ore

JHR 42: I-20 (2015) JOURNAL OF *0rrviewed opevarcers oral
Sea (f-) Hymenoptera

http://jhr.pensoft.net The inerational Society of Hymenoptersts. RESEARCH

Review of the genus Aphaereta Forster, 1863
(Hymenoptera, Braconidae, Alysiinae) from the
Afrotropical region, with description of three new species

Francisco Javier Peris-Felipo'!

| Bleichestrasse 15, CH-4058 Basel ,Switzerland

Corresponding author: Francisco Javier Peris-Felipo (Francisco.peris@uv.es)

Academic editor: G. Broad| Received 15 December 2014 | Accepted 25 February2015 | Published 18 March 2015
http://zoobank.org/E8D995 13-B17D-47 1E-A018-245A32C86B61

Citation: Peris-Felipo FJ (2015) Review of the genus Aphaereta Forster, 1863 (Hymenoptera: Braconidae: Alysiinae) from
the Afrotropical region, with description of three new species. Journal of Hymenoptera Research 42: 1-20. doi: 10.3897/
JHR.42.9135

Abstract

The Aphaereta Forster, 1863 species of the Afrotropical region (including Madagascar) are reviewed. Three
new species, A. elongata sp. n. (Kenya), A. hararensis sp. n. (Zimbabwe) and A. mosselensis sp. n. (South
Africa) are described and illustrated. Re-descriptions of A. basirufa Granger, 1949 (Madagascar) and A.
sarcophagensis Shenefelt, 1974 (South Africa) are added.

Keywords
Endoparasitoids, Braconidae, Alysiinae, Aphaereta, Afrotropical Region, key

Introduction

The Alysiinae is a conspicuously diverse subfamily within the Braconidae (Dolphin
and Quicke 2001) with more than 2000 described species from two large and poly-
morphic tribes Alysiini and Dacnusini (Shenefelt 1974, Yu et al. 2012). Species of
Alysiini are parasitoids of different groups of Diptera-Cyclorrhapha, but members of
Dacnusini are almost exclusively specialised on leaf- and stem-miners, predominantly
of the families Agromyzidae, Ephydridae and Chloropidae.

The genus Aphaereta Forster, 1863 can be recognised amongst the genera of the
tribe Alysiini by the following characters: mandible simple and with three teeth, its

Copyright Francisco Javier Peris-Felipo. This is an open access article distributed under the terms of the Creative Commons Attribution License
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2 Francisco Javier Peris-Felipo / Journal of Hymenoptera Research 42: 1-20 (2015)

ventral and diagonal ridges well developed; first flagellar segment sometimes only
slightly shorter than second segment; pterostigma of fore wing narrow, merging im-
perceptibly with R1 in most species; fore wing RS+M absent; 2RS shorter than 3RSa;
first subdiscal cell open; 2CU interstitial or nearly so; hind wing with m-cu absent, if
rarely cu-a present, then r-m and M+CU much shorter than 1M; ovipositor sheath
sparsely setose throughout (Wharton 2002).

This genus includes about 40 species around the world wide, of which two species
were known in the Afrotropical region including Madagascar (Yu et al. 2012). In this
paper, three new Afrotropical species of the genus Aphaereta are described and illus-
trated, viz. A. elongata sp. n. from Kenya, A. hararensis sp. n. from Zimbabwe and A.
mosselensis sp. n. from South Africa. Moreover, re-descriptions of A. basirufa Granger,
1949 from Madagascar and A. sarcophagensis Shenefelt, 1974 from South Africa are
given. Finally, a key for the identification of Aphaereta species from the Afrotropical
region (with Madagascar) is provided.

Material and methods

For the terminology of the morphological features and sculpture, measurements and
wing venation nomenclature see Sharkey and Wharton (1997) and HAO (Hyme-
noptera Anatomy Ontology Portal: http://portal.hymao.org/) (Yoder et al. 2010). For
measurements of the length and width of mandibles and abbreviations for ocellar pro-
portions see Peris-Felipo et al. (2013). The following terms are equivalent between this
paper and Peris-Felipo et al. (2013):

Gena: temples.

Anterior tentorial pit: paraclypeal fovea.
Mesoscutal midpit: mesoscutal pit.

Scutoscutellar sulcus: prescutellar depression.
Mesopectus: mesopleuron.

Mesepimeral sulcus: posterior mesopleural furrow.
Marginal cell: radial cell.

Nervulus: vein cu-a.

