University of Kentucky UKnowledge University of Kentucky Doctoral Dissertations Graduate School 2010 MORPHOLOGY AND SYSTEMATICS OF BRACONID WASPS Charles Andrew Boring University of Kentucky, [email protected] Right click to open a feedback form in a new tab to let us know how this document benefits ou.y Recommended Citation Boring, Charles Andrew, "MORPHOLOGY AND SYSTEMATICS OF BRACONID WASPS" (2010). University of Kentucky Doctoral Dissertations. 75. https://uknowledge.uky.edu/gradschool_diss/75 This Dissertation is brought to you for free and open access by the Graduate School at UKnowledge. It has been accepted for inclusion in University of Kentucky Doctoral Dissertations by an authorized administrator of UKnowledge. For more information, please contact [email protected]. ABSTRACT OF DISSERTATION Charles Andrew Boring The Graduate School University of Kentucky 2010 MORPHOLOGY AND SYSTEMATICS OF BRACONID WASPS ABSTRACT OF DISSERTATION A dissertation submitted in partial fulfillment of the requirements for degree of Doctor of Philosophy in the Department of Entomology, College of Agriculture at the University of Kentucky By Charles Andrew Boring Lexington, Kentucky Director: Dr. Michael J. Sharkey, Professor of Entomology Lexington, Kentucky 2010 Copyright © Charles Andrew Boring 2010 1 ABSTRACT OF DISSERTATION MORPHOLOGY AND SYSTEMATICS OF BRACONID WASPS The following morphological structures of the ovipositor of Homolobus truncator (Say) (Hymenoptera : Braconidae) are described and hypotheses of their functions are proposed: a series of sharp ridges on the distal surface of the notch helps maintain a grip on the inner surface of the host cuticle; the sperone directs eggs away from the inner surface of the ventral valves; a flap-like structure on each ventral valve covers the portal through which eggs pass; the valvillus maintains position of the egg within the ovipositor and acts against the egg to force it out; ctenidia on the inner surface of the ventral valves move eggs along the basal half of the egg canal; recurved barbs at the apex of each ventral valve hook into the inner surface of the host cuticle to maintain purchase while the thick dorsal valve is inserted into the host. The tribe Maxfischeriini (Hymenoptera : Braconidae) is emended to subfamily status based on morphological and biological evidence. A novel egg morphology is described for Maxfischeria, representing a new life history strategy among Braconidae. Based on egg and ovipositor morphology, I suggest that Maxfischeria is a proovigenic, koinobiont ectoparasitoid. Five new species of Maxfischeria are described (M. ameliae sp. nov., M. anic sp. nov. M. briggsi sp. nov., M. folkertsorum sp. nov., and M. ovumancora sp. nov.). A phylogenetic analysis of morphological and molecular characters for the braconid subfamily Euphorinae is presented. The results imply a revised classification that recognizes 9 tribes and 44 genera. Proposed changes include: Meteorus and Zele are recognized as Meteorinae. Planitorus and Mannokeraia are included among Euphorinae and comprise the tribe Planitorini. Cosmophorini, Euphorini, Helorimorphini, Perilitini, Leiophron, and Perilitus are redefined. The following synonyms are proposed: Cryptoxilonini and Dinocampini with Cosmophorini; Myiocephalini and Proclithrophorini with Perilitini; Myiocephalus with Microctonus; Bracteodes, Falcosyntretus, Sculptosyntretus, Syntretellus, Syntretomorpha, and Syntretoriana with Syntretus and are recognized as subgenera; Perilitus (Townesilitus) with Microctonus and are recognized as a subgenus. Transitions in host associations are examined with ancestral state reconstruction. Some ambiguous nodes in the reconstruction are reconciled by examining the overlap in host associations. 2 KEYWORDS: Hymenoptera, Ovipositor morphology, Maxfischeria, Stalked egg, Euphorinae. Charles A. Boring July 14, 2010 3 MORPHOLOGY AND SYSTEMATICS OF BRACONID WASPS By Charles Andrew Boring Dr. Michael Sharkey Director of Dissertation Dr. Charles Fox Director of Graduate Studies July 14, 2010 Date 4 RULES FOR THE USE OF DISSERTATIONS Unpublished dissertations submitted for the Doctor’s degree and deposited in the University of Kentucky Library are as a rule open for inspection, but are to be used only with due regard to the rights of the authors. Bibliographical references may be noted, but quotations or summaries of parts may be published only with permission of the author, and with the usual scholarly acknowledgements. Extensive copying or publication of the dissertation in whole or in part also requires the consent of the Dean of the Graduate School of the University of Kentucky. A library that borrows this dissertation for use by its patrons is expected to scure the signature of each user. Name Date ________________________________________________________________________ ________________________________________________________________________ ________________________________________________________________________ ________________________________________________________________________ ________________________________________________________________________ ________________________________________________________________________ ________________________________________________________________________ ________________________________________________________________________ ________________________________________________________________________ ________________________________________________________________________ ________________________________________________________________________ ________________________________________________________________________ 5 DISSERTATION Charles Andrew Boring The Graduate School University of Kentucky 2010 6 MORPHOLOGY AND SYSTEMATICS OF BRACONID WASPS ________________________________________________________________________ DISSERTATION ________________________________________________________________________ A dissertation submitted in partial fulfillment of the requirements for degree of Doctor of Philosophy in the Department of Entomology, College of Agriculture at the University of Kentucky By Charles Andrew Boring Lexington, Kentucky Director: Dr. Michael J. Sharkey, Professor of Entomology Lexington, Kentucky 2010 Copyright © Charles Andrew Boring 2010 7 This dissertation is dedicated to my family and friends who have always supported me while I have gone ‘there and back again’ 8 ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS I would never have gotten so far without the help and support of friends, family, and colleagues. I would like to thank my advisor, Dr. Michael Sharkey for his support, advice, and especially his patience. I’m thankful for the relationship we’ve developed. My parents, Julie and Rod Boring, have given me every opportunity to succeed and have always supported me. I couldn’t have even started this without their help. Barb Sharanowski was supportive throughout it all, and I can’t thank her enough for being able to count on her. Both Dicky Yu and Eric Chapman have gone out of their way to give help and advice, and the quality of this dissertation has greatly improved thanks to them. Stephanie Clutts has been a great technician, and I appreciate all her help. I started this work without the skills necessary to accomplish these tasks, and I would like to recognize those people who have given me training. I would like to thank Debra Murray and Ashley Dowling for introducing me to molecular techniques. Pete Southgate trained me to use a scanning electron microscope. Lars Vilhelmsen and Laurence Packer have both taught me dissecting techniques and set an example for how to rigorously study morphology. John Nychka contributed his expertise in engineering to develop explanations for the functions of ovipositor structures. Katja Seltmann has been helpful with many things, especially insect photography, Photoshop techniques, and the program DELTA. Reuben Briggs has been very generous with help and advice for making scientific illustrations. The Sharkey lab has always held intelligent and resourceful members, and I would like to thank past and present members for the way we help each other solve problems and develop the skills to succeed. I would like to thank Nathan Burkett-Cadena, Rodney Cooper, Joe Raczkowski, and Adam Swejk for being great friends and positive role models. Brian Knapke, though seldom a positive role model, has done so much while I’ve been away from home that he’s become family. iii TABLE OF CONTENTS Acknowledgements ..........................................................................................................iii List of Tables ...................................................................................................................vi List of Figures ..................................................................................................................vii Chapter One: Introduction ...............................................................................................1 Chapter Two: Structure and functional morphology of the ovipositor of Homolobus truncator (Hymenoptera: Ichneumonoidea: Braconidae) 2.1 Introduction ....................................................................................................4 2.2 Materials and Methods ...................................................................................5 2.3 Results and Discussion ..................................................................................6 2.3.1 Ovipositor Morphology of Homolobus truncator………………...6 2.3.2 Functional Morphology