Heterischnus huardi (Provancher)

Claridge, Brandon, 2021, Revision of Nearctic Heterischnus Wesmael, 1859 (Hymenoptera, Ichneumonidae, Ichneumoninae, Phaeogenini), Journal of Hymenoptera Research 85, pp. 57-79 : 57

Heterischnus huardi (Provancher)

Figs 7 , 8 , 9

Posocentrus huardi Provancher, 1875: 273. Lectotype: ♀ [University of Laval Entomology Collection, Quebec, Canada]: designated by Townes (1939). Not examined.

Phaeogenes recticaudus Provancher, 1886: 42. Holotype: ♀ [University of Laval Entomology Collection, Quebec, Canada]: Synonymized by Townes (1944). Not examined.

Ischnopsidea alberta Cushman, 1927: 1. Holotype: ♀ [USNM]: Synonymized by Townes (1944). Not examined.

Diagnosis.

Heterischnus huardi can be distinguished from other Nearctic species by the combination of the following: 1) clypeus yellowish-white in males; 2) female flagellum without any trace of yellowish-white banding; 3) supra-antennal area smooth with fine, shallow punctures; 4) and first lateral area of propodeum varying from entirely smooth to smooth and rugulose, but never rugulose-punctate as in H. coloradensis .

Description.

Female (Fig. 7 ). Body length: 5.5-8.8 mm; fore wing length: 3.8-5.6 mm.

Color. Head usually black, infrequently varying from dark reddish-brown to dark brown. Mandible yellowish-white except for dark brown apex. Antenna brown. Mesosoma overall black to dark brown, with the following areas yellowish-white: dorsal margin of pronotum, subalar prominence, and tegula; specimens from California and Oregon usually with mesonotum, scutellum, mesopleuron, and ventral division of metapleuron brownish-red to varying extents. Fore and middle legs with coxae, trochanters and trochantelli white to light reddish-brown; tibiae and femora light reddish-brown; tarsomeres 1-4 light reddish-brown; tarsomere 5 brown. Hind leg with coxa and trochanter light reddish-brown; trochantellus white to light reddish-brown; femur light reddish-brown; tibia light reddish brown with apical 0.5 dorsally brown; tarsomere 1 brown with basal 0.3 varying from light reddish-brown to brown; tarsomeres 2-5 brown. Metasoma varying from dark brown to black; one specimen from Nojoqui Falls Park, California with T1 medially brownish-red. Wing: membrane clear; basal 0.2 of wing with veins white, remaining vein sections brown.

Head. Clypeus smooth, dorsally with fine punctures separated by 0.5-1.0 × their diameter becoming less dense ventrally; ventral margin truncate medially and with sublateral projections varying from blunt to sharp. Supraclypeal area rugulose-punctate with punctures separated by 0.5-1.5 × their diameter, becoming less dense laterally. Gena smooth, finely punctate with punctures separated by 3.0-5.0 × their diameter. Malar space 1.0-1.2 × basal mandibular width. Supra-antennal area smooth and finely punctate with punctures separated by 1.0-3.0 × their diameter. Vertex smooth and finely punctate with punctures separated by 1.0-3.0 × their diameter. Antenna with 25-29 flagellomeres.

Mesosoma. Mesonotum smooth and finely punctate with punctures separated by 0.5-2.0 × their diameter. Scutellum smooth and finely punctate with punctures separated by 2.0-3.0 × their diameter. Mesopleuron punctate with punctures separated by 0.2-1.0 × their diameter, tendency in some specimens to form lateral rugulae. Speculum smooth with several scattered punctures. Ventral division of metapleuron punctate with punctures separated by 0.2-1.0 × their diameter. Dorsal division of metapleuron finely punctate separated by 0.4-1.0 × their diameter. Propodeum overall smooth, pleural area rugulose-punctate; carination complete, except lateral longitudinal carina absent anteriorly. Tarsal claws simple.

Metasoma. MS1 with postpetiole smooth anteriorly, posteriorly longitudinally rugulose laterally. T2 length 1.3-1.4 × posterior width. T2-7 granulate with dense shallow punctation becoming sparser and indistinct posteriorly. Gastrocoelus longitudinally rugulose. Thyridium distant from T2 anterior margin by 2.5-4.0 × thyridial length.

