HYM. RES. J. Vol. 12(1), 2003, pp. 1-41 Taxonomy and Natural History of the Microgastrine Genus Alphomelon Mason (Hymenoptera: Braconidae) Andrew R. Deans, James B. Whitfield, and Daniel H. Janzen (ARD, JBW) Department of Entomology, University of Illinois, Urbana, IL 61801, USA, email: [email protected],[email protected]; (DHJ) Department of Biology, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, PA 19104, USA, email: [email protected] — Abstract. The New World endemic genus Alphomelon Mason (Braconidae: Microgastrinae) is revised for the first time. This revision includes a redescription of the genus, redescriptions ofits named species and descriptions of new species with illustrations of diagnostic characters, an illustrated key to Alphomelon species, and a summary of their natural history as parasitoids of hesperiid caterpillars. Alphomelon is a monophyletic group containing seventeen species, four of which were previously described: Alphomelon disputabile (Ashmead) (Argentina to U.S.A.), A. ni- griceps (Ashmead) (Caribbean islands and surrounding countries), A. talidicida (Wilkinson) (Brazil to Costa Rica), and A. conformis (Muesebeck) (Venezuela to Costa Rica). Thirteen species are described as new: Alphomelon arecaphile Deans (Brazil to Costa Rica), A. brachymacher Deans (Brazil and PerutoCosta Rica),A. bromeliphile Deans (Costa Rica to Mexico),A.citroloma Deans (Argentina to Costa Rica), A. crocostetlius Deans (Brazil to Colombia), A. melanoscelis Deans (Brazil to Mexico), A. nanosoma Deans (Brazil to Mexico), A. panrogetium Deans (Argentina and Chile),A. rhyssocerms Deans (Argentina to Panama),A. simpsononim Deans (Paraguay toCosta Rica), A. pyrrhogluteum Deans (Argentina), A. winnieivertzae Deans (Costa Rica toCanada), and A. xestopyga Deans (Costa Rica). Distributed throughout most ofthe tern- Ashmead described two species of Al- perate and tropical New World, the mem- phomelon in 1900 from the island of St. bers of the genus Alphomelon Mason par- Vincent in the Caribbean as Urogastcr ni- asitize skipper larvae (Hesperiidae) and griceps Ashmead and Urogaster disputabilis are frequently collected and often reared. Ashmead. In 1920 Muesebeck synony- Although members of this genus are easy mized Urogaster under Apanteles Forster to recognize due to the white coloration and reassigned nigriceps and disputabilis on their genae (which gives the genus its (renamed disputabile) accordingly. Since name), identification at the species level then only two other species have been de- has remained difficult owing to the ab- scribed: Apanteles talidicida Wilkinsonfrom sence of keys, adequate descriptions, and Guyana (Wilkinson 1931) and Apanteles illustrations. This revision updates the conformis Muesebeck from Venezuela classification of the species within Alpho- (Muesebeck 1958). Mason's (1981) reclas- melon, and includes a brief discussion of sification ofApanteles led to his creation of its taxonomic history, biology, and distri- the new genus Alphomelon comprising dis- bution together with descriptions of thir- putabile, nigriceps, and talidicida. Mason ap- teen new species, redescriptions of four parently overlooked conformis when reas- previously named species, illustrations of signing species, but morphology, color diagnostic characters, and a key to all spe- patterns, and biology suggest that it also cies known to date. belongs in Alphomelon. Journalof Hymenoptera Research Collections often contain many speci- basitarsus; see Figure 6a,b) to long (the ex- mens of Alphomelon, particularly if they serted portion as long as the hind tibia) are rich in New World malaise trap sam- with varying degrees of curvature. More ples. However, due to the paucity of mi- than half the species are equipped with a crogastrine taxonomists and a lack of il- "typical" ovipositor of medium length lustrations or keys these specimens are and medium curvature (Fig. 6c), including usually located in the "unsorted" drawers most of the reared species. Species also or lumped with Apanteles. This lack of ex- differ with respect to the number ofspines pertise, in combination with