Crassomicrodus fulvescens ( Cresson 1865 )

Figueroa, José Isaac, Sharkey, Michael J. & Nápoles, Jesús Romero, 2008, Redescription of Crassomicrodus fulvescens (Cresson) (Hymenoptera: Braconidae: Agathidinae), with new distributional data and revised taxonomic status, Zootaxa 1934, pp. 63-68 : 64-67

Crassomicrodus fulvescens ( Cresson 1865)

( Fig. 1 a–f)

Microdus fulvescens Cresson 1865: 297 [Examined].

Microdus medius Cresson 1865: 298 [Examined]. New synonymy.

Holotype: Female. Col. No. 1727.1 ( ANSP). Holotype of M. medius : Male. Col. No. 1725 ( ANSP).

Description: Female.

Color: Integument yellowish orange except eye silver ( Fig. 1 a, b) or blackish, ocelli translucent yellow ( Fig. 1 d); antenna black; apical area of hind tibia and tarsomeres blackish, sometimes apical area of middle tibia, tarsomeres and/or trochanter blackish; wing veins dark brown; forewing infumate with large hyaline spot in first submarginal and second discal cells.

Head: Transverse in frontal view; face with weak longitudinal ridge dorsomesally; eye height/width = 1.48–1.55; eye height (lateral view) 0.59–0.61X inter-ocular distance (anterior view); pyramidal-shaped raised surface between antennae with two weakly defined tubercles ( Fig. 1 b, c); frons deeply excavated; posterior area of antennal sockets smooth ( Fig. 1 d); groove between lateral ocelli smooth; median ocellus separated from lateral ocellus by smooth groove; gena distinctly bulging ( Fig.1 b, c); malar space (anterolateral view) 0.55–0.65X longer than eye height; clypeus (anterior view) 2.44–2.67X wider than high; length of ventrolateral margin of clypeus similar to diameter of tentorial pit; antenna with 34–37 flagellomeres; setae at base of mandible distinctly longer than setae on rest of body surface. Mesosoma: Pronotum smooth ( Fig. 1 e); lateral pronotal margins with superficially crenulate groove; notauli impressed; anterolateral edges of scutellum lacking small acute projection ( Fig. 1 f); scutellar disc convex with sparse setae from 0.08–0.09 mm in length; scutellar disc sloped posteriorly and rounded; lateral scutellar depression rugose and foveolate ( Fig. 1 f); carinae of central metanotal area almost circular shaped; propodeum reticulate rugose; subalar lobe separated from mesopleuron by narrow rugulose groove, with rugosities posteriorly ( Fig. 1 e); metapleuron reticulate-rugose. Legs: inner spur of middle tibia 0.54–0.58X length of basitarsus; inner spur of hind tibia 0.48– 0.54X length of basitarsus; metabasitarsus 1.10–1.24X length of tarsomeres III, IV, and V combined; hind tibia 2.17–2.38X longer than basitarsus; hind femur length 3.70–4.00X its maximum width. Wings: forewing length/width = 2.61–2.72; stigma 3.38–3.85X longer than maximum width; forewing vein R1 0.56–0.66X as long as vein RS; vein RS not sinuate; vein r arising beyond middle of stigma; second submarginal cell triangular, with petiole 0.13–0.24 mm long; vein M+CU distinctly pigmented throughout; hind wing length/width = 3.46–3.56; hind wing vein 1M 1.47–1.71X longer than 1r-m; hind wing with 5–7 hamuli. Metasoma: Apical width of petiole (tergum 1) 2.73–2.97X wider than basal width (dorsal view); minimum width of petiole 0.61– 0.62X apical width (dorsal view); length of ovipositor sheath 0.24–0.33 mm.

Body length: 6.35–8.05 mm.

Male: Similar to female except color as follows: integument black except medial area of mandible, pronotum, mesonotum, subalar lobe, tegula, metasoma, femora, tibia, and tarsomeres yellowish orange. Apical area of hind tibia and all hind tarsomeres sometimes blackish.

Host: The alfalfa looper, Autographa californica (Speyer) ( Lepidoptera : Noctuidae ), is reported as a possible host for C. fulvescens based exclusively on label data from a female specimen in the USNM from Walla Walla, Washington. However, isolated rearings are necessary to verify A. californica as a host since host remains are not associated with the specimen. Autographa californica is distributed throughout the United States and parts of Canada. Larval host plants include pea, sugarbeet, alfalfa, bean, mint, and spinach ( Berry 1998).

