Research Article |
Corresponding author: Sergey A. Belokobylskij ( doryctes@gmail.com ) Academic editor: Vladimir Gokhman
© 2021 Sergey A. Belokobylskij, Dmitry A. Dubovikoff, Andranik R. Manukyan, Dmitry M. Zharkov.
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:
Belokobylskij SA, Dubovikoff DA, Manukyan AR, Zharkov DM (2021) Braconid parasitoids of ants (Hymenoptera, Braconidae, Euphorinae, Neoneurini) from Baltic amber with a discussion of records of fossil larvae parasitizing ant workers. In: Proshchalykin MYu, Gokhman VE (Eds) Hymenoptera studies through space and time: A collection of papers dedicated to the 75th anniversary of Arkady S. Lelej. Journal of Hymenoptera Research 84: 29-43. https://doi.org/10.3897/jhr.84.67749
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A new record of the fossil genus Elasmosomites Brues, 1933 from Baltic amber with an illustrated description of a new species, E. arkadyleleji sp. nov. and the first description of a male of E. primordialis Brues, 1933 are provided. A key to currently known Neoneurini genera is compiled. A new record of fossil braconid larva emerging from an ant worker of Lasius schiefferdeckeri Mayr, 1868 is discussed and a correction to previous determination of ant hosts from amber is included.
ants, descriptions, fossils, Ichneumonoidea, new male, new species, parasitoid of adult ants
The subfamily Euphorinae is a very diverse group of mostly koinobiont braconid wasps featuring a wide spectrum of host orders and their immature stages used for infestation and development of both larval and adult stages within the host (
A detailed discussion of recorded fossil Euphorinae genera and species was provided by
Two interesting discoveries from Baltic amber include extinct taxa with unknown biologies (
The specialised and isolated euphorine tribe Neoneurini is represented by a single extinct genus Elasmosomites Brues, 1933 (with type species E. primordialis Brues, 1933) (
This article provides an illustrated description of the female of a new species of Elasmosomites and the first description of the male of E. primordialis Brues from Baltic amber. It also gives details of the second known record of an amber inclusion of a braconid larva emerging from an ant worker, and provides the correct determination of its host.
Baltic amber is the most famous and most diverse deposit of fossil insects of the Late Eocene age (33.9±0.1–37.2±0.1 Mya) (
During the present study, braconid specimens were examined using an Olympus SZ51 stereomicroscope. Photographs were obtained using a Canon EOS 70D digital camera mounted on an Olympus SZX10 microscope (Zoological Institute RAS, St Petersburg). A Leica M205C stereo microscope was used for photography and morphological analysis of the worker ant with an emerged larva. Subsequent image processing was performed using Helicon Focus Pro 7 software and Krita 4.4.2. Final plates were prepared in Adobe Photoshop CS6 and Inkscape 1.0.2. The X-ray micro-CT study of the ant with the emerged braconid larva was conducted at St. Petersburg University using a SkyScan1172 system. The specimen was CT scanned at 40 kV and 0.21 mA, generating a resolution of 1.99 μm pixel size and output of 2800 × 2800 pixels per slice. CT scan data were imported to the software Amira 8.0 (FEI-VSG Company) for interactive segmentation and 3D visualization.
The terminology employed for morphological features, sculpture and body measurements follows
The material used for this study is deposited in the collection of the Kaliningrad Museum of Amber (KAM; Russia), except for the specimen with the parasitoid larva (
Family Braconidae Nees, 1811
Subfamily Euphorinae Foerster, 1863
Elasmosomites primordialis Brues, 1933, by monotypy.
