Cynipoidea parasitoids of dung-flies in Brazil. II (Insecta: Hymenoptera)

Cynipoidea parasitóides de moscas associadas a fezes bovinas no Brasil. II (Insecta: Hymenoptera)

SYSTEMATICS, MORPHOLOGY AND PHYSIOLOGY

Cynipoidea parasitoids of dung-flies in Brazil. II (Insecta: Hymenoptera)

Cynipoidea parasitóides de moscas associadas a fezes bovinas no Brasil. II (Insecta: Hymenoptera)

Norma B. Diaz^I; Fabiana E. Gallardo^II; Carlos H. Marchiori^III; Arício X. Linhares^IV

^IDepartamento Cientifico de Entomologia, Museo de La Plata, Paseo del Bosque, 1900 La Plata, Argentina

^IIBecaria CIC

^IIIDepartamento de Biologia do Instituto Luterano de Ensino Superior de Itumbiara-GO, Brazil

^IVUniversidade Estadual de Campinas-SP, Brazil

ABSTRACT

This paper deals with 11 species of Cynipoidea parasitoids of dung-flies in Brazil: Neralsia splendens (Borgmeier 1935), Triplasta (Triplasta) atrocoxalis (Ashmead 1895), Triplasta (Pentaplasta) coxalis (Ashmead 1895), Acantheucoela armata (Cresson 1865), Acantheucoila brevispina Dettmer 1930, Acantheucoila coprophila Borgmeier 1935, Acantheucoila fumipennis Borgmeier 1935, Coneucoela brasiliensis Kieffer 1909, Ganaspis fulvocincta Kieffer 1909, Kleidotoma nigra (Hartig 1840), and Paraganaspis egeria Diaz & Gallardo 1996. An illustrated key for their identification, the hosts and the geographic distribution for each species are also given.

Key words: Taxonomy, Figitidae, Diptera, cattle dung.

RESUMO

Neste trabalho são fornecidos chave de identificação ilustrada e dados de hospedeiros e distribuição geográfica para cada uma das 11 espécies de Cynipoidea parasitóides de moscas associadas a fezes bovinas coletadas no Brasil, a saber: Neralsia splendens (Borgmeier 1935), Triplasta (Triplasta) atrocoxalis (Ashmead 1895), Triplasta (Pentaplasta) coxalis (Ashmead 1895), Acantheucoela armata (Cresson 1865), Acantheucoila brevispina Dettmer 1930, Acantheucoila coprophila Borgmeier 1935, Acantheucoila fumipennis Borgmeier 1935, Coneucoela brasiliensis Kieffer 1909, Ganaspis fulvocincta Kieffer 1909, Kleidotoma nigra (Hartig 1840) e Paraganaspis egeria Diaz & Gallardo 1996.

Palavras-chave: Taxonomia, Figitidae, Diptera, fezes bovina.

The Cynipoidea (Hymenoptera) that are the primary parasitoids of dung-fly larvae belong to the family Figitidae. In the Neotropical region, few studies have been done on this group (Borgmeier 1935, Diaz 1987, 1990, Diaz & Gallardo 1995, Diaz et al. 1996), and in Brazil the investigations are still in the initial phase of development (Diaz & Gallardo 1996). The purposes of this work were to make a key for quick identification of the taxa occurring in Brazil, to present their geographical distribution and nomenclatural changes and to indicate the host species whenever possible.

Most of the material used in this work was collected by Dr. Carlos H. Marchiori. The classificatory system and the morphological terms used are those proposed by Ronquist (1994). In the synonimic list of taxa only the original citation has been consigned.

Results and Discussion

The Figitidae parasitoids of dung flies in Brazil belong to the Microcynipoidea group, in which tergite III or fused tergites III and IV form the longest sclerite of the metasoma. They can be recognized by the following combination of characters (Weld 1952):

1 - Scutellum without a characteristic raised cup on the disk (Fig. 1). Tergite III of metasoma shorter than IV, not tongue shaped (Fig.2) .............................. Figitinae 2 - Scutellum with a characteristic raised cup on the disk (Fig. 3). Tergite III and IV of metasoma fused (Fig. 4) ............................................................... Eucoilinae

Figitinae

Head. Cheeks usually marginated. Antennae filiform, 13-segmented in female; 14-segmented in male, with the third segment usually excavated.

