Crassomicrodus nigriceps (Cresson, 1872)

Figueroa, Jose Isaac, Sharkey, Michael Joseph, Napoles, Jesus Romero, Garcia, Jose Antonio Sanchez, Martinez, Ana Mabel, Lopez-Martinez, Victor & Pineda, Samuel, 2011, Revision of the new world genus Crassomicrodus Ashmead (Hymenoptera, Braconidae, Agathidinae), with an identification key to species, ZooKeys 142, pp. 27-75 : 49-50

Crassomicrodus nigriceps (Cresson, 1872) Fig. 10 a–e

Crassomicrodus nigriceps (Cresson): Muesebeck 1927: 21-22 [Examined].

Microdus nigriceps Cresson 1872: 182.

Crassomicrodus fenestratus Viereck 1913: 558-559 [Examined]. Syn. n.

Holotype female.

Collection Belfrage. Cat. No. 1637 (USNM)

Description female.

Body. Length. 6.05-9.50 mm. Color (Fig. 10e). Coloration of this species has a wide variation, there are specimens with the body totally dark to some areas yellowish-orange or yellow reddish; forewing infumate with a hyaline spot on the first submarginal cell, that occupies most of the space of the cell. Head (Fig. 10ab). Triangular in frontal view; face with weak longitudinal ridge dorsomedially; eye height/width = 1.48-1.50; eye height 0.67 –0.68× inter-ocular distance; area between antennal sockets with a median pyramidal-shaped elevation and two weakly defined tubercles; frons excavated; posterior surface of antennal sockets smooth; groove between lateral ocelli smooth; median ocellus separated from lateral ocellus by smooth groove; gena not bulging, sometimes slightly bulging; malar space 0.51 –0.64× as long as eye height; clypeus 1.88 –2.21× wider than high; length of ventrolateral margin of clypeus similar to diameter of tentorial pit; antenna with 37-43 flagellomeres; setae at base of mandible distinctly longer than setae on rest of body surface. Mesosoma (Fig. 10cde). Pronotum smooth, sometimes strigose; lateral pronotal margins with weakly crenulate groove; notauli impressed; anterolateral edges of scutellum lacking small acute projection; scutellar disc convex with sparse setae from 0.11 to 0.12 mm in length; scutellar disc sloped posteriorly and rounded; lateral scutellar depression smooth, sometimes with punctures on the ventral margins; carinae of central metanotal area forming a triangular cell; propodeum reticulate rugose; subalar lobe separated from mesopleuron by narrow rugulose groove, width distinctly shorter than the subalar lobe; metapleuron reticulate rugulose. Legs. Inner spur of middle tibia 0.75 –0.81× length of basitarsus; inner spur of hind tibia 0.59 –0.62× length of basitarsus; metabasitarsus 1.21 –1.29× length of tarsomeres III, IV, and V combined; hind tibia 2.04 –2.22× longer than basitarsus; hind femur length 4.17 –4.35× its maximum width. Wings. Forewing length/width = 2.70-2.76; stigma 3.57 –3.85× longer than maximum width; forewing vein R1 0.62 –0.69× as long as vein RS; vein RS straight; vein r arising before middle of stigma; second submarginal cell triangular, with petiole 0.07-0.22 mm long; vein M+CU distinctly pigmented throughout; hind wing length/width = 3.88-4.09; hind wing vein 1M 1.48 –1.71× longer than 1r-m; hind wing with 6-8 hamuli. Metasoma. Apical width of petiole (tergum 1) 3.33 –3.43× wider than basal width; minimum width of petiole 0.49 –0.60× apical width; length of ovipositor sheath 0.17-0.26 mm.

Male.

Similar to female.

Host.

Unknown.

Distribution.

Colombia, Costa Rica, Cuba, El Salvador, Guatemala, Haiti, Honduras, Mexico, Puerto Rico, Dominican Republic, and the USA.

Diagnosis.

Distinguished from other Crassomicrodus species by the following combination of characters: area between antennal sockets with a median pyramidal-shaped elevation, head triangular in frontal view, face with a few sparce setae, setae at base of mandible distinctly longer than setae on rest of body surface, antenna with 37-43 flagellomeres, body usually with some areas yellowish-orange and wings infumate.

Remarks.

