Liosphex varius Townes, 1977

Lohrmann, Volker & Ohl, Michael, 2010, World revision of the wasp genus Liosphex Townes, 1977 (Hymenoptera: Rhopalosomatidae), Zootaxa 2384, pp. 1-43 : 35-38

Liosphex varius Townes, 1977

( Figs 10 , 65–68 )

Liosphex varius Townes, 1977: 11 –12 (Holotype Ƥ: USA, Florida, Tall Timbers near Tallahassee, original description, AEIC). Stange, 1991: 1 –2 ( USA, Florida, listed in Rhopalosomatidae of Florida). Gauld, 1995: 548 –550 ( Costa Rica, listed in synopsis of Rhopalosomatidae of Costa Rica, but misidentified,). Poole, 1996: 308 (listed). MacGown, 1998 ( USA, Mississippi, listed, but misidentified). Guidotti, 1999: 52 –53, 72ff. (preliminary phylogeny of Rhopalosomatidae ). Arnett, 2000: 593 ( USA, Florida and Louisiana, listed). Basibuyuk et al., 2000: 625 –636 (morphology and sensilla of the orbicular, probably misidentification). Coronado Blanco & Cancino, 2002: 243 ( Mexico, listed, but misidentified). Fernández & Sarmiento-M., 2002: 365 –369 ( Columbia, first record, probably misidentified – specimen not studied). Schulmeister, 2003: 169 (presence of plantulae in L. varius ). Cambra, 2005: 103 ( Panama, first record, but misidentified). Gauld, 2006: 607 –609 (listed, but misidentified). Sarmiento, 2006: 518 (Neotropics, misidentified, in synopsis of Rhopalosomatidae of the neotropics). Pilgrim et al., 2008: 4 ( USA, Arkansas, sequence data for 28S, EF-1 α, LWRh and Wg, probably misidentified – specimen not studied). Rasmussen & Asenjo, 2009: 35 ( Peru: Avispas and Tambopata, misidentified, in checklist to the wasps of Peru).

Holotype. Female. USA: Tall Timbers (near Tallahassee), Florida, USA, June29 to July 11, 1971, R. H. Arnett ( AEIC).

Paratypes. USA: Louisiana, Evangeline County, Chicot State Park, Evangeline Parrish, 28 June – 5 August 1971, D. Shannek, Malaise trap (1 Ƥ, CNCI); Paratypes which are considered previously misidentified and now described as: Liosphex achuar : ECUADOR: Ongota, 8Km SE Tena, May 1963, L. Pena (1 Ƥ, MCZC); PERU: Madre de Dios, Avispas, 400m, 10–30 September 1962, L. Pena (1 3, MCZC); L. guanabara : BRAZIL: Guanabara , Represa Rio Grande, February, 1968, M. Alvarenga (1 Ƥ, AEIC); L. guarani : BRAZIL: Santa Catarina, Nova Teutonia, II. 10 1957, F. Plaumann (1 Ƥ, CUIC); L. maleku : MEXICO: [Veracruz] mi. Fortin de Las Flores, 3400 ft., 20 August 1963, R. H. & E. M. Painter, Malaise trap (1 3, AEIC); L. micropterus : BRAZIL: Santa Catarina, Nova Teutonia, January 1966, F. Plaumann (1 Ƥ, MCZC); L. quechua : PERU: Madre de Dios, Avispas, 400m, 10–30 September 1962, L. Pena (1 3, MCZC); L. tupi : BRAZIL: Rio de Janeiro, January 1939, YelFevServ MES Brazil, R. C. Shannon (1 Ƥ, USNM); Paratypes which are considered being misidentified but with unclear affinities: ECUADOR or PERU: 1963, L. E. Pena (1 3, AEIC).

