New species of Plesiocoelus van Achterberg and Mesocoelus Schulz (Hymenoptera, Braconidae) from Brazil

Marco Aurélio Bortoni; Angelica Maria Penteado-Días

doi:10.3897/JHR.46.6661

Research Article

New species of Plesiocoelus van Achterberg and Mesocoelus Schulz (Hymenoptera, Braconidae) from Brazil

Marco Aurélio Bortoni^‡, Angelica Maria Penteado-Días^‡

‡ Universidade Federal de São Carlos, São Carlos, Brazil

Corresponding author: Marco Aurélio Bortoni ( marcoabortoni@yahoo.com.br )

Academic editor: Gavin Broad

This is an open access article distributed under the terms of the Creative Commons Attribution License (CC BY 4.0), which permits unrestricted use, distribution, and reproduction in any medium, provided the original author and source are credited.

Citation: Bortoni MA, Penteado-Dias AM (2015) New species of Plesiocoelus van Achterberg and Mesocoelus Schulz (Hymenoptera, Braconidae) from Brazil. Journal of Hymenoptera Research 46: 61-70. https://doi.org/10.3897/JHR.46.6661

ZooBank: urn:lsid:zoobank.org:pub:9F05357C-8B6F-4DF2-AE39-A0536E1B5567

Abstract

Three new species from Brazil, Plesiocoelus anomalus sp. n., P. areolatus sp. n. and Mesocoelus lobatus sp. n., are described and illustrated, and new records for Plesiocoelus bassiformis van Achterberg are also included. A key to the species of both genera is provided.

Keywords

Biodiversity, Ichneumonoidea , Neotropical Fauna, Taxonomy

Introduction

Plesiocoelus bassiformis van Achterberg, 1990 is the type species and the only described species of the genus. It is characterized by the apically reduced fore wing venation and the merging of discal and first submarginal cells. It has been recorded from Colombia, Ecuador and Honduras (Yu et al. 2012). There are no biological data for the genus.

The genus Mesocoelus Schulz, 1918 is recorded from Cuba and Saint Vincent (Yu et al. 2012) and the two known species so far are parasitoids of Acrocercops sp. and Chilocampylla psidiella Busck (Lepidoptera, Gracillariidae) (van Achterberg 1990). It has reduced apical wing venation, as in Plesiocoelus, but differs by the absence of veins 1m-cu and 2RS in the fore wing (Sharkey 2006).

Those morphological similarities led van Achterberg (1990) to revalidate the status of the subtribe Mesocoelina Viereck, also including the genus Aneurobracon Brues, 1930. Despite these similarities the subtribe is not consistent phylogenetically. The clade Aneurobracon + Mesocoelus was not recovered in some analyses in Sharkey et al (2006), but the morphological similarities led the authors to propose them as sister groups (Shakey et al. 2006, 2009). The genus Plesiocoelus was recovered in some analyses as closely related to some clades of Bassus s.l. (Sharkey et al. 2006). The generic concept of Bassus s.l. has gone through changes and split into other genera; now Plesiocoelus is thought to be the sister group of Zacremnops Sharkey & Wharton and Therophilus Wesmael (Sharkey et al. 2009)

In this paper, we describe two new species of Plesiocoelus and a new species of Mesocoelus and we include new distribution records for P. bassiformis. A key to the species of both genera is provided.

Methods

The examined specimens are deposited in the DCBU Collection (Departamento de Ecologia e Biologia Evolutiva da Universidade Federal de São Carlos, São Carlos, SP, Brazil); all were collected in Brazil in the States of Amazonas, Minas Gerais and São Paulo with Malaise traps. The genera were identified using the key by Sharkey (2006) and the species were compared with the description and illustrations in van Achterberg (1990). The morphological terminology follows Wharton (1997), except for “precoxal sulculs” which replaces “sternaulus”. The colour photographs were taken and edited with a Leica® M205C with LAS image software.