Specimens examined: Holotype Ψ M. fulvescens: Col. (ANSP). Holotype ɗ M. medius: Col. (ANSP). Other specimens examined: CANADA, British Columbia: Osoyoos: 1 Ψ 4 ɗ 21/VII/1953, McGillis J.R. (1 Ψ 3 ɗ CNC, 1 ɗ HIIC); 1 ɗ 22/VII/1953, McGillis J.R. (CNC); 4 ɗ (1 homotype) 25/VIII/1953, Martin J.E.H. (3 CNC, 1 HIIC); 1 Ψ 3 ɗ 27/VII/1953, Martin J.E.H. (1 Ψ 2ɗ CNC, 1 ɗ HIIC). MEXICO, Chihuahua: Boquilla, 1 Ψ 23/VII/1987, González A. (CIBE-UANL). Coahuila: 39 km S Agua Nueva, 1 ɗ 20/X/1994, 1770 m., Mercado I., 24.53.21 N 101.04 .63 W (TAMU). Sonora: Minas Nuevas, 1 ɗ 7/VIII/1952, Vaurie C. & Vaurie P. (AMNH). Zacatecas: 9 miles S Fresnillo, 2 Ψ 9/VII/1954, Linsley E.G, MacSwain J.W. & Smith R.F. (EMEC, USNM). USA: Ckll, 1 ɗ 4523, 1926; 1 Ψ [no date]; 1 Ψ 17/VII/1877, Greeley; Pasco, 4 ɗ 26/V/ 1894, Piper C.V. (1 AEIC, 3 USNM). Arizona: Cochise Co.: Portal, 1 Ψ 2–12/IX/1976, Van der Vecht J. (AEIC). 2 miles E Portal, 1 Ψ 25/VIII/1966, Gertsch W.J.; 2 miles NE Portal, 1 ɗ 1/IX/1960, Cazier & Feight; 2.5 miles NE Portal, 1 ɗ 26/VIII/1959, Statham M.; Skeleton Cyn., Peloncillo Mountains, 1 Ψ 4/V/1966, Rozen & Favreau (AMNH). 1.5 miles W St. David, 1 Ψ 3/IX/1961, Hurd P.D. (EMEC). Chiricahua Mountains, Portal: 1 Ψ 1 ɗ 15/VIII/1958, Bohart R.M.; 1 Ψ 6/VIII/1958, James R.H.; Portal: 1 Ψ 16/VIII/1958, Marsh P.M.; 3 Ψ 1 ɗ 16/VIII/1958, Moore C.G.; 1 Ψ 5/VIII/1958, Bohart R.M.; 85 miles W Tombstone, 1 ɗ 1/ VIII/1966, Kovacic C.R.; San Simon, 1 ɗ 13/VIII/1981, Bohart R.M.; Willcox, 1 Ψ 28/VIII/1974, Bohart R.M.; 7 miles N Tucson, Pima Co., 1 Ψ 4/IX/1968, Miller D.R. & Lauck J.E. (UCDC). Tucson, 1 ɗ 6/IX/ 1933, Bryant (CAS). N Sonoita, 1 ɗ 10/VIII/1959 (CNC). Continental, 1 Ψ 24/IV/1958, Butler G.D.; Portal Creek Cyn., 1 ɗ 5/VIII/1977, Masner L. (HIIC). Vernon, 1 Ψ 25/VI/1957, Butler G. & Werner F. (USNM). Arkansas: Willcox, 1 Ψ 1 ɗ 31/VII/1909, Fisher A.K. (USNM). California: Oak Glen, San Bernardino Co.: 1 Ψ 25/VII/1984, 1500 m., Wagner Robert E., Malaise trap; 4 Ψ 31- VIII/6 - IX/1984, 1500 m., Wagner Robert E.; 1 ɗ 12–18/X/1984, 1500 m., Newton and Thayer (CNC). 18 miles E Camp Ozena, Ventura Co., 1 Ψ 2/VII/ 1965, Powell J.; Sand dunes, 1 mile S Rio Vista, Solano Co., 2 Ψ 7/VIII/1976, Whitman Doug (EMEC). Menifee Valley, Riverside Co., 1 Ψ 20/VIII/1976, Frommer S.I. & Frommer S.L., 117.12.45 N 33.39 .19 W (FSCA). Reedley, Fresno Co., 2 Ψ 3 ɗ 7– 10 /VII (UCDC). Valley Field Station, UC Moreno, Riverside Co., 1 Ψ 10/V/1979, (UCR). Madera, Madera Co., 1 Ψ 5/X/1975, Linsley E.G., J.M. & Michelbacher A.E., M.M. (USNM). Colorado: La Junta, 2 Ψ 2 ɗ 12/VIII/1920, 1250 m., 37.59 N 103.31 W; Pueblo, 1 Ψ 9/VIII/1920, 1433 m., 38.10 N 104.36 W (AMNH). Baca Co., 1 Ψ VI/1939, Landburg R. (CAS). Rocky Ford, 1 Ψ 26/VI/ 1917, Popenoe C.H.; Estes Park, 1 Ψ (homotype) 2/VII/1961, 2286 m., Mason W.R.M. (CNC). Wray, 1 Ψ 17– 19/VIII/1919, 40.0 N 102.10 W, 3,700 ft (HIIC). Colorado, 1 Ψ VII/1916, Popenoe; Hartman, 1 Ψ 14/VII/ 1955, Marston Norman; Hartman, 1 ɗ 21/VI/1957, Marsron N. (KSUC). Chimney, 1 ɗ (MCZ). Pueblo, 1 Ψ 11/VI/1956, Dreisbach R. & Dreisbach K. (MSUC). Inspiration, Denver, 1 ɗ 2/VII/1933, Gibbons H.I. (UCMC). Canon City, 1 Ψ; Colorado, 2 Ψ 1 ɗ; 0.5 miles SE Earl, 1 ɗ 23/VIII/1929, Romey V.E.; Rocky Ford: 1 Ψ 10/VII/1954, Titus E.S.G.; 4 ɗ 23VII/16 VIII/1909, Marsh H.O.; 1 Ψ 26/VI/1917, Popenoe C.H.; 1 ɗ 5/IX/1909, Marsh H.O.; 1 ɗ 9/VII/1912, Marsh H.O. (USNM). Idaho: Montpelier, 1 Ψ 2 ɗ 6/VII/1920, 1859 m., 42.19 N 111.18 W (AMNH). 