Eiphosoma nigrovittatum Cresson, 1865

Fernández-Triana, José L. & Ravelo, Horacio Grillo, 2007, A taxonomic review of Cuban Eiphosoma Cresson (Hymenoptera: Ichneumonidae), with biogeographical notes, Zootaxa 1655 (1), pp. 49-61 : 54-55

Eiphosoma nigrovittatum Cresson

Eiphosoma nigrovittata Cresson 1865: 55 . [Original description. Holotype ♀, CUBA (ANSP, not examined)]

Eiphosoma vitticolle var. nigrovittatum Cresson ; Morley 1913: 55.

Eiphosoma schwarzi Cockerell 1913: 62 . [Holotype ♀, GUATEMALA (USNM, not examined). Synonymized by Gauld 2000: 96]

Eiphosoma (Brachixiphosoma) insulare Viereck 1913: 564 . [Holotype ♀, PUERTO RICO (USNM, not examined). Synonymized by Gauld 2000: 96]

Diagnosis. Characters that differentiate E. nigrovittatum from all species other than those of its species-group are presented in the diagnosis for E. luteum . Only two other species in Cuba (i.e. E. luteum and E. dearmasi sp. nov.) lack an areolet, but they do not have any black marking on the mesopleuron. Eiphosoma nigrovittatum has a diagonal black stripe that allows the species to be recognized. Some specimens of E. dentator also lack an areolet, but in those cases the metapleuron is regularly punctate over its entire surface, quite different from the smooth metapleuron of E. nigrovittatum .

Comments. According to the description provided by Gauld (2000), there is some variation in Cuban specimens. Examples are as follows: malar space up to 0.70X as long as mandible width; forewing 2 rs-m about 0.70X length of abscissa of M between 2 rs-m and 2 m-cu; ovipositor shorter than 1.50X length of metatibia; impressed area anterior to metapleuron and margin of epicnemium yellow, without black marks; metatibia more or less brown, blackish basally only; and metatarsus dark brown. A female from Eastern Cuba (Baracoa, GT) has a shorter ovipositor and convex clypeus. This specimen might represent a different species morphologically similar to E. nigrovitattum , but we have refrained from describing it as such until more material becomes available. It is also the only specimen available in Cuban collections with a host record other than D. hyalinata , although we were not able to confirm the record because host remains are not associated with the specimen. The label data from that specimen is: El Jamal, Baracoa, GT; vi-1979; Ex B. paraxalis in cacao plants; N. Tur (1 ♀, IES; CN: 7.001.195).

Material examined. CUBA, no further data (2 ♀, BIOECO). WC. LH: Río Ariguanabo, in the forest, vii- 1989, R. Regalado (1 ♂, MNHNCu). PR: Soroa, Candelaria, iii-1963, Alayo-García (1 ♂, IES). MT: Mercedes, Colón, ix-1970, H. Grillo (1 undetermined sex, UCLV). CC. VC: Santa Clara, University, xii-1992 and 1-1993, Ex Diaphania hyalinata ( Lepidoptera : Pyralidae ) in Cucurbita sp. (Cucurbitaceae) , E. Pozo (3 ♀, UCLV). SS: Río Caburní, Topes de Collantes, iii-2002, Ávila-Lozada (1 ♀, BIOECO). Topes de Collantes, Trinidad, x-1992, Ex Diaphania hyalinata ( Lepidoptera : Pyralidae ) in Cucurbita sp. (Cucurbitaceae) , J. Gómez (1 ♀, UCLV); Manacal, Fomento, v-1973 (1 ♀, UCLV). CF: Ciego Montero, Rodas, xii-1967, P. Alayo (1 ♀, IES). EC. GR: Buey Arriba, xi-1999, J. Fernández (1 ♀, BIOECO); Peralejo, Bayamo, xii-2001, Ex Diaphania hyalinata (Pyralidae) , J. Fernández (1 ♀, BIOECO). SC: Botanical Garden, Santiago de Cuba, xii-1992, in flowers of Chamaesyce berteriana (Euphorbiaceae) , J. Fernández; and x-1995, E. Portuondo (2 ♂, BIOECO); Cuabitas, P. Alayo (1 ♂, IES); Marimón, Santiago de Cuba, vii-1931, C. Ramsden (1 ♀, IES); Puerto Boniato, Santiago de Cuba, xi-1945, P. Alayo (1 ♀, IES); Santa María, Santiago de Cuba, vii & xi- 1940, P. Alayo (1 ♂ & 1 undetermined sex, IES); Santiago de Cuba, vii-1940, P. Alayo (1 ♂, IES); Siboney, Santiago de Cuba, viii-1946, P. Alayo (1 undetermined sex, IES). TU: Derramadero Río Jobabo, Jobabo, iii- 2003, J. Fernández (1 ♂, BIOECO). GT: Guantanamo (not examined, data from Townes & Townes, 1966).