Protichneumonina HEINRICH

A. M, 2009, Illustrated key to the tribes of subfamilia Ichneumoninae and genera of the tribe Platylabini of world fauna (Hymenoptera, Ichneumonidae), Linzer biologische Beiträge 41 (2), pp. 1317-1608 : 1390-1391

Subtribe Protichneumonina HEINRICH

Protichneumonina HEINRICH 1968 . - Ichn. Stenop. of Africa 1: 26, 31-32.

Type genus: Protichneumon THOMSON.

D i s t r i b u t i o n: Holarctic (mainly) and Oriental (mountain) Region. 1 genus in Ethiopian Region.

I n t r o d u c t i o n:

There is differed from representatives of subtribe Apatetorina by more shortened propodeum with expressed fields. Area dentipara is rather abruptly curved. Area superomedia is always limited in front, in form of horseshoe, semioval, in form of gothic arch, or hexagonal. Abdomen is always without white spots at apex.

M o r p h o l o g y:

F l a g e l l u m: Of females, with the few exceptions, bristle-shaped, from moderately to very strongly widened beyond middle and attenuated toward apex. Flagellum usually considerably shorter than the front wing and coiled of dried samples. Flagellum of males slightly widened beyond middle, with tyloides.

H e a d: Genae and temples usually moderately narrowed, sometimes more or less swollen; hypostomal carina sometimes raised; apical margin of clypeus often with small or only just visible projection at middle; mandibles usually normal, at some genera shortened and broadened with strong, almost equal teeth.

T h o r a x: Scutellum usually almost flat, sometimes more or less convex and elevated above postscutellum; propodeum sloping backwards more or less steeply, rarely gradually, area dentipara curved backwards and usually close approach to base of hind coxae; apical part of lateral longitudinal carina of area dentipara from side, parallel to metapleural carina, or even converging with carina metapleuralis at apex; apex of area dentipara not form salient angle; basal furrow of propodeum from distinct to broad; fields of propodeum of overwhelming majority of species complete, with exception of sometimes merged area basalis and area superomedia; area superomedia always narrowed or rounded in front, horseshoe arch or arciform, semioval or hexagonal.

L e g s: Usually moderately strong; hind coxae of females often with scopa. W i n g s: Areolet pentagonal, symmetrical.

A b d o m e n Abdomen of females usually sharply oxypygous, of some genera amblypygous or semiamblypygous ( Amblyjoppa CAMERON ); postpetiolus usually distinctly irregularly wrinkly-punctured, striated or sometimes punctured, rarely roughly coriaceous or coriaceous, middle field often slightly impressed; gastrocoeli of most part of species, large and deep, often more broad than interval between them, rarely of middle size, deep; thyridia weak.

S i z e: Large species, to very big.

C o l o r a t i o n: Basic color of thorax black or metallic blue, of abdomen black, metallic blue, red or brown. Abdomen always without white spots at apex, but sometimes with white spots at corners of front tergites.

B i o l o g y:

In Holarctic species of Prоtichneumoninа are registered as parasite of Sphingidae , Arctiidae , Lymantriidae , Notodontidae , Noctuidae , Geometridae , Pyralidae and even Tortricidae .

In contrast to Ichneumonini, Holarctic females of this subtribe does not hibernate.