Elasmosomites is a monotypic fossil genus of the euphorine tribe Neoneurini. The genus and type species were described by
Head dorsally transversely striate; mesoscutum densely punctate, mesopleuron mainly smooth. Fine occipital carina present at least laterally. Anterior angle of ocellar triangle obtuse. Maxillary palpus relatively long and slender, with 6 segments; labial palpus short, perhaps with 3 segments; labrum rather large. Female antenna with 14 segments (male one with 16 segments), segments of flagellum relatively long; scape distinctly longer than pedicel, pedicel not widened apically; third antennal segment longer than scape and fourth segment. Transverse scuto-scutellar suture on mesoscutum absent; scutellar sulcus (prescutellar depression) relatively narrow, slightly curved and sparsely crenulate. Notauli and precoxal sulcus absent. Prepectal carina present laterally, absent ventrally. Radial (marginal) cell of fore wing strongly shortened, widely open apically, without additional transverse vein. Metacarp (1-R1) shorter than length of pterostigma. Three abscissae of radial vein (r, 3-SR and SR1) present; third abscissa (SR1) sclerotised (tubular) only in basal half and spectral in apical half. Second radiomedial (submarginal) cell small and pentagonal. Recurrent vein (m-cu) postfurcal to first radiomedial vein (2-SR). Discoidal (discal) cell with long petiole (1-SR). Mediocubital vein (M+CU1) almost straight, tubular but unsclerotised and not pigmented. Nervulus (cu-a) slightly inclivous. Brachial vein (CU1b) absent; brachial (subdiscal) cell open distally. Hind wing with 3 hamuli; with distinct plical lobe, anteriorly separated by a deep and narrow gap. Fore coxa enlarged, but distinctly shorter than hind coxa. Outer and inner spurs of female hind tibia slightly longer than hind basitarsus and acute apically. Fore tibia and its spur unmodified. Trochantelli of all legs distinctly differentiated from femora. Hind tarsus shorter than hind tibia. Dorsope of first metasomal tergite present but small. Female hypopygium not far retracted, apically truncate, without medial depression or long setae (hardly visible); male one medio-posteriorly with very deep and narrow split. Ovipositor sheath narrow and distinctly protruding behind tip of metasoma.
(Updated after
1 | Antenna of female robust, with 12 segments (that of male with 14–15 segments). Scape shorter than pedicel; third antennal segment shorter than fourth segment. Nervulus (cu-a) and metacarp (1-SRl) of fore wing absent. Outer or inner spurs of female hind tibia usually truncate apically. South Palaearctic | Kollasmosoma van Achterberg & Argaman |
– | Antenna of both sexes more slender, with 13–22 segments. Scape longer than pedicel; third antennal segment about as long as or longer than fourth segment. Nervulus (cu-a) and metacarp (1-SRl) of fore wing present at least basally. Spurs of hind tibia of both sexes apically acute | 2 |
2 | Hind wing without closed cells. Female antenna with 13 segments, male one with 14 segments; female antenna shorter than head and mesosoma combined, but male antenna slightly longer. Nervulus (cu-a) of fore wing strongly reclivous. Holarctic | Elasmosoma Ruthe |
– | Hind wing with two closed cells. Female antenna with 14–16 segments, male one with 16–22 segments; antenna of both sexes longer than head and mesosoma combined. Nervulus (cu-a) of fore wing subvertical to moderately reclivous | 3 |
3 | Female antenna with 14 segments, male one with 16 segments. Metacarp (1-R1) of fore wing long, completely closing radial (marginal) cell anteriorly. First abscissa of radial vein (r) distinctly longer than second abscissa (3-SR). First medial abscissa (1-SR+M) entirely sclerotised. Occipital and prepectal carinae present laterally, but fine. Eocene, fossil | Elasmosomites Brues |
