Bracon (Lucobracon) erraticus Wesmael 1838
Creators: name: Papp, Jenő
name: Xviii, Budapest
Publisher: name: Zenodo
Year: 2012
Subjects: Biodiversity
Taxonomy
Animalia
Arthropoda
Insecta
Hymenoptera
Braconidae
Bracon
Bracon erraticus

description: Bracon (Lucobracon) erraticus Wesmael, 1838
Figs 8 A-L, 9A-G
Braco erraticus Wesmael, 1838: 35 ♀♁ (type material: three ♀♀ + two ♁♁), type locality: “environs de Bruxelles ” (Belgium), ♀ lectotype (and two ♀ + two ♁ paralectotypes, present designations) in the Royal Belgian Institute of Natural Sciences, Brussels; examined.
Bracon (Lucobracon) bellicosus Papp, 1971a: 339 (description) ♀, type locality: “ Uvs aimak: on eastern slope of Ulaan davaa pass, between Lake Örög nuur and town Ulaangom” (Mongolia), ♀ holotype and two ♀ paratypes in Magyar Természettudományi Múzeum, Budapest; examined, syn. nov.
Bracon (Bracon) confinis Szépligeti, 1901: 261 (in key), 276 (description) (in Hungarian) and 1904 (1901): 161 (in key), 169 (description) (in German) ♀ (type material: 1 ♀), type locality: “Pilismarót” (Hungary), ♀ lectotype in Magyar Természettudományi Múzeum, Budapest; examined.
Bracon congruus Szépligeti, 1901: 261 (♀), 263 (♁) (in key), 276 (description) (in Hungarian); 1904 (1901): 161 (♀), 164 (♁) (in key), 165 (description) (in German) ♀ ♁ (syntype series 2 ♀♀ + 2 ♁♁), type locality: “ Budapest ” (Hungary), ♀ lectotype (and one ♀ and two ♁ paralectotypes, present designation) in Magyar Természettudományi Múzeum, Budapest; examined.
Bracon erythrostictus Marshall, 1885: 14 (in key) and 17 (description) ♀ ♁ (type material: several ♀♀ and ♁♁), type locality: “Milford heaven” (Pembrokeshire, England), syntypes in The Natural History Museum, London; not examined.
Bracon exarator Marshall, 1885: 14 (in key) and 26 (description) ♀ (type material 1 ♀), type locality: “at Brundall, Norfolk ” (England), ♀ holotype (present designation) in Castle Museum, Norwich; examined, syn. nov.
Bracon foveola Thomson, 1894: 1819 ♀, type locality: “Ringjön... Skåne ” (Sweden), ♀ lectotype (and one ♀ paralectotype, designated by Papp in 1969) in Zoological Museum, Lund; synonymized by Papp 1969: 197.
Bracon hades Papp, 1965: 409 (description) ♀, type locality: “Somlóvásárhely, Com. Veszprém, Hungary ”, ♀ holotype (and one ♀ paratype) in Magyar Természettudományi Múzeum, Budapest; examined.
Bracon praetermissus Marshall, 1885: 15 (in key) and 37 (description) ♀ ♁ (type material 5 ♀♀ + 1 ♁, seen 3 ♀♀), type locality: “Nunton Wilts.”[hire] (England), ♀ lectotype (and two ♀ paralectotypes, present designations) in The Natural History Museum, London; examined, syn. nov.
Braco superciliosus Wesmael, 1838: 38 ♀ (type material: one ♀), type locality: “environs de Bruxelles ” (Belgium), ♀ holotype (“J’ai pris un seul individu de cette espèce”, present designation) in the Royal Belgian Institute of Natural Sciences, Brussels; examined.
Bracon vectensis Marshall, 1885: 15 (in key) and 31 (description) ♁ (type material 1 ♁), type locality: “Niton, Isle of Wight ” (England), ♁ holotype (present designation) in The Natural History Museum, London; examined, syn. nov.
Further synonyms of B. erraticus Wesmael (see also Papp 2005a: 199 and Tobias 1986: 149): aestivalis Szépligeti, 1901, confinis Szépligeti, 1901, congruus Szépligeti, 1901,? idrianus Fahringer, 1934, lagodechianus Telenga, 1936, planiceps Telenga, 1936, secernendus Schulz, 1906, segregatus Telenga, 1936, similis Szépligeti, 1901, talitzkii Telenga, 1936, transcaspicus Telenga, 1936, ventricosus Szépligeti, 1901).