Second submarginal cell: brachial cell.

The external morphology of the Alysiinae parasitoids was studied and illustrated
using Leica® S8 APO stereomicroscope equipped with a Nikon©® D700 digital camera,
and Hitachi® S—4800 scanning electron microscopes in the Electron Microscopy Service
of the University of Valencia (SCSIE) with a beam of 2 kV and without sputter coating
for SEM pictures was used. The types of newly described species are deposited in the
collection of the Natural History Museum (London, UK; BMNH). Other abbreviation
used in the text is MNHN for “Muséum National d’Histoire Naturelle” (Paris, France).

Review of the genus Aphaereta Forster, 1863 (Hymenoptera, Braconidae, Alysiinae)... 3

Taxonomic part

Aphaereta basirufa Granger, 1949
Figs 1-2

Aphaereta basirufa Granger 1949: 405; Shenefelt 1974: 957; Fischer 1994: 773; Yu et
al. 2012.

Type material. Holotype: female, Madagascar, Ankaratra, Terra typica, ii.1938, alt
1800, Meém. Inst. sci. Madagascar 2A: 405 (A. Seyrig) (MNHN) (not examined).

Material examined. 3 females, Madagascar, Tamatave, Perinet, 27.iv—3.v.1983
(J.S. Noyes and M.C. Day leg.) (BMNH).

Re-description. Female.

Head entirely smooth; in dorsal view 1.6—1.8 times as wide as median length, 1.4
times as wide as mesoscutum, with rounded gena behind eye. Eye in lateral view as
high as wide and twice as wide as temple medially. POL 1.6 times OD; OOL 4.3 times
OD. Face twice as wide as high; inner margins of eyes subparallel. Clypeus slightly
curved ventrally, 2.43.0 times as wide as high; its upper margin striated. Mandible
widened towards apex, 1.3 times as long as its maximum width. Upper tooth of mandi-
ble longer than lower tooth, rounded apically; middle tooth very long, wide basally and
narrowed towards apex, rounded apically; lower tooth pointed apically. Antenna longer
than body, 22—25-segmented. Scape about 3.0 times as long as pedicel. First flagellar
segment 3.7—4.0 times as long as its apical width; second segment 5.0—5.6 times as long
as its maximum width, 1.5 times as long as first segment. Third flagellar segment 4.5
times as long as its width. Fourth to seventh flagellar segments 3.4—3.5 times, eight to
penultimate segments 3.0 times, and apical segment 3.8 times as long as their maxi-
mum width accordingly.

Mesosoma 1.1 times as long as high (lateral view). Mesoscutum 1.2 times as long
as its maximum width. Notauli mainly absent on vertical surface of mesoscutum. Mes-
oscutal midpit absent. Prescutellar depression smooth, without lateral carinae. Precox-
al suture present, reaching anterior margin of mesopectus and not reaching posterior
margin of mesopectus. Mesepimeral sulcus crenulate below. Propodeum sculptured,
with long median longitudinal carina, with apical half densely sculptured. Propodeal
spiracle relatively small.

Wings. Length of fore wing 3.0 times its maximum width. Marginal cell reaching
apex of wing, 5.2 times as long as its maximum width. Vein 3RSa about 2.0—2.1 times
as long as 2RS, 3.3-3.4 times as long as r, 0.3—0.4 times as long as 3RSb. Second sub-
marginal cell 2.45 times as long as its maximum width. Hind wing 6.8 times as long
as its maximum width.

Legs. Hind femur 5.0—5.5 times as long as its maximum width. Hind tibia weakly
widened towards apex, 10.4 times as long as its maximum subapical width, as long as
hind tarsus. First segment of hind tarsus (basitarsus) twice as long as second segment.

4 Francisco Javier Peris-Felipo / Journal of Hymenoptera Research 42: 1-20 (2015)

oe: ‘= +; a) = hee “
i . a \ 200 pm te a Aes x : 200 pm
: a ae = + (eS BRD: : =

Figure |. Aphaereta basirufa Granger (female) A Habitus, lateral view B Head, lateral view C Mandible
D Antenna E Basal segments of antenna F Head, dorsal view.

Metasoma distinctly compressed. First tergite with two median carinae, striate
inside them, and smooth on lateral area; weakly widened towards apex; as long as its
apical width. Ovipositor 3.4 times as long as first tergite, nearly as long as metasoma,
1.8 times as long as hind femur.

