Chrysopodes (Chrysopodes) spinellus Adams & Penny, 1987

Silva, Patricia S., Tauber, Catherine A., Albuquerque, Gilberto S. & Tauber, Maurice J., 2013, Larvae of five horticulturally important species of Chrysopodes (Neuroptera, Chrysopidae): shared generic features, descriptions and keys, ZooKeys 262, pp. 39-92 : 73-79

Chrysopodes (Chrysopodes) spinellus Adams & Penny, 1987 Figs 2-4, 23-26

Discussion.

Chrysopodes (Chrysopodes) spinellus was described from the Amazon region ( Adams and Penny 1985); since then, it has not received particular attention. However, we, and others (e.g., Freitas and Penny 2001) have collected it in Brazilian agricultural habitats. We suspect that it is one of the more widespread and common species of Chrysopodes (Chrysopodes) in Brazilian agricultural settings.

Although the female and male genitalia of Chrysopodes (Chrysopodes) spinellus are distinctive, both sexes show considerable variation, and the species is not easily distinguished from other Chrysopodes (Chrysopodes) species. The species will be dealt with in an up-coming revision of the subgenus Chrysopodes (C. A. Tauber, in preparation). Meanwhile, the keys and information in Adams and Penny (1985) and Freitas and Penny (2001) are helpful for identification.

Known geographic distribution.

Brazil ( Adams and Penny 1985, Freitas and Penny 2001).

Chrysopodes (Chrysopodes) spinellus was reported from Argentina (with larval description) ( González Olazo and Heredia 2010); however, the species identification in that report appears to be in error. The larva (L3) that was illustrated had a darkened head like both Chrysopodes (Chrysopodes) divisus and Chrysopodes (Chrysopodes) lineafrons , and it lacked the longitudinally elongate, separate mesal and lateral epicranial markings of Chrysopodes (Chrysopodes) spinellus . The illustrations more closely resemble Chrysopodes (Chrysopodes) divisus than Chrysopodes (Chrysopodes) lineafrons .

Larval diagnosis.

Like the larvae of Chrysopodes (Chrysopodes) geayi and Chrysopodes (Chrysopodes) fumosus , Chrysopodes (Chrysopodes) spinellus larvae have largely white to cream-colored heads with longitudinally elongate and divided, brown epicranial markings; the intermandibular and clypeal regions are unmarked. And, as in Chrysopodes (Chrysopodes) geayi , but not Chrysopodes (Chrysopodes) fumosus , the posterior ends of the frontal markings curve and connect with each other mesally. The first instar of Chrysopodes (Chrysopodes) spinellus differs from those of Chrysopodes (Chrysopodes) geayi and Chrysopodes (Chrysopodes) fumosus in that it usually has six thorny cranial setae (S1, S3, S4, S5, S6, S11), and the LS are amber to light brown (not dark brown or black). The Chrysopodes (Chrysopodes) spinellus Semaphoront B differs from both Chrysopodes (Chrysopodes) geayi and Chrysopodes (Chrysopodes) fumosus in having a thorny cranial seta S1, secondary cranial setae between S1 and S4, but no secondary sclerites on the pronotal midline.

First instar.

(Semaphoront A). Body (Fig. 23A) 2.7-2.8 mm long; surface predominantly white to cream-colored, with some, small, light brown marks.

Head (Figs 2E, 23B) 0.39-0.41 mm wide; mandibles 0.36-0.37 mm long (ratio, mandible length: head width = 0.90-1.01: 1). Cranium white, with elongate, narrow, light brown markings. Epicranial marking with lateral and mesal arms unconnected, narrow, longitudinally elongate, light brown; mesal arm contiguous with postfrontal marking, extending from base of cranium to anteromesal margin of antennal socket; lateral arm lighter brown, more diffuse than mesal arm, extending from posterolateral margin of cranial suture approximately to base of eye. Postfrontal marking indistinguishable, fused with epicranial marking (mesal arm). Frontal marking narrow, extending from midregion of cranium anteriorly to level of antennal socket, then curving laterally toward lighter brown mark at mesal margin of mandibular base; mesal ends of paired frontal marking bending mesally at tips. Intermandibular, clypeal area white. Cranial setae amber to light brown; S1, S3, S4, S5, S6, S11 thorny, robust; S1, S4, S11 long, others shorter; S2, S5 closely spaced; Vx setae small.

