Hyposoter, Forster, 1869

Galsworthy, Anthony, Shaw, Mark R. & Haraldseide, Håkon, 2023, A key to European species of Hyposoter Förster, 1869 (Ichneumonidae: Campopleginae) with descriptions of 18 new species, and notes on all included species, Zootaxa 5290 (1), pp. 1-73 : 8-31

Key to European species of Hyposoter (males and females)

1. Metasoma black, sometimes with the posterior borders of the tergites narrowly lightened or the central tergites weakly washed with brown..............................................................................................2

- Metasoma marked with red-brown, at least the third and/or fourth tergites laterally marked with red-brown (a few intermediate species can be reached via either alternative).................................................................43

2. Tegula brown or blackish, sometimes paler on the edge........................................................... 3

- Tegula completely yellowish...............................................................................8

3. Glymma lacking, third metasomal tergite washed with red-brown laterally.................... calcaneus ( Strobl, 1904) ♀

- Glymma obvious and deep; metasoma various.................................................................4

4. Hind tibia almost completely blackish, somewhat washed with dark brown, with a longitudinal red-brown stripe ventrally (a)..................................................................................... tibialis ( Hedwig, 1938) ♁ ♀

- Hind tibia red-brown, sometimes a little darkened at base and apex (aa)............................................. 5

5. Hind femora strongly marked with black proximoventrally (a); second metasomal sternite yellow-brown, without dark bands; speculum dorsally strongly and thickly punctured and rugose, smooth in a small area ventrally (rest of mesopleuron, mesoscutum and scutellum strongly, closely and evenly punctate)........................ nigromaculatus ( Strobl, 1904) (part) ♀

- Hind femora red-brown (aa), at most a little darkened proximally; second metasomal sternite marked with brown or black; speculum finely granulate or predominantly smooth.............................................................6

6. Large robust species (fore wing 7–8 mm); palps usually dark brown or blackish (sometimes yellow, especially in males) (a); hind claws clearly longer than arolium; area superomedia broader than long (b); lower half of mesopleuron strongly punctate (c)...................................................................... carbonarius ( Ratzeburg, 1844) ♁ ♀

- Smaller, more delicate species (fore wing length 4–5mm); palps yellowish or yellow-brown (aa); hind claws as long as arolium; area superomedia slightly longer than broad (bb); lower half of mesopleuron without visible punctures (cc)............... 7

7. Hind tibia proximally narrowly marked with brown; speculum relatively smooth; hind basitarsus almost completely dark brown; metasoma shorter, tergite 3 quadrate to transverse; propodeum with areas clearly defined with strong carinae, area petiolaris clearly bordered laterally.................................................... culminator Aubert, 1974 ♁ ♀

- Hind tibia proximally yellow-red; speculum strongly granulate; hind basitarsus almost completely yellow-red; metasoma longer, tergite 3 clearly elongate; propodeum with more weakly defined areas, area petiolaris not clearly bordered laterally....................................................................................... nigritus ( Holmgren, 1860) ♀

8. Hind femur dark brown or black, sometimes red-brown on the inner or outer side (a)..................................9

- Hind femur bright reddish, sometimes a little darkened proximally or distally (aa)................................... 15

9. Clypeus and genae yellow (a)................................................ pallidirostris ( Schmiedeknecht, 1909) ♀

- Clypeus and genae black.................................................................................... 10 10. Second metasomal sternite white-yellow, without dark bands (a)................................................... 11

- Second metasomal sternite banded with brown or black, or completely dark (aa)..................................... 13 11. Fore wing areolet open (a)....................................................... jubator sp.n. Galsworthy & Shaw ♀

- Fore wing areolet closed (aa)..................................................................................... 12 12. Scape ventrally yellow (a); fore and mid coxae bright yellow (b).................. inquinatus ( Holmgren, 1860) (part) ♀ ♁

- Scape ventrally black (aa); fore and mid coxae predominantly or completely black (bb)..... neglectus ( Holmgren, 1860) ♀ ♁

13. Hind tibia clearly marked with whitish yellow proximally, otherwise brownish with a darkened apex (a) (Area superomedia more than twice as broad as long, rather kidney-shaped, posteriorly closed (b); speculum granulate, matt)........................................................................................... tricoloripes ( Viereck, 1911) ♀ ♁

