Corresponding author: Jose L. Fernández-Triana (
Academic editor: Michael Sharkey
Based on the study of 12,000+ specimens, an annotated checklist of 28 genera and 225 species of
The Catalogue of Nearctic
In this paper eight new species are described; and an updated checklist of the Canadian and Alaskan
This study is based mostly on the study of the
Other collections (curator names provided between brackets), were partially studied and their data were used to compile the distribution of species by provinces.:
– Great Lakes Forestry Centre, Sault Ste Marie, ON [Kevin Barber, Kathryn Nystrom]. A few hundred specimens reared from
– J. B. Wallis Museum, University of Manitoba, Winnipeg, MB [Rob Roughley]. A few dozen specimens. Geographical scope: MB and SK.
– Laurentian Forestry Centre, Ste.-Foy, QC [Jan Klimaszewski, Karine Savard]. A few hundred specimens, many of them reared. Geographical scope: QC.
– Lyman Museum, McGill University, Montreal, QC [Stephanie Boucher]. Around 400 specimens. Geographical scope: Canada.
– Northern Forestry Centre, Edmonton, AB [David Langor, Daryl Williams]. A few hundred specimens, many of them reared. Geographical scope: AB, NL.
– University of Guelph Insect Collection, Guelph, ON [Steve Marshall]. A few hundred specimens. Geographical scope: ON.
– University of Fairbanks, AK [Derek Sikes, Matthew Bowser]. All
– University of Toronto, Faculty of Forestry, Toronto, ON [Sandy Smith, Laura Timms, Nurul Islam]. Around 400 specimens were studied. Geographical scope: ON.
– Pacific Forestry Centre, Victoria, BC [Imre Otvos]. Several thousand air-dried specimens in gelatin capsules, reared from
The new species described in this paper are of importance in biological control efforts (3 species of
Whenever possible, DNA barcoding (henceforth referred as “barcoding”) data for the new species were added to the descriptions. DNA extraction, PCR and sequencing were done at the Canadian Centre for DNA Barcoding (University of Guelph, ON). DNA extracts were prepared from small pieces of legs using a glass fibre protocol. Extracts were resuspended in 30 μl of dH2O, and a 658-bp region near the 5’ terminus of the COI gene was amplified using primers (LepF1–LepR1) following standard protocols (
For barcoded specimens, the Supplementary Appendices 1–3 show their Sample ID and Process ID from BOLD (Barcoding of Life Data systems, www.barcodinglife.org). Sample IDs allow retrieval of all information associated with a particular specimen from the BOLD database, while Process IDs provide information about the sequence, trace files, laboratory processing, etc. Genbank accession numbers for the type material correspond to records HQ200902-HQ200929.
All genera, and species within each genus, are ordered alphabetically in the annotated checklist. General comments about species diversity, both reported here and estimated, availability of taxonomical reviews, and specimens in collections are provided for every genus. A detailed distribution within Canadian provinces and territories is provided for every species; acronyms follow the Canada Post standard (http://www.canadapost.ca/tools/pg/manual/PGaddress-e.asp).
Distribution outside of Alaska/Canada, based on data from
Biological information is provided only when new or relevant. No intent has been made here to comprehensively deal with the hosts of
It was not possible to establish the specific identity of 29 species (13%) with certainty. They are recorded here only to genus followed by a number (e.g.
A total of 28 genera and at least 225 species are recorded for Canada and Alaska, representing a 50% increase in the number of known species (
Number of species of
AB | AK | BC | MB | NB | NL | NS | NT | NU | ON | PE | QC | SK | YT | ALL | |
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
(1) | 25 | 13 | 45 | 10 | 26 | 9 | 22 | 6 | 1 | 80 | 3 | 47 | 8 | 1 | 151 |
(2) | 38 | 16 | 73 | 57 | 46 | 20 | 38 | 10 | 4 | 136 | 8 | 97 | 16 | 3 | 225 |
(3) | 52 | 23 | 62 | 470 | 77 | 112 | 73 | 67 | 300 | 70 | 167 | 106 | 100 | 200 | 50 |
Although the increase in species numbers is significant, many gaps still remain in our understanding of the group in Canada/Alaska. For example, the list of species for the northern areas (AK, NT, NU and YT), the Atlantic provinces and the Prairies are far from complete; and studies currently underway should increase significantly the numbers provided in this paper. Similarly, the examination of specimens housed in western Canadian collections will be necessary if progress is to be made in BC, AB and SK.
Based on this paper and work in progress, the latitudinal gradient of species and genera richness within the studied area show a marked increase towards south (
Latitudinal gradients in the species and genera richness of
Localities of specimens (
The biogeographical affinities of the fauna can be analyzed from the distributional data detailed in the checklist below. If only the described species (197 in total) are accounted for, 67% are widely distributed in the Nearctic, especially in Eastern North America (the latter could be an artefact due to the more intensive studies and efforts done in that area); 15% are Holarctic species, many of them intentionally introduced for Biological Control programs; 10% are strict Canada/Alaska endemics (which is equivalent to say that they are restricted to the northern part of the Nearctic region); 4% of the species are also found in the Neotropics; and 4% are cosmopolitan.
The most diverse genera are
It is difficult to provide accurate estimates of the actual diversity of the subfamily when so many species await study. However; the analysis of the available DNA barcoding data, the revision of the collections made so far, and the information of well studied areas (see below) suggest that the actual diversity of
There are currently over 3,500 specimens of microgastrine wasps in BOLD with CO1 sequences, collected from localities all over Canada and Alaska (
The proportion of
Number of
Area | Latitude (Area in km2) | # |
# |
L/M Proportion |
---|---|---|---|---|
Canadian Arctic Archipelago | >70° N (1,400,000 km2) | 136 | 20 | 7 |
Yukon Territory | 60–70° N (475,000 km2) | ~2,000 | 120–150 | 13–17 |
Ottawa and surroundings | 45° N (~8,000 km2) | 2,068 | 150–200 | 10–14 |
Regardless of the approach used, even the most conservative scenarios show an unexpected and unprecedented level of species diversity in a region of the planet supposed to have a rather low diversity. The results reported here, as well as previous papers from other areas (e.g.
