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Key to northern European Ctenopelmatinae
Ctenopelmatinae
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Taxa:
Body color
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Body predominantly testaceous.
Body not predominantly testaceous.
Flagellum
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Flagellum with a white band centrally.
Flagellum without white band.
Glymma
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1. Glymmae deep and ending in a translucent membrane either in the middle where both glymmae connect or in the basal depression.
2. Glymmae present but not ending in a translucent membrane.
3. Glymmae absent.
Areolet
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Areolet present.
Areolet absent.
Occipital carina
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1. Occipital carina complete.
2. Occipital carina interrupted medially. Vertex and occiput without impression.
3. Occipital carina interrupted medially by a deep impression on the vertex and occiput.
Nervellus
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1. Nervellus intercepted above the middle.
2. Nervellus intercepted around the middle.
3. Nervellus intercepted below the middle or not intercepted.
Thyridia
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Thyridia present.
Thyridia absent.
Mandible
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1. Mandible with upper tooth longer or clearly broader than the lower.
2. Mandible with both teeth about equal in size.
3. Mandible with lower tooth longer or clearly broader than the upper.
Clypeus
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1. Lower margin of clypeus with a distinct denticle.
2. Lower margin of clypeus sharp medially.
3. Lower margin of clypeus at least narrowly blunt medially, or if somewhat sharp then the margin is overlapped by a blunt bulge.
Eyes
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1. Eyes bare and very strongly converging ventrally.
2. Eyes sparsely hairy and weakly converging ventrally.
3. Eyes bare and not or weakly converging ventrally.
Frons
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Frons with a strong median longitudinal carina. Face broad. Female with metasoma very long and narrow.
Frons without strong median longitudinal carina.
Tergite 8
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Sides of tergite 8 of female strongly produced backward between base of ovipositor sheaths and cerci so that they touch in the middle.
Sides of tergite 8 of female not or weakly produced backward between base of ovipositor sheaths and cerci.
Tergite 2 carina
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Each side of tergite 2 with a carina running between the base and the spiracle.
Tergite 2 without carinae between base and the spiracles.
Claws
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Claws distinctly pectinate.
Claws apparently simple.
Dorso-lateral carinae
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Dorso-lateral carinae reaching apex of tergite 1.
Dorso-lateral carinae not reaching apex of tergite 1.
Dorsal carinae
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Dorsal carinae of tergite 1 reaching level of the spiracles, usually distinct.
Dorsal carinae of tergite 1 not reaching level of the spiracles, often absent or very weak.
Propodeal carination
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Propodeal carination complete or almost complete, median and lateral longitudinal carinae distinct.
Propodeal carination reduced, either median or lateral longitudinal carinae absent or very short.
Trochanters
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Hind trochantellus flat or concave ventrally and with a strong transverse ridge.
Hind trochantellus rounded ventrally and without transverse ridge.
Ovipositor shape
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1. Ovipositor with a more or less distinct dorsal notch and relatively short.
2. Ovipositor slender, completely without notch and relatively short.
3. Ovipositor about as long as the metasoma.
Ovipositor curvature
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Ovipositor (and usually ovipositor sheaths) upcurved.
Ovipositor straight or downcurved.
Ovipositor sheath shape
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Ovipositor sheaths broad, sometimes almost circular or triangular.
Ovipositor sheaths relatively narrow.
Tergites
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2nd and usually 1st tergite with a broad transverse impression.
Suture between 2nd and 3rd tergite rigid so that they are immovably joined. Tergite 2 often with a pair of central warts.
Tergites without transverse impressions. 2nd and 3rd tergite not fused and tergite 2 without central warts.
Discosubmarginal cell
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Discosubmarginal cell with a brown sclerotized spot.
Discosubmarginal cell without sclerotized spot.
Mesopleuron
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Mesopleuron with a distinct longitudinal furrow between the epicnemial carina and hind margin.
Mesopleuron without longitudinal furrow between the epicnemial carina and hind margin.
Vein AA
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Vein AA with a triangular thickening.
Vein AA without a triangular thickening.
Occipital / hypostomal carina
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Occipital carina joining hypostomal carina at the base of the mandible.
Occipital carina joining hypostomal carina above the base of the mandible.
Epicnemial carina
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Epicnemial carina reaching the anterior margin of the mesopleuron.
Epicnemial carina at least narrowly removed from the anterior margin of the mesopleuron.
Ovipositor sheath direction
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Ovipositor sheaths pointed directly backwards or slightly downwards.
Ovipositor sheaths more or less pointed upwards.
Parameres
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Apex of each paramere with an elongate lobe.
Apex of parameres without elongate lobes.
Median apical area
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Propodeum with the median apical area enclosed by carinae.
Propodeum without an enclosed median apical area.
Mandible depression
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Mandible with a transverse basal depression.
Mandible without a transverse basal depression.
Ocelli
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Ocelli of female very large, lateral ocellus separated from the eye by about 0.2 of its diameter.