the large in- (from one to four) on the tarsal claws (Fig. flux of specimens from Janzen's caterpil- 3). Since skipper larvae typically live in lar-parasitoid rearing project in north- leaf-rolls lined with silk (Hogue 1993), fur- western Costa Rica (Janzen and Hallwachs ther exploration of their ovipositors and 2002, Schauff and Janzen 2001, Burns and tarsal claws may provide clues into ovi- Janzen 2001), clarified the need for a tax- position behavior, host species escape bi- onomic revision of Alphomelon. ology, and the host environment. New NATURAL HISTORY AND This genus occurs only in the DISTRIBUTION OF ALPHOMELON World (Mason 1981). The highest concen- tration of species are in Amazonia and Host records for the few reared speci- southern Central America where hesper- mens in major collections indicate that iids are also extremely speciose (Hogue species ofAlphomelon invariably parasitize 1993). hesperiine skipper larvae (Lepidoptera: PHYLOGENETIC PLACEMENT OF Hesperiidae) feeding mostly on monocots. ALPHOMELON There is one doubtful rearing record from a dicot-eating caterpillar: DHJ voucher 98- Mason (1981; also Walker et al. 1990) SRNP-4564 (Janzen and Hallwachs 2002). used morphological characters to placeAl- The majority of museum records are from phomelon in the Apanteles genus-group skipper larvae feeding on agricultural (Apanteles, Papanteles, Alphomelon, and crops such as corn, sugar cane, bananas, Dasylagon) within the tribe Apantelini. Re- and canna. Two of these hosts, Lerema sp. analysis of morphology combined with and Calpodes ethlius, are also reported to molecular data (Mardulyn and Whitfield feed on peanuts (extraordinarily doubtful) 1999, Whitfield et al. 2002) maintains this and wheat (according to caterpillar food clade with Alpmomelon as the sister group plant records in the USNM), but Alpho- toApanteles, Dasylagon, and/orDolichogen- melon has never been recorded from skip- idea. Available host information suggests per larvae on these host plants. that most species in these other three gen- In contrast to the dearth of museum era parasitize concealed microlepidoptera host records (which often have question- in rolled leaves (Mason 1981). Alphomelon, able accuracy), D. H. Janzen and W. Hall- however, differs in parasitizing one sub- wachs' (2002) caterpillar-parasitoid rear- family of macrolepidoptera that also live ing project in Costa Rica (voucher number in leaf rolls (Mason 1981). information accessible at Janzen and Hall- MATERIAL wach's website: (http://janzen.sas.upenn. edu)) adds abundant and continuous new More than 2000 specimens were bor- records of host caterpillars and food rowed for this revision from the following plants (see Table 1). institutions or individuals: (AEI) Ameri- Alphomelon species exhibit a diverse ar- can Entomological Institute Collection, ray of ovipositor types ranging from short Gainesville, FL, USA, David B. Wahl; (the exserted portion shorter than the hind (CNC) Canadian National Collection, Bio- Volume 12, Number 1, 2003 3 systematics Research Centre, Agriculture of posterior scutellar depression; see Fig. Canada, Ottawa, Ontario, Canada, Henri 1), and petiolar ridge (medial carina on Goulet; (DHJ) Department of Biology, petiole; see Fig. 1). Quicke et al. (1999) was University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, used for ovipositor structural terms. Head PA, USA, D. H. Janzen (these specimens width, medial ocellar diameter, lateral were deposited in: AEI, CNC, INBIO, ocellar diameter, lateral ocellar line, pos- INHS, MCZ, TAMU, USNM, UWY); (IN- terior ocellar line, ocular ocellar line, hind BIO) Instituto Nacional de Biodiversidad, tarsal length, and ovipositor sheath length Santo Domingo de Heredia, Costa Rica, followed those measurements used by Carolina Godoy; (INHS) Illinois Natural Williams (1988). History Survey, Champaign, IL, USA,Col- Only specimens closely matching the in Favret; (HUMB) Alexander von Hum- holotype in all morphological aspects boldt Biological Resources Research Insti- and/or males from the same series were tute, Bogota, Colombia, Fernando Fernan- designated