Neolirata daguerrei (Gemignani)

Torréns, Javier & Heraty, John M., 2013, A new genus of Eucharitidae (Hymenoptera: Chalcidoidea), with notes on life history and immature stages, Zootaxa 3630 (2), pp. 347-358 : 349-354

Neolirata daguerrei (Gemignani)

( Figs 1–13 )

Lirata daguerrei Gemignani, 1937: 160 –161; Heraty, 2002: 186–188. Holotype female in MACN [examined]. Lirata daguerrei ; Heraty, 2002: 187–188 (figs 210–213).

Diagnosis. Distinguished by the following combination of characters: face smooth ( Fig. 3 ); scutellar spines long, thin and bowed medially with apices closely spaced ( Figs 6, 7 ); gastral terga with scattered setae.

Female. Description and characterization in accordance with that provided by Gemignani (1937). Variation in material examined as follows. Length: 3.6–4.5 mm. Head 1.3–1.5× as broad as high; eyes separated by 2.1–2.4× their height; malar space 0.8–1.0× as long as eye height ( Fig. 3 ); labrum with 5 digits ( Fig. 8 ). Flagellum length 1.9–2.2× head height; scape 5.0–5.7× as long as broad and 0.5–0.6× head height; basal flagellomere 1.1–1.4× as long as scape, 7.0–8.3× as long as basal width, and 2.4–3.0× as long as next segment ( Fig. 3 ). Scutellar spines 1.6–1.9× as long as mesosoma ( Figs 1, 7 ). Metacoxa 1.7–2.0× as long as broad. Fore wing 2.4–2.7× as long as broad. Petiole 3.3–3.5× as long as broad and 1.3–1.6× as long as metacoxa. Gastral terga with scattered setae.

Male. Length 3.7–4.5 mm. Similar to female except for following. Head 1.4–1.5× as broad as high; eyes separated by 1.8–2.1× their height; malar space 0.7–0.9× as long as eye height. Antenna with 11 segments, flagellum pectinate, same coloration as female but with pale brown flagellum ( Fig. 4 ); scape 4.0–5.2× as long as broad; basal flagellomere 3.3–4.0× as long as basal width; branch of basal flagellomere similar or slightly longer than head height and 4.1–4.7× as long as basal length ( Fig. 5 ). Mesosoma with more irregular, sharp carinae; scutellar spines 1.7–1.9× as long as mesosoma ( Figs 4, 6 ). Legs with same coloration as female but a little darker, especially femora; metacoxa 1.7–1.9× as long as broad. Petiole 5.0–6.4× as long as broad and 1.8–2.0× as long as metacoxa ( Fig. 4 ).

Egg. The egg morphology is similar to other Eucharitinae as described by Heraty and Darling (1984), except that the caudal stalk is thicker and shorter. Length of egg body 0.17 mm and caudal stalk 0.07 mm ( Fig. 12 ). Undeveloped eggs are whitish and translucent with a smooth chorion; by the third day the developing embryo can be observed clearly.

Planidium. As described for other Eucharitinae by Heraty and Darling (1984), but distinguished as follows: length 0.10 mm, width 0.04 mm ( Fig.13 ); cranium with a pair of short pleurostomal spines; with three pairs of dorsal sensilla, dorsal cranial spines absent; tergopleural line (Tp) separating pleural and dorsal tergites present on tergites TII–VIII; TI and TII fused dorsally, with two pairs of small setae dorsally and two pairs ventrally; TIII with one pair of setae ventrally; TV with one pair of setae ventrally, extending half length of TVII; TVI with one pair of stout setae lateral to Tp, extending to TIX; TVII with one pair of small setae ventrally; TIX with two long lateral processes ventrally developed as a long spine; as observed by Heraty (2002) for L. pustula , this projection extends beyond the caudal cerci; caudal cerci stout.

Habitat and location. Most specimens were collected in Tapia (Tucuman, Argentina), 26º33'55''S 65º17'25''W ( Fig. 9 ). In this region, it is common to find Opuntia sp. (Tuna or Quimilo), Prosopis sp. (Algarrobo), Valessia glabra (Ancoche), Celtis tala (Tala) and Schinopsis balancae (Quebracho colorado). This vegetation corresponds to the chaco serrano ecoregion (sensu Digilio & Legname 1966). The host plant, Urvillea chacoensis , was widely distributed, but the specimens associated with N. daguerrei were collected in a small area about 5 meters west of the old road to Salta.

Host plant. Urvillea chacoensis (Sapindaceae) , common name “Farolito”, is a climbing vine that grows over other plants distributed throughout the collection area, which blooms from November to March with fruits present from February to May; its leaves are marginally serrate and pubescent (Ferrucci 2004). The leaves persist until a month after fruit maturation and reappear in the warmer seasons ( Fig. 10 ).