- Hind tibia proximally and distally black, medially whitish to yellowish red, with strong contrast (aa).................... 14 14. Hind basitarsus pale orange (a)........................................................ tricolor ( Ratzeburg,1844) ♁ ♀

- Hind basitarsus white with distal quarter black (aa)............................... albonotatus ( Bridgman, 1889) (part) ♀ 15. Hind coxa yellowish red or bright red-brown, sometimes marked with a little light brown at base (a).................... 16

- Hind coxa black, sometimes marked with a little white or yellow at apex (aa)....................................... 17

16. Hind tibia proximally and distally broadly blackish, the proximal ring at least twice as long as the breadth of the tibia, medially pale to reddish yellow; hind tarsus blackish, the basitarsus only narrowly lightened proximally (a); metasoma completely black........................................................................ coxator ( Thomson, 1887) ♀ ♁

- Hind tibia predominantly whitish yellow, with a small brown spot subproximally, and narrowly blackish at apex; first to third segments of the hind tarsus predominantly whitish yellow, each only spotted with brown at the apex (aa); third metasomal tergite narrowly washed with reddish brown............................... ruficoxator sp. n. Galsworthy & Shaw ♀ ♁

17. Fore and mid coxae whitish yellow, sometimes tinged with brownish or with brown areas, but not black................ 18

- Fore and mid coxae entirely or largely black, mid coxa at least broadly black at base................................. 25

18. Areolet open.......................................................................... fitchii ( Bridgman,1881) ♀

- Areolet obviously closed by vein 3 rs-m................................................................................19

19. Hind tibia broadly black proximally and distally, medially white or pale yellow to orange, with more or less strong contrast (a)................................................................................................ 20

- Hind tibia predominantly yellowish red, in the female hardly marked with darker (aa), in the male proximally and distally blackish (area superomedia about as long as broad, but carinae sometimes reduced).................................... 22 20. Hind tibia medially bright white (a)....................................................................................21

- Hind tibia medially pale yellow to orange (aa)................................... inquinatus ( Holmgren, 1860) (part) ♀ ♁

21. Ovipositor sheaths projecting well beyond apex of metasoma (a); fore and especially mid coxae with large brown patches alternating with clear yellow (b); hind basitarsus dorsally orange brown (c).......... albosignatus sp. n. Galsworthy & Shaw ♀

- Ovipositor sheaths shorter than apical height of metasoma (aa); fore and mid coxae usually uniform pale yellow (bb); hind basitarsus white with short black apex (cc).................................. albonotatus ( Bridgman, 1889) (part) ♀ ♁

22. Area petiolaris in female clearly rugose (a)...................................................................... 23

- Area petiolaris in female granulate and with a few very fine wrinkles (aa)........................................... 24 23. Mesopleuron granulate without obvious punctures (a); seventh tergite entire (b)... monensis sp. n. Galsworthy & Shaw ♀ ♁

- Mesopleuron with obvious punctures visible over the granulation (aa); seventh tergite emarginate (bb)........................................................................................ pechipogator sp. n. Galsworthy & Shaw ♀

24. Area basalis as long as broad, trapezoid; second metasomal sternite yellowish with brown transverse band................................................................................................. dumeticola ( Holmgren, 1860) ♀

- Area basalis narrowly triangular, posteriorly forming a short keel (a); second metasomal sternite yellowish, with no brown marking (b)........................................................... rivulator sp. n. Galsworthy & Shaw ♀ ♁

25. Second metasomal sternite whitish yellow or bright yellow brown (a)............................................... 26

- Second metasomal sternite mid-brown to black, or banded with this colour (aa) ( H. vividus is intermediate and can be reached via either alternative).....................................................................................30

26. Hind tibia proximally and medially whitish, subproximally and distally blackish, with strong contrast (a); (second metasomal sternite distally sometimes washed with red-brown; lower mesopleuron with clear punctures; fore and mid coxae often with some yellow, but mid coxa with black at least at base)................................. vividus ( Holmgren, 1860) ♀ ♁

- Hind tibia medially yellow or yellowish red, proximally and distally only narrowly or not marked with brown (aa)........27

27. Speculum very finely granulate, strongly shining, smooth in places (a).............................................. 28

