The taxonomy of the subfamily Cheloninae (Hymenoptera: Braconidae) was studied in Egypt. It includes 16 species belonging to two tribes (Chelonini and Phanerotomini) and three genera (Ascogaster Wesmael, Chelonus Panzer and
Phanerotoma Wesmael), of these five species are new recorded for the first time from Egypt and two (Phanerotoma (Bracotritoma) ponti sp.n. and Phanerotoma (Phanerotoma) elbaiensis sp.n.) are new for science.
The diagnostic characters of the different taxa under study (subfamily, tribes and genera) are given in brief. Keys are constructed to separate between species of each genus. All the species under consideration are fully described; this is accompanied with illustrations to the most important taxonomic characters.
Faunistic data of the 16 studies Cheloninae species are given. A zoogeographical characterization of each species is proposed.
Table of Contents
GENERAL INTRODUCTION
HISTORICAL REVIEW
MATERIAL AND METHODS
I. TAXONOMY
INTRODUCTION
RESULTS
Key to tribes and genera of the subfamily Cheloninae
Tribe Chelonini Förster, 1862
Genus Ascogaster Wesmael 1835
Key to species of the genus Ascogaster Wesmael
Ascogaster excisa (Herrich-Schäffer, 1838)
Ascogaster quadridentata Wesmael, 1835
Genus Chelonus Panzer, 1806
Key to subgenera of Genus Chelonus Panzer
Subgenus Chelonus Panzer
Key to species of subgenus Chelonus Panzer in Egypt
Chelonus (Chelonus) inanitus (Linnaeus, 1767)
Chelonus (Chelonus) obscuratus Herrich-Schäffer, 1838
Chelonus (Chelonus) oculator (Fabricius, 1775)
Subgenus Microchelonus Szépligeti, 1908
Key to species of subgenus Microchelonus Szépligeti
Chelonus (Microchelonus) basalis Curtis, 1837
Chelonus (Microchelonus) blackburni Cameron, 1886
Chelonus (Microchelonus) curvimaculatus Cameron, 1906
Chelonus (Microchelonus) sulcatus Jurine, 1807
Tribe Phanerotomini Baker 1926
Genus Phanerotoma Wesmael, 1838
Key to subgenera of genus Phanerotoma Wesmael
Subgenus Bracotritoma Csiki 1909
Key to species of subgenus Bracotritoma Csiki
Phanerotoma (Bracotritoma) masiana Fahringer, 1934
Phanerotoma (Bracotritoma) ponti sp.n.
Subgenus Phanerotoma Wesmael, 1838
Key to species of subgenus Phanerotoma Wesmael
Phanerotoma (Phanerotoma) dentata (Panzer, 1805)
Phanerotoma (Phanerotoma) elbaiensis sp.n.
Phanerotoma (Phanerotoma) hendecasisella Cameron, 1905
Phanerotoma (Phanerotoma) leucobasis Kriechbaumer, 1894
Phanerotoma (Phanerotoma) rufescens (Latreille, 1809)
PLATES
II. FAUNISTIC STUDY
INTRODUCTION
RESULTS
CONCLUSION
SUMMARY
REFERENCES
Research Objectives and Key Topics
The primary objective of this work is to provide a comprehensive taxonomic and faunistic analysis of the subfamily Cheloninae within Egypt. Given the lack of previous research on this group despite their significance as bio-control agents for agricultural pests, this study aims to inventory existing species, clarify their classification, and determine their distribution across various Egyptian geomorphological regions.
- Taxonomic revision of the Egyptian Cheloninae subfamily.
- Characterization and identification keys for the tribes, genera, and species.
- Faunistic analysis and mapping of species distribution in Egypt.
- Zoogeographical assessment of the studied wasp fauna.
- Identification of new species and new faunal records for Egypt.
Excerpt from the Book
Chelonus (Chelonus) inanitus (Linnaeus, 1767)
Description: Length of body: 5.2 – 6 mm. Length of forewing: 3.9 – 4.1 mm. Coloration generally black; palpi yellowish; tip as well as basal half of mandibles (with orange in the middle), coxae, trochanters and trochantelli are black; legs reddish brown; scape beneath, first flagellomere (except distally darker), fore leg: apical third of femur, all tibia and tarsus (except telotarsus), mid leg: apical end of femur (except black spot apically), all tarsus (except telotarsus), hind leg (slightly darker): basal and apical ends of tibia (except in the middle which is ivory like that of metasoma) and tarsus (except most of metatarsus) are all light brown to orange; almost all wing veins are pale brown; pterostigma orange or blackish with black marginal area; carapace with no, one or a pair of subbasal yellowish or orange more or less quadrate spots.
