© Entomologica Fennica. 19.X.1992

Braconidae () parasites of fungivorous Diptera in Karelia

E. B. Yakovlev & V.I. Tobias

Yakovlev, E. B. & Tobias, V.I. 1992: (Hymenoptera) parasites of fungivorous Diptera in Karelia.- Entomol. Fennica 3:139-148. A list of 18 of Braconidae, 15 of the subfamily Alysiinae, reared from 65 mushrooms collected in the forests surrounding Petrozavodsk (Russian South Karelia) is given. Six new species are described by V. I. Tobias: Aspilota karelica sp. n., A. jakovlevi sp. n., A. fungicola sp. n., A. stigmatica sp. n., A. aequabilis sp. n., and A. spiritalis sp. n. The most common probable hosts are larvae of Pegomya (Anthomyidae) and Megaselia (Phoridae). E. B. Yakovlev, Forest Research Institute of the Karelian Centre of the Russian Academy of Sciences, Pushkinskaya 11, SU-185610 Petrozavodsk, Russia V. I. Tobias, Zoological Institute of the Russian Academy of Sciences, Universitetskaya nab. I, SU-199164, St. Petersburg, Russia

1. Introduction on that part of the material collected in Karelia in which 6 new species of Aspilota were revealed. During a study offungivorous conducted in The list of non-braconid species reared from South Karelia in 1977-1987 numerous parasitic macrofungi will follow in a later paper. Hymenoptera were reared from fungal sporo­ phores together with Diptera. Most of them were Braconidae of the subfamily Alysiinae. This 2. Material and methods material remained unpublished for almost ten years due to the little-known systematics of Braconids were reared from 65 sporophores Alysiinae. The latter is the main reason for the representing 22 species of macrofungi. The fact that, although the Diptera community living sporophores were collected in 1978, 1981 and as larvae in the sporophores of macrofungi has 1982 at three localities in Soviet South Karelia now been fairly extensively studied, its parasites (as it then was), i.e. the Kivach Nature Reserve have not yet received the attention they deserve. (62°17'N, 33°59'E), Vendjury (62°11'N, 33°17'E) Only relatively recent literature (Tobias 1986a, and Mashezero (61 °41'N, 34°18'E). Wharton 1988, Van Achterberg 1988) indicates the The traditional techniques of rearing have been considerable progress in the of Alysii­ fully described elsewhere (Yakovlev 1980a): nae. It allows us to take the first step towards sporophores with larvae were placed in containers discovering the species composition of Braconi­ (1-litre glass jars) on a layer of peat. These containers dae connected with fungivorous Diptera in the were covered with nylon gauze and kept outdoors European taiga. The present paper is based only in the shade. At the begining of December (after 140 Yakovlev & Tobias: Braconidaefrom Karelia • ENTOMOL. FENNICA Vol. 3

two-three weeks of frosty weather) the contain­ BRACONINAE ers with hibernated larvae and pupae were Bracon (Glabrobracon) pineti Thomson gradually moved to room temperature and then kept in the laboratory. The appearing in Reared from (1) together with the containers were caught with a pooter, then fungorum, Drosophila transversa (VIII). pinned or preserved in 70% alcohol. Most of the collected Braconidae (including EUPHORINAE the type specimens) are stored in the Zoological Blacus (Blacus) exilis Nees Institute of the Russian Academy of Sciences (St.Petersburg). Duplicates and collections of Reared from Boletus edulis (I) together with Tephrochlamys Diptera are housed in the Forest Research Institute flavipes (IX). of the Karelian Centre of the Russian Academy of Sciences (Petrozavodsk). ALYSIINAE Alysiafrigida Haliday