Colour. Body dark brown. Scape, pedicel, mandible, legs and ovipositor yellow. In
dorsal view, head and mesosoma dark brown; first metasomal tergite yellow, paler than
brown second and third tergites. Wings hyaline. Pterostigma brown.

Body length 2.7—3.0 mm; fore wing length 3.8-3.9 mm.

Review of the genus Aphaereta Forster, 1863 (Hymenoptera, Braconidae, Alysiinae)... 5

Figure 2. Aphaereta basirufa Granger (female) A. Mesosoma, lateral view B Propodeum, dorsal view

C First metasomal tergite D Metasoma, hind leg and ovipositor, lateral view E Habitus, dorsal view
F Fore and hind wings.

Male. Unknown.

Comparative diagnosis. This species is similar to A. sarcophagensis Shenefelt,
1974 from South Africa, but differs in having the first metasomal tergite paler
than second and third tergites (similar colouration in A. sarcophagensis), hind femur
5.0—5.5 times as long as its maximum width (4.5 times in A. sarcophagensis), first
flagellar segment 3.7—4.0 times as long as its maximum width (3.0 times in A. sar-
cophagensis); second segment 5.0—5.6 times (4.6 times in A. sarcophagensis); third

6 Francisco Javier Peris-Felipo / Journal of Hymenoptera Research 42: 1-20 (2015)

segment 4.5 times (3.3 times in A. sarcophagensis), face twice as wide as high (1.6
times in A. sarcophagensis), and clypeus 2.4—3.0 times as wide as high (3.5 times in
A, sarcophagensis).

Aphaereta elongata Peris-Felipo, sp. n.
http://zoobank.org/93BE1 E4A-3FD0-4FOE-ACD4-C02C8AA0 106C
Figs 3-4

Etymology. Named after its long second submarginal cell.

Type material. Holotype: female, Kenya, NE Kisumu (Nr. Lake Victoria), 15
mts, xi.1979 (M.D. Croft leg.) (BMNH). Paratypes: 2 females, same data as holotype
(BMNH).

Description. Female (holotype).

Head entirely smooth; in dorsal view 1.5 times as wide as median length, 1.4 times
as wide as mesoscutum, with rounded gena behind eye. Eye in lateral view 1.2 times as
high as wide and 1.9 times as wide as temple medially. POL 1.25 times OD; OOL 2.7
times OD. Face 1.25 times as wide as high; inner margins of eyes subparallel. Clypeus
slightly curved ventrally, 2.6 times as wide as high. Mandible widened towards apex,
1.8 times as long as its maximum width. Upper tooth of mandible longer than lower
tooth; middle tooth wide basally and narrowed towards apex, rounded apically; lower
tooth rounded apically. Antenna longer than body, 16-segmented. Scape as long as
pedicel. First flagellar segment 4.5 times as long as its apical width; second segment 6.4
times as long as its maximum width; 1.3 times as long as first segment. Third flagellar
segment 5.1 times as long as its width: fourth to fifteenth segments 4.4—4.5 times, and
sixteenth (apical) segment 5.0 times as long as their maximum width accordingly.

Mesosoma 1.5 times as long as high (lateral view). Mesoscutum 1.2 times as long
as its maximum width. Notauli mainly absent on vertical surface of mesoscutum.
Mesoscutal midpit absent. Prescutellar depression smooth, without lateral carinae.
Precoxal suture smooth, not reaching anterior and posterior margins of mesopectus.
Mesepimeral sulcus smooth. Propodeum sculptured, with pentagonal areola in apical
half. Propodeal spiracle relatively small.

Wings. Length of fore wing 2.9 times its maximum width. Marginal cell reaching
apex of wing, 4.8 times as long as its maximum width. Vein 3RSa 4.5 times as long
as 2RS, 9.0 times as long as r, 0.5 times as long as 3RSb. Second submarginal cell dis-
tinctly narrowed distally, 5.5 times as long as maximum width. Hind wing 7.2 times
as long as its maximum width.

Legs. Hind femur 4.4 times as long as its maximum width. Hind tibia weakly
widened towards apex, about 10.5 times as long as its maximum subapical width, as
long as hind tarsus. First segment of hind tarsus (basitarsus) twice as long as second
segment.

Metasoma distinctly compressed. First tergite mostly smooth, finely striate in
middle part, weakly widened towards apex, 1.6 times as long as its apical width.

