Chelonus matilei Braet & Rousse

Biology

Host unknown.

Distribution

Mauritius.

Diagnosis

Although more than 500 species (24 in Ethiopian region) have been described, the actual affinities of Chelonus (Microchelonus) spp. cannot be properly determined without a comprehensive revision. Chelonus (M.) matilei and C. (M.) merdicus together form a new species-group characterized by the presence ofsmall lateral spine-like apophyses and a large dorsal white patch on carapace. We have seen at least two other undescribed taxa from Reunion differing in the shape of the apical opening of carapace, the apical sculpture of carapace, the sculpture on vertex, and the color of scapus and hind coxa. They superficially resemble Chelonus (Microchelonus) curvimaculatus Cameron, 1906 (Figs 45–47) but the undescribed species from Reunion have no propodeal spines (Braet et al., 2012).

Etymology

References

Braet, Y., Rousse, P. & Sharkey, M. 2012. New data on African Cheloninae (Hymenoptera, Braconidae) show a strong biogeographic signal for taxa with spined propodea. Zootaxa 3385: 1–32.

Brues, C.T. 1924. Some South African parasitic Hymenoptera of the families Evaniidae, Braconidae, Alysiidae, and Plumariidae in the South African Museum with a catalogue of the known species. Annals of the South African Museum. 19:1-150.

De Saeger, H. 1948. Cardiochilinae et Sigalphinae (Hymenoptea: Apocrita) Fam. Braconidae. Exploration du Parc National Albert. Mission G.F. de Witte. 53:1-272.

Granger, C. 1949. Braconides de Madagascar. Mémoires de l’Institut scientifique de Madagascar (A), 2, 1–428.

Shenefelt, R.D. 1973. Braconidae 6. Cheloninae. Hymenopterorum Catalogus (nova editio). Pars 10. pp.813-936.

Wesmael, C. 1835. Monographie des Braconides de Belgique. Nouveaux Memoires de l'Academie Royale des Sciences et Belles-lettres Bruxelles 9: 1–252.
Zettel, H. 1990. Eine Revision der Gattungen der Cheloninae (Hymenoptera, Braconidae) mit Beschreibungen neuer Gattungen und Arten. Annalen des Naturhistorischen Museums in Wien. 91B:147-196.

Credits

Photographs © Yves Braet.