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From: Kimsey L.S. & Bohart R.M., 1990 (1991) - The chrysidid wasps of the world. Oxford University Press, ix-652 pp.

Synonymy

Praestochrysis Linsenmaier 1959a:164. Type: Chrysis shanghaiensis Smith 1874:460. Orig. desig.

Generic diagnosis

F-I length 1.0-3.5 times breadth; flagellar segments nearly always conspicuously broadened; subantennal space usually about l MOD but never longer than and usually much shorter than malar space; subgenal area differentiated but not defined by carinae; head broader than long, often markedly broad; TFC present (or rarely only indicated) across strongly developed brow, often double or partly so; scapal basin without microridging; pronotum medially shorter than scutellum, rarely with a complete sublateral carina, lateral depression well developed and ridged, or irregularly roughened at bottom; metanotum often with a stout prominence or projection; fore wing marginal cell slender with Rs reaching or nearly reaching costal margin; mesopleuron rough, subdentate, or rarely dentate, scrobal and episternal sulci well developed, former often much expanded medially; T-III apex with medial spine or well-marked denticle and four other teeth, rarely with an additional lateral tooth; S-II spots usually medial but never more than 1.3 MOD apart. Male terminalia: S-VIII usually subtriangular but occasionally lengthened or narrowed in apical half; gonocoxa stout, notched apically, or excavate, sometimes with gonostyle; cuspis moderately broad; aedeagus simple toward apex or expanded.

Hosts

Most of these wasps are parasitic on a variety of large moths on the family Limacodidae (Piel, 1933), Edney, 1954a, Parker, 1936, Iwata, 1963, Polaszek, 1987) Identified moth hosts include: Parafa, Monema, Thosea, Darna, Contheyla, and Coenobasis (Limacodidae). Praestochrysis lusca and megerlei are described from Italy but are very rare in this region, and lusca is actually common in the Oriental and Australian Regions. Exceptions in hosts are Pison sp. (Sphecidae) for inops, and eumenids for lusca (label data). The parasitic behavior of shanghaiemis has been discussed by Yamada (1987a, b).

Distribution

Of the 44 species now recognized, 27 occur in the Afrotropical Region, 13 in the Oriental Region, a single species in the Australasian Region (plus lusca), and in the Palearctic Region (plus lusca). It appears that lusca was originally an Oriental species but man has transported it to the Palearctic (Italy) and Pacific Basin (New Guinea, Australia, and Hawaii).

Discussion

The only other genus with five sharp teeth on the apex of T-III is Pentachrysis which has F-I quite long and slender, the subantennal distance more than l MOD, and the head not broader than long. A few Chrysis may have a tiny medial denticle on the T-III apex, but these differ in many ways including a longer subantennal distance. The species of Praestochrysis can be divided in many ways on the basis of various characters, but the resulting assemblages do not seem to be phylogenetically sound. Therefore, species groups are not proposed. There are considerable variations from several of the characters given in the generic diagnosis. The pronotum may have a complete sublateral carina (lusca, inevitabilis). The metanotum may have no projection or only a slight one (afghana, inops, libita, lusca, micromorpha, nidia, amoenula, furcifera, megerlei); or a small spine (spina, coutierei, ivoriana, townesorum, tropica), or a large pointed projection (bequaerti, bombycida, gambica, leechi, prorata, pretoriae). The malar space may be less than 1.5 MOD (bombycida, septidens). The flagellum may not be broadened (megerlei, inops, lusca). A lateral tooth may increase to seven the number of teeth on T-III (septidens, inevitabilis). F-I may be shorter than F-II and F-III together (guineae, inops, spina, amoenula, megerlei). The mesopleuron may have one strong tooth (dentipes, gambica), or two such teeth (crassiscuta). One quite unusual species has the pronotal dorsum mostly smooth with four low humps (luzonensis). Interestingly, the vertex of this species has red reflections as in so many other Philippine chrysidid endemics. Bohart (1986a) gave a key to the species of the Afrotropical Region, and described nine species as new. This was followed by descriptions of a new species from the Afrotropical Region, two new species from the Oriental Region, and notes on other Oriental species (Bohart 1987a).

European species

1.  Praestochrysis lusca (Fabricius, 1804)
2.  Praestochrysis megerlei (Dahlbom, 1854)

For citation purposes

From: Kimsey L.S. & Bohart R.M., 1990 (1991) - The chrysidid wasps of the world. Oxford University Press, ix-652 pp.

Synonymy

Chrysura Dahlbom, 1845: 6. Typus: austriaca Fabricius, 1804: 173
Monochrysis Lichtenstein, 1876: 27. Typus: Chrysis hybrida Lepeletier, 1806: 128
Olochrysis Lichtenstein, 1876: 27. Typus: Chrysis aerata Dahlbom, 1854: 129 (= Chrysis trimaculata Foerster, 1853)
Holochrysis Rye, 1878: 134. Invalid emendation.
Conochrysis Haupt, 1956: 37. Typus: Chrysis refulgens Spinola, 1806: 8
Arctochrysis Haupt, 1956: 72. Typus: Chrysis austriaca Fabricius, 1804: 173
Taeniochrysis Haupt, 1956: 72. Typus: Chrysis dichroa Dahlbom, 1854: 146
Selenochrysis Haupt, 1956: 72. Typus: Chrysis candens Germar, 1817: 260

Generic diagnosis

Face relatively flat without medial zone of cross ridging but sometimes with medial microreticulation; no TFC; malar space usually 2 MOD or more; mandible with subapical tooth; mid ocellus not lidded; basal flagellomeres F-II-V of male often bulging ventrally; pronotum not longer and usually shorter than scutellum, lateral depression shallow and barely indicated; mesopleuron with scrobal sulcus and episternal sulcus; propodeal angle subtriangular; fore wing discoidal cell complete; T-II longitudinal ridge sometimes indicated but not sharp; T-III pit row not deeply sunken and often quite weak, apical rim evenly rounded, truncate or indented medially. Male terminalia: S-VII1 subtriangular; gonocoxa broad or narrowly tapering apically, inner margin often angulate subapically; cuspis long, digitus slender and shorter than cuspis; aedeagus slender and acute apically.

