Calymmochilus dispar is the only one of four European species of Calymmochilus (Noyes 2012) with brachypterous females. Bouček and Andriescu (1967) provided a detailed description of both sexes of Calymmochilus dispar in German, which are summarized below. The descriptions of the larval and pupal stages are new.

Female (Fig. 3 A, C). Length 3.0–4.6 mm. Body mostly brown to black, but partly with greenish or bluish metallic lustre, particularly frontovertex; antenna brown, clava yellowish-brown; legs brown with apices of tibiae and tarsi except for apices yellowish-brown. Head (Fig. 3C) slightly broader than mesosoma. Supraclypeal area (Fig. 3C: Sa) with about five transverse carinae and glabrous interspaces, strongly inclined from clypeus, hence clypeus below face level. Clypeus (Fig. 3 C: Cl) protruding over the mandibles, with a strongly elevated carina and a serrate margin. Lower face with a blunt crest extending from clypeus almost to ventral margin of eye (Fig. 3C: Cr). Mandible (Fig. 3C: Md) very slender, sickle-shaped. Antenna long and slender, all funicular segments longer than broad, anellus about 1.3× as long as broad, clava as long as 3.5 apical funicular segments. Mesonotum dorsoventrally compressed, with alutaceous surface sculpture. Mesoscutum flat, on same level as scutellar-axillar complex. Axillae distinguished from scutellum by only slightly finer surface sculpture. Propodeum transverse, anteriorly with a distinct transverse carina connecting propodeal spiracles, with indistinct plicae and median carina; callar region strongly declining posteriorly. Prepectus slightly larger than tegula. Wings reduced, infuscate fore wing barely extending to base of metasoma (Fig. 3 A). Metasoma evenly tapered posteriorly, syntergum tapered with rounded apex, laterally curved over to conceal very slightly exserted ovipositor sheaths.

Male (Fig. 3B, D). Length 1.4–2.3 mm. Head and body very dark brown to black with blue metallic lustre, metasoma brown (Fig. 3B). Antenna brown. Legs brown with knees and tarsi except for apices yellowish-brown. Head (Fig. 3D) slightly broader than thorax, nearly triangular in frontal view. Structure of lower face, clypeus (Fig. 3: Cl), and mandibles (Fig. 3: Md) similar to female except crest extending from clypeus to compound eye indicated only by slight elevation. Antenna (Fig. 3B) long, each funicular segment at least twice as long as broad, anellus indistinct and hardly discernible, claval segments fused. Mesoscutum convex with distinct notauli. Wings fully developed. Scutellum strongly convex, almost parallel-sided, with strongly inclined sides. Metanotum almost vertical, dorsellum almost triangular with surrounding furrow, dorsally with sharp carina. Propodeum with distinct median carina.

Larva (Fig. 4A, B, F). Brownish-yellow, female length about 2.5 mm (N = 1) and male length = 1.6 mm (N = 1). Mature larva with one pair of long, strong, dorsal setae (0.25–0.3× maximal diameter of larva) on each body segment plus two pairs of smaller dorsal setae (0.8× length of longer setae), one pair between long dorsal setae of first and second segment and second pair between those of second and third segment; laterally with one pair of smaller lateral setae (0.5–0.6× length of dorsal setae) on each body segment and irregularly placed short setae. Larval head very weakly sclerotized (not easily discernible in photographs).

Pupa (Fig. 4C–E, G–J). Pupa brown, about 3 mm length for female (Fig. 4C) and 2.2 mm for male (Fig. 4G). Eyes and mandibles becoming dark brown (Fig. 4C, H) as part of sclerotization process after 3 days. Eyes and mandibles dark brownish-black and first dark spots appearing inside pupa (Fig. 4D, I) seven days after pupation; pupa completely dark brown (Fig. 4E, J) after nine days.

