Research Article
Print
Research Article
A new species of subgenus Neodoryctes Szépligeti (Hymenoptera, Braconidae) from China, with a key to Oriental and Palaearctic species
expand article infoTao Li, Ying Zhang, Kees van Achterberg§
‡ General Station of Forest Pest Management, State Forestry Administration, Shenyang, China
§ Naturalis, Leiden, Netherlands
Open Access

Abstract

A new species of subgenus Neodoryctes Szépligeti (Hymenoptera: Braconidae), Doryctes (Neodoryctes) henanensis Li & van Achterberg, sp. n., is described and illustrated. This species is associated with Pterolophia sp. (Coleoptera: Cerambycidae), a twig-boring pest of Broussonetia papyrifera (L.) L’Hert. et Vent. (Moraceae), in Henan (Central China). A key to the Palaearctic species of the subgenus Neodoryctes is provided.

Keywords

Doryctinae , Doryctini , Doryctes , Neodoryctes , new species, parasitoid

Introduction

The subgenus Neodoryctes Szépligeti, 1914 of the genus Doryctes Haliday, 1836 (Hymenoptera: Braconidae: Doryctinae: Doryctini) includes eight described species, of which six species are known from the Afrotropical Region (Yu et al. 2012). The other two species are known from China (Taiwan) and Japan (Belokobylskij 1996, Belokobylskij and Maetô 2008). The subgenus Neodoryctes can be separated from the nominate subgenus by the relative length of vein 1-M of the hind wing (1.3–1.8 times as long as vein M+CU in Neodoryctes; 0.7–1.0, rarely up to 1.1, times in Doryctes). In addition, the hind tibia has long erect setae and tergites II+III have sublateral longitudinal grooves. The biology of the species of this subgenus is unknown but members of the subgenus Doryctes Haliday are ectoparasitoids of mainly Cerambycidae and Buprestidae (Yu et al. 2012). The subgeneric status of Neodoryctes is doubtful according to the study of Zaldívar-Riverón et al. (2008); Doryctes and Neodoryctes appeared distantly related according to the molecular analysis thus supporting a generic status for Neodoryctes.

Here we describe the third non-Afrotropical species of Neodoryctes, D. (Neodoryctes) henanensis Li & van Achterberg, sp. n., from Henan (Central China).

Materials and methods

Twigs of heavily infested Broussonetia papyrifera (L.) L’Hert. et Vent. trees were collected, brought to the laboratory and maintained in a large nylon cage at room temperature. Distilled water was sprayed over the trunks and twigs twice a week in order to prevent desiccation and the emerged insects were collected daily. After the emergence of hosts and parasitoids was complete, all remaining twigs were dissected to record their condition (i.e. status of hosts, and parasitism). The associated host was identified by Dr. Guang-Lin Xie (Yangtze University, Jingzhou, Hubei, China).

For the morphological terminology used in this paper see van Achterberg (1993) and Harris (1979). The descriptions, measurements and figures were made with a Leica M205A microscope. Focused photographs were combined using Leica DFC550 with Leica Application Suite (Version 4.5.0).

The type specimens and hosts are deposited in the Insect Museum, General Station of Forest Pest Management (GSFPM), State Forestry Administration, Shenyang, China. One paratype is deposited at the Naturalis Biodiversity Center(RMNH), Leiden, The Netherlands.

Key to Palaearctic and Oriental species of the subgenus Neodoryctes Szépligeti

1 Mesoscutum mainly striate or rugose (Fig. 5) and dorsal face of propodeum reticulate-rugose (Fig. 7); dorsal tooth on hind coxa absent (Fig. 8); vein m-cu of hind wing straight posteriorly (Fig. 12); second metasomal suture hardly impressed (Figs 1, 13) 2
Mesoscutum and dorsal face of propodeum smooth or granulate; small dorsal tooth on hind coxa present; posteriorly vein m-cu of hind wing curved distally; second metasomal suture distinctly impressed 3
2 Apical half of vein M+CU1 of fore wing strongly curved (Fig. 12); vein 1-M of hind wing 1.5–1.6 × as long as vein M+CU (Fig. 12); vein 3-SR of fore wing about 1.6 × as long as vein m-cu; medial part of tergite II (between sublateral grooves) distinctly transverse (about twice wider than long medially); ovipositor sheath about as long as fore wing; propodeum weakly areolate D. henanensis Li & van Achterberg, sp. n.
Apical half of vein M+CU1 of fore wing slightly curved; vein 1-M of hind wing about 1.3 × as long as vein M+CU; vein 3-SR of fore wing about 1.2 × as long as vein m-cu; medial part of tergite II about 1.2 × wider than long medially; ovipositor sheath 0.60–0.75 × as long as fore wing; propodeum distinctly areolate D. slavianka Belokobylskij, 1996
3 Mesoscutum and dorsal face of propodeum smooth; setae on dorsal surface of hind tibia long and erect; hind coxa with distinct submedian dorsal tooth; vein SR of hind wing largely absent; apical width of tergite I 1.2–1.4 × its basal width D. denticoxa Belokobylskij, 1996
Mesoscutum and dorsal face of propodeum granulate; setae on dorsal surface of hind tibia short and semi-erect; hind coxa with minute and hardly protruding dorsal tooth; basal half of vein SR of hind wing present; apical width of tergite I 1.5–1.8 × its basal width D. makiharai Belokobylskij & Maetô, 2008