Host

All known hosts are bees of the family Megachilidae (Hicks 1934). Most records are of the widespread and essentially Holarctic genus Osmia (Linsenmaier 1959a, Krombein 1967), which ordinarily nest in decaying logs or in the ground. Horning and Bohart (in Bohart and Kimsey) (1982) recorded additional twig-nesting host genera for sagmatis, a relatively abundant species in western North America. These were Ashmeadiella, Chelostoma, Hoplitis, Antkocopa, and Proteriades.

Discussion

Chrysura is the second largest genus in the Chrysidini. An important diagnostic feature is the relatively flat face without transverse microridging, but sometimes with a little medial microreticulation. In addition, there is no TFC, no teeth on T-III, and the lateral hollow on the pronotum is weak or only slightly indicated. We have divided the genus into five species groups, in four of which (radians, dichroa, cuprea, candens) male F-II-V (especially F-II-IV) are asymmetrical (knobby) beneath. Linsenmaier (1959a) included Chrysura in Chrysis and separated the first three groups from the austriaca group on the base of the male antennae. Since the 'knobby' antennal character crops up in several Chrysis groups, as well as Spintharina and Ceratochrysis, we do not place as much weight on it as did Linsenmaier. Further­more, as an intergrade we have a male cirtana (determined by Mocsáry) in which F-II-V are slightly asymmetrical. This species, along with candens, was put in the austriaca group by Linsenmaier, but we place them in a separate candens group. The 10 Nearctic species of Chrysura are all in the radians group. Although they do not have the red abdomen found in many of the Palearctic species, and the metanotum is not produced, we do not think this is justification for a separate group. A key to these species was given by Horning and Bohart (in Bohart and Kimsey 1982). The name of the largest group of Chrysura was informally proposed as pustulosa by Linsenmaier (1959a). Since pustulosa Abeille (1878) has been synonymized under radians Harris (1776) by Morgan (1984), we are now using radians as the name for the group Altogether, we have been able to study authenticated specimens (mainly types) of about 80 percent of the species we have listed. However, our studies were made at different times and places, so that direct comparisons were not possible. Therefore, there may well be some undetected synonymy in the species studied and there is likely to be some additional synonymy among those which we have not been able to see.

European species

1.  Chrysura arcadiae (Arens, 2001)
2.  Chrysura auropicta (Mocsáry, 1889)
3.  Chrysura austriaca (Fabricius, 1804)
4.  Chrysura baccha (Balthasar, 1953)
5.  Chrysura candens (Germar, 1817)
6.  Chrysura ciliciensis (Mocsáry, 1914)
7.  Chrysura circe (Mocsáry, 1889)
8.  Chrysura cretica (Mocsáry, 1911)
9.  Chrysura cuprea (Rossi, 1790)
10.  Chrysura declinanalis (Linsenmaier, 1968)
11.  Chrysura demaculata (Arens, 2004)
12.  Chrysura dichroa (Dahlbom, 1854)
13.  Chrysura dichroa rhodosiana (Linsenmaier, 1959)
14.  Chrysura dichroa socia (Dahlbom, 1854)
15.  Chrysura dichropsis (Buysson, 1891)
16.  Chrysura erigone (Mocsáry, 1889)
17.  Chrysura fernandezi (Linsenmaier, 1993)
18.  Chrysura filiformis (Mocsáry, 1889)
19.  Chrysura foveatidorsa (Linsenmaier, 1968)
20.  Chrysura graja (Mocsáry, 1889)
21.  Chrysura hirsuta (Gerstaecker, 1869)
22.  Chrysura hybrida (Lepeletier, 1806)
23.  Chrysura hybrida sardiniensis (Linsenmaier, 1959)
24.  Chrysura ignifrons Brullé, 1833
25.  Chrysura isabella (Trautmann, 1926)
26.  Chrysura judith (Balthasar, 1953)
27.  Chrysura krueperi Mocsáry, 1889
28.  Chrysura laconiae (Arens, 2001)
29.  Chrysura laevigata (Abeille, 1879)
30.  Chrysura laevigata fortiterpunctata (Linsenmaier, 1959)
31.  Chrysura laodamia (Buysson, 1900)
32.  Chrysura laodamia iphimedeia (Trautmann, 1926)
33.  Chrysura lydiae (Mocsáry, 1889)
34.  Chrysura lydiae allegata (Linsenmaier, 1968)
35.  Chrysura magrettii (Buysson, 1890)
36.  Chrysura mesochlora (Mocsáry, 1892)
37.  Chrysura mistrasensis (Linsenmaier, 1968)
38.  Chrysura moreae (Arens, 2001)
39.  Chrysura oraniensis (Lucas, 1849)
40.  Chrysura oraniensis porphyrea (Mocsáry, 1889)
41.  Chrysura pelopaeicida (Buysson, 1887)
42.  Chrysura pseudodichroa (Linsenmaier, 1959)
43.  Chrysura purpureifrons (Abeille, 1878)
44.  Chrysura purpureifrons helleniensis (Linsenmaier, 1968)
45.  Chrysura pyrogaster (Brullé, 1833)
46.  Chrysura radians (Harris, 1776)
47.  Chrysura refulgens (Spinola, 1806)
48.  Chrysura rhodia (Mocsáry, 1889)
49.  Chrysura rufiventris (Dahlbom, 1854)
50.  Chrysura rufiventris rudis (Buysson, 1891)
51.  Chrysura simplex (Dahlbom, 1854)
52.  Chrysura simplex ampliata (Linsenmaier, 1968)
53.  Chrysura simulacra Linsenmaier, 1959
54.  Chrysura simuldichroa (Linsenmaier, 1969)
55.  Chrysura smaragdina (Trautmann, 1926)
56.  Chrysura smyrnensis (Mocsáry, 1889)
57.  Chrysura sulcata (Dahlbom, 1845)
58.  Chrysura sulcata schlaeflei Linsenmaier, 1997
59.  Chrysura trimaculata (Förster, 1853)
60.  Chrysura varicornis Spinola, 1838
61.  Chrysura viridana (Dahlbom, 1854)

For citation purposes

From: Kimsey L.S. & Bohart R.M., 1990 (1991) - The chrysidid wasps of the world. Oxford University Press, ix-652 pp.

