Aphelagathis verticalis (Cresson)

Sharkey, Michael J., Chapman, Eric G., Janzen, Daniel H., Hallwachs, Winnie & Smith, M. Alex, 2015, Revision of Aphelagathis (Hymenoptera, Braconidae, Agathidinae, Agathidini), Zootaxa 4000 (1), pp. 73-89 : 85-86

Aphelagathis verticalis (Cresson)

( Fig. 11 )

Microdus verticalis Cresson 1872

Diagnosis. Predominantly yellow with extensive propodeal sculpture. This is the only species with a predominantly pale head and thorax that occurs in the eastern USA.

Description. Body length 5.9. Fore wing length 5.0. Ovipositor length 3.3. Body color pale, yellowish orange, except black as follows: most of scape, ocellar triangle, antennal pits, occiput near foramen, parts of tarsus of mid leg, apex of hind femur, subbasal spot on hind tibia, apex of hind tibia, most of hind tarsus (specimens vary from slightly lighter to much more melanic ( Fig. 11 E, F); scape varies from almost completely yellow to completely melanic, melanic color on head may be restricted to small spots on antennal base or the dorsal half of the head may be melanic ( Fig. 11 F); prothorax black, mesopleuron black dorsally; propodeum and parts of metanotum and metapleuron black, posterolateral edges of mesoscutum black, subbasal spot on hind tibia variable, often absent). 45 flagellomeres. Fore wing moderately and evenly infuscate. Propodeum mostly smooth anteriorly and increasingly more rugose posteriorly, with a median cell defined by a pair of irregular longitudinal carinae that diverge posteriorly (almost completely sculptured in some paratypes, the holotype represents the lower limit of sculpture; medial cell may be weakly defined). Cub of hind wing moderately pigmented.

Host Data. A series of 8 specimens of A. verticalis from Louisiana was reared from Ancyloxypha numitor [ Hesperiidae ], the least skipper. Because this is an introduced hesperiine grass-eating hesperiid and because all Aphelagathis are restricted to the New World, there are almost certainly other hosts. The host is widespread over all of the eastern USA and south eastern Canada. Judging by the specimens of A. verticalis that we have examined, its range is confined to an area within that of the known host, A. numitor . The host favors damp grasses in wet habitats ( Cech and Tudor, 2005) and feeds on a variety of grasses such as marsh millet ( Zizaniopsis miliacea (Michx.)) , rice cutgrass ( Leersia oryzoides (L.)), and cultivated rice ( Oryza sativa L.).

Specimens examined. Neotype ♀, USA, Kentucky, Hopkins Co., Thomas Farm, Malaise trap, swamp, 37° 20.357N: 87° 41.281W, 13–29.ix.2010, H7739 (HIC). Other specimens examined. USA, Kentucky: 1♂, Jessamine Co., 1.viii.1894, [det. by Ashmead as Microdus verticalis Cr. ] (UKIC). 19♀, 19♂, 37°20’N, 87°41’W, 3.vi-29.ix.2010, H7253, H7255, H7289, H7290, H7293, H7298, H7305, H7325, H7352, H7353, H7364, H7365, H7403, H7406, H7409, H7418, H7431, H7434, H7437, H7446, H7463, H7496, H7534, H7537, H7538, H7542, H7568, H7572, H7573, H7578, H7584, H7586, H7587, H7593, H7706, H7742, H7744, H7748 (HIC). Illinois: 3♀, 7♂, 41°42’26.91”N, 81°11’12.79”W, 10.vii-2.ix.2010, H7684, H7686, H7687, H7688, H7692, H7693, H7696, H7697, H7698, H7699 (HIC). Tennessee: 7♂, 83°50’17”W, 35°35’31”N, 18.vi-2.vii.2001. Louisiana: 5♀, 3♂, Crowley [misspelt as ‘Crawley’ on labels], ex: Ancyloxypha numitor [ Hesperiidae ], 30°12’50”N, 93°22’28”W, 18.viii.1978 (USNM). Georgia: 1♀, 32°09’41”N, 81°54’14”W, 27.viii.1960 (USNM). Florida: 3♀, 1♂, 27°10’58”N, 81°21’07”W, 9–13.x.1964 (CAS). 5♀, 28°26’44”N, 81°32’21”W. 30.vii-5.xii.1996 (UCFC). 3♀, 28°23’06”N, 81°33’49”W, 21.viii-7.xi.1996 (UCFC). 2♀, 1♂, 28°36’08”N, 81°12’00”W, 30.ix.1977, 30.ix.1992 and 26.ix.1993 (UCFC). 2♀, 1♂, 28°36’43”N, 80°48’27”W, 14–28.ix.2000, 4–18.iv.2001, and 16–31.x.2000 (UCFC). 1♂, 30°39’22”N, 84°12’32”W, 29.iv.1970 (FSCA). 1♀, 29°38’05”N, 82°22’17”W, 27.ix.1973 (FSCA). 1♀, 29°44’48”N, 82°26’34”W, 16.v.1977 (UCDC).

Molecular data. H7463 ( KR 140158 ), H7697 (ATRMK434-11), H7739 (ATRMK458-11), H11323 ( KP943636 ).

Figures

FIGURE 11. Aphelagathis verticalis A – D = neotype ♀, E – F = melanic specimen. A. lateral habitus, arrow indicates slightly thickened area of ovipositor. B. dorsal habitus, arrows indicate propodeum and first median tergite. C. wings, arrow indicates pigmented Cub vein of hind wing. D. lateral head and mesosoma. E. lateral head and mesosoma. F. dorsal head, mesosoma ant first median tergite.