Description

Doryctes (Neodoryctes) henanensis Li & van Achterberg, sp. n.

Figs 1, 2–13

Type material

Holotype, ♀ (GSFPM), China: Henan, Xinxiang, 3.vi.2013, Mao-Ling Sheng. Paratypes (RMNH, GSFPM): 1 ♀ + 1 ♂, same data as holotype.

Diagnosis

Frons weakly concave behind antennal sockets, with 3–4 furrows. POL 1.2 × Od, 0.5 × OOL. Width of face 0.8 × height of eye, 1.2 × height of face and clypeus combined. Apical half of vein M+CU1 of fore wing strongly curved, vein 3-SR of fore wing about 1.6 × as long as vein m-cu and vein 1-M of hind wing 1.5–1.6 × as long as vein M+CU. Tergite II with oblique lateral depressions, medial part of tergite II (between sublateral grooves) distinctly transverse (about twice wider than long medially). Ovipositor sheath 1.3 × as long as metasoma and as long as fore wing.

Holotype. Female, length of body 5.8 mm, and of fore wing 4.8 mm (Fig. 1).

Figure 1. 

Neodoryctes henanensis Li & van Achterberg, sp. n., female, holotype. Habitus, lateral aspect.

Head (Figs 2–3). Head width 1.3 × its median length in dorsal view, 1.1 × width of mesoscutum. Temple behind eye (dorsal view) roundly narrowed. Frons (Fig. 3) weakly concave behind antennal sockets, with 3–4 furrows. Stemmaticum (ocellar triangle) situated before middle of head. Ocelli medium-sized, and lateral areas weakly concave. POL 1.2 × Od, 0.5 × OOL. Eyes glabrous, slightly concave near antennal sockets, 1.2 × higher than wide. Diameter of antennal sockets 0.8 × distance between antennal sockets, 2.3 × distance between socket and eye. Face (Fig. 2) uniformly convex, with fine rugae and long setae, medially glabrous under sockets, rugae weaker laterally; width of face 0.8 × height of eye, 1.2 × height of face and clypeus combined. Length of malar space 0.4 × height of eye and 1.1 × basal width of mandible. Malar suture absent. Clypeus suture complete. Hypoclypeal depression round, equal to distance from depression to eye and 0.4 × as wide as face. Occipital carina complete dorsally, ventrally remaining separated from hypostomal carina. Length of maxillary palp 1.3 × height of head. Antenna (Figs 1, 4) broken (holotype), remaining antennal articles 34, setiform and slender. Scape 1.6 × longer than its maximum width (Fig. 4). Third article 5.5 × longer than its apical width (4.8 × in paratype) and 1.2 × as long as fourth article (as in paratype). Paratype with 39 antennal articles and antenna 1.3 × longer than body. Penultimate antennal article of paratype 3.1 × longer than its maximum width and about as long as apical segment.

Figures 2–13. 

Neodoryctes henanensis Li & van Achterberg, sp. n., female, holotype, but 6 and 11 of female paratype. 2 Head, front aspect 3 Head, dorsal aspect 4 Basal anternal segments 5 Mesosoma, dorsal aspect 6 Mesosoma, lateral aspect 7 Propodeum, dorsal aspect 8 Hind coxa 9 Hind femur 10 Hind tibia 11 Hind tarsus 12 Wings 13 Metasoma, dorsal aspect.