The genus Chrysis has about 1000 currently recognized species and is as large as all of the rest of the Chrysididae together. Along with the size of the genus there is a great amount of variation. Chrysis is best defined by a combination of numerous, non-exclusive characters, many of which are found throughout the genus. For instance, all Chrysis have the fore wing marginal cell attenuate and, if extended by creases, terminating on the front wing margin. Also, there is no well-defined median tooth on the distal margin of T-III as found in Pentachrysis, Praestochrysis, Allochrysis, Odontochrydium, and some Trichrysis and Primeuchroeus. However, a tiny median projection may occur in Chrysis oxygona, catagrapha, and several other species. So, even this 'absence' character is nor absolute!

Synonymy

Chrysis Linnaeus 176l:4l4. Type: Sphex ignita Linnaeus 1758:571. Desig. by Latreille 1810:437.
Pyria Lepeletier and Serville 1825:494. Type: Chrysis lincea Fabricius 1775:367. Desig. by Smith 18746:464.
Pyrochloris Klug 1839:2. (no spp. placed in genus).
Platycelia Dahlbom 1845:8. Type: Platycelia ehrenbergi Dahlbom 1845:8. Monobasic.
Spintharis Klug 1845:Table 45. Type: Chrysis humeralis Klug 1845:Table 45, Fig.7. Desig. by Richards 1935:158.
Chrysogona Forster 1853:327. Type: Chrysogona gracillima Forster 1853:328. Monobasic.
Pyrasoma Dahlbom 1854:96 (nomen nudum). Nec Peron 1804.
Nemophora Dahlbom 1854:168. Type: Nemophora carinata 'Spinola' Dahlbom 1854:167. Nec Block 1799:119. ( = Chrysis capensis Mocsáry). Orig. desig.
Poeciloechroa Dahlbom 1854:236. Type: Chrysis alternans 'Klug' Dahlbom 1854:236. Monobasic.
Dichrysis Lichtenstein 1876:27. Type Chrysis bihamata Spinola 1838:450. Desig. by Bodenstein 1939^:126.
Tetrachrysis Lichtenstein 1876:27. Type: Chrysis aeruginosa Dahlbom 1854:267 (=Chrysis succincta Linnaeus 1767:947). Desig. by Ashmead 1902:226.
Hexachrysis Lichtenstein 1876:27. Type: Chrysis micans Rossi 1792:133 (Chrysis variegata Olivier 1790:677.). Desig. by Bodenstein 19396:127.
Chrysaspis Saussure 1887:25. Type: Chrysaspis grandidieri Saussure 1887:25. Monobasic.
Heptachrysis Mocsáry 1889:594. Type: Chrysis festina Smith 1874:462. Monobasic.
Cephalochrysis Semenov 1910:224. Type: Chrysis sabulosa Radozskowski 1877:24. Desig. by Bodenstein 19396:125.
Eurychrysis Bischoff 1910:445. Type: Eurychrysis stilbiceps Bischoff 1910:445 ( = nasuta Mocsary 19026:556). Monobasic.
Pseudotetrachrysis Bischoff 1910:447. Type: Chrysis oxygona Mocsáry 1890:60. Desig. by Bodenstein 19396:131.
Pseudogonochrysis Bischoff 1910:448. Type: Chrysis guineensis Mocsáry 1889:352 (=dira Mocsary 1883:17). Desig. by Bodenstein 1939:130.
Pseudohexachrysis Bischoff 1910:448. Type: Chrysis splendens Dahlbom 1854:312. Monobasic.
Octochrysis Mocsáry 1914:71. Type: Chrysis insperata. Mocsáry 1914:71. Nec Chevrier 1870 (=decemdentata Linsenmaier 1959a:167 repl. name). Monobasic.
Chrysidium Brauns 1928:390. Type Chrysidium antiquum Brauns 1928:390. Monobasic.
Heterochrysis Brauns 1928:392. Type: Chrysidium braini Brauns 1928:392. Monobasic.
Cornuchrysis Balthasar 1953:171. Type: Cornuchrysis clypeata Balthasar 1953:171. Nec Mocsáry 1889:393 (=amneris Balthasar 1953:227). Monobasic.
Glossochrysis Semenov 1954a:116. Type: Chrysis svetlana Semenov 1954a:116. Present desig.
Gonodontochrysis Semenov 1954a:120. Type: Chrysis flamma Semenov 1954:120. Present desig.
Actinochrysis Haupt 1956:74. Type: Chrysis bicolor Lepeletier 1806:127 (Chrysis succincta var.). Orig. desig.
Cymatochrysis Haupt 1956:74. Type: Chrysis viridula Linnaeus 1761:415. Orig. desig. Ischnochrysis Haupt 1956:74. Type: Chrysis gracillima Forster 1853:328. Orig. desig. Acanthochrysis Haupt 1956:74. Type: Chrysis cerastes Abeille 1877:68. Orig. desig.

A character summary for a common and rather widespread species in the largest species group will give a basis for understanding the genus. Chrysis ignita might be considered 'typical' of the genus. The fact that it is also the generotype is coincidental.

From: Kimsey L.S. & Bohart R.M., 1990 (1991) - The chrysidid wasps of the world. Oxford University Press, ix-652 pp.

Synonymy

Chrysidea Bischoff, 1913. Gen. Ins., 151: 34.
Type: Chrysis pumila Klug 1845:Table 45, Fig.13. Orig. desig.

Generic diagnosis

Head broader than long; scapal basin microridged, roundly hollowed and copped by distinct convex or biconvex TFC, also an upper TFC (sometimes quite weak) which with lower one sets off a broad and reflective frontal area; F-I longer than II or III, rarely more than twice breadth; malar and subantennal spaces usually l MOD; subgenal area well defined; mid ocellus not lidded; pronotum with medial depression weak, sublaterally ecarinate; metanotum rounded or rarely projecting posteriorly; propodeal angle straight or incurved posteriorly; mesopleuron simple, with scrobal and episternal sulci, omaulus, and verticaulus; fore wing marginal cell with posterior vein evenly rounded, discoidal cell with outer veins nearly always faint; T-II posterolateral angle not sharp; T-III pit row distinct, usually indented; apical margin of T-III with lateral tooth (rarely rounded), area between convex, often slightly indented medially, sometimes weakly dentate or subtruncate at middle; S-II Spots round or oval, usually separated by l or 2 MOD. Male terminalia: S-VIII subtriangular, gonocoxa nearly always apically notched and appearing bilobate, cuspis broad, digitus sharp, aedeagus broad subapically.

