EVANIIDAE (HYMENOPTERA) IN THE MID-ATLANTIC STATES : SEASONAL OCCURRENCE AND IDENTIFICATION

11 Pages·1998·2.8 MB·

by  D R Smith

PROC. ENTOMOL. SOC. WASH.
100(2). 1998. pp. 275-285
EVANIIDAE (HYMENOPTERA) IN THE MID-ATLANTIC STATES:
SEASONAL OCCURRENCE AND IDENTIFICATION
David R. Smith
Systematic Entomology Laboratory, PSI, Agricultural Research Service, U.S. Depart-
ment of Agriculture, c/o National Museum of Natural History. MRC-168, Washington,
DC 20560, U.S.A. (e-mail: [email protected]).
—
Abstract. Six species of Evaniidae are found in the mid-Atlantic states. Evaiiia ap-
pendigaster (L.) and Prosevania fuscipes (Illiger) are introduced species and are found
only in urban situations. Evoniella semaeoda Bradley, Hyptia harpyoides Bradley, H.
thoracica (Blanchard), and H. reticulata (Say) are native and are widely distributed and
common in field collections. The peak flight time for all four native species is similar,
from late June to the end of July, but they are present in low population levels into
September A key, supplemented with scanning electron photographs, is given for iden-
tification of the species.
Key Words: Evaniidae, ensign wasps, key, seasonal occurrence, Delaware. Maryland,
Virginia. West Virginia
Six species of Evaniidae, known as en- most are common in field collections in
sign wasps, occur in the mid-Atlantic states, Malaise traps throughout the area.
here defined as Delaware, District of Co- All native species have a similar flight
lumbia, Maryland, West Virginia, and Vir- period. The first individuals appear at the
ginia. All are egg parasitoids of cockroach- end of May or beginning ofJune. The peak
es. During 15 years of Malaise trapping in flight time is from the end of June to the
this area. I have collected about 7000 spec- end of July. Thereafter a rapid decline in
imens and, based on this trapping, can de- populations occurs, and only a few speci-
termine the seasonality and distribution of mens are found in August, September, and
the species. I also provide a key and SEM the early part of October The flight pattern
photographs for species identification. indicates a single generation annually for
Two biological groups are apparent. One each species in the mid-Atlantic states.
includes two introduced species, Evania ap- Identification of some species, especially
pendigaster (L.) and Prosevania fuscipes those of Hyptia, are based on sculpture of
(Illiger), both of which are found only in the head and thorax. There have not been
buildings in urban areas. I have never taken adequate illustrations accompanying previ-
these species in field collections. The other ous keys to show these differences. Con-
four species, Evaniella semaeoda Bradley, sequently, I present scanning electron pho-
Hyptia harpyoides Bradley, Hyptia thora- tographs of the head and thorax sculptura-
cica (Blanchard), and Hyptia reticulata tion to aid in identification. The size of the
(Say), are native, widely distributed, and eyes and sculpturation ofparts ofthe thorax
276 PROCEEDINGS OF THE ENTOMOLOGICAL SOCIETY OF WASHINGTON
are additional characters used for the first S Dunnsville (1991-1996, 15-25 traps each
time in a key to separate Hyptia species. year); Clarke Co., University of Virginia
Deyrup and Atkinson (1993) studied the Blandy Experimental Farm and State Ar-
evaniid composition and seasonality at the boretum of Virginia, 2 miles S Boyce
Archbold Biological Station, Highlands, (1990-1995, 5-11 traps each year). WEST
Co., Florida. They found Evaniella semaeo- VIRGINIA: Tucker Co., Fernow Experi-
do. Hyptia fl<iridcma Ashmead, H. reticu- mental Forest, south of Parsons (1991—
lata, and H. tlioracica. Hyptia flohdana 1993, 20 traps each year); Hardy Co., 3
was not found in this study, and H. har- miles NE Mathias (1994-1996, 2-3 traps
pyoides Bradley, very common in the mid- each year).