Mesosoma (Figs 5–6). Mesosoma 2.4 × longer than high. Pronotum convex dorsally and distinctly concave medially, with irregular rugae. Mesoscutum largely covered with curved rugae (Fig. 5), interspaces smooth and strongly shiny and middle lobe of mesoscutum distinctly convex with fine median furrow, its posterior third glabrous. Notauli complete, distinctly crenulate anteriorly but posterior half shallowly crenulate and in a medio-posterior rugose area. Scutellar sulcus wide, deep, with a coarse median carina, almost smooth, 0.4 × as long as scutellum. Scutellum slightly convex and smooth, but rugulose posteriorly, its lateral carinae almost complete. Metanotum dorso-medially with three distinct carinae. Subalar depression shallow and wide, with short striae. Mesopleuron (Fig. 6) with rugose area anteriorly and with smooth inferior areas. Precoxal sulcus distinctly impressed, smooth and straight. Propodeum convex and reticulate-rugose, vaguely areolate and costulae indistinctly developed (Fig. 7); its median carina about 0.5 × as long as propodeum.

Wings (Fig. 12). Fore wing: length about 4.0 × as long as its maximum width. Pterostigma 4.3 × as long as its maximum width. Vein M+CU1 strongly curved; vein r-m present, weakly oblique; vein 2-M present; vein r arising from near middle of pterostigma; 2-SR 1.4 × as long as r, 0.7 × as long as 3-SR, 0.3 × as long as SR1, 1.5 × as long as r-m; 1-SR+M curved; 1-CU1 0.2 × as long as 2-CU1; 3-CU1 0.5 × as long as m-cu. Hind wing: vein 1-M 1.6 × as long as M+CU; vein m-cu straight posteriorly; vein SR present basally.

Legs (Figs 6, 8–11). Fore tibia with 78 strong spines arranged in almost single straight row. Hind coxa (Fig. 8) 1.6 × as long as wide, rugose dorsally and without tooth; hind femur 2.6 × as long as wide and with long erect setae (Fig. 9); hind tibia with medium-sized erect setae (Fig. 10); hind tarsus (Figs 10–11) almost as long as to hind tibia; basitarsus (Fig. 11) 0.9 × as long as second-fifth segments combined; second segment of hind tarsus 0.4 × as long as basitarsus, 1.5 × as long as telotarsus (without arolium).

Metasoma (Fig. 13). Length 1.1 × as long as head and mesosoma combined. Tergite I 1.1 × longer than wide apically, with large dorsope, its surface with distinct, uniform and complete striae, and with minute transverse sculpture between striae; medio-posteriorly weakly convex and smooth; dorsal carinae conspicuous and half as long as tergite I; apical width 1.6 × its basal width. Tergite II with oblique lateral depressions, medial part of tergite II (between sublateral grooves) distinctly transverse (about twice wider than long medially), tergites II+III 0.9 × as long as its basal width, 1.8 times as long as tergite IV in lateral view; its surface with distinct, uniform and complete striae in basal 0.7, smooth in apical 0.3; second suture hardly impressed, striate and curved. Basal half of tergites IV and V with fine sculpture, and apically (as remaining tergites) smooth. Ovipositor sheath 1.3 × as long as metasoma and as long as fore wing.

Colour. Black. Head brown but stemmaticum and apical half of mandible blackish brown, median part of face and scape yellowish brown with some reddish, apical half of antenna rather dark brown; pronotum, mesoscutum, mesopleuron (apically dark brown) and mesosternum reddish brown; tegula, fore leg (but femur and tibia blackish brown), mid leg (but coxa, femur and tibia blackish brown), hind trochanters and base of tibia, yellowish brown; pterostigma (except for yellowish brown base and apex) and veins blackish brown; sublateral striae of tergite II dark reddish brown.

Male. Length of body 4.2 mm, and of fore wing 2.9 mm. Antennal articles 29, antenna 1.1 × longer than body. Length of mesosoma 2.8 × longer than high. Length of tergite I 1.5 × as long as its apical width and apical width 1.7 × its basal width. Length of tergites II+III 1.8 × its basal width, 2.2 × as long as length of tergite IV. Head (but stemmaticum and apical half of mandible blackish brown; basal half of antenna yellow, apical half brown), fore leg, mid leg (but telotarsus and claws blackish brown), hind leg (but coxa and most of femur yellowish brown with some reddish; telotarsus and claws blackish brown), pterostigma and veins yellowish brown; pronotum and mesoscutum yellowish brown with some reddish; propodeum and metasoma reddish brown and partly blackish.