and labeled as paratypes. All dez; (MCZ) Museum of Comparative Zo- specimens examined for this revisionwere ology, Harvard University, Cambridge, supplied with species determination labels MA, USA, Stefan Cover; (NHM) Natural before the loans were returned. Htoins;to(rTyAMMuUs)euTmex,asLoAndoann,d UMK,UnMiivekresiFtiyt,- DIAGNOSTSIPCECCIHEASRKAECYTERS AND College Station, TX, USA, RobertA. Whar- ton; (UCD) University of California at Da- Although the conspicuous white color- vis, Davis, CA, USA, Lynn Kimsey; ation of the genae helps to define Alpho- (USNM) United States National Museum, melon, one should not rely on that char- Smithsonian Institution, Washington, DC, acter alone for identification. Several spe- USA, David Smith; (UWY) University of cies of Neotropical Cotesia (personal ob- Wyoming, Laramie, WY, USA, Scott R. servation of museum collections and Shaw. Included in this material were the reared riodinid parasitoids) also have holotypes for A. disputabile, A. iiigriceps, white patches on the genae, as do many and A. conformis from USNM. A cotype for Dolichogenidea and other genera in the Old A. talidicida was examined during a visit World tropics (Mason 1981; personal ob- NHM to but not borrowed. servation). Additional characters that dis- ME HODS tinguish Alphomelon from other genera 1 with white genae include: fully sclerotized Morphological terms follow those of hypopygium, presence of petiolar ridge, Sharkey and Wharton (1997). Additional lack of wing areolet, and fully carinate terms include: lunule (Mason 1981), stem- propodeum with areola, maticum (Shaw and Huddleston 1991), Color patterns are the most obvious and lateral and anterior scutellar furrows (to perhaps easiest characters to use for di- distinguish between scutellar furrows in agnosis of certain species. Conspicuous Sharkey and Wharton 1997; see Fig. 1), body segment coloration of orange or yel- medial scutellar area (area between lateral low helps distinguish between A. uigriceps scutellar furrows; see Fig. 1), anterior pro- (metasoma and mesosoma yellow), A. cro- podeal area (propodeal areas anteriorly costethus (mesonotum orange), A. pyrrhog- left and right of areola; see Fig. 1), poste- luteum (metasoma yellow), and A. simpso- rior propodeal area (propodeal areas pos- norum (metasomal tergites I, II, and III yel- teriorly left and right of areola; see Fig. 1), low). The size of white spots on the genae axillary projections (rugose projections also varies from moderately reduced (A. apical to lunules; see Fig. 1), lateral metan- winniewertzae, A. paurogenum) to extensive otal depression (refers to pits leftand right (A. bromeliphile, A. brachymacher) (see Fig. Journalof Hymenoptera Research Table 1. Hostand host plant information forAlphomelon species. Alphomelon HostSpecies HostPlantSpecies HostPlantFamily Reference Chamaedorea costaricana Carystoides basoches Chamaedorea tepejilote Arecaceae Janzen and Hallwachs arecaphile 2001 Chamaedorea costaricana Arecaceae Synale cyhaxa Chamaedorea tepejilote no known host records brachymacher bromeliphile Neoxeniades scipio ABreohmmealeiaa pmianggduailnenae Bromeliaceae Jan2z0e01n and Hallwachs eitroloma no known host records Hesperiinae Carina indica Cannaceae Muesebeck 1958 conformis Hesperiinae Panicum pilosum Poaceae (specimens in INBIO) crocostitliiis Hesperiinae Saccharum officinarum Poaceae (specimens in USNM) (sugercane) Lerema spp. On/:ii latifolia Poaceae (specimens in USNM) disputabile Janzen and Hallwachs Cymaenes trebius (grass) Poaceae 2001 Hesperiinae (grass) Poaceae Janzen and Hallwachs melanoscelis 2001 Hesperiinae (sedge) Cyperaceae Janzen and Hallwachs nanosoma Cobalopsis sp. Oryza latifolia Poaceae 2001 Hesperiinae Caima sp. Cannaceae mgriceps (specimens in USNM) talidicida Volume 12, Number 1, 2003 Table 1. Continued. Alphotnelon HostSpecies HostPlantSpecies HostPlantFamily Referenc Maranta arundinacea, Marantaceae Calathea macrosepela Janzen and Hallwachs Calpodes ethlius Thaliageniculata 2001 Caiuia indica Cannaceae Maranta arundinacea, Janzen and Hallwachs Rhinthon cubana Calathea macrosepela Marantaceae 2001 