Canada, British Columbia, Kispiox, 55°21'0"N, 127°40'58.8"W.
This species will run to
Antenna length 2–2.2 mm (missing in holotype), body length 2.7 mm (2.3–2.8 mm), forewing 2.8 mm (2.6–3.0 mm). Head with glossa truncate and short. Face with shallow, sparse punctures; and sparse, uniformly distributed setae. Face width at antennal base/face width at clypeus edge: 1.1×; intertentorial pit distance/face width at clypeus edge: 0.6×; compound eye height/head height: 0.8×; head height/width: 0.8×; face width at antennal base/head maximum width: 0.7×; malar space/basal width of mandible 1.1×. Clypeus transversely narrow, its width/height: 3.7×. Length/width of flagellomeres: 1st (3.5×), 2nd (4.0×), 8th (2.9×), 14th (1.2×), 15th (1.1×). Length of flagellomere 2/flagellomere 14: 3.0×. Ocello-ocular distance/posterior ocelli diameter: 2.3×; distance betwen posterior ocelli/ocelli diameter: 2.3×.
Mesosoma. Pronotum laterally with dorsal and ventral grooves well defined. Mesoscutum with sparse and shallow punctures (distance between punctures about 1.0× its diameter), punctures sparser centrally. Mesoscutum 1.4× wider than long. Mesoscutum and scutellum uniformly covered by dense, silvered-coloured pilosity. Scutellum almost smooth, with very sparse and shallow punctures. Scutellum length/width at base 1.1×. Scutellar suture thin and shallow, with 12–14 costulae. Posterior band of scutellum polished. Scutellar lateral face with polished area semicircular and about 1/2 the face height. Mesopleuron setose and with punctures on the anterior margin and upper corner, rest smooth and glabrous; centrally with small depressed area with shallow transverse striae. Thin, crenulate sulcus separating meso and metapleura. Metapleuron mostly smooth and polished, with setae and punctures only dorsally and ventrally along margins; metapleuron with a short, crenulate, longitudinal sulcus running from lower margin near metacoxa through spiracle. Metapleural carina with a short lamella. Propodeum with an ovoid or coffin-shaped areola, with anterior carinae less defined; propodeum sparsely punctured in the anterior half, with transverse striation in the apical half.
Metasoma. Mediotergite 1 almost parallel sided, just slightly widening posteriorly; basal width/apical width 1.1×; length/apical width 1.4×; mediotergite 1 with smooth, basal depression; apical 2/3 sculptured with longitudinal striae, except for a median, sub-apical depressed area which is mostly smooth and a polished knob centrally in the apical margin. Mediotergite 2 transverse, trapezoidal in shape; basal width/apical width 0.7×; length/apical width 0.3×; with longitudinal striae covering most of the surface. Mediotergite 3 twice the length of mediotergite 2. Mediotergite 3 and following unsculptured, polished and uniformly covered by sparse setae. Hypopygium striate, with acute tip slightly protruding beyond apical tergites. Ovipositor sheaths fully setose, 0.9–1.0× as long as metatibia length.
Legs. Metatibial inner spur 1.3× (1.2–1.5×) the length of outer spur, and 0.6× (0.5–0.6×) the length of metatarsomere 1. Metafemur 3.0× (3.0–3.1×) as long as wide.
Wings. Forewing vein R1a 1.1× as long as stigma length; length of R1a about 2.0× as long as the distance between its end and the end of 3RSb. Vein r 0.8× the maximum width of stigma. Join of veins r and 2RS angulated, sometimes with small knob at their junction; vein 2M 1.0–1.1× as long as vein (RS+M)b. Edge of vannal lobe of hindwing medially straight to slightly convex and with setae of uniform length which are shorter than those at base and apex of lobe.
Colour: Maxillary and labial palps, and two first pairs of legs (except for coxae), yellow; head, meso and metasoma, and all coxae dark-brown or black; apex of metatibia and part (sometimes most) of the metafemur and metatarsus orange-red or light brown. Most of veins light brown, stigma borders light brown, centrally pale.
As females, except for slightly smaller size (2.3–2.4 mm), legs with brighter yellow coloration, and width of mediotergite 1 slightly less than in females.
Wings.
Partial barcodes (144 bp) from the holotype and three paratypes of
Only known from the type locality in BC. All studied specimens were reared from
The related species
I dedicate this species to John Huber (CNC) as an appreciation for the many things I have learned from him during the last four years (his knowledge of
Canada, New Brunswick, Canterbury, 45°53'20.5"N, 67°27'49.6"W.
This species is related to
Antenna length 2.2–2.3 mm, body length 3.1 mm (3.0–3.4 mm), forewing 3.2 mm (3.2–3.6 mm). Head with glossa truncate and short. Face with shallow punctures (separation between punctures about the same than punctures diameter); and sparse, uniformly distributed setae. Face width at antennal base/face width at clypeus edge: 1.6×; intertentorial pit distance/face width at clypeus edge: 0.6×; compound eye height/head height: 0.7×; head height/width: 0.8×; face width at antennal base/head maximum width: 0.5×; malar space/basal width of mandible 1.3×. Clypeus transversely narrow, its width/height: 3.5×. Length/width of flagellomeres: 1st (3.9×), 2nd (3.8×), 8th (3.0×), 14th (1.4×), 15th (1.2×). Length of flagellomere 2/flagellomere 14: 2.6×. Ocelo-ocular distance/posterior ocelli diameter: 2.0×; distance betwen posterior ocelli/ocelli diameter: 2.0×.