Mesosoma. Notaulices usually present and percurrent. Scutellum without cup on the disk.

Metasoma. Sessile in most species. Tergite III shorter than IV, not liguliform, and not hairy at the base.

Genus Neralsia Cameron

Neralsia Cameron 1883. Biol. Centr. Amer. Hym. 1: 74

Neralsia splendens (Borgmeier)

Xyalophora splendens Borgmeier 1935. Arch. Int. Biol. Veget. 2: 102

Host: Sarcophagula occidua (Fabricius) (Diptera: Sarcophagidae), collected on human, equine and bovine dung.

Geographic distribution: Argentina (Diaz 1990, Diaz & Gallardo 1995, Diaz et al. 1996); and Brazil; São Paulo (Borgmeier 1935), and Mato Grosso do Sul (Diaz & Gallardo 1996).

Eucoilinae

Head. Cheeks usually rounded; antennae filiform or clubed, 13-segmented in female and 15-segmented in male, with third or fourth segments usually excavated.

Mesosoma. Notaulices usually absent. Scutellum with cup on the disk.

Metasoma. Usually sessile in most of species. Tergite III and IV fused, hairy or not at base.

1 - Tergite III without a hairy ring and striate at the base (Fig. 5). Radial cell entirely open at front margin. Disk smooth or nearly so, margined; cup narrow .......................................................................................... Triplasta Kieffer

a - Antennae of female with a 3-segmented club .................. T. (Triplasta) Kieffer

b - Antennae of female with a 5-segmented club ............... T. (Pentaplasta) Kieffer

1'- Tergite III with a hairy ring and smooth at base (Fig. 6). Radial cell open or closed on front margin ........................................................................................... 2

2 - Scutellum bearing a sharp spine on dorsal surface of cup (Fig. 7). Mesoscutum smooth. Radial cell closed. Wings clouded. ...................... Acantheucoela Ashmead

a - Posterior surface of scutellum smooth, with three longitudinal keels behind cup. Wings with scarce discal and marginal setae ................................................. b

a'- Posterior surface of scutellum more or less rugose, with two longitudinal keels behind cup. Wings with abundant discal and marginal setae ............................. c

b - Lateral keels behind cup straight. Spine of the cup posteriorly ..................................................................................... A.armata (Cresson)

b'- Lateral keels behind cup concave outside. Spine of the cup not posteriorly ...................................................................................A. brevispina Dettmer

c - Cup of scutellum oval and narrow. First sector of radius perpendicular to anterior border of wing. Face lateral striation reduced to antennal base ................................................................................ A. coprophila Borgmeier

c'- Cup of scutellum circular and broad. First sector of radius oblique to anterior border of wing. Face lateral striation extending to lower border of eyes ............................................................................... A. fumipennis Borgmeier

2'- Scutellum without a sharp spine on dorsal surface of cup .............................. 3

3 - Scutellum (Fig. 8) conical in dorsal view, tapering gradually to a point. Cup normal, not reaching over two-thirds of the disk. Radial cell partially or entirely open on front margin ................................................................. Coneucoela Kieffer

3'- Scutellum truncate or rounded behind ........................................................ 4

4 - Scutellum (Fig. 9) truncate behind, disk longitudinally striate. Radial cell open. Fore wings emarginate at distal end, cup narrow ................. Kleidotoma Westwood

4'- Scutellum (Fig. 10) rounded behind, disk areolate-rugose. Radial cell closed ...... 5

5 - Female antennae 6- segmented, with a conspicuous club; disk areolate ......................................................................... Paraganaspis Diaz & Gallardo

5'- Female antennae 7- segmented, with an inconspicuous club; disk punctate .......................................................................................... Ganaspis Foerster

Genus Triplasta (Kieffer)

Ectolyta (Triplasta) Kieffer 1901. Feuille Natural 31: 160.

Triplasta (Triplasta) atrocoxalis (Ashmead)

Kleidotoma atrocoxalis Ashmead 1895. P. Zool. Soc. London, 746p.

Host. Paleosepsis sp. (Diptera: Sepsidae) (Diaz & Gallardo 1996)

Geographic distribution: Grenada Island (Dalla Torre & Kieffer 1910), and Brazil; São Paulo, Mato Grosso do Sul (Diaz & Gallardo 1996), and Goiás.

