Bracon (Glabrobracon) parvulus Wesmael, 1838

Figs 31 A-L, 32A-C

Braco parvulus Wesmael, 1838: 55 ♀♁ (type material: 1 ♀ + 3 ♁♁, 1 ♁ lost), type locality: “environs de Bruxelles ” (Belgium), ♀ lectotype (and two ♁ paralectotypes, present designations) in the Royal Belgian Institute of Natural Sciences, Brussels; examined.

Bracon fumipennis Thomson, 1894: 1808 (under the name “fuscipennis”: junior homonym of Braco fuscipennis Wesmael, 1838) and 1859 (“fumipennis” new name for B. fuscipennis Thomson) ♀ ♁, type locality: Lapland, Sweden, ♀ lectotype (and one ♀ + one ♁ paralectotypes) in Zoologisk Museum, Lund; examined.

Bracon thomsoni Marshall, 1897: 51 (new name for B. fuscipennis Thomson nec Wesmael, unnecessary emendation).

Bracon parvulus – Szépligeti 1901: 270 (in key, in Hungarian); 1904 (1901): 190 (in key, in German).

Bracon (Glabrobracon) parvulus – Fahringer 1927: 300 (♀), 309 (♁) (in key) and 1928: 480 (redescription), assigned to “Section Glabrobracon ”. — Telenga 1936: 181 (as synonym of B. atrator, in Russian). — Shenefelt 1978: 1558 (as synonym of B. atrator after Dalla Torre 1898: 259, literature up to 1962). — Papp 2000: 233 (in key and 258 (redescription, taxonomy).

Bracon fumipennis – Szépligeti 1901 and 1904 (1901): not mentioned. — Telenga 1936: 149 (♀), 157 (♁) (in key), 207 (redescription) (in Russian) and 351 (♀), 359 (♁) (in key, in German). — Papp 1966: 378 (as B. obscurator ab. fumipennis), 1969: 203 (designations of the lectotype and two paralectotypes, synonymization). — Shenefelt 1978: 1575 (as B. obscurator ab. fumipennis after Papp 1966, literature up to 1974). — Tobias 1986: 131 (as valid species in key, in Russian). — Papp 2000: 258 (as synonym of B. parvulus). — Tobias & Belokobylskij 2000: as valid species 140 (in key, in Russian).

Designation of the ♀ lectotype of Bracon parvulus

(First label, printed) “Coll Wesmael”; (second label, printed) “2078”; (third label, printed red) “Type”; (fourth label) “ Braco parvulus mihi ♀ ” (handwriting) “dét. C. Wesmael” (printed); (fifth label, handwriting) “ Belgique / Bruxelles ” (label attached by me); sixth label is the lectotype card. - Lectotyped is in good condition: pinned by the mesosoma (pin fairly thick).

Designation of the two ³ paralectotypes of Bracon parvulus

(First label, printed) “Coll. Wesmael”); (second label, printed) “2077”; (third label) “ Braco parvulus mihi ♁” (handwriting) “dét. Wesmael” (printed); (fourth label, handwriting) “ Belgique / Bruxelles ” (label attached by me); fifth labels are the paralectotype cards. Paralectotypes are in good condition: (1) micropinned by mesosoma (pin thick); (2) right flagellum distally deficient (1 ♁); (3) right hind wing missing (1 ♁); (4) right hind leg, except coxa, missing (1 ♁).

Taxonomic remark

The two ♁ paralectotypes are representing the species Bracon delibator Haliday, 1833 viewing their long maxillar palp etc., present emendation, fifth label on paralectotypes with this actual name too.