Results

Plesiocoelus bassiformis van Achterberg, 1990

Figs 1–4

New record

Plesiocoelus bassiformis is recorded for the first time from Brazil. One female (DCBU 51443) “Bom Repouso, MG, Brasil, Serra dos Garcias, Armadilha Malaise, S22°29'25.6", W46°11'25.8", 04.V.2010, I.F. Melo col.” One female (DCBU 51444) “Ribeirão Grande, SP, Brasil, Pq. Estadual de Intervales, Armadilha Malaise, S24°16'28.8", W48°25'20.6", 22.III.2010, N.W. Perioto e eq. cols.”

Figures 1–4.

Plesiocoelus bassiformis van Achterberg, 1990; 1 Habitus, lateral view 2 Head, frontal view 3 Mesosoma, lateral view 4 Propodeum and T1, dorsal view.

Plesiocoelus anomalus sp. n.

http://zoobank.org/ACECDA73-0CDA-486B-BD0D-0691905BA02D

Figs 5–12

Material examined

Holotype – male. (DCBU 51445) “São Luiz do Paraitinga, SP, Brasil, Pq. Estadual da Serra do Mar, Núcleo Santa Virgínia, 22.XI.2010, Armadilha Malaise, S23°19'27.1", W45°5'38.4", N.W. Periotto e eq. col.”

Description of holotype

Body length: 4.0 mm. Fore wing length: 3.9 mm.

Head. Antenna with 33 segments, whitish setose, length of third segment equal to fourth; length of third, fourth and penultimate segments 3.6, 3.6 and 1.25 times their width, respectively. Maxillary palp with 5 segments and 0.6 times height of head. Length of eye in dorsal view 2.2 times temple. OOL: diameter of ocellus: POL = 15:10:15. Head completely smooth with long whitish setae on lateral parts of face, length of malar space 1.5 times basal width of mandible.

Mesosoma. Length of mesosoma 1.8 times its height. Propleuron sparsely punctate. Pronotum smooth but anteriorly punctate. Mesopleuron smooth, with precoxal sulcus faintly impressed and smooth. Mesonotum smooth, with notauli weakly impressed, crenulate anteriorly and smooth posteriorly. Scutellum smooth. Propodeum areolate.

Fore wing. Mostly infumate and hyaline near apex, length of pterostigma: R1 = 30:40, 1-CU1:2-CU1 = 3:20.

Hind wing. Mostly infumate and hyaline near apex, vein CUb present and tubular, vein 1M widened and with small cell (Fig. 11).

Legs. All legs smooth, length of femur, tibia and basitarsus of hind leg 5.0, 10.7, 8 times their width, respectively. Apex of hind tibia with 15 pegs. Length of hind spur 0.25 times hind basitarsus.

Metasoma. T1 striate, T2 with weakly granulate sculpture, remaining tergites smooth. T1 2.1 times longer than its apical width.

Colour. Head black, except ocelli dark yellow; clypeus, mandible, maxillary and labial palpi and glossa yellow. Mesosoma brown, but propleuron, basal half of pronotum, metanotum, propodeum and ventral margin of metapleuron black. Legs yellow except for brownish to black fore and mid telotarsi; lateral area of hind coxa, hind trochanter, hind trochantellus, base of femur, apex of tibia, hind basitarsus and hind tarsus brownish. Metasoma brown to black, but ventrally yellowish.

Figures 5–12.

Plesiocoelus anomalus sp. n.; 5 Habitus, lateral view 6 Body, dorsal view 7 Head, frontal view 8 Head, mesonotum and scutellum, dorsal view 9 Mesosoma, lateral view 10 Fore wing, arrows indicating vein 2RS and 1m-cu present 11 Vein 1M of hind wing, arrow indicating widened part 12 Propodeum and T1, dorsal view.

Diagnosis

This species differs from all other species of Plesiocoelus by the mostly brown mesosoma, completely yellowish legs and striate T1.

Etymology

This species is named after the unique shape of vein 1M of the hind wing (Fig. 11).

Biology

Unknown.

Distribution

Only known from the type locality in Brazil.

