S. Mahunka szerk.: Folia Entomologica Hungarica 27/2. (Budapest, 1974)
jointed antennae are regarded as plesiomorph features. The flagellar joints shorten distally, i.e. while the basal joints are 2-4-(6-) times longer than broan, the apical joints become shorter gradually . Most Braconinae , Rogadinae, Helconini , Macrocentr inae , Zelinae and some Meteorinae have multi-jointed (40-70) antennae (plesiomorph state). As a rule the antenna becomes shorter by a decrease in the number of joints but the ratio with respect to one another remains constant. Most of the subfamilies of Braconidae (e.g. E uphorinae , Agathiinae , Opiinae , Alysiinae, Dacnusin ae, Meteorin ae) possess a moderate number of antennái joints (20-25-30-35). An advanced apomorph feature is the final number of antennái joints with the following groups: Microgasterinae 18 (number of species in the world is 2000), Microchelonus 16 (Cheloninae), Elasmoso ma 13 (Neoneurinae) and Ropalophorus 10 (Euphorinae). The latter genus possesses the smallest number of antennái joints. But the length of antenna may also become shorter by a decrease in the ratio of the antennái joints with respect to one another. The joints may shorten proximo-distally to such a degree that distally they become cubic.In advanced stages even the basal joints may shorten, so that they are hardly longer than broad. It is almost a princile that such a shortening in antennae is characteristic of various taxonomical groups only (synapomorph convergence). Although sporadically in every large genus (e.g. Opius , B rae on , Apanteles , Aspilota , Dacnusa , Macrocentru s, Meteorus , Chelonus , Blacus) we find antennae with cubic joints. Extreme cases may be observed in oligomerous antennae that in certain Apanteles species where the number of joints is 18 and the length of the joint is hardly more than the width (e.g. A. brevicornis WESM. , A. thomsoni LYLE) . Definite correlation may be observed between a decrease in body length and a decrease in the number of antennái joints. 40-50-70 joints correspont to a body length of 8-1015-20-30-40 mm (Braconinae, Helconini, Macrocentrinae) . Subfamilies (seeabove) with 25-30-35 joints correspond to a body length of 5-7-10-12 mm. The groups with a small number of joints (see above) on the other hand, remain 3-4-6-8 mm long and only very rarely do we find body lengths with 1, 5-2-3 mm. The dwarfs of Braconidae (e.g. Synaldis, Aspilota.Gyrocampa species) possess comparatively long antennae. f) Decrease in the number of maxillary and labial palpi and an increase in their length. - The number of maxillary palpi is 6, that of labial palpi is 4, the joints of both palpi are gradually shortening proximo-distally, which may be considered to be a synplesiomorph state characteristic for the majority of Braconiidae. Extreme cases here too occur, the species of Elasmosoma and Neoneurus have only two maxillary and one labial palpus. The lengthening of palpi is manifested in the increased length of each palpus, i.e. never one particular joint lengthens disproportionately. A most advances stage can be seen in the case of Amicroplus species where the maxillary palpi are 2.5 times longer than the height of the head. g) Development of proboscis from the labium. - This feature may primarily be observed in xerotherm, steppe-inhabiting and semi-arid areas inhabiting species. With the long proboscis they are capable to reach the nectaries of various Compositae, Labiatae, Leguminosae (e.g. certain species of Vipio, Glyptomorpha , Glabriolum , Bracon, Apanteles , Sendaphne , Försteria , Chelonus and many Agathis species) • The apomorph proboscis of Agathis species is coupled with the striking lengthening of the maler space. The proboscis of some Apanteles species is as yet short (compared to the Agathis species) but their malar space is twice the length of the usual (e.g. Apanteles lo ngipalpis REINH. , A. lacteus NEES).