Mesosoma. Pronotum laterally with dorsal and ventral grooves well defined. Mesoscutum with relatively close punctures (distance between punctures about 0.5× its diameter). Mesoscutum 1.4× wider than long. Mesoscutum and scutellum uniformly covered by dense, silvered-coloured pilosity. Scutellum almost smooth, with very sparse and shallow punctures mostly on the margins. Scutellum length/width at base 1.0×. Scutellar suture well impressed, with 12 costulae, the central ones more spaced and deeply impressed than the lateral ones. Posterior band of scutellum polished. Scutellar lateral face with polished area semicircular slightly less than half the face height. Mesopleuron setose and with punctures on the anterior half; the posterior half glabrous and smooth except for a thin sulcus running from the posterior margin (at about half the length of that margin) towards the lower margin of mesopleuron (ending just before the punctures and setae of the anterior half). Thin, crenulated sulcus separating meso and metapleura. Metapleuron mostly smooth and polished, with setae and punctures only dorsally and ventrally along margins; metapleuron with a very short, crenulate, longitudinal sulcus running from lower margin near metacoxa through spiracle. Metapleural carina with short lamella. Propodeum with areola defined mostly by a central impression than carinae -though the posterior carinae are visible; propodeum coarsely punctured in the anterior half, with transverse striation in the apical half, the only smooth area is centrally inside the areola.
Metasoma. Mediotergite 1 barrel-shaped, wider medially than anteriorly or posteriorly; basal width/apical width 0.9× (0.8–0.9×); length/apical width 1.1×; mediotergite 1 with smooth, basal depression; apical 2/3 coarsely sculptured and with longitudinal striae, except for a median, sub-apical depressed area which is mostly smooth and a polished knob centrally in the apical margin. Mediotergite 2 transverse, trapezoidal to almost rectangular in shape; basal width/apical width 0.7×; length/apical width 0.3×; coarsely sculptured with longitudinal and transverse striae covering most of the surface, the posterior margin bordered by distinct, crenulated punctures. Mediotergite 3 about 1.5× the length of mediotergite 2 and with some sculpture centrally in the anterior margin. Mediotergite 4 and following unsculptured, polished and uniformly covered by sparse setae. Hypopygium striate, with acute tip slightly protruding beyond apical tergites. Ovipositor sheaths fully setose, 1.0× (0.9–1.1×) as long as metatibia length.
Legs. Metatibial inner spur 1.4× (1.4–1.6×) the length of outer spur, and 0.6× (0.5–0.6×) the length of metatarsomere 1. Metafemur 3.0× (3.0–3.2×) as long as wide.
Wings. Forewing vein R1a 1.0–1.1× as long as stigma length; length of R1a 6–7.0× as long as the distance between its end and the end of 3RSb. Vein r 1.0× (1.0–1.1×) the maximum width of stigma. Join of veins r and 2RS angulated and with a small knob at their junction; vein 2M 0.8× (0.7–0.9×) as long as vein (RS+M)b. Edge of vannal lobe of hindwing medially straight to convex and glabrous.
Colour: Maxillary and labial palps, tegula, two first pairs of legs (except for coxae), and basal half of metafemur yellow; head, meso and metasoma dark-brown or black; wing base and all coxae brown; metafemur, apical half of metatibia and metatarsus yellowish- brown to orange-brown. Most of veins very light brown, almost hyaline; stigma light brown.
As female except for longer flagellomere, antenna longer than body length, darker hind legs (with metafemur dark brown), and less transverse medio tergite 2 (which is almost quadrate and with striation arranged in a concentric way).
The species is widely distributed in eastern Canada, where it has been reared from
This species and the previous one (
I dedicate this species to Jennifer Read (CNC) to thank her for the many hours she spent taking photos for several projects we worked upon together; and as recognition for her superb photographic and editing skills.
Canada, Ontario, London, 42°59'1.32"N, 81°14'58.92"W.
This species looks similar to
Antenna length 2.6 mm (2.1–2.5 mm), body length 3.7 mm (2.8–3.6 mm), forewing 3.5 mm (2.6–3.5 mm). Head with glossa bilobated and rather long. Face smooth, with very shallow punctures (separation between punctures larger than punctures diameter) and very sparse setae. Face width at antennal base/face width at clypeus edge: 1.1×; intertentorial pit distance/face width at clypeus edge: 0.6×; compound eye height/head height: 0.7× (0.6–0.7×); head height/width: 0.9×; face width at antennal base/head maximum width: 0.6×; malar space/basal width of mandible 1.7× (1.3–1.7×). Clypeus not much transverse, its width/height: 2.6×. Length/width of flagellomeres: 1st (3.1×), 2nd (3.1×), 8th (2.3×), 14th (1.3×), 15th (1.0×). Length of flagellomere 2/flagellomere 14: 2.2×. Ocelo-ocular distance/posterior ocelli diameter: 2.3× (1.9–2.3×); distance betwen posterior ocelli/ocelli diameter: 2.7× (2.1–2.7×).