Male (Fig. 8 ). Body length: 5.4-8.9 mm; fore wing length: 3.8-5.6 mm. As in female except for: clypeus usually (90% of specimens) white except for dark brown to black apical margin and medial mark extending from apical 0.1 up to 0.3; infrequently most of clypeus dark brown to black with white area only present medially or as dorsolateral markings; very rarely clypeus entirely dark brown. Malar space shorter (0.8-1.0 basal mandibular width.)

Material examined.

Non-type material: Canada • 1♀; Alberta, Edmonton ; [53.5487, -113.4927]; 1.iv.1924 ; Owen Bryant; USNM • 1♀; Alberta, Seebe, K.F.E.S; 29.viii.1958 ; "ex Pterophoridae willow"; 57-A-1575-047; 314; CNCI • 3♀♀; Alberta, Sturgeon, L. Rt. 34; [53.6316, -113.6161]; 26.vi.1977 ; B. & C. Dasch; EMUSENT00000163, EMUSENT00000567, EMUSENT00000254 • 1♂; British Columbia, Craigallachie , 22 km E Sicamous; 350 m; [50.8397, -118.9738]; 28.vi.-14.viii.1988 ; S. & J. Peck; EMUSENT00000453 • 5♂♂; British Columbia, Dome Creek ; [53.7503, -121.1034]; 27.viii.1973 ; H. & M. Townes; EMUSENT00000092, EMUSENT00000178, EMUSENT00000088, EMUSENT00000268, EMUSENT00000718 • 1♂; British Columbia, Fort Nelson ; [58.8040, -122.6981]; 25.viii.1973 ; H. & M. Townes; EMUSENT00000538 • 11♀♀; British Columbia, Mt. Robson Provincial Park ; [53.0352, -119.2310]; 23.vii.1977 ; B. & C. Dasch; EMUSENT00000477, EMUSENT00000195, EMUSENT00000568, EMUSENT00000213, EMUSENT00000479, EMUSENT00000027, EMUSENT00000343, EMUSENT00000447, EMUSENT00000358, EMUSENT00000122, EMUSENT00000536 • 1♂; British Columbia, Stone Mountain Peak; 3800 ft; [58.5862, -124.7642]; 13.vii.1973 ; H. & M. Townes; EMUSENT00000628 • 1♀; same collection data as preceding; 17.vii.1973 , EMUSENT00000241 • 1♀; British Columbia, Y.N.P, " End of Ire River Road "; 10.viii.1956 ; "ex. Platyptilia sp. A. fir."; 56-18-1148-01; 406; CNCI • 2♀♀; Ontario, Algonquin Provincial Park ; [45.5539, -78.5965]; 08.viii.1983 ; B. & C. Dasch; EMUSENT00000344, EMUSENT00000328 • 1♀; Ontario, Cumberland ; [45.5163, -75.4060]; 3.v.1975 ; L. Ling; EMUSENT00000752 • 1♀; same collection data as preceding; 8.v.1975 ; EMUSENT00000541 • 1♀; same collection data as preceding; 10.v.1975 ; EMUSENT00000661 • 1♀; same collection data as preceding; 11.v.1975 ; EMUSENT00000032 • 1♀; same collection data as preceding; 6.vi.1975 ; EMUSENT00000033 • 1♀; same collection data as preceding; 8.vi.1975 ; EMUSENT00000063 • 1♂; same collection data as preceding; 9.vii.1975 ; EMUSENT00000631 • 2♂♂; same collection data as preceding; 13.vii.1975 ; EMUSENT00000482, EMUSENT00000061 • 2♂♂; same collection data as preceding; 18.vii.-10.viii.1975 ; EMUSENT00000121, EMUSENT00000512 • 1♀; Saskatchewan, Prince Albert National Park ; [53.9143, -75.4060]; 19.vii.1941 ; J. G. Rempel; EMUSENT00000508 • 1♀; same collecting data as preceding; 20.vii.1941 ; EMUSENT00000418 • 1♀; Yukon Territory, Burwash Flats Mi. 1105 Alcan Hwy. ; [61.3536, -138.9976]; 4.vii.1977 ; B. & C. Dasch; EMUSENT00000506 • 1♀; Yukon Territory, Teslin L. Mi. 820 Alcan Hwy. ; [60.1745, -132.7143]; 30.vi.1977 ; B. & C. Dasch; EMUSENT00000603 • 1♀; same collecting data as preceding; 1.vii.1977 ; EMUSENT00000167. USA • 4♀♀; Alaska, Municipality of Anchorage, Anchorage ; [61.1993; 149.8533]; 6-12.vii Peter