Lytopylus romani (Shestakov)

Sharkey, Michael J. & Clutts, Stephanie A., 2011, A revision of Thai Agathidinae (Hymenoptera, Braconidae), with descriptions of six new species, Journal of Hymenoptera Research 22, pp. 69-132 : 97

Lytopylus romani (Shestakov) Fig. 53

Microdus romani Shestakov1940. [NHRS examined]

Bassus ater Chou & Sharkey1989 (synonymized by Sharkey 1998)

Diagnosis.

The melanic mesothorax combined with melanic mid and hind basitarsomeres distinguish this species in this geographic area.

Notes.

Lytopylus romani may be an uncommonly widespread and variable species or it may represent a complex of species. We suspect that the latter is more likely. The length of the ovipositor varies considerably within the “species” with some specimens from Far East Russia possessing particularly long ovipositors. A molecular approach may be necessary to resolve species limits.

Distribution.

Taiwan, India, Japan, Korea, Russia, Far East Russia, Thailand. Distribution map of the Thai specimens which are deposited in QSBG can be found at http://purl.org/thaimaps/romani.

Figures

Figure 53. Lytopylus romani a lateral habitus b fore wing.