S. Mahunka szerk.: Folia Entomologica Hungarica 27/2. (Budapest, 1974)
h) Circular opening between the clypeus and the mandibles. - It is an interesting feature and its origin as yet unexplained thepresence of a circular opening or hemispherical hollow between the face and the mandibles. In the majority of Braconidae in repose no such opening is seen. This feature is characteristic of the Cyclostomi ( Braconinae-Rogadinae ): a hemispherical hollow is observable between the face and the mandibles. It is nothing else but the hoRow of the clypeus on its lower half (third). Its size varies according to groups. About half of the Opiinae species has a crevice-like opening at the same place. The presence of the hemispherical and crevice-like opening is such an apomorph character which is under development today, thus a synapomorph evolutionary trend towards some kind of morphological-physiological organization. i) The obliteration of the parapsidal furrow or notauli and the sternauli. - On the plesiomorph forms the parapsidal furrow and the strenauli are deep, and their course may be followed throughout their entire length with their ribbed pattern (Helcon, Doryctini, Triaspidinae , Alysiinae, Microplitis species). The atrophy of these furrows shows the entire range to as far as complete disappearance . Almost in every subfamily we can follow a series of gradual obliteration. A common feature is that first the ribs disappear then the furrows become shallow and short postero-anteriorly and disappear entirely. In the apomorph state both the mesonotum and the mesopleuron are smooth and shining. The parapsidal furrow and the sternaulus surrender insertion place for the muscles making flight possible (as it is the case in other insect groups, it is not the wing which is directly put into motion but the mesonuturn and mesopleuron which two indirectly propel the wing). In the apomorph forms the muscle bundles are inserted in a different way and are rearranged consequently, on the exterior chitinized surface these furrows are reduced or are completely absent. j) The atrophy of wing venation. - Among the Hymenoptera the wing venation of Braconidae is moderately developed. Their most important character is that the second recurrent vein (n. rec. 2) is missing. With some practice anyone can readily distinguish between Braconidae and Ichneumonidae on the basis of the previous feature, nevertheless, it would be difficult to exactly describe the difference between these two major groups. The most plesiomorph wing venation, of Braconidae is shown in Helcon , Helconidea (Helconinae) and Doryctes, Doryctodes poryctini). The radial vein (ri-3), cubital cells (Cul-3), discoidal ceRs (Di _2), costal, basal and brachial veins are well developed, furthermore, two or one cross veins are also present. Hardly any atrophy is observable in the species of these four genera, at most the radial vein (rß), the cubital vein (CU14) at its apex and the 2nd cubital cross vein are less chitinized. Compared to this basic plesiomorph venation the rest of the Braconidae show various atrophied venation. As a rule, obliteration of veins is observed in the distal quarter-third, occasionally in the proximal haH of the wing. We speak about atrophy when a vein compared to the others is weakly chitinized, of disappearance, or shortening in the distal part. In a significant proportion of Braconidae the radial, cubital,basal,median,and brachial veins at their distal parts are atrophied to various degrees and in different combinations. The quality of atrophy in most cases bear taxonomic value, in identification keys these are frequently used as differentiating characters .