A. Rush; EMUSENT00000028, EMUSENT00000720, EMUSENT00000058, EMUSENT00000690 • 2♀♀; same collection data as preceding; 16-20.vii.1976 ; EMUSENT00000089, EMUSENT00000118 • 1♀; same collection data as preceding; 20-23.vii.1976 ; EMUSENT00000390 • 3♀♀; Alaska, Delta Junction ; [64.0377; -145.7301]; 7.vii.1977 ; B. & C. Dasch; EMUSENT00000228, EMUSENT00000136, EMUSENT00000633 • 1♂; Alaska, Ketchikan Gateway Borough, Ketchikan ; [55.3465; -131.643] 16.viii.1959 ; R. H. Washburn • 1♀; Alaska, Tok ; [63.3361; -142.9855]; 5.vii.1977 ; B. & C. Dasch; EMUSENT00000717 • 1♀; California, Big Oak Flat Road, nr. Crane Crk., Yosemity National Park ; [37.7517; -119.8004]; 28.vi.1959 ; D. W. Price; UCDC • 2♂♂; California, Marin County, Inverness ; [38.0998; -122.8619]; 6.x.1946 ; H. K. Townes; EMUSENT00000287, EMUSENT00000389 • 1♀; California, Tulare County, Mineral King Road ; [36.4500; -118.5945]; 16.v.1970 ; B. Knapp; EMUSENT00000449 • 1♀; California, Santa Barbra County, Montecito ; [34.4368; -119.6321]; 08.iv.1997 - 13.iv.1997 ; A. Calderwood, R. Doutt; EMUSENT00000078 • 1♀; California, Santa Barbra County, Nojoeui Falls Park ; [34.5344; -120.1776]; 3.vii.1959 ; R. M. Bohart; UCDC • 1♀; Colorado; Doolittle Ranch, Mt. Evans ; [39.6752; -105.6011]; 9800 ft; 20.vii.1964 ; B. & C. Dasch; EMUSENT00000688 • 1♀; same collection data as preceding; 12.vii.1973 ; EMUSENT00000753 • 2♀; Colorado, Jackson County, Gould ; [40.5271; -106.0300]; 6.viii.1974 ; H. & M. Townes; EMUSENT00000212, EMUSENT00000062 • 1♀; Colorado, Grand County, Grand Lake ; [40.2518; -105.8301]; 2.viii.1948 ; H. & M. Townes; EMUSENT00000510 • 1♀; same collecting data as preceding; H., M., G.,D. & J. Townes; EMUSENT00000658 • 1♀; Colorado, Rabbit Ears Pass ; [40.3847; -106.6117]; 9500 ft; 7.viii.1948 ; H., M., G. & D. Townes; EMUSENT00000422 • 1♀; Idaho, Galena Summit, nr. Stanely ; [43.8702; -114.7134]; 8700 ft; 4.viii.1978 ; H. & M. Townes; EMUSENT00000778 • 2♀♀; Idaho; Boise County; Idaho City ; [43.82813; -115.8341]; 13.vi.1978 ; H. & M. Townes; EMUSENT00000299, EMUSENT00000269 • 1♀; Idaho; Boise County, Lowman ; [44.0807; -115.6202]; 4000 ft; 11.vi.1978 ; H. & M. Townes; EMUSENT00000723 • 2♀♀; same collection data as preceding; 12.vi.1978 ; EMUSENT00000331, EMUSENT00000211 • 3♀♀; same collection data as preceding; 6000 ft; 13.vi.1978 ; EMUSENT00000180, EMUSENT00000242, EMUSENT00000751 • 1♀; same collection data as preceding; 4000 ft; 14.vi.1978 ; EMUSENT00000090 • 1♂, 2♀♀; Idaho, Boise County, Lowman ; [44.0807; -115.6202]; 6.viii.1978 ; H. & M. Townes; EMUSENT00000478, EMUSENT00000450, EMUSENT00000029 • 1♂; same collection data as preceding; 3.viii.1978 • 1♀; Idaho, nr. Stanley ; [44.2159; -114.9352]; 5.viii.1978 ; H. & M. Townes; EMUSENT00000570 • 1♀; Maine, 4.5 mi. W Bangor ; [44.7994; -688326]; 12.viii.1986 ; B. & C. Dasch; EMUSENT00000416 • 1♀; same collection data as preceding; 13.viii.1986 ; EMUSENT00000086 • 2♀♀; Maine, Cumberland County, Sebado Lake ; [43.9303; -70.5678]; 12.v.1919 ; B. W. Hall; EMUSENT00000093, EMUSENT00000183 • 2♀♀; Massachusetts; Mt. Greylock ; [42.6375; -73.1663]; 02.viii.1958 ; B. & C. Dasch; EMUSENT00000283, EMUSENT00000282 • 1♀; Michigan, Emmet County;, Mackinaw City ; [45.7776; -84.7283]; 04.viii.1980 ; B. & C. Dasch; EMUSENT00000313 • 1♂, 1♀; Michigan, Iron County, Pentoga Park ; [46.0387; -88.5105]; 01.viii.1980 ; B. & C. Dasch; EMUSENT00000689, EMUSENT00000749 • 1♀; New York, Ithaca ; [42.4443; -76.5017]; 12.vi.1952 ; C. Dasch; EMUSENT00000107 • 1♀; same collection data as preceding; 15.vii.1950 ; EMUSENT00000315 • 1♀; same collection data as preceding; 22.vii.1950 ; EMUSENT00000256 • 2♂♂; same collection data as preceding; 7.vii.1951 ; EMUSENT00000597, EMUSENT00000569 • 1♀; New York, McLean Bogs ; [42.4911; -76.2971]; 22.v.1953 ; B. & C. Dasch; EMUSENT00000476 • 2♂♂; New York, Otsego County, Milford Center ; [42.5241; -74.9887]; 13.vii.1935 ; H. K. Townes; EMUSENT00000662, EMUSENT00000452 • 1♀; New York, Oneonta County, Oneonta ; [42.4584; -75.0602]; 1900 ft; 18.viii.1935 ; H. K. Townes; EMUSENT00000183, EMUSENT00000721 • 1♀; New York, Ulster County, Slide Mountain , [41.9996; -74.3854]; 2800-4000 ft; 25.viii.1936 ; H. & C. Townes; EMUSENT00000481 • 2♂♂, 2♀♀; North Carolina, Macon County, Highlands ; [35.0536; -83.1969]; 21.vi.1977 ; H & M Townes; EMUSENT00000359, EMUSENT00000573, EMUSENT00000660, EMUSENT00000148 • 1♂, 2♀; same collection data as preceding; 22.vi.1977 ; EMUSENT00000208, EMUSENT00000633, EMUSENT00000240 • 3♀♀; same collection data as preceding; 23.vi.1977 ; EMUSENT00000119, EMUSENT00000633 • 1♀; same collection data as preceding; 24.vi.1977 ; EMUSENT00000210 • 1♂; same collection data as preceding; 26.vi.1977 ; EMUSENT00000598 • 1♀; North Carolina, Mt. Mitchell ; [35.7668; -82.2653]; 5500 ft; 25.vii.1968 ; C. Dasch; EMUSENT00000542 • 1♀; North Carolina, Buncombe County, Pisgah Mountain ; [35.4197; -82.7484]; 4800-5300 ft; 21.vi.1940 ; H & M Townes; EMUSENT00000513 • 1♂; Ohio, McAllister Biological Station ; [41.4478; -83.7789]; 18-21.vi.1986 ; B. & C. Dasch; EMUSENT00000198 • 1♀; Oregon, Benton County, Corvalis ; [44.5630; -123.2644]; 02.vi.1978 ; H. & M. Townes; EMUSENT00000043 • 1♀; same collection data as preceding; 11.v.1987 ; EMUSENT00000045 • 1♀; same collection data as preceding; 19-20.vi.1965 ; C. Dasch; EMUSENT00000329 • 1♀; Oregon; Jackson County, Hyatt Reservoir ; [42.1683; -122.4634]; 29.vi.1978 ; H. & M. Townes; EMUSENT00000252 • 1♂; Oregon, Pierce County, Hyatt Reservoir ; [42.1683; -122.4634]; 29.vi.1978 ; H. & M. Townes; EMUSENT00000356 • 1♂; Oregon, Union County, Mt. Emily ; [45.4379; -118.0913]; 06-21.viii.1987 ; T. R. Torgersen; EMUSENT00000166 • 4♀♀; Oregon, Mt. Hood ; [45.3269; -121.7136]; 3500 ft; 19.vii.1978 ; H. & M. Townes; EMUSENT00000177, EMUSENT00000342, EMUSENT00000296, EMUSENT00000327 • 1♀; same collection data as preceding; 20.vii.1978 ; EMUSENT00000165 • 1♀; same collection data as preceding; 24.vii.1978 ; EMUSENT00000223 • 1♀; same collection data as preceding; 26.vii.1978 ; EMUSENT00000227 • 3♀♀; same collection data as preceding; 30.vii.1978 ; EMUSENT00000386, EMUSENT000000386, EMUSENT00000133, EMUSENT000000226 • 1♀; Oregon, Josephine County, Selma ; [42.2787; -123.6152] 20.v.1978 ; H. & M. Townes; EMUSENT00000480 • 2♀♀; same collection data as preceding; 27.v.1978 ; EMUSENT00000075, EMUSENT00000656 • 1♀; Pennsylvania, Forest County, 1 mi. N Marienville ; [41.4794; -79.1101];; 3.vii.1980 ; C. Dasch; EMUSENT00000236 • 1♀; Pennsylvania, Forest County, 4 mi. N