- Speculum completely granulate, hardly shining (aa)............................................................. 29

28. Area in front of speculum with transverse rugae (a); propodeal carinae complete and petiolar area rugose (b).......................................................................................... castaneus sp. n. Galsworthy & Shaw ♀

- Area in front of speculum granulate, without rugae (aa); propodeal carinae reduced and propodeum entirely granulate, including petiolar area (bb)................................................. flaviventer sp. n. Galsworthy & Shaw ♀ ♁

29. Propodeum with finely delimited areas, sides of area superomedia and/or area basalis blurred with fine wrinkles......................................................................................... brischkei ( Bridgman, 1882) ♀ ♁

- Propodeum with clear areas, sides of area superomedia clearly developed...................... boops ( Thomson, 1887) ♀

30. Trochanters and trochantelli black, only fore trochantellus distally reddish-brown (a); speculum almost smooth, strongly shining; centre of mesopleuron with regular punctures on a finely sculptured and rather shiny background (b) (ovipositor sheaths about as long as the petiole, ovipositor clearly upcurved; third metasomal tergite often marked with red-brown laterally)..................................................................... rufonigrator sp. n. Galsworthy & Shaw ♀ ♁

- Trochanters and trochantelli extensively marked with yellow or bright reddish-brown (aa); centre of mesopleuron frequently unpunctured or finely punctured on a granulate background and matt (bb)........................................ 31

31. Hind tibia proximally and distally black or clearly infuscate, medially whitish yellow to red-brown with more or less strong contrast, and without pale spot at base (a)................................................................. 32

- Hind tibia with pale spot at base and/or lacking strong darkening subproximally and distally (aa)....................... 34

32. Speculum fully granulate, with some reflection; hind tibia dorsomedially whitish yellow, proximally and distally broadly blackish; hind claws long pectinate, with pectinations almost as long as length of claw beyond pectinations............................................................................................. seniculus ( Gravenhorst, 1829) ♀

- Speculum smooth or almost smooth in a small area, strongly shining; hind tibia dorsomedially yellowish-red; hind claws very short pectinate, pectinations much shorter than length of claw beyond pectinations................................ 33

33. Area superomedia generally 1.2–1.4 as long as broad (a); hind tibia proximally brownish, distally brownish or blackish, spurs pale (b)................................................................ caedator corsicator Aubert, 1960 ♀ ♁

- Area superomedia a little broader than long (aa); hind tibia proximally and distally blackish, spurs dark (bb)........................................................................................ anglicanus ( Habermehl, 1923) ♀

34. Hind tibia proximally marked with whitish or yellowish (this spot sometimes unclear), subproximally and distally brownish or blackish, dorsomedially whitish to yellowish red (a).............................................................. 35

- Hind tibia bright red-brown, sometimes with a proximal yellow spot or narrow apical darkening, but not with a dark subproximal ring (aa).............................................................................................. 38

35. Area superomedia clearly broader than long (a); seventh metasomal tergite dorsally deeply triangularly emarginate (b); ovipositor clearly protruding beyond the apex of the metasoma, ovipositor sheaths longer than the petiole (c) (metasoma black or slightly washed with red)................................................. virginalis ( Gravenhorst, 1829) (part) ♀

- Area superomedia at least as long as broad (aa); seventh metasomal tergite dorsally not emarginate (bb); ovipositor protruding little beyond the apex of the metasoma, ovipositor sheaths shorter than the petiole (cc)............................... 36

36. Hind tibia yellow proximally (sometimes not clear), subproximally bright brown to mid-brown, dorsomedially pale to darker yellowish or yellowish red, dorsodistally black (a).................................... longulus ( Thomson, 1887) ♀ ♁

- Hind tibia strongly whitish yellow proximally and medially, subproximally and dorsodistally strongly black, with strong and abrupt contrast (aa)........................................................................................ 37

37. Fore coxa black (a); metasomal tergites usually at least marked with red-brown laterally; ventral edge of hind tibia usually orange (b) (in specimens with extended red-brown markings on metasoma the dark rings of the hind tibia are brown instead of black; a species which is very variable in colouring)............................. didymator (Thunberg,1822) (part) ♀ ♁