Atlantic region, was not found in their I used Townes-style Malaise traps for
study. The other three species are common collecting (Townes 1972). Most collections
to both areas and their flight times are com- were in 95% ethyl alcohol; potassium cya-
pared. nide was used only in those traps at Green
Most of the biological work has been Ridge State Park, Maryland. Traps were run
done with the two introduced species which continuously through the collecting season,
parasitize household cockroaches. Thoms from the first part of March to mid-Novem-
and Robinson (1986, 1987) discussed the ber in the more southerly and lower eleva-
feasibility of one species, Prosevania fus- tions sites (Essex Co., Fairfax Co.), and
cipes (as P. punctata (Brulle)), as a natural from mid-March to the first part ofOctober
control agent for cockroaches in Virginia, at the other sites. I serviced the traps every
and Edmunds (1953) discussed the same ten days to two or three weeks depending
species as a factor in control ofcockroaches on the weather and time ofseason. The total
in Ohio. However, very little is known of number of traps varied each year and at
the native species, some ofwhich parasitize each site, usually from 20 to 30, but the
Parcoblatta wood roaches common in the same number and location oftraps was kept
eastern forests. Some work on the eastern constant for each site during each season.
species was presented by Edmunds (1952a, In the records sections, county records
b, 1953, 1954). Although the four native are given for the mid-Atlantic states. For
species differ morphologically, they all my collection sites, inclusive dates of col-
have a similar flight period and occur in the lection and numbers ofspecimens are given
same habitats. Presumably, there are eco- in parentheses. The total number of species
logical, biological, and/or behavioral traits examined are those from my collection sites
that also support species differentiation. and are the basis for the graphs (Figs. 21-
24). Specimens are deposited in the Nation-
Material and Methods
al Museum ofNatural History, Smithsonian
Collection sites, years of trapping, and Institution, Washington, D.C.
numbers of traps used at those sites are as Both sexes can be identified with the fol-
follows: MARYLAND: Prince George's lowing key. For synonymy and references
Co., Beltsville Agricultural ResearchCenter to original descriptions see Townes (1949)
(1991-1993, 3-4 traps each year); Garrett and Carlson 1979). State records in the dis-
(
Co., Finzel Swamp, 1 km S Finzel (1992- tribution section are from these two sources
1993, 1-2 traps each year); Allegany Co., plus more recent records of specimens I
Green Ridge State Park, 6 miles E Flint- have examined.
stone (1991-1992, 4 traps each year). VIR-
GINIA: Louisa Co., 4 miles S Cuckoo Key to Species
(1985-1989, 4-12 traps each year); Fairfax
1. Forewing with one closed cell (Fig. 1) 2
Co., near Annandale (backyard trap) (1981- - Forewing with 7 or 8 closed cells (Fig. 2) . . 4
1996, 1 trap each year); Essex Co., 1 mile 2. Punctures on frons close, interspaces ridgelike
—
VOLUME NUMBER
100, 2 277
and less than halt diameter of punctures (Fig. cockroaches Blatta orientalis, Periplaneta
12); lower lateral portion ofpropodcum striate, americana (L.), and Periplaneta australa-
mesopleuron without distinct punctures (Fig.
18); head in front view with lower interocular siae {¥.) (Stan—ge 1978).
distance about equal to eye height (Fig. 6) . . Discussion. This species is found only
Hyptia harpyoicies in urban areas. I have never collected it in
- Punctures on frons farther apart, shining flat the field. A District of Columbia record of
interspaces usually equal toormore than punc- June 5, 1879, is the earliest known Nearctic
ture diameters (Figs. 13. 14); lowerlateral pro-
podeum with large punctures and mesopleuron record of this introduced species. It is prob-
with 1 or 2 large medial or postero-medial ably of Oriental origin (Townes 1949) but
punctures (Figs. 19, 20); head in front view occurs in most tropical and subtropical
with lower interocular distance about equal to regions of the world. It is most common in
or less than eye height (Figs. 7, 8) 3 Arizona and the Gulf Coast and Atlantic
3. Mesopleuron with one or two large central
punctures (Fig. 20); head in front view with states. I have seen only several other spec-
lower interocular distance subequal to eye imens, all from the District of Columbia,
height (Fig. 8); lower swelling ofmesopleuron collected July 30, 1911, and March 3, 1945.
with numerous punctures (Fig. 20) See Huber (1920) and Stange (1978) for bi-
Hyptia ihoracica
- Mesopleuron with large puncture in median ological information. This is the least com-
posterior corner (Fig. 19); head in front view mon of the two introduced species.
with lowerinteroculardistance shorterthaneye
height (Fig. 7); lower swelling ofmesopleuron Prosevaniafuscipes (Illiger)
with only a few large punctures (Fig. 19) ...