3. Results Reared from Leccinum scabrum (1), L. testaceoscabrum (2), L. vulpinum (I) together with Pegomya zonata (3), P. 3.1. The braconid fauna of the different species scapularis (I), P. flavoscutellata (I), Ula sylvatica (2), C01ynoptera blanda (1), Bremia ciliata (I) (XII- II); from of fungi Thelephora terrestris (I) together with Mycomya sp. (I) (VIII). For each species of Braconidae the list gives the names of the fungal species from which it was Alysia luciella Stelfox reared and the names of possible hosts, viz. , dip­ Reared from Leccinum vulpinum (3), L. testaceoscabrum terous species reared from the same sporophores. (1) together with Pegomya zonata (2) , P. tab ida (I), P. The number of fungal sporophores from which pulchripes (I), P.flavoscutellata (1), P. incisiva ( 1), Mydaea each species of Braconidae was reared is given discimana ( 1), Fannia ciliata (3), Ula sylvatica (3), after the name of the fungus, and the numbers for Corynoptera sp. (1), Psychoda lobata (I) (XII- I). the Diptera species after their names. The dates (months) of Braconidae rearings are indicated by Anisocyrta perdita Haliday Roman numerals. Reared from Leccinum scab rum (I) together with Pegomya Van Achterberg (1988), who revised the scapularis, P. circumpolaris (I). superspecific taxa of the Alysiinae found in mushrooms, concluded that the species of this Idiasta sp. group must be divided into several genera. Reared from sp. (I) together with Pegomya However, he has not mentioned the well-recog­ transversa, Mycetophilafungorum (XII). nized Synaldis, characterized by reduction of the first intercubital vein. Taking into account, Phaenocarpa pratellae Curtis firstly, that the genus Aspilota contains dozens of Reared from Leccinum scabrum (2), L. testaceoscabrum described and considerably more still undescribed (3), L. vulpinum (1), L. aurantiacum (1) together with species and secondly, that the characteristics Pegomya scapularis (6), P. circumpolaris (2), P. incisiva which Achterberg used as generic criteria have (2), P. flavoscutellata (I), P. pulchripes (I), P. zonata (1 ), not been well studied, it seems better to consider P. vittigera (I), Mydaeadiscimana (3), M. tincta (I), Fannia ciliata (1), Ula sylvatica (3), Limonia bifasciata (1), Dinotrema Foerst. and also Synaldis Foerst. still Trichocera salta/or (1), Corynoptera blanda (1) (XII-II); as the subgenera of the genus Aspilota. from Boletus edulis (2), B. pinicola (2) together with Pegomya zonata (4), P. scapularis (1), Mydaea tine/a (1), Ula sylvatica (1) (XII-I). DORYCTINAE Doryctes mutillator Thunberg Aspilota (Dinotrema) kempei Hedqvist

Reared from Leccinum scabrum (1) together with Megaselia Reared from Russula aeruginea (7), R. xerampelina (4), R. flava, Drosophila transversa, Muse ina assimilis (VIII). decolorans (2), R. nitida (1), R. emetica (1), R. paludosa ENTOMOL. FENNICA Vol. 3 • Yakovlev & Tobias: Braconidaefrom Karelia 141

(1), R. sp. (2) together with Megaselia rubescens (17), M. Aspilota (Aspilota) karelica Tobias, sp. n. spinicincta (2), Mydaea setifemur (8), M. detrita (2), Pegomya genicula/a (7), Ula sylvatica (5), Psychoda Iobato Reared from Russula aeruginea ( 1), R. xerampelina (1 ), R. 5), Mycetophila fungorum (5), M. strobli (4), Docosia paludosa (I) together with Megaselia rubescens (3), gilvipes (1), contaminata (I), Drosophila Mydaea setifemur (2), M. detrita ( 1) , Alloeostylus diaphanus transversa (4), Fannia difficilis (2), Cheilosia scutellata (1), P. genicu/ata (1), Drosophila transversa (2), Mini­ (I) (XII- II); from Agaricus arvensis (2) together with limosinafungico/a ( 1), Allodia ornaticollis (I) (XII-I); from Megaselia rubella (2) (XII); from rufus (I) to­ Lactarius rufus (I) together with Mydaea tine/a, Exechia gether with Megaselia rubescens (I); from Suillus luteus contaminata (XII- I). (1) together with Megaselia rubescens (XII); from Kuehneromyces mutabilis (1) together with Megaselia Aspilota (Synaldis) spiritalis Tobias, sp. n. rubescens (VIII); from Leccinum testaceoscabrum (I) to­ gether with Ula sylvatica, Mycetophila signatoides, Reared from Russula aeruginea (1), R. vinosa (1) together Megaselia rubescens, Drosophila transversa, Pegomya with Megaselia rubella (2), Psychoda Iobato (1), Cmyno­ flavoscutellata (XII). ptera !>p. (I.