Calathea lutea xestopyga Maranta arundinacea Janzen and Hallwachs Salianafusta Marantaceae Calathea macrosepela 2001 Maranta arundinacea Janzen and Hallwachs Cynea irma Marantaceae Calathea panamensis 2001 Janzen and Hallwachs Quinta cannae Thaliageniculata Marantaceae 2001 4). Additional characters include colora- Larval characters were not examined in tion of legs (completely orange or barred this revision due to limited availability of with black), wings (smoky or hyaline), cast skins for most species, but Penteado- ovipositor (reddish-orange oryellow), and Dias (1985) describes larval features for face (with a light brown spot or complete- one species in the genus. ly black). Although these color patterns In the key to species, values giveninpa- appear to be largely diagnostic, one rentheses refer to the percentage of speci- should use caution when relying on color mens examined exhibiting that particular characters alone since temperature during characteristic. The phrase "cheek patches" development is known to influence adult refers to the white spots on genae. The appearance in braconids (Liu and Carver current abundance of species in museum 1982). collections (the museums mentioned un- Other diagnostic morphological charac- der Material) is designated as: rare (fewer ters frequently referred to in this revision than 10 total specimens), uncommon (10- concern hind wing vein cu-a curvature 20 specimens), common (20-100 speci- (see Fig. 2), tarsal claw spine number (see mens), or abundant (more than 100 spec- Fig. 3), ovipositor length and curvature imens). A brief description of the species' (see Fig. 6), lunule shape, tegula shape natural history and range follows the spe- and color, propodeal sculpturing (areola cies names in the key. Since most males open or closed anteriorly), metasomal ter- (>75%) are difficult to identify unambig- gite I and II shape, and sculpturing of the uously to species, the key is based on fe- head and mesoscutum. male specimens. KEY TO FEMALE NEW WORLD SPECIES OF ALPHOMELON 1 Mesonotum orange-yellow; tarsal claws with 1 spine (Fig. 3a); wings infumated; cheek patches reduced (Fig. 4f), with white not extending to post-genal part of occiput .... 2 - Mesonotum dark brown to black; tarsal claws variable; wings variably colored; cheek patches variable 3 2 Metasoma and mesosoma yellow-orange A. nigriceps (Ashmead) 3 Journalof Hymenoptera Research (Common. Solitary parasitoid reared from Calpodes spp. on Carina indica and unidentified sp. on corn (Zca mays). Distributed throughoutCaribbeanislandsandcountries/statessurroundingCa- ribbean and reaching as far north as North Carolina, U.S.A.) - Metasoma black, mesosoma with mesonotum only orange . . A. crocostethus Deans, n. sp. (Uncommon. Solitary parasitoid reared from hesperiid on sugar cane (Saccharum qfficinarum). Distributed from southern Caribbean islands to Colombia, and Brazil) 3 Metasoma with at least lateraltergites and sternites (excepthypopygium insome) yellow; petiole rectangular and elongate (Fig. 5a); posterior portion of hind wing cu-a angled toward body (Fig. 2c); tarsal claws with 2 spines (Fig. 3b) 4 - Metasoma entirely brown to black; petiole variable; hind wing cu-a variable; tarsal claws with 1-4 spines 6 4 Metasoma entirely yellow except medial Vs of hypopygium and tergum VII black; me- sopleuron nitid except for setae A. pyrrhogluteum Deans, n. sp. (Rare. Biology unknown. Collected in Argentina only) - Metasoma less than 50% yellow; mesopleuron punctate 5 5 Petiole and tergites I—III yellow; petiolar ridge weakly represented; malar space not con- vex; pale cheek patch not extending to clypeus A. simpsonorum Deans, n. sp. (Rare. Solitaryparasitoid reared from Hesperiinaeonagrass(Poaceae)inCostaRica. Distributed from Costa Rica to Paraguay) - Petiole and Tergites I—III black; medial petiolar ridge strongly represented; malar space distinctly convex; pale cheek patch extending to clypeus (Fig. 4c) (80%) A. citroloma Deans, n. sp. (Common. Biology unknown. Distributed from Costa Rica to Argentina) 6 Exserted portion of ovipositor shorter than hind basitarsus (Fig. 