(Figs. 4, 10, 16)
Hyptia reticulata —
4. Head smooth, shining, without sculpture (Figs. Distribution. Delaware, District of Co-
3, 9); lateral surface of thora,\ and propodeum lumbia, Georgia, Massachusetts, Missouri,
with widely scattered punctures (Fig. 15) ... New Jersey, New York, North Carolina,
Evania appendiguster
- Head sculptured (Figs. 4, 5, 10, 11); lateral sur- Ohio, Pennsy—lvania, Virginia.
face of thorax and propodeum with numerous Records. Delaware: New Castle Co.
closely set punctures (Figs. 16, 17) 5 District ofColumbia. Maryland: Montgom-
5. Front of head and frons with longitudinal ca- ery Co.; Prince George's Co.; Washington
rinae (Figs. 4, 10); with carina below antennal
sockets which extends posteriorly on each side Co. Virginia: Arlington Co.; Fairfax Co.;
(Fig. 4); eye in lateral view diagonal (Fig. 16) Henrico Co.; City of Norfolk; Roanoke Co.
Prosevaniafuscipes Hosts. Blatta orientalis L., Periplaneta
- Front of head and frons punctate (Figs. 5, 11); americana (L.), recorded by Carlson
without carina around antennal sockets (Fig.
(1979).
5); eye in lateral view subparallel with poste- —
rior margin of head (Fig. 17) Discussion. This introduced species of
Evaniella semaeoila Mediterranean origin (Townes 1949) occurs
only in urban areas ofthe east coast. I have
Species Discussions
never collected it in the field. The first rec-
Evania appendigaster (Linnaeus) ord ofcapture in the Nearctic Region is Au-
(—Figs. 3, 9, 15) gust 29, 1898 from Washington, D.C. It has
Distribution. Arizona, District of Co- been collected from June to October, but
lumbia, Florida, Georgia, Louisiana, Mas- most collection dates are in July and August
sachusetts, Missouri, New Mexico, New and most records are on windows and/or in
York, Pennsylvania, South Carolina, Ten- buildings. This is much more common than
nessee, Texa—s. the other introduced species, Evania appen-
Record—s. District of Columbia. digaster. Biological data are presented by
Hosts. Reared from egg capsules of Edmunds (1952a, b, 1953, 1954) and
Blatta orientalis L. and Periplaneta spp. Thoms and Robinson (1986, 1987) who
(Townes 1949). Recorded from household discussed this species as a potential biolog-
278 PROCEEDINGS OF THE ENTOMOLOGICAL SOCIETY OF WASHINGTON
Figs. 1-2. Wings. 1, Hvpriii luirpyoit/es. 2. EiatiiclUi sfinufiulci.
ical agent for household cockroaches in Co., 25.V-28.IX (1853); Fairfax Co.,
Virginia. 23.VI-8.IX (38); Louisa Co., 16.V-7.X
(345). West Virginia: Tucker Co., 20-29.VI
Evaniella semaeoda Bradley (1). Total—specimens: 2562.
(Figs. 2, 5, II. 17, 21) Hosts. Unknown.
— —
Distribution. District of Columbia, Discussion. This was the second most
Florida, Georgia, Kansas, Louisiana. Mary- common species collected, especially from
land, Massachusetts, Michigan, Missouri, traps set inside woods and forests and at
New Jersey, New York, North Carolina woods edges. It was rare at the higher ele-
(Brimley 1938), Pennsylvania, Rhode Is- vation sites in West Virginia and western
land, Virgin—ia, West Virginia. Maryland; only one specimen was taken in
Records. District of Columbia. Mary- Tucker Co., West Virginia, where 20 traps
land: Allegany Co., 29-3l.V (2); Mont- were used in each of three years. Adults
gomery Co.; Prince George's Co., 4.VI- were collected at flowers "Xolisma ligus-
29.IX (203). Virginia: Accomack Co.; trina." The seasonal occurrence is shown
Clarke Co., 12.VI-27.VIII (132); Essex in Fig. 21.
VOLUME NUMBER
100. 2 279
Figs. 3-8. Front view ofhead. 3. Evania appendigasler. 4, Prosevimiiipiinctala. 5. Evaniella semaeoda. 6,
Hypria harp\oides. 7. H. reliciiUila. 8. H. rhoicicica.
280 PROCEEDINGS OF THE ENTOMOLOGICAL SOCIETY OF WASHINGTON
Figs. 9-14. Head. Mew ofIrons. 9. E\iinuiai'pcmligcister. 10,Prosevaniapunclalci. I L Eviiniellasemaeoda.
12, Hyptia harpyoides. 13, H. reliciilulu. 14. H. thorocica.