This species was described as Microdus nigriceps by Cresson (1872). Muesebeck (1927) considered it as valid species in the genus Crassomicrodus ; however due to the wide range of color variation among specimens of this species, it is described to Crassomicrodus fenestratus as a different species, but the types of both species have affinity of characters. Crassomicrodus nigriceps is the most variable species, on coloration and measurements, that all species of Crassomicrodus . Our careful examination of each specimens allowed to group them in three sub-groups; the first sub-group formed by specimens from Texas (USA), of size 7.30 to 9.50 mm and the body color yellowish-orange or yellow reddish except head, propleuron, metapleuron, propodeum, ventral area of mesopleuron, and legs black; the coloration in mesosoma of this sub-group could vary to only propleuron black and some areas of legs yellowish-orange. The second sub-group is formed by specimens from the Yucatan peninsula (Mexico), of size 6.05 to 7.95 mm and the coloration blackish on all body, although the coloration could vary to only mesoscutum yellowish-orange or yellow reddish. The last sub-group is formed by specimens from Loggerhead Key island (Florida, USA), of size 6.80 to 7.30 mm and the coloration yellowish-orange or yellow reddish except head, propleuron, metapleuron and propodeum black, ventral area of mesopleuron and legs blackish, although the coloration on mesopleuron and legs could vary. The last sub-group is where the majority of the specimens that come from other places have more affinity.

Material examined.