Other material. USA: Florida. Alachua County. Gainesville, 610 NW 54th Terr. 10 June 1995, L. Stange (1 Ƥ, 1 3, LOHR); Gainesville, 4 July 1981, H. & M. Townes (1 3, AEIC); Gainesville, 2 June 1989, R. Wharton (2 Ƥ, AEIC); Gainesville, AEI [American Entomological Institute], 15–25 June 1987, Regrown Oak Forest, Malaise trap, BRC HYM. TEAM (7 3 CNCI, 2 3 PMAE); same data, but June–July 1987 (1 Ƥ, CNCI); Gainesville, 25 June – 3 July 1987, Malaise trap, D.B. Wahl (1 3, PMAE); Gainesville, DPI [Division of Plant Industry, Florida State Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services], 11–18 June 1987, Malaise trap, D. B. Wahl, (9 3 CNCI, 1 3 USNM); same data, but 25 June – 0 3 July 1987 (1 3, CNCI); same data, but 1–23 June 1987, Malaise trap, J. Wiley (4 3, PMAE); Gainesville, Beville Hights, 1–15 June 1986, L. Stange (2 3, FSCA); same, but 15 June 1990 (1 3, FSCA); same, but 20 June 1990 (2 3, FSCA); same, but 1 June 1990 (7 3, FSCA); Gainesville, San Felasco Hammock, 23 May – 13 June 1997, G. J. Steck & B.D. Sutton; Forest Between Sanchez Prairie & Hay Field 6mi, Malaise trap (1 3, FSCA); same, but 12–20 June 1997 (1 Ƥ, FSCA); Gainesville 610 NW, 54th Terr. 10 June 1995; L. Stange (4 Ƥ, FSCA); S.E. Gainesville, 1mi. N. Paynes Prairie on Kincaid Rd., 24–31 May 1989, B. D. Sutton, 6m. Malaise trap, Edge of Old Field/Dry Oak Hammock (1 3, FSCA); Gainesville, Summer Creek, 10 June 1989, C. Porter (1 3, FSCA); same data, but 20 June 1989 (6 3, FSCA); Gainesville, Doyle Connor Building, 30 May – 10 June 1986 (2 3, FSCA); S.E. Gainesville, Kincaid Rd, 16 May – 5 June 1999, B. B. Sutten, Malaise trap, Old Field Edge, Xeric Oak Hammock (2 3, FSCA). Clay County. Gold Head Branch State Park, 10 June 1995, Ravine mixed woods, C. Porter & L. Stange (2 Ƥ, 48 3, FSCA); same data, but 27 June 1995 (3 3, FSCA); same data, but, 1–14 July 1996, Malaise trap, Ravine hardwoods (1 Ƥ, LOHR); same data, but 15 August – 4 September 1996 (1 3, FSCA; 1 3, LOHR); same data, but 2 April – 5 May 1997 (1 Ƥ, FSCA); same data, but 1–14 July 1996 (10 3, FSCA); same data, but 15 June 1996 (23 3, FSCA); same data, but 2 April – 5 May 1997 (4 3, FSCA); same data, but June 1997 (13 3, FSCA); same data, but 25 May 1995 (3 3, FSCA); same data, but 25 May 1995, Rosemary - Turkey Oak (1 3, FSCA). Gadsen County. Quincy, NFREC [North Florida Research and Education Center], 24 June 1988, Gupta (1 3, FSCA); same, but 30 June 1988 (1 3, FSCA). Highlands County. Archbold Biological Station [Lake Placid], 4 July 1979, Insect flight trap, H. V. Weems, JR. & Cathy W. Harris (1 Ƥ, ABSC); same data, but 20 May 1985, Malaise trap, Trail 2 Sso (1 Ƥ, ABSC); same data, but 12 June 1985, Malaise trap, Trail 2 Sso (1 Ƥ, ABSC); same data, but 19 June 1985, Malaise trap, Trail 1 Sso (1 3, ABSC); same data, but 24 June 1985, Malaise trap, Trail 2 Sso (1 Ƥ, ABSC); same data, but 26 June 1985, M. Deyrup, Malaise trap, Trail I SSo (1 3, LOHR); same data, but 29 June 1987 (1 3, LOHR); same data, but 1–15 June 1987, D. B. Wahl (1 Ƥ, 3 3, CNCI); same data, but 1 June – 16 July 87, Malaise trap, D.B. Wahl (1 3, CNCI). Orange County. Rock Springs Run State Reserve, 31 May 1995, Spine/Oak Scrub, Malaise trap, S. M. Fullerton Spring Students (1 3, FSCA). Suwannee County. Suwannee River State Park, 2– 24 June 1977, Malaise trap, J. R. Wiley (1 Ƥ, FSCA).