Deyrup and Atkinson (1993) recorded Hyptia harpyoides Bradley
this species from April to November in (Figs. 1, 6, 12, 18, 22)
southern Florida, with peak periods from —
May to October, most in August to Octo- Distribution. Connecticut, District ofCo-
ber. It was the least common species at the lumbia, Georgia, Dlinois, Kansas, Maryland,
site. Massachusetts, Michigan, Minnesota, Missis-
—
VOLUME NUMBER
100, 281
Figs. 15-20. Lateral view of head and thorax. 15, Eviinia appendigaster. 16. Proscraiua piiiivhUa. 17,
Evanicllti seiiiai'odd. 18, Hyplia harpyoidcs. IQ, H. nliciiUiUi. 20, H. thoracica.
sippi. New Hampshire, New Jersey, New peake; Clarke Co., 22.V-27.VIII (469); Es-
York, North Carolina, Ohio, Ontario, Penn- sex Co.. 14.V-16.IX (2066); Fairfax Co.,
sylvania, Rhode Island, South Carolina, Ten- 31.V-26.VIII (92); Louisa Co., 23.V-18.IX
nessee, Texa—s, Virginia, West Virginia. (397); Loudon Co., Roanoke Co. West Vir-
Records. District of Columbia. Mary- ginia: Hardy Co., 2-23.VI-12-25.IX (112).
land: Allegany Co,, 10-20,VI (1): Garrett Total specimens: 3332.
Co., 10-19.VII (1); Montgomery Co.; Hosts. Parcohlatta ithleriana (Saus-
Prince George's Co., 16.V-29.IX (400): sure), P. virginica (Brunn.) recorded by
Worcester Co. Virginia: City of Chesa- Carlson (1979).
—
282 PROCEEDINGS OF THE ENTOMOLOGICAL SOCIETY OF WASHINGTON
800
700
500
^ 400
o
E 300
200
21
100
W^ms^^.^^^.^.^
March April May Aug. Sept. Oct
1000
900
800
g 700
0)
•5 600
a0).
" 500
o
I 400
E
i 300
200 J
22
100
March April May June July Aug Sept Oct.
Figs, 21-22. Seasonal flight records. 21. Evameila semaeoda. 22. Hypiia haipyoides.
Discussion. Hyptia harpyoides is com- Adults have been collected "at honey-
mon in northeastern United States, and only dew."
one of two evaniids that occur in Canada.
Hyptia thoracica (Blanchard)
It has a more northern distribution than oth-
er species in the Nearctic Region. It was (Figs—. 8, 14, 20, 23)
common in traps in woods and the most Distribution. Connecticut, District of
common species of Evaniidae collected. As Columbia, Florida, Georgia, Indiana, Kan-
with Evaniella semaeoda, it is more com- sas, Maryland, Massachusetts, Michigan,
mon at lower elevations and rather rare at Missouri, New Jersey, New York, North
higher elevations in West Virginia and Carolina, Ohio, Ontario, Pennsylvania,
western Maryland. The seasonal occurrence Quebec. Rhode Island, South Carolina,
is shown in Fig. 22. Texas, Virginia, Wisconsin.
VOLUME NUMBER
100. 2
250
200
/-
a 100
E
50 23
Il-to*^^^«^
March April May June July Aug- Sept Oct.
March April May June July Aug. Sept Oct
Figs. 2.1-24. Seasonal flight records. 2,1, Hxplui ihcnicica. 24. H. rciicuhna.
—
Records. District of Columbia. Mary- wood, Missouri): and emerged ex ootheca
land: Prince George's Co., 24.V-14.VUI (50). Parcoblatta sp.—(Vienna, Virginia).
Virginia: Arlington Co., Clarke Co., 8.VI- Discussion. This species was more
7.VIII (56); Essex Co., 25.V-28.IX (620); common at the Essex Co. site than at the
Fairfax Co., 24.VI-ll.Vm (4); Louisa Co., others. It was absent from the sites in West
8.VI-22.—Vni (26). Total specimens: 750. Virginia and western Maryland. Adults
Hosts. Two specimens in the National have been collected at honeydew, on "So-
Museum of Natural History, Smithsonian laniim carolinense" (Solanaceae) and on
Institution, were reared as follows: ex oo- trunk of diseased pine. The seasonal occur-
theca Parcoblatta pennsylvanica (Kirk- rence is shown in Fig. 23.
284 PROCEEDINGS OF THE ENTOMOLOGICAL SOCIETY OF WASHINGTON
Deyrup and Atkinson (1993) recorded MD. Cathy Anderson, Museum Technician,
this species from March to December in Systematic Entomology Laboratory, pre-
southern Florida, with peak flights from pared the SEM photographs and aided in
July to October. It was the most common the final preparation of the manuscript. I
species at the site. Goulet (1994) recorded thank the following for reviewing the
it from Quebec which is the most northern manuscript: H. Goulet, Agriculture Canada,
record. Ottawa; N. Schiff, U.S. Forest Service,
Stoneville, MS; and S. Nakahara and E. E.
