Lycogaster smithi van Achterberg, 2024

Amal, S., Achterberg, Cornelis Van, Rameshkumar, A. & Kumar, P. Girish, 2024, Range Extension of the Genus Lycogaster Shuckard, 1841 (Hymenoptera: Trigonalyidae) to India with the Species L. rufiventris (Magretti, 1897) from Northeastern India, Zootaxa 5541 (2), pp. 241-244 : 243

Lycogaster smithi van Achterberg , sp. nov.

Lycogaster rufiventris ; Smith and Tripotin 2015: 4-6, figs 4-7 (not L. rufiventris ( Magretti, 1897)) .

Material (after Smith and Tripotin 2015). Holotype, Thailand: Prachaub Khiri, Khan, Khao Sam Yot NP, Saline wetland/ Pa Gwad/N (12°9'11'' N, 99° 58' 19'' E, altitude 1 m), Malaise trap, 18–26.i.2009, leg. Yai Amnad, H 2648 (1 ♀, QSBG) . Paratypes: (all Thailand): same data as holotype, but 1–8.ii.2009, T 4191 (1 ♂, QSBG)); Lampang, Chae Son NP, behind youth camp (18° 49' 52'' N, 99° 27' 29'' E, altitude 445 m), Malaise trap, 14–21.ii.2008, leg. B. Kwannui & A. Sukpeng, H2572 (1 ♂, USNM); Loei, Phu Kradueng NP, mixed deciduous/ S Na Noy office (16°49' 1'' N, 101°47'38'' E, altitude 276 m), Malaise trap, 7–14.v.2008, Thonghuay Phatai, H 2611 (1 ♀, USNM); Sakon Nakhon, Phu Phan NP, stream entrance of Nam Pung substation (16°54.63'N, 103°54.266' E, altitude 281 m), Malaise trap, 6–12.v.2007, leg. Sailom Tongboonchai, T 2611 (1 ♀, QSBG); Nakhon Si Thammarat, Namtok Yong NP, behind campground lavatory (8°10.434' N, 99°44.508' E, altitude 80 m), Malaise trap, 23–29.vii.2008, leg. K. Uprai, T 3082 (1 ♀, PT) .

Differential diagnosis. Very similar to L. rufiventris (Magretti) but the female of L. smithi differs by having a pair of robust triangular teeth ( Fig. 6 in Smith and Tripotin 2015) medio-apically on the second metasomal sternite. In L. rufiventris the apex of the second sternite is subtruncate and weakly serrate ( Fig. 9 ). In addition, the eye in lateral view is about 1.5 ×higher than wide in lateral view (about 1.7 × in L. rufiventris ), the outer surface of the fore tibia is white (brownish yellow in L. rufiventris ) and the mandible is mainly ivory in lateral view (mainly blackish in L. rufiventris ). The male of L. rufiventris is unknown but may be recognised by the nearly entirely dark mandible in lateral view.

Description. See description and illustrations of L. rufiventris sensu Smith and Tripotin in Smith and Tripotin (2015).

Notes. Smith and Tripotin (2015) reported L. rufiventris as new for Thailand and redescribed the species on the basis of a small series comprising both sexes. Unfortunately, the female holotype (not male, see Schulz 1908) is most likely lost ( Carmean and Kimsey 1998), but luckily, the holotype was redescribed by Schulz (1908) and partly figured ( Fig. 2a–d ). The holotype of L. rufiventris has only a short subtruncate and weakly serrate protuberance at the apex of the second sternite ( Fig. 2d in Schulz 1980); this protuberance fits in with the illustrated one of the females from India ( Fig. 8 ). The apex of the female second metasomal sternite has a pair of robust triangular teeth in L. rufiventris sensu Smith and Tripotin from Thailand ( Fig. 6 in Smith and Tripotin 2015). Obviously, the series from NE India concerns the real L. rufiventris (see illustrations and redescription above) and the series from Thailand belongs to a new species, L. smithi van Achterberg , sp. nov.

Etymology. The new species is dedicated to Dr David R. Smith (1937–2024) for his lifelong dedication to Hymenoptera , especially Symphyta.

The authors are grateful to the Director, Zoological Survey of India, Kolkata, and the Officer-in-Charge, Zoological Survey of India, Western Ghat Regional Centre, Kozhikode for providing facilities and encouragement. The authors are grateful to the staff of the Centre for their assistance in the study.

Figures

FIGURES 1–9. Lycogaster rufiventrisfemale.1, Habitus, lateral view; 2,Head, lateral view; 3, Head, dorsal view; 4, Mesosoma, lateral view; 5, Mesosoma, dorsal view; 6, Antenna; 7, Fore wing; 8, Metasoma, ventral view; 9, Metasoma, lateral view.