Material examined. Brazil. Goiás: Itumbiara, 18 females, August 1994, four females, November 1994, three females, December 1994, 12 females, January 1995, 25 females and three males, February 1995, four females, March 1995, seven female, April 1995, one female, June 1995, one female, August 1995, four females, October 1995, Marchiori col. Minas Gerais: Uberlândia, 35 females, January 1994, 29 females, February 1994, 80 females, March 1994, 34 females, April 1994, six females, September 1994, 113 female, November 1994, Marchiori col. (ILES).

Triplasta (Pentaplasta) coxalis (Ashmead)

Pentacrita coxalis Ashmead 1895. P. Zool. Soc. London, 749p.

Host. Unknown.

Geographic distribution. Grenada Island (Dalla Torre & Kieffer 1910) and Brazil: Santa Catarina (Diaz & Gallardo 1996).

Genus Acantheucoela Ashmead

Acantheucoela Ashmead 1900. Trans. Ent. Soc. London, 333p.

Acantheucoela armata (Cresson)

Cynips (?) armatus Cresson 1865. Proc. Ent. Soc. Phil.. 4: 4-5.

Host. Unknown, collected on human dung (Borgmeier 1935).

Geographic distribution: Cuba (Cresson 1865); and Brazil, Rio de Janeiro (Borgmeier 1935).

Acantheucoela brevispina Dettmer

Acantheucoela brevispina Dettmer 1930. Broteria. Zool. 26: 66.

Host. Unknown, collected on human dung (Dettmer 1930).

Geographic distribution: Brazil, Santa Catarina (Dettmer 1930).

Acantheucoela coprophila Borgmeier

Acantheucoela coprophila Borgmeier, 1935. Arch. Inst. Biol. Veget. 2: 106.

Host. Unknown, collected on human dung (Borgmeier 1935)

Geographic distribution. Argentina (Diaz 1974); and Brazil, São Paulo (Borgmeier 1935).

Acantheucoela fumipennis Borgmeier

Acantheucoela fumipennis Borgmeier 1935. Arch. Inst. Biol. Veget. 2: 106.

Host. Unknown, collected on human dung (Borgmeier 1935).

Geographic distribution. Bolivia (Diaz 1987); and Brazil, Rio de Janeiro (Borgmeier 1935).

Genus Coneucoela Kieffer

Coneucoela Kieffer 1909. Bull. Soc. Hist. Nat. Metz. 2: 63-64.

Coneucoela brasiliensis Kieffer

Coneucoela brasiliensis Kieffer 1909. Bull. Soc. Hist. Nat. Metz. 2: 63-64.

Host. Sarcophagula sp. (Diptera: Sarcophagidae), collected on bovine dung.

Geographic distribution: Brazil, Pará (Kieffer 1909), São Paulo (Diaz & Gallardo 1996), Goiás and Mato Grosso (Nordlander 1982).

Material examined: Brazil; Goiás; Itumbiara, one male, December 1994, Marchiori col.

Genus Ganaspis Foerster

Ganaspis Foerster 1869. Verch. Zool. Bot. Wien. 19: 334-335.

Ganaspis fulvocincta Kieffer

Ganaspis fulvocincta Kieffer 1909. Bull. Soc. Hist. Nat. Metz. 2: 69.

Host. Sarcophagula sp. (Diptera: Sarcophagidae), collected on bovine dung (Diaz & Gallardo1996).

Geographic distribution: Brazil, Pará (Kieffer 1909), and Mato Grosso do Sul (Diaz & Gallardo 1996).

Genus Kleidotoma Westwood

Kleidotoma Westwood 1833. Mag. Nat. Hist. 6: 494.

Kleidotoma nigra (Hartig)

Cothonaspis nigra Hartig 1840. Z. Ent. Germar. 2: 201.

Host. Palaeosepsis sp. (Diptera: Sepsidae), collected on bovine dung (Diaz & Gallardo 1996).

Geographic distribution: Brazil, Mato Grosso do Sul (Diaz & Gallardo 1996).

Genus Paraganaspis Diaz & Gallardo

Paraganaspis Diaz & Gallardo 1996. Ann. Ent. Soc. Am. 89: 497-498.

Paraganaspis egeria Diaz & Gallardo

Paraganaspis egeria Diaz & Gallardo 1996. Ann. Ent. Soc. Am. 89: 498-500.

