Cremnops comstocki (Morrison)

Tucker, Erika M., Chapman, Eric G. & Sharkey, Michael J., 2015, A revision of the New World species of Cremnops Förster (Hymenoptera: Braconidae: Agathidinae), Zootaxa 3916 (1), pp. 1-83 : 46-47

Cremnops comstocki (Morrison)

[ Plate 8 , Figs A–I]

Bracon comstocki Morrison, 1917 . Female.

Diagnosis. This species is easily distinguished from all other Cremnops by the prominent hook-shaped posterior projecting scutal flange.

Description. Holotype: female. Body length 7.5 mm (6.5–8 mm).

Head (Figs C & F). Antennae broken on type specimen, 38–44 flagellomeres. Lateral carina of frons weak, ending significantly anteriad lateral ocellus. Interocellar space not elevated, lower than lateral ocelli. Malar space 0.7x (0.6–1.0x) eye height. Apical tooth of mandible not extending past margin of basal lobe.

Mesosoma (Figs D, E & H). Subpronopes adjacent, separated by a partition wider than (or about to equal) the longitudinal length of the dorsomedial portion of pronotum. Median mesonotal lobe weakly depressed medially. Notaulus smooth (sometimes weakly foveolate). Scutellar sulcus with 1 (1–5) longitudinal carina. Hind margin of posterolateral scutal flange prominent; distinctly curved medially in a hook-like shape. Mesoscutellar trough with (to without) longitudinal carinae laterally. Metanotal trough without extensive longitudinal carinae laterally. Sternaulus with 4 (3–7) pits; about 1/ 3x (to 1/ 2x) length of mesopleuron. Discrimen foveolate (to smooth). Medial propodeal areola with 5 (2–5) transverse carinae. Metapleuron rugose almost entirely, only dorsal 1/8–1/4 smooth.

Hind leg (Fig. I). Femur length about 4x width. Trochantellar carina absent. Distal tibia with 2 spines. Inner tooth of inner and outer claws symmetrical, narrow and angled (to curved).

Fore wing (Fig. G). Melanic; veins melanic; stigma melanic. 2nd submarginal cell about as high as wide. Hyaline spot in anterior part of 1st submarginal cell and basal part of 2nd discal cell.

Metasoma (Figs A & B). 1st median tergite length about 1.2x apical width, apical width about 2x basal width.

Body Color Black, except orange as follows: metasoma (to orange propodeum, metapleuron, and hind legs).

Biology. Host —Unknown.

Adults Collected —March to October.

Geographic Range —Alberta south to Texas, primarily east of the Rocky Mountains. See map in Appendix II.

Comments. This is one of the most easily identified species of Cremnops due to its prominently hooked scutal flange (compared to acute, slightly curved, or not prominent).

Etymology. Presumably named after John Henry Comstock, a prominent research entomologist and arachnologist.

Material examined. HOLOTYPE: female, Ithica, Ellis, N.Y., 12 June, 1904, type no. 20477, ( USNM) (H3471). Non-Types: 98 ( HIC), 1 ( CMNH), 7 ( UCFC), 28 ( FSCA), 2 ( INHS), 2 ( ESSIG), 13 ( MCZ), 7 ( MNHM), 17 ( CNC), 2 ( CSCA). For holotype and additional images see Appendix VIII.

Figures

PLATE 8. Cremnops comstocki. A. lateral habitus; B. dorsal habitus; C. lateral head with mandible insert; D. mesopleuron; E. mesoscutum with scutal flange insert; F. face; G. wings; H. propodeum; I. hind leg.