Type ♀: Microdus nigriceps , collection Belfrage (USNM). Type ♀: Crassomicrodus fenestratus Porto Rico, C.W. Hooker (USNM). Homotypes ♀: HONDURAS, [Siguatepeque]: 30 km SE Siguatepeque, 11-12/VIII/1978, Chemsak J.A., E.G. Linsley & J.M. Linsley (CNC). ♂: MEXICO, Oaxaca: 23 miles S Matías Romero, 6/IV/1962, Parker F.D. (CNC). ♀, ♂: 27 miles SW Salina Cruz, 14/VII/1987, Wharton R. (TAMU). ♂: 63 miles E Tehuantepec, 16/IX/1967, 152 m., Painter E.M. & R.H. Painter (CNC). ♀: NICARAGUA, 1 miles SW Managua, 4/IX/1967, 2200 m., Painter R.H. & E.M. Painter (AEIC). Other specimens examined .- COLOMBIA, Tolima: Armero, 1 ♀ 30 I– 5II/1977, Peyton E.L. (USNM); 1 ♀ 26-30/1977, 1 ♂ 26-30/1977, Peyton & Suarez (HIC, USNM). COSTA RICA, [ Limón]: Limon, 1 ♂ 15/II/1964, Evans H.E. (MCZ). Guanacaste: 10 km E Paseo Tempisque, 1 ♀ 30/VII/1990, Chamberlain W.F. (TAMU); Sector Santa Rosa; open field nr. road to Playa Naranjo, 1 ♀ 8-18/VI/1995, Dadelahi-Price & Zitani (ESUW). CUBA, Santiago de las Vegas 1 ♂ (USNM). [Ciego de Avila]: Baraguá, 1 ♀ 19/X/1927, Scaramuzza L.C. (USNM). [Cienfuegos]: Ciego Montero, Cruces, L.K., 1 ♂ XII/1917, Alayo P. (HIC); Baraguá, 1 ♀ 27/VIII/1927, Scaramuzza L.C. (MCZ). Pinar del Rio: San Vicente, 1 ♀ 26 VII– 5VIII/1939, Parsons C.T. (MCZ). DOMINICAN REPUBLIC, [San Cristóbal]: San Cristobal Prov., 1 ♂ 5/VIII/1967 (TAMU). EL SALVADOR, [San Salvador]: 6 miles W Quezaltepeque, 1 ♀ 2 ♂ 12/VIII/1963, 500 m., Cavagnaro D.Q. & M.E. Irwin (CAS); 6 miles W Quezaltepeque, 1 ♀ 15/VII/1963, 500 m., Cavagnaro D.Q. & M.E. Irwin (CAS); Sonzacate, 1 ♂ 25/VI/1958, Bottimer L.J. (HIC). GUATEMALA. [Chiquimula]: Mocá, Guatalón, 1 ♀ III–IV /1931, 1000 m., Bequaert J. (MCZ). [Guatemala]: Amatitlán, 1 ♀ 1 ♂ 6/VII/1947, 1219 m., Vaurie C. & P. Vaurie (AMNH); 6 miles N Amatitlan, 1 ♂ 29/XI/1972, Dasch B. & C. Dasch (AEIC). Zacapa: Rio Hondo, 3 ♀ VIII/1987, Sharkey M.J. (CNC, HIC). HAITI, Fond Parisien, 2 ♂ 11-18/II/1922, 18 m. (AMNH); Trou Caiman, 1 ♀ 1 ♂ 4/IX/1934, Bates M. (MCZ). HONDURAS: Nr. Corozal Brit., 1 ♀18/VII/1963, Porter C. (MCZ). [ Colón]: Puerto Castilla, 1 ♂ 21/III/1924 (USNM). El Paraíso: Galeras, 1 ♂ 31/VII/1992, Stange L.; Yuscarán, 1 ♀ 4/VIII/1992, 840 m., Porter C. & L. Stange (FSCA). La Paz: La Paz, 1 ♂ 23/VI/1979, Chemsak J.A., A. Michelbacher, M. Michelbacher &W.W. Middlekauff (EMEC). MEXICO, Baja California Sur: 51 km W La Paz (km 51), 1 ♀ 26/VIII/1977, 275 m., Fisher E. & R. Westcott; 25 miles W La Paz, 1 ♂ 30/VIII/1959, Radford K.W. & Werner F.G. (CAS). Campeche: Champoton, 1 ♂ 8/VII/1964, Pallister J.C. & D. Pallister (AMNH). Chiapas: N. Chiapas, 3 km S Oaxaca Rte. 190, 1 ♂ 12/VIII/1962, 1524-1829 m., Milliron H.E. (CNC); 7 miles SE Soyalo, 1 ♂ 27/III/1953, Bechtel R.C. & E.I. Schlinger; Santo Domingo, 15 miles SE Simojovel, 1 ♀ 8-15/VII/1958, Smith R.F.; Suchiapa, 1 ♀ 18/VII/1957, Hurd P.D. (EMEC); Km 47 Tuxtla Gutierez-Venustiano Carranza, 1 ♂ 10/VII/1988, 480 m., Cadena A. & L. Cervantes (IBUNAM). Coahuila: 6 miles W Saltillo, 1 ♂ 14/VII/1972, 5200 ft., Dasch B. & C. Dasch (AEIC). Colima: Armeria, 1 ♂ 1/VIII/1954, Cazier M. y W. Gertsch Bradts (AMNH); 21 miles NW Manzanillo, 2 ♂ 30/VIII/1970, Wasbauer