Marienville ; [41.5104; -79.0688]; 03.vii.1980 ; C. Dasch; EMUSENT00000419 • 2♀♀; Pennsylvania, Tioga County, Gaines ; [41.7520; -77.5572]; 23-26.vii.1994 ; B. & C. Dasch; EMUSENT00000059, EMUSENT00000179 • 1♀; same collection data as preceding; 26.vii.1994 ; EMUSENT00000239 • 1♂; same collection data as preceding; 30.vi.1980 ; EMUSENT00000338 • 1♀; Pennsylvania, Mercer County, Mercer ; [41.2265; -80.2393]; 12-15.vi.1995 ; B. & C. Dasch; EMUSENT00000149 • 1♂; Utah, Cache County, Logan , USU campus; 41.74194; -111.81183; 1460 m; 8.vii.2019 ; B. Claridge; EMUSENT00000021 • 2♀♀; Utah, Cache County, Uinta-Wasatch-Cache National Forest, Tony Grove ; 41.8876; -111.6009; 2290 m; 03-17.viii.2019 ; B. Claridge; EMUSENT00000202, EMUSENT00000232 • 1♀; Utah, Cache County, UWC National Forest, Tony Grove ; 41.8884; -111.6299; 17-31.viii.2019 ; B. Claridge; EMUSENT00003712 • 1♂, 1♀; Washington, Pierce County, Ashford ; [46.7579; -122.0304]; 6.vii.1940 ; H. & M. Townes; EMUSENT00000483, EMUSENT00000630 • 1♀; same collection data as preceding; 11.vii.1940 ; EMUSENT00000360 • 1♀; same collection data as preceding; 20.vii.1940 ; EMUSENT00000540 • 1♀; Washington, Barnes State Park ; [46.2724; -122.909]; 12.viii.1940 ; H. & M. Townes; EMUSENT00000060 • ♀; Washington, Mt. Rainier ; 2900 ft; 12.vii.1940 ; H. & M. Townes; EMUSENT00000750 • 1♀; same collecting data as preceding; 7.vii.1940 ; EMUSENT00000693 • 1♀; same collecting data as preceding; 4200 ft; 15.vii.1940 ; EMUSENT00000301 • 1♀; same collecting data as preceding; 4700 ft; 21.vii.1940 ; EMUSENT00000330 • 1♀; same data as preceding; 5000 ft; 14.vii.1940 ; EMUSENT00000543 • 1♀; same data as preceding; 9.vii.1940 ; EMUSENT00000120 • 1♀; same data as preceding; 5300 ft; 16.viii.1940 ; EMUSENT00000332 • 1♀; same data as preceding; 17.viii.1940 ; EMUSENT00000571 • 1♀; same data as preceding; 5700 ft; 8.vii.1940 ; EMUSENT00000362 • 1♀; Washington, Mt. Rainier National Park, Paradise ; [46.7853; -121.7349];; 26-27.vi.1987 ; B. V. Brown; EMUSENT00000600 • 2♂♂, 2♀♀; West Virginia, Bickle Knob ; [38.9343; -79.7314]; 4020 ft; 15.vii.1979 ; B. & C. Dasch; EMUSENT00000691, EMUSENT00000103, EMUSENT00000314, EMUSENT00000687 • 5♂♂, 1♀; same data as preceding; 17.vii.1979 ; EMUSENT00000316, EMUSENT00000599, EMUSENT00000284, EMUSENT00000057, EMUSENT00000042, EMUSENT00000147 • 1♀; West Virginia; Randolph County, Bowden ; [38.9088; -79.7098]; 14-17.vii.1992 ; B. & C. Dasch; EMUSENT00000146 • 1♀; same collection data as preceding; 21-22.vii.1982 ; EMUSENT00000104 • 1♀; same collection data as preceding; 23-24.vii.1982 ; EMUSENT00000044 • 1♂, 1♀; same collection data as preceding; 25.vii.1982 ;EMUSENT000000387, EMUSENT00000776 • 1♀; same collection data as preceding; 7-9.v.1993 ; EMUSENT00000238 • 1♀; same collection data as preceding; 16.vii.1979 ; C. Dasch; EMUSENT00000117 • 2♂♂, 1♀; West Virginia, Dolly Sods Area ; [39.0447; -79.3438]; 26.vii.1982 ; B. & C. Dasch; EMUSENT00000255, EMUSENT00000392, EMUSENT00000627 • 1♂; West Virginia, Pendleton County, Spruce Knob ; [38.7001; -79.5328]; 4862 ft; 18.vii.1979 ; B. & C. Dasch; EMUSENT00000209 • 4♀♀; same collection data as preceding; 19.vii.1979 ; B. & C. Dasch; EMUSENT00000537, EMUSENT00000747, EMUSENT00000659, EMUSENT00000074

