Apanteles (Choeras) varicolor Song & Chen

Song, Sheng-Nan, He, Jun-Hua & Chen, Xue-Xin, 2014, The subgenus Choeras Mason, 1981 of genus Apanteles Foerster, 1862 (Hymenoptera, Braconidae, Microgastrinae) from China, with descriptions of eighteen new species, Zootaxa 3754 (5), pp. 501-554 : 545-548

Apanteles (Choeras) varicolor Song & Chen , sp. n.

( Figure 18. a–j )

Description. Female. Length of body 4.3 mm, of fore wing 4.7 mm.

Head. 2.1 times as wide as long, equal to the width of mesoscutum. Antenna with 18 segments, with short setae, almost equal to the length of body, subapical antennal segments much elongated, length of 16th segment 0.9 times as long as 15th segment, length of third segment equal to fourth segment, length of third, fourth, 15th, 16th and penultimate segments 2.5, 2.4, 2.2, 2.0 and 2.0 times as long as their width, respectively. In dorsal view length of eye 1.6 times as long as length of temple. Ocellar triangle sparsely setose and punctulate, softly shiny. Ocelli in a very low triangle, the posterior transverse tangent to the median ocellus cutting into the posterior pair; ocelli large, their diameter longer than the distance between the hind and fore ocellus. OOL: OD: POL= 8: 5: 10. Frons shiny, smooth and distinctly concave medially, lateral area of media part slightly strigose, narrowly punctulate and setose laterally and posteriorly. Temple and vertex shiny, densely setose and punctulate. Face strongly rugose laterally, strongly and densely punctulate, finely and densely setose. Clypeus densely punctulate and setose. Face with a median longitudinal carina, more distinct near the antennal sockets. Length of malar space half of basal width of mandible.

Mesosoma. Length of mesosoma 1.2 times as long as its height. Side of pronotum densely setose and strongly punctate, with distinct ventral furrow which with several longitudinal carinae. Propleuron slightly strigose and softly shiny. Prepectal carina and precoxal sulcus absent. Mesopleuron largely smooth, glabrous and shiny, narrowly punctulate and setose anteriorly and ventrally. Mesoscutum finely and densely punctulate, indistinct posteriorly and strongly shiny, densely setose. Notauli with a weak trace. Scutellar sulcus wide with several distinctly longitudinal carinae, its width 1.1 times as long as scutellum. Scutellum relatively sparsely setose and punctulate, strongly shiny. Side of scutellum with wide crenulate depression, lunula small-sized and obtusely triangular. Propodeum largely smooth and softly shiny, sparsely setose and punctulate anteriorly, but narrowly rugose laterally, with a strong and regular median longitudinal carina which bifurcates into several short oblique carinae, more distinct at its base.

Wings. Fore wing evenly covered with brown setae, denser towards the apex. Pterostigma relatively narrow, 3.0 times as long as wide. Vein 1-R1 almost equal to length of pterostigma and 2.2 times as long as the distance from it to the top of marginal cell. Vein r more or less straight and 1.4 times as long as 2-SR, r arising much far beyond the middle of pterostigma and much longer than breadth of pterostigma. Vein 2-SR distinctly curved. Areolet very small and triangular, vein r-m arising from vein 2-SR at a considerable distance proximal to the junction of vein r and 2-SR. 1-CU1: 2-CU 1= 3: 2. Vein 1-SR pointing to 1-CU1. Hind wing evenly covered with brown setae. Vein cu-a straight. Edge of vannal lobe beyond its widest part very slightly concave and without a hair-fringe.

Legs. Hind coxa strongly shiny and smooth, sparsely pubescent postero-dorsally and laterally, but the remainder densely pubescent. Length of hind coxa longer than half of thorax. Tarsal claws setose. Longer spur of middle tibia reaching apex of middle basitarsus and terminating in a long bristle. Length of femur, tibia and basitarsus of hind leg 3.4, 5.1 and 6.0 times as long as their width, respectively. Length of hind tibial spurs 0.3 and 0.6 times as long as hind basitarsus respectively. Hind femur moderately finely setose.