M.S. & J.S. Wasbauer, malaise trap; Playa de Oro Rd. NW Manzanillo, 1 ♀ 1 ♂ 31/VIII/1970, Wasbauer J.S. (EMEC). Guerrero: Xalitla, 1 ♂ 20/III/1959, 457 m., Evans H.E. & Anderson D.M. (CUIC). Jalisco: Chamela, 1 ♀ 26-30/IX/1985, Parker F.D. & T.L. Griswold; El Tuito, 1 ♂ 2/X/1985, Parker F.D. & T.L. Griswold; Guadalajara, 1 ♀ VIII/1962, Hull Frank M. (CNC); 22 km E El Grullo, 2 ♀ 17/VII/1989, Griswold T., 1200 m.; Chamela Res. Sta., 1 ♀ 24/VII/1986, Sanchez M- M.T. (HIC); Rio Santiago, 15 miles N Guadalajara, 1 ♂ 22/VII/1965, Evans H.E. (MCZ); 6 miles N Autlan, 1 ♂ 7/VII/1984, Shaffner, Woolley, Carroll & Friedlander (TAMU); Tequila, 1 ♀ 6/VII/1956, Dreisbach R. & K. Dreisbach (USNM). Michoacán: 11 miles E Apatzingan, 3 ♀ 20/VIII/1954, Linsley E.G., J.W. MacSwain & Smith R.F. (EMEC). Morelos: 3 miles N Alpuyeca, 1 ♀ 4/III/1959, 1036 m., Evans H.E. & Anderson D.M.; Las Estacas, 1 ♂ 6/IV/1959, 914 m., Evans H.E. (CUIC). Nuevo León: Apodaca, 1 ♀ 27/VII/1963, Howden H. & A. Howden (CNC); Carr. Miguel Aleman km 15, Apodaca, 1 ♂10/VIII/1984, Vera A. (CIBE-UANL). Oaxaca: Tehuantepec, 1 ♂ 23/XI/1972, Dasch B. & C. Dasch (AEIC); 23 miles S Matias Romero, 2 ♂ 14/VIII/1963, Parker F.D. & L.A. Stange (HIC, USNM); 23 miles S Matias Romero, 1 ♂ 22/IV/1962, Parker F.D.; El Camaron, 1 ♂ 24/IV/1962, Parker F.D. (USNM); Puebla: 12 miles N Chapulco, 1 ♀ 29/VII/1963, Caltagirone L.E. (EMEC). Quintana Roo: Felipe Carrillo Puerto, 4 ♀ 10-14/X/1986, 19.35 N 88.03 W, malaise trap; 1 ♂ 10-14/X/1986, Parker F.D., 19.35 N 88.03 W; 1 ♀ 2 ♂ 12-14/X/1986, Griswold T., 19.35 N 88.03 W (CNC). 25 km W Felipe Carrillo Puerto, 1 ♀ 15/X/1986, Parker F.D., 19.35 N 88.17 W; 3 km SW Puerto Morelos, 1 ♀ 1 ♂ 7/X/1986, Parker F.D.; Coba, 2 ♂ 5/X/1986, Griswold T., 20.36 N 87.35 W (CNC). Vallarta, 17 km W Puerto Morelos, 5 ♂ 6-8/X/1986, Griswold T., 2 ♂ 6-8/X/1986, Parker F.D.,20.50 N 87.00 W (CNC); 1 ♀ 6-8/X/1986, Griswold T. (HIC). Sinaloa: 34 miles N Los Mochis, 1 ♂ 27/VIII/1963, Parker F.D. & L.A. Stange (HIC); Mazatlán, 8 ♂ 15-20/VIII/1962, Evans H.E. (MCZ); Santa Ana, 1 ♀ 2/VIII/1985, Ekis G. (UCDC); Concordia, 1 ♂ 4/VII/1963, Parker F.D. & L.A. Stange (USNM). Sonora: Santa Ana, riv., 1 ♂ 4/VIII/1985, Ekis G. (UCDC); 19.4 miles S Estacion Llano, 2 ♀ 25/VIII/1964, Schlinger E.I., 700 m. ((USNM). Veracruz: Lake Catemaco, 1 ♂ 8-16/VIII/1960, Howden H.F. (CNC); Puente Nacional, 6 miles SE Rinconada, 1 ♂ 30/IX/1975, Chemsak J. (EMEC); Veracruz, 1 ♀ 1 ♂ 28 VII– 11VIII/1956, Dreisbach R. & K. Dreisbach (MSUC). Yucatán: Uxmal, 1 ♀ 16-18/VI/1959, Vaurie P. & C. Vaurie (AMNH); Mérida, 2 ♀ 22-25/VII/1962, Evans H.E. (ESUW); 8 miles E Merida, 1 ♂ 28/VI/1966 (HIC); Chichén Itzá, 1 ♂ 19/VII/1962, Evans H.E.; Mérida, 2 ♀ 1 ♂ 22-25/VII/1962, Evans H.E.; Uxmal, 1 ♀ 22/VII/1962, Evans H.E. (MCZ); 9 miles N Uxmal, 1 ♂ 1/VIII/1980, Schaffner, Weaver, Friedlander; Xmatkuil, Mérida, 1 ♀ 25-28/V/1996, Wharton & León, malaise trap (TAMU). 