PORTUGAL, Faro district: 1 ♂ and 1 ♀ Moncarapacho; rocky slope near road, in spider igloos under rocks (37°05'N, 7°47'W, Fig. 2, locality 7), penultimate larvae attached to spider abdomen, 31.iii.2009, S. Korenko leg., larvae pupated 7.iv.2009 (male) and 8.iv.2009 (female), adults emerged 22.iv.2009, (1 ♂, CNCI; 1 ♀, ZSM).

Armenia, Bulgaria, Croatia, France, Germany, Italy, Serbia, Spain, Yugoslavia (Noyes 2012) and Portugal (new record).

Juvenile Zodarion styliferum with prosoma length of 0.4–0.5 mm (N = 2) (new host record).

The two Zodarion styliferum igloos from which Calymmochilus dispar were reared were collected in an open, rocky habitat with sparse vegetation. When collected, a larva was attached to the abdomen of an immobilised juvenile inside the igloo. Exuviae of the previous moults were attached to the apex of the abdomen of the last instar. The larvae did not build any cocoon inside the igloo, being protected only by their long setae. The final instar and prepupal stage combined lasted 7 days for the male and 8 days for the female, after which the larvae pupated. The female emerged 15 days and the male 16 days after pupation at 23°C (±1.5°C).

Little is known about the biology and host associations of Calymmochilus wasps. Previously, Calymmochilus russoi Gibson, 1995 was reared from olive branches infested with Pheloeotribus scarabaeoides (Bernard, 1788) (Coleoptera, Scolytidae) (Russo 1938) and Calymmochilus longbottomi Gibson, 1998 was reared from Synsphyronus lathrius Harvey, 1987 (Pseudoscorpionidae, Garypidae) (Austin et al. 1998). The Zodarion styliferum host was of a similar body size and created structurally similar igloos as the pseudoscorpion documented by Austin et al. (1998). Larvae of Calymmochilus dispar do not create a cocoon for pupation; rather they use the already built spider igloo to help protect the bare larvae, which is isolated from the inner surface of the igloo by their long dorsal setae. The larvae we reared from the two Zodarion styliferum igloos were on the underside of a rock approximately 5 cm apart from each other. The parasitized pseudoscorpions reared by Austin et al. (1998) were also located under rocks, whereas the beetle larvae associated with Calymmochilus russoi were under tree bark (Russo 1938). These concealed habitats presumably provide additional shelter for the Calymmochilus larvae and support Bouček (1988), who suggested that Calymmochilus species are primarily associated with hosts in sheltered places, e.g. under bark or rocks. The unusual, protuberant clypeus that characterizes adults may be a structural adaptation to help the adults emerge and the female to access restricted spaces to parasitize new hosts. However, it remains to be shown whether Calymmochilus dispar is narrowly associated with Zodarion species or parasitizes taxonomically more diverse hosts in similar niches.

Schwarz (2002) gave a key to the western Palaearctic species of Gelis with apterous females, and Schwarz (1995, 1998) provided a diagnosis and description of the female of Gelis apterus. The main diagnostic features of the female are summarised below; the descriptions of the male and pupa are new.

Female (Fig. 5A). Length 3.2–5.5 mm. Apterous. Body mostly black but base of antenna orange and thorax, propodeum and first segment of gaster varying from entirely black to nearly entirely orange; legs mainly blackish or dark brown with yellowish brown parts; tibiae white basally. Antenna with 21–25 segments; third segment (without anellus) 3.7–4.4× as long as wide. Malar space 1.2–1.3× as long as wide. Mesoscutum in lateral view not or only weakly sloping anteriorly, with a strong or weak median longitudinal furrow. Mesopleuron with fine striation anteriorly or more rarely almost entirely striate. Metapleuron entirely granulate or more rarely partly smooth and lustrous. Hind femur 4.0–4.9× as long as wide. Ovipositor sheath 1.9–2.5× as long as hind tibia. Ovipositor curved upwards, its tip with only very weak teeth ventrally.