Metasoma. Tergite I very long and distinctly quadrangular, lateral sides slightly convex basally and slightly narrowed apically, its basal width 1.5 times as long as its apical width which is almost equal to median length of tergite II; basally 0.7 with a relatively wide and shallow excavation which is smooth, the remainder densely setose and punctulate. Tergite II distinctly subtriangular, apical margin distinctly curved and 3.2, 3.8 times as long as basal width and its length; strongly shiny, smooth and sparsely setose laterally. Remaining tergites smooth and shiny, densely setose apically. Ovipositor sheath finely hairy, very slender at the base but broadening conspicuously towards apex, its length (total length) 0.9 times as long as hind tibia. Hypopygium largely sclerotized but membranous near the median line, tightly folded along the middle line and with wide longitudinal creases laterally, acute apically.

Colour. Head black. Labrum shinning yellow. Clypeus and mandibles yellowish brown. Face black. Eyes yellowish brown with black tinge. Scape and pedicel shinning yellow but dark brown laterally. Flagellum dark brown. Mesosoma black except that propleuron subhyaline dark brown. Wing membrane subhyaline and weakly infuscate. Pterostigma dark brown. Veins of fore wing brown except r-m weakly pigmented. Veins of hind wing weakly pigmented. Fore and middle legs all yellow except tarsal claws black. Hind coxa yellowish and a small area at the apex brown. Trochanter and trochantellus yellow. Hind femur reddish brown but a small area at the apex brown. Hind tibia largely yellow, but brown apically and basally 0.2 respectively. Hind tarsus dark brown. Tibial spurs pale yellow. Tergite I yellow. Tergite II dark brown but yellow basally. Tergite III largely yellow but dark brown medio-basally. Remaining tergites yellow. Ovipositor reddish brown, its sheath dark brown.

Variation. Body length 2.5–5.7mm. Fore wing length 3.2–6.1 mm. And some individuals different in colour pattern of tergites and legs: some individuals tergite I black apically and yellow basally, remaining tergites with indefinite black streaks; some individuals tergite I black apically and yellow basally, remaining tergites entirely black; some individuals tergites entirely yellow; some individuals tergites I yellow and remaining tergites yellow with indefinite black streaks; and some individuals hind coxa black.

Male. Unknown.

Biology. Unknown.