9 km N Teya Pueblo, 1 ♀ 1/IX/1999, 1 ♂ 12/X/1999, 2 ♂ 14/IX/1999, 1 ♀ 2/IX/1999, 1 ♀ 3 ♂ 3/VIII/1999, Suárez C. (UADY). Tamaulipas: Mesa de Llera, ca. Ciudad Victoria, 1 ♀ 1/VI/1977, Porter C. & A. Cerbone (FSCA). PUERTO RICO, Coamo Springs, 1 ♂ 1/VII/1915; Mayaguez, 1 ♀ 21-23/VI/1915 (AMNH); Lake Guanica, P.R., 5 ♂ 30/VI/1936, Dozier H.L.; Guanica, 2 ♀ 29/VI/1914, Smith; Lajas, 1 ♂ X–XI /1960, Cotte R. (USNM). USA, Arizona: 1 ♂ 12/VIII/1974, Townes H. & M. Townes; Portal, 1 ♀ 17/VIII/1974, Townes H. & M. Townes (AEIC); Phoenix, 1 ♀ 2/VI/1942 (CAS); 5 miles E Nogales, Santa Cruz Co., 1 ♀ 1/IX/1970, Bohart G.E. & R.M. Bohart (CNC); 10 miles SW Patagonia, Santa Cruz Co., 1 ♀ 13/IX/1958, Cazier M.A. (EMEC). Madera Cyn., Santa Cruz Co, 1 ♀ 31/VII/1966, 1487 m., Kovacic C.R.; Box Cyn, Santa Cruz Co., 1 ♀26/VIII/1978, Meyer R.P. (UCDC). Wild Morning Glory, 2 ♀ 1957, Lochiel; W sl. Patagonia Mountains, 4 ♀ 9/VIII/1908, Butler G.D. & F.G. Werner (USNM). Florida: S. Miami 1 ♀ (MCZ). Isla Loggerhead Key, Dry Tortugas, 10 ♂ 1/IX/1961, 1 ♀ 4 ♂ 2/IX/1961, Weems H.V. Jr.; 2 miles NW Orange Spg., Putnam Co., 1 ♀ 13 X– 5XI/1975, Wiley J., malaise trap; Boca Chica Key, Monroe Co., 2 ♂11/VII/1971, Pierce W.H.; Clermont, Lake Co., 1 ♀ 29/VIII/1983, Nolfo V. (FSCA). Highlands Hamm. St. Pk. Fla., 1 ♂ 26/III/1963, Zeiger C.F.; Key Largo, 1 ♀ 2/V/1957, Weems H.V. (HIC). Georgia: St. Catherines Island, Liberty Co., 1 ♂ 22/V/1973, Rozen J.G. (AMNH). Louisiana: Gilliam, 61 ♂ /IX/1907, Bishopp F.C. (USNM). North Carolina: Jacksonville, Onslow Co., 1 ♀ 3/IX/1963, Bohart G.E. (CNC). Texas: Austin, 1 ♂ 26/VI/1922 (AMNH); 1 ♀ X/1899 (MCZ); 1 ♂ 26/VI/1922, Cazier M.A. (KSUC); 1 ♀ IX/1926, Bishopp F.C. (USNM); Bentsen Rio Grande State Park, Hidalgo Co., 1 ♀ 6-8/VI/1983, Pulawski W.J. (CAS). Brownsville, Cameron Co., 1 ♂11/IV/1976, Bruce Tilden; Sullivan City, Hidalgo Co., 1 ♂ 10/IV/1976 (CAS); Salado Creek, Bexar Co., 1 ♂ 13/III/1952, Wawbauer M. (EMEC). Fleming Key, Monroe Co., 1 ♀ 7/VIII/1979, 1 ♂ 8/VIII/1979, Acree John A. & H.V. Weems Jr., 1 ♀ 8-9/III/1980, Williams H.E. & H.V. Weems Jr. (FSCA). Valley Botanical Garden, McAllen, Hidalgo Co., 1 ♂ 12/VII/1980, 1 ♂ 23/VIII/1980, Porter C.C. (FSCA). Valley State Park, Bentsen Rio Grande, Hidalgo Co., 1 ♂ 4/ VI /1982, 1 ♂ 1/VI/1979, 3 ♂ 11/VI/1982, 3 ♂14/VI/1982, 4 ♂ 16/VI/1983, 1 ♀ 2/VIII/1980, 1 ♀ 1 ♂ 30/V/1979, 2 ♀ 3 ♂ 31/V/1979, 1 ♂ 4/VI/1983, 1 ♀ 1 ♂ 6/VI/1982, Porter C. (FSCA). Valley State Park, near Mission, Bentsen Rio Grande, Hidalgo Co., 2 ♀ 6 ♂ 1-25/VIII/1980, 2 ♂ 10/VI/1981, 1 ♀ 1 ♂ 12/VI/1981, 1 ♂ 12/VIII/1983, 1 ♀ 2 ♂ 17/VI/1983, 1 ♂ 4/VI/1981, 2 ♂ 6/VI/1981, 1 ♂ 9/VI/1981, Porter C. (FSCA). McAllen Botanical Garden, Hidalgo Co., 1 ♀ 31/V/1982, 1 ♂ 31/VI/1982, Porter C. (FSCA). McAllen Botanical Garden, McAllen, Hidalgo Co., 1 ♀ 1/VII/1985, 1 ♀ 15/VI/1985, 1 ♀ 2/VII/1985, 1 ♀ 20/VI/1984, 1 ♀ 30/VI/1985, 1 ♀ 6/VII/1983, Porter C. (FSCA). San Antonio, 1 ♀ 11/IV/1942, Melander A.L.; Wharton, Wharton Co., 1 ♂ 24/VI/1917 (MCZ). Dallas, 1 ♀ 14/IX/1905, Jones C.R.; Galveston [Galveston Co.], 1 ♂ 29/VII/1924, Tretter; Garrett, 1 ♂ 21/VII/1908, Tucker E.S.; Plano [Collin Co.], 2 ♀ 1 ♂ X/1907, E.S. Tucker. Paris [Lamar Co.], 1 ♀ 27/VIII/1905, 1 ♂ 26/VIII/1905, F.C.Bishopp. Wolfe City, 1 ♀ 20/V/1907, 1 ♂ 4/VI/1909, F.C. Bishopp; Victoria, 1 ♂ 25/IX/1906, Crawford J.C.; Victoria, Victoria Co., 1 ♂ 25/VI/1917; Waco, 1 ♀ 17/II/1939, Jones C.R. (USNM).