Pristiphora nigriceps (Hartig, 1840)

Prous, Marko, Kramp, Katja & Liston 1, Veli VikbergAndrew, 2017, North-Western Palaearctic species of Pristiphora (Hymenoptera, Tenthredinidae), Journal of Hymenoptera Research 59, pp. 1-190 : 47-48

Pristiphora nigriceps (Hartig, 1840) Figs 37, 53, 84-85, 183, 282

Nematus nigriceps Hartig, 1840: 24. Lectotype ♀ (GBIF-GISHym3362; here designated) in ZSM, examined. Type locality: not stated.

Nematus bistriatus Thomson, 1871: 105-106. Lectotype ♀ (NHRS-HEVA000001950; here designated) in NHRS, examined. Type locality: Östergötland ( Götaland), Sweden.

Similar species.

The closest species is P. leucopodia , females of which usually have a black thorax and abdomen (extensively pale in P. nigriceps ). In paler specimens of P. leucopodia , at least the thorax remains relatively dark compared to P. nigriceps . Males are best recognised by examining penis valves (see the Key).

Genetic data.

Based on COI barcode sequences, specimens of this species are divided between two BIN clusters (BOLD:AAO1445 and BOLD:ABV9762), which form a monophyletic group (Fig. 3). Minimal distance between these two clusters is 2.87%. Based on nuclear data, within species divergence is 0.0% (based on two specimens and NaK) and the nearest neighbour is 2.3% ( P. laricis , only NaK) or 2.4% different ( P. leucopodia , both genes combined).

Host plants.

Picea abies (L.) Karsten ( Boevé 1990, Pschorn-Walcher and Altenhofer 2000, ex ovo rearing experiments by VV).

Rearing notes.

Ovipositing experiment no.20/1987: Finland, South Häme, Janakkala (uniform grid reference 6757:3376). On 6.VI.1987 one captured female laid 2 eggs on new needles of Picea abies , the eggs were on outer margin of needle near its apex and mostly inside needle. Larvae hatched on 9.VI.1987. Four larval instars were observed, the development of larvae was rapid and on 22.VI.1987 one prepupa was seen. No extra moult after feeding.

Distribution and material examined.

Palaearctic. Specimens studied are from Finland, Germany, Russia (Primorsky Krai), Slovakia, Sweden, Switzerland, and Ukraine.