Material examined. Holotype, ♀, China, Zhejiang Prov., West Tianmushan, Dahenglu (Malaise trap), 1998. IX. 14, Zhao Mingshui, No. 999832 ( ZJUH). Paratypes (all in ZJUH): 1♀, China, Zhejiang Prov., West Tianmushan, 1998. VII, He Junhua, No. 200011126; 1♀, China, Zhejiang Prov., West Tianmushan, 2000. VII. 3, Ma Yun, No. 200103551; 1♀, China, Zhejiang Prov., West Tianmushan, 1998. V. 31, Chen Xuexin, No. 980206; 1♀, China, Zhejiang Prov., West Tianmushan, 1998. V. 31, Chen Xuexin, No. 980206; 2♀, China, Zhejiang Prov., Tianmushan, Laodian, 1998. VII. 31, Zhao Mingshui, No. 20002308, 20002338; 1♀, China, Zhejiang Prov., Tianmushan, Laodian, 1998. VI. 13, Zhao Mingshui, No. 980906; 1♀, China, Zhejiang Prov., Tianmushan, Laodian, 1998. VI. 13, Chen Xuexin, No. 980745; 2♀, China, Zhejiang Prov., Tianmushan, Xianrending (Malaise trap), 1999. VII. 12, Zhao Mingshui, No. 20003436, 20003432; 1♀, China, Zhejiang Prov., Tianmushan, 1993. VI. 12, Ma Jufa, No. 934535; 1♀, China, Zhejiang Prov., Kaihua, Gutianshan, 2003. VIII. 19, Liu Jingxian, No. 20055830; 4♀, China, Fujian Prov., Fuzhou, 1990. X. 3, Lin Naiquan, No. 967534, 967535, 967536, 967538; 1♀, China, Fujian Prov., Fuzhou, Jinshan, 1989. VI. 6, Zhao Xiufu, No. 20003736; 3♀, China, Fujian Prov., Fuzhou, 1991. IX. 6, Zhao Xiufu, No. 967727, 967731, 967739; 16♀, China, Fujian Prov., Fuzhou, 1992. X. 14, Liu Changming, No. 967040, 967041, 967041 (2), 967043, 967044, 967045, 967047, 967048, 967049, 967050, 967051, 967052, 967054, 967055, 967059, 967067; 9♀, China, Fujian Prov., Fuzhou, 1992. X. 25, Liu Changming, No., 967121, 967124, 967126, 967127, 967129, 967131, 967132, 967133, 967140; 1♀, China, Fujian Prov., Fuzhou, 1992. XII. 1, Liu Changming, No. 967150; 1♀, China, Fujian Prov., Fuzhou, 1993. IV. 30, Lin Naiquan, No. 967588; 1♀, China, Fujian Prov., Fuzhou, 1990. IX. 19, Zhao Xiufu, No. 967705; 3♀, China, Fujian Prov., Fuzhou, 1992. XII. 18, Liu Changming, No. 967159, 967162, 967167; 2♀, China, Fujian Prov., Fuzhou, 1993. V. 10, Liu Changming, No. 967278, 967300; 1♀, China, Fujian Prov., Fuzhou, 1990. VIII.17, Liu Changming, No. 966345; 5♀, China, Fujian Prov., Fuzhou, 1991. IV. 17, Liu Changming, No. 966544, 966545, 966546, 966548, 966549; 1♀, China, Fujian Prov., Fuzhou, 1991. IX. 6, Zhao Xiufu, No. 967723; 1♀, China, Fujian Prov., Shenzhou, Shumuyuan, 1989. X, Wu Zhishan, No. 20009683; 1♀, China, Fujian Prov., Nanping, Dayangxiang, 2002. IX. 23, Ruan Desong, No. 20023901; 1♀, China, Fujian Prov., Yongtai, Chibi, 2002. IX. 17, Yu Xiaoxia, No. 20023702; 1♀, China, Fujian Prov., Yongtai, Chibi, 2002. IX. 17, Li Fangfang, No. 20023752; 1♀, China, Fujian Prov., Nanjing, Letu, 1991. V. 23, Liu Changming, No. 20006137; 1♀, China, Guangdong Prov., Shaoguan, 1992. V. 11, Ma Yun, No. 920907; 2♀, China, Guangdong Prov., Shixing, Chebaling, 2002. IV. 19, Xu Zaifu, No. 20051039, 20050917; 4♀, China, Guangdong Prov., Shixing, Chebaling, 2002. V. 25, Xu Zaifu, No.