Aspilota (Dinotrema ) sessilis Van Achterberg 3.2. Connections between the braconids reared Reared from Russula aeruginea (l), Russula xerampelina (1) together with Megaselia rubescens (2), Alloeostylus and their hosts diaphanus (1), Drosophila transversa (1), Mycetophila fungo rum ( 1), Rondaniella dimidiata ( 1) (XII); from It is not clear whether the Braconidae species Lactarius necator (l) together with Megaselia rubescens mentioned are specialized on certain hosts, or (XII); from Kuehneromyces mutabilis (3) together with Megaselia rubella (3) (XII). whether they are non-selective, parasitising any species of larvae they meet in sporophores. The method of rearing, based on the use of the entire Aspilota (Dinotrema) varimembris Fischer sporophore, does not permit precise designation Reared from Kuehneromyces mutabilis (I) together with of the hosts of parasites that have emerged in the Megaselia rubella (VIII). containers, because several species of Diptera usually emerge from the same sporophore. Aspilota (Dinotrema) taurica Telenga However, the present material is suitable for some Reared from Boletus pinicola (2) together with Megaselia assumptions about host-parasite links ofbraconids rubescens (2), Suillia atricornis (1 ), Mydaea tincta (1 ), and fungivorous flies. Bremia ciliata (1) (XII); from Agaricus arvensis (I) to­ All the 18 species of Braconidae reared from gether with Megaselia rubella (XII); from Lactarius fungal sporophores can be easily divided into gluciosmus (I) together with Megaselia rubella (XII). two groups. One of these is composed of three very polyphagous species whose host ranges are Aspilota (Dinotrema) aequabilis Tobias, sp. n. not restricted to dipterous larvae. Doryctes mu­ Reared from Agaricus arvensis (I) together with Megaselia tillator is known as a parasite of different species rubella, Ula sylvatica (XII). of xylophagous insects: Buprestidae, Ceramby­ cidae, Curculionidae, Ipidae, Siricidae, Xyelidae, Aspilota (Dinotrema)fungicola Tobias, sp. n. Tortricidae (Belokobylskii & Tobias 1986). Blacus exilis also attacks lpidae and Curculioni­ Reared from Cortinarius sp. (I) together with Megaselia rubescens (XII). dae larvae, living under the bark of conifers (Tobias 1986b). Bracon pineti is a parasite of wood-inhabiting larvae of Anobiidae and cater­ Aspilota (Dinotrema) stigmatica Tobias, sp. n. pillers of Geometridae and Tortricidae (Tobias Reared from Ku ehneromyces mutabilis (1) together with 1986c). As a parasite of Laspeyresia strobilella Megaselia rubella (XII). L. it is well-known in Scandinavia and Central Europe (Bakke 1955). In Karelia the mortality of Aspilota (Aspilota) jakovlevi Tobias, sp. n. Laspeyresia caterpillars in spruce cones due to Reared from Lactarius necator ( 1) together with Megaselia Bracon pineti may reach 28% (Yakovlev 1962). rubescens, Suillia atricornis, Ula sylvatica (XII). There is little data available on hatching these 142 Yakovlev & Tobias: Braconidaefrom Karelia • ENTOMOL. FENNICA Vol. 3

species from fungivorous insects. Hence, mush­ reared from single sporophores and can therefore rooms do not appear to be a common habitat for be ignored. them. The species of the genus Phaenocarpa in We have obtained these polyphagous parasites general are known as parasites oflarvae of higher only in three containers with carpophores of flies (Cyclorrhapha) living in plant, fungal and Boletaceae together with several Diptera species tissues. Pegomya species () reared without hibernation. Blacus exilis probably are very often mentioned as hosts (Tobias 1986a). hatched from larvae of Tephrochlamys flavipes We reared Phaenocarpa pratellae from 11 Zetterstedt (Helomyzidae), and the two other sporophores of Boletaceae containing Pegomya braconids from two or three other hosts reared larvae. In Leccinum sporophores the predominate together with them. species was Pegomya scapularis, in Boletus - The second group is represented by 15 species Pegomya zonata. There were also Mydaea flies of the subfamily Alysiinae belonging to the gen­ (Muscidae) and Ula sylvatica (Limoniidae) reared era Alysia Latreille, Phaenocarpa Foerster and from hibernated pupae, as well as Pegomya, al­ Aspilota Foerster. These species of Braconidae, though not from all sporophores which have in contrast to non-Alysiinae species, were repre­ produced Ph. pratellae. Thus, Pegomya larvae sented by numerous specimens in containers, al­ were the most probable hosts of this parasite and most all of them reared from overwintered pupae. the latter does not seem to select certain species The species of Diptera which fairly often of Pegomya when searching for larvae inside the emerged in the same containers with alysiins are sporophore. given in Table 1. Other Diptera species were The same situation exists with Alysia species reared from 7 Leccinum sporophores together with Table 1. Numbers of mutual rearings of Alysiinae Pegomya flies. But in this case there is one ex­ (Alysia, Phaenocarpa, Aspilota) and Diptera from the ception: a specimen of Alysia frigida was ob­ same fungal sporophore. tained from the container with Thelephora ter­ restris. These dry, tough sporophores are not Aly Pha Asp used by Pegomya at all, but there were several Pegomya (all species) 7 11 8 mycetophilid larvae present on the lower surface zonata (Zetterstedt) 5 5 of them. The adult gnats - Mycomya sp. soon scapularis (Zetterstedt) 1 7 emerged without hibernation together with their geniculata (Bouche) 8 parasites, although other specimens of A. frigida incisiva Stain 2 were reared from overwintered Pegomya pupae. circumpolaris Ackland & Griffiths - 2 pulchripes (Loew.) 1 1 Alysia frigida is the commonest parasite of f/avoscutellata (Zetterstedt) 2 Pegomya larvae in Leccinum sporophores tabida (Meigen) 1 (Hackman & Meinander 1979). Relationships vittigera (Zetterstedt) with are noted for the other Alysia Megaselia (all species) 43 species - A. sophia Hal. and A. tipulae Scop. rubescens Wood. 32 (Tobias 1986a). rubella (Schmitz) 10 spinicincta Wood. 2 Aspilota species represent a group of endo­ Mydaea (all species) 5 15 parasites of the larvae of Phoridae occuring in setifemur Ringd. 8 decaying organic matter (including mushrooms) tincta Zetterstedt 2 4 and Platypezidae in mushrooms (Van Achterberg discimana Malloch 3 1988). Host records of mushrooms are given only detrita Zetterstedt 3 by C. van Achterberg (1988). D. Luterek (1969) U/a sylvatica Meigen 3 4 8 Drosophila transversa Fallen 8 also reported catching several species of Aspilota: Psychoda lobata Tonnoir 6 A. breviantenata Tobias, A. falsifica Stelfox & Mycetophila fungorum Degeer 6 Graham, A. fuscicornis Haliday, A mandibularis M. signatoides Dziedzicki 1 Tobias on the sporophores of Russula, Agaricus, Boletus and Amanita. Sporophores 11 44 8 In our rearings Aspilota species predomi- ENTOMOL. FENNICA Vol. 3 • Yakovlev & Tobias: Braconidaefrom Karelia 143