Designation of the types

♀ lectotype and one ♀ + one ♁ paralectotypes of Bracon fumipennis Thomson were presented in Papp 1969: 203. Lectotype is in good condition: (1) pinned by mesosoma; (2) ultimate two flagellomeres missing. Two paralectotypes are also in good condition: (1) glued on a pointed card by anterior sternites (♀) and by oral part of head + mesosternum (♁); (2) left flagellum missing (♀), right fore leg, except coxa + trochanters, missing (♀); fore pair of legs less visible owing to the mounting (♁); (3) wings apically somewhat creased (♀)4

Material examined

57 ♀♀ + 16 ♁♁ from sixteen countries: IRELAND: 2 ♀♀ from one locality. ENGLAND: 3 ♀♀ from three localities. SWEDEN: 3 ♀♀ from three localities. FRANCE: 3 ♀♀ from three localities. GERMANY: 3 ♀♀ + 2 ♁♁ from three localities. AUSTRIA 1 ♁. SWITZERLAND: 1 ♁. SLOVAKIA: 3 ♀♀ +1 ♁ from four localities. HUNGARY: 30 ♀♀ + 5 ♁♁ from 24 localities. ROMANIA: 3 ♀♀ from three localities. SPAIN: 1 ♁. SERBIA: 1 ♁. CROATIA: 4 ♀♀ + 1 ♁ from one locality. TURKEY: 3 ♀♀ + 1 ♁ from three localities. ARMENIA: 2 ♁♁ from two localities. GEORGIA: 1 ♀.

Redescription of the ♀ lectotype of Bracon parvulus (Fig. 31 A-I; 32B)

A redescription of this species was given earlier (Papp 2000: 258) based on 72 ♀ specimens. The present redescription is confined to the ♀ lectotype.

LENGTH. Body 2 mm long.

ANTENNAE. About three-fourths as long as body and with 19 antennomeres. First flagellomere twice and penultimate flagellomere also twice as long as broad, flagellum distally attenuating (Fig. 31A).

HEAD. In dorsal view (Fig. 31B) transverse, 1.8 times as broad as long, eye twice longer than temple, temple rounded, occiput weakly excavated. Eye in lateral view almost twice as high as wide and temple just wider than eye, temple beyond eye evenly wide (Fig. 31C, see arrows). Horizontal diameter of oral opening somewhat longer than shortest distance between opening and eye (Fig. 31D). Head polished.

MESOSOMA. In lateral view stout (Fig. 32A), 1.3 times as long as high, polished. Notaulix more or less distinct on dorsal or horizontal part of mesoscutum (or a sulciform dessication?). Propodeum entirely polished.

LEGS. Hind femur 3.3 times as long as broad somewhat distally (Fig. 31E). Claw downcurved and with a distinct small basal lobe (Fig. 31F).

WINGS. Forewing somewhat longer than body. Pterostigma (Fig. 31G) 2.7 times as long as wide, issuing r proximally from its middle and 0.6 times as long as width of pterostigma; second submarginal cell of usual length, 3-SR somewhat longer than 2-SR; SR1 straight, 2.3 times as long as 3-SR and reaching tip of wing. First discal cell less high, 1-M 1.7 times as long as m-cu, 1-SR-M straight and 1.2 times as long as 1-M (Fig. 31H).

TERGITES. First tergite (Fig. 31I) 1.4 times as long as broad behind, beyond pair of spiracles with just converging sides. Second tergite nearly three times as broad behind as long and as long as third tergite; suture between tergites 2-3 faintly bisinuate, deep, smooth (Fig. 31I). Every tergite polished. Hypopygium of usual size and pointed; ovipositor sheath long, twice as long as hind tibia + tarsus combined (Fig. 32B).

COLOUR. Body brownish black. Antenna brownish black. Tegulae brownish black. Legs brownish black to dark brown. Wings weakly brownish fumous, pterostigma and veins light brownish.

Redescription of the ♀ lectotype of Bracon fumipennis (Fig. 31 J-L)

Similar to the ♀ lectotype of B. parvulus Wesmael. Body 2.8 mm long. Antenna somewhat shorter than body and with 21 antennomeres. Head in dorsal view 1.9 times as broad as long, temple more rounded (Fig. 31J). Hind femur 3.8 times as long as broad medially, nearly parallel-sided (Fig. 31K). Pterostigma 2.8 times as long as wide. First tergite 1.3 times as long as broad behind, beyond pair of spiracles with slightly converging sides (Fig. 31L).

