New fossil non-cyclostome braconid wasps from the lowermost Eocene amber of Paris Basin

Abstract

Two braconid wasp taxa with enlarged eyes and ocelli indicative of probable nocturnal activity are discussed and described from the lowermost Eocene amber of the Paris Basin.The new tribe Palaeocharmontini nov., for new genus Palaeocharmon with type species Palaeocharmon basalis sp. nov. is described and illustrated in the subfamily Charmontinae. The similarity of this taxon with members of subfamilies Helconinae, Homolobinae, and Brachistinae is shown and the peculiar character [presence of hind wing recurrent vein (m-cu)] unknown previously in non-cyclostome braconids is discussed. A third fossil species of the genus Phanerotoma (Ph. menieri sp. nov.) is described and compared with known species from the Baltic amber.