1 Ψ 2 ɗ Preston, 17/VII/1922, Van Duzee E.P. (CAS). Burley, 2 Ψ 27/VI/ 1932, Fox David E.; Hansen, 1 ɗ 29/VII/1932, Fox David E.; Oakley: 2 ɗ 1/VII/1927, Carter W.; 1 ɗ 14/VII/ 1927, Carter W.; 1 ɗ 17/VIII/1927, Carter W.; 1 Ψ 19/VI/1933, Fox David E.; 2 ɗ 25/VI/1928; 3 ɗ 29/VII/ 1932, Fox David E.; 1 ɗ 30/VIII/1932, Fox David E.; Paul, 1 Ψ 20/VI/1930 (USNM). Kansas: Seward Co., 1 ɗ 27/VI, Lantz, (KSUC). Garden City, 2 Ψ VI/1896, Menke H.; Garden City, 1 Ψ VIII/1896, Menke H. (USNM). New Mexico: Hatch: 1 ɗ 28/VIII/1974, Townes H. & Townes M.; 2 Ψ 1 ɗ 29/VIII/1974, Townes H. & Townes M.; 1 ɗ 30/VIII/1974, Townes H. & Townes M.; Nutt, 1 Ψ 29/VIII/1974, Townes H. & Townes M.; Rodeo, 1 Ψ 7/IX/1974, Townes H. & Townes M.; Tucumcari, 2 ɗ 13/V/1981, Dasch C. & Dasch B. (AEIC). Cubero, Valencia Co., 1 ɗ 18/VIII/1948, Vaurie C. & Vaurie P. (AMNH). Santa Fe: 1 ɗ 22/VII/1926, Van Dyke E.C.; 1 Ψ 24/VII/1926, Van Dyke E.C. (CAS). 25 miles N Las Cruces, Dona Ana Co., 1 ɗ 24/IX/1974, Bohart G. & Hanson W. (CNC). 7 miles NE Albuquerque, Bernalillo Co., 1 Ψ 1 ɗ VII/1955 (EMEC). Oasis St. Park, Roosevelt Co., 1 ɗ 31/VIII/1971, 1250 m., Brown K.W. & Petrulis P.J. (ESUW). 2 miles NW Rodeo, Hidalgo Co., 1 Ψ 31/VIII/1960, Cazier & Feight (HIIC). 16 miles S Datil, Catron Co, 1 Ψ 16/VI/1956, Dreisbach R. & Dreisbach K.; Hoxie Jc. [Colfax Co.], 1 Ψ 2 ɗ 12/VI/1956, Dreisbach R. & Dreisbach K.; Rotan, 1 Ψ 12/VI/1956, Dreisbach R. & Dreisbach K. (MSUC). 15 miles N Rodeo La Cienega L., Hidalgo Co., 1 ɗ 10/ IX/1971, Villegas B.; Carrizozo, Lincoln Co., 1 Ψ 6/VIII/1966, Kovacic C.R.; Rodeo, Hidalgo Co.: 1 Ψ 1 ɗ 10/VIII/1958, Rice R.E.; 1 ɗ 2/VIII/1958, Rice R.E.; Tucumcari, Quay Co.: 1 ɗ 10/VII/1963, Bohart R.M.; 2 Ψ 7 ɗ 17/VIII/1967, Bohart R.M. (UCDC). 14 miles SW of Portales, nr. Boone Draw, Roosevelt Co., 4 Ψ 26/ V/1972, Frommer Saul & Jorgrnsen N. (UCR). 0.5 miles W Springer, 1 Ψ 23/VIII/1929, Romney V.E.; 2 miles N San Jon, 1 ɗ 12/VII/1929, Romney V.E.; 16 miles S Datil, Catron Co., 1 ɗ 16/VI/1956, Dreisbach R. & Dreisbach K.; 5.7 miles W Grady, 1 ɗ 28/VI/1929, Romney V.E.; Correo, Valerica Co., 1 Ψ 15/VI/1956, Dreisbach R. & Dreisbach K.; Jemez Springs, 1 ɗ 21/VII/1929, Englehardt G.P.; Hoxie Jc. [Colfax Co.], 1 Ψ 1 ɗ 12/VI/1956, Dreisbach R. & Dreisbach K.; Las Cruces, Cockerell 1 Ψ; Las Cruces, 1 ɗ V/1923?, Garcia (USNM). Oklahoma: Forgan, 1 Ψ 1 ɗ 14/VI/1935, Brues (MCZ). Oregon: Hermiston, 2 ɗ 9/VII/1922, Melander A.L. (MCZ). Hermiston, 1 Ψ 10/V/1930, Scullen H.A. (USNM). Texas: Davis Mountains, 1 Ψ 11/ VIII/1957, Arnett R.H. (CNC). 20 miles S Kent, Jeff Davis Co., 1 Ψ 15/VIII/1965, Schaffner J.C. (HIIC). Conlen, 1 Ψ 7/VIII/1952, Dreisbach R.R.; El Paso, 1 Ψ 20/VI/1909, Bishop F.C. (USNM). Utah: Huntsville, Ogden Co., 1 ɗ 21/VII/1922, Van Duzee E.P. (CAS). Delta, 1 Ψ 27/VI/1945, Knowlton G.F. (UMSP). Washington: Lind, 2 Ψ 24/VI/1919, Carlson F.W. (AEIC). Yakima, 1 ɗ 24/IV/1932, Rolfs A.R.; Walla Walla, 1 Ψ 20/VI/1980, Graham Vernon D., Autographa californica (Speyer) (USNM). Wyoming: Old Faithful Yellowstone Pk., 1 Ψ Brues C.T. (MCZ).