nated in species diversity, as well as in the number of reared individuals. In contrast to Alysia and Phaenocarpa species they were mostly reared from Russula (25 sporophores), Lactarius (6), Kuehneromyces (6) and Agaricus (4), while in Boletaceae they were mentioned only twice. The most probable hosts appear to be Megaselia flies (Phoridae), which have been reared from all Figs. 1-6. Mandibles of Aspilota species. - 1 A. sporophores where Aspilota were obtained re­ (Aspilota) jakovlevi; 2 A. (A.) karelica; 3 A. (Syna/dis) gardless of the species of mushroom. The last spiritalis; 4 A. (Oinotrema) fungicola; 5 A. (0.) was important only for the species composition stigmatica; 6 A. (0.) aequabilis. of Megaselia: M. rubescens were mostly reared from Russula and Lactarius, whereas M. rubella emerged from Agaricus and Kuehneromyces. But wards apex, with more strongly developed blunted Aspilota species as well as those of Phaenocarpa lower tooth; middle tooth pointed, upper tooth and Alysia did not discriminate between these blunted, approximately half as long as lower. two species of Megaselia. Antenna length is equal to body length, antennae It is noteworthy that fungivorous Megaselia thin, threadlike, consist of 20 flagellar segments species in Karelia have two generations a year, with numerous hairs leaving obliquely, length of while those of Pegomya are usually mainly which is more than segment width; 1st flagellar univoltine (Yakovlev 1988). Aspilota species, e.g. segment 5 times, 2nd 3.5 times, middle and fol­ A. kempei, were reared from Megaselia larvae of lowing 2.5 times as long as wide. 1st segment the short-lived summer generation, hatching in l.twice as long as 2nd. Thorax length slightly summer, as well as from overwintered pupae more than its height (55:50). Mesoscutum with­ belonged to the second generation. out pit in front of anterior scutellum depression, notaulus in evidence only on its anterior border. Sternauli softly sculptured, narrow, reach ante­ 3.3. Description of new species of Aspilota rior border of mesopleura. The distance between ends of sternauli and middle coxae is almost as Aspilota (A.) jakovlevi Tobias, sp. n. long as the length of these coxae. Hind furrow of Fig. 1 mesopleura smooth. Propodeum with weakly de­ veloped spiracles and 5-angled median cell, length Holotype: Q, Karelia, Vendjury, from fungi [Lactarius of which slightly more than width; all carinae necator (B ull.:Fr.) Karst.], 17.08.1982 (Yakovlev). (transverse, outlining laterally median cell and Closely allied to A. (A.) laevinotum Tobias; is longitudinal before it) very clear. Propodeum different in short ovipositor and laterally com­ above transverse carina smooth, below it finely pressed abdomen with longer 1st tergite. wrinkle-punctured. Hind femur 5,5 times as long Female. Body length 2.2 mm. Head behind as wide. Hind tarsus and tibia equal in length. eyes is parallel-sided, only in posterior part of Wings well developed; 2nd portion of radial vein temples roundly narrowed, its width 1.75 times 4 times as long as 1st, 2.5 times as short as 3rd, as long as length and 1.5 times as wide as twice as long as 1st radiomedial vein. Recurrent mesoscutum width. Temples 1.3 times as short vein 1,5 times as short as posterior side of discal as eye. Ocelli are in isosceles triangle, base of cell. Nervulus distally of basal vein by 1.5-twice which 1.5 times as short as distance between this its length. Abdomen flattened laterally, slightly base and eye. Distance between hind ocelli 1.5 longer than head and thorax together; 1st tergite times as long as diameter of ocellus. Tentorium thin, weakly sculptured, with longitudinal carina areas extend over inner margin of eyes, tentorium at apical half, its length 3.5 times as long as pits very deep, occupy about 0.4 distance from apical width. Ovipositor direct, weakly and pit to eye. Maxillary palpi long, nearly reaching gradually widening towards apex, protruding in middle coxae. Mandible slightly widening to- 0.6length of 1st abdominal tergite. 144 Yakovlev & Tobias: Braconidaefrom Karelia • ENTOMOL. FENNICA Vol. 3