- Fore coxa broadly whitish yellow at apex (aa), and sometimes mid coxa with some yellow at apex; central metasomal tergites black, sometimes a little washed with red-brown; hind tibiae always with very strong contrast, and with ventral edge narrowly dark brown (bb).................................................................... vividus ( Holmgren,1860) ♁ ♀

38. All or almost all of centre of mesopleuron punctured on a smooth background (a) (seventh metasomal tergite dorsally clearly emarginate; ovipositor clearly extending beyond the apex of the metasoma)................... ebenitor Aubert, 1972 ♀ ♁

- Speculum frequently granulate; centre of mesopleuron with granulate background (aa)............................... 39

39. Genal carina disappearing subventrally (at level of bottom of eye) and replaced by a bulge covered with long grey setae, the latter turning forwards and meeting the oral carina very close to the base of the mandible (a); in the male, and sometimes also the female, scape ventrally broadly marked with yellow (b); in the female ovipositor short, the sheaths usually about half the apical height of the metasoma (c); seventh tergite dorsally not emarginate (in both sexes lower mesopleuron finely granulate with scattered punctation)........................................................... clausus ( Brischke, 1880) ♀ ♁

- Genal carina subventrally low but distinct, not turning forwards, and meeting the oral carina at a distance from the base of the mandible (aa); in male scape ventrally at most washed with a little red brown (bb); in female ovipositor longer (cc) and seventh tergite dorsally in some cases clearly emarginate........................................................... 40

40. Speculum smooth in a small area, clearly shining; area superomedia about 1.1x as long as broad (hind tibia bright red-brown, without yellow proximal fleck, with a brown stripe dorsodistally)............................ insulator Aubert, 1960 ♀

- Speculum granulate, or with granules in rows, matt or with silky reflection; area superomedia generally at most as long as broad.............................................................................................. 41

41. Hind tibia with a yellow spot proximally (this sometimes disappearing) (a); in male fore coxa distally often about half yellow; in female ovipositor sheaths about as long as the postpetiole, ovipositor reaching a little beyond apex of metasoma (b); seventh metasomal tergite dorsally not clearly emarginate.................................... placidus ( Desvignes, 1856) ♀ ♁

- Hind tibia without yellow spot proximally (aa); in male fore coxa at most narrowly yellowish distally; in female ovipositor sheaths as long as petiole, ovipositor reaching well beyond apex of metasoma (bb); seventh metasomal tergite clearly emarginate dorsally......................................................................................... 42

42. Base and middle of mandible yellow (a); hind tibia not or hardly darkened distally (b).... ebeninus ( Gravenhorst, 1829) ♀ ♁

- Mandible clearly marked with black proximally, yellow medially (aa); hind tibia narrowly marked with dark brown distally (bb)........................................................................... rhodocerae ( Rondani, 1877) ♀ ♁ 43. Hind coxa bright red-brown (a)................................................................................ 44

- Hind coxa mostly or completely black (aa)..................................................................... 46

44. Metasoma bright red-brown, including whole of first tergite, without black markings (a); genal carina bent forwards subventrally, meeting the oral carina at the base of the mandible................................. sanguinator Aubert, 1960 ♀

- At least the first metasomal segment and the greater part of the second black (aa); genal carina subventrally and ventrally not much rounded, meeting the hypostomal carina clearly at a distance from the base of the mandible.................... 45

45. Metasoma red-brown laterally from third tergite on (a); propodeum with all carinae low, and sides of area superomedia hardly defined; area superomedia about as broad as long (b) (temples very strongly and directly narrowed; antenna reddish-brown; third metasomal tergite with brown central basal areas, and following tergites with narrower brownish areas, forming longitudinal stripe on centre of metasoma)................................................. maculatus ( Hedwig, 1938) ♀

- Metasoma with central segments entirely bright orange and at least last two segments dark brown (aa); propodeal carinae strong and area superomedia well defined and much longer than broad (bb)..................... prolixus ( Holmgren, 1860) ♀ ♁

46. Fore and mid coxae yellow; mid coxa at most washed with reddish brown proximally (a).............................. 47

- Fore and mid coxae partly or completely black, at least mid coxa clearly marked with black at base (aa)................. 52

