S. Mahunka szerk.: Folia Entomologica Hungarica 58. (Budapest, 1997)

Metasoma a bit longer than mesosoma. First tergite (Fig. 43) 1.4 times as long as broad behind, pair of spiracles before its middle, beyond spiracles tergite with parallel sides. Second tergite transverse, 3.4 times as long medially as wide behind, its fore half rather longitudinally rugulose-rugose with striate elements (Fig 43). Suture between tergites 2-3 bisinuate and subcrenulate. Third tergite as long as second, further tergites shortening and more transverse. Ovipositor sheath in lateral view short and as long as hind tibia. Head and mesosoma black, metasoma brownish black. Antenna black, palpi yellow, tegula dark brown. Sternites 1-3 yellow. Legs blackish with much yellow pattern: fore femur + tibia, apex of middle + hind femora, base of middle + hind tibiae yellow, tarsi 1-2 blackish brown and tarsus 3 blackish, base of five tarsomeres of tarsi 1-2 yellow. Wings faintly fumous, pterostigma brownish and veins light brownish. Description of the male paralectotype (1 6) - Similar to the female lectotype. Body 3 mm long. Head in dorsal view transverse, 1.84 times as broad as long, temple a bit less strongly rounded (Fig. 44). Antenna about as long as body, with 29 antennomeres. Flagellum indistinctly attenuating distally, every flagellomere twice as long as broad. Pterostigma (Fig. 45) 2.47 times as long as wide, its anterior margin weakly convex. First tergite 1.4-1.5 times as long as broad behind. Deviations from the types (4 females and 2 males) - Body 2.2-3.2 mm (females) and 2.2-2.8 mm (males) long. Head in dorsal view transverse, 1.88-1.95 times (females) and 1.8-2 times (males) as broad as long. Antenna usually with 28-30 antennomeres and less usually with 23 antennomeres (1 2). Hind femur 3-3.5 times (females) and four times (males) as long as broad. Pterostigma 2.8-3.3 times (females) and 2.5-2.6 times (males) as long as wide, issuing radial vein either slightly proximally from its middle or just from its middle; r2 somewhat longer than cuqul (Fig. 47). Second tergite nearly entirely or (less frequently) anteriorly longitudinally rugulose-rugose with more or less striate elements, or smooth. Ovipositor sheath variable in length: either as long as hind tibia or somewhat longer than hind tibia. Distribution: England, Germany, Bohemia, Bulgaria. Hosts: Blastophagus minor Hartig and Myelophilus piniperda Linnaeus (Col., Scolytidae) (Shenefelt 1978: 1607). - Both scolytid beetle hosts are in need of confirmation. The general appearance of the species B. instabilis Marshall relegates to the relationship of B. obscuratorNees, 1834 and B. colpophorus Wesmael, 1838. The distinction of the three species is restricted to a few features, however, of solid specific value as shown in the subsequent key: 1 (2) Temple in dorsal view (Figs 41, 44) strongly rounded or fairly constricted. Antenna usually as long as body and with 28-30 antennomeres. Second tergite rather longitudinally rugulose with some striate elements (Fig. 43). Ovipositor sheath in lateral view about as long as hind tibia. 2: 2.2-3.5 mm, S: 2.2-3 mm B. (G.) instabilis Marshall, 1897 2 (1) Temple in dorsal view rounded (i.e., never constricted, Figs 1, 48). Antenna usually more or less shorter than body and with 20-25 antennomeres. Second tergite polished, at most exceptionally and rarely with weak to very weak sculpture medially.