6a,b); tarsal claws with 4 spines (Fig. 3d); hind wingcu-a strongly curved towardsbody (Fig. 2b);cheekpatch- es extending onto clypeus (Fig. 4a,b) (75%) 7 - Exserted portion of ovipositor longer than hind basitarsus (Fig. 6c,d,e); tarsal claws var- iable; hind wing cu-a variable; cheek patches variable 8 7 Ovipositor less than Vi length of basitarsus (Fig. 6a), orange in color; ovipositor sheaths expanded apically (Fig. 6a); face black (Fig. 4b); antennae dark brown A. brachytnacher Deans, n. sp. (Common. Biology unknown. Distributed from Costa Rica to Ecuador, Peru and Brazil.) - Ovipositor longer than Vi length ofbasitarsus (Fig. 6b), yellow-orange in color; ovipositor sheaths not expanded apically (Fig. 6b); face with light brown spot (Fig. 4a); antennae light brown A. bromeliphile Deans, n. sp. (Rare. Gregariousparasitoid reared fromNeoxeniadesscipioon Bromeliapinguin andAchmaeamag- dalenae (Bromeliaceae) in Costa Rica. Distributed from southern Mexico to Costa Rica) 8 Hind legs black exceptbasal Vi oftibia orange; body size large (~5mm); tarsal claws with 4 spines (Figure 3d); petiole costate with ridge strongly represented (Figure 5b) .... A. melanoseelis Deans, n. sp. (Common. Solitary parasitoid reared from hesperiines on grasses (Poaceae) in Costa Rica. Dis- tributed from southern Mexico to Brazil) - Hind leg coloration variable but femur never completely black; body size variable (85% <5mm); tarsal claws with 1-4 spines; petiole variable 9 9 Cheek patches neither extending onto the clypeus nor to the occiput (Fig. 4g,h) (90%), if extending to occiput then mesoscutum and head strongly punctate; tarsal claws with 1 spine (Fig. 3a); hind wing cu-a angled posteriorly towards body (Fig. 2c) 10 Cheek patches extending to occiput and often onto clypeus (75%); tarsal claws variable; hind wing cu-a variable 11 10 Wings darkly infumated (75%); head, mesoscutum, and medial scutellar area weakly Volume 12, Number 1, 2003 7 punctate; apical V5 of hind tibia and femur black; labrum black A. paiirogemim Deans, n. sp. (Uncommon. Biology unknown. Collected in Argentina and Chile) - Wings hyaline; head, mesoscutum and medial scutellar area strongly punctate; hind fe- mur and tibia entirely orange; labrum yellow A. winnieivertzae Deans, n. sp. (Common. Solitary parasitoid reared from Calpodes ethlius on Timlin geniculate! (Marantaceae) in Costa Rica and Euphyes spp. inTexas, U.S.A. Widely distributed throughouteasternU.S.A. and Canada south to Costa Rica.) 11 Tarsal claws with 1 spine (95%; Fig. 3a); cheek patches notextending onto clypeus (75%); hind wing vein cu-a angled posteriorly towards body (Fig. 2c) A. disputabile (Ashmead) (Abundant. Solitary parasitoid reared from Lerema spp. on Oryza latifolia (Poaceae), Cymaenes trebius on grasses (Poaceae), and perhaps once on Nisoniades castolus (a pyrgine hesperiid) on Vernonia patens (Asteraceae) in Costa Rica. Widely distributed from Texas, U.S.A., throughout Caribbean, south to Argentina) - Tarsal claws with 2-A spines; cheek patches usually extending onto clypeus (75%); hind wing vein cu-a variable 12 12 Tegulae black; petiolar ridge strongly bifurcating (Fig. 5c) A. conformis (Muesebeck) (Uncommon. Reared from hesperiid on Carina indica (Cannaceae) in Venezuela. Distributedfrom Costa Rica to Venezuela.) Tegulae translucent-yellow; petiolar ridge not strongly bifurcating 13 13 Petiole strongly costate (Fig. 5d); tergite II rugose raised, medially (Fig. 5d) A. rhyssocercus Deans, n. sp. (Uncommon. Biology unknown. Distributed from Panama to Argentina) Petiole not strongly costate; tergite II rugulose or nitid 14 14 Ovipositor thicker than ¥z basitarsus width (Fig. 6d), hind wing cu-a straight (Fig. 2d); tegulae whitish; stigma triangular (Fig. 2a) A. arecayihile Deans, n. sp. (Common. Gregarious parasitoid reared from Carystoides basoches and Synale cynaxa on Chamae- dorea spp. (Arecaceae) in Costa Rica. Distributed from Costa Rica to Brazil.) Ovipositor thinner than Vi basitarsus width; hind wing cu-a variable, but not straight; tegulae yellow; stigma rounded (Fig. 2b) 15 15 Petiole with ridge present (Fig 5c); ovipositor