Review of the genus Aphaereta Forster, 1863 (Hymenoptera, Braconidae, Alysiinae)... 7

Figure 3. Aphaereta elongata Peris-Felipo, sp. n. (female) A Habitus, lateral view B Head, lateral view
C Mandible D Antenna E Basal segments of antenna F Head, dorsal view.

Ovipositor 2.2 times as long as first tergite, distinctly shorter than metasoma, as long
as hind femur.

Colour. Body dark brown. Antenna brown. Legs and ovipositor yellow. In dorsal
view, head and mesosoma dark brown; metasoma light brown. Wings hyaline. Pter-
ostigma light brown.

Body length 1.2 mm; fore wing length 1.8 mm.

Variations. All specimens are identical.

Male. Unknown.

8 Francisco Javier Peris-Felipo / Journal of Hymenoptera Research 42: 1-20 (2015)

Figure 4. Aphaereta elongata Peris-Felipo, sp. n. (female) A Mesosoma, lateral view B Propodeum,

dorsal view C First metasomal tergite D Metasoma, hind leg and ovipositor, lateral view E Habitus,

dorsal view F Fore and hind wings.

Comparative diagnosis. [his new species is similar to.A. mosselensis Peris-Felipo, sp.
n., but differs in having the eye in lateral view 1.9 times as wide as temple medially (1.2
times in A. mosselensis), clypeus 2.6 times as wide as high (4.0 times in A. mosselensis),
mandible 1.8 times as long as its maximum width (1.4 times in A. mosselensis), first
flagellar segment 4.5 times as long as its apical width (2.8 times in A. mosselensis), second
flagellar segment 6.4 times as long as its maximum width (4.0 times in A. mosselensis),
third flagellar segment 5.1 times as long as its width (3.0 times in A. mosselensis), hind

Review of the genus Aphaereta Forster, 1863 (Hymenoptera, Braconidae, Alysiinae)... 9

femur 4.4 times as long as its maximum width (5.0 times in A. mosselensis), and precoxal
suture smooth, not reaching anterior and posterior margins of mesopectus (crenulate,
reaching anterior margin of mesopectus in A. mosselensis).

Aphaereta hararensis Peris-Felipo, sp. n.
http://zoobank.org/B045F99 1-9C47-4A1B-9135-69D8D03FB45F
Figs 5—6

Etymology. Named after Harare, the type locality of this new species.

Type material. Holotype: female, Zimbabwe, nr Harare, vii.1982 (Watsham leg.)
(BMNH). Paratypes: 2 females, same data as holotype (BMNH).

Description. Female (holotype).

Head entirely smooth; in dorsal view 1.8 times as wide as median length, 1.3
times as wide as mesoscutum, with rounded gena behind eye. Eye in lateral view as
high as wide and 1.75 times as wide as temple medially. POL 1.5 times OD; OOL
3.0 times OD. Face 1.45 times as wide as high; inner margins of eyes subparal-
lel. Clypeus slightly curved ventrally, 3.0 times as wide as high; its upper margin
crenulate. Mandible widened towards apex, 1.5 times as long as its maximum width.
Upper tooth of mandible longer than lower tooth; middle tooth wide basally and
narrowed towards apex, rounded apically; lower tooth shorter than upper tooth,
rounded apically. Antenna shorter than body, 19-segmented. Scape 1.5 times as
long as pedicel. First flagellar segment 3.4 times as long as its apical width; second
segment 4.7 times as long as its maximum width; 1.5 times as long as first segment.
Third flagellar segment 2.9 times as long as its width. Fourth to sixth flagellar seg-
ments 2.7 times, seventh to tenth segments 2.4—2.5 times, eleventh to eighteenth
segments 1.5—1.6 times, and nineteenth (apical) segment 3.6 times as long as their
maximum width accordingly.

Mesosoma 1.2 times as long as high (lateral view). Mesoscutum 1.2 times as long
as its maximum width. Notauli mainly absent on vertical surface of mesoscutum. Mes-
oscutal midpit absent. Prescutellar depression smooth, with lateral carinae. Precoxal
suture present, reaching anterior margin of mesopectus and not reaching posterior
margin of mesopectus. Mesepimeral sulcus crenulate below. Propodeum sculptured,
with long median longitudinal carina, with apical half densely sculptured. Propodeal
spiracle relatively small.

Wings. Length of fore wing 2.6 times its maximum width. Marginal cell reaching
apex of wing, 3.4 times as long as its maximum width. Vein 3RSa 1.6 times as long as
2RS, 3.75 times as long as 1, 0.45 times as long as 3RSb. Second submarginal cell 2.3
times as long as maximum width. Hind wing 5.1 times as long as its maximum width.