Hosts

Members of this genus parasitize various Sphecidae. Zimmermann (1961b) reported Trypoxylon and Pison as hosts of dido and agnata, and Sceliphron madecassum Grib. and S. hemipterum F. as hosts of bellula.

Distribution

One species, pumila, is widespread in the south-western Palearctic and in the continental Afrotropical Region. Otherwise, there are two other Palearctic species, three Oriental species, and 13 in Madagascar (one of these, pumiloides, is found rarely in Continental Africa as well).

Discussion

Typical Chrysidea, as exemplified by pumila, has the discoidal cell with faint outer veins, a semicircular TFC over a rather deep scapal hollow, a broad light-reflecting area above TFC, T- III apex laterally dentate but medially convex or slightly indented, and well-separated S-II spots. There is considerable morphological diversity among the Madagascan species. Here, the fore wing discoidal cell is complete in agnata and bellula, whereas the outer veins, and particularly the anterior one, are weak or obsolete in the other species. The T-III apex is normally convex medially except in dido and phoebe, which have a medial denticle. In zimmermanni the metanotum is prolonged into a point posteriorly. In bicallosa the scutum is humped over the tegula, and in bucculenta the malar space is as long as F-I, contrary to the usual short space. There seems to be a rather close relationship to Trichrysis, at least between dido and phoebe, with their tridentate T-III, and those Trichrysis species, such as polinierii, in which the pronotum is sublaterally ecarinate. However, the apically bilobate gonocoxa of Chrysidea is quite different from the condition seen in Trichrysis. Zimmermann (1956, 196lb) contributed more than any other person to our knowledge of the genus. Most previous authors had placed the species in Chrysis or Chrysogona. Zimmermann followed the lead of Bischoff, who described Chrysidea, and listed the generic characters based largely on a study of the Madagascan fauna. However, Zimmermann put agnata and bellula in Chrysis (Dichrysis) because of the complete fore wing discoidal cell. All other features of the two species are those of typical Chrysidea, as pointed out by Bohart (1988c). In the Palearctic Fauna persica is close to pumila, but the gonocoxa of the former has only a strongly rounded outer apical edge in addition to the distal projection, instead of a notched apex. We have studied European and African specimens which indicate that only the widespread pumila is involved in Africa. We have been able to examine most of the primary types of the 19 species listed, except those of agnata, monticellii, persica, and pumila.

European species

1.  Chrysidea asensioi Mingo, 1985
2.  Chrysidea disclusa (Linsenmaier, 1959)
3.  Chrysidea persica (Radoszkovski, 1881)
4.  Chrysidea pumila (Klug, 1845)
5.  Chrysidea pumila disclusa (Linsenmaier, 1959)

For citation purposes

From: Kimsey L.S. & Bohart R.M., 1990 (1991) - The chrysidid wasps of the world. Oxford University Press, ix-652 pp.

Synonymy

Euchroeus Latreille, 1809: 49. Type: Chrysis purpuratus Fabricius, 1787:283. Monobasic.
Brugmoia Radoszkowski 1877:27. Type: Brugmoia pellucida Radoszkowski 1877:27. Monobasic.
Pseudochrysis Semenov 1891:444. Type: Pseudochrysis virgo Semenov 1891b:44l. (Chrysis singularis Splnola. 1838:452). Desig. by Richards 1935:158.

Generic diagnosis

Face with TFC, usually with two branches extending dorsally toward mid ocellus; tongue long; malar space l MOD or longer; subantennal distance about 2 MOD or longer; mandibles slender, with subapical notch or small subapical tooth; F-I usually less than twice as long as broad; pronotal anterior declivity with four pits; mesopleuron with deep scrobal sulcus subtended by two large acute teeth, usually also with well- developed episternal sulcus; metanotum rounded; fore wing Rs long but bending slightly away from costal margin leaving marginal cell broadly open; T-III usually with large prepit swelling, pits generally subequal to puncture size, apical rim usually with numerous irregular teeth; female ovipositor Segments unmodified. Male terminalia: S-VIII usually broadly rounded apically, gonocoxa short, often with strongly angulate inner margin, cuspis broad and often strongly lobate, digitus slender, aedeagus broadly rounded apically.

Hosts

Unknown.

Distribution

The majority of Euchroeus occur in the western Palearctic Region, and three are Afrotropical.

Discussion

Three related genera, Euchroeus, Spinolia, and Pseudochrysis, share the widely open fore wing marginal cell, together with a well-marked scrobal sulcus. Also, the long and somewhat bulging subantennal space creates a special look to the clypeus. Euchroeus and its relatives, but particularly the Former, are often highly coloured. Females tend to be brassy, coppery pink, or pinkish green. Males are green, blue, of purple. female torrida are remarkably coloured, with a dark blue to green dorsum and brilliant coppery and green face and venter. Two other traits that frequently occur in this genus are the presence of dense long silky pubescence on the venter, and white or translucent yellowish colour on the mandibles, legs, and often on T-III apex. Along with the pale markings, the bispinose mesopleuron below the scrobal sulcus distinguishes Euchroeus from its two related genera. On the other hand, the multiple irregular teeth on the T-III apex are much like those on Spinolia stchurovskyi. Additionally, some Euchroeus (singularis and zarudniana) have only two apicomedial teeth and two lateral teeth on the T-III edge.

The name Euchroeus was considered synonym of Brugmoia by Kimsey & Bohart (1990) « The commonly used name for this genus, Euchroeus, is a generic synonym of Chrysis, based on examination of the type species, purpurata Fabricius (Kimsey 1988b) ». Then, Brugmoia was suppressed by the International Commission of Zoological Nomenclature:

• Pavesi, M. & Strumia, F., 1997 - Euchroeus Latreille, 1809 and Chrysis purpurata Fabricius, 1787 (currently E. purpuratus) (Insecta, Hymenoptera): proposed conservation of usage; and Chrysis gloriosa Fabricius, 1793: proposed suppression of the specific name.  Bulletin of Zoological Nomenclature, 54 (1): 26-30.
• ICZN: OPINION 1906, 1998 - Euchroeus Latreille, 1809 (Insecta, Hymenoptera): conserved; Chrysis purpurata Fabricius, 1781 (currently Euchroeus purpuratus): specific name conserved; and Chrysis gloriosa Fabricius, 1793: specific name suppressed.  Bulletin of Zoological Nomenclature, 55(3): 194-196.