Mesosoma. Pronotum very smooth and polished, laterally with dorsal and ventral grooves thin but deep and well defined. Mesoscutum mostly smooth, with shallow punctures (distance between punctures about its diameter), punctures a little closer and deeper in the posterior margin. Mesoscutum 1.2× (1.1–1.2×) wider than long. Mesoscutum and scutellum covered by sparse, silvered-coloured pilosity. Scutellum almost smooth, with very sparse (distance between punctures twice its diameter) and shallow punctures concentrated mostly on the margins. Scutellum length/width at base 1.1×. Scutellar suture thin and shallow, with 16 (15–17) costulae. Posterior band of scutellum polished. Scutellar lateral face with the polished area triangular and about 4/5 the face height. Mesopleuron smooth and glabrous on most of its surface, with sparse setae and punctures (distance between punctures twice or more its diameter) only on the anterior and dorsal margins. Thin and shallow sulcus, with a few costulae, separating meso and metapleura. Metapleuron mostly smooth and polished, with setae and sparse punctures only dorsally and posteriorly along margins; metapleuron with a thin, longitudinal sulcus running from lower margin through spiracle. Metapleural carina with short lamella. Propodeum mostly smooth, with sparsely punctures in the anterior half and a few transverse striae in the apical half; propodeal areola absent but there is a short, postero-median longitudinal band of rugosity (consisting of several very short carinae radiating from nucha).
Metasoma. Mediotergite 1 arched and strongly narrowing toward apex, with a wide and deep basal depression; basal width/apical width 2.2×; length/apical width 2.3 (2.0–2.3×); mediotergite 1 mostly smooth, polished and glabrous, with a few setae and elongated, longitudinal punctures postero-laterally. Mediotergite 2 smooth and polished, transverse, and wider centrally; basal width/apical width 1.0× (0.9–1.0×); length/apical width 0.5× (0.3–0.5×). Mediotergite 3 2.0× (2.0–2.5×) the length of mediotergite 2. Mediotergite 3 and following unsculptured, polished and uniformly covered by setae. Hypopygium striate, with acute tip protruding beyond apical tergites. Ovipositor sheaths fully setose, 1.9× (1.8–1.9×) as long as metatibia length.
Legs. Metatibial inner spur about the same length of outer spur, and 0.4× (0.4–0.5×) the length of metatarsomere 1. Metafemur 2.8× as long as wide.
Wings. Forewing vein R1a 1.0× as long as stigma length; length of R1a 5.0× as long as the distance between its end and the end of 3RSb. Vein r 0.8× the maximum width of stigma. Join of veins r and 2RS angulated and with a small know marking the angulation (sometimes only slightly angulated and then know very small to absent); vein 2M 0.6× as long as vein (RS+M)b. Edge of vannal lobe of hindwing medially straight and with short setae that are slightly sparser than the rest of the lobe.
Colour: Mostly black to dark brown, except for: maxillary and labial palps (light brown to brown), wing base (light brown), profemur and part of most of all tibia and tarsi (light brown to yellow), meso and metatibial spurs (light yellow to witish). Wings hyaline, with most of veins transparent, except for C+Sc+R, R1, and occasionally r and 2RS which can be partially pigmented; stigma hyaline except for brownish borders.
Similar to females but slightly smaller in size and with longer antennal segments (especially the apical ones). The maxillary and labial palpi tend to be yellow, and the legs tend to be darker (mostly black with less yellow areas). The mediotergite 1 is fully smooth and polished, and narrows stronger toward apex (being thinner compared to that of females). The wing veins are paler, of milky coloration, including the stigma (which brown borders are very thin, almost disappearing in some specimens).
There is some variation in size among the different localities (it is shown in the description) and also the maxillary and labial palpi range from dark brown to yellow.
Barcodesof 6 specimens of
The species is widely distributed in Eastern Canada, where it has been recorded parasitizing
The specimens of
I dedicate this species, which DNA barcoding helped to recognize, to M. Alex Smith (University of Guelph) as an appreciation for the many parasitoid wasps he has helped to barcode, study and publish about; and also for sharing with me his superb knowledge on molecular approaches.
Canada, British Columbia, Mill Bay, 48°39'2"N, 123°33'33"W.
This species looks similar to
Antenna broken, body length 3.3 mm, forewing 3.5 mm. Head with glossa truncate and short. Face with shallow punctures (separation between punctures about the same than punctures diameter) and uniformly distributed setae. Face width at antennal base/face width at clypeus edge: 1.0×; intertentorial pit distance/face width at clypeus edge: 0.5×; compound eye height/head height: 0.8×; head height/width: 0.8×; face width at antennal base/head maximum width: 0.7×; malar space/basal width of mandible 1.2×. Clypeus transversely narrow, its width/height: 3.0×. Length/width of flagellomeres: 1st (2.6×), 2nd (2.2×), 8th (2.3×), flagellomeres 12+ missing. Ocelo-ocular distance/posterior ocelli diameter: 2.0×; distance betwen posterior ocelli/ocelli diameter: 2.0×.
Mesosoma. Pronotum laterally with dorsal and ventral grooves thin, but well defined and deep. Mesoscutum with very shallow and sparse punctures (distance between punctures 1.5–2.0× its diameter). Mesoscutum 1.4× wider than long. Mesoscutum uniformly covered by silvered-coloured pilosity; scutellum almost glabrous, with just a few setae on margins. Scutellum almost smooth, with very sparse, small and shallow punctures mostly on the center. Scutellum length/width at base 1.1×. Scutellar suture very thin and shallow, with about 20 small and not well defined costulae. Posterior band of scutellum polished. Scutellar lateral face with polished area semicircular about 0.6× the face height. Mesopleuron setose and with sparse punctures only on the anterior margin; the rest glabrous, smooth and polished. Thin, crenulated sulcus separating meso and metapleura. Metapleuron mostly smooth and polished, with setae and punctures only dorsally and ventrally along posterior margin; metapleuron with a thin sulcus running from lower margin near metacoxa through spiracle. Metapleural carina with a very short lamella. Propodeum mostly punctured, with a few striae postero-laterally; propodeal areola absent, but there is a central smooth area (contrasting with rest of the propodeum sculpture) and also there is a short, postero-median longitudinal band of rugosity (consisting of several short carinae radiating from nucha).