– | Female antenna with 15–16 segments, male one with 18–22 segments. Metacarp (1-R1) of fore wing short, not closing radial (marginal) cell at long distance anteriorly. First abscissa of radial vein (r) not longer than second abscissa (3-SR). First medial abscissa (1-SR+M) usually desclerotised in distal half. Occipital and prepectal carina completely absent | 4 |
4 | Radial (marginal) cell of fore wing closed subapically by vertical additional vein (SRl). Antenna of both sexes with 16 segments; (very) slender, especially apically. Mesoscutum (rugulose-) coriaceous. Fore femur and tibia of female more or less compressed and sparsely setose; fore coxa enlarged, about as long as hind coxa. Holarctic | Neoneurus Haliday |
– | Radial (marginal) cell of fore wing open apically and without vertical additional vein (SRl). Female antenna with 15 segments (unknown in Euneoneurus), male one with 18–22 segments (unknown in Parelasmosoma), antenna less slender. Mesoscutum coarsely punctate. Fore femur and tibia of female unmodified; fore coxa unmodified, shorter than hind coxa. Central Palaearctic | 5 |
5 | Palpi rather slender, at most somewhat flattened. Maxillary palpus with 3 segments. Scutellar sulcus curved and crenulate laterally. First abscissa of medial vein (1-SR+M) (except its base) and recurrent vein (m-cu) of fore wing unsclerotised. Apical costal abscissae (veins SC+Rl and Rl) of hind wing indistinct. Uzbekistan | Euneoneurus Tobias & Yuldashev |
– | Palpi rather strongly flattened, lamelliform. Maxillary palpus with 2 segments. Scutellar sulcus straight and obsolescent laterally. First abscissa of medial vein (1-SR+M) and recurrent vein (m-cu) of fore wing completely sclerotised. Apical costal abscissae (veins SC+Rl and Rl) of hind wing present. Uzbekistan | Parelasmosoma Tobias & Yuldashev |
Holotype : female, Eocene Baltic amber, # BX 9/21.1 (KAM).
Elasmosomites arkadyleleji sp. nov. (female, holotype, Baltic amber, # BX 9/21.1) A habitus, dorsal view B habitus, ventral view C antenna D head and mesosoma, dorsal view E head, mesosoma and legs, ventral view F metasoma and distal part of fore wing, dorsal view J metasoma, middle and hind legs, ventral view H fore wing.
Female. Body length 2.0 mm, fore wing length 1.6 mm.
Head : Relatively short and transverse in dorsal view, about 2.5 times wider than medial length. Vertex densely transverse striate. Ocelli slightly enlarged, arranged in obtuse triangle with base 1.7 times its sides. POL about 1.6 times OD. Eye oval, approximately 1.4 times as high as broad, below slightly converging to each other. Transverse diameter of eye about 2.5 times length of temple. Malar suture invisible. Malar space short, about 0.3 times eye height. Face slightly convex, without facial tubercles and spines, its minimum width 0.8 times medial height with clypeus, 0.7 times eye height. Clypeus distinctly curvedly emarginated on lower margin, short, its width about 6.0 times maximum height medially, almost equal to width of face. Mandible and palps not visible. Face seemingly entirely smooth.
Antenna : Slightly thickened, 14-segmented, with short and rather sparse dark setosity, about 0.7 times as long as body. Scape 1.8 times longer than maximum width, about 2.2 times longer than pedicel. Length of first flagellar segment 3.7 times its maximum apical width, 1.3 times length of scape, 1.3 times length of second segment. Length of penultimate segment 1.9 times its width, 0.7 times length of acuminate apical segment.
Mesosoma : Length of mesosoma 1.6 times its maximum width. Mesoscutum 1.4 times wider than its median length, seemingly densely punctate with submedian longitudinal carina in posterior third. Prescutellar depression (scutal sulcus) relatively short, with at least two distinct submedian carinae and slightly sparsely and finely crenulate. Scutellum slightly convex, about as long as wide anteriorly, seemingly slightly punctate. Mesopleuron not visible. Prepectal carina seemingly absent. Mesosoma densely and finely granulate below.
