Apsilops Forster
Creators: name: Yoshida, Takuma
name: Nagasaki, Osamu
name: Hirayama, Tomoko
Publisher: name: Zenodo
Year: 2011
Subjects: Biodiversity
Taxonomy
Animalia
Arthropoda
Insecta
Hymenoptera
Ichneumonidae
Apsilops

description: Genus Apsilops Förster
Apsilops Förster, 1869
See Yu et al. (2005) for synonymy.
Townes (1970) placed this genus in the tribe Mesostenini (Cryptini of authors) based on the absence of sublateral triangular projections on the posterior rim of metanotum. His treatment is accepted by Carlson (1979), Chiu et al. (1984), Schwarz and Shaw (1998), Yu et al. (2005) and others. Yoshida et al. (2009), following Townes’ classification, further stated that the genus has a close relationship with Amauromorpha and Thrybius based on their association with water as well as their characteristic shape of clypeus. In contrast, Sawoniewicz (2008) regarded Apsilops as a member of a different tribe, Aptesini. Although he did not state the evidence for his treatment, it is likely because Apsilops has some unusual character states for Cryptini but usual for Aptesini, namely, the well-developed propodeal carination and thick antenna. In this study, we continue to follow Townes’ classification, however further studies are needed to revise the taxonomic position of the genus.
Diagnosis. Body exceptionally densely covered with setae. Antenna fusiform, gradualy thickened toward around 2/3 of its length from base, then gradually attenuate to apex; not flat ventrally. Female first flagellomere obliquely truncate apically, as long as 2nd flagellomere (in A. sericata) or shorter than 2nd flagellomere (other than A. sericata) (Fig. 7). Clypeus strongly convex, impressed along apex (Fig. 4). Clypeal apex truncate or weakly concave, without median tooth (Fig. 3). Occipital carina joining hypostomal carina far above mandibular base. Mandibular teeth subequal (Fig. 6). Posterior metanotal rim without sublateral triangular projections. Propodeal carinae almost complete: lateromedian longitudinal carina obliterated only on area petiolaris (species other than A. sericata), or obliterated also on area basalis (A. sericata); anterior transverse carina complete (species other than A. sericata), or obsolescent; lateral longitudinal carina and posterior transverse carina complete; sublateral crest of apical transverse carina strong (Fig. 8). Areolet large, about 0.7–0.9 as high as length of vein 2m-cu, closed at apex (Fig. 14). Mediella weakly and evenly arched. Upper valve of ovipositor with teeth between nodus and apex (Fig 17).
Apsilops closely resembles Amauromorpha in having dense velvety pubescence. This character state is considered to be an adaptation to trap air when individuals are under water (Cushman 1933; Bennett 2008). In addition, these two genera are similar in clypeal shape and in having teeth on the upper valve of the ovipositor, but Apsilops is clearly distinguished from Amauromorpha by the large, closed areolet on the fore wing, more developed propodeal carinae, and lack of a lobe from the lower valve of the ovipositor enclosing the upper valve tip.
Biology. Aquatic moths of the families Crambidae and Noctuidae, which are stem-borers or case-carriers feeding on aquatic plants, have been recorded as hosts. Hagen (1956) reviewed biological information concerning North American species, and Sawoniewicz (2008) provided a list of hosts of the world species.
There are also some host records for undetermined Apsilops species in rice paddies in southeast Asia. Two crambid moths, Scirpophaga incertulas (Walker) (the yellow rice stemborer) and Parapoynx stagnalis (Zeller) (the rice caseworm) were recorded as hosts in India by Rao et al. (1968, 1969). Both species are pests of rice in the Oriental Realm. Momoi (1969) reported one female of Apsilops sp. collected in a sweep-net in a paddy field of Taiwan.
Sinu et al. (2007) studied the host searching behavior of an undetermined species of Cryptinae parasitizing pupae of the rice caseworm, stating that their wasp belongs to a genus near Litochila. They reported that the wasp oviposited underwater. On the grounds of the reported host and host searching behavior, this wasp is probably Apsilops.
description: Published as part of Yoshida, Takuma, Nagasaki, Osamu & Hirayama, Tomoko, 2011, A new species of the genus Apsilops Förster (Hymenoptera: Ichneumonidae: Cryptinae) from Japan; parasitoid of an aquatic crambid moth, pp. 41-50 in Zootaxa 2916 on page 42, DOI: 10.5281/zenodo.206662