General observations and collections. Collections of adults and host plants were made in 2004 (March 9), 2005 (March 10), 2006 (February 26 and March 5), 2007 (March 12 and 17) and 2009 (March 12 and 13). Females placed in plastic tubes were observed ovipositing on the undersides of the leaves of U. chacoensis ( Fig. 11 ). A single gravid female oviposited about 28 eggs per mm2 randomly between the spicules that form the pubescence on the underside of a leaf. Eggs hatched within 9 days, although some eggs containing mature larvae did not hatch. Planidia are very mobile and jump, which suggests that larvae have phoretic association with foraging ants for transfer to the ant nest.

Host ants. Unknown.

Material examined. Holotype female: ARGENTINA, Entre Ríos: Concordia, [31°23'17"S 58° 0'50"W], i.1931, J. B. Daguerre, UCRC_ENT 0 0 242256, (MACN). Chaco: Las Palmás, [27° 3'14"S 58°40'43"W], xii.1950, Duret, UCRC_ENT 0237905–6 (2 3, AMNH). Formosa: Formosa (RN 11), 26º15'54''S 38º15'57''W, 26.iii.2003, J. Heraty & P. Fidalgo, UCRC_ENT 0 0 91465, 0 0 91838, 0091963–5 (1 Ƥ, 4 3, UCRC). Salta: Rosario de Lerma, [24°59'47"S 65°34'6.61"W], 10.xi.1983, M. Wasbauer, MT, UCRC_ENT 0 0 340706 (1 3, CSCA). Tucumán: Tacanas, [27° 8'14"S 64°49'8"W], i.1948, J. M. Arnau, UCRC_ENT 0 0 357425 (1 Ƥ, IFML); Trancas, [26°13'5"S 65°17'5"W], xii.1952, Arnau, UCRC_ENT 0 0 242257 (1 3, MACN); Tapia, 26º33'55''S 65º17'25''W, 16.iii.1993, Cuezzo & Fidalgo, MT, UCRC_ENT 0 0 357426 (2 3, IFML); same location, 09.iii.2004, J. Torréns & P. Fidalgo, UCRC_ENT 00357428-9 (2 Ƥ, IFML); same location, 10.iii.2005, J. Torréns & P. Fidalgo, UCRC_ENT 00357430-1 (2 3, IFML); same location, 26.ii.2006, J. Torréns, UCRC_ENT 0 0 357432 (1 Ƥ, IFML); same location, 05.iii.2006, Torréns, UCRC_ENT 00357433-5 (1 Ƥ, 2 3, IFML); same location, 12.iii.2007, J. & J. Heraty and J. Torréns, UCRC_ENT 00242258–9, 00340707–710 (1 Ƥ, 1 3, MACN; 2 Ƥ, 2 3 UCRC); same location, 17.iii.2007, J. & J. Heraty and J. Torréns, UCRC_ENT 00242260-1 (1 Ƥ, 1 3, MACN); same location, 17–19.iii.2007, J. & J. Heraty and J. Torréns, MT, UCRC_ENT 0 0 242262 (1 3, MACN); same location, 12.iii.2009, J. Torréns, UCRC_ENT 0 0 242263 (1 3, MACN); same location, 26º34'27''S 65º17'7''W, 06.iv.2012, J. Torréns, UCR_ENT 0 0 357427 (1 3, IFML); Ticucho, 26º32'30''S 65º15'16''W, 13.iii.2009, J. Torréns, UCRC_ENT 0 0 357436 (1 Ƥ, IFML). BRAZIL, Brasilia: [no locality], Duport, UCRC_ENT 0 0 245113 (1 Ƥ, ZMUC). Minas Gerais: Lagoa Santa, [19°37'42"S 43°53'48"W], Reinhardt, UCRC_ENT 0 0 245112 (1 Ƥ, ZMUC). Lete Lagoa: Lagoa do Leite, [12°29'02"S 42°29'56"W], Reinhardt, UCRC_ENT 0 0 245111 (1 Ƥ, ZMUC). São Paulo: Villa Americana, [22°44'19"S 47°19'54"W], ii.1924, F.X. Williams, UCRC_ENT 0 0 239549 (1 Ƥ, BMNH); Campinas, [22°54'20"S 47°03'04"W], xii.1939, H.F.G. Sauer, UCRC_ENT 0 0 248045 (1 Ƥ, AMNH); Ipiranga, [23°35'29"S 46°36'28"W], 19.ix.1906, H. Luederwaldt, UCRC_ENT 0 0 0 36239 (1 Ƥ, MZSP). Bahia: Engruzilhada, 480m, [15°31'51"S 40°54'31"W], xii.1973, M. Alvaregena, UCRC_ENT 0 0 320678 (1 3, CNCI). Minas Gerais: Lavras, [21°14'35"S 44°59'46"W], 5 xii.1978, W.D. Fronk, UCRC_ENT 0 0 259041 (1 Ƥ, CSUC); Mar de Espanha, [21°52'06"S 43°00'33"W], 27-28.ii.1962, J. Bechyné, UCRC_ENT 0 0 0 36241 (1 Ƥ, MZSP); Pedra Azul, [16°00'42"S 41°17'19"W], xi.1972, Seabra & Oliveira, UCRC_ENT 0 0 320677 and UCRC_ENT 0 0 320679 (2 3, CNC). Rio de Janeiro: Petrópolis, [22°30'16"S 43°10'56"W], 5-7.iii.1962, J. Bechyné, UCRC_ENT 0 0 0 36240 (1 3, MZSP). PARAGUAY, San Bernardino, [25°18'47"S 57°17'43"W], iii, Fiebrig, UCRC_ENT 0 0 317120 (1 3, NHMW).

