Reproductive phenology and pre-dispersal seed-feeding in Protium tovarense (Burseraceae), with a description of the first known phytophagous "Bracon" species (Hymenoptera:Braconidae:Braconinae)

The reproductive phenology of the cloud forest tree Protium tovarense (Burseraceae) is analysed for one population in northern Venezuela. Reproductive phenophases were monitored using both long-term(21 years) and detailed short-term (4 years) surveys of flower and fruit set. The reproductive phenology of this tree varies, with periods in which the species behaves as a supra-annual reproducer, and other periods in which it reproduces annually, at the end of the rainy season. Marked spatial variation in reproductive condition was also observed, with subpopulations separated by less than 2 km showing contrasting phenological stages. Larval infestation of seeds by a braconid wasp was observed for a period of I year and is described. This wasp, the first obligately phytophagous species of Braconinae, is described as Bracon phytophaglis Quicke sp. n. Percentage fruit infestation by this wasp was relatively high (50-60%) during the entire period (similar to 10 months) of fruit development. The larval stages are described and illustrated, and compared with those of other phytophagous lchneumonoidea. DNA sequencing of wasp colour variants provided no indication that multiple species were involved. Two related braconine species described in the genus lphiaulax are transferred to Bracon, hence, B. flavipalpisinius replacement name (Szepligeti) (=Iphiaulax flavipalpis Szepligeti, 1901 not B. flavipalpis Thomson, 1892) and B. glabrescens (Szepligeti) n. comb. (=Iphiaulax glabrescens Szepligeti, 1901). Evolutionary routes to phytophagy in braconid wasps and hypothetical scenarios in which this plant-seed predator interaction can be maintained are discussed.