Wings : Fore wing 2.7 times longer than its maximum width, its membrane entirely and densely setose. Costal vein (C+SC+R) distinctly thickened, clearly widened towards apex. Short and vestigial costal cell present distally. Pterostigma wide and relatively short, triangular, 2.3 times longer than its maximum width. Metacarp (1-R1) distinctly and entirely sclerotised, 0.8 times as long as pterostigma. Radial vein (r) arising from basal 0.3 of pterostigma. Radial (marginal) cell distinctly shortened, 3.7 times longer than its maximum width, without additional transverse vein. First radial abscissa (r) long and vertical to pterostigma, 0.6 times as long as maximum width of pterostigma. Second radial abscissa (3-SR) short, 0.8 times as long as first abscissa (r), 0.12 times as long as almost straight third abscissa (SR1), 0.7 times as long as first radiomedial vein (2-SR). Third radial abscissa (SR1) almost complete, but well sclerotised only in basal 0.5 and desclerotised in remaining apical part. Second radiomedial (submarginal) cell rather small, completely delineated by almost entirely sclerotised veins, 1.4 times longer than wide. Second radiomedial vein (r-m) straight, subvertical, desclerotised medially, 0.9 times as long as first radiomedial vein (2-SR). Discoidal (discal) cell with relatively long petiole (1-SR) anteriorly, 1.4 times longer than maximum height; petiole (1-SR) not thickened; parastigma enlarged. First medial abscissa (1-SR+M) almost straight. Recurrent vein (m-cu) short, strongly postfurcal, about 1.5 times longer than second medial abscissa (2-SR+M), 0.9 times as long as first radiomedial vein (2-SR) and second radial abscissa (3-SR). Nervulus (cu-a) strongly postfurcal, distance (1-CU1) between nervulus (cu-a) and basal vein (1-M) equal to nervulus (cu-a) length. Parallel vein (CU1a) distinctly broken basally. Hind wing not visible.
Legs : Fore coxa subglobular. Trochantelli short and distinctly separated from femora on all legs. Fore femur rather wide, almost 3.0 times longer than wide, without tooth. Fore tibia without protuberances or processes, distinctly widened towards apex, its length 4.7 times maximum width. Fore tarsus slightly longer than fore tibia. Fore tibial spur almost straight, about 0.8 times as long as fore basitarsus. Tarsal segments of middle leg elongate. Hind femur wide, elongate-oval, about 2.8 times longer than its maximum width. Hind tibia distinctly widened towards apex, about 6.0 times longer than maximum width, 1.1 times longer than femur, 0.9 times as long as hind tarsus. Both spurs of hind tibia acute apically, longest spur about as long as hind basitarsus. Hind tarsus relatively slender, all its segments of similar width and not narrowed towards apex.
Metasoma : Almost twice longer than maximum width, 1.3 times longer than mesosoma; its sculpture and pubescence not visible (dorsally covered by wings). First tergite distinctly widened towards apex; its median length about 0.8 times maximum distal width. Segments behind third one distinctly projected; any sutures, if present, not visible. Sternites with distinct median keel. Ovipositor relatively short, its sheath with dense short setae, 0.4 times as long as hind tibia, about 0.2 times as long as metasoma.
Colour : Body reddish brown, with a few dark spots, metasoma in posterior half pale brown. Fore and middle legs yellowish brown, hind leg reddish brown. Wings faintly and evenly infuscate; pterostigma dark brown medially and paler basally and apically.
Male. Unknown.
The new species differs from the type species E. primordialis Brues, 1933, by having the body mainly reddish brown and metasoma in posterior half pale brown (entirely black in E. primordialis), antenna basally distinctly pale (entirely black in E. primordialis), fore and middle legs yellowish brown (almost black or dark brown in E. primordialis), length of first flagellar segment 3.7 times its maximum width (2.8 times in E. primordialis), recurrent vein (m-cu) of fore wing longer, about 1.5 times longer than second medial abscissa (2-SR+M) (shorter, not longer than second medial abscissa (2-SR+M) in E. primordialis).
This species is named in honour of Professor Arkady Stepanovich Lelej, the well-known Russian hymenopterist, dedicated in celebration of his 75th birthday.
Most extant species of the tribe Neoneurini are predominantly black in colour, only sometimes legs entirely pale or with a contrasting black and white pattern. Elasmosomites arkadyleleji sp. nov. is the first species of the Neoneurini with mainly reddish brown body.
1 male, Eocene Baltic amber, # BX 9/21.2 (KAM).
Body length 2.5 mm, fore wing length 1.7 mm.