Gena, ventral margin of head capsule mostly white, with light brown genal mark posterior to eye, with clear spot near anterior margin. Labial palpus mostly white, middle segment tinged with light brown laterally, distal segment mostly tinged with brown. Mandibles amber to light brown, with dark brown basolateral spot. Antenna with scape light brown, pedicel white basally, brown distally; flagellum light brown.

Thorax (Figs 2E, 23A) mostly white, with sclerotized structures light brown to brown; episternum brown. Legs white, with base of coxa brown, distal one-fourth of tibia, basal one-half of tarsus tinged with brown; tarsal claws, empodia, brown. LS brown; other setae amber to brown.

T1: Row of three very small setae (R1) at anteromesal base of LTs. Sc1 with scattered brown areas, especially laterally; S2Sc1 small, immediately above S1Sc1. S1, S3 intermediate-length. S2, S3 thorny. T2: Spiracle with lip of atrium flush with level of integumental surface. Sc1, Sc2 transparent; Sc3 light brown; S2Sc3 medium-length to long, slender, S2 shorter. T3: S1Sc1, S2Sc1 usually present, S1Sc2 very small; S2Sc2 absent. Raised posterior fold with row of four robust, thorny, pointed setae on chalazae with ovate, light brown marks anteriorly.

Abdomen (Figs 23 C–D) white to cream-colored, with patch of brown on dorsolateral margin of A1; anterior regions of A7, A8 marked with diffuse, scattered brown patches. LTs, LDTs white; chalazae of most dorsal setae brown.

A1-A5: Dorsum with 12 SMS in two rows, with four mesal pairs equally spaced, two lateral-most pairs juxtaposed; spiracle with SSp elongate, robust, mesal to spiracle; chalazae of all SMS and SSp not large. A6: Anterior row with two SMS, pair of small, straight setae lateral to SMS; spiracle at anterior base of LT, without apparent SSp. A7: Anterior region without setae or microsetae. Spiracle without apparent SSp. A8: Venter with two pairs of medium-length setae posteriorly.

Second and third instars.

(Semaphoront B). Body (Figs 24E, 25 A–B) 4.1-4.2 mm (L2), 5.8-7.0 mm (L3); surface white to tan, with light brown integumental spinules throughout; primary pronotal, mesonotal sclerites light brown; base of lateral tubercles without marks; lateral section of thorax, abdomen light brown to brown, with lateral tubercles and area below white; sclerites anterior to coxae brown.

Head (Figs 3E, 4E, 24 A–B, 25 C–D) cream-colored, with brown to dark brown markings. Epicranial marking brown, consisting of two elongate arms, separate from each other, both in contact with posterior margin of head; lateral arm extending from distolateral margin of cranium to lower level of eye, becoming narrow distally, extending to upper level of eye; mesal arm extending from base of head, contacting postfrontal marking near base of frontal marking. Postfrontal marking dark brown, robust throughout, extending to inner margin of antennal base. Frontal marking dark brown, with each arm narrow, separate (except at basal tip), extending from midsection of head, beyond tentorial pits to inner base of mandibles; base of each arm tapering, turning mesally, contacting tip of other arm. Intermandibular marking present as light brown connection between distal ends of frontal marking. Clypeolabral region beyond intermandibular marking cream-colored. Gena cream-colored, with large, brown marking from base of eye to posterior margin of cranium, with small, closed, cream-colored mesal spot distally. Mandible, maxilla amber basally, mesally, brown laterally, distally. Labial palpus: basal segment cream-colored with very slight tinge of brown; mesal segment ringed with brown laterally, cream-colored mesally, with terminal subsegment brown; terminal segment brown basally, cream-colored distally. Antenna: scape light brown, basal ~one third of pedicel cream colored, distal two-thirds of pedicel darker brown, flagellum cream-colored with slight tinge of brown. Venter cream-colored, with large, white central area; margin of cranium with light brown longitudinal marks; cardo marked with dark brown; mentum with very light brown spot basally.

Cephalic seta S1 moderately long, thorny, S2-S12 smooth, only S11 long; Vx setae moderately long; three to four pairs of small secondary setae between S1 and S4.

Head width across eyes, 0.5-0.6 mm (L2), 0.84-0.86 mm (L3); mandible length, 0.54-0.57 mm (L2), 0.86-0.90 mm (L3); ratio mandible length to head width = 0.91-0.99: 1 (L2), 1.00-1.05: 1 (L3). Tip of mandible with six teeth mesally.