Bracon erraticus – Szépligeti 1901: 261, 263, 266 (in key, in Hungarian); 1904 (1901): 180 (in key). Bracon (Orthobracon) erraticus – Fahringer 1927: 270 (♀), 278 (♁) (in key) and 381 (redescription), assigned to “Section Orthobracon ”. — Telenga 1936: 164 (♀), 169 (♁) (in key), 257 (redescription) (in Russian) and 367 (♀), 371 (♁) (in key, in German). — Shenefelt 1978: 1630 (literature up to 1975). Bracon (Lucobracon) erraticus – Tobias 1986: 145 and 149 (in key, in Russian). — Tobias & Belokobylskij 2000: 162 and 164 (in key, in Russian). Bracon (Lucobracon) bellicosus – Shenefelt 1978: 1616 (as valid species, literature up to 1974). — Tobias & Belokobylskij 2000: 164 (synonymized with question mark with B. erraticus). Bracon (Bracon) confinis – Fahringer 1927: as valid species 242 (♀ in key) and 313 (redescription), assigned to “Section Striobracon)”. — Telenga 1936: 165 (♀, in key), 259 (as valid species, redescription, in Russian) and 367 (♀, in key, in German). — Shenefelt 1978: 1628 (as valid species, literature up to 1968). — Tobias 1986: 149 (as new synonym of B. erraticus). — Papp 2004: 173 (as synonym of B. erraticus, type depository). Bracon congruus – Fahringer 1927: 242 (♀ in key) and 338 (redescription), as synonym of B. secernendus Schulz, 1906 and assigned to “Section Striobracon”. — Telenga 1936: 258 (as synonym of B. secernendus Schulz). — Shenefelt 1978: 1629 (as synonym of B. confinis Szépligeti after Papp 1968: 197, literature up to 1968). — Papp 2004: 173 (type depository). Bracon erythrostictus – Fahringer 1927: 237 (♀ in key), 316 (redescription) and 425: ♁ identical with B. tenuicornis Wesmael, ♀ as valid species and assigned to “Section Striobracon”. — Telenga 1936: 162 (♀), 167 (♁) (in key), 249 (redescription) (in Russian) and 364 (♀), 369 (♁) (in key, in German). — Shenefelt 1978: 1481 (as valid species, literature up to 1974) and 1649 (as synonym of B. tenuicornis Wesmael after Dalla Torre 1898: 291). — Tobias 1986: 125 (in key, as synonym of B. intercessor Nees). Bracon exarator – Fahringer 1927: as valid species 253 (♀), 257 (♁) (in key) and 350 (redescription), assigned to “Section Lucobracon ”. — Telenga 1936: as valid species 164 (♀), 169 (♁) (in key), 257 (redescription) and 367 (♀), 371 (♁) (in key, in German), assigned to subgenus Bracon s. str .. Shenefelt 1978: 1618 (as valid species, literature up to 1945). Bracon foveola – Fahringer 1927: as valid species 273 (♀ in key) and 388 (redescription), assigned to “Section Orthobracon ”. — Telenga 1936: as valid species 170 (♀, in key), 270 (redescription) (in Russian) and 373 (♀ in key, in German), assigned to subgenus Orthobracon. — Shenefelt 1978: 1631 (as B. erraticus var. foveola after Papp l.c., literature up to 1969). Bracon hades – Papp 1969: 197 (synonymyzation). — Shenefelt 1978: 1631 (as synonym of B. erraticus var. superciliosus Wesmael after Papp l.c). Bracon praetermissus – Fahringer 1927: (♀, identical with “? erraticus Wesm. var.”), 278 (♁ in key) and 412 (redescription), ♁ as valid species and assigned to “Section Orthobracon ”. — Telenga 1936: as valid species 177 (♀), 178 (♁) (in key), 300 (redescription) and 379 (♀), 381 (♁) (in key, in German). — Shenefelt 1978: 1645 (as valid species, literature up to 1974). Tobias 1986: as valid species 137 (in key, in Russian). — Tobias & Belokobylskij 2000: as valid species 150 (in key, in Russian). Braco superciliosus – Schmiedeknecht 1897: 559 (15) (synonymization). — Fahringer 1927: 381 (as synonym of B. erraticus). — Telenga 1936: 257 (as synonym of B. erraticus). — Shenefelt 1978: 1631 (as B. erraticus var. superciliosus Wesmael after Fischer 1965: 130, literature up to 1974). Bracon vectensis – Fahringer 1927: as valid species 278 (♀ in key) and 430 (redescription), assigned to “Section Orthobracon)”. — Telenga 1936: as valid species 178 (♁, in key), 301 (redescription) (in Russian) and 381 (♁, in key, in German). — Shenefelt 1978: 1650 (as valid species, literature up to 1936).
