 2.VII.1980, blacklight, LAStrike; 1 ♂, same data except Doyle Conner Building, 2.X.1973, Malaise trap, EEGrissel; 1 ♂, same data except Rock creek, Pt. 1, VIII.1984, Gupta; 1 ♂, same data except 24–30.VI.1985; 1 ♂, same data except I–II.1985; 1 ♂, same data except IV.1985; 1 ♂, same data except Pt. 2, 1.V–8.V.1985; 1 ♀, same data except Summer creek, 22–28.X.1989, CPorter; 1 ♂, same data except wet hardwood, 6–12.V.1989; 1 ♂, UF Campus, 13.V.1985, JBrambila; 1 ♂, same data except 17.V.1985; 1 ♂, same data except Pt. 1, 13.VI.1985; 1 ♂, same data except 17.V.1985; 2 ♂♂, same data except 24.V.1985; 1 ♂, same data except 1.VII.1985; 1 ♂, same data except 10.VII.1985; 1 ♀, same data except Hernando Co., 22.XII.1961, Steiner trap, GFWadeSr; 1 ♀, same data except Highlands Co., Sebring, 2.XI.1976, McPhail trap, EJWolfinger; 1 ♂, same data except Leon Co., Tall Timbers Reserve Station, near Talhahassee, 7.V.1968, HVWeensJr; 2 ♀, same data except Manatee Co., 21.IX.1967, Steiner trap, DCChancey ( FSCA); 1 ♀, same data except Orange Co., 12.IV.1930, PAAusleyJr, Florida Fruit Fly Transport Survey ( USNM); 1 ♀, same data except Parrish, 25.V.1967; 1 ♀, same data except 29.XI.1964, medfly trap, JCCourtney; 1 ♀, same data except Samoset, 16.XII.1967, Steiner trap, DCChancey; 1 ♀, same data except Palmetto, 22.XI.1966; 1 ♀, same data except Sarasota, 24.III.1975, McPhail trap, SVPratt; 1 ♂, same data except Volusia Co., DeLand, 22.XI.1971, CRRoberts ( FSCA); 1 ♀, same data except Winter Park, 19.VI.1940, HTFernald ( USNM). 1 ♀ from USA, [iilegible – Boulfer, Cro (Crkerekk)?], 1.VII.1939. 1 ♂ from USA, [illegible, Boulfer, Cro. Seph (Crkerekk)?]. 1 ♀ from USA, Green Ridoe station, Fisher’s camp near Mertons Avenue, 23.IX.1955, MFisher ( USNM). 1 ♀ from MEXICO, Michoacan, Tuxpan, 11.VII.9151, HEEvans. 1 ♀ from MEXICO, Fortin de las Flores, Sumidero, Planta de La Cerveceria, Ing., Daniel Rabago Reserve, 760–915 m, 12.VII.1968, Malaise trap, HVWeens Jr ( FSCA). 1 ♀ from MEXICO, Oaxaca, Oaxaca, 30.VIII.1963 ( BMNH); 1 ♀ from MEXICO, Chiapas, San Cristobal de las Casas, 24.VI.1969, 2195 m, Malaise trap ( CNCI). 1 ♀ from COSTA RICA, Alajuela, University farm, 14.VII.1956, LCKuitert ( FSCA). 1 ♀ from COSTA RICA, Escazú, 20.V.1987, HTownes & MTownes; 1 ♂, same data except 21.V.1987. 1 ♀ from COSTA RICA, Guanacaste, San Rosa Park, riparian, 27.VII.1978, DHJanzen ( BMNH). 1 ♂ from VENEZUELA, Mérida, Hacienda El Alto, Manzano Alto, cloud forest, 1600 m, 4.VII.1991, CPorter &LStange; 1 ♀, same data except 8.VII.1991 ( FSCA). 2 ♀ from VENEZUELA, Yacambu, 1200 m, 7.V.1981, HTownes; 1 ♂, same data except 10.V.1981; 1 ♀, same data except 13.V.1981; 1 ♀, same data except Cubiro, 6.V.1981 ( AEIC). 1 ♀ from VENEZUELA, Caripe Conuco, El Mirador, 22.VII.1973, JCShuttleworth ( CNCI). 1 ♀ 1 ♂ from ECUADOR, Sucumbios, Napo River, Sacha Lodge, 290 m, 21–31.X.1994, PHibbs; 2 ♂♂, same data except 1–31.XII.1994 ( AEIC).

Distribution. Messatoporus discoidalis is the most widely distributed species of the genus ( Fig. 320 ). It is recorded from almost all North America south to southern Canada, and reach Ecuador in south. It is distributed from eastern to western coast both in USA and Mexico. These records include a very wide variety of climate and vegetation types, and indicate very wide ecological flexibility. There are some gaps in its distribution records in central USA and southern Mexico, but those are likely to be due to the lacking or insufficient sampling effort. In considerable portions of its distribution range, M. discoidalis is the only recorded species of Messatoporus —at west to 95°42’ W, and at north of 42°3’ N, encompassing all western and northeastern USA and southern Canada.

Figures

FIGURES 130–132. Holotypes of species currently under M. discoidalis, lateral view. 130, M. jocosus Provancher 131, M. rufiventris Cushman. 132, M. discoidalis Cresson.

FIGURES 260–271. 260–261, Gena, lateral. 260, M. longicaudis*. 261, M. compressicornis. 262–264, Antenna. 262, M. tibiator. 263, M. compresscornis. 264, M. antennator, male. 265–266, Hind t4. 265, M. paeneater*. 266, M. nigriscutus*. 267–271, Metasoma and ovipositor. 267, M. opacus*. 268, M. discoidalis. 269, M. longicaudis*. 270, M. convexus. 271, M. townesi.

FIGURES 279–288. Ovipositor tip. 279, M. discoidalis. 280, M. paradoxus*. 281, M. tibiator. 282, M. citreocephalus*. 283, M. teutonicus*. 284, M. compressicornis. 285, M. nigriscutus*. 286, M. bennetti*. 287, M. semiaurantigaster*. 288, M. titans*.

FIGURES 313–320. Distribution maps for species of Messatoporus. 313, M. compressicornis. 314, M. concavivenus. 315, M. convexus. 316, M. copiosus. 317, M. covarrubiasi. 318, M. depressifrons. 319, M. dialeipsis. 320, M. discoidalis.