Hyptia reticulata (Say) Grissell, Systematic Entomology Labora-
(Fig—s. 7, 13, 19, 24) tory, U.S.D.A., Beltsville, MD and Wash-
Distribution. Florida, Georgia, Louisi- ington, DC, respectively.
ana, Maryland, Massachusetts, Mexico,
Michigan, New York, North Carolina, Literature Cited
Pennsylvani—a, Texas, Virginia. Briniley. C. S. 1938. The Insects of North Carolina.
Records. Maryland: Allegany Co., 1- North Carolina Department of Agriculture. Divi-
9.VI-9-18.VIII (4): Montgomery Co.; sion of Entomology. Raleigh. 560 pp.
Deyrup. M. and T. H. Atkinson. 1993. Survey ofeva-
Prince George's Co., 14-24.VI (1). Virgin- niid wasps (Hymenoptera: Evaniidae) and their
ia: Fairfax Co.; Louisa Co., 16.VI-23.VIII cockroach hosts (Blattodca) in a natural Florida
(41); City of Virginia Beach. Total speci- habitat. Florida Entomologist 76: 589-593.
mens: 46.— Carlson, R. W. 1979. Evaniidae, pp. 1109-1111. In
Hosts. Unknown. Krombein. K.V. et al.. eds.. Catalog ofHymenop-
Discussion.—This species is less com- tseornaiainn IAnmsetirtiuctiaonNoPrretshs.ofWaMsehxiincgot.onV,olD..C1.. Smith-
mon than the other species ofHyptia. It was Edmunds. L. R. 1952a. The oviposition ofProsevanici
most common at the Louisa Co. site. Adults punctata (Brulle): A hymenopterous parasite of
have been collected at "tulip tree honey- cockroach egg capsules. Ohio Journal of Science
dew." The seasonal occurrence is shown in 52: 29-30.
Fig. 24. . 1952b. Some notes on the habits and parasites
ofnative wood-roaches in Ohio (Orthoptera: Blat-
Deyrup and Atkinson (1993) recorded tidae). Entomological News 63: 141-145.
this species from April to October in south- . 1953. Soine notes on the Evaniidae as house-
em Florida, with peak flight in June and hold pestsandasafactorinthecontrolofroaches.
cJuileys.atIttwhaessitteh.e second most common spe- oOfhiP.or1o9Js5oe4uv.rannAailasotpfuudnSycctioeafntcateh(eB5r3bu:iloll1eo2)g1yw-i1at2nh2d.noltifeeshoinstaodr-y
Acknowledgments ditional species (Hymenoptera: Evaniidae). An-
nals ofthe Entomological Society ofAmerica47:
I thank the following for allowing col- 575-592.
lections on their property: M. Bowers, Uni- Goulet. H. 1994. Premiere mention de trois families
d'Hymenopteres au Quebec: Ampulicidae. Eva-
versity of Virginia Blandy Experimental
niidae et Roproniidae. Fabreries 19: 54-59.
Farm, Clarke Co., VA; Mr. and Mrs. J. G. Huber. V. R. 1920. Oviposition by an evaniid, Evanio
Kloke, Louisa Co. and Essex Co., VA; T. J. appendij^asler Linn. Canadian Entomologist 52:
WV
Henry and D. R. Miller, Hardy Co., D. 248.
R. Miller and G. Miller helped with collec- Stange, L. 1978. Evania appendiga.ster (L.). a cock-
roach egg parasitoid (Hymenoptera: Evaniidae).
tions at the Beltsville Agricultural Research Florida Department of Agriculture and Consumer
Center, Prince George's Co., MD. T J. Hen- Services. Division of Plant Industry Entomology
ry and D. R. Miller helped with collections Circular No. 191. 2 pp.
at their properties in Hardy Co., WV. I am Thoms. E. M. and W. H. Robinson. 1986. Distribution,
grateful to E. M. Barrows, Georgetown seasonal abundance, and pest status of the Ori-
University, Washington, DC, for allowing ental cockroach (Orthoptera: Blattidae) and an
evaniid wasp (Hymenoptera: Evaniidae) in urban
examination of his collections from Tucker apartments. Journal ofEconomic Entomology 79:
Co., WV, and Allegany Co. and Garrett Co., 431-436.