straight, long, and thin, Vs as thick as hind basitarsus, with exerted portion >1.4X hindbasitarsus length (Fig. 6e); hind wingcu-a strongly angled at midpoint towards body (Fig. 2e); body size medium to large (~4- 5mm) A. talidicida (Wilkinson) (Common. Gregarious parasitoid reared from Talides spp. on Heliconia (Heliconiaceae) andMusa spp. (Musaceae) in Costa Rica. Distributed throughoutCaribbean islandsand fromCosta Rica to Brazil) Petiole with only an inconspicuous depression (Fig. 5e,f); ovipositor obviouslydecurved, ¥z as thick as hind basitarsus, with exerted portion <1.4X hind basitarsus length; hind wing cu-a variable; body size small to medium 16 16 Hind wing vein cu-a evenly curved towards body (Fig. 2f); body size small (<3mm); tarsal claws with 2 spines (Fig. 3b); ovipositor Vi as thick as hind basitarsus; cheek patches not extending onto clypeus (90%); petiole mostly nitid with petiolar ridge represented by slight depression (Fig. 5e) A. nanosoma Deans, n. sp. (Common. Gregarious parasitoid reared from Cobalopsis sp. on grass (Poaceae) in Costa Rica. Distributed from Mexico to Ecuador and Brazil) Hind wing cu-a sharply angled at midpoint towards body (Fig. 2e); body size medium (34mm); tarsal claws with 3-A spines (Fig. 3c, d); ovipositor Ys as thick as hind basi- tarsus; cheek patches extending onto lateral portions ofclypeus (as in Fig. 4d); petiole rugulose, slightly punctate with petiolar ridge represented by raised bump with slight depression (Fig. 5f) A. xestopyga Deans, n. sp. Journalof Hymenoptera Research (MmaaAcrbrauonnstdepaaenlatar.,unGTdrhiaenlagicaaeraig,oenuCisacluapltaahrteaaasi(mtMaoacirrdoasnretepaaercleea,daeaf)nrdoamnCdaClaCaltaphnoednaeasluietntedhailci(auMsa(orCananntnMaaaccreeaaaneet))a,,aSRrahulniidnaintnahaofcnuesatc,aubCoaanlnaatMhaoe-na ranta arundinacea and Calathea macrosepela (Marantaceae), and Cynea irma on Marantaarundinacea, Calathea panamensis, Quinta cannae, and Thalia geniculata (Marantaceae). Distributed throughout southern Central America.) Alphomelon Mason with short, stiff setae. Tibiae with short spines randomly distributed throughout Alphomelon Mason 1981:54. Type species:Alpho- surface. Tarsal claws pectinate with 1-4 melon disput—abilis (Ashmead), by Mason. spines. Wings: Setose with hairs more Diagnosis. Genae with white colora- dense apically. Forewing without areolet. tion. Face with prominent ridge medially. Hamuli consisting of 3 spines basally and Forewing without areolet. Propodeum ar- 3 hooks distally. Metasoma: Petiole with eolated. Tarsal claws pectinate. Hypopy- short bifurcating carina present medially gium evenly s—clerotized. (if no carina then shallow depression pre- Head: Brown to black with sent). Medial tergite II trapezoidal to rect- Description. white coloration on genae. Head broad in angular, nitid to rugulose. Tergite I spi- frontal view, usually punctate, setosewith racle surrounded with long thickened se- spreading hairs, always with nitid frons tae. Hypopygium evenly sclerotized. Gen- occiput and vertex. Prominent ridge aris- italia: Ovipositor tapering apically, slightly ing between antennal sockets and continu- depressed dorsally basal to tip and slight- ing ventrally to point 0.5 between anten- ly expanded at tip. Ventral valve with 2- nal shelf and clypeus. Antennae: Light 4 teeth apically. Ovipositor sheaths evenly brown to black, as long as body. Placodes setose with stiffspreading setae at the des- in two rows. Monthparts: Mandible with clerotized—tips. two teeth: one pointed (dorsal), one Biology. Parasitoids of hesperiine hes- rounded (ventral). Eyes and Ocelli: Eyessil- periids. ver (red or dull gray in older specimens) setose with short hairs. Ocelli clear Alphomelon arecaphile Deans, stiffly new to translucent red, subequal in size with species median ocellus immeasurably (85%) — (Fig. 6d) smaller. Mesosoma: Propleuron anteriorly Diagnosis. Tegulae whitish, hind wing punctate and setose with hairs arising cu-a straight, ovipositor thick (0.6X basi- from depressions, posteriorly nitid. Pro- tarsus width), reared from skippers (Car- notal polished band nitid anteriorly