Pediobius fujianensis Sheng & Li, 1992

Cao, Huan-Xi, Salle, John La & Zhu, Chao-Dong, 2017, Chinese species of Pediobius Walker (Hymenoptera: Eulophidae), Zootaxa 4240 (1), pp. 1-71 : 57

30. Pediobius fujianensis Sheng & Li, 1992

( Fig. 27 )

Pediobius fujianensis Sheng & Li, 1992: 289 –290; ♀♂. Holotype ♀, IZCAS, examined.

Diagnosis. Frontovertex with a slightly arched frontal carina reaching eyes, which is also visible in dorsal view ( Fig. 27 d). Notauli straight and distinct, with inner margins groove-like; notaular depressions deep and smooth ( Figs 27 a–b). The posterior pair of mesoscutal setae situated on MLM. Propodeum with a short median carina anteriorly that divides into short submedian carinae posteriorly; submedian area with a short step-like carina arising between submedian carina and posterior marginal carina. Petiole with one seta on each lateral side. Posterior margin of Gt1 straight ( Figs 27 a–b).

Material examined. Holotype ♀, CHINA, Fujian, Fuzhou , 22.III.1985, coll. Yun-Wei Li ( IZCAS), ex. the larvae of Abraxas sp . Paratypes 4♀, same data as the holotype. Other examined material : CHINA, Beijing: 1♀, Songshan , 26.VIII.1984, coll. Da-Wei Huang ; 1♂, Pinggu, the Jingdong Grand Canyon , 26.VI.1997, coll. Chao- Dong Zhu . 1♀, Yanqing, Songshan , 26.VIII.1984, coll. Da-Wei Huang ; 1♀, Pinggu, Jingdong Grand Canyon , 26.VI.1997, coll. Chao-Dong Zhu ; Fujian: 4♀ 3♂, Fuzhou , 22.III.1985, coll. Yun-Wei Li .

Biology. The type specimens of P. fujianensis were reared from the larvae of Abraxas sp. ( Lepidoptera : Geometridae ).

Distribution in China. Beijing, Fujian.

Remarks. Based on observations of the type specimens of P. fujianensis , we describe its flagellar formula as funicle 3-segmented and clava 2-segmented ( Fig. 27 d) instead of funicle 2-segmented and clava 3-segmented originally described by Sheng & Li (1992). This species is characterized by features given in the key. Sheng & Li (1992) stated that this species was similar to P. nigritarsis (Thomson) . However, based on our observations and the description of P. nigritarsis , both species belong to different species groups and it is easy to separate them by the characters of P. fujianensis given in the key. Pediobius fujianensis appears closer to the alcaeus -group by the steplike inner margins of notauli and the posterior pair of mesoscutal setae on MLM ( Figs 27 a–c). Besides, it has occipital carina with a long seta on each side, and it is same to the three species of the alcaeus -group in this study. Pediobius fujianensis can be separated from the alcaeus -group by a combination of characters given in the key. With considering the autapomorphies of P. fujianensis , including a frontal carina on frontovertex and a short median carinae that divided into short submedian carinae on propodeum, we are confused that if it can be assigned to the alcaeus -group, and we are also puzzled with its relationship with other species in this study. To answer this question, we still need more evidence to discuss the relationship between P. fujianensis and other Pediobius species.

Figures

FIGURE 27. Pediobius fujianensis Sheng & Li, 1992. a: female, body in dorsal view; b: male, body in dorsal view; c: male, head + mesosoma in dorsal view d: female, head in front view (to show antenna). Scale bar: 0.5 mm.