furrow weakly crenulated. Propodeum with elongated median 5-angled cell, length of which nearly twice as long as its width; carinae outlin­ ing it as longitudinal carina in front of it and transverse propodeum carina weak. Hind femur 4.7 times as long as wide. 2nd portion of radial vein 4-5 times as long as 1st, 2.3 times as short as 3rd, twice as short as 1st radiomedial vein. lst abdominal tergite without longitudinal carina. Ovipositor widened in the apical third. Base of antennae brownish-yellow. Abdomen even col­ oured, brown, 1st tergite slightly yellowish. Hind tibia even coloured, yellowish-brown. Other characteristics as in A. (A.) jakovlevi. Male. Body length 2.2 mm. 1st abdominal tergite with weak longitudinal carina on posterior half.

Figs. 7-8. Fore wings of Aspilota species. - 7 A. (A.) karelica; 8 A. (S.) spiritalis. Aspilota (Synaldis) spiritalis Tobias, sp. n. Figs. 3, 8

Head, thorax and mq__st of antennae dark Holotype: Q, Karelia, Kivach Nature Reserve, from fungi (Russula sp.), 9.08.1982 (Yakovlev).- Paratypes: brown. Abdomen for the most part, and base of 1Q, the same signs, 20.07.1982 (Yakovlev); 2cJcJ, with antennae, brown. Large spots on apical tergites holotype signs. and legs brownish-yellow, hind tibia in the apical third and 5-th tarsus segment darkened. Clypeus Differs from other Aspilota species with re­ and mandibles yellow, palpi pale-yellow. Wings duced radiomedial vein (Synaldis) and without light, veins brown. median pit on mesoscutum, in very large propodeum spiracles. In this character it is similar to A. (S.) megastigma Fischer, but essentially differs in lack Aspilota (A.) karelica Tobias, sp. n. of median pit on mesoscutum, in considerably Figs. 2, 7 smaller width of ocelli triangle, in not rounded, only blunted lower mandible tooth, in longer hind Holotype: Q, Karelia, Kivach Nature Reserve, from femora, in considerably prolongated 1st abdominal fungi (Russula sp.), 20.07.1982 (Yakovlev).- Paratypes: tergite and in short ovipositor. 1Q, with holotype signs; IQ, Karelia, Vendjury, from fungi Female. Body length 1.5-1.7 mm. Head width [Lactarius rufus (Scop.) Fr.], 11.08.1982 (Yakovlev), l cJ, 1.6 times as long as its length. Antenna with 15 Vendjury, from fungi (Russula aeruginea Lindbl.), segments; length of 1st flagellar segment 3.5 4.08 .1982 (Yakovlev). times, 2nd 2.5 times, middle and following 1.6- More closely allied to described A. (A.) 1.7 times as long as its width. Thorax length 1.3 jakovlevi sp. n.; is different in strongly elongated times as long as its height. Sternaulus short, median cell of propodeum, short sternaulus, considerably removed from posterior border of crenulated hind mesopleura furrow, absence of mesopleura, as from anterior border. Hind longitudinal carina at the 1st abdominal tergite. mesopleura furrow weakly crenulated. Pro­ Female. Body length 1.8-2.2 mm. Antennae podeum with large round spiracles, diameter of with 18 segments, 1st flagellar segment 4 times, which is 0.75-1.0 distance between spiracle and 2nd 3.5 times, 5-th and 6-th 3 times, following anterior border of propodeum; for the most part 2.5 times as long as wide; 1st segment 1.1 times smooth, with clear transverse carina, more weak as long as 2nd. Sternauli short, end well before median carina (before transverse) and carina lat­ anterior border of mesopleura. Hind mesopleura erally outlining the median cell, nearly 4-angled; ENTOMOL. FENNICA Vol. 3 • Yakovlev & Tobias: Braconidaefrom Karelia 145 median cell with fine wrinkled sculpture. Hind than body, consisting of 20- 22 moniliform seg­ femur 4 times as long as wide. In fore wing 1st ments, 1st segment 3.5 times, 2nd 2.5 times, radiomedial vein completely reduced, 1st por­ middle 1.5 times, apical 1.3 times as long as tion of radial vein twice as short as 3rd. Recur­ wide. Flagellum with numerous hairs obliquely rent vein 3 times as short as posterior side of inserted, length of these being nearly equal to discal cell. 1st abdominal tergite with two longi­ segment width. Thorax length slightly greater tudinal carinae, its length 3 times as long as than its height. Mesoscutum before the anterior apical width. Ovipositor weakly upcurved, its scutellum depression with short median pit, length 0.5-0.7 times as long as 1st tergite