Metasoma. Mediotergite 1 narrowing towards apex; basal width/apical width 1.6×; length/apical width 1.9×; mediotergite 1 with smooth, basal depression; apical half coarsely punctured, except for a polished knob centrally in the apical margin. Mediotergite 2 transverse, trapezoidal in shape; basal width/apical width 0.5×; length/apical width 0.2×; sculptured with longitudinal striation and puntures covering most of the surface except the center. Mediotergite 3 1.6× the length of mediotergite 2. Mediotergite 3 and following unsculptured, polished and uniformly covered by setae. Hypopygium striate, with an acute tip protruding well beyond the apical tergites. Ovipositor sheaths fully setose, 1.7× as long as metatibia length.
Legs. Metatibial inner spur 1.1× the length of outer spur, and 0.5× the length of metatarsomere 1. Metafemur 3.5× as long as wide.
Wings. Forewing vein R1a 1.3× as long as stigma length; length of R1a 5.7× as long as the distance between its end and the end of 3RSb. Vein r 1.0× the maximum width of stigma. Join of veins r and 2RS slightly angulated; vein 2M 1.1× as long as vein (RS+M)b. Edge of vannal lobe of hindwing medially straight and glabrous.
Colour: Mostly black to dark brown, except for: maxillary and labial palps (yellow); tegula and wing base (light brown); first two pairs of legs (yellow except for coxae which are partially light brown); hind legs (mostly yellow-brown, with metacoxa brown and dorsal brown marks on metafemur, metatibia and metatarsi). Wings hyaline, with most of veins brown, including stigma.
Unknown.
The host information (
The specimen bears a label by W. Mason, dated 1978, stating that it may actually be a new species related to
I dedicate this species to the late Rob Rougley (University of Manitoba) who passed away when this paper was starting. We all miss you dear friend and colleague, but I am sure you should be chasing heavenly
United States, Florida, Monroe County, Key Largo, 25°5'11.4"N, 80°26'50.28"W.
Thus far this is the only Nearctic species of
Antenna length 1.3 mm (1.3–1.5 mm), body length 2.6 mm (2.5–3.0 mm), forewing 2.3 mm (2.3–2.5 mm). Head with glossa truncate and short. Face with shallow punctures (separation between punctures about the same as its diameter). Face width at antennal base/face width at clypeus edge: 1.0×; intertentorial pit distance/face width at clypeus edge: 0.5×; compound eye height/head height: 0.7×; head height/width: 0.8×; face width at antennal base/head maximum width: 0.6×; malar space/basal width of mandible 1.0×. Clypeus transverse, its width/height: 3.0×. Length/width of flagellomeres: 1st (1.6×), 2nd (1.4×), 8th (0.8×), 14th (0.8×), 15th (0.9×). Length of flagellomere 2/flagellomere 14: 1.9×. Ocelo-ocular distance/posterior ocelli diameter: 1.8×; distance betwen posterior ocelli/ocelli diameter: 1.9×.
Mesosoma. Pronotum laterally with dorsal and ventral grooves well defined. Mesoscutum with coarse, close punctures (distance between punctures less than half its diameter). Mesoscutum 1.2× (1.1–1.2×) wider than long. Mesoscutum and scutellum covered by uniform, large, silvered-coloured pilosity. Scutellum almost smooth, with very shallow and sparse punctures in the margins. Scutellum length/width at base 0.8×. Scutellar suture width 1/6 scutellum length, with 12–14 costulae. Posterior band of scutellum polished. Scutellar lateral face with the polished area triangular and about 4/5 the face height. Mesopleuron with close punctures and setae on the anterior half, smooth and glabrous on the posterior half. Thin and shallow sulcus, with fine costulae, separating meso and metapleura. Metapleuron mostly punctured and with setae, smooth, polished and glabrous only around the spiracle; metapleuron with a longitudinal sulcus running from ventral to dorsal margin of metapleuron through spiracle. Metapleural carina lamellate. Propodeum sculpture reticulate, postero-laterally with longitudinal striation; propodeal areola absent but there is a short, postero-median longitudinal band of rugosity (consisting of several short carinae radiating from nucha).
Metasoma. Mediotergite 1 evenly and slightly narrowing toward apex, with a wide and deep basal depression; basal width/apical width 1.4×; length/apical width 1.5; mediotergite 1 mostly sculptured (except for smooth basal depression and central knob on the posterior margin), with longitudinal striation on its apical 2/3. Mediotergite 2 smooth and polished, transverse, and wider centrally; basal width/apical width 0.8×; length/apical width 0.3×. Mediotergite 3 2.0–2.5× the length of mediotergite 2. Mediotergite 3 and following unsculptured, polished and covered by sparse setae on the posterior margins. Hypopygium striate, with acute tip slightly protruding beyond apical tergites. Ovipositor sheaths fully setose, short, 0.6× as long as metatibia length.
Legs. Metatibial inner spur 1.3× the length of outer spur, and 0.5× the length of metatarsomere 1. Metafemur 2.7× as long as wide.
Wings. Forewing vein R1a 1.3× (1.2–1.5×) as long as stigma length; length of R1a 4.0× (4.0–5.0×) as long as the distance between its end and the end of 3RSb. Vein r about the same length than maximum width of stigma. Join of veins r and 2RS evenly curved, not angulated; vein 2M very short, almost obliterating with 2RS, length of 2M 0.3× as long as vein (RS+M)b. Edge of vannal lobe of hindwing medially strongly concave and glabrous.
Colour: Body black; antenna flagellomere, metacoxa, most of the metafemur and apical ¼ of metatibia brown; mandibles, labrum, maxillary and labial palps, scape, upper corner of pronotum, tegula and laterotergites 1–3, yellow. Wings hyaline, with most of veins brown pigmented; stigma brown with a minute pale spot basally.
Unknown.