Neolirata alta (Walker)

(Figs 14, 16, 18, 20, 22–25)

Thoracantha alta Walker, 1862: 383 . Dalla Torre, 1898: 365 (catalog); De Santis, 1980: 208 (catalog). Syntype female in BMNH; type no. 5.634 [examined].

Kapala alta ; Ashmead, 1904: 472. Change of combination.

Lirata alta ; Heraty, 2002: 186–187 (figs 205–209). Change of combination.

Diagnosis. Distinguished by the following combination of characters: face striate (Figs 16, 20); basal flagellomere of female sharply serrate (Fig. 16), scutellar spines longitudinally striate, straight, and directed outward from mesosoma (Fig. 18); gastral terga almost bare, with a few scattered setae.

Female. Length: 6.0–7.0 mm. Head, mesosoma, coxae and petiole black; flagellum dark brown to black; femora, distal ¾ of scape, and pedicel testaceous; base of scape and rest of legs yellowish; distal antennal flagellomeres sometimes light brown (Figs 14, 16). Wings slightly infuscate, venation dark brown.

Head 1.6× as broad as high; with strong or weak striae. Frons with striae converging to scrobal depression; lower face, including gena, with transverse striae; occipital carina pronounced,extending far beyond lateral ocelli. Eyes separated by 2.6–2.7× their height (Fig. 20); malar space as long as eye height. Labrum with 6 or 7 digits. Clypeus slightly swollen, with weak striae; epistomal sulcus well marked; supraclypeal area swollen and striated as rest of the face, demarcated laterally by a shallow sulcus. Maxillary complex not observed. Antenna with 10 segments, scape long, smooth, laterally compressed, 2.8× as long as broad and 0.4–0.5× head height; length of flagellum 1.7–1.8× head height, basal flagellomere 0.8–0.9× length of scape, 4.2–5.0× as long as basal width and 1.7–1.9× as long as next flagellomere; all segments of flagellum serrate, with acute apices, clava rounded (Fig. 16).

Mesosoma. Mesoscutum rounded, elevated, and irregularly rugose-carinate; mid lobe in frontal view with transverse carinae, with longitudinal carinae dorsally, and dorsomedially with shallow depression; mesosoma with scattered erect setae; notauli well marked (Fig. 14). Axillae in dorsal view with a strong impression laterally, broadly rounded, and longitudinally carinate; scutellar spines cylindrical, tapered, straight, and directed outward from midline (Fig. 18), 1.4–1.5× as long as mesosoma with strong striae reaching to apex and scattered erect setae; inferior surface of frenum smooth with some carinae directed toward center (Fig. 18). Propodeal disc slightly swollen with irregular carinae; callus swollen, smooth, with some carinae dorsally and several long setae (Fig. 14).

Mesepisternum smooth except for weak transverse carinae; upper mesepimeron smooth except for strong carinae. Metacoxa semiglobose, 1.4× as long as broad. Metafemur with scattered erect setae. Fore wing 2.5–2.6× as long as broad, stigmal vein rectangular, 1.8–2.2× as long as broad (Fig. 18); postmarginal vein slightly longer than stigmal vein; wing disc with dense short setae.

Metasoma. Petiole 3.5–3.7× as long as broad and 1.5–1.6× as long as metacoxa; petiole subcylindrical with strong or weak longitudinal carinae. Gastral terga almost bare, with a few scattered setae.

Male. Unknown.