Distribution. This species has a broad western Nearctic distribution, ranging from northern Mexico to southwestern Canada and east as far as Arkansas. The species was previously known only from Arizona, California, Colorado, Idaho, Kansas, New Mexico, New York, Oregon, Texas, and Washington in the U.S., and one specimen was reported only as from Mexico ( Marsh 1979).

Discussion. The only characters used by Muesebeck (1927), in his key and descriptions, to separate C. fulvescens and C. medius were body colors. Our careful examination of more than 192 specimens revealed that males generally correspond to the coloration of Muesebeck's concept of C. medius and females to C. fulvescens . We found no consistent morphological characters (see redescription above) to separate the two species concepts other than genitalic and secondary sexual characteristics. Many early descriptions of braconid species were based primarily or entirely on color differences ( Sarmiento & Sharkey 2005), and although sometimes correct, careful studies of long series from diverse localities are needed to corroborate these concepts. Moreover, many braconid species have been shown to have a wide range of color variation (e.g., Toxoneuron bicolor Szépligeti ) ( Mercado & Wharton 2000). In the case of C. medius and C. fulvescens , we could find no morphological data to support separate species status and no females that match the color patterns of males. Crassomicrodus medius and C. fulvescens were both described in the same paper ( Cresson 1865) as Microdus . We chose C. fulvescens as the senior synonym because the holotype is a female; the holotype of C. medius is a male. Female holotypes are the standard for most hymenopteran taxonomy.

Figures

FIGURE 1. Crassomicrodus fulvescens. a. female habitus; b. female: anterior view of head, arrow indicates ridge between antennae; c. male: anterior view of head, arrow indicates ridge between antennae; d. female: dorsal view of head; e. female: lateral view of mesosoma, arrow indicates narrow and rugulose groove; f. female: dorsal view of mesosoma, arrow indicates anterolateral edge of scutellum.