Distribution and biology.

Heterischnus huardi is the most widely distributed North American Heterischnus species. It ranges from the eastern US and throughout Canada to western North America, where it extends north to Alaska, centrally south through the Rocky Mountains, and south along the Pacific Coast through the Sierra Nevada and outer California Coast Ranges. In the California Coast Ranges, it is associated with mixed hardwood forests in the north near Inverness and coastal woodland near Nojoqui Falls Park and Montecito in the south ( Küchler 1978).

Bragg (1970) reared five H. huardi specimens from the plume moth, Amblyptilia pica (Walsingham) ( Pterophoridae ) on Pelargonium ( Geraniaceae ). Females oviposited into fourth instar prepupae ( Bragg 1970). Additionally, two specimens from the CNCI were reared from pterophorids. The first was reared from a Platyptilia pupa collected from Abies ( Pinaceae ) in British Columbia. The second record was from an unidentified pterophorid pupa collected from Salix ( Salicaceae ) in Seebe, Alberta.

Comments.

The color pattern of H. huardi varies throughout it range. The usual color pattern consists of a dark brown to black head, mesosoma, and metasoma, excluding white markings. Along the Pacific coast in Oregon and California, specimens exhibit varying degrees of brownish-red color on the mesonotum, scutellum, mesopleuron, and ventral division of the metapleuron.

Without stating any supporting evidence, Valemberg (2014) listed Ischnopsidea alberta Cushman and Phaeogenes recticaudus Provancher as subspecies of H. huardi . The elevation of these names from synonymy to subspecific status is unwarranted. There is no indication from the material examined in this study that any subspecies of H. huardi can be delimited.

The lectotype of H. huardi was not examined, although a specimen that was compared with the lectotype by Townes was examined.

Figures

Figure 7. Heterischnus huardi (Provancher) female. Eastern and western Nearctic dark phase (A-E) A habitus B mesosoma, lateral view C head, frontal view D head, dorsal view E propodeum, dorsolateral view F western Nearctic reddish phase H. huardi female habitus. Scale bars: 5.0 mm (A, F); 1.0 mm (B-E).

Figure 8. Heterischnus huardi (Provancher) male A habitus B head, frontal view. Scale bars: 5.0 mm (A); 1.0 mm (B).

Figure 9. Distribution of Heterischnus huardi (Provancher).