European species

1.  Euchroeus hellenicus (Mocsáry, 1913)
2.  Euchroeus limbatus Dahlbom, 1854
3.  Euchroeus limbatus dusmeti Trautmann, 1926
4.  Euchroeus purpuratus Fabricius, 1787

For citation purposes

From: Kimsey L.S. & Bohart R.M., 1990 (1991) - The chrysidid wasps of the world. Oxford University Press, ix-652 pp.

Synonymy

Pseudomalus Ashmead 1902:229. Type: Omalus semicircularis Aaron 1885:215. Orig. desig. and monobasic.

Generic diagnosis

Scapal basin usually deep and smooth, asetose; malar space less than 1 MOD and bisected horizontally by genal carina; head generally lenticular, with carinate post-ocular edge; pronotum deeply concave laterally; scutum with small, scattered punctures, except large dense ones clumped posteriorly between notauli; mesopleuron angulate, with juncture of omaulus, verticaulus, and scrobal carina strongly projecting, scrobal sulcus oblique; scutellum with anterior margin unmodified; metanotum broadly rounded; fore wing medial cell asetose, medial vein strongly arched and arising before cu-a, stigma short, broad and apically rounded; fore femur carinate ventrally and often subapically broadened particularly in females; tarsal claws with 3-5 subsidiary teeth; T-I—III strongly convex; T-III lateral margin straight or sinuate, usually deeply notched apicomedially, without transparent apical rim; genital capsule.

Hosts

These wasps are nest parasites of the sphecid subfamily Pemphredoninae. Because Pseudomalus females have never been observed at the nest entrances of their hosts, the suggestion is that Pseudomalus species place their eggs on the body of aphids (Homoptera) before they are collected by Pemphredoninae (Veenendaal, 2011).

Distribution

Pseudomalus occurs in the Holarctic Region, with a disproportionately large number from southern USSR.

Discussion

Pseudomalus is the largest of the genera split from Omalus in the broad sense, with 42 species. The most distinctive feature of this genus is the pattern of scutal punctation, with the punctures clumped posteriorly between the notauli. Unfortunately, this area is often obliterated when the specimen is pinned. Additional diagnostic features are the malar space horizontally bisected by the genal carina, scutellar anterior margin unmodified, mesopleuron strongly projecting laterally at the juncture of the omaulus and scrobal carina and verticaulus, and T-III usually with a deep apicomedial notch.

Colour and differences in sculpturing are the characters most commonly used to distinguish species. The shape of the apical margin and notch of T-III are particularly useful. Most species have the thorax and abdomen concolorous. However, some Palearctic ones, including auratus, hirtus, and bogdanovi, have the thorax purple, blue, or green, and the terga bright brassy or coppery.

This genus needs extensive revision. Species distinctions are obscure in a number of instances and badly need re-examination.

As with the other genera split from Omalus, the sexes are difficult to separate without exserting the genitalia.

European species

1.  Pseudomalus abdominalis (Buysson, 1887)
2.  Pseudomalus auratus (Linnaeus, 1758)
3.  Pseudomalus bergi (Semenov, 1932)
4.  Pseudomalus borodini (Semenov, 1932)
5.  Pseudomalus meridianus Strumia, 1996
6.  Pseudomalus pusillus (Fabricius, 1804)
7.  Pseudomalus pusillus bulgariensis (Linsenmaier, 1959)
8.  Pseudomalus pusillus semicupreus (Linsenmaier, 1959)
9.  Pseudomalus ruthenus (Semenov, 1932)
10.  Pseudomalus triangulifer (Abeille, 1877)
11.  Pseudomalus violaceus (Scopoli, 1763)

For citation purposes

From: Kimsey L.S. & Bohart R.M., 1990 (1991) - The chrysidid wasps of the world. Oxford University Press, ix-652 pp.

Synonymy

Philoctetes Abeille 1879:27. Type: Holopyga cicatrix Abeille 1879 (Diplorrhos micatus Kimsey). Desig. by Ashmead 1902:228.
Diplorrhos Aaron 1885:216. Type: Diplorrhos plicatus Aaron 1885:216. Monobasic. N. synonymy.
Chrysellampus Semenov 1932:5. Type: Chrysellampus heros Semenov 1892:71. Orig. desig. and monobasic. N. synonymy.
Dictenulus Semenov 1932:6. Type: Ellampus specularis Semenov 1932:18. Orig. desig. N. synonymy.
Parellampus Semenov 1932:7. Type: Parellampus praeteritorium Semenov 1932:7.

Generic diagnosis

Scapal basin generally smooth and asetose; malar space 1 MOD or shorter; genal carina generally faint, extending from mandibular socket; vertex generally densely punctate; pronotum deeply concave laterally, punctate medially; scutum with punctures clumped along notauli, or less commonly more evenly distributed; mesopleuron carinate or rounded, juncture of omaulus, verticaulus, and scrobal carina not strongly projecting, signum carina usually present, scrobal sulcus oblique; metanotum usually conical, even mucronate in several species; fore wing medial cell asetose, medial vein strongly arched and arising before cu-a, stigma short, broad and apically rounded; fore femur carinate ventrally; tarsal claws with 1-3 subsidiary teeth; T- I—III strongly convex; T-III lateral margin straight: or sinuate, usually deeply notched apicomedially, or bent under, without transparent rim.

Hosts

Philoctetes variatus has been reared from various twig-nesting Pemphredoninae (Sphecidae), including Diodontus occidentalis W. Fox, Pemphredon grinnelli (Roh.), Stigmus inordinattis W. Fox, and Passaloecus cuspidatus F. Smith (Powell 1963, Parker and Bohart 1966, Evans 1973b). Philoctetes intermedium has been reared from Diodontus virginianus (Roh.) (Krombein 1963).