Ocelli of female smaller, lateral ocellus separated from the eye by more than 0.2 of its diameter.
Clypeus width
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Clypeus very short and wide, about 3.5 times wider than long.
Clypeus longer, less than 3.5 times wider than long.
Face
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Face densely covered by downwards-pointed white hairs.
Face not densely covered by downwards-pointed white hairs.
Metanotum / propodeum
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Metanotum separated from the longitudinal carina of the propodeum by a u-shaped notch.
Metanotum not separated from the longitudinal carina of the propodeum by a u-shaped notch.
First flagellar segment
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First flagellar segment very short, shorter than second segments.
First flagellar segment at least as long as the second segment.
Spurs
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Length of longest spur of hind tibia / length of 5th segment of hind tarsus =
Wing length
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Length of fore wing (mm) =
Tergite 1
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Length of tergite 1 / width of tergite 1 =
Tergite 2
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Tergite 2 about as wide as long.
Tergite 2 at least 1.3 times as long as wide.
Parameres / aedeagus
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Each paramere with a single, large, spine-like seta ventrally on the inner apical margin.
Aedeagus reflexed and pointed apically and ending in an adze-like blade.
Parameres without spine-like setae. Aedeagus not as in option 2.
Alexeter group / Campodorus group
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Usually more slender species. Dorsal carinae of tergite 1 absent or very weak and short. Clypeus often with a rounded transverse ridge.
Usually more robust species. Dorsal carinae of tergite 1 nearly always distinct, though sometimes only represented by a pair of faint but relatively long ridges. Clypeus usually without rounded transverse ridge.
Campodorus group
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Metasoma in females less elongate, portion behind tergite 3 shorter than hind femur. Clypeus margin blunt and usually bulging centrally. Nervellus usually inclivous. Coloration of metasoma variable. Tergite 2 often less than 1.7 times as wide as long.
Metasoma in females more elongate, portion behind tergite 3 about as long as hind femur. Clypeus margin blunt and usually bulging centrally. Nervellus usually inclivous. Metasoma black, without red areas and often with white hind margins on the tergites.
Metasoma variable in females. Clypeus usually bilobed and with margin sharp medially. Nervellus more or less vertical. Coloration of metasoma variable.
Metasoma relatively short in females. Clypeus margin blunt and usually bulging centrally. Tergite 2 1.7 - 2.3 times as wide as long.
Synomelix / Pantorhaestes / Zemiophora
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Hind tibia without distinct black basal band, though sometimes somewhat darkened basally. Petiolar carina extending at least over half the propodeum.
Hind tibia without distinct black basal band, though sometimes somewhat darkened basally. Petiolar area extending over less than half the propodeum.
Hind tibia ivory with a distinct black band basally and apically.
Oetophorus / Perilissus
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Females with thin lateral lobes along the ventral margin of the clypeus. Nervellus subvertical. Metasoma black and usually with the ventral magins of the apical tergites white.
Females without lateral lobes along the ventral margin of the clypeus. Nervellus subvertical to reclivous. Metasoma often partially or entirely red and rarely with white markings.
Anisotacrus / Hadrodactylus
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Apical tarsal segments almost always at least slightly elongate and curved. Clypeus moderately short, its apical margin moderately to strongly curved. Metasoma usually very elongate, the 1st segment often longer than the combined length of the hind coxa and trochanter.
Apical tarsal segments normal. Clypeus very short and wide, its margin subtruncate or weakly curved. Metasoma usually not as elongate, the 1st segment not longer than the combined length of the hind coxa and trochanter.
Alexeter / Neostroblia / Scopesis
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Clypeus relatively broad. Setae on the hypopygium slanted backwards. Notauli strong, sharply impressed at least anteriorly. Tergite 1 1.7 to 4 times as long as wide. Usually slender species with very variable coloration.
Clypeus relatively narrow. Setae on the hypopygium erect. Notauli weak, short and not sharply impressed. Relatively robust species with black mesosoma/metasoma except for the often red mesoscutum and red central tergites. 2 northern species.
Clypeus relatively broad. Setae on the hypopygium slanted backwards. Notauli usually weak, if sharply impressed then only anteriorly. 1st tergite 1.5 to 2.3 times as long as wide. Usually slender species with variable coloration.
Cuboscopesis / Scopesis
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Spurs of hind tibia almost equally sized and short. Temples long and large. Ocelli small. Clypeus swollen and coarsely punctate or rugose. Mesopleuron coarsely rugose or rugose-punctate.
Spurs of hind tibia usually longer and of distinctly unequal length. At least partially different.
Alochera / Otlophorus
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Dorsal carina seldom distinct as far back as the spiracles. One northern European species.
Dorsal carina reaches spiracles. About 11 northern European species.
Hypamblys / Phobetes / Synodites
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Lower margin of clypeus at least sharp laterally.
