Trichogramma siddiqi Nasir & Schöller, 2011

Nasir, Farooq Muhammad, Büttner, Carmen, Reichmuth, Christoph, Poswal, Ashraf, Hagedorn, Gregor & Schöller, Matthias, 2011, A new species of Trichogramma Westwood (Hymenoptera: Trichogrammatidae) closely related to T. chilonis Ishii from Pakistan, Zootaxa 2970, pp. 41-48 : 43-46

Trichogramma siddiqi Nasir & Schöller n. sp.

( Figs 1–2, 5–8 )

Differential diagnosis. A yellowish brown species with dark brown abdomen, longest seta of flagellum being 3.4 times the basal width of flagellum; IVP narrowly subtriangular, VR is narrow at the base of IVP, VP at the base of IVP, slightly protuberant; the ovipositor is slightly shorter than hind tibia.

The new species is Similar to T. chilonis , except as follows: in males of T. chilonis the longest seta of the flagellum is 2.5 times the basal width of flagellum ( Nagarkatti & Nagaraja 1979) (vs 3.4 times in T. siddiqi , Fig. 5 ), IVP of the genital capsule forms a perfect triangle ( Fig. 3 ) (vs IVP narrowly subtriangular, Fig. 1 ), VR is broader at the base of the IVP and gradually narrows anteriorly (vs VR narrow at base of IVP), and ventral process papilliform to base of IVP (VP positioned at the base of IVP, slightly protuberant). In females of T. chilonis the ovipositor is equal to or slightly longer than the hind tibia (vs ovipositor slightly shorter than hind tibia).

Trichogramma siddiqi ( Figs 1, 2, 5–8 ) is also similar to several other species, namely T. poliae Nagaraja (1973) and T. bactrianum Sugonjaev and Sorokina (1976) .

In males of T. poliae the apodemes of the aedeagus are shorter than the remaining aedeagus and the longest seta of the flagellum is 3 times the maximum width of the flagellum, whereas in males of T. siddiqi the apodemes ( Fig. 2 ) are subequal in length to the remaining aedeagus and the longest seta of flagellum ( Fig. 5 ) is 3.4 times the maximum width of the flagellum. Similarly, males of T. bactrianum can be distinguished from those of T. siddiqi on the basis of the longest seta of the flagellum being only 2 times the maximum width of the flagellum.

Type specimens. Holotype (male, SNGC) labeling: / Holotype T. siddiqi sp. n., des. Nasir & Schöller, Pakistan, Punjab, Murree 33°54’N 73°23’E [white with black frame] / Habitat: Tomato field, ex eggs of: Helicoverpa armigera, Host eggs on: Solanum lycopersicum, Code : ME-2, Spec. No. SMFH 2529 [white with black frame] /.

5 Paratypes: (1 female, SNGC, 1 male BMNH, 1 male MESC, 1 male NIC, 1 male NMNH) all paratypes with our label: / Paratype Trichogramma siddiqi sp. n. des. Nasir & Schöller, Pakistan, Punjab, Murree (33°54'N 73°23'E) [white with black frame] / Habitat: Tomato field, Ex eggs of: Helicoverpa armigera, Host eggs on: Solanum lycopersicum, Code : ME-2 [white with black frame]/.

Description of Holotype. Habitus: Yellowish with brown shading, length 0.51 mm, width across head 0.2 mm. Head: Yellow, flagellum 0.33 mm long ( Fig. 5 ), about twice length of scape, FL/FW = 6.6, FL/HTL = 1.25; flagellar setae slender, elongate, tapered abruptly at apex. Mesosoma: Almost entirely yellow with light brownish shading laterally, fore wing 0.44 mm wide, FWW/ FWL = 0.60, with 18–38 setae between 4th and 5th tracks, longest fringe setae 0.04 mm, hind wing with 3 or 4 and 6–13 setae in anterior and posterior tracks, respectively; hind tarsi dark brown. Gaster: Dark brown; genital capsule relatively broad ( Figs 1, 7 ), length 0.43 times width, sides distinctly arcuate at middle, not obviously constricted near level of IVP, abruptly convergent from widest point to base of PM; PM relatively narrow, straight, slightly converging towards apex; AD/GL = 0.23; AW/GW = 0.5; DAL/GL = 0.67; DLA originating from near middle of GC, notched at base with distinctly lobed shoulders which attain or slightly surpass the sides of GC, narrowing posterior to shoulders, forming a short, moderately broad, linguiform posterior extension whose width at level of IVP is subequal to that of aedeagus, its length from apex of DA = 0.04 mm; VS slightly bowed occupying 0.5 of AD; IVP well developed, narrowly subtriangular at base, occupying 0.5 of AD; VR narrow at the base of IVP, occupying 0.6 BD; VP positioned at base of IVP, slightly protuberant, aedeagus length ( Fig. 2 ) subequal to GL, AL/HTL = 0.76; apodemes occupying 0.46 of AL.

Female Paratypes: Relatively lighter in colour compared to male; ovipositor ( Fig. 8 ) slightly shorter than length of hind tibia, ratio OL/HTL = 0.85.

Biology. Emerged from eggs of Helicoverpa armigera on Solanum lycopersicum found in a small tomato field at an altitude of 2134 m, it can be continuously reared on eggs of Sitotroga cerealella and Ephestia kuehniella Zeller ( Lepidoptera : Pyralidae ).

Etymology. This species is dedicated to Mr. Muhammad Siddiq (Late), the loving father of the first author who supported him throughout his carreer.

Systematic placement. Trichogramma siddiqi belongs to the nominate subgenus and is placed in the exiguum - species section sensu Pinto (1999).

Figures

FIGURES 1 – 8. 1. Genital capsule of Trichogramma siddiqi. 2. Aedeagus of T. siddiqi. 3. Genital capsule of T. chilonis. 4. Aedeagus of T. chilonis. 5. Male antenna of T. siddiqi, paratype. 6. Female antenna of T. siddiqi, paratype. 7. Male genital capsule of T. siddiqi, paratype. 8. Female ovipositor and valves of T. siddiqi, paratype.