Distribution

The majority of species are Holarctic, with 8 in the Nearctic Region and 34 in the Palearctic. One unusual species, afer, is Afrotropical. The highest diversity is in southern USSR and western China.

Discussion

As a whole, Philoctetes is the least specialized of the three genera related to Omalus, although it does include some highly derived species. The mesopleuron usually has an omaulus, scrobal carina, and verticaulus. However, one or more of these carinae may be weakly developed or even absent. In addition, the tarsal claws only have one to three subsidiary teeth, with most species having two. Diagnostic features are: omaulus and scrobal carina forming a broadly V-shaped angle, scutal punctures clumped along notauli, and metanotum usually sharply angled, or even mucronate. A mucronate metanotum occurs in cupratus, afer, and seminudus. Several species, including intermedium, have an Elampus-like snout on the apex of T-III. Most species have T-III notched apicomedially. This notch may be simple or snout-like, as in intermedius, or have a dorsal nose-like projection as in plicatus and downeyi. Other species, including hirsutus and nikolskyi, have extensive long, erect, black setae. One group, including caudatus, deflexus, fedtsbenkoi, limpidipennis, and omaloides, has the metanotum sharply conical and the apex of T-III is bent under giving it a nose-like appearance, without a medial notch.

We have used somewhat different characters to define Philoctetes than previous authors, and as a result the Philoctetes of Linsenmaier (1959) is not comparable. There are no major revisions of this group, and the only reliable regional treatments are those of Bohart and Campos (1960) and Bohart and Kimsey (1982), where it is given as Diplorrhos.

European species

1.  Philoctetes abeillei Buysson (in André), 1893
2.  Philoctetes bidentulus (Lepeletier, 1806)
3.  Philoctetes bogdanovii (Radoszkovski, 1877)
4.  Philoctetes bogdanovii unicolor (Trautmann, 1926)
5.  Philoctetes canariensis (Mercet, 191)5
6.  Philoctetes caudatus (Abeille, 1878)
7.  Philoctetes caudatus ortegai (Linsenmaier, 1993)
8.  Philoctetes chobauti (Buysson, 1896)
9.  Philoctetes cicatrix (Abeille, 1878)
10.  Philoctetes deflexus (Abeille, 1878)
11.  Philoctetes dusmeti (Trautmann, 1926 )
12.  Philoctetes friesei (Mocsáry, 1889)
13.  Philoctetes helveticus (Linsenmaier, 1959)
14.  Philoctetes horvathi (Mocsáry, 1889)
15.  Philoctetes horvathi inflammatus (Mocsáry, 1890)
16.  Philoctetes kuznetzovi (Semenov, 1932)
17.  Philoctetes micans (Klug, 1835)
18.  Philoctetes omaloides Buysson, 1888
19.  Philoctetes parvulus (Dahlbom, 1854)
20.  Philoctetes perraudini (Linsenmaier, 1968)
21.  Philoctetes punctulatus (Dahlbom, 1854)
22.  Philoctetes putoni (Buysson, 1891)
23.  Philoctetes sareptanus (Mocsáry, 1889)
24.  Philoctetes tenerifensis Linsenmaier, 1959
25.  Philoctetes truncatus (Dahlbom, 1831)
26.  Philoctetes wolfi (Linsenmaier, 1959)

For citation purposes

From: Kimsey L.S. & Bohart R.M., 1990 (1991) - The chrysidid wasps of the world. Oxford University Press, ix-652 pp.

Synonymy

Omalus Panzer 1801:13. Type: Chrysis aenea Fabricius 1787:284. Monobasic.
Homalus Saunders 1873:411. Invalid emendation of Omalus Panzer 1801.

Generic diagnosis

Scapal basin usually deep and smooth, asetose; malar space less than 1 MOD and bisected horizontally by genal carina; head lenticular, with carinate postocular edge, pronotum impressed laterally; vertex, pronotum medially and scutum often impunctate; mesopleuron with scrobal sulcus horizontal, extending from lateroventral margin of pronotum to scrobe with single carina dorsally, transpleural carina reaching apex of propodeal angle; scutellum with two flattened areas along anterior margin; metanotum evenly rounded; fore wing medial cell asetose, medial vein strongly arched and arising before cu-a, stigma short, broad, and apically rounded; fore femur ventrally carinate and often subapically broadened, tarsal claws with 2-3 subsidiary teeth; T-I—III strongly convex; T-III apical margin often sinuate laterally, occasionally transparent, usually without apicomedial notch; genital capsule.

Hosts

Omalus are parasites of sphecid wasps in the subfamily Pemphredoninae.

Distribution

Omalus occur in all but the Australian Region. The vast majority of species are Holarctic.

Discussion

Historically the genus Omalus has been divided into four or as many as eight subgenera. We have examined these subgeneric groupings in detail and have found only four to be valid. These four groups have sufficiently discrete diagnostic features that we give them generic status. The resulting genera are Omalus s.s., Holophris, Pseudomalus, and Philoctetes.

Omalus s.s. is a group of 20 species, characterized by the genal carina bisecting the malar space, pronotum and vertex mostly impunctate except laterally, scutum impunctate or with scattered punctures, scrobal sulcus nearly horizontal, extending from the lateral pronotal margin to scrobe, and the anterior margin of the scutellum with two smooth, flattened areas. In addition, the apical margin of T-III is sinuous, usually without a medial notch, and usually only narrowly transparent. In addition, the metanotum is evenly rounded. T-III has a deep apical notch in biaccinctus, and congoensis has T- III with a broad transparent rim, a small lateral angle, and deep medial notch.

We have found no reliable way of determining the sex of individuals in Omalus, without exserting the genitalia.

This genus has been revised only in a few restricted geographic areas: the Afrotropical Region (Kimsey 1988a), Europe (Linsenmaier 1951, 1959a, b), and the Nearctic Region (Bohart and Campos 1960, Bohart and Kimsey 1982). However, all of these studies treated Omalus in the broad sense, with Pseudomalus, Diplorrhos, and Holophris as subgenera.