Variation

Female paratype has length of body 4.6 mm, and of fore wing 3.7 mm. Head (but stemmaticum and apical half of mandible blackish brown; apical half of antenna brown), legs except claws blackish brown, tegulae, yellowish brown; pterostigma (but basally and apically yellowish brown) and veins brown; pronotum and mesoscutum yellowish brown with some reddish; scutellum, propodeum, hind coxa and metasoma (but tergites II+III yellowish brown with some reddish), dark reddish brown.

Biology

Presumably larval parasitoid of Pterolophia sp. (Coleoptera: Cerambycidae) boring in Broussonetia papyrifera (L.) L’Hert. et Vent. (Moraceae).

Distribution

Palaearctic China (Henan).

Remarks

The new species belongs to the subgenus Neodoryctes Szépligeti because of the short vein 1-M of the hind wing. It can be separated from other Palaearctic and North Oriental species of this subgenus by having vein 3-SR of fore wing about 1.6 × as long as vein m-cu, apical half of vein M+CU1 of fore wing strongly curved and vein 1-M of hind wing 1.5–1.6 × as long as vein M+CU (vein 3-SR of fore wing about 1.0–1.5 × as long as vein m-cu, apical half of vein M+CU1 of fore wing slightly curved and vein 1-M of hind wing about 1.3–1.4 × as long as vein M+CU in the remaining species). It shares with D. slavianka Belokobylskij, 1996, from Korea and Far East Russia, the lack of a dorsal tooth on the hind coxa and the striate or rugose mesoscutum; however, it differs from the latter species by having the medial part of tergite II (between the sublateral grooves) distinctly transverse (about twice wider than long medially; about 1.2 × in D. slavianka), the ovipositor sheath about as long as fore wing (0.60–0.75 ×), the propodeum weakly areolate (distinctly areolate) and vein M+CU1 of fore wing distinctly curved (nearly straight).

Etymology

The specific name is derived from the locality of the holotype.

Acknowledgements

The authors are deeply grateful to Dr. Gavin Broad (Department of Life Science, the Natural History Museum, London, UK) and Dr. Alejandro Zaldívar-Riverón (Universidad Nacional Autónoma de México, Mexico D. F., Mexico) for valuable comments and suggestions. We also thank to Guang-Lin Xie (Yangtze University, Hubei Province, China) for identifying the host. This research was supported by the National Natural Science Foundation of China (NSFC, No. 31070585; NSFC, No. 31310103033).

References

  • Bekokobylskij SA (1996) Nine new species of Braconidae (Hymenoptera) from the Russian Far East. Journal of Natural History 30: 1661–1681. doi: 10.1080/00222939600770981
  • Belokobylskij SA (1996) A contribution to the knowledge of the Doryctinae of Taiwan (Hymenoptera: Braconidae). Zoosystematica Rossica 5(1): 153–191.
  • Belokobylskij SA, Maetô K (2008) Doryctinae (Hymenoptera: Braconidae) of Ogasawara Islands (Japan). Annales Zoologici Warsaw 58(1): 125–166. doi: 10.3161/067.058.0107
  • Haliday AH (1836) Essay on parasitic Hymenoptera. Entomological Magazine 4(1): 38–59.
  • Harris RA (1979) A glossary of surface sculpturing. Occasional Papers in Entomology of the California Department of Food and Agriculture 28: 1–31.
  • Szépligeti G (1914) Afrikanische Braconiden des Königl. Zoologischen Museums in Berlin. Mitteilungen aus dem Zoologischen Museum in Berlin 7: 153–230.
  • van Achterberg C (1993) Illustrated key to the subfamilies of the Braconidae (Hymenoptera: Ichneumonoidea). Zoologische Verhhandeligen Leiden 283: 1–189.
  • Yu DS, van Achterberg C, Horstmann K (2012) Taxapad 2012–World Ichneumonoidae 2011. Taxonomy, Biology, Morphology and Distribution. On USB flash drive. Ottawa, Ontario, Canada. http://www.taxapad.com
  • Zaldívar-Riverón A, Belokobylskij SA, León-Regagnon V, Briceño-G R, Quicke DLJ (2008) Molecular phylogeny and historical biogeography of the cosmopolitan parasitic wasp subfamily Doryctinae (Hymenoptera: Braconidae). Invertebrate Systematics 22(3): 345–363. doi: 10.1071/IS07028
login to comment