Diagnosis. Liosphex varius is unique in Liosphex in showing the following combination of characters: Overall coloration reddish with black; anterior margin of pronotum not notched (as in Fig. 20 ); basal angle of 1Rs at least 85° ( Fig. 10 ) and tergites III–V with a longitudinal posteromedian section free of setae (as in Fig. 25 ; not visible in all specimens on all three tergites).

Description of the female. Head ( Fig. 65 ): Maximum width in frontal view 1.5 mm [1.5–1.7 mm]. UID 1.5× [1.5–1.55×] LID. Flagellomeres short and stout (flagellomere II 2.8× [2.8–3.3×], flagellomere VII is 2.0× [1.7–2.0×] as long as wide). Apical bristles present on flagellomeres I–V, longer bristle on flagellomere I 0.75× [0.65–0.9×] its length. OOD 2.1× [2.0–2.4×], IOD 1.15× [1.1–1.3×], MOD 1.0× [0.9–1.0×] LOD.

Mesosoma: Length of mesosoma: 2.5 mm [2.5–3.0 mm]. Anterior margin of pronotum without median notch (as in Fig. 20 ).

Wings ( Figs 10 , 68 ): Maximum length of forewing: 5.7 mm [5.6–6.7 mm], 2.25× [2.15–2.3×] as long as mesosoma. Forewing 1cu-a distad M by at least 1.95× [1.35–2.0×] its length. M-cu distinctly curved. 1Rs 1.9–2.5× as long as high, its basal angle rectangular ( Fig. 10 ). Rs of hindwing reclivous.

Legs: Forebasitarsus short, its antennal cleaner 0.35× its length. Hindtibia with two bristles on only one side of insertion of shorter apical spur (as in Fig. 22 ).

Metasoma: Tergite I 1.5× [1.4–1.65×] as long as wide.

Color (as in Figs 66–67 ): Head basically reddish brown with yellowish and black regions. Area in eye notch, median apical area of clypeus, area between clypeus and torulus, gena and basal 0.65 of mandible yellowish. Teeth of mandible and vertex between upper parts of eyes black. Black marking between eyes reaching down to the toruli (vertex of the paratype from Louisiana without black marking). Upper side of the antennae slightly darkened. Mesosoma basically black with reddish brown markings of varying size on margins of pronotum, mesoscutum (not in all specimens), scutellum, metanotum, posterior part of propodeum, tegula and marginal areas on meso- and metapleuron. Legs basically reddish brown with black markings on coxae and hindfemura. Metasoma black except segment I and first third of segment II and III which are basically reddish brown. Tergite I in many specimens with two lateral black spots; spots may vary in size, sometimes connected dorsally covering most parts of tergite. Some specimens with a median reddish brown dot on posterior third of tergite II. Wings infuscate.

Pilosity: Body, including legs, largely covered with dense setae. Setae lacking on following structures: occiput, ventrolateral side of pronotum, ventrolateral side of scutellum, median area of mesepisternum, ventral part of metepimeron, anteroventral of metepisternum, median part of lateral side of propodeum and posteroventral half of hindfemur and median area on the posterior section of tergites.

Description of the male. Head, mesosoma and metasoma as in female except the following:

Head: Maximum width in frontal view 1.2–1.5 mm. UID 1.4–1.55× LID. Flagellomere II 2.5–3.0×, flagellomere VII 1.7–2.2× as long as wide. Apical bristles present on flagellomeres I–VI (in some specimens only on I–V), longer bristle on flagellomere I 0.35–0.55× its length. IOD 1.1–1.4× LOD.

Mesosoma: Length of mesosoma: 2.1–2.7mm.

Wings: Maximum length of forewing: 4.7–6.0mm.

Legs: Tarsomeres II–IV with plantulae.

Life history. Almost nothing is known about the life history of Liosphex varius . Many of the specimens were collected in ravine hardwoods as well as in a regrown oak forest. The majority of specimens have been collected from the end of May to the beginning of July using Malaise traps.