Designation of the types
Designation of the ♀ lectotype of Bracon erraticus (first label, printed) “ Coll. Wesmael ”, (second label, printed) “2040”, (third label) “ Braco erraticus mihi ♀ ” (handwritten) “dét. C. Wesmael ” (printed), (fourth label, printed) “ Type ”, (fifth label with my handwriting) “ Belgique / Bruxelles / leg. Wesmael ” (above) “teste J. Papp 1987” (reverse), sixth label is the lectotype card. - Lectotype is in good condition: (1) micropinned by mesosoma, (2) right antenna deficient: with 17 antennomeres, (3) left fore wing close beyond pterostigma slightly torn.
Designations of the three paralectotypes (1 ♀ + 2 ♁♁) of B. erraticus: with similar labels to that of the lectotype. One ♀ paralectotype is in good condition: flagelli deficient, tarsomeres 3-5 of right fore leg missing. One ♁ paralectotype is in very poor condition: head, right fore and left hind wings missing, mesosoma cracked at prosoma. One ♁ paralectotype is in poor condition: left antenna, left fore wing and metasoma entirely as well as legs partly missing. All three paralectotypes micropinned by mesosoma.
Designation of the ♀ paralectotype of B. erraticus var. 1. Wesmael with two labels similar to the first and fifth labels of the lectotype. Paralectotype is in fairly poor condition: (1) micropinned by mesosoma, (2) right flagellum missing, left flagellum apically deficient, (3) legs more or less damaged.
Designation of the ♀ holotype of B. exarator Marshall: (first label, handwritten) “Brundall 15.9.81” (reverse on first label, above on label the wasp itself is glued), (second label, handwritten) “exarator”, third label is the holotype card, fourth label is with the actual name B. erraticus var. superciliosus (Wesmael) given by me. Holotype is in good condition.
Designation of the ♀ lectotype of B. praetermissus Marshall: (first label, handwritten) “N [=Nunton, England] 1.IX.84” (reverse on label, above on label the wasp itself is glued), (second label, handwritten) “27 jts”, (third round label with red frame) “ ♀ Type CM.” (♀ and CM with handwriting, Type printed), (third label) “ B.M. Type Hym. ” (printed) “ Bracon praetermissus Marshall, 1885 ” (handscdript), (fourth label,?Marshall’s handwriting) “ praetermissus Marsh. ”, (fifth label, printed) “ Marshall coll. 1904- 120.”, sixth label is with the full locality (England, Wilts., Nunton, 1.IX.1884, leg. Marshall) added by me, seventh label is the lectotype card and the eighth label is with the actual name (B. erraticus) given by me. Lectotype is in good condition: specimen glued ventrally and nicely mounted on a card.
Designation of the two ♀ paralectotypes of B. praetermissus: with similar labels to that of the lectotype; the specimens are representing a variety: B. erraticus var. superciliosus (Wesmael). Paralectotypes are in good condition similar to the lectotype.
Remark
One ♀ paralectotype of B. praetermissus is housed in the Hungarian Natural History Museum, the specimen is representing the species B. romani Fahringer, 1927.
Designation of the ♀ holotype of B. superciliosus: (first label, printed) “ Coll. Wesmael ”, (second label, printed) “2052”, (third label) “ Braco superciliosus mihi ♀ ” (handwritten) “dét. C. Wesmael ”, (fourth label, printed red) “ Type ”, (fifth label with my handwriting) “ Belgique / Bruxelles / VI, leg. Wesmael ” (after Wesmael l.c.), sixth label is the holotype card, seventh label is with the actual name B. erraticus var. superciliosus (Wesmael) given bu me. Holotype is in fairly good condition: (1) micropinned by mesosoma; (2) left forewing missing; (3) left flagellum apically deficient.