47. Metasomal pattern consisting of sharply differentiated bright orange and black, usually entirely or almost entirely orange laterally, and often also in apical half of tergites, and with large black markings covering at least basal half of tergites (e.g. a)................................................................................? Olesicampe (see note at end of key)

- Metasomal pattern otherwise, normally with at least one tergite entirely orange or reddish (aa)......................... 48

48. Speculum partly smooth, shining (a); hind coxa completely or at least distally warm brownish red (to varying extent) (b); hind trochanter uniformly yellowish (b); apical edge of second metasomal tergite rather vaguely washed with brown (c)............................................................................................. praecaedator Aubert, 1963 ♀

- Speculum fully granulate (in places only finely) (aa); hind coxa mainly or wholly black (bb); hind trochanter often darkened proximally (bb); distal edge of second tergite with contrasting black edge across its whole width (cc).................. 49

49. Hind tibia proximally and distally blackish, medially pale whitish yellow, with strong contrast (a); lower mesopleuron with punctures usually clearly visible through granulation (b); area superomedia about as long as broad, both this and area petiolaris strongly granulate but not rugose (c); second metasomal tergite partly and third tergite completely bright reddish brown, following tergites usually black, fourth tergite sometimes partly reddish brown (d).......... leucomerus ( Thomson, 1887) ♀ ♁

- Hind tibia proximally and distally vaguely brown or blackish, medially dorsally yellowish red, without strong contrast (aa); mesopleuron granulate with any punctures small and very inconspicuous (bb); area superomedia 1.2–1.3x (uncommonly 1.1x) as long as broad or with area superomedia not clearly defined by carinae ( flavicoxa sp. n.), area petiolaris with some rugae (cc); at least the fourth, and often also the fifth metasomal tergite marked with reddish brown (dd).......................... 50

50. Scape ventrally blackish or only distally reddish or yellowish red (a); blackish apical ring of hind tibia clear, at least as long as the breadth of the tibia (b); metasoma behind the third tergite completely yellowish red or a variable number of distal tergites washed with brownish (c)................................................ caedator ( Gravenhorst, 1829) (part) ♀ ♁

- Scape ventrally yellow (aa); hind tibia distally only narrowly and unclearly washed with dark brown (bb); sixth to eighth metasomal tergites black (cc).................................................................................... 51

51. Area superomedia broad, edges becoming lost distally in increased rugosity (a)..... flavicoxa sp. n. Galsworthy & Shaw ♀ ♁

- Area superomedia longer than wide, sides marked by clear carinae (aa)...... alpicola ( Smits van Burgst, 1914) ♀ ♁ comb n. 52. Tegula brown or black, sometimes with margin paler (a).......................................................... 53

- Tegula fully yellow ( H. rufovariatus with blackish shading in parts) (aa)........................................... 59 53. Hind femur black or washed with blackish (a), sometimes only in apical quarter.....................................54

- Hind femur bright red-brown (aa), sometimes flecked with black at base........................................... 56 54. Glymma absent, and first tergite with lateral surface convex (a); second metasomal tergite with sides strongly diverging (b)................................................................... pseudovalidus sp. n. Galsworthy & Shaw ♀

- Glymma present, and first tergite with lateral surface concave (aa); second metasomal tergite with parallel sides (bb)...... 55

55. Impression in front of speculum granulate and mesopleuron ventrally finely granulate and finely rugose in places (a); propodeum with little contrast between sculpture of anterior and posterior fields (b); hind tibia yellowish with no or only very weak proximal and distal darkening (c)................................................... validus ( Pfankuch,1921) ♀ ♁

- Impression in front of speculum with transverse striations and mesopleuron ventrally reticulate rugose (aa); propodeum with strong contrast between finely granulate anterior fields and strongly rugose remainder (bb); hind tibia reddish brown, proximally and distally marked with black, or entirely black (cc)...................... dolosus ( Gravenhorst,1829) (part) ♀ ♁

56. Glymma absent; only third metasomal tergite marked with brown laterally.................... calcaneus ( Strobl, 1904) ♁

- Glymma present; metasoma more extensively marked with red brown (except H. nigromaculatus , which has the hind femora strongly marked with black posteroventrally).............................................................. 57

57. Second metasomal tergite at least 1.3 as long as broad (almost completely or completely black) (a)................................................................................................... ruficrus ( Thomson, 1887) ♀