Hosts. Sarcophagula occidua (F.) (Diaz & Gallardo 1996, Diaz et al. 1996), Sarcophagula sp. (Diptera: Sarcophagidae), Brontaea quadristigma Thomson (Diptera: Muscidae).

Geographic distribution: Argentina (Diaz et al. 1996); and Brazil, São Paulo, Mato Grosso do Sul (Diaz & Gallardo 1996a) and Goiás.

Material examined: Brazil; Goiás; Itumbiara, two females, November 1994; nine females, December 1994; 45 females, January 1995; three females, March 1995; 51 females, April 1995; one female, May 1995, Marchiori col. Minas Gerais: Uberlândia: one female, December 1993; seven females, April 1994; three females, May 1994; two females, October 1994; three females, June 1995, Marchiori col. (ILES).

Conclusions

A key for the identification of the subfamilies, genus and species of Cynipoidea (Hymenoptera) parasitoids of dung-flies occurring in the Brazilian fauna is presented. The geographical distributions of Triplasta (Triplasta) atrocoxalis and Paraganaspis egeria in Brazil was expanded, and Brontaea quadristigma Thomson (Diptera: Muscidae) was identified as a new host for P. egeria.

Acknowledgments

We thank Cecilia Gorretta for the drawings, the Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas (CONICET) and the Comisión de Investigaciones Científicas de la Provincia de Buenos Aires (CIC) for their continuous finnancial support.

Literature Cited

Accepted 30/IV/2000.

• Borgmeier, T 1935 Sobre alguns Cynipideos parasiticos e cecidogenos do Brasil (Hymenoptera: Cynipidae). Arch. Inst. Biol. Veget. 2: 97-124.
• Cresson, E.T. 1865. On the Hymenoptera of Cuba. Proc. Entomol. Soc. Philad. 4:1-200.
• Dalla Torre, W. & J. J. Kieffer 1910 Cynipidae. Das Tierreich. 24: 1-891.
• Dettmer, H. 1930 Beschreibung von funf neuen Cynipidenarten worunter eine neue Gattung. Broteria, Ser. Zool. 26: 54-68.
• Diaz, N. 1974. Anotaciones sobre cinipoideos argentinos I. Neotropica 20:17-20.
• Diaz, N. 1987 Revisión sistemática y análisis de las relaciones fenéticas de las especies del género Acantheucoela Ashmead, 1900 (Hymenoptera: Cynipoidea: Eucoilidae). Rev. Asoc. Cienc. Nat. Lit. 18: 105-218.
• Diaz, N. 1990 Presencia de Neralsia splendens en la República Argentina (Cynipoidea: Figitidae). Neotropica 36: 22.
• Diaz, N. & F. Gallardo. 1995 Aportes al conocimiento de Neralsia splendens en la Argentina (Hymenoptera: Figitidae). Rev. Soc. Entomol. Argent. 54: 74.
• Diaz, N. & F. Gallardo. 1996 Sobre cinipoideos del Brasil, parasitoides de dipteros estercoleros (Hymenoptera: Cynipoidea). Rev. Soc. Entomol. Argent. 55: 127-129.
• Diaz, N., F. Gallardo & G. Cabrera Walsh. 1996 Paraganaspis egeria, a new genus and species of Eucoilidae (Hymenoptera: Cynipoidea). Ann. Ent. Soc. Amer. 89: 497-500.
• Kieffer, J. 1909 Description de nouveaux Cynipides zoophages. Bull. Soc. Hist. Nat. Metz. 26: 57-96.
• Nordlander, G. 1982 Systematics and phylogeny of an interrelated group of genera within the family Eucoilidae (Insecta: Hymenoptera: Cynipoidea) Ph.D. Thesis, Stockholm Univ., Zoology Dept. Stockholm, Sweden, 34p.
• Ronquist, F. 1994 Morphology, Phylogeny and Evolution of Cynipoid wasps. Ph.D. Thesis, Uppsala Univ., Zoology Dept., Uppsala, Sweden, 29p.
• Weld, L. 1952 Cynipoidea (Hym.) 1905-1950. Ann Arbor, Michigan. Privately printed, 351p.

Publication Dates

• Publication in this collection
  09 Jan 2006
• Date of issue
  Sept 2000

History

• Accepted
  30 Apr 2000
• Received
  30 Apr 2000