Gonatocerus

Triapitsyn, Serguei V., 2006, A key to the Mymaridae (Hymenoptera) egg parasitoids of proconiine sharpshooters (Hemiptera: Cicadellidae) in the Nearctic region, with description of two new species of Gonatocerus, Zootaxa 1203, pp. 1-38 : 32

Gonatocerus sp(p). near incomptus Huber, 1988 / impar Huber, 1988 complex

( Figs 32–34 )

Gonatocerus sp. near impar Huber : Triapitsyn and Rakitov 2005: P11–12 (host: Cuerna balli Oman & Beamer in Joseph City, Arizona).

Gonatocerus sp. near incomptus Huber : Triapitsyn and Rakitov 2005: P11–12 (host: Cuerna sp. [ C. alpina Oman & Beamer or C. septentrionalis (Walker) ] in Treasure Co., Montana).

Material examined [ UCRC]

USA. ARIZONA: Navajo Co., Joseph City, 34.99652°N, 110.32393°W, 4988’, 30.vi.2004, R.A. Rakitov, A. Hicks (ex. Cuerna balli Oman & Beamer eggs on Atriplex sp.) [2 females, 1 male]. CALIFORNIA: Mendocino Co., Hopland, 19.v.2003, L. Varela (ex.? Pagaronia sp. eggs) [6 females]. Riverside Co., Temecula: 8.vi.1999, M. Blua (ex. H. coagulata eggs on grapefruit) [3 females, 1 male]; 22.vi.1999, M. Blua (ex. H. coagulata eggs on grapefruit) [2 females]. Siskiyou Co., Hwy. 3, 4.7 km SW of Yreka, 41°40’39’’N, 122°43’23’’W, 1.v.2005, R.A. Rakitov [1 female, 1 male]. OREGON: Jackson Co., 10.5 mi. E of Ashland, 42.2404°N, 122.5263°W, 4.v.2005, R.A. Rakitov [numerous females and males]. MONTANA: Treasure Co., I­94, S side, milepost 54, 46.15687°N, 107.42937°W, 830 m, 28.v.2004, R.A. Rakitov (ex. egg nest of Cuerna sp. [ C. alpina Oman & Beamer or C. septentrionalis (Walker) ] on Heterotheca villosa , dry roadside hill) [1 female].

Comments

These forms belong to the Gonatocerus incomptus / impar complex discussed under G. impar by Huber (1988). It is unclear at this point whether they, together with G. i n c o m p t u s and G. impar , represent just a single, morphologically variable species (especially in the presence or absence of longitudinal sensilla on F2–F6 of female antennae, as shown in Figs 32–34 ) or a complex of sibling species. A combined biological, morphological, and molecular study based on freshly collected specimens and live cultures, similar to that on G. ashmeadi by Vickerman et al. (2004), would be necessary to resolve the identification problems within this complex. My guess would be that they all might belong to the same species, because their males are practically indistinguishable morphologically, and also because the presence or absence of longitudinal sensilla on female funicle segments is known to vary quite significantly in some other species of Gonatocerus (e.g., in G. a t e r Förster and G. uat S. Triapitsyn ). That may be sometimes host­ and/or size­related (Triapitsyn et al. 2006). Thus, G. impar could be just smaller individuals of G. i n c o m p t u s that lack longitudinal sensilla on F4 and F6 of the female antenna.

Figures

FIGURES 32 – 34. Gonatocerus spp. 32. Antenna of G. sp. near impar (female, Temecula, California). 33. Antenna of G. sp. near impar / incomptus (female, Hopland, California). 34. Antenna of G. sp. near impar (female, Pinery Canyon, Chiricahua Mountains, Arizona).