Designation of the ♁ holotype of B. vectensis: (first label, handwritten) “Niton” (reverse on label, above it the wasp itself is glued), (second label with red frame, printed) “Type”, (third label) “B.M. Type Hym.” (printed) “3.C.2.” (handwritten, (fourh label) “B.M. Hym. Type” (printed) “ Bracon vectensis Marshall 1885 ” (handwritten), (fifth label,?Marshall’s handwriting) “ vectensis Marsh. ”, (sixth label,
printed) “Marshall coll. 1904-120.” seventh label is the holotype card and eighth label is with the actual name, B. erraticus, given by me. Holotype is glued by its ventrtal side on a card.
Material examined
201 ♀♀ + 211 ♁♁ from 38 countries. The localities are grouped according to the nominate form and the three varieties of the species.
1) Bracon erraticus Wesmael, nominate form (62 ♀♀ + 65 ♁♁ from thirty countries): ENGLAND: 6 ♀♀ + 3 ♁♁ from seven localities. SWEDEN: 4 ♀♀ + 2 ♁♁ from six localities. DENMARK: 1 ♀ + 2 ♁ from three localities. FRANCE: 2 ♀♀ + 4 ♁♁ from four localities. THE NETHERLANDS: 2 ♀♀ from two localities. GERMANY: 5 ♀♀ +3 ♁♁ from eight localities. SWITZERLAND: 1 ♁. AUSTRIA: 3 ♀♀ + 2 ♁♁ from five localities. BOHEMIA: 2 ♀♀ + 1 ♁ from three localities. SLOVAKIA: 8 ♀♀ + 7 ♁♁ from 13 localities. HUNGARY: 55 ♀♀ + 81 ♁♁ from 124 localities. ROMANIA: 3 ♀♀ + 6 ♁♁ from seven localities. PORTUGAL: 1 ♁. SPAIN: 5 ♀♀ + 3 ♁♁ from one locality. ITALY: 3 ♀♀ + 2 ♁♁ from five localities. SERBIA: 6 ♀♀ from five localities. ALBANIA: 2 ♁♁ from two localities. MACEDONIA: 3 ♀♀ + 4 ♁♁ from seven localities. CROATIA: 2 ♀♀ + 6 ♁♁ from eight localities. BULGARIA: 3 ♀♀ + 8 ♁♁ from ten localities. GREECE: 1 ♀ + 2 ♁♁ from three localities. TURKEY: 4 ♀♀ + 4 ♁♁ from eight localities. ALGERIA: 1 ♁. SYRIA: 1 ♁. CYPRUS: 1 ♁. ARMENIA: 1 ♁. GEORGIA: 1 ♁. ASIATIC RUSSIA: 2 ♀♀ from two localities. MONGOLIA: 4 ♀♀ + 2 ♁♁ from six localities. NORTH CHINA: 1 ♀ + 2 ♁♁ from one locality.
2) Bracon erraticus var. aestivalis (Szépligeti) (1 ♀ + 8 ♁♁ from three countries): SLOVAKIA: 1 ♀ + 1 ♁ from two localities. HUNGARY: 6 ♁♁ from five localities. ROMANIA (Transsylvania): 1 ♁.
3) Bracon erraticus var. confinis (Szépligeti) (70 ♀♀ + 45 ♁♁ from 26 countries): ENGLAND: 1 ♀. SWEDEN: 1 ♀. FRANCE: 2 ♀ + 5 ♁♁ from five localities. GERMANY: 1 ♀. BOHEMIA: 1 ♀ + 1 ♁ from two localities. SLOVAKIA: 2 ♀♀ from two localities. HUNGARY: 30 ♀♀ + 16 ♁♁ from 43 localities. SLOVENIA: 1 ♀. ROMANIA: 4 ♀♀ + 2 ♁♁ from six localities. SPAIN: 1 ♁. ITALY: 2 ♀♀ + 1 ♁ from three localities. CROATIA: 2 ♀♀ + 5 ♁♁ from four localities. BULGARIA: 4 ♀♀ + 3 ♁♁ from seven localities. ALBANIA: 1 ♀. MACEDONIA: 2 ♀♀ + 1 ♁ from three localities. KOSOVO: 2 ♁♁ from one locality. MONTENEGRO: 1 ♁. BOSNIA-HERZEGOVINA: 1 ♀. GREECE: 3 ♀♀ + 3 ♁♁ from four localities. CYPRUS: 2 ♀♀ from one locality. TURKEY: 2 ♁♁ fro, two localities. UKRAINE: 2 ♀♀ from one locality. ARMENIA: 1 ♀ + 1 ♁ from two localities. GEORGIA: 5 ♀♀ from two localities. IRAN: 2 ♀♀ from two localities. NORTH CHINA: 1 ♁.