20051083, 20051084, 20051402, 20051643; 1♀, China, Guangdong Prov., Shixing, Chebaling, 2003. VIII. 21, Xu Zaifu, No. 20052464; 1♀, China, Guangdong Prov., Nankunshan, 2006. VI. 1, Xu Zaifu, No. 200807047; 1♀, China, Guangdong Prov., Nankunshan, 2002. VI. 8, Xu Zaifu, No. 20028853; 2♀, China, Guangdong Prov., Longmen, Nankunshan, 2003. VII. 14–15, Xu Zaifu, No. 20050242, 20050211; 2♀, China, Guangdong Prov., Longmen, Nankunshan, 2004. V. 12, Xu Zaifu, No. 20053120, 20053183; 2♀, China, Guangdong Prov., Dinghushan Reserve, 2002. IV. 6–IV. 7, Xu Zaifu, No. 20026421, 20026414; 1♀, China, Guangdong Prov., Meizhou, Fengxi, 2003. VII. 29, Chen Jujian, No. 20048667; 1♀, China, Guangxi Prov., Guilin, 1987. IX. 22, He Junhua, No. 878666; 1♀, China, Guangxi Prov., Damingshan, Neizhao, 2011. VIII. 13, Yan Chengjin, No. 201100830; 1♀, China, Guangxi Prov., Damingshan, Pingtai (200–400m), 2001. XI. 28, Ma Yun, No. 20021518; 2♀, China, Hainan Prov., Wuzhishan, Shuimanxiang, 2007. V. 16–18, Zeng Jie, No. 200807504, 200807511; 1♀, China, Hainan Prov., Yinggeling, 2007. X. 18, Liu Jingxian, No. 200709920; 1♀, China, Hainan Prov., Yinggeling, 2007. V. 23–25, Xiao Bin, No. 200807369; 1♀, China, Hainan Prov., Baisha, Yinggeling, 2008. XI. 18, Tan Jiangli, No. 200805275; 1♀, China, Hainan Prov., Jianfengling, Mingfenggu, 2007. X. 25, Liu Jingxian, No. 200709632; 1♀, China, Hainan Prov., Jianfengling, Tianchi, 2007. X. 22–23, Liu Jingxian, No. 200710710; 1♀, China, Hainan Prov., Diaoluoshan, 2007. VI. 1–2, Liu Jingxian, No. 200703869; 1♀, China, Sichuan Prov., Chongqing, 1987. IX. 3, He Junhua, No. 878457; 1♀, China, Sichuan Prov., Qingchengshan, 2006. VII. 20, Zhang Hongying, No. 200612129; 1♀, China, Sichuan Prov., Qingchengshan, 2006. VII. 19, Zhang Hongying, No. 200614438; 3♀, China, Guizhou Prov., Mayanghe, Wanjia, 2007. IX. 27–30, Liu Jingxian, No. 200708347, 200708671, 200708835; 1♀, China, Guizhou Prov., Mayanghe, Daheba, 2007. X. 1–3, Liu Jingxian, No. 200709539; 2♀, China, Guizhou Prov., Mayanghe, Wanjia, 2007. IX. 27–30, Zhu Lanlan, No. 200708054, 200708199; 1♀, China, Guizhou Prov., Chishui, Suoluo Reserve, 2000. IX. 21, Ma Yun, No. 200103222; 1♀, China, Guizhou Prov., Chishui, Yaozhangou, 2000. IX. 23, Ma Yun, No. 200103301; 1♀, China, Guizhou Prov., Chishui, Nanchanggou, 2000. IX. 22, Ma Yun, No. 200102997; 1♀, China, Guizhou Prov., Xishui, Changqiangou, 2000. IX. 28, Ma Yun, No. 200102673; 1♀, China, Guizhou Prov., Xishui, Changqiangou, 2000. IX. 25, Ma Yun, No. 200102542; 1♀, China, Guizhou Prov., Guiyang, 1983. IV. 18, He Junhua, No. 834741; 1♀, China, Guizhou Prov., Fanjingshan, Tongkuangchang, 2001. VII. 28, Piao Meihua, No. 200107262; 1♀, China, Guizhou Prov., Leigongshan, Xiaodanjiang, 2005. VI. 4, Zhang Hongying, No. 200606204; 1♀, China, Guizhou Prov., Leigongshan, Xiaodanjiang, 2005. VI. 5, Zhang Hongying, No. 200606285; 2♀, China, Yunnan Prov., Kunming, Dianchi, Xishan Park, 2006. VII. 9, Zeng Jie, No. 200801559, 200801564.

Distribution. China (Zhejiang, Fujian, Guangdong, Guangxi, Hainan, Sichuan, Guizhou, Yunnan) ( Fig. 23 ).

Remark. The new species is similar to Apanteles (Choeras) compressifemur ( Chen & Song, 2004) , but can be distinguished by the tergite I very long and distinctly quadrangular, slightly narrowed apically (the latter subtriangular and much narrowed apically); the apical width of tergite I equal to median length of tergite II (the latter 0.5 times); and the vein 1-R1 almost equal to length of pterostigma (the latter about 1.5 times).

Etymology. The specific name “ varicolor ” derives from the Latin prefixion “vari-” and noun “color”, referring to the colour patterns of tergites and legs strongly variable among some individuals.

Figures

FIGURE 23. Distribution map of Choeras species in China IV. ▲: Apanteles (Choeras) tenuialatus Song & Chen, sp. n.; Δ: Apanteles (Choeras) tumidus Song & Chen, sp. n.; ■: Apanteles (Choeras) validicarinatus Song & Chen, sp. n.; ●: Apanteles (Choeras) varicolor Song & Chen, sp. n.; ┼: Apanteles (Choeras) yunnanensis Song & Chen, sp. n..

FIGURE 18. a – j. Apanteles (Choeras) varicolor Song & Chen, sp. n. a, habitus, lateral view; b, antenna; c, fore wing; d, hind wing; e, head, dorsal view; f, head, frontal view; g, mesosoma, dorsal view; h, T 1 – T 3, dorsal view; i, mesosoma, lateral view; j, metasoma, lateral view.