Morphological variability of several biotypes of Ephedrus plagiator (Nees, 1811) (Hymenoptera: Braconidae: Aphidiinae) and description of a new species

Abstract

Five biotypes of Ephedrus plagiator (Nees, 1811) were investigated on the basis of three meristic and nine ratio characters, using numerical methods. The attribution of biotypes was given by Unweighted Pair-Group Method Arithmetic Average Cluster Analysis and Canonical Variates Analysis. Specimens of Ephedrus plagiator reared from Dysaphis Börner spp. on Malus domestica Borkh., 1803 showed clear distinction from other Ephedrus plagiator biotypes by the number of longitudinal placodes on the first and second flagellar segments, respectively, the shape of metasomal tergum I and the host range. On the basis of the above-mentioned characters we are presenting the formal description of the new species, Ephedrus dysaphidis n. sp. which belongs to Ephedrus plagiator species group.