length. notauli are evident only in front. Sternauli sculp­ Head black, thorax and abdomen brown; 1st-4th tured, reach or almost reach (in para type) anterior antenna! segments, most of legs and 1st abdominal border of mesopleura, do not reach middle coxa tergite yellowish-brown. Mandibles, coxae and by almost as much as length of one sternaulus trochanters yellow. from behind. Hind mesopleura furrow smooth. Other characteristics as in A. (A.) jakovlevi. Propodeum with small spiracles, roughly wrinkled Male. Body length 1.7-1.9 mm. Antenna with with unclear 5-angled cell in the middle, divided 17-18 segments, which are more extended than by longitudinal carina (not developed in paratype). female's segments: starting with 4th it is 2-2.5 Upper part of propodeum more weakly sculp­ times as long as wide. Spiracles of propodeum tured, glittering, separated from its lower part by smaller, its diameter half the distance between fracture in the middle obliquely lowered trans­ spiracles and anterior border of propodeum. verse. 2nd portion of radius 3.5 times as long as 1st, 2.5 times as short as 3rd, twice as long as radiomedial vein. Recurrent vein 1.4 times as Aspilota (Dinotrema) fungicola Tobias, sp. n. short as posterior side of discal cell. Nervulus Fig. 4 weak distally of basal vein. Hind femur 4 times as long as wide. Abdomen shorter than head and Holotype: Q, Karelia, Vendjury, from fungi [Kuehne­ thorax together (65:80). 1st tergite irregularly romyces mutabilis (Fr.) Sing. et Smith.], 1978 (Yakovlev). wrinkled without clear spiracle tubercle, its length - Paratypes: 10' with ho1otype characters; 1Q, Voronezh 1.7 times as long as apical width. Ovipositor region, Khoper Nature Reserve, 12 km downstream along upcurved, its sheath length equal to abdomen. the Khoper river from v. Yarvarino, forest, 7.07.1977 (V.Tobias). Body black; 1st tergite redish-brown. Palpi, scapi and legs brownish-yellow. Wings bright, Closely allied to A. (D.) oleracea Tobias; is veins brown. different in longer ovipositor, visibly thicker an­ Male. Body length 2.1 mm. Antennae with tennae with more short segments and greater 21 segments, slightly longer than the female ones, number of these, and more rough sculpturing of with longer segments: segments in the middle of propodeum. flagellum nearly twice, in the apex 1.5 times as Female. Body length 1.7-2.1 mm. Head 1.4 long as wide. times as wide as mesoscutum, 1.7 times as wide as long, behind eyes roundly narrowed. Temples 1.5 times as short as eyes. Ocelli form an iscoceles Aspilota (Dinotrema) stigmatica Tobias, sp. n. triangle, base of which is equal to distance be­ Fig. 5 tween this base and compound eye. Distance between hind ocelli twice as long as diameter of Holotype: Q, Karelia, Kivach Nature Reserve, from ocellus. Malar space behind lower margin of eye fun gi [Kuehneromyces mutabilis (Fr.) Sing. et Smith.], with short oblique furrow. Tentorium pits oc­ 14.07.1982 (Yakovlev). - Paratype: 1Q, West Caucasus, cupy nearly 0.4 of distance between pit and eyes, Sochi (Lazarevskoje), forest near stream, 4.05.1979 (V.Tobias). tentorium fields not developed. Mandibles almost parallel-sided, twice as long as wide, upper and Resembles A. (D.) erythropa Foerst. by com­ lower teeth small, rounded, considerably less than paratively large, outstanding spiracles of pro­ middle, pointed tooth. Antennae slightly longer podeum, but differ in extremely smaller size, 146 Yakovlev & Tobias: Braconidaefrom Karelia • ENTOMOL. FENNICA Vol. 3 considerably less number of flagellar segments, Closely allied to A. (D.) pratensis Van and moreover almost non-pubescent mesoscutum; Achterberg; differs in interstitial nervulus, in ex­ weak, but clear tooth-like projections in upper tremely short, shorter than 2nd, 1st flagellar seg­ part of temples. In last character is a step towards ment, in sternaulus elongated in anterior part, to A. (D.) kempei Hedqv., but differs from this in transverse sculptured strip on propodeum. mandibles considerably widened towards apex Female. Body length 2.1 mm. Head 1.3 times with pointed upper tooth going away, in shorter as wide as long. Temples 1.2 times as short as flagellar segments, in strongly developed pro­ eyes. Tentorium pits large, occupy nearly 0.5 podeum spiracles, in abdomen