S. Mahunka szerk.: Folia Entomologica Hungarica 27/2. (Budapest, 1974)
1) Petiolation of the first abdominal segment. - We may similarly regard the petiolation of the first abdominal segment as an evolutionary trend. It is a synapomorph feature in in the subfamily Euphorinae (500 species) and the tribe Spathiini (200 species) to have the petiole, i.e. the first abdominal segment, significantly narrower than the other segments, generally it is 2-5-times longer than wide, in exceptional cases 8-10-12times. Its posterior half may widen (from the spiracle onward) and attain various shapes (often it is a generic or specific character). This morphological state is considered to be apomorph. The genera of the subfamilies Macrocentrinae , Zelinae and certain Braconinae , Alysiinae , Opiinae , Agathiinae represent transitional forms: the first abdominal segment is narrowed to various degrees (their segment is 2-3-4-times longer than wide, sides parallel or gradually widening antero-posteriorly) . The first abdominal segment of the plesiomorph forms as a rule is hardly longer than wide ("quadrate"). Most of the Braconidae belong to this group. m) Shortening of ovipositor. - The ovipositor of the external parasitic Braconidae (Braconinae , Helconini - a total of 6000 species) is generally long, at least as long as abdomen, in many species, however, the ovipositor is as long as the body length or longer (synplesiomorph state) . The long ovipositor is in corelation with the other basic plesiomorph character, with external parasitism. For these species are able to sting their prey only with the help of their long ovipositor (hosts like Cicindellidae , Buprestidae , Scotytidae , Anobiidae , Xylophagous caterpillars, etc. ) This long ovipositor deposits the egg usually on the dorsal side of the host. The ovipositor of the internal parasites is mostly short, in the average it is not longer than the half of the length of the abdomen, but in certain groups it is a characteristic feature that the ovipositor is as long as the length of the abdomen (or there about) . The ovipositor may in exceptional cases be longer than the length of the body (in several species of Eubadizon , Calyptus Macrocentrus , Agathis , Orgilus, etc. genera). Frequently, the ovipositor is hidden, i.e. cannot be seen in upper view. The ovipositor of the internal parasites is short because the animals do not paralyze their hosts but lay their eggs on easily accessible hosts (caterpillars, maggots of flies, etc.). The role of the ovipositor here is simply to pierce the chitinized surface (generally between the harder segments where there is a soft membrane) and lay the egg into the body of the host. It issues from what has been expounded above that the length of the ovipositor indicates two evolutionary trends. The external parasites have long ovipositor, generally at least as long as the length of the abdomen (i.e. 1/4-1/2 of their body length) . On the other hand, the internal parasites have short ovipositor about half the length of the abdomen, (i.e. 1/5-1/4 of the body length, or the ovipositor is hidden). Phylogenetical taxonomy In Braconidae the modern taxonomy regards the evolutionary trends as the bases of its system. The sphere of the trends, their universality are analyzed together with the plesiomorph and apomorph features both in morphology and in ethology. We are aware of the fact that plesiomorph and apomorph characters appear side by side, mixed with each other. On these bases the modern system of Braconidae includes 19 distinct subfamilies, listed in the following: Braconinae , Rogadinae, Cosmophorinae , Ichneutinae,