Plesiocoelus areolatus sp. n.

http://zoobank.org/8D4AA3C4-02F6-4937-9864-86DCBD02940C

Figs 13–19

Material examined

Holotype – female. (DCBU 51038) ”Manaus, AM, Brasil, Reserva Km 41, trilha, 24-25-XI-2004, S03°05'07", W60°02'4.92", Armadilha Malaise suspensa, R.B.Q. Silva col.”

Description of holotype

Body length: 4.5 mm. Fore wing length: 3.2 mm

Head. Antenna with 34 segments, whitish setose, length of third segment equal to fourth, length of third, fourth and penultimate segments 3.0, 3.0 and 1.5 times their width, respectively. Maxillary palp with 5 segments and its length 0.5 times height of head. Length of eye in dorsal view 2.1 times temple. OOL: diameter of ocellus: POL = 25:12.5:15. Head completely smooth, with long whitish setae on lateral parts of face, length of malar space 1.5 times basal width of mandible.

Mesosoma. Whitish setose, length of mesosoma 2.0 times its height. Propleuron sparsely punctate. Pronotum smooth, but apical and dorsal sides finely punctate. Mesopleuron smooth, with precoxal sulcus smooth. Mesonotum smooth, with notauli smooth, crenulate anteriorly with apical third joining. Scutellum smooth. Propodeum smooth with large propodeal areola medially.

Fore wing. Infuscate, hyaline apically, length of pterostigma: R1 = 40:70, 1-CU1:2-CU1 = 2:13.

Hind wing. Hyaline, vein CUb present as a very short stub. Vein 1M normal.

Legs. All legs smooth, length of femur, tibia and basitarsus of hind leg 5.0, 10.0, 6.0 times their width, respectively. Length of hind spur 0.5 times length of hind basitarsus.

Metasoma. All terga completely smooth, T1 1.2 times as long as its apical width. Length of ovipositor about 1.4 times fore wing.

Colour. Black, except pedicellus and base of scape dark brown; mandibles, maxillary and labial palps yellowish; fore and mid legs dark brown, hind leg dark brown with femur orange brownish and tibial spurs yellowish. Tegula brownish. Metasoma ventrally yellowish, ovipositor sheath dark brown.

Figures 13–19.

Plesiocoelus areolatus sp. n.; 13 Habitus, lateral view 14 Head, frontal view 15 Head, mesonotum and scutellum, dorsal view; 16, Mesosoma, lateral view 17 Fore tarsus 18 Hind tarsus 19 Propodeum and T1, dorsal view.

Diagnosis

This species is closely related to Plesiocoelus bassiformis but it differs by the anteriorly crenulate notauli, the completely smooth precoxal sulcus, the larger propodeal areola (covering most of the length of the propodeum) and the longer ovipositor sheath (about 1.4 times fore wing).

Etymology

This species is named after the large propodeal areola.

Biology

Unknown.

Distribution

Only known from the type locality in Brazil.

Mesocoelus lobatus sp. n.

http://zoobank.org/25795B99-0CE1-425F-9235-F78E86441F9C

Figs 20–26

Material examined

Holotype – female. (DCBU 51446) “Palestina, SP, Brasil, Faz. Boa Vista, S20°17'18", W49°30'01", 18.VIII.2008, Armadilha Malaise, Noll, F. e eq. col.”

Description of holotype

Body length: 2.8 mm. Fore wing length: 2.7 mm.

Head. Antenna with 25 segments, whitish setose, length of third segment equal to fourth, length of third, fourth and penultimate segments 2.0, 2.0 and 1.2 times their width, respectively. Maxillary palp with 5 segments and its length 0.7 times height of head. Length of eye in dorsal view 2.2 times temple. OOL: diameter of ocellus: POL = 25:10:20. Head completely smooth with long whitish setae on lateral parts of face; length of malar space 1.5 times basal width of mandible.