- Second metasomal tergite as long as broad or transverse (aa)..................................................... 58

58. Impression in front of speculum striate; centre of mesopleuron finely rugose on granulate background (a); second metasomal tergite in posterior half and third and fourth tergites red brown (tegula blackish or yellow, see couplet 81)....................................................................................... dolosus ( Gravenhorst, 1829) (part) ♀

- Impression in front of speculum and centre of mesopleuron very closely punctured on a smooth background (aa); metasoma black or second and third tergite slightly marked with red brown.................. nigromaculatus ( Strobl, 1904) (part) ♀

59. Fore trochanter and in most cases trochantellus blackish, trochantellus at least flecked with brown (a); hind tibia usually with a conspicuous yellow spot proximodorsally (b); scape ventrally black (c)............................................. 60

- Fore trochanter and trochantellus whitish or yellowish, trochanter at most with a small dark fleck (aa); and/or hind tibia lacking conspicuous yellow fleck proximodorsally (bb); and/or scape marked with yellow ventrally (cc)...................... 69

60. Glymma absent (a), or if traces present, apex of metasoma black.................................................61

- Glymma present, at least as a small but clearly defined recess just in front of postpetiole (aa).......................... 62 61. Malar space less than half basal width of mandible and face transverse (a); postpetiole nearly twice as long as broad and tergite 2 elongate (b)........................................................... morairae sp.n. Galsworthy & Shaw ♀

- Malar space about equal to depth of mandible and face quadrate (aa); postpetiole approximately quadrate and tergite 2 quadrate (bb)...................................................................... aglyphus sp. n. Galsworthy & Shaw ♀

62. Eyes strongly emarginate alongside the antennal pits (a); metasoma almost completely red-brown, only petiole black (b) (area superomedia broader than long (c)).............................................. orbator ( Gravenhorst, 1829) ♀ ♁

- Eyes more weakly emarginate on inner side (aa); metasoma more strongly darkened, at least the distal tergites marked with blackish (bb); area superomedia various.....................................................................63

63. Clypeus narrow, with a central subapical nose-shaped convexity (a); speculum smooth and shining at least in the ventral half (b) (lower mesopleuron very closely and deeply punctured (c))....................... naso sp. n. Galsworthy & Shaw ♀

- Clypeus subdistally centrally not especially conspicuously curved forward (aa); speculum finely or obviously sculptured, at most smooth in a small area, but sometimes shining (bb)......................................................... 64

64. Propodeum with clearly marked and complete areas, at least areas superomedia and petiolaris defined by strong carinae (a); second to fourth tergites predominantly red-brown, the second often lightly marked with black (or in karmensis proximal two thirds black) and the fourth red-brown at least in proximal third (b)................................................. 65

- Propodeum with only weak and/or incomplete carinae, costulae and side margins of area superomedia and area petiolaris often unclear or absent (aa); often only third metasomal tergite marked with red-brown and fourth usually entirely dark (bb).... 67

65. Ovipositor sheath not protruding beyond abdomen (a); fore trochantellus mostly yellow (b); 2nd abdominal tergite 1.4x as long as wide and proximal two thirds black (c); hind basitarsus with only minute pale spot proximally (d)........................................................................................... karmensis sp. n. Galsworthy & Haraldseide ♀

- Ovipositor sheath clearly protruding beyond abdomen (aa); fore trochantellus substantially or completely darkened (bb); 2nd abdominal tergite approximately quadrate and with only narrow proximal black band (cc); hind basitarsus with at least proximal quarter pale (dd)..................................................................................... 66

66. Hind tibia in female bright red-brown, proximally marked with yellow, subproximally and distally not or weakly darkened (a); ovipositor sheaths as long as the first metasomal segment (b)........................... caudator Horstmann, 2008 ♀ ♁

- Hind tibia usually clearly darkened subproximally and distally, brownish or black (aa); ovipositor sheaths about half as long as the first tergite (bb)......................................................... notatus ( Gravenhorst, 1829) ♀ ♁

67. Sternite of postpetiole and second metasomal sternite red brown, bordered with yellow (♀ unknown)................................................................................................... tenuicosta ( Thomson, 1887) ♁