From all specimens studied, only the holotype rendered a partial sequence (390 bp, approximately 60% of the barcoding region). The specimen matches almost perfectly (99.96%) a Costa Rican species named as
The species has been found from the southwestern part of ON (Rondeau Provincial Park, 42°N) to about 25°N in FL (Everglades National Park and Florida Keys). None is know of its host, but most of the specimens have been collected in hammock forests.
Despite the two widely separate areas of distribution (ON and FL), I have not been able to find any difference between the Canadian and US specimens; thus they are considered as conspecific here. As for the relation with
I dedicate this species to a great friend and entomologist, Steve A. Marshall (University of Guelph). I hope you have many more collecting and photography trips in the near future!
Canada, Quebec, Gatineau, 45°29'16"N, 75°51'52"W.
This species is very similar to
Antenna length 3.5 mm; body length 3.2 mm; forewing length 3.7 mm. Head with glossa truncate and short, maxillary and labial palps light yellow. Face with shallow and sparse punctures and uniformly distributed setae. Face width at antennal base/face width at clypeus edge: 1.1×; intertentorial pit distance/face width at clypeus edge: 0.7×; compound eye height/head height: 0.8×; head height/width: 0.8×; face width at antennal base/head maximum width: 0.4×; malar space/basal width of mandible 1.3×. Clypeus transversely narrow, its width/height: 4.6×. Length/width of flagellomeres: 1st (3.0×), 2nd (2.9×), 3rd (3.0×), 8th (3.0×), 14th (3.3×), 15th (3.0×), 16th (3.2×). Ocelo-ocular distance/posterior ocelli diameter: 0.4×; distance betwen posterior ocelli/ocelli diameter: 0.8×.
Mesosoma. Pronotum with ventral groove present, dorsal one almost obliterated. Mesoscutum with shallow, sparse punctures (distance between punctures about the same as its diameter); punctures almost disappearing in the notauli and posterior area of mesoscutum. Notauli not impressed, visible only because of the contrast of different coloration and smoother area than most of the mesoscutum. Mesoscutum 1.3× wider than long. Mesoscutum and scutellum uniformly covered by dense, silvered-coloured pilosity. Scutellum almost completely smooth. Scutellum length/width at base 1.2×. Scutellar suture shallow and thin with 8–9 costulae some of them confluent. Posterior band of scutellum polished. Scutellar lateral face with polished area about 1/3 the face height. Mesopleura smooth and glabrous, except for a few punctures and setae on the margins; sternaulus marked by a shallow impression with transverse striae. Crenulated sulcus separating meso and metapleura. Metapleura smooth in basal half, apical half punctuated and with setae; metapleura with a crenulated, longitudinal sulcus running from lower margin near the metacoxa through the spiracle. Metapleural carina with lamella. Propodeum weakly punctuate, almost smooth; propodeal areola absent but there is a short, postero-median longitudinal band of rugosity (consisting of several short carinae radiating from nucha).
Metasoma. Mediotergite 1 parallel sided for over 3/4 of its length, then slightly narrowing towards apex where it is rounded at posterior end; basal width/apical width 1.8×; length/apical width 3.6×; mediotergite 1 essentially unscultured except postero-laterally near apical margin; with broad excavation medially over anterior half. Mediotergite 2 subtriangular but with lateral margins weakly defined; basal width/apical width 0.3×; length/apical width 0.5×; essentially smooth, with fine, longitudinal grooves sublaterally, delimiting a central, raised region that is more or less rectangular in shape. Mediotergite 3 1.2× longer than mediotergite 2. Mediotergite 3 and following unsculptured, polished and with sparse setae. Hypopygium evenly sclerotized, truncated and slightly longer than apical tergites. Ovipositor sheaths very short (visible part 1/10 the length of metatibia), the tip blunt and with very sparse, tiny setae (those setae much shorter than hypopygium pilosity).
Legs. Metatibial inner spur 1.5× the length of outer spur, and 0.7× the length of metatarsomere 1. Metafemur 3.6× as long as wide. Protarsus with Protapanteles-like spine. Tarsal claws basally with a large lobe that extends more than half the claw length.
Wings. Fore wing vein R1a as long as stigma length; length of R1a about 5.0× as long as the distance between its end and the end of 3RSb. Vein r 0.8× the maximum width of stigma. Vein r meeting 2RS in a distinct angle marked by a knob. Vein 2M about the same length that vein (RS+M)b. Hindwing with margin of vannal lobe medially straight and without setae in the flat area.
Colour: Maxillary and labial palps, labrum, mandibles, scape, pedicel, tegula, wing base, all legs (except for metatibia apex which is darker), medio tergite 1 and most of sternite yellow. Flagellomere light brown; clypeus orange-brown. Mesosoma dark brown, except for most of propleura and pronotum, notauli, lateral margins and apical 1/4 of mesoscutum which are honey-orange. Head brownish-black. Rest of metasoma brown. Stigma and veins in forewing brown.
This species represents the northernmost record of the genus. Nothing is known of its biology.
Based on morphology only, the limits between
I dedicate this species to Caroline Boudreault (CNC), who likes so much to ski and enjoy the Gatineau Park. Your friendship, advices and jokes are always a great encouragement!
Canada, Ontario, Ottawa, 45°21.365'N, 75°42.416'W.
Antenna length 2.2 mm (2.0–2.2 mm), slightly shorter than body length (2.6 mm, range: 2.2–2.7 mm) and forewing (2.7 mm, range: 2.3–2.7 mm). Head with glossa bilobate and long. Face with shallow and sparse punctures and sparse, uniformly distributed setae. Face width at antennal base/face width at clypeus edge: 1.2×; intertentorial pit distance/face width at clypeus edge: 0.5×; compound eye height/head height: 0.7×; head height/width: 0.9×; face width at antennal base/head maximum width: 0.6×; malar space/basal width of mandible 1.1×. Clypeus transversely narrow, its width/height: 4.5×. Length/width of flagellomeres: 1st (2.3×), 2nd (2.7×), 3rd (2.3×), 8th (2.0×), 14th (1.0×), 15th (1.0×), 16th (1.0×). Ocelo-ocular distance/posterior ocelli diameter: 2.5×; distance betwen posterior ocelli/ocelli diameter: 1.6×.
