Plagiomerus bangaloriensis Shafee, Alam & Agarwal, 1975

Noyes, John Stuart, 2023, ENCYRTIDAE OF COSTA RICA (HYMENOPTERA: CHALCIDOIDEA), 4 Subfamily Encyrtinae: tribes Arrhenophagini, Habrolepidini, Cerapterocerini, Cheiloneurini, Trechnitini, Cercobelini, Polaszekiini, Protyndarichoidini, Gahaniellini and Syrphophagini (part), mainly primary parasitoids and hyperparasitoids of Coccoidea and Psylloidea (Hemiptera), Taxonomic Monographs on Neotropical Hymenoptera (Oxford, England) 2 (11), pp. 1-921 : 43-45

Plagiomerus bangaloriensis Shafee, Alam & Agarwal

( Figs 41-47; Hab. E 7)

Plagiomerus bangaloriensis Shafee, Alam & Agarwal, 1975:102-103 . Holotype E, India (Karnataka), ZAMU, not examined.

DIAGNOSIS. Female (length about 0.6-1.4mm): head with frontovertex metallic green to dark blue, purple above scrobes; antenna ( Fig. 45) with scape dark brown, funicle with F1-F2 mostly brown, F3 mostly pale, F4 very pale orange, clava with apical segments partially or completely yellowish, contrasting with brown basal segment; mesoscutum relatively bright metallic green or dark blue in anterior half, posterior half mostly coppery; fore coxa dark brown, rarely yellow; mid tibia with a dark brown subbasal band; head ( Fig. 44) about 3.5-5.3X as wide as frontovertex, ocellar forming an angle 50-90°, smaller specimens generally having a relatively wider frontovertex and ocelli forming a larger angle; scape about 3.8X as long as broad; funicle ( Fig. 45) with F1-F3 clearly transverse, without linear sensilla, F2 shortest, F1 and F3 subequal, F4 largest, subquadrate and with linear sensilla; clava longer than pedicel and funicle combined; scutellum ( Fig. 47) with uniform, rounded, punctate-reticulate cells, with 4 subapical bristle-like or scale-like setae in a transverse line, separated by less than diameter of a socket; fore wing ( Fig. 41) with marginal vein ( Fig. 42) longer than stigmal vein; hypopygium as in Fig. 46; ovipositor ( Fig. 43) about 1.2-1.3X as long as mid tibia, hardly exserted, the exserted part up to 0.4X as long as mid tibial spur. Male: unknown.

DISTRIBUTION. Costa Rica, India

HOSTS. Recorded in India, as a parasitoid of Aonidiella orientalis (Newstead) , Diaspis echinocacti (Bouché) and Hemiberlesia lataniae (Signoret) ( Hemiptera : Diaspididae ) and also from Phenacoccus indicus (Avasthi & Shafee) ( Hemiptera : Pseudococcidae ) but this last host requires confirmation (see Noyes, 2019).

MATERIAL EXAMINED.

COSTA RICA, 19E, Guanacaste, Santa Rosa NP , various localities and dates 5.x.1985 - iii.1987 (D. Janzen, I.D. Gauld); 1E, Guanacaste, 1100m, SW side Est. Cacao, 1100m, 1988-1989; 1E, Guanacaste, Guanacaste NP, below Cacao, 400-500m, 3.iii.1990 (J.S. Noyes); 1E, Guanacaste, Murcielago, ( ACG), 24.i- 4.ii.1996 (J. Ugalde); 7E, Guanacaste, Cacao (ACG), 1100 m, MT/YPT, 26.i-24.ii.1996 (J.S. Noyes); 5E, Guanacaste, Est. Cacao (ACG) 10°55’N 85°30’W, 1100m, 19-20.ii.2005 and 22.ii.2005 (J.S. Noyes); 1E, Guanacaste, Est. Cacao (ACG) , LN 323150 375500, 1000-1150m, viii.1996 (M. Pereira); 1E, Guanacaste, Guanacaste NP, Est. Pitilla, 700m, YPT, iii.1990 (J.S. Noyes); 2E, Guanacaste, Guanacaste NP, below Pitilla, 7-8.iii.1990 (J.S. Noyes); 2E, Guanacaste, 9km S. Santa Cecilia, Est. Pitilla ( ACG), 700m, LN 329950 380450, v.1994 and xii.1994 (P. Rios); 1E, Guanacaste, Pitilla ( ACG), 700m, MT/YPT, 24.i-27.ii.1996 (J.S. Noyes); 1E, Guanacaste, Est. Pitilla ( ACG) 10°59’N 85°25’W, 700m, FIT, iii.2001 (C. Moraga, P.N. Thomas); 1E, Guanacaste, Guanacaste NP, Est. Maritza, Vn Orosi, 560m, vi.1988 (Gauld, Mitchell); 16E, Guanacaste, Maritza ( ACG), MT/YPT, 20.i-24.ii.1996 (J.S. Noyes); 3E, Guanacaste, Est. Maritza ( ACG), LN 326900 373000, 600m, iii.1996 (