Variation. The specimen from Linhares ( Brazil) differs from those collected in Argentina in antennal coloration, having the last 6 segments of the flagellum light brown, and in the striae of the head and petiole being weaker.

Egg. Length of egg body 0.18 mm and caudal stalk 0.08 mm ( Fig. 24 ). The eggs are whitish and translucent with a smooth chorion, slightly flattened ventrally and convex dorsally. As in N. daguerrei , the morphology of the egg is similar to other Eucharitinae as described by Heraty and Darling (1984), except the caudal stalk is thicker and shorter.

Planidium. Similar to the description of the planidium of the type species, N. daguerrei . As noted for planidia of N. daguerrei , the ventral margin of TIX has a well-developed spine that extends beyond the caudal cerci ( Fig. 25 ).

Habitat and location. Specimens were collected in Los Baños, Rosario de la Frontera (Salta), 25º50'14''S, 64º55'55''W, at about 851 meters; Tapia (Tucumán), 26º34'27''S 65º17'7''W, at about 707 meters and in San Vicente (Tucumán), 26º26'5''S 65º15'51''W, about 740 meters. The latter location is typical of the Chaco ecoregion (Fig. 19). The host plant is distributed throughout the area.

Host Plant. Pseudabutilon virgatum (Malvaceae) is a ligneous shrub that grows not more than 1 m in height, persists year round, and blooms in the humid seasons (spring-summer); its leaves are ovate and marginally serrate and last to the beginning of the cold season (May-June) (Figs 20, 21).

General observations and collections. Adults and the host plant in San Vicente, Tucumán were sampled in 2010 (March 24). The only female was collected ovipositing on P. virgatum (Figs 21, 22). The female oviposited ~ 32 eggs per mm2 at random between the spicules that form a pubescence on the underside of a leaf ( Fig. 22 ). Eggs hatched within 14 days, although some eggs with mature larvae did not hatch. The planidia, as in N. daguerrei , have the ability and the habit to jump.

Host ants. Unknown. However, there was a nest of Ectatomma brunneum Smith ( Formicidae : Ectatomminae ) a few meters from where the female was collected. This nest was excavated, but we were not able to locate immature stages of N. alta .

Material examined. Type female: BRAZIL [no locality], UCRC_ENT 310053 (BMNH). Amazona: Ihla Jerusalém, [8°46'41"S 63°57'10"W], 5.ix.1964, J. & B. Bechyne, UCRC_ENT 0 0 313858 and 0 0 313925 (2 Ƥ, BMNH). Espírito Santo: Parque Sooretama, Linhares, [19°12'13"S 40° 5'34"W], 17-27.x.1962, F.S. Pereira, UCR_ENT 0 0 0 36242 (1 Ƥ, MZSP). Goias [no locality], 1914, E. André, UCRC_ENT 0 0 0 0 6003 (1 Ƥ, MNHP). ARGENTINA, Tucumán: San Vicente, 26º26'5''S 65º15'51''W, 24.iii.2010, J. Torréns, UCRC_ENT 0 0 357437 (1 Ƥ, IFML); Tapia, 26º34'27''S 65º17'7''W, 20.iii.2012, J. Torréns, UCRC_ENT 0 0 242264 (1 Ƥ, MACN). Salta: Rosario de la Frontera, Hotel Termal, 25º50'14''S 64º55'55''W, 899 m, 20.iii.2003, J. Heraty, UCRC_ENT 0 0 357438 (1 Ƥ, IFML). URUGUAY, Montevideo: [34°53'01"S 56°10'55"W], 20.i.1945, Berry, Montev. Pars. Lab., UCRC_ENT 0 0 248044 (1 Ƥ, USNM).

Figures

FIGURES 1 – 7. Neolirata daguerrei: 1, habitus (female); 2, head (female, dorsal; carina indicated); 3, antenna and head (female, frontal); 4, habitus (male); 5, antenna (male, lateral); 6, mesosoma (male, lateral); 7, mesosoma (female, dorsal).

FIGURES 8 – 13. Neolirata daguerrei: 8, Labrum (female), lbd, labral digit; sld, seta of labral digit. 9 – 13, biology and immature stages of N. daguerrei: 9, habitat; 10, Urvillea chacoënsis; 11, underside of leaf of U. chacoënsis with eggs (eggs represented in white area); 12, egg; 13, planidia. md, mandible; plst, pleurostomal seta or spine; Tp, tergopleural line.

FIGURES 22 – 25. Biology and immature stages of Neolirata alta: 22, habitat; 23, Pseudabutilon virgatum; 24, underside of leaf of P. v i rg a t u m with eggs (magnified area with eggs); 25, planidium.