Ephedrus carinatus Tomanovic, 2020

Tomanovic, Zeljko, Petrovic, Andjeljko, Kocic, Korana, Ckrkic, Jelisaveta & Zikic, Vladimir, 2020, Two new morphologically interesting species of the genus Ephedrus Haliday (Hymenoptera, Braconidae, Aphidiinae), Journal of Hymenoptera Research 77, pp. 167-174 : 167

Ephedrus carinatus Tomanovic sp. nov.

Diagnosis.

On the basis of fore wing venation (3SR vein longer than 2SR vein) (Fig. 2F ), this species belongs to the Ephedrus plagiator species group. The new species morphologically resembles E. validus in possessing a reticulated petiole (Fig. 2G ) and propodeum (Fig. 2E ) and a densely setose ovipositor sheath (Fig. 2H ), features that point to a subterranean habitat where it probably parasitizes root aphids. However, it differs clearly from E. validus in having wide and rugose notaulices along the dorsal side of the mesoscutum (Fig. 2D ) (vs. shorter notaulices reaching the first third of the mesoscutum in E. validus (Fig. 3A )), second flagellomere approximately 3.2 times as long as wide (Fig. 2C ) (vs. 2.7-2.8 times as long as wide in E. validus (Fig. 3B )) and a petiole approximately 1.35 times as long as wide at the spiracle level (Fig. 2G ) (vs. a more elongated petiole, 1.4-1.6 times as long as wide at the spiracle level in E. validus (Fig. 3C )).

Female.

Head. Malar space equal to approximately 0.32 of longitudinal eye diameter. Clypeus oval, densely setose with over 20 long setae. Tentorial index approximately 0.48. Maxillary palps with four palpomeres, labial palps with two. Head approximately 1.3 times wider than mesoscutum (Fig. 2A ). Antennae 11-segmented, filiform, slightly tickened towards apex, with semierect setae which are shorter than half of diameter of the segments (Fig. 2B ). F1 elongated, with a constriction in the first half, approximately 5.8 times as long as wide and approximately 1.8 times longer than F2 (Fig. 2C ). F2 approximately 3.2 times as long as wide. F1 and F2 with two or three longitudinal placodes (Fig. 2C ), F3 and F4 with four longitudinal placodes. F8 and F9 well separated.

Mesosoma. Mesoscutum with notaulices almost reaching the scutellum (Fig. 2D ). Mesoscutal fovea absent. Propodeum very rugose, areolated and densely setose (Fig. 2E ), with more than 15 and 20 setae on the upper areola and lower areola, respectively (Fig. 2E ). Central areola wide and pentagonal.

Fore wing. Pterostigma approximately 4.6 times as long as wide (Fig. 2F ). Vein ratios 3SR/2SR and 1SR/3SR approximately 1.30 (Fig. 2F ).

Metasoma. Petiole subquadrate, approximately 1.35 times as long as wide at the spiracle level (Fig. 2G ). Ovipositor sheaths elongated, densely setose and straight on the dorsal margin (Fig. 2H ).

Colouration. Head black. Scape and pedicel yellow to light-brown. F1 yellow, remaining part of antennae brown. Mouthparts light-brown. Petiole light-brown to brown. Legs light-brown with dark apices. Metasoma brown. Remaining body parts brown to black.

Body length. 2.0 mm.

Male.

Unknown.

Type material.

Holotype: 1 ♀, Austria, Oberösterreich, Lichtenberg, 01 IX 1933., collected by sweeping, leg. J. Kloiber. Deposited in the collection of the Biologiezentrum Linz´s collection, Austria.

Distribution and biology.

Ephedrus carinatus sp. nov. is known only from a historical record from Austria. We assume that it is a parasitoid of root aphid species.

Etymology.

The new species takes its name from the developed notaulices on the mesoscutum.

Figures

Figure 2. Ephedrus carinatus sp. nov. Tomanovic A head B antenna C first and second flagellar segment D mesoscutum - dorsal aspect E propodeum - dorsal aspect F forewing G petiole - dorsal aspect H ovipositor sheaths - lateral aspect. Scale bars: 100 µm.

Figure 3. Ephedrus validus A mesoscutum - dorsal aspect B first and second flagellar segments C petiole - dorsal aspect. Scale bars: 100 µm.