European species

1.  Omalus aeneus (Fabricius, 1787)
2.  Omalus aeneus chevrieri Tournier, 1877
3.  Omalus aeneus japonicus (Bischoff, 1910)
4.  Omalus aeneus puncticollis Mocsáry, 1887
5.  Omalus biaccinctus (Buysson, 1893)
6.  Omalus chlorosomus mallorcanus Linsenmaier, 1959
7.  Omalus magrettii (Buysson, 1890)
8.  Omalus miramae (Semenov, 1932)
9.  Omalus nigromaculatus Linsenmaier, 1987
10.  Omalus politus (Buysson, 1887)
11.  Omalus zarudnyi (Semenov, 1932)

For citation purposes

From: Kimsey L.S. & Bohart R.M., 1990 (1991) - The chrysidid wasps of the world. Oxford University Press, ix-652 pp.

Synonymy

Holopyga Dahlbom 1845:4. Type: Holopyga amoenula Dahlbom 1845:4. Desig. by Ashmead 1902:227.
Halopyga Tournier 1878:305. Invalid emendation of Holopyga Dahlbom 1845.
Pseudhedychrum Abeille 1879:27. Type: Chrysis fervida Fabricius 1781:456. Desig. by Bodenstein 1939: 130.
Oar Semenov 1954b:142. Type: Oar globulus Semenov 1954b:144. Orig. desig. and monobasic.
Psacas Semenov 1954b:l43. Type: Psacas meda Semenov 1954:143. Otig. desig. and monobasic.

Generic diagnosis

Facial setae sparse and erect; scapal basin deep and transversely cross-ridged; vertex with inter-ocellar sulcus; malar space less than 1 MOD; genal carina present; pronotum with anteromedial pit; mesopleuron strongly angulate, with well- developed verticaulus, omaulus, signum, and scrobal carina; notauli sulciform; scutellar wing fossa without anterior lobe; fore femur usually angulate sub-basally with ventral carina; hind tarsal claw with 2-5 (rarely 1) subsidiary teeth; fore wing medial vein strongly arched, arising at or slightly before cu-a, costa dilated medially, stigma short and broad, Rl clearly indicated; T-III apical margin evenly rounded or somewhat indented medially, slightly swollen subapically; male genitalia, volsella with digitus and cuspis.

Hosts

Holopyga is another large genus whose biology is poorly known, probably because these chrysidids attack ground-nesting sphecid wasps. In North America Bicyrtes quadrifasciata (Say) and B. fodiens (Handlirsch) have been reported as hosts of ventralis (Evans 1966). Astata pinguis Dahlbom is a host of integrum in Europe according to Else (1973). Móczár (1967) and Linsenmaier (1959) reported Chalicodoma sp. (Megachilidae) as the host of ovata. Mocsáry (1889) listed Chalicodoma muraria F. as the host of amoenula, Cerceris quadrifasciata Panzer and Mimumua (Vanderl.) as hosts of ignicollis, and rugosa on Sceliphron madraspatanum (F.) (as Pelopoeus separatus Sm.).

Distribution

Species occur in all zoogeographic regions, with the majority in the Palearctic. There are 67 Palearctic species, 8 Nearctic, 7 Neotropical, 3 Asian, 1 in Australia, 1 in Madagascar, and 4 in Africa south of the Sahara.

Discussion

Holopyga are generally large heavy-bodied wasps, ranging in length from 4-8 mm. They can be distinguished by the sharply angulate fore wing medial vein, setose medial cell, multidentate tarsal claws, carinate and angulate mesopleuron, angulate postocular region, and cross-ridged scapal basin.

A number of Palearctic species are sexually dimorphic, particularly amoenula and fervida, which are two of the most commonly collected species. In these species males tend to be blue and green, at least on the thorax, and females coppery red.

The name gloriosa F. has been used for years for one of the commonest European species, amoenula. Surprisingly, upon examining the type, we discovered that gloriosa is actually a synonym of Pseudomalus auratus and not a species of Holopyga (Kimsey 1988b).

Linsenmaier (1987) described the genus Chamaeholopyga based on the new species parvicornis Linsenmaier (1987). We have been unable to see this species and therefore cannot render judgment on the placement of this group.

European species

1.  Holopyga amoenula Dahlbom, 1845
2.  Holopyga amoenula occidenta Linsenmaier, 1959
3.  Holopyga amoenula oriensa Linsenmaier, 1959
4.  Holopyga austrialis Linsenmaier, 1959
5.  Holopyga baeckmanni Semenov, 1967
6.  Holopyga chrysonota (Förster, 1853)
7.  Holopyga chrysonota appliata Linsenmaier, 1959
8.  Holopyga chrysonota discolor Linsenmaier, 1959
9.  Holopyga comosa Semenov & Nikolskaya, 1954
10.  Holopyga crassepuncta effrenata Linsenmaier, 1959
11.  Holopyga cypruscola Linsenmaier, 1959
12.  Holopyga duplicata Linsenmaier, 1987
13.  Holopyga fervida (Fabricius, 1781)
14.  Holopyga generosa (Förster, 1853)
15.  Holopyga generosa proviridis Linsenmaier, 1959
16.  Holopyga generosa virideaurata Linsenmaier, 1951
17.  Holopyga gloriosa-aureomaculata complex
18.  Holopyga gogorzae Trautmann, 1926
19.  Holopyga guadarrama Linsenmaier, 1987
20.  Holopyga hortobagyensis Móczár, 1983
21.  Holopyga ignicollis Dahlbom, 1854
22.  Holopyga ignicollis granadana Linsenmaier, 1968
23.  Holopyga ignicollis padri Linsenmaier, 1968
24.  Holopyga impressopunctata Arens, 2004
25.  Holopyga inflammata (Förster, 1853)
26.  Holopyga inflammata caucasica Mocsáry, 1889
27.  Holopyga jurinei Chevrier, 1862
28.  Holopyga lucida Lepeletier, 1806
29.  Holopyga mauritanica (Lucas, 1849)
30.  Holopyga mavromoustakisi Enslin, 1939
31.  Holopyga merceti Kimsey, 1990
32.  Holopyga metallica (Dahlbom, 1845)
33.  Holopyga minuma Linsenmaier, 1959
34.  Holopyga miranda Abeille de Perrin, 1878
35.  Holopyga mlokosiewitzi spartana Linsenmaier, 1968
36.  Holopyga parvicornis Linsenmaier, 1987
37.  Holopyga pseudovata Linsenmaier, 1987
38.  Holopyga punctatissima Dahlbom, 1854
39.  Holopyga punctatissima reducta Linsenmaier, 1959
40.  Holopyga rubra Linsenmaier, 1999
41.  Holopyga sardoa Invrea, 1952
42.  Holopyga trapeziphora Linsenmaier, 1987
43.  Holopyga vigora Linsenmaier, 1959
44.  Holopyga vigoroidea Arens, 2004

For citation purposes

From: Kimsey L.S. & Bohart R.M., 1990 (1991) - The chrysidid wasps of the world. Oxford University Press, ix-652 pp.