Legs. Hind femur 4.6 times as long as its maximum width. Hind tibia weakly
widened towards apex, about 8.0 times as long as its maximum subapical width, as
long as hind tarsus. First segment of hind tarsus (basitarsus) 2.25 times as long as
second segment.

10 Francisco Javier Peris-Felipo / Journal of Hymenoptera Research 42: 1-20 (2015)

Ae

oe eee eS

a

Figure 5. Aphaereta hararensis Peris-Felipo, sp. n. (female) A Habitus, lateral view B Head, lateral view
C Mandible D Antenna E Basal segments of antenna F Head, dorsal view.

Metasoma distinctly compressed. First tergite striated in middle part, weakly wid-
ened towards apex, 1.25 times as long as its apical width. Ovipositor 2.9 times as long
as first tergite, distinctly shorter than metasoma, 1.6 times as long as hind femur.

Colour. Head and mesosoma dark brown. Antenna and metasoma brown. Scape,
pedicel, mandible, legs and ovipositor light brown to yellow. In dorsal view, head,
mesosoma and first metasomal tergite dark brown; second and third tergites brown.
First metasomal tergiter darker than second and third tergites. Wings hyaline. Pter-
ostigma light brown to brown.

Review of the genus Aphaereta Forster, 1863 (Hymenoptera, Braconidae, Alysiinae)... 11

Figure 6. Aphaereta hararensis Peris-Felipo, sp. n. (female) A Mesosoma, lateral view B Propodeum,

dorsal view C First metasomal tergite D Metasoma, hind leg and ovipositor, lateral view E Habitus, dorsal

view F Fore and hind wings.

Body length 3.3 mm; fore wing length 3.2 mm.

Variation. Body length 3.3-3.4 mm; fore wing length 3.2-3.3 mm. Antenna
18—19-segmented. Vein 3RSa 1.5—1.6 times as long as 2RS, 3.7—3.8 times as long as
r, 0.4—0.5 times as long as 3RSb.

Male. Unknown.

Comparative diagnosis. This new species is similar to A. mosselensis Peris-Felipo,
sp. n. but differs in having the head, mesosoma and first metasomal tergite with simi-

12 Francisco Javier Peris-Felipo / Journal of Hymenoptera Research 42: 1-20 (2015)

lar colour; second and third metasomal tergites paler than head, mesosoma and first
tergite (head, mesosoma and first, second and third metasomal tergites with same col-
our in A. mosselensis), first flagellar segment 3.4 times as long as its maximum width
(2.75 times in A. mosselensis); second segment 4.7 times (4.0 times in A. mosselensis),
hind femur 4.6 times as long as its maximum width (5.0 times in A. mosselensis), head
in dorsal view 1.8 times as wide as median length (1.5 times in A. mosselensis), eye in
lateral view 1.75 times as wide as temple medially (1.15—1.20 times in A. mosselensis),
clypeus 3.0 times as wide as high (4.0 times in A. mosselensis), Mesepimeral sulcus
crenulate below (smooth in A. mosselensis), prescutellar depression with lateral carinae
(without in A. mosselensis), and ovipositor 2.9 times as long as first tergite (2.15 times
in A. mosselensis).

Aphaereta mosselensis Peris-Felipo, sp. n.
http://zoobank.org/02E7089D-8C76-454B-A5FC-A85CDB310FFB
Figs 7-8

Etymology. Named after Mossel Bay, the type locality of this new species.

Type material. Holotype: female, South Africa, Cape province, Mossel Bay, 5-31.
viii.1921, Brit. Mus. 1921-315 (R.E. Turner leg.) (BMNH). Paratype: 1 female, same
locality as holotype but v.1932, Brit. Mus. 1932-206 (BMNH).

Description. Female (holotype).

Head entirely smooth; in dorsal view 1.5 times as wide as median length, 1.4 times
as wide as mesoscutum, with rounded gena behind eye. Eye in lateral view 1.2 times as
high as wide and 1.2 times as wide as temple medially. POL 2.0 times OD; OOL 3.5
times OD. Face 1.5 times as wide as high; inner margins of eyes subparallel. Clypeus
slightly curved ventrally, 4.0 times as wide as high; its upper margin striated. Mandible
widened towards apex, 1.4 times as long as its maximum width. Upper tooth of man-
dible longer than middle and lower tooth; middle tooth wide basally and narrowed
towards apex, rounded apically; lower tooth shorter than upper tooth, rounded api-
cally. Antenna as long as body, 16-segmented. Scape 1.4 times as long as pedicel. First
flagellar segment 2.75 times as long as its apical width; second segment 4.0 times as
long as its maximum width; 1.7 times as long as first segment. Third flagellar segment
3.0 times as long as its width. Fourth to fifth flagellar segments 2.5 times, sixth to eight
segments 2.3 times, ninth to fifteenth segments 2.1 times, and sixteenth (apical) seg-
ment 2.6 times as long as their maximum width accordingly.