Redescription of the ♀ paralectotype of Bracon fumipennis

Similar to the ♀ lectotype of B. fumipennis . Body 2.7 mm long. Antenna with 21 antennomeres. Head in dorsal view 1.75 times as broad as long, temple rounded. Hind femur 3.1 times as long as broad medially. Ovipositor sheath less than twice as long as hind tibia + tarsus combined.

Redescription of the ³ paralectotype of Bracon fumipennis (Fig. 31E, L)

Similar to the ♀ types of B. fumipennis . Body 2.8 mm long. Antenna as long as body and with 24 antennomeres. Head in dorsal view 1.7 times as broad as long. Hind femur 3.3 times as long as broad distally (Fig. 31E). First tergite 1.4 times as long as broad behin, beyond pair of spiracles with just converging sides (Fig. 31L). Sternites pale yellow.

Variable features of the ♀ (57 ♀♀) (Fig. 31I, J; 32C)

Similar to the ♀ lectotype of Bracon parvulus . Body 2-3.5 mm long. Antenna with 18-25 antennomeres. Penultimate flagellomere (1.4-)1.8-2 times as long as broad. Head in dorsal view 1.8-1.9(-2) times as broad as long. Hind femur 3.3-3.6 times as long as broad either somewhat distally or medially. Pterostigma (2.3-)2.5-2.7 times as long as wide, r exceptionally issuing from its middle. 3-SR of fore wing somewhat to 1.2-1.35 times as long as 2-SR, SR1 2-2.4 times longer than 3-SR and reaching tip of wing. First tergite 1.3-1.5 times as long as broad, beyond pair of spiracles either with just converging or with parallel sides (Fig. 31I, L). Second tergite exceptionally rugulose (to rugose) antero-medially (Fig. 32C). Body black, sometimes with more or less brownish tint. Hind tibia basally yellow, rarely fore femur apically and fore tibia basally yellowish.

Deviating features of the ³ (16 ³³) (Fig. 31J)

Similar to the ♀. Body (2.5-) 3-3.2 mm long. Antenna as long as body and with 26-29 antennomeres. Temple in dorsal view somewhat more rounded (Fig. 31J). Tibias with more yellow(ish) pattern basally.

Hosts

COL. Chrysomelidae: Gastroidea polygoni Linnaeus, G. viridula DeGeer. — DIPT. Tephritidae: Orellia ruficauda Fabricius. Sitarea lurida (Loew), S. scorzonera Robineau-Desvoidy. Tephritis ! bardanae Schrank, T. pulchra Loew.

Distribution

Sporadic to frequent in the Palaearctic Region.

Taxonomic position

Within the subgenus Glabrobracon the species Bracon parvulus is nearest to B. longulus Thomson (Europe) and they are distinguished by the following features:

1 (2) Mesosoma in lateral view stout as usually, 1.4-1.6 times as long as high; mesoscutum and scutellum not flattened (Fig. 32A), propodeum declined. First tergite 1.3-1.5 times (♀ ♁) as long as broad behind, tergites 2-3 more transverse, nearly three times as long as broad (Fig. 31I, L). Head in dorsal view slightly more transverse, 1.8-1.9 times as broad as long (Fig. 31B, J). Ovipositor sheath at most twice as long as hind tibia + tarsus combined. ♀: 2-3.5 mm, ♁: 2.5-3.2 mm ...... B. (Gl.) parvulus Wesmael, 1838

2 (1) Mesosoma in lateral view elongate, 1.8-2 times as long as high; mesoscutum and scutellum flattened, propodeum moderately declined (Fig. 32D). First tergite 1.4-1.6 times (♀) and 1.6-1.8 times (♁) as long as broad behind, tergites 2-3 less transverse, 2-2.5 times as broad as long (Fig. 32 E-F). Head in dorsal view slightly less transverse, 1.6-1.7(-1.8) times as broad as long (Fig. 32G). Ovipositor sheath very long, 2.5-3 times as long as hind tibia + tarsus combined. ♀ ♁: 2.6-3 mm ........ ............................................................................................................ B. (Gl.) longulus Thomson, 1894