Mesosoma. Pronotum XX. Mesoscutum uniformly sculptured by dense and well impressed punctures (distance between punctures about half their diameter). Mesoscutum 1.5× wider than long. Mesoscutum and scutellum uniformly covered by dense, silvered-coloured pilosity. Scutellum similarly sculptured than mesoscutum, though punctures slightly shallower and sparser. Scutellum length/width at base 1.2×. Scutellar suture thin and shallow, with 8–9 costulae. Posterior band of scutellum polished. Scutellar lateral face with polished area about 1/2 the face height. Except for a few punctures on the upper anterior margin, mesopleuron smooth and glabrous, setae over all of mesopleuron margins. Crenulated sulcus separating meso and metapleura. Metapleuron smooth in basal half, apical half punctate and with setae, metapleuron with a crenulated, longitudinal sulcus running from lower margin near metacoxa through spiracle. Metapleural carina with short lamella. Propodeum with median carina well defined and raised over its entire length; propodeum fully sculptured with transverse carinae, some radiating from the median carina.
Metasoma. Mediotergite 1 parallel sided for the basal 0.6× of its length, then narrowing towards apex, basal width/apical width 1.3× (1.2–1.3×); length/apical width 3.1×; mediotergite 1 with deep medial groove over its basal half, fully sculptured with longitudinal to transverse striae (except for a very small basal area surrounding the beginning of the groove and a small, polished apical knob). Mediotergite 2 transverse, subtriangular to trapezoidal in shape; basal width/apical width 0.4×; length/apical width 0.4×; fine, longitudinal striae covering most of the surface (sometimes apical third smooth). Mediotergite 3 more than twice the length of mediotergite 2. Mediotergite 3 and following unsculptured, polished and uniformly covered by sparse setae. Hypopygium striate, with acute tip protruding beyond apical tergites. Ovipositor sheaths fully setose, 1.0–1.2× as long as metatibia length.
Legs. Metatibial inner spur 1.4× the length of outer spur, and 0.47× the length of metatarsomere 1. Metafemur 3.2–3.5× as long as wide.
Wings. Vein R1a 1.2–1.3× as long as stigma length. Length of R1a about 6.0× as long as the distance between its end and the end of 3RSb. Vein r X the maximum width of stigma. Vein r and 2RS evenly curved to very slightly arched, with no clear limits between the two veins. Vein 2M about twice as long as vein (RS+M)b. Edge of vannal lobe of hindwing medially straight to slightly convex and with uniform length setae shorter than those at base and apex of lobe.
Colour: Labrum, mandibles (except for black tips), scape and pedicel yellow; maxillary and labial palps light yellow; clypeus orange-brown; rest of antenna and head brown. Mesosoma, basal half of metacoxa and mediotergite 1 dark brown to black; mediotergite 2 completely, mediotergite 3 and following centrally, apical half of metacoxae dorsally, metatarsi and apex of metatibia, light brown; tegula, rest of legs, tergites 3 and following laterally, and all sterna, yellow to light yellow almost white; stigma and veins in forewing brown.
Males have mediotergite 3 and following almost completely brown, clypeus, scape and pedicel darker, and metacoxa fully brown. The flagellomeres are longer than those of females.
Some specimens have lighter body coloration.
Eleven specimens rendered full barcodes, with four haplotypes showing up to 0.3% of variation (1–2 bp). Those specimens were compared with one unauthenticated specimen of
All specimens have been collected in an area bounded by the St Lawrence and Ottawa rivers (44º-46º N and 74º-75º W) near Canada’s capital. This is the northernmost known record of the genus
I dedicate this species to Henri Goulet (CNC) in whose backyard (a biodiversity gem in Ottawa, fondly called by CNC researchers as “Goulet National Park”) the holotype and several paratypes were collected. Henri wisely encouraged me to study the
Canada, Prince Edward Island, Blooming Point, 46°24.486'N, 62°57.062'W.
Antenna length 2.4 mm (1.9–2.4 mm), body length 2.4 mm (2.0–2.4 mm), forewing 2.1 mm (2.0–2.2 mm). Head with glossa truncate and short. Face smooth, with shallow punctures (separation between punctures larger than punctures diameter) and sparse, uniformly distributed setae. Face width at antennal base/face width at clypeus edge: 1.1×; intertentorial pit distance/face width at clypeus edge: 0.5×; compound eye height/head height: 0.7×; head height/width: 0.7×; face width at antennal base/head maximum width: 0.6×; malar space/basal width of mandible 1.0×. Clypeus transverse, its width/height: 3.6×. Ocelo-ocular distance/posterior ocelli diameter: 2.0× (2.0–2.4×); distance betwen posterior ocelli/ocelli diameter: 2.0×.