not depressed lat­ distance from pit to eye. Mandibles short, widened erally and with shorter 1st tergite. towards apex, with going away upper tooth; up­ Female. Body length 1.7- 1.8 mm. Head in per tooth apically rounded, middle outstanding upper part of temples with small obtuse-angled moderately pointed, lower tooth widely rounded. projection (weak in paratype); head 1.6 times as Antennae consist of 22 segments; flagellar seg­ wide as long, 1.6 times as wide as mesoscutum ments twice as long as wide, except 1st, length of width. Temples 1.2 times as short as eyes. Malar which 1.8 times as long as its width. Flagellum space with oblique furrow, lowered to anterior with numerous suberect hairs, length of which is margin of mandible base. Mandibles slightly nearly equal to 0.5 segment width. Thorax 1.3 widened towards apex, upper and middle teeth times as long as high. Sternauli long, reach ante­ almost equal in length, middle pointed, upper rior border of mesopleura. Propodeum without blunted, lower least, rounded in apex. Antennae clear carinae and cells, with longitudinal median slightly shorter than body, consist of 18-19 wrinkled sculptured strip, in its upper third with moniliform segments, 1st segment 3 times as transverse wrinkled punctured strip, on the other long as wide, 1.2 times as long as 2nd. 2nd and smiace with smooth sculpturing, glittering. 2nd following segments 1.5-1.3 times as long as wide, portion of radius 3.5 times as long as 1st, 2.3 segments in the apical part of flagellum slightly times as short as 3rd. Recurrent vein 2.5 times as longer than before it. Steraulus short, not reach­ short as posterior side of discal cell. Nervulus ing anterior border of mesopleura. Propodeum opposite basal vein. Abdomen shorter than head spiracles rather large, located away from its an­ and thorax together (6:7), laterally compressed; terior border by 3 times its diameter. Propodeum 1st tergite with outstanding spiracle tuberculi, its smooth, with wrinkly sculptured strip in the length 2.5 times as long as apical width. middle, but without expressed longitudinal carina. Head and thorax black, abdomen and antennae 2nd portion of radius 4-4.5 times as long as 1st, dark brown. Scapi, mandibles and legs brownish­ 2.2-2.7 times as short as 3rd. Recurrent vein twice yellow. Tegula yellowish-brown. Tarsi of all legs as short as posterior side of discal cell. Abdomen darkened. slightly shorter than head and thorax together, lat­ Other characteristics as in A. (D.) fungicola . erally contracted; 1st tergite irregularly wrinkled, its length twice as long as apical width. Ovipositor sheath and hind femur are equal in length. Body black, abdomen dark brown. Base of 4. Discussion scapi yellowish. Legs mostly brown. Palpi, mandibles, front, middle and base of hind coxae, The study of the predators representing the highest all trochanters yellow. Wings weakly darkened. trophic level of the communities connected Other characteristics as in A. (D.) fungicola . with macrofungi is of great interest to both sys­ tematic and ecological entomology. The former is due to the fact that the species composition of Aspilota (Dinotrema) aequabilis Tobias, sp. n. several groups of these predatory insects are fairly Fig. 6 unknown. The main difficulty in preparing this paper was the identification of Aspilota, because Holotype: Q, Karelia, Vendjury, from fungi (Agaricus the material contained several new species (cf. arvensis Schaeff.:Secr.), 13.08.1982 (Yakovlev). Achterberg 1988). The latter is of particular in- ENTOMOL. FENNICA Vol. 3 • Yakovlev & Tobias: Braconidaefrom Karelia 147 terest due to the considerable role these groups orient to similar signals to their dipterous hosts, of predators play in forest ecosystems. Numer­ and these signals are provided by fungal ous predators, such as some Muscidae, Staphy­ sporophores. linidae, etc, inhabit fungal sporophores. Moreo­ However, the results of the experiments on ver, fungivorous larvae represent an extensive the attraction of these insects by fungal sporo­ food supply for surface-active predators - spi­ phores and their volatile compounds carried out ders, carabids, and ants- which, as we noted, in by the author Yakovlev (publication in part deals Cladonia pine forests (unpublished