Dendrocerus mexicali (Hymenoptera, Ceraphronoidea, Megaspilidae): Novel antennal morphology, first description of female, and expansion of known range into the U.S.
Dendrocerus mexicali has been described by Paul Dessart from a single male specimen collected in Mexico. Using 87 newly identified specimens we expand the known range to include the Southwestern United States and Florida, provide an expanded description of the species, and provide the first record of the female. We also use confocal laser scanning microscopy and in vitro hydrostatic pressure changes to investigate the functional morphology of apparently unique basally flexible antennal branches.
Pennsylvania State University, Department of Entomology, University Park, 16802, United States of America.
Kyle N
KN
Burks
Pennsylvania State University, Department of Entomology, University Park, 16802, United States of America.
István
I
Mikó
Pennsylvania State University, Department of Entomology, University Park, 16802, United States of America.
Andrew R
AR
Deans
Dendrocerus; antennae; flabellate; morphology; ramose; taxonomy