Head : Short and transverse in dorsal view. Occipital carina laterally present but fine, below reaching lower margin of head, perhaps independently from hypostomal carina. Ocelli slightly enlarged, arranged in obtuse triangle with base about 1.5 times its sides. POL about 2.0 times OD. Eyes enlarged, slightly converging ventrally. Malar suture absent. Malar space short, about 0.5 times basal width of mandible. Face convex, without facial tubercles and bristles. Mandible rather long, narrow, slightly twisted, with two pointed teeth, upper tooth distinctly longer than lower tooth. Maxillary palpus rather long and slender, 6-segmented, its second segment slightly thickened. Labial palpus short, perhaps 3-segmented, but third segment very short and subglobular. Vertex and frons with distinct and dense transverse and slightly curved striae. Temple relatively wide and distinctly punctate.
Antenna : Relatively long, slightly thickened, 16-segmented, with short and very dense pale setosity, about 0.6 times as long as body. Scape longer than pedicel. Length of first flagellar segment 2.7 times its maximum apical width, 1.4 times length of second segment. Length of penultimate segment 1.7 times its width, 0.8 times length of acuminate apical segment.
Mesosoma : Mesoscutum about 1.2 times wider than its median length, distinctly and densely punctate with very short and fine submedian longitudinal carina posteriorly. Prescutellar depression (scutal sulcus) relatively short, with several sparse crenulae. Scutellum slightly convex, weakly and sparsely punctate. Mesopleuron slightly convex, mainly smooth in the middle, with fine and sparse marginal punctation. Prepectal carina present and distinct laterally, absent ventrally. Prepectus distinctly rugulose-reticulate. Subalar depression slightly concave, narrow, areolate with oblique transverse striae. Posterior mesopleural suture shallow, narrow and distinctly crenulate. Mesosternal sulcus narrow but distinct and rugose. Metapleuron anteriorly with subvertical crenulate depression, mainly rugose-areolate and with additional reticulation; metapleural lower process short, wide and nearly round distally.
Wings : Fore wing 2.6 times longer than its maximum width, with its membrane entirely and densely setose. Costal vein distinctly thickened, clearly widened towards apex. Short and vestigial costal cell present distally. Pterostigma wide and relatively short, triangular, 2.5 times longer than median width. Metacarp (1-R1) distinctly and entirely sclerotised, 0.8 times as long as pterostigma. Radial vein (r) arising from basal 0.3 of pterostigma. Radial (marginal) cell distinctly shortened, about 3.0 times longer than its maximum width. First radial abscissa (r) long and subvertical to pterostigma, 0.7 times as long as maximum width of pterostigma. Second radial abscissa (3-SR) short, 0.7 times as long as first abscissa (r), 0.5 times as long as sclerotised part of third abscissa (SR1) and 0.15 times as long as almost straight complete third abscissa (SR1), almost equal to first radiomedial vein (2-SR). Second radiomedial (submarginal) cell rather small, completely delineated by sclerotised veins, 1.7 times longer than wide. Second radiomedial vein (r-m) almost straight, slightly oblique, almost as long as first radiomedial vein (2-SR). Discoidal (discal) cell with relatively long petiole (1-SR) anteriorly, 1.6 times longer than its maximum height; parastigma enlarged. First medial abscissa (1-SR+M) very slightly sinuate. Recurrent vein (m-cu) relatively short, distinctly postfurcal, 2.5 times longer than second medial abscissa (2-SR+M), almost as long as first radiomedial vein (2-SR), about as long as second radial abscissa (3-SR). Nervulus (cu-a) distinctly postfurcal, distance (1-CU1) between nervulus (cu-a) and basal vein (1-M) 1.2 times nervulus (cu-a) length. Parallel vein (CU1a) distinctly broken basally. Hind wing poorly preserved, with 3 hamuli; its posterior margin with distinct narrow split in basal third.