data) in au­ with Diptera, Yakovlev & Myttus 1989) do not tumn concentrated around the large sporophores support this assumption. Braconids were attracted of Boletaceae. The special behaviour of fully-fed to the traps with fungal baits but they were not as larvae of Mycetophilidae in jumping out from numerous as Diptera. Moreover, traps of the the hymenophore of fruiting bodies, and of "Atracon" -type enclosing fungal sporophores Pegomya larvae which endeavour to go down were considerably less successful than glue­ into the mineral layer of the soil to pupate, can be coated glass plates standing close to the open considered as adaptations for avoiding predators sporophores. Furthermore, the greatest attraction (Eisfelder 1955; Yakovlev 1980b). Predation may for braconids, regardless of the bait used, were inflict up to 90% mortality on Pegomya larvae and the flat red or yellow plastic traps looking like pupae (Stahls et al. 1989). yellow Merike cups. At the same time artificial Parasitic Hymenoptera have been found to be mixtures of aromatic substances from mushrooms the third group of natural enemies offungivorous were less attractive to braconids than they were Diptera. In order to estimate the role of mush­ to fungivorous Diptera. These facts permit us to rooms as a direct food supply for parasitoid wasps hypothesise that visual stimuli are more impor­ it would be useful to bear in mind the results of tant to parasitic Hympenoptera than to their dip­ Yakovlev (1988) showing that species feeding terous hosts. on fungal sporophores and mycelia form a large The most significant primary fungivorous flies part of the Diptera of boreal forests. The in taiga forests are the range of species of occurence of parasitic Hymenoptera in mush­ Mycetophilidae, Bolitophilidae, Pegomya, Me­ rooms, e.g. in Leccinum, varies from year to year gaselia and Suillia. The origin of each of these (Stahls et al. 1989), and in some years they can groups was correlated with the use of fungal be observed with great frequency. Thus, of hun­ sporophores as food and a habitat for the larvae. dreds of Leccinum sporophores examined in 1983 Rearing experiences (Hackman & Meinander (Yakovlev & Osipova 1985) 39% contained the 1979; Yakovlev & Osipova 1985; etc.) show that highly characteristic flat galleries mined by different species of macrofungi are apparently alysiins. divided between these groups of Diptera. My­ Alysiinae, the main group of parasitic Hy­ cetophilidae occupy many species of menoptera occurring in fungal sporophores, are s.l. and some Aphyllophorales with more or less represented by the species which appear to be soft sporophores. Anthomyiidae prefer Bo1eta­ specialized on a particular host-species among ceae, and Phoridae Agaricus, Russula, some fungivorous Diptera. This specialization is not Lactarius species, and a range of mushrooms obligate- the exception of A. frigida confirms it. appearing in spring, e.g. Pezizales, Kuehnero­ And the pattern of alysiiin specialization on dip­ myces etc., while Helomyzidae more readily at­ terous hosts resembles those of fungivorous flies tack some Lactarius and Cortinarius species. If on their host fungi. In both cases a consumer is the presumption of host-specialization of Alysii­ able to use not only single species of hosts but a nae is correct, all these groups of fungivorous whole range of species of the same genus closely Diptera must have their own parasitic species. related ecologically. However, we have not found any such group of To locate their host, Alysiinae parasitic on Alysiinae parasitizing Mycetophilidae and Suillia fungivorous Diptera must first of all find the flies. Relationships between these fungivorous mushroom in which their larvae can live. Hence, flies and parasitic Hymenoptera can be expected, when searching for hosts these alysiins probably but possibly in this case Alysiinae are not the 148 Yakovlev & Tobias: Braconidaefrom Karelia • ENTOMOL. FENNICA Vol. 3

most significant parasites. The further develop­ 1986c: [4. Subfamily Braconinae.] (In Russian) - In: ment of this topic is of interest in regard to the Tobias, V. I. , Belokobylskii, S. A. & Kotenko, A. G. study of evolution in Braconidae because the (T o6nac. B. VI .. EienoKo6bi JibCKHti . C. A. & KoTeHJ