Zele deceptor ( Wesmael, 1835 )

Fang, Yu, van Achterberg, Cornelis, Tang, Pu & Chen, Xue-xin, 2025, Revision of genus Zele Curtis (Hymenoptera, Braconidae, Euphorinae) from China, with description of nineteen new species, ZooKeys 1248, pp. 125-208 : 125-208

Zele deceptor ( Wesmael, 1835)

Fig. 12

Perilitus deceptor Wesmael, 1835: 26.

Zele albiditarsus f. deceptor: van Achterberg 1979: 377–379 (lectotype designation).

Zele deceptor f. deceptor: van Achterberg 1984: 110–112 (with Z. deceptor re-instated as valid species); Chen et al. 1987: 94.

Type material examined.

Lectotype of Perilitus deceptor . Belgium • ♀; 1774; Coll Wesmael leg.; ( KBIN Brussels).

Other material examined.

China – Guizhou Prov. • 1 ♀; Dashahe ; 25 Aug. 2004; light trap; ( ZJUH) No. 202401059 . – Heilongjiang Prov. • 1 ♂; Harbin, Shangzhi, Mt. Maoer, Laoyeling ; 5 Aug. 2023; Chun-hong Wang leg.; ( ZJUH) No. 202401054 . • 1 ♀; Yichun, Dajingshan, Liangshui Nature Reserve ; 1 Aug. 2023; Jia-chen Zhu leg.; ( ZJUH) No. 202401053 . – Liaoning Prov. • 1 ♀; Shenyang, Laotuding ; 15 Jul. 2011; Cheng-jin Yan leg.; ( ZJUH) No. 202401052 . – Nei Mongol Zizhiqu • 1 ♀; Mt. Helan, Luanchaigou ; 26 Jul. 2010; Cheng-jin Yan leg.; ( ZJUH) No. 202401051 . – Ningxia Huizu Zizhiqu • 1 ♂; Mt. Liupan, Guamagou ; 9 Jul. 2008; Jing-xian Liu leg.; ( ZJUH) No. 202401081 . – Sichuan Prov. • 1 ♀; Ganzizangzu Zizhizhou, Luding, Moxi ; 18 Jun. 2005; Jing-xian Liu leg.; ( ZJUH) No. 202401085. GenBank accession no. PV 356301 – PV 356304 , PV 356309 , PV 356323 , PV 356324 .

Diagnosis.

Subbasal carina of propodeum distinct diverging from anterior margin of propodeum medially with enclosed area narrow medially and superficially sculptured; vein 1 - M of hind wing approximately as wide as vein M + CU; first tergite 2.1–2.5 × longer than its apical width; dorsope of first tergite medium-sized, space between dorsope smooth and wider than dorsope (Fig. 12 J ); ovipositor sheath 0.26–0.32 × as long as fore wing; first tergite largely finely sculptured (Fig. 12 J ); head yellowish brown (Fig. 12 G ) or pale brown; width of face 1.2–1.3 × its height; first – third metasomal tergites yellowish brown (Fig. 12 A ); fore femur 7.0–8.6 × longer than wide; hind femur of ♀ 6.2–7.6 × its maximum width; setae of ovipositor adpressed or largely so; hind tibia brownish yellow; hind tarsus brownish yellow or yellowish brown, rarely pale yellowish.

Distribution.

Armenia, Albania, Austria, Belgium, Bulgaria, Canada, China (Anhui, Fujian, Guizhou, Hebei, Heilongjiang, Hubei, Hunan, Liaoning, Nei Mongol, Ningxia, Shaanxi, Sichuan, Taiwan, Xizang, Yunnan, Zhejiang), Croatia, former Czechoslovakia, Denmark, Finland, France, Georgia, Germany, Hungary,, Ireland, Italy, Japan, Kazakhstan, Latvia, Lithuania, Mexico, Netherlands, Norway, Poland, Romania, Russia, Slovakia, Sweden, Switzerland, United Kingdom, former Yugoslavia.

Biology.

Parasitoids of Geometridae , Saturniidae , Noctuidae , and Pyralidae .

Figures

Figure 12. Zele deceptor (Wesmael), China, Nei Mongol, ♀ A. Habitus, lateral aspect; B. Mesosoma, lateral aspect; C. Mesosoma, dorsal aspect; D. Wings; E. Ovipositor sheath; F. Head, anterior aspect; G. Head, dorsal aspect; H. Head, lateral aspect; I. First metasomal tergite, lateral aspect; J. First metasomal tergite, dorsal aspect; K. Fore femur, lateral aspect; L. Fore tibial spur and fore basitarsus; M. Hind femur, lateral aspect. Scale bars: 500 μm.