Lower margin of clypeus blunt throughout its entire length. Petiolar area of propodeum completely defined.
Lower margin of clypeus blunt throughout its entire length. Petiolar area of propodeum not defined dorsally.
Mesopleuron sculpture
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Mesopleuron entirely coarsely sculptured, wrinkled to rugulose-matte, except for the speculum.
Mesopleuron matte to polished, not coarsely sculptured.
Clypeus sculpture
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Clypeus relatively flat, broad, and sparsely punctate.
Clypeus usually convex, often narrower, and usually with denser punctation or sculpture.
Alexeter / Barytarbes / Lagarotis
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Notauli usually rather long and sharp, usually reaching front edge of mesoscutum. First tergite long and narrow. Mandibular teeth equal or almost so.
Notauli short, weak, or absent. First tergite wider and shorter. Lower mandibular tooth clearly longer than the upper tooth. Propodeum without carinae, except sometimes short apical stubs of the median dorsal carinae. Mesopleuron matte.
Notauli short, weak, or absent. First tergite wider and shorter. Lower mandibular tooth clearly longer than the upper tooth. Propodeum with more or less distinct carinae. Mesopleuron polished, matte or coarsely sculptured, wrinkled to rugulose-matte.
Hind tarsi
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Fifth segment of hind tarsi much more elongate and curved than the previous segments.
Fifth segment of hind tarsi not particularly elongate or curved.
Remaining taxa:
Absyrtus
Alexeter
Alochera
Anisotacrus
Anoncus
Arbelus sanguinipes
Asthenara
Azelus erythropalpus
Barytarbes
Campodorus
Ctenopelma
Cuboscopesis fraterna
Dentimachus politus
Euryproctus
Glyptorhaestus
Gunomeria
Hadrodactylus
Himerta
Hodostates
Homaspis
Hypamblys
Hyperbatus
Hypsantyx lituratorius
Labrossyta scotoptera
Lagarotis
Lamachus
Lathiponus semiluctuosus
Lathrolestes (part)
Lathrolestes verticalis
Lethades (part)
Lethades amauronemati
Lophyroplectus oblongopunctatus
Mesoleius
Mesoleptidea
Neostroblia
Notopygus
Occapes selandriae
Oetophorus naevius
Olethrodotis modesta
Opheltes glaucopterus
Otlophorus
Pantorhaestes xanthostomus
Perilissus
Perispuda
Phaestus
Phobetes
Phobetes nigriceps
Pion
Priopoda
Protarchus
Rhaestus
Rhinotorus
Rhorus
Saotis
Scolobates
Scopesis
Seleucus cuneiformis
Semimesoleius exophthalmicus
Smicrolius parvicalcar
Sympherta
Syndipnus
Synodites
Synoecetes
Synomelix
Syntactus
Trematopygodes aprilinus
Trematopygus
Xenoschesis
Zaplethocornia
Zemiophora
Discarded taxa:
Info
This key covers the genera of Ctenopelmatinae known to occur in northern Europe. It is mainly based on the descriptions provided by Bob Wharton at
The Wharton Lab
, though Townes (1970) functions as the backbone. It is worth noting that Wharton's descriptions are not perfect. He often focuses on the Nearctic fauna and sometimes underestimates the variation within genera. I've improved the data with personal observations where possible, but further work is needed until it is completely satisfactory.
The presence or absence of a closed areolet is heavily relied upon, much like in all existing keys. This is, unfortunately, an unreliable character since aberrant specimens occur with partially or completely closed areolet in species where it should be open, and vice versa. Check both wings, and preferably multiple specimens to minimize the risk of errors.
If you find any errors, please contact me. Illustrations will be added eventually.
References
Finlands Artdatacenter (2024). Ctenopelmatinae. LAJI.FI. Retrieved November 12, 2024.
https://laji.fi/en/taxon/MX.309379
Kasparyan, D.R. & Khalaim, A.I. (2007). 14. Subfamily Ctenopelmatinae. Key to the insects of Russian Far East. Vol. IV. Neuropteroidea, Mecoptera, Hymenoptera. Pt 5. pp. 474–559. In Ler, P. A. (Ed.). Vladivostok.
Riedel, M., Herrera Florez, A. & Schmidt, S. (2024). Revision of the Palaearctic species of Scopesis Förster (Hymenoptera, Ichneumonidae, Ctenopelmatinae). Linzer biologische Beiträge 56(1): 201–252.
SLU Artdatabanken (2024). Ctenopelmatinae. Artfakta. Retrieved November 12, 2024.
https://artfakta.se/taxa/1000044
Townes, H.K. (1970). The genera of Ichneumonidae, Part 3. Memoirs of the American Entomological Institute 13: 1–307.
Wharton, B. (2024). PEET Ctenopelmatinae. The Wharton Lab.
http://mx.speciesfile.org/projects/8/public/otu_group/show/194
Key to northern European Ctenopelmatinae
Ctenopelmatinae