Mesosoma 1.2 times as long as high (lateral view). Mesoscutum 0.9 times as long
as its maximum width. Notauli mainly absent on vertical surface of mesoscutum. Mes-
oscutal midpit absent. Prescutellar depression smooth, without lateral carinae. Precox-
al suture present, reaching anterior margin of mesopectus and not reaching posterior
margin of mesopectus. Mesepimeral sulcus smooth. Propodeum sculptured, with long
median longitudinal carina, with emerging carinae in the middle part reaching propo-
deal edges and thin areola in posterior half. Propodeal spiracle relatively small.

Review of the genus Aphaereta Forster, 1863 (Hymenoptera, Braconidae, Alysiinae)... k3

Figure 7. Aphaereta mosselensis Peris-Felipo, sp. n. (female) A Habitus, lateral view B Head, lateral view

C Mandible D Antenna E Basal segments of antenna F Head, dorsal view.

Wings. Length of fore wing 2.8 times its maximum width. Marginal cell reaching
apex of wing, 4.0 times as long as its maximum width. Vein 3RSa 2.3 times as long
as 2RS, 5.5 times as long as r, 0.4 times as long as 3RSb. Second submarginal cell 3.6
times as long as maximum width. Hind wing 9.3 times as long as its maximum width.

Legs. Hind femur 5.0 times as long as its maximum width. Hind tibia weakly widened
towards apex, about 10.0 times as long as its maximum subapical width, as long as hind
tarsus. First segment of hind tarsus (basitarsus) 1.5 times as long as second segment.

14 Francisco Javier Peris-Felipo / Journal of Hymenoptera Research 42: 1-20 (2015)

Figure 8. Aphaereta mosselensis Peris-Felipo, sp. n. (female) A Mesosoma, lateral view B Propodeum,
dorsal view C First metasomal tergite D Metasoma, hind leg and ovipositor, lateral view E Habitus, dorsal

view F Fore and hind wings.

Metasoma distinctly compressed. First tergite striated in the middle part, weakly
widened towards apex, 1.5 times as long as its apical width. Ovipositor 2.2 times as
long as first tergite, distinctly shorter than metasoma, 1.3 times as long as hind femur.

Colour. Body brown to dark brown. Scape, pedicel, mandible, legs and oviposi-
tor brown light. In dorsal view, head, mesosoma and metasoma dark brown. Wings
hyaline. Pterostigma light brown to brown.

Body length 2.0 mm; fore wing length 2.5 mm.

Review of the genus Aphaereta Forster, 1863 (Hymenoptera, Braconidae, Alysiinae)... 15

Variation. Body length 1.9—2.0 mm; fore wing length 2.5—-2.6 mm. Antenna 15—
16-segmented. Eye in lateral view 1.1—1.2 times as wide as temple medially.

Male. Unknown.

Comparative diagnosis. ‘This new species is similar to A. elongata sp. n. and A.
hararensis sp. n. Differences between these species are listed after description of the
latter species.

Aphaereta sarcophagensis Shenefelt, 1974
Figs 9-10

Aphaereta sarcophagae Bridwell 1919: 177 [junior homonym]; Brues 1924: 149; 1926:
423; Thompson 1953: 89.
Aphaereta sarcophagensis Shenefelt 1974: 962; Fischer 1988: 95; Yu et al. 2012.

Type material. Holotype: locality of the type specimen is unclear (not examined).

Material examined. 2 females, South Africa, Cape province, Mossel Bay, 5-31.
vii.1921, Brit. Mus. 1921-315 (R.E. Turner leg.) (BMNH); 2 females, same local-
ity but 15—28.iii.1922, Brit. Mus. 1922-153 and iv.1921, Brit. Mus. 1921-294
(BMNH).

Re-description. Female.