Legs : Fore coxa subglobular. Short trochantellus distinctly separated in all legs. Fore femur relatively narrow, 2.8 times longer than wide, apically without tooth. Fore tibia without protuberances or processes, distinctly widened towards apex, its length 5.0 times maximum width in lateral view. Fore tarsus about as long as fore tibia. Fore tibial spur slightly curved, 0.7 times as long as fore basitarsus and 0.2 times as long as fore tibia. Tarsal segments of middle leg elongate. Hind coxa dorsally slightly concave submedially, distinctly and densely punctate, evenly convex anteriorly. Hind femur wide, elongate-oval, 3.3 times longer than its maximum width. Hind tibia distinctly widened towards apex, 4.5 times longer than maximum apical width, 1.1 times longer than femur, about as long as hind tarsus. Both spurs of hind tibia acute apically, longest spur 0.8 times as long as hind basitarsus. Hind tarsus slender, all its segments of similar width and not narrowed towards apex. All tarsal claws slender and simple.
Metasoma : About 3.0 times longer than maximum width, almost as long as mesosoma and head combined, seemingly entirely smooth and bare, only with sparse short setae in posterior thirds of third and following tergites, with spiracles situated almost at the middle of lateral parts of tergites, without separated laterotergites. First tergite widened towards apex. Suture between second and third tergites absent. Median length of second and third tergites combined about 1.3 times distal width of third tergite. Segments behind third one distinctly projected.
Colour : Body entirely black. Tegula dark brown. Wings faintly and evenly infuscate; pterostigma entirely dark brown.
The differences between both known species of the genus Elasmosomites are given previously after the description of the new species.
A worker of the ant Lasius schiefferdeckeri Mayr, 1868 (Baltic amber) with emerging larva of an Elasmosomites species A general view, right side B general view, left side C gastral apex of the ant with Elasmosomites larva D micro-CT reconstruction showing the position of the parasitoid larva inside the ant.
The actual evidence of parasitic lifestyle of Hymenoptera is quite rare in the fossil record despite the rather numerous discoveries of the parasitoid adults. The first record of a hymenopterous parasitoid larva emerging from the metasoma of a worker ant (the phenomenon of imagobiosis:
However, our re-examination of the ant fossil presented in the publication by
Almost 20 years after the publication of the article (
Extant members of the tribe Neoneurini are mainly known as parasitoids of worker ants of the genus Formica Linnaeus, 1758, and more rarely of Camponotus Mayr, 1861, Cataglyphis Foerster, 1850, Lasius Fabricius, 1804 and Polyergus Latreille, 1804 (all from the subfamily Formicinae), whereas for fossil members of the genus Elasmosomites, hosts belonging to the genera Ctenobethylus
We don’t know much about hosts of this tribe, and the discoveries in fossils that allow us to establish a host-parasitoid relationship of extinct taxa are extremely rare. However, based on the existing two findings, and the available data on the hosts of extant species, it is possible to assume a wider range of hosts for the genus Elasmosomites during the Late Eocene. In addition to the two common species mentioned above, it could also be quite numerous in European Late Eocene amber representatives (as potential hosts) of the genera Formica (Formicinae) and Yantaromyrmex Dlussky & Dubovikoff, 2013 (Dolichoderinae), such as F. flori Mayr, 1868 and Y. geinitzi (Mayr, 1868).
We are sincerely grateful to Artur Michalski (Poland) for the material provided for the study and Madeline Pankowski (Rockville, Maryland, USA) for improving the English. The authors are also very thankful to Prof. Michael J. Sharkey (Redlands, USA), Prof. Cornelis van Achterberg (Leiden, the Netherlands), Dr. Julia Stigenberg (Stockholm, Sweden) and Dr. Vladimir E. Gokhman (Moscow, Russia) for their very useful suggestions for the first version of the manuscript.
The photographs and micro-CT data of the fossil ant with a braconid larva were taken using the equipment of the Science Park of St. Petersburg State University (Resource Centers “Microscopy and Microanalysis” (project No. 112–11405) and “Centre for X-ray Diffraction Studies” (projects No. 103–21316 and 103–11527). The article was made with support from the Ministry of Science and Higher Education of the Russian Federation in accordance with agreement No. 075–15–2020–922 date 16.11.2020 on providing a grant in the form of subsidies from the Federal Budget of the Russian Federation. The grant was provided for state support for the creation and development of a World-class Scientific Center “Agrotechnologies for the Future” for DAD.