Cervix cream-colored, tinged with light brown; sides with pair of broad brown patches; venter brown laterally, becoming cream-colored mesally; with three pairs of small setae ventrally.

Thorax (Figs 3E, 4E, 24B-C, 24E, 25 A–B, 26A) light brownish dorsally, tinged by covering of light brown spinules; sclerites, chalazae light brown; LTs white, with LS white to light amber; small tubercles beneath primary setae cream-colored to white. Venter cream-colored, with white mesal stripe, largely without marks. Legs: coxa white, with dark brown on dorsal surface; trochanter white to cream-colored, femur white, with slight tinge of brown distally; tibia white to tinged with very light brown, with light brown setae; tarsus white, tinged with very light brown; empodium, base brown; claws amber.

T1: LT with 16-17 (L2), 17-19 (L3) LS; five to six short, smooth setae anterobasally. Sc1 large, extending up mesal base of LT, light brown mesally, transparent laterally. Sc2 triangular, light brown; without secondary sclerites. S2, S3 thorny. T2: Sc1 light brown; spiracle on small protuberance. Posterior subsegment with Sc2 transparent to very light brown; Sc3 pronounced, brown. LT with 12-13 (L2), 17-19 (L3) LS. T3: LT with 11-13 (L2), 16-18 (L3) LS. Posterior fold with ten to twelve robust, thorny setae.

Abdomen (Figs 24D-F, 25A-B, 26B-C) dorsum cream-colored to tan, with patches of white fat body visible beneath integument throughout; chalazae of dorsal setae amber to light brown; LTs white, LS cream-colored to amber. A6 with pair of brown marks anterodorsal to LTs; A6, A7 with brown marks anterior to LDTs. A8 with pair of small, light brown marks mesal to spiracles; A9 with dark brown mark mesal to spiracles. A10 with dark brown, inverted U-shaped mark distally; light brownish laterally. Sides of A2-A5 with large, diffuse, very light brown patch below each LT; venter mostly light brown laterally, white mesally; A6-A10 mostly white ventrally; venter of A10 with pair of small, dark brown marks.

A 1: Dorsum with 40-56 (L2), ~116-124 (L3) SMS in two double-triple transverse bands between spiracles. A2-A5: Dorsum with 66-84 (L2), 134-174 (L3) SMS in two broad transverse bands. LTs each with 8-11 (L2), 11-21 (L3) LS: four to nine long, robust, thorny, usually pointed LS on distal surface; remaining LS less robust, smooth, hooked in patch on dorsal surface. A6: Dorsum with transverse band of 16-18 (L2), 44-58 (L3) SMS across anterior of segment; midsection with two pairs of smooth setae, mesal pair long, hooked, lateral pair short, pointed. LT with 7-8 (L2), ~14 (L3) LS of various sizes. A7: Dorsum with three pairs of very short setae anteriorly, between spiracles. LT with 6-7 (L2), 9-12 (L3) LS of various sizes. A8: Dorsum with three pairs of very small setae between spiracles; three pairs of small setae in transverse row between LTs. Venter with four transverse rows of setae, each with three to four smooth, small to medium-length, pointed setae. A9: Dorsum with one pair of very small setae anteriorly. Middle and posterior regions with two transverse rings of setae extending around segment; each ring with ~14-16 short to medium-length setae, several in each ring robust. A10: Dorsum with one pair of small setae posterior to V-shaped anterior sclerites. Several pairs of lateral setae. Venter with ~five pairs of small setae, posterior row of microsetae anterior to terminus.

Egg.

At oviposition, green, with white micropyle; ovoid, 0.92 to 0.97 mm long, 0.42 to 0.44 mm wide. Stalk smooth, hyaline, 8.8 to 10.1 mm long.

Larval specimens examined.

Several lots, each originating from a single gravid female collected in Brazil, Rio de Janeiro: Campos dos Goytacazes, Parque Estadual do Desengano, Babilônia, III-27-2001, XI-22-2003 (Tauber Lot 2001:007, Albuquerque Lot 2003:023); Campos dos Goytacazes, near Parque Estadual do Desengano, Fazenda Boa Vista, V-16-2002 (Tauber Lots 2002:026, 2002:029); Campos dos Goytacazes, Distrito de Morangaba, Fazenda São Julião, X-18-2005 (Tauber Lot 2005:035).

Biology.

The thermal influence on rates of development and reproduction in Chrysopodes (Chrysopodes) spinellus will be reported elsewhere (Silva et al., in preparation).