Mesosoma. Length of mesosoma 2.0 times its height. Propleuron sparsely punctate. Pronotum smooth. Mesopleuron smooth, with precoxal sulcus smooth. Mesonotum smooth, with notauli crenulate anteriorly and smooth posteriorly, joining at apical third. Scutellum smooth. Propodeum rugose medially, apically faintly rugulose and with median longitudinal carina.

Fore wing. Hyaline, length of pterostigma: R1 = 40:70, 1-CU1:2-CU1 = 2:13.

Hind wing. Hyaline.

Legs. All legs smooth, length of femur, tibia and basitarsus of hind leg 5.0, 10.0, 6.0 times their width, respectively. Length of hind spur 0.25 times hind basitarsus. Tarsal claws with a basal lobe.

Metasoma. T1 striate, remainder of metasoma smooth. T1 length 1.1 times its apical width. Length of ovipositor sheath about 2.0 times hind tibia.

Colour. Black, except antenna dark brown; mandible, maxillary and labial palpi yellowish. Fore and mid legs yellowish with coxae and telotarsi brown. Hind leg dark brown. Metasoma ventrally yellowish, ovipositor sheath dark brown.

Figures 20–26.

Mesocoelus lobatus sp. n.; 20 Habitus, lateral view 21 Head, frontal view 22 Head, mesonotum and scutellum, dorsal view 23 Mesosoma, lateral view 24 Wings, arrows indicating veins 2RS and 1m-cu absent 25 Hind tarsus 26 Propodeum and T1, dorsal view.

Diagnosis

This species differs from the two previously described species by the presence of notauli on the mesoscutum and the mid and hind tarsal claws with basal lobes.

Etymology

This species is named after the presence of tarsal lobes

Biology

Unknown.

Distribution

Only known from the type locality in Brazil.

Key to species of Mesocoelus and Plesiocoelus

(modified from Sharkey 2006 and van Achterberg 1990).

1	Discal and first submarginal cells of fore wing combined, closed by veins 1m-cu and 2RS (Fig. 10)	2
–	Discal and first submarginal cells of fore wing open, veins 1m-cu and 2RS absent (Fig. 24)	4
2	Vein 1M of hind wing widened and with a small cell (Fig. 11). Mesosoma mostly brown (Figs 6, 8, 9). Hind femur yellow. T1 striate (Fig. 12)	P. anomalus sp. n.
–	Vein 1M of hind wing normal. Mesosoma black (Figs 3, 15, 16). Hind femur black or brownish. T1 smooth or punctate (Figs 4, 19)	3
3	Propodeum with a large areola medially (Fig. 19). Ovipositor sheath about 1.4 times as long as fore wing. Notauli crenulate anteriorly. Precoxal sulcus smooth posteriorly	P. areolatus sp. n.
–	Propodeum mostly rugose medially and without distinct areola (Fig. 4). Ovipositor sheath about 0.8 times as long as fore wing. Notauli completely smooth. Precoxal sulcus crenulate posteriorly	P. bassiformis van Achterberg
4	Mesonotum with notauli present (crenulate anteriorly and smooth posteriorly; Fig. 22). Mid and hind tarsal claws with basal lobes (Fig. 25)	M. lobatus sp. n.
–	Mesonotum without notauli. Mid and hind tarsal claws simple, without basal lobes	5
5	Mesoscutum with round depression medio-posteriorly. Hind basitarsus about 5 times as long as wide. Epistomal suture absent medially. Hind leg largely yellowish. Ovipositor sheath as long as hind tibia. Area between antennal sockets evenly convex	M. laeviceps (Ashmead)
–	Mesoscutum without round depression medio-posteriorly. Hind basitarsus about 9 times its width. Epistomal suture shallowly impressed medially. Hind leg largely dark brown or blackish. Ovipositor sheath about 0.8 times as long as hind tibia. Area between antennal sockets with a pair of weak crests	M. acrocercopsis Muesebeck

Acknowledgments

The authors are grateful to CAPES, CNPq, FAPESP and INCT-Hympar Sudeste for providing funds and scholarship, to Instituto Florestal for providing collects permits and to Luciana B. Reis Fernandes for her assistance with the photographs.

References

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