Mesosoma. Pronotum very smooth and polished, laterally with only the ventral groove well defined. Mesoscutum mostly smooth, with shallow but close punctures (distance between punctures 0.5–0.7 its diameter), punctures a sparser centrally along the posterior margin. Mesoscutum 1.2× (1.1–1.2×) wider than long. Mesoscutum and scutellum covered by sparse, silvered-coloured pilosity (sparser in the scutellum). Scutellum mostly smooth, with a few, shallow, very sparse punctures. Scutellum length/width at base 1.0×. Scutellar suture width 1/7 scutellum length, with 16 costulae not very well defined. Posterior band of scutellum polished. Scutellar lateral face with the polished area semicircular, 0.3–0.4× the face height. Mesopleuron smooth and glabrous on most of its surface, with sparse setae and punctures (distance between punctures usually twice or more its diameter) only on the anterior, ventral and posterior margins. Deep sulcus, with costulae, separating meso and metapleura. Metapleuron setose and punctured along anterior and ventral margins; lower ¼ of metapleuron rugulose, and with a broad, crenulated sulcus running from lower margin through spiracle. Metapleural carina lamellate and with costulae. Propodeum mostly rugulose, especially on the apical third (which is concave and delimited from the rest of the propodeum by a vague transverse carina); an obscure longitudinal carinae running centrally from base of propodeum until it reaches the transverse carina; transverse carina intersected posteriorly by several longitudinal, arched ridges radiating from nucha.
Metasoma. Mediotergite 1 widened and rounded apically, with its widest part subapically; basal width/apical width 0.9×; length/apical width 1.5; mediotergite 1 rugulose, apical ¼ with longitudinal striation laterally and two pits at each side of a central, polished area (like a knob) that reaches the posterior margin of tergite. Mediotergite 2 trapezoidal in shape, centrally smooth and polished, laterally rugulose; basal width/apical width 0.6×; length/apical width 0.6×. Mediotergite 3 twice the length of mediotergite 2. Mediotergite 3 and following unsculptured, polished and with few, sparse setae mostly along the posterior margin of tergites.
Legs. Metatibial inner spur 1.2× the length of outer spur, and 0.6× the length of metatarsomere 1. Metafemur 2.7× as long as wide.
Wings. Forewing vein R1a 0.7× as long as stigma length; length of R1a 2.7× as long as the distance between its end and the end of 3RSb. Vein r 0.6× (0.6–0.7×) the maximum width of stigma. Second submarginal cell height about the same length (or slightly smaller or larger) than vein r length; vein 2M 3.0× as long as vein (RS+M)b and 0.25–0.33× the stigma length. Edge of vannal lobe of hindwing covex and uniformly setose.
Colour: Mostly black to dark brown; pro- and meso- tibiae and tarsi yellowish brown, as it is apical 0.2× of metatibia, metatibial spurs, maxillary and labial palps. Wings hyaline, with most of veins transparent or whitish, except for C+Sc+R, R1, and 2M can be partially or totally pigmented; stigma brwon.
Similar to male but with antenna (~1.0 mm) much shorter than body length (2.2 mm) and fore wing (2.0 mm). Antenna with a single row of placodes. Length/width of flagellomeres: 1st (1.6×), 2nd (1.1×), 8th (1.1×), 14th (1.2×), 15th (1.3×). Length of flagellomere 2/flagellomere 14: 1.2×. Fore wing with most veins slightly pigmented (light brown in colour), and with larger and taller second submarginall cell (length of vein 2M half the stigma length, vein 2M almost twice the length of vein r). Metafemur thicker, 2.1× as long as wide. Hypopygium not folded nor striate, with slightly pointed tip not protruding beyond apical tergites. Ovipositor sheaths barely exerted from hypopygium, 0.1× as long as metatibia length; with sparse and minute setae.
Full barcodesof 3 specimens of
The species is widely distributed in Eastern Canada (QC, NS, PE), where it has been realibly reared from
When
I dedicate this species, recognized after DNA barcoding provided a first clue, to Paul Hebert (University of Guelph), as an appreciation for his support; and also for allowing the gathering of thousand of
Neighbour-joining trees, K2P distance model.
This New World endemic genus was recently revised by
This is one of the largest genera of
Neighbour-joining tree, K2P distance model, for
There are keys to some Palearctic species (e.g.
There are only two described species from this genus, one of them from Canada (
This is probably the largest genus in the region. It is also one of the most cohesive taxa within
Neighbour-joining tree, K2P distance model, for
This is a small genus and the Nearctic species were revised by
At least 10 species (7 of them described) are recorded here; however, it is clear that the actual number of species is much higher. For example: based only on the specimens of
This is a predominantly tropical genus, and a revision of the New World species was published recently (
The keys dealing with
This genus has one Nearctic species (
Like the previous genus, only one species is known from the Nearctic (
This genus is considered one of the most diverse and dominant genera in tropical regions (e.g.
No more species are expected to be found within the Nearctic region (
Some specimens in the CNC seem to be different species than the two described species here recorded for the region. There is currently a review of the genus underway for the New World fauna (Valerio A, pers. com.) and thus no further attempt is made here to deal with those unidentified specimens.
This genus has never been revised, though key to some Palearctic species can be found in
This genus has never been revised, though
This genus was described and its species revised by
This is a diverse genus in the Holartic, and there are no satisfactory keys to species available.
There is only one known Nearctic species and no more are expected (
The Nearctic species were revised by
Altogether with
This small genus had been reported within the Nearctic from central and eastern US, as north as NY (
This New World genus is mostly found in the tropics, with a few species reaching to the US. Here I record two species (one of them new) for Canada, expanding further north the known distribution of the genus.
All the Nearctic species of this genus are dealt with in
The limits of this genus are controversial (see above comments under
A small genus with four described species, one of them from the Nearctic (
The genus was recently revised by
Many colleagues of the Biodiversity Institute of Ontario (Guelph) and the all
Comprehensive data for type material of Microgastrinae described in this paper where DNA barcodes were obtained. The Sample ID and Process ID fields allow to retrieve all molecular and collection information for every specimen through BOLD (
Comprehensive data for all specimens of genera Cotesia and Diolcogaster where DNA barcodes were obtained. The Sample ID and Process ID fields allow to retrieve all molecular and collection information for every specimen through BOLD (
Comprehensive data for all specimens of genus Microplitis where DNA barcodes were obtained. The Sample ID and Process ID fields allow to retrieve all molecular and collection information for every specimen through BOLD (