Head entirely smooth; in dorsal view 1.85—2.00 times as wide as median length,
1.4 times as wide as mesoscutum, with rounded gena behind eye. Eye in lateral view
as high as wide and 1.8—1.9 times as wide as temple medially. POL 1.75 times OD;
OOL 2.9 times OD. Face 1.6 times as wide as high; inner margins of eyes subparallel.
Clypeus slightly curved ventrally, 3.5 times as wide as high; its upper margin striated.
Mandible widened towards apex, 1.5 times as long as its maximum width. Upper
tooth of mandible longer than lower tooth; middle tooth wide basally and narrowed
towards apex, pointed apically; lower tooth shorter than upper tooth, rounded apical-
ly. Antenna shorter than body, 18—20-segmented. Scape 1.4 times as long as pedicel.
First flagellar segment 3.0 times as long as its apical width; second segment 4.7 times as
long as its maximum width; 1.5 times as long as first segment. Third flagellar segment
3.3 times as long as its width. Fourth to ninth flagellar segments 2.4—2.5 times, tenth
to eighteenth (apical) segments 2.1 times as long as their maximum width accordingly.

Mesosoma 1.3 times as long as high (lateral view). Mesoscutum 1.2 times as long
as its maximum width. Notauli mainly absent on vertical surface of mesoscutum. Mes-
oscutal midpit absent. Prescutellar depression smooth, without lateral carinae. Precox-
al suture present, long, reaching anterior margin of mesopectus and not reaching pos-
terior margin of mesopectus. Mesepimeral sulcus slight crenulate below. Propodeum
sculptured, with long median longitudinal carina, with apical half densely sculptured.
Propodeal spiracle relatively small.

Wings. Length of fore wing 2.6 times its maximum width. Marginal cell reaching
apex of wing, 3.4 times as long as its maximum width. Vein 3RSa 2.0—2.1 times as long

16 Francisco Javier Peris-Felipo / Journal of Hymenoptera Research 42: 1-20 (2015)

Figure 9. Aphaereta sarcophagensis Shenefelt (female) A Habitus, lateral view B Head, lateral view
C Mandible D Antenna E Basal segments of antenna F Head, dorsal view.

as 2RS, 4.7 times as long as r, 0.4—0.5 times as long as 3RSb. Second submarginal cell 2.6
times as long as maximum width. Hind wing 4.8 times as long as its maximum width.

Legs. Hind femur 4.5 times as long as its maximum width. Hind tibia weakly
widened towards apex, about 9.7 times as long as its maximum subapical width, 0.95
times as long as hind tarsus. First segment of hind tarsus (basitarsus) twice as long as
second segment.

Review of the genus Aphaereta Forster, 1863 (Hymenoptera, Braconidae, Alysiinae)... 17

Figure 10. Ap/aereta sarcophagensis Shenefelt (female) A Mesosoma, lateral view B Propodeum, dorsal

view C First metasomal tergite D Metasoma, hind leg and ovipositor, lateral view E Habitus, dorsal view
F Fore and hind wings.

Metasoma distinctly compressed. First tergite finely striated, weakly widened to-
wards apex as long as its apical width. Ovipositor 3.4 times as long as first tergite, near
as long as metasoma, 1.6 times as long as hind femur.

Colour. Body dark brown. Scape, pedicel, mandible, and legs brown light. In
dorsal view, head and mesosoma dark brown; metasoma light brown. Wings hyaline.
Pterostigma light brown — brown.

18 Francisco Javier Peris-Felipo / Journal of Hymenoptera Research 42: 1-20 (2015)

Body length 2.9—3.0 mm; fore wing length 3.2-3.3 mm.

Male. Unknown.

Comparative diagnosis. This species is similar to A. basirufa Granger. Differences
between these species are listed after description of the latter species.

Key to Afrotropical (including Madagascar) species of the genus Aphaereta Forster

1 Second submarginal cell 5.5 times as long as maximum width (Fig. 4F). First
flagellar segment 4.5 times, second segment 6.4 times and third segment 5.1
times as long as their maximum width accordingly (Fig. 3E). Mandible 1.8
times as long as its maximum width (Fig. 3C). Upper part of the clypeus not
striate. Mesosoma (lateral view) 1.5 times as long as high (Fig. 4A). Precoxal
suture smooth, not reaching anterior margin of mesopectus (Fig. 4A). Ovi-
positor as long as hind femur (Fig. 4D). Antenna 16-segmented. Body length
LD TEST YA cu tvicmn evaraic nu tvcccnvernceneuveesecoureguselenscceletersnth A. elongata sp. n.
_ Second submarginal cell 2.3-3.6 times as long as maximum width. First fla-
gellar segment 2.75—3.70 times, second segment 4.6—5.6 times and third seg-
ment 3.0—4.5 times as long as their maximum width accordingly. Mandible
1.3—-1.5 times as long as its maximum width. Upper part of the clypeus stri-
ate. Mesosoma (lateral view) 1.1—1.3 times as long as high. Precoxal suture
crenulate, reaching anterior margin of mesopectus. Ovipositor 1.3—1.8 times