4) Bracon erraticus var. superciliosus (Wesmael) (68 ♀♀ + 93 ♁♁ from 18 countries): ENGLAND: 8 ♀♀ + 6 ♁♁ from nine localities. SWEDEN: 1 ♁. DENMARK: 2 ♁♁ from two localties. GERMANY: 3 ♀♀ + 3 ♁♁ from six localities. AUSTRIA: 2 ♀♀ + 1 ♁ from three localities. SWITZERLAND: 1 ♁. SLOVAKIA: 3 ♀♀ + 2 ♁♁ from four localities. HUNGARY: 30 ♀♀ + 49 ♁♁ from 59 localities. ROMANIA: 6 ♀♀ + 11 ♁♁ from sixteen localities. SERBIA: 2 ♁♁ from two localities. KOSOVO: 2 ♀♀ + 2 ♁♁ from one locality. MACEDONIA: 4 ♀♀ + 2 ♁♁ from six localities. MONTENEGRO: 1 ♀. BULGARIA: 4 ♀♀ + 2 ♁♁ from six localities. TURKEY: 2 ♀♀ from two localities. ARMENIA: 1 ♀. IRAN: 1 ♁. MONGOLIA: 1 ♀ + 3 ♁♁ from four localities.
Redescription of the ♀ lectotype of B. erraticus (Fig. 8 A-J)
LENGTH. Body length 3.5 mm.
ANTENNAE. (right flagellum apically deficient) Somewhat shorter than body and with 28 antennomeres (left antenna). First flagellomere 1.8 times, second flagellomere 1.25 times, flagellomeres 3-19 subcubic
(i.e. slightly longer than broad), flagellomeres 20-24 attenuating so that penultimate (or 25th) flagellomere 1.2 times as long as broad (Fig. 8A).
HEAD. In dorsal view transverse (Fig. 8B), 1.7 times as broad as long, eye one-fourth longer than temple, temple rounded, occiput excavated. Eye in lateral view nearly 1.6 times as high as wide, temple beyond eye somewhat less wide than eye (Fig. 8C, see arrows). OOL twice as long as POL. Oral opening fairly large: its horizontal diameter 1.4 times as long as shortest distance between opening and compound eye (Fig. 8D). Head polished, face finely granulose, medially polished.
MESOSOMA. In lateral view 1.5 times as long as high, polished. Notaulix distinct, evenly deep, smooth. Propodeum polished, above lunule with oblique striae extending up to middle of propodeum (Fig. 8E).
LEGS. Hind femur thick, 2.5 times as long as broad medially (Fig. 8F). Claw clearly downcurved and its basal lobe fairly large (Fig. 8G).
WINGS. Forewing about as long as body. Pterostigma (Fig. 8H) 2.8 times as long as wide and issuing r from its middle; r 0.7 times as long as width of pterostigma, second submarginal cell less long, 3-SR 1.25 times as long as 2-SR, SR1 straight, clearly 1.7 times as long as 3-SR and ending near to tip of wing. First discal cell less high, 1-M 1.75 times as long as m-cu, 1-SR-M 1.7 times as long as 1-M (Fig. 8I).
TERGITES. First tergite (Fig. 8J) quadrate in form, somewhat broader behind than long, beyond pair of spiracles weakly broadening, scutum apically and tergite laterally from scutum strongly sculptured. Second tergite 3.4 times as broad behind as long, medially rugose, laterally rugulose. Third tergite somewhat longer than second tergite, rugulose-subrugulose, medially almost smooth. Suture between tergites 2-3 slightly bisinuate, deep, smooth. Further tergites polished. Ovipositor sheath long, as long as hind tibia + basitarsus combined.
COLOUR. Ground colour of body black with light colour pattern. Scape black, flagellum blackish. Margin of eye, cheek and mandible yellow, palpi brown. Tegula brownish. Tergites 2-4 laterally reddish, sternites brownish. Legs dark brown to brown, fore femur apically and fore tibia entirely yellow, tibiae 2-3 basally yellowish. Wings faintly brownish fumous, pterostigma and veins opaque brown.
Redescription of the ♀ paralectotype of B. erraticus
Similar to the ♀ lectotype. Body 3.4 mm long. Both antennae deficient, right antenna with 22 and left antenna with 20 antennomeres. Head in dorsal view 1.6 times as broad as long (Fig. 8K). Hind femur 2.8 times as long as broad medially (Fig. 9A). Second tergite nearly entirely yellow, i.e. only medially blackish.