Synonymy

Hedychrum Latreille 1802:317. Type: Chrysis lucidula Fabricius 1775:358 (=Sphex nobilis Scopoli 1763:792). Monobasic.
Cymura Dahlbom 1845:4. Type: Cymura splendidula-DMbom 1845:4 (=Hedychrum coelestinum Spinola 1838:454). Monobasic.
Wollmania Mocsáry 1909:2. Type: Wollmania concinna Mocsáry 1909b:2. Monobasic.

Generic diagnosis

Face with sparse erect setae; scapal basin deeply concave, with transverse cross-ridging malar space less than 1 MOD; base of oral fossa with a sharp tooth; pronotum with anteromedial pit; notauli sulciform; mesopleuron rounded, with indistinct omaulus and short scrobal sulcus; metanotum rounded or rarely mucronate; propodeum without medial enclosure, with medial carina; mid and hind tibia with pit or depression on inner surface, rarely without; hind femur enlarged, anterior surface brown and microreticulate in males; tarsal claws with subparallel tooth, appearing apically bifid; fore wing medial vein slightly curved, arising at cu—a, stigma slender and apically acute; T-III usually with lateral tooth and subapically swollen, rarely with four apical teeth; female S-III with sub-basal sulcus extending toward mid-line and often with apicomedial tubercle; volsella divided into digitus and cuspis.

Hosts

Few hosts have been reported for Hedychrum but all are Sphecidae in the subfamily Philanthinae. Grandi (1961) gave Cerceris sabulosa Panzer as the host of gerstaeckeri, and in North America Byers (1978) reared an undetermined species of Hedychrum from Cerceris halone Banks. Hedychrum simile was observed by Tsuneki (1970a) leaving the nest of Cerceris arenaria L. Abeille (1877) reported rearing longicolle and sculpturatum from the cells of Halictus but this record is questionable.

Distribution

The Eastern Hemisphere has the highest diversity of Hedychrum, with 65 species in the Palearctic Region, 47 in Africa south of the Sahara, 4 in Madagascar, and 14 Oriental. In the Western Hemisphere there are 11 North American species and 5 South American.

Discussion

Hedychrum comprises a distinctive and closely related group of species, characterized by the mid and hind tibial pits, tooth at the base of the oral fossa, enlarged hind femur, modified female S-III, and special propodeal sculpture. Coloration is one of the most useful diagnostic features for species distinctions. The presence and extent of blue or green on S-II and -III is of critical importance. Males tend to have more extensive metallic coloration on S-II and -III. Species from the Americas and Afrotropical Region tend to be entirely blue or green, except cupricolle which has the pronotum, scutum, scutellum, and metanotum bright green to brassy, and contrasting strongly with the rest of the body. Palearctic species also tend to be bicoloured, but with a blue, green, or purple thorax, and brassy to coppery abdomen. Females of many of these, including nobile, aureicolle, longiolle, and chalybaeum, may have a strikingly bicoloured thorax similar to that of cupricolle. The shape and presence or absence of mid and hind tibial pits are also important characters. Finally, the shape or absence of the apicomedial tooth on the female S-III distinguishes many species.

This is a diverse but structurally conservative genus. There are few differences in lengths of flagellar articles, facial dimensions, or other sculptural features. Even the lengths of the clypeus (subantennal distance) or malar space vary only rarely. H. coelestinum can be recognized immediately by the unusually long clypeus.

Unlike most other elampines, sex determination in Hedychrum is relatively simple. Females have the modified S-III with sub-basal sulci and apicomedial tooth. The anterior surface of the hind femur is reticulate and non-metallic brown in males, and shiny green or blue in females. In addition, many Palearctic species have much more brightly coloured females than males. In the species listed above with a bicoloured thorax in females, the male thorax is entirely blue, green, or purple.

Hedychrum has only been revised on a regional basis, for Europe (Linsenmaier 1959a, b, 1987), southern Africa (Edney 1940), and North America (French in Bohart and Kimsey 1982).

European species

1.  Hedychrum aureicolle Mocsáry, 1889
2.  Hedychrum aureicolle rhodicyprium Linsenmaier, 1987
3.  Hedychrum chalybaeum Dahlbom, 1854
4.  Hedychrum cholodkovskii Semenov, 1967
5.  Hedychrum gerstaeckeri Chevrier, 1869
6.  Hedychrum gerstaeckeri plicatum Kilimnik, 1993
7.  Hedychrum longicolle Abeille, 1877
8.  Hedychrum luculentum Förster, 1853
9.  Hedychrum luculentum bytinskii Linsenmaier, 1959
10.  Hedychrum mavromoustakisi Trautmann, 1929
11.  Hedychrum micans europaeum Linsenmaier, 1959
12.  Hedychrum mithras Semenov, 1967
13.  Hedychrum niemelai Linsenmaier, 1959
14.  Hedychrum nobile (Scopoli, 1763)
15.  Hedychrum nobile antigai Buysson, 1896
16.  Hedychrum rufipes Buysson, 1893
17.  Hedychrum rutilans Dahlbom, 1854
18.  Hedychrum rutilans subparvolum Linsenmaier, 1959
19.  Hedychrum rutilans viridaureum Tournier, 1877
20.  Hedychrum rutilans viridiauratum Mocsáry, 1889
21.  Hedychrum semiviolaceum Mocsáry, 1889
22.  Hedychrum tobiasi Kilimnik, 1993
23.  Hedychrum virens Dahlbom, 1854
24.  Hedychrum virens caucasium Mocsáry, 1889
25.  Hedychrum viridilineolatum Kilimnik, 1993

For citation purposes