ASTOR RO CLM IMT uk lis eiiteaectnslna plancnpet nla shee iabak op cnpeeeeyssetus hak Pay aeasbaehae 2
2 First metasomal tergite as long as its apical width. Propodeum without areo-
La emer 5 Ey Sans ORE C RL Cee os ae eRe) A Ones oONT Co PREORY ry. Sm, oP e 3
- First metasomal tergite 1.25—1.50 times as long as its apical width. Propo-
GEV ATCO la; fe csant ec daet ee mur cee Ser teed ona WOE: ak eee, See nee 4
3 First metasomal tergite paler than second and third tergites (Fig. 2E). Hind

femur 5.0—5.5 times as long as its maximum width (Fig. 2D). First flagellar
segment 3.7—4.0 times, second segment 5.0—5.6 times and third segment 4.5
times as long as their maximum width accordingly (Fig. 1E). Head in dorsal
view 1.6—1.8 times as wide as median length (Fig. 1F). Face twice as wide
as high. Clypeus 2.4—3.0 times as wide as high. Antenna 22—25-segmented.
Body length 2.7—3.0 mm. Madagascat........eeeeeeeeeee A, basirufa Granger
= Three basal tergites similarly coloured (Fig. 10A). Hind femur 4.5 times as
long as its maximum width (Fig. 10D). First flagellar segment 3.0 times, sec-
ond segment 4.6 times and third segment 3.3 times as long as their maximum
width accordingly (Fig. 9E). Head in dorsal view 1.85—2.00 times as wide as
median length (Fig. 9F). Face 1.6 times as wide as high. Clypeus 3.5 times
as wide as high. Antenna 18-segmented. Body length 2.9-3.0 mm. South
PTAA ues tat th vnctes te ber eatndttn sv eeuesterdte tegenttcea A, sarcophagensis Shenefelt
4 Second and third metasomal tergites paler than first tergite (Fig. 6E). First
flagellar segment 3.4 times and second segment 4.7 times as long as their

Review of the genus Aphaereta Forster, 1863 (Hymenoptera, Braconidae, Alysiinae)... 19

maximum width accordingly (Fig. 5E). Hind femur 4.6 times as long as
maximum width (Fig. 6D). Head in dorsal view 1.8 times as wide as median
length (Fig. 5F). Eye in lateral view 1.75 times as wide as temple medially
(Fig. 5B). Clypeus 3.0 times as wide as high. Mesepimeral sulcus crenulate
below (Fig. GA). Prescutellar depression with lateral carinae. Ovipositor 2.9
times as long as first tergite (Fig. 6D). Antenna 18—19-segmented. Body
length’ 3:3—3,4 mamd.: Ziti babwe 2.5 net yadcesrasisarndecedeonds A. hararensis sp. n.
— Three basal tergites similarly coloured (Fig. 8A). First flagellar segment 2.75
times and second segment 4.0 times as long as their maximum width ac-
cordingly (Fig. 7E). Hind femur 5.0 times as long as maximum width (Fig.
8D). Head in dorsal view 1.5 times as wide as median length (Fig. 7F). Eye
in lateral view 1.15—1.20 times as wide as temple medially (Fig. 7B). Clypeus
4.0 times as wide as high. Mesepimeral sulcus entirely smooth (Fig. 8A).
Prescutellar depression without lateral carinae. Ovipositor 2.15 times as long
as first tergite (Fig. 8D). Antenna 15—16-segmented. Body length 1.9—2.0
TEA, SOULDY AIT CAN cor suesncenrdecesurvendcusecensningeivaneeticevuened A. mosselensis sp. n.

Acknowledgements

I am sincerely thankful to Sergey Belokobylskij -head of department of the Laboratory
of Insect Taxonomy and leading research scientist of Zoological Institute of Russian
Academy of Sciences of St. Petersburg-, and Gavin Broad -Senior Curator of Natural
History Museum of London- for their kindness and the supplied facilities.

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