Synonyms and other taxonomic changes
Cryptus grallator Say, 1836
Labena grallator (Say)
Size
"Species quite variable in size (forewing length 7.3 to 18 mm)" -- Bob Carlson
Identification
Apical ~0.3 of antennae blackish, wings often conspicuously darkened. Color variable: eastern specimens primarily red, western specimens always conspicuously yellow-marked.
(1)
Female (left) and male (right)
Range
Mostly eastern USA, but extending into Arizona, southern California, and Mexico
(2)Food
"Has been reared from insects infesting
Pinus and
Taxodium, but is more often reared from borers in various angiosperms (trees, bushes, and vines)."
(2)Remarks
Highly variable in terms of yellow markings. Townes described these as five separate subspecies, but Carlson found that the extent of geographic variation is not conducive to the recognition of subspecies.
(2) A few of these forms have images on the guide:
widespread eastern US, formerly L. g. grallator: abdomen from T3 to apex largely reddish
Arizona, formerly L. g. ochreata: abdomen from T2 to apex largely yellow, propodeum and hind coxae yellow
Texas, Big Bend country near Presidio, formerly L. g. balteata: abdomen with distinct banding, wings with the apex conspicuously darker
-no photo-
New Mexico and Colorado, formerly L. g. xutha: hind coxa and T1 yellow, metapleuron and propodeum yellow with black margins, abdomen from T3 to apex yellow-marked
-no photo-
southern California, formerly L. g. lutea: metapleuron, propodeum, hind coxa, and T1 yellow, abdomen from T3 to apex yellow-marked