- Sternite of postpetiole and second metasomal sternite blackish, sometimes the second sternite washed with brown (ovipositor sheaths 0.9–1.2 as long as first metasomal tergite).......................................................... 68

68. Ovipositor only slightly curved, ovipositor sheaths 1.2 as long as first metasomal tergite (a); in ♀, hind tibia yellowish red mediodorsally, relatively narrowly brownish subproximally and distally (b) (♁ not certainly known).......................................................................................................... rapacitor Aubert, 1971 ♀

- Ovipositor clearly curved over its whole length, ovipositor sheaths 0.8–0.9 as long as first metasomal tergite (aa); hind tibia dorsomedially yellow, subproximally and distally brown or black, in ♀ often subproximal and apical rings black and clearly lengthened (bb), rarely tibia completely blackish medially................... rufonigrator sp. n. Galsworthy & Shaw ♀ ♁

69. Genal carina disappearing before the junction with the oral carina, above level of bottom of eye (a) (scape with an apicoventral yellow spot (b); hind tibia bright red-brown, vaguely marked with yellow proximally, hardly darkened distally (c); propodeum rather evenly granulate (d); lower mesopleuron closely and quite coarsely punctate (e); metasomal tergites 2–4 and base of 5 red, rest of 5 and 6 dark brown to black (f))......................................... sicarius ( Gravenhorst, 1829) ♀ ♁

- Genal carina complete....................................................................................70

70. Genal carina meeting oral carina at the base of the mandible (a); epicnemial carina submedially clearly raised, centrally deeply incised (b) (tergite 2 normally completely or almost completely black, and with black central markings on at least some, sometimes all remaining tergites (c))............................................ discedens ( Schmiedeknecht, 1909) ♀ ♁

- Genal carina meeting oral carina obviously at a distance from the base of the mandible (aa); epicnemial carina low, not medially incised (bb)......................................................................................... 71

71. Petiole without glymma (a) (propodeum very short, with area superomedia in almost same plane as area petiolaris (b); hind tibia with clear yellow fleck at proximal end, at most slightly darkened subproximally and distally (c); apical tergites orange (d); underside of scape yellow (e))................................................ meridionellator Aubert, 1965 ♀

- Petiole with obvious glymma..............................................................................72 72. Hind tibia with a clear white or yellow proximodorsal spot, or mediodorsally white (a)................................ 73

- Hind tibia without clear white or yellow proximodorsal spot, mediodorsally yellow to orange (aa)...................... 78 73. Hind tibia mediodorsally white, usually with dark subproximal ring, and always with dark apical ring, with strong contrast (a)........................................................................................................... 74

- Hind tibia mediodorsally yellow to orange (aa)................................................................. 76

74. Speculum smooth or very finely granulate, usually with obvious reflection (a); in ♀ seventh tergite not incised dorsally (b)............................................................................... didymator (Thunberg, 1822) (part) ♀ ♁

- Speculum obviously granulate, matt or with weak reflection (aa); in ♀ seventh tergite dorsally clearly incised (bb)........ 75

75. Second metasomal tergite 1.1–1.2 as long as broad; second and third metasomal tergites broadly marked with bright red-brown (a)......................................................................... barrettii ( Bridgman, 1881) ♀ ♁

- Second metasomal tergite 1.4–1.5 as long as broad; second and third metasomal tergites at most washed with red-brown (aa)............................................................................ virginalis ( Gravenhorst,1829) (part) ♀ 76. Mesopleuron without punctures (a); all tergites marked medially with black, laterally orange (b)............................................................................................ heidiella sp. n. Galsworthy & Haraldseide ♀

- Mesopleuron with obvious punctures (aa); at least some tergites wholly orange (bb).................................. 77

77. Hind tibia with dark subproximal ring (a); postpetiole and tergites 6 and 7 dark brown (b)............................................................................................... pseudodidymator sp. n. Galsworthy & Shaw ♀

- Hind tibia without dark subproximal ring; postpetiole and all tergites bright red brown............. kontzeii ( Kiss, 1924) ♀

78. Postpetiole and second and third (sometimes also fourth) tergites red-brown (a), sometimes postpetiole blackish, washed with red brown; in ♀ lateral parts of eighth metasomal tergite extended posteriorly over the very short ovipositor apex (forming a shape like the bow of a ship (b)); in ♁ seventh metasomal tergite deeply incised dorsally....................................................................................................... horticola ( Gravenhorst, 1829) ♀ ♁

