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 -   Leptogastrinae

 

 

 

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  Fritz Geller-Grimm
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Identification key to the species of Leptogaster (Leptogastrinae)

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Only one genus with four species is known from Germany and the identification of these species is not easy in any case. The coloration in some characters is variable within species and therefore it is not helpful to use such features, e.g. colour of postocular bristles (occipital bristles) or antenna. This genus is a good example for the necessity of photographs for identification. There is a comparison table at the bottom of this page, which lists several characters of all included species.
L. cylindrica is very common and can be determined by the coloration of the hind legs. On the other hand L. subtilis is a rare species, which is often found in beech-forests of south-east Central Europe. The species shows a number of outstanding characteristics. I have only been able to collect two female specimens in my house until now.
The diagnosis of the hairs of the postpedicel (3rd antennal segment) made by WEINBERG & BÄCHLI (1995, S. 71) differs from my own observations. A photographic comparison table is also available.

1 a. Scutum (mesonotum) with a shiny central stripe and lateral spots [Fig. 1]; smallest distance between eyes shorter than length of pedicel (2nd antennal segment) [Fig. 2] - further characters: cf. table
. . . . . . . . . . . . Leptogaster subtilis Loew, 1847

Fig. 1: L. subtilis   Fig. 2: L. subtilis
1 b. Scutum (mesonotum) without such shiny stripe or spots [Fig. 3]; smallest distance between eyes wider than length of pedicel (2nd antennal segment) [Fig. 4]
. . . . . . . . . . . . to 2

Fig. 3: L. guttiventris   Fig. 4: L. guttiventris

2 a. Hind tibia widest at middle, width increasing up to the middle and then decreasing to tip [Fig. 5]; postpedicel tomentose basally, shiny apically [Fig. 6] - further characters: cf. table
. . . . . . . . . . . . Leptogaster pubicornis Loew, 1847

Fig. 5: L. pubicornis   Fig. 6: L. pubicornis
2 b. Hind tibia gradually widening (greatest width at tip) [Fig. 7]; postpedicel entirely tomentose [Fig. 8]
. . . . . . . . . . . . to 3

Fig. 7: L. guttiventris   Fig. 8: L. cylindrica

... further information on the CD-ROM

 

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