Can morphological analysis reveal the existence of subspecies of Praon exsoletum (Nees, 1811) (Hymenoptera: Braconidae, Aphidiinae) in various geographical regions?

In this study, 13 different biotypes of Praon exsoletum were investigated based on selected morphological characteristics. The analysis of variance showed that P. exsoletum biotypes differ in many morphometric traits. Moreover, all biotypes displayed their maximum differences in six morphological characters as follows: (1) number of antennal segments; (2) tentorio-ocular distance/inter-tentorial; (3) length/width of ovipositor sheath; (4) length/width of second flagellar segment; (5) length/width of third flagellar segment and (6) number of longitudinal placodes on second flagellar segment. The discriminant function analysis indicated 45.23% of correct assignment of specimens to the a priori designated groups of specimens. The results indicated an overlapping of analyzed biotypes according to selected morphological characters. On the other hand, geometric morphometrics analysis applied on forewings, the size and the shape revealed statistically significant differences. Statistical analyses showed that there were significant differences in size and shape of forewings. Our results showed lack of subspecies for P. exsoletum