- Postpetiole predominantly or completely black; second metasomal tergite usually marked with black anteriorly or completely black (aa); apex of metasoma without unusual features....................................................... 79

79. Propodeum granulate, area petiolaris with very short wrinkles only around the edges and costulae absent (a); apical metasomal tergites conspicuously shiny (b); seventh tergite deeply incised dorsally (second metasomal tergite completely black, red on metasoma rather dusky, blackish in centre of tergites, brighter laterally (b); ovipositor protruding well beyond apex of metasoma (b))............................................................ horstmanni sp. n. Galsworthy & Shaw ♀

- Area petiolaris obviously rugose; at least shortened costulae present (aa); apical metasomal tergites not conspicuously shiny; seventh metasomal tergite not incised.......................................................................80

80. Second metasomal tergite completely black, at most very slightly lightened at the hind corners, third to fifth tergites red-brown laterally, marked with black dorsally (a) (area superomedia about as long as broad (b); hind tibia medially yellowish red, proximally and distally relatively narrowly darkened (c))........................... rufovariatus ( Schmiedeknecht, 1909) ♀

- Second metasomal tergite posteriorly or subposteriorly clearly marked with red-brown or brown and third to fifth tergites completely red or variably darkened (aa).......................................................................... 81

81. Body length 7–8 mm; strong contrast between finely sculptured anterior fields of propodeum and more strongly sculptured rest of propodeum (a) (hind tibia red-brown proximally and distally blackish (b); area superomedia about as long as broad (a); second metasomal tergite broadly red-brown posteriorly, third to fourth or third to fifth tergites completely red-brown, or partially washed with blackish; tegula blackish or yellow, see couplet 58)..................... dolosus ( Gravenhorst, 1829) (part) ♁

- Body length 4–5 mm; no such strong contrast in sculpture of propodeum (aa)....................................... 82

82. Area superomedia not clearly marked laterally behind the costulae; scape and pedicel ventrally bright yellow; hind tibia medially broadly yellowish brown, proximally and distally relatively narrowly dark brown or blackish............................................................................................. cryptocentrus ( Gravenhorst, 1829) ♀

- Area superomedia clearly marked laterally behind the costulae; scape and pedicel brown, sometimes tinged yellow or partially yellow; hind tibia otherwise............................................................................ 83

83. Mesoscutum and lower mesopleuron with clearly visible punctures; area in front of speculum with fine transverse rugae (a)....................................................................... castaneus sp. n. Galsworthy & Shaw ♀

- Mesoscutum and lower mesopleuron without obvious punctures; area in front of speculum very finely sculptured and shiny or evenly granulate (aa)................................................................................. 84

84. Speculum usually smooth or very finely granulate, creating a shining area distinct from rest of mesopleuron (a); face in anterior view with eyes more bulging, giving a triangular appearance (b); area superomedia usually 1.2–1.4x as long as broad (c); hind tibia medially broadly yellowish red, proximally and distally brownish (d)................ caedator ( Gravenhorst, 1829) ♀ ♁

- Speculum evenly granulate, not distinct from rest of mesopleuron (aa); face in anterior view with eyes less bulging, giving more compact appearance (bb); area superomedia about as long as broad or a little broader than long (cc); hind tibia often with little or no darkening proximally and/or distally (dd).............................. dubitatus ( Holmgren, 1860) stat.rev. ♀ ♁

Note: In couplet 47 we have referred a group with a rather distinctive metasomal pattern to Olesicampe and in particular the group which were for the most part included in Holocremnus / Holocremna , currently regarded as a synonym of Olesicampe . We have seen specimens of several very similar, but probably distinct species, with yellow fore- and mid-coxae, and this metasomal pattern, and some of them morphologically could belong to either Hyposoter or Olesicampe . However, none of the recent material which we have seen is reared.The only reared specimens with this metasomal pattern which we have seen are in the NHMUK collection, and all were reared many years ago from sawflies (Symphyta). While it is possible, indeed likely, that some further species of Hyposoter as presently defined are present in this group, we reluctantly conclude that further elucidation of it will have to await either the availability of new reared material or revisional work on Olesicampe .