The Wharton Lab

Opius simplicornis Fischer, 1968: 463–464 (key), 477–479 (description). Holotype female in AEIC (examined).
Opius simplicornis: Fischer 1971: 111 (catalog).
Opius (Pendopius) simplicornis: Fischer 1977: 714, 736–748 (key, redescription); Fischer 1979: 484–485 (key); Fischer 1983: 92; Yu et al. 2005, 2012 (electronic catalogs).

This species is known only from the female holotype. The holotype matches the original written description, but the figure (Fischer 1968b, Fig. 7) is not of this species because it shows a very short ovipositor. The written description indicates a much longer ovipositor, as evident in the holotype (Fig. 1).

Face (Fig. 2) finely but distinctly punctate, punctures separated by nearly 2 x their diameter, otherwise smooth between punctures. Eye in lateral view (Fig. 3) about 2.6–2.9 x longer than temple; temples in dorsal view strongly receding (Fig. 4). Female antenna with 30 flagellomeres; setae on basal flagellomeres thick, dark. Mesoscutum anteriorly (Fig. 3) on nearly same plane as pronotum, without distinct anterior declivity; notaulus extending laterally towards tegula as groove bordered by distinct supramarginal carina. Propodeum (Figs 6, 7) rugulose with median trough anteriorly separated by carina posteriorly from fairly well-defined pentagonal areola. Fore wing (Fig. 9) with 3RSa straight, about 1.6 x longer than 2RS; m-cu postfurcal. T1 evenly curving into basal pit anteriorly (Fig. 7), not distinctly declivitous, pit not delimited posterior-medially; surface largely smooth; dorsal carinae (Fig. 8) weakly sinuate, broadening subapically, narrowing apically, not obviously transversely carinate between dorsal carinae. T2 and T3 smooth, polished. Ovipositor long (Fig. 1); ovipositor sheath about 1.0–1.1 x longer than mesosoma. Color as in Figs 1, 5, 6: head, propodeum, T1 pale orange; mesosoma mottled dark orange, and brown; T2–5, hind coxa, and hind femur yellow; T6 at least partly dark brown; antenna without subapical pale ring; wing lightly infumate.

Fischer (1979: p. 493) compared O. simplicornis to O. caudisignatus Fischer and later (Fischer 1983: 92) to O. vinoanus Fischer. The former has a much longer ovipositor and the latter a more heavily sculptured T1 relative to O. simplicornis. The absence of a distinct anterior declivity on the mesoscutum suggests a relationship to members of the ingenticornis species group, but the antenna is shorter, with significantly fewer flagellomeres and T1 lacks the steep anterior declivity typical of nearly all members of this species group.

Additionally, this species shares the following characteristics with members of the ingenticornis species group: Mandible short, broadly triangular, dorsal margin strongly angled ventrally, broadly exposing labrum. Occipital carina broadly absent dorsally, the gap in dorsal view at least as wide as distance between eyes; carina well developed laterally and ventrally, widely separated from hypostomal carina ventrally. Mesoscutum without midpit; notaulus short, curved, pit-like anteriorly, narrowing and evanescent posteriorly. Propodeum with median depression at least anteriorly, never with median longitudinal carina. Mesopleuron without sternaulus; hind margin of mesopleuron not obviously crenulate on dorsal 0.5. Fore wing 2CUb arising from or near middle of first subdiscal cell. Hind wing with RS distinctly infumate; m-cu absent. T1 with dorsal carinae parallel or nearly so, extending from base to apex; laterope large, deep; dorsope absent.

Argentina, Horco Molle, near Tucumán.

Labels attached to the holotype are shown in Fig. 1.

This page was assembled largely by Bob Wharton. It is part of a revision of the Opius ingenticornis species group conducted by Sophia Daniels, Xanthe Shirley, Danielle Restuccia and Bob Wharton. We thank David Wahl (American Entomological Institute, Gainesville, FL) for loans and general assistance associated with examination of holotypes, as well as Max Fischer and Dominique Zimmermann (NHMW), Henri Goulet (CNC) and Paul Marsh (formerly USDA, Washington, D. C.) for facilitating other loans and work with material in their care. Matt Yoder provided guidance on databasing issues associated with our use of mx. This work was conducted at Texas A&M University and was supported in part by NSF DEB 0949027, with REU supplement 1213790. Page last updated February, 2013.

This material is based upon work supported by the National Science Foundation under Grant Number DEB 0949027 and associated REU supplement 1213790.
Any opinions, findings, and conclusions or recommendations expressed in this material are those of the author(s) and do not necessarily reflect the views of the National Science Foundation.