Proterops Wesmael, 1835

Achterberg, C. van & Chenon, R. Desmier de, 2009, The first report of the biology of Proterops borneoensis Szépligeti (Hymenoptera: Braconidae: Ichneutinae), with the description of a new species from China, Journal of Natural History 43 (11 - 12), pp. 619-633 : 620-626

publication ID	https://doi.org/ 10.1080/00222930802610477
persistent identifier	https://treatment.plazi.org/id/03CF87C3-E14B-BA5A-F39B-FDE5FB8D900F
treatment provided by	Carolina
scientific name	Proterops Wesmael, 1835
status

Treatment

Proterops Wesmael, 1835 View in CoL View at ENA

Type species

Proterops nigripennis Wesmael, 1835 View in CoL (by monotypy) [examined].

Diagnosis

Distance between the posterior ocelli shorter than the distance between the anterior and posterior ocelli and the frons is very short, because of the anterior ocellus being close to the antennal sockets ( Figure 1E View Figure 1 ); the antenna about as long as body and its apex without spine ( Figure 1I, J View Figure 1 ); the second tooth of the mandible is much shorter than the first tooth and the mandible is twisted; the mesosoma is slender and the propodeum smooth ( Figure 1F View Figure 1 ); the tarsal claws are simple and medium-sized ( Figure 1B View Figure 1 ); the hind wing has three to five hamuli (usually five); the anterior tentorial depression is large and triangular in front of an elongate convexity, which remains far removed from the anterior edge of the anterior subalar depression ( Figures 1K View Figure 1 , 3C View Figure 3 , 4B View Figure 4 , 5C View Figure 5 ); vein 2-M of the hind wing is sinuate ( Figures 1A View Figure 1 , 3A View Figure 3 , 5A View Figure 5 ); the scapus is robust and convex ( Figure 1C View Figure 1 ) and the frons is hardly impressed next to the inner side of the antennal sockets ( Figure 1E View Figure 1 ). The species of Proterops are morphologically very similar and sometimes hard to separate. In addition, the distance between the posterior ocelli is rather variable: from subequal to distinctly longer than the diameter of the posterior ocellus in P. nigripennis Wesmael. Also the position of vein cu-a of the forewing is variable in P. nigripennis Wesmael ; it is often postfurcal in European specimens ( Figure 1A View Figure 1 ), but often interstitial or subinterstitial in Japanese specimens.

Biology

Parasitoids of mainly Argidae , less commonly of Tenthredinidae .

Distribution

Holarctic and Oriental.

Key to Old World species of the genus Proterops Wesmael View in CoL

1. Fore femur distinctly swollen medially ( Figure 5E View Figure 5 ); hind femur comparatively robust ( Figure 5B View Figure 5 ), 3.0–3.5 times as long as wide; third antennal segment of female black; [ Vietnam (Hoa Binh, south of Hanoi); China ( Tianjin, east of Beijing)]............ P. fumosus Belokobylskij, 1993 Fore View in CoL femur gradually widened medially ( Figure 5G,H,J,K View Figure 5 ); hind femur less robust ( Figures 1D View Figure 1 , 3D View Figure 3 , 5I View Figure 5 ), 3.6–4.4 times as long as wide; if 3.6–3.7 times, then third antennal segment of female yellowish-brown............. 2

2. Third segment of antenna of female dark brown or black, similarly coloured as scapus and pedicellus; vein cu-a of forewing distinctly postfurcal ( Figures 1A View Figure 1 , 3A View Figure 3 ); fore femur more slender ( Figure 5G,G,H View Figure 5 ); palpi dark brown or black......................................... 3 Third segment of antenna of female yellowish-brown, contrasting with dark brown scapus and pedicellus; vein cu-a of forewing (sub)interstitial; fore femur comparatively robust ( Figure 5J,K View Figure 5 ); palpi yellowish-brown, but basal segments sometimes darkened; [Far East Russia; Korea, China (Shanxi to Yunnan)]....................... P. decoloratus Shestakov, 1940 View in CoL

3. Fore tarsus (except telotarsus) and mesoscutum blackish-brown or black; vein r of forewing 1.0–1.3 times as long as vein 3-SR ( Figures 1A View Figure 1 , 4A View Figure 4 ); first metasomal tergite completely yellow or orange; lateral areas of first tergite rather wide ( Figures 1L View Figure 1 , 4C View Figure 4 )................................ 4 Fore tarsus (except telotarsus) and mesoscutum yellowish-brown; vein r of forewing about 1.4 times as long as vein 3-SR ( Figure 3A View Figure 3 ); first tergite bicoloured, spiracular tubercles yellow and remainder of tergite brown; lateral areas of first tergite comparatively narrow ( Figure 3B View Figure 3 ); ( China ( Taiwan)).............................. P. bicolorinus View in CoL sp. nov.

4. Fore femur slender ( Figure 5H View Figure 5 ); clypeus with narrow ventral rim (but medially obsolescent; Figure 1G View Figure 1 ); setae of posterior half of propodeum brownish; second metasomal tergite less transverse ( Figure 1L View Figure 1 ); veins 2-SR and 1-SR+M of forewing straight or nearly so ( Figure 1A View Figure 1 ); Palaearctic (including Japan and Tibet)............ P. nigripennis Wesmael, 1835 Fore View in CoL femur comparatively wide medially ( Figure 5G View Figure 5 ); clypeus without narrow ventral rim; setae of propodeum blackish or black; second tergite distinctly transverse ( Figure 4C View Figure 4 ); vein 2-SR and usually 1-SR+M of forewing distinctly sinuate ( Figure 4A View Figure 4 ); South Palaearctic ( Nepal); Oriental (Sumatra, Borneo)......................... P. borneoensis Szépligeti, 1902 View in CoL