and ystoides basocfies and Synale cynaxa) on substrigulate posteriorly. Pronotal fur- palms (Arecaceae) (Janzen and Hallwachs rows rugose. Area posterior to pronotal 2000). — furrows punctate and setose. Epimeron Female. Head: Dark brown to black ex- deeply impressed dorsally. Mesoscutum cept white coloring on genae extending punctate (85%) broader than long. Ante- from anterior tentorial pits to bottom edge rior scutellar furrow represented by lineof of eye, ventrally to mandible and posteri- impressed pits. Lateral scutellar furrows orly to occiput, not extending onto clype- widening apically. Lunules nitid. Axillary us. Head round, 1.15X wider than high, projections costate-rugose. Lateral metan- setose with flexible setae, not punctate, otal area areolate-rugose dorsally and nit- nitid occiput, frons and vertex. Face 2.35X id ventrally. Propodeum sculptured and wider than clypeus. Clypeus 1.33X wider areolated. Legs: Variably patterned with than high. Line between anterior tentorial black, brown, yellow, and white, covered pit and eye 0.5X line between eye and Volume 12, Number 1, 2003 Mouthparts: Mandibles brown, setose with stiffhairs. Labrum dark brown and broad- ly cleft (appearing not cleft in some). Max- illary palps whitish-yellow, labial palps brown. Mesasoma: Black. Tegulae whitish yellow and translucent, brown at base, 2.15X wider than long, semicircular. Me- soscutum 1.1X wider than long, evenly punctate. Medial scutellar area evenly but and slightly punctate, elongate triangular with anterior scutellar furrow 0.9X length of medial scutellar area. Anterior scutellar furrow sub-linear with 7-8 2.2X lon- pits, ger than line between lateral scutellar fur- rows. with Axillary projections sculptur- ing arising at apical 0.33 lunule base. Lu- nules triangular and 1.85X wider at the base than high. Lateral scutellar furrows costate basally, becoming rugulose apical- ly with apical edge equal to lunule base width. Mesopleuron evenly minutely punctate except nitid areas dorsad and ventrad sternaulus. Mesonotum nearly nitid, except setose raised area (8-10 setae) posterior to posterior scutellar depression. Lateral metanotal depressions nearly rect- angular becoming broader apically, with rugulose surface. Posterior scutellar de- pression small, 2x wider than long, divid- ed medially with carina. Anterior propo- deal areas rugose. Posterior propodeal ar- eas nitid with 1-2 small carinae. Anterior propodeal areas not well separated from Fig. 1. Morphological terms, Alphouicloii. (T) tegula, posterior propodeal areas. Areola U- (ASF) anteriorscutellar furrow, (LSF) lateralscutellar shaped, nearly open with only a small ca- fteulrlrarowa,re(aA,P)(LA)xillulnaurlye,pr(ojLeMcDti)onsla,te(rMalSAm)etmaendoitaallsdceu-- rina, minutely rugulose, 1.8X wider than pression, (APA) anterior propodeal area, (PA) pro- high, propodeal spiracle hairs difficult to podeal areola, (PPA) posterior propodeal area, (PA) distinguish from other setae. Forelegs: petiolar ridge. Honey-yellow except dark brown coxae and trochanters. Tarsal claws brown. light Arolia dark brown. Mid-legs: Honey-yel- mandible with malar space slightly con- low except dark brown coxae and trochan- vex. Eyes and Ocelli: Eyes 1.7x higher than ters, tarsal claws light brown. Arolia dark wide. Ocelli colorless, translucent, sube- brown. Hind legs: Coxae dark brown to qual in size. Stemmaticum slightly raised black, trochanters dark brown, trochantel- and broadly triangular with posterior- lae honey-yellow, femur honey-yellow ex- ocellar line 3.6X lateral-ocellar line. Ocu- cept apical 0.2 brown. Tibiae 5X longer lar-ocellar line 1.1X posterior-ocellar line. than wide, yellowish-brown except basal Antennae: Dark brown, as long as body. 0.15 white and apical 0.1 brown. Tibial 10 Journalof Hymenoptera Research Fig. 2. Wing venation, Alphomelon. (a) stigma elongate, triangular (b) stigma not elongate and typical fore- wing venation with hind wing showing strongly curved cu-a (arrow), (c) cu-a curved posteriorly towards body, (d) cu-a straight, (e) cu-a strongly angled medially towardsbody, (f) cu-a evenly curved.