Note. This species is only known from Florida and Louisiana – based on our investigations nine of the 14 specimens of the original type series described by Townes (1977) are considered to belong to the following different species not occurring in USA and newly described here: Liosphex achuar , L. bribri , L. guanabara , L. guarani , L. micropterus , L. quechua and L. tupi . There are three more paratypes listed by Townes which have not been studied by us. Two of them are from Peru and El Salvador (collecting data according to Townes 1977: 1 3, Avispas, 400m., Peru, Sept. 10–20 1962, L. Pena; 1 3: Mt. San Salvador, El Salvador, June 24, 1963, M. E. Irwin). However, we assume that both of them are misidentified, since L. varius is restricted to the southeastern United States. Another paratype, listed by Townes as collected by Fritz Plaumann in Nova Teutonia ( Brazil) in December 1952, should have been deposited in the CNCI, but it could not be located there (A. Bennett, pers. com. 2008). There is a specimen in the CNCI collected by Fritz Plaumann also from Nova Teutonia, described herein as L. guarani , but it is very unlikely that it is the missing paratype since it is neither labelled as a paratype nor has it the correct collecting date.

There are more nontype specimens at the CNCI which have not been studied yet, but they are probably L. varius , since they have been collected in Florida and have the same color pattern as the specimens included here (A. Bennett, pers. com. 2008). The specimens mentioned by Fernández & Sarmiento-M. (2002) and Pilgrim et al. (2008) from Colombia and Arkansas have not been studied, but since L. varius only occurs in the southeastern USA, it is quite likely that these specimens were misidentified.

In 1948, Bohart described that black species with yellow markings from northeastern USA are often replaced in southeastern USA, or Florida alone, by species with reddish markings. Later this observation led Bohart (1997) to characterize Hoplisoides placidus (Smith) as a “typical Floridean wasp” with respect to its “dark wings and extensive burnt-red coloration”. Based on this phenomenon Deyrup & Eisner (2003) published a list of “red-marked Florida species and [mostly northern] representative yellow-marked congeners”. We realized that this observation matches exactly the two closely related Liosphex in the USA, where the yellowish-marked northern L. boreus is replaced in the southeast by the reddish-marked L. varius . Therefore we would like to add this species pair to the list of Deyrup & Eisner.

Figures

FIGURES 8 – 13. Liosphex trichopleurum Ƥ. 8: forewing cell 1 Rs; 13: mesosoma in lateral view (showing the distribution of setae). Liosphex atratus sp. nov. Ƥ. 9: forewing cell 1 Rs; 11 & 12: mesosoma in lateral view; general morphology (11) and showing the distribution of setae (12). Liosphex varius Ƥ. 10: forewing cell 1 Rs. Abbreviations: al: anal lobe, bh: basal hamuli, ep: endophragmal pit, es: epistrnal scrobe, hpl: humural plate, jl: jugal lobe, msc: mesoscutum, mn: metanotum, msl: mesosternal lobe, msm: mesepimeron, mss: mesepisternum, mtm: metepimeron, mts: metepisternum, pn: pronotum, prl: pronotal lobe, ps: parapsidal sulcus, sp: spiracle, st: streptaulus, tg: tegula.

FIGURES 65 – 68. Liosphex varius (holotype) Ƥ. 65: head in dorsal view; 66: habitus in lateral view; 67: habitus in dorsal view; 68: forewing. Pictures taken by David Wahl (AEIC).

FIGURES 14 – 25. Liosphex trichopleurum Ƥ. 14: forebasitarsus. Liosphex atratus sp. nov. Ƥ. 15: forebasitarsus; 21: apex of hindtibia in lateral view; 24: tergite III. Liosphex bribri sp. nov. Ƥ. 16: head in frontal view; 19: pronotum in dorsal view. Liosphex guarani sp. nov. Ƥ. 17: head in frontal view; 23: apex of hindtibia in lateral view. Liosphex longicornis sp. nov. Ƥ. 18: head in frontal view. Liosphex maleku sp. nov. Ƥ. 20: pronotum in dorsal view. Liosphex boreus sp. nov. Ƥ. 22: apex of hindtibia in lateral view; 25: tergite III. Abbreviations: bt: basitarsus, ht: hindtibia, its: inseration of tibialspur, Lac: Length of antennal cleaner, Lbt: Length of forebasitarsomere.