Redescription of the ♀ paralectotype of B. erraticus var. 1
Similar to the ♀ lectotype. Body 3.9 mm long. Left antenna with 28 antennomeres, i.e. flagellum apically deficient. Head in dorsal view (Fig. 9B) 1.7 times as broad as long, temple somewhat receded. Hind femur less thick, 3.1 times as long as broad distally (Fig. 9C). Pterostigma (Fig. 9D) 2.6 times as long as wide, r 0.7 times as long as width of pterostigma, second submarginal cell wide, 3-SR 1.3 times length of 2-SR, SR1 1.4 times as long as 3-SR. First tergite as long as broad behind (Fig. 9E). Tergites 2-6 laterally and tergites 7-8 entirely yellow.
Redescription of the two ♁ paralectotypes is disregarded owing to their very poor condition.
Redescription of the ♀ holotype of B. superciliosus
Similar to the ♀ holotype of B. erraticus. Body 4 mm long. Right antenna just shorter than body and with 30 antennomeres. First flagellomere 1.6 times as long as broad, middle flagelloneres subcubic to cubic, penultimate flagellomere 1.3 times as long as broad. Head in dorsal view (Fig. 9F) 1.8 times as broad as long, eye 1.35 times as long as temple, temple rounded. Hind femur 2.6 times as long as broad medially (Fig. 8L). Second submarginal cell short (as usually), 3-SR just longer than 2-SR, SR1 twice length of 3-SR (Fig. 9G). Body almost entirely black, legs more dark coloured. This form is a melanic variety of the nominate form named B. erraticus var. superciliosus (Wesmael).
Hosts
COL. Chrysomelidae: Gastroidea viridula DeGeer. Curculionidae: Larinus turbinatus Gyllenhal,! Rhinocyllus conicus Frölich. Scolytidae: Hylesinus toranio Danthoine et Bernard. — LEP. Aegeriidae: Pennisetia hylaeiformis Laspeyres. Gelechiidae:! Metzneria lapella Linnaeus. Tortricidae: Acleris rhombana Denis et Schiffermüller,! Lobesia littoralis Humphrey et Westwood, Rhyacionia duplana Hübner. Cochylidae:! Aethes williana Brahm,! Falseuncaria ruficiliana Haworth, Phalonia posterana Zeller, Stenodes straminea Haworth. — DIPT. Agromyzidae: Melanagromyza lappae Loew. Tephritidae: Chaetorella jaceae Robineau-Desvoidy, Orellia ruficauda Fabricius, Sitarea lurida (Loew), Sitarea scorzonera Robinaeu-Desvoidy, Tephritis bardanae Schrank, Terellia serratulae Linnaeus, Urophora eriolepidis Loew,! U. stylata Fabricius, Xyphosia miliaria Schrank. — HYM. Tenthredinidae: Pontania joergenseni Enslin.
Distribution
Palaearctic Region, in Europe frequent to common.
Colour variabilities
(1) The ground colour of the nominate form (erraticus) is black to blackish with rusty to testaceous pattern on head and tergites 2-3(-4), eventually the line of notaulix is also rusty.
(2) The ground colour of var. confinis (Szépligeti) is yellow to testaceous with a few dark (light brown to blackish) pattern on vertex, mesoscutum, propodeum and tergites 1-4.
(3) The ground colour of var. superciliosus (Wesmael) is almost entirely to entirely black with (very) few rusty pattern on fore tergites.
Sculpture variabilities
(1) Nominate form (erraticus): second tergite rugose to rugulose, third tergite rugulose to (almost) smooth.
(2) Var. aestivalis (Szépligeti): tergites 2-4(-5) rugose, rugosity slightly weakening posteriorly.
Morphological variabilities
(1) Body 2.5-5.5 mm, usually 3.5-5 mm, long.
(2) Antenna somewhat shorter to somewhat longer than body, the ♀ with (25-)28-33(-40) and the ♁ with (21-)29-35(-40) antennomeres. Flagellomeres cubic to 1.5 times (♀♀) or 1.2-1.3 times to twice longer than broad. Head in dorsal view 1.6-1.85 times as broad as long, eye usually one-fourth, rarely one-fifth to one-third, longer than temple.