Head (Pl. 3, Fig. 3) transverse in dorsal view, slightly more than 2.7 times as broad as long, temple rounded and slightly narrowed posteriorly behind eye; eye slightly longer than temple; occiput excavated; antenna about as long as head and mesosoma combined, with 26-27 (♀) or 28 -29 (♂) flagellomeres; first flagellomere 2.5 or 2.6 times as long as broad apically (Pl. 3, Fig. 1), following flagellomeres gradually shortened and, penultimate flagellomere about 2.2 times as long as broad (Pl. 3, Fig. 2); POL about as long as OOL; POL 2.8 - 3.0 times diameter of posterior ocellus (Pl. 3, Fig. 3); eye in lateral view about 1.6 as high as wide; malar space about 1.2 times basal width of mandible; face flat, twice as wide as high; hind two ocelli elevated separately; clypeus trapezoidal, shiny, finely punctured, slightly more than 2 times wider than high; frons and vertex rather flat; very weak longitudinal carina could be seen in the middle just beneath inter-antennal distance and extended to the base clypeus; vertex coarsely punctured, with 3-5 transverse striae behind ocelli; occiput coarsely transversely striato-rugose; face coarsely transversely rugose (finer than frons).
Summary of Chapters
GENERAL INTRODUCTION: Provides an overview of the family Braconidae and the significance of the subfamily Cheloninae as parasitoids for biological pest control.
HISTORICAL REVIEW: Summarizes the taxonomic history and previous scientific studies concerning the subfamily Cheloninae both globally and specifically within Egypt.
MATERIAL AND METHODS: Describes the sampling techniques, morphological terminology, and the reference collections utilized for the identification and analysis of the specimens.
I. TAXONOMY: Details the taxonomic classification, including identification keys and full descriptions of the species identified in the study.
II. FAUNISTIC STUDY: Analyzes the zoogeographical distribution and faunal richness of the studied wasps across different geomorphological areas in Egypt.
CONCLUSION: Synthesizes the results, highlighting the faunistic diversity and the influence of habitat on species richness.
Keywords
Cheloninae, Braconidae, Hymenoptera, Egypt, Taxonomy, Faunistics, Biological control, Identification keys, Zoogeography, Parasitoid wasps, Chelonus, Ascogaster, Phanerotoma, Distribution mapping, Species richness
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the core focus of this research?
The work provides a detailed taxonomic and faunistic study of the subfamily Cheloninae (Hymenoptera: Braconidae) within Egypt, aiming to fill the existing research gap in this region.
What are the primary themes covered?
The research focuses on the identification, classification, morphological description, and zoogeographical distribution of chelonine wasp species found across various Egyptian landscapes.
What is the main goal of the study?
The study aims to provide a complete taxonomic picture of the known species of Cheloninae in Egypt and analyze their distribution patterns to better understand their ecological roles.
Which scientific methods are applied?
The authors utilized net sweeping and light trapping for sampling, conducted morphological examinations using microscopes and camera lucida, and employed ArcView GIS software for distribution mapping.
What topics are discussed in the main body?
The main body comprises a taxonomic introduction, identification keys for tribes, genera, and species, comprehensive descriptions of species, and an in-depth faunistic analysis of Egypt's geomorphological zones.
What are the characterizing keywords of the study?
Key terms include Cheloninae, Braconidae, Egypt, Taxonomy, Biological control, and Zoogeographical distribution.
How is the Cheloninae population distributed in Egypt?
The study reveals that 60% of the species are distributed along the River Nile and its Delta, with cultivated habitats showing higher species richness compared to dry desert areas.
Are there any newly discovered species in this work?
Yes, the study describes two species that are new to science, specifically from the Gabal Elba region, along with several species recorded for the first time in Egypt.
- Arbeit zitieren
- Yusuf Edmardash (Autor:in), Neveen Gadallah (Autor:in), Mahmoud Dayem (Autor:in), 2015, Parasitoids of Subfamily Cheloninae from Egypt. A Taxonomic and Faunistic Study, München, GRIN Verlag, https://www.grin.com/document/309221