Male (Fig 5 B, C). Length 3.0–4.1 mm. Macropterous. Body mostly black but mandible with teeth reddish, palpi brown, and tegula yellowish brown or brown. Legs with coxae, trochanters, trochantelli and femora except for following black or blackish brown; fore and mid femora yellowish-brown apically; tibiae basally whitish (most distinct on hind tibia), fore tibia except basally, and mid tibia except basally and apically yellowish-brown, hind tibia except basally blackish brown; tarsi brown or blackish brown. Fore wing with pterostigma brown except white basally. Body mostly distinctly granulate and matt, without distinct punctures. Antenna with 21–23 segments; third segment (without anellus) 2.9–3.3× as long as wide; segments 11–13 with linear tyloids. Clypeus in profile evenly and rather weakly convex, smooth or weakly granulate dorsally in addition to some scattered punctures; lower margin convex and region just above lower margin depressed. Mandible rather long, its teeth of equal length, outer surface with a distinct swelling subbasally. Malar space 1.2× as long as basal width of mandible, and without a furrow. Genal carina joining oral carina behind base of mandible. Ocelli small. Head behind eyes in dorsal view moderately narrowed and distinctly convex. Pronotum without dorsomedian longitudinal ridge. Mesopleuron with fine granulation and weak rugosity, speculum and hind margin below speculum smooth. Prepectal carina present but rather weak. Propodeum of moderate length and with both transverse carinae complete and distinct; longitudinal carinae anterior to posterior transverse carina rather weak and absent basally except for lateral longitudinal carina; propodeum lustrous between transverse carinae and with longitudinal striation about as distinct as longitudinal carinae; lustrous anterior to posterior transverse carina, nearly smooth and with distinctly separated area petiolaris. Legs slender with hind femur 5.0–5.1× as long as wide. Fore wing with areolet rather small. Gaster with first segment slender, without median dorsal carinae, and with dorsolateral and ventrolateral carinae rather weak.

Pupa (Fig. 6A, B). Pupa brownish (becoming dark brown as part of sclerotization process), about 5.5–7 mm.

PORTUGAL, Beja district: 2 ♀ Ribeira de Limas, direction to Guadiana River, slope close to unpaved road (37°51'N, 7°31'W, Fig. 2, locality 4), 24.v.2011, S. Korenko leg. (1 pupa and 1 larva), larva on Zodarion styliferum, pupated 25.v.2011, adults emerged 5.vi.2011 and 7.iv.2011. Specimens deposited in collection of M. Schwarz.

Évora district: 1 ♂ Montemor o Novo, surrounding of castle ruins (38°38' N, 8°13'W, Fig. 2, locality 1), 10.iv.2010 (pupal stage), S. Korenko leg., adult emerged 12.iv.2010. 1 ♀ Monsaraz, olive grove (38°26' N, 7°32' W, Fig. 2, locality 2), 11.iv.2010, E. Líznarová and S. Korenko leg., larva on Zodarion styliferum, pupated 21.iv.2010, adult emerged 4.v.2010 (one empty cocoon and one larva that died in the laboratory were also collected from same locality). 1 ♀ and 1 ♂ Alqueva close to Moura, bank of water reservoir (38°12'N, 7°32'W, Fig. 2, locality 3), 11.iv.2010, S. Korenko leg., larvae on Zodarion styliferum, pupated 14.iv.2010, adults emerged 27.iv.2010 (female) and 28.iv.2010 (male), female escaped.

Faro district: 1 ♀ Casa do Canavial close to Mesquita in Guadiana Valley Natural Park (37°32'N, 7°31'W, Fig. 2, locality 6), 4.iv.2008, S. Korenko leg., larva on Zodarion styliferum, pupated 21.iv. 2008, emergence date not recorded. 1 ♀ and 1 ♂ Alcoutim, view terrace close to town (37°27'N, 7°28'W, Fig. 2, locality 5), 29.iii.2009, S. Korenko and S. Pekár leg., larvae on Zodarion styliferum, pupated 2.iv.2009 (female) and 1.iv.2009 (male), adults emerged 9.iv.2009.