(3) Oblique striation of propodeum (Fig. 8E) variable in extent restricting to fine rugulosity close above lunule. Hind femur 2.4-2.8(-3.2) times as long as broad medially (Figs 8L; 9C).
(4) SR1 of fore wing clearly approaching, exceptionally rather reaching, tip of wing; second submarginal cell always relatively wide, 3-SR just to 1.3 times longer than 2-SR.
(5) Tergites 1-3 sculptured as in Fig. 8J, sometimes sculpture (very) weak or relatively rough. Ovipositor sheath short to long, i.e. as long as tarsomeres 1-3(-4) to hind tibia + basitarsus to hind tibia + tarsus combined respectively.
(6) Second tergite rarely as long as, exceptionally just longer than, third tergite (cf. Fig. 28G).
(7) First discal cell rarely less high, 1-M 1.5-1.6 times as long as m-cu (cf. Fig. 10G; 16G).
(8) Male: first tergite sometimes 1.3 times longer than broad behind, beyond pair of spiracles either parallel-sided (cf. Fig. 20I) or somewhat broadening posteriorly (cf. Fig. 20J).
(9) Male: second submarginal cell of forewing rarely long, 3-SR 1.3 times longer than 2-SR (cf. Fig. 17B).
(10) Female: first tergite rarely somewhat broader behind than long (cf. Fig. 20K).
The colour pattern and the morphological (eidonomic) features may vary in a highly wide spectrum.
Taxonomic position
The following three species, B. (Gl.) nigriventris (Wesmael) (Europe), B. (Gl.) peroculatus (Wesmael) (in Europe sporadic) and B. (Lu.) roberti (Wesmael) (in Europe sporadic), are near to B. erraticus, the four species are distinguished by the following key features:
1 (4) Temple in dorsal view receded, eye somewhat protruding (Figs 36A; 44A).
2 (3) SR1 reaching tip of forewing, second submarginal cell less wide (Fig. 36E). Second tergites smooth except (sub-)rugulosity close around small areola (subgeneric features of Glabrobracon), tergite one-sixth longer than third tergite (Fig. 36G). First discal cell high, 1-M a bit more than twice as long as m-cu (Fig. 36F). ♀: 4.5-5 mm .................................... B. (Gl.) peroculatus Wesmael, 1838
3 (2) SR1 approaching tip of forewing, second sbmarginal cell wide (Fig. 44F). Second tergite rugorugulose (subgeneric features of Lucobracon), just longer than third tergite. (Fig. 44H). First discal cell less high, 1-M 1.8 times as long as m-cu (Fig. 44G). ♀: 4.5-5.1 mm ............................................. .............................................................................................................. B. (Lu.) roberti Wesmael, 1838
4 (1) Temple n dorsal view rounded, eye not protruding (Figs 8B, K,; 9B, F; 28A).
5 (6) SR1 approaching tip of forewing, second submarginal cell wide (Fig. 8H; 9D). Second tergite rugo-rugulose, third tergite either rugulose-subrugulose (Fig. 8J) or (almost) smooth (subgeneric features of Lucobracon). First discal cell less high, 1-M less than twice as long as m-cu (Fig. 8I). Hind femur usually thick, 2.5-2.8 times as long as broad medially (Fig. 8F, L). ♀ ♁: 2.5-4.5 mm ......... ............................................................................................................ B. (Lu.) erraticus Wesmael, 1838
6 (5) SR1 reaching tip of forewing, second submarginal cell less wide (Figs 28F; 29 B-C). Second tergite antero-medially striolate, otherwise together with third tergite smooth and shiny (subgeneric features of Glabrobracon, Figs 28H; 29F). First discal cell high 1-M clearly twice as long as m-cu (Fig. 28C) or less high (Fig. 29 D-E). Hind femur usually 2.8-3 times as long as broad medially (Fig. 28D, I). ♀: 3-3.4 mm ....................................................................................... B. (Gl.) nigriventris Wesmael, 1838
Bracon erraticus is also near to Bracon fortipes Wesmael; their distinction is given at the latter species.
description: Published as part of Papp, Jenő & Xviii, Budapest, 2012, A revision of the Bracon Fabricius species in Wesmael's collection deposited in Brussels (Hymenoptera: Braconidae: Braconinae), pp. 1-154 in European Journal of Taxonomy 21 on pages 20-27, DOI: 10.5852/ejt.2012.21, http://zenodo.org/record/3858161