Meteorus eklundi Stigenberg, 2011

Stigenberg, Julia & Ronquist, Fredrik, 2011, Revision of the Western Palearctic Meteorini (Hymenoptera, Braconidae), with a molecular characterization of hidden Fennoscandian species diversity 3084, Zootaxa 3084 (1), pp. 1-95 : 53-54

Meteorus eklundi Stigenberg sp. nov.

Fig. 68 , 79C , 97

Diagnosis: Meteorus eklundi can be distinguished from related species by the stout antenna with articles that are quadrate in shape. M. eklundi mostly resembles M. nadezdhae (East Russia) but the latter species has a rugose face, with the rugosity extending down onto the clypeus, and a strongly rugose petiolar tergum, whereas M. eklundi is only equipped with light sculpture in these body regions. M. eklundi also resembles M. obfuscatus but differs from this species by larger and more convergent eyes, narrower face (face wider than high in the latter) and shorter malar space (0.4 times basal width of mandible in the former, 0.5 times in the latter).

Studied material: 12.

Holotype: 1♀ SE. Sm. Älmhults kommun. Stenbrohult. 26.vi–15.vii.2003. (leg. SMTP), NHRS – HYME 4937 , DNA 8 . Paratype: 1 ♀ SE. Öl. Mörbylånga kommun. Kalkstad. 25.vi–13.vii.2003. NHRS – HYME 4939 , DNA 28 . 1 ♀ SE. Öl. Mörbylånga kommun. Kalkstad. 2.v–18.vi.2006 (leg. SMTP), NHRS – HYME 4938 . 4 ♀ specimens at ZIN collected in Belarus, earlier misidentified as Paratypes of M. nadezdae , these are included as Paratypes of M. eklundi . 1 ♀ Netherlands: N.B. Udenhoult, “ De Brand ” 26.v. 2.VII.1990 UTM FT 476225, Mal.trap Ins. W.G. KNNV-Tilburg. 1♀ SE Bulgaria (Mal tr 1) Brodilovo, nr Achtopol c 20 m, 7.v–8.vi.1998, C.v.Achterberg, R de Vries , P. V . Atanassova , RMNH’98. 1♀ Västerbotten, Romelsön RN 7208/1759 Mal. trap 21.6–29.8.03. R . Petterson. 1♀ Chippenham Fen, Cambs. TL 650693 Malaise trap: carr at reedbed edge.A. 9–20.07.84. J. Field. RMSNH 1986.021 . 1♀ Chippenham Fen , Cambs. TL 650693 Malaise trap: carr at reedbed edge.A. 25.06–09.07.85. J. Field. RMSNH 1986.021 .

Description: Body 4.2 mm, fore wing 3.5 mm.

Head: Length of eye 1.5 times length of temple in dorsal aspect; eyes large, convergent, not strongly protuberant; width of face 1.5 times its height; OOL=3, ocelli only slightly protruding; vertex smooth; face punctulate; clypeus as wide as face, distinctly divided from face, punctuate, flat with slight notch; length of malar space 0.4 times basal width of mandible; mandible stout, slightly twisted; hypostomal carina wide; number of antennal articles 22 (21–25); 3 rd antennal article 2 times longer than wide; 4th antennal article 1.4 times longer than wide; penultimate articles as wide as broad or slightly wider.

Mesosoma: Precoxal sulcus wide.

Wings: Fore wing: r/3–SR=0.4; C+SC+R/SR1=1.6; m–cu antefurcal; pterostigma dark brown with light bor- der. Hind wing: 1–M/cu–a=1.2;

Legs: Hind coxa rugose; hind femur 5 times longer than wide; tarsal claws slender without lobe.

Metasoma: Petiolar tergum 1.8 times longer than wide apically, 4.2 times fore wing; dorsope present; ventral folds of petiolar tergum not joined; ovipositor weakly curved downward, length of ovipositor sheaths 1.6 times petiolar tergum, and 0.45 times fore wing; propodeum strongly convex, reticulate rugose and with no distinct carina; strongly excavate medially.

Colour: Black except: clypeus and palpi yellow; antennae brown; petiolar tergum and metasoma dark brown; legs yellow to brown; hind coxa darker brown at base.

Distribution: Western Palearctic. Country records: Belarus; Bulgaria; Netherlands, Sweden; United Kingdom.

Biology: Meteorus eklundi is caught in malaise traps during the summer months June, July and August. The three specimens that were caught within the SMTP were found in localities with deciduous forests. Host unknown.

Etymology: Named after my best friend Mr Niclas Eklund.

Figures

FIGURE 79. Habitus images of the seven new species described in this paper. A) Meteorus artocercus, B) M. densipilosus, C) M. eklundi, D) M. longipilosus, E) M. sibyllae, F) M. stenomastax, G) M. subtilisulcus.

FIGURES 65–72. Characters used in key to species. 65) lateral view of metasomal part with ovipositor of M. salicorniae, 66) lateral view of the head of M. obfuscatus, 67) habitus of M. hirsutipes, 68) lateral view of mesosoma of M. eklundi sp.nov. 69) lateral view of mesosoma of M. subtilisulcus sp.nov., 70) lateral view of petiolar tergum of M. ictericus, 71) dorso-lateral view of the pit in front of the anterior ocelli of M. ictericus, 72) lateral view of petiolar tergum of M. pendulus.

FIGURES 80–133. Anterior view of the head of Meteorus species (except for M. politutele, which is depicted in lateral view).