South and Central Europe (Schwarz 1998) including Portugal (new record), Azerbaijan, Tajikistan (Schwarz 1998).

Juvenile spiders of Zodarion styliferum with prosoma length averaging 2.47 mm (N = 9, min/max = 1.6/3.2 mm) (new host record).

Gelis apterus and its spider hosts appear to be associated with open arid habitats with sparse vegetation. Females attack the host spiders in the igloo, penetrating the igloo wall with their long ovipositors (laboratory observation). Unfortunately nothing more is known about oviposition behaviour. The larva makes a cocoon inside the spider igloo before pupation (Figs. 6). Details about the sclerotization process of the pupa were not recorded because of its location in the cocoon. The cocoon consists of white to brownish weaved threads which fill space inside the spider igloo. Adults emerged 9–14 days after pupation.

Females of Gelis apterus reared from Zodarion styliferum in Portugal differ from those collected in other parts of Europe by somewhat longer ovipositor sheaths and the thorax laterally having smooth patches. In these two features they resemble the closely related species Gelis atratus (de Stefani, 1884), but females of Gelis apterus reared from Zodarion styliferum do not have the mesoscutum sloping downwards caudally.

The previously unknown macropterous males of Gelis apterus are very distinct from their apterous females. Males of Gelis are often unknown or unassociated with females because of the difference in aptery and because they are more difficult to distinguish in many species. The two sexes of Gelis apterus possess very few similar features that indicate they are conspecific and we consider the males we reared as Gelis apterus primarily because they were reared with females of Gelis apterus, and because only females of Gelis apterus were reared from Zodarion styliferum.

Diagnostic features of Gelis apterus males include an evenly and weakly convex, smooth or mainly smooth clypeus, long mandible and malar space, moderately narrowed and distinctly convex head, and the pattern of sculpture and carinae of the propodeum. These features enable separation of males from those of most other Gelis species. However, it is expected that the unknown males of Gelis atratus will be very similar to Gelis apterus and the two may not be easily distinguishable.

We found Gelis apterus associated with Zodarion styliferum in several parts of Central and South Portugal, and it seems to be widespread but in low abundance throughout the Iberian Peninsula based on the observation of three empty pupae inside Zodarion igloos in the Spanish provinces of Málaga and Granada (Korenko unpub.). Gelis is a large genus of parasitoid wasps that are worldwide in distribution but with most species in the Holarctic region. Some species are fully-winged but many are ant-like micropterous or wingless. Hosts of different species of Gelis include eggs or larvae or cocoons or cocoon-like structures of a wide range of holometabolous insects as well as egg sacs of spiders. Fitton et al. (1987) listed ten Gelis species reared from spider egg sacs of both wandering and web-building spiders. The larvae of Gelis species known to attack spiders have been regarded as exclusively feeding on spider eggs (Fitton et al. 1987). We did not observe this for Gelis apterus, which fed on juvenile spiders. Diurnally active female Gelis apterus presumably attack nocturnal Zodarion that are resting in their igloos during the day.

Zodarion styliferum is common in Portugal and has two overlapping generations (Pekár unpub.). Juvenile spider hosts are therefore available to Gelis apterus during the whole year and likely provide a highly available resource. Gelis apterus is documented from South – Central Europe to 70° eastern longitude. Several Zodarion species have overlapping distributions within this area. Their life history, behaviour, body size and igloo architecture are similar to Zodarion styliferum and could be potential hosts for Gelis apterus. Although we did not rear Gelis apterus from either Zodarion alacre or Zodarion atlanticum, this may simply reflect their relative rarity and low parasitism rates. Whether Gelis apterus is also associated with Zodarion species outside of the Iberian Peninsula is not known. Knowledge of the host range of Gelis apterus in other parts of its range is essential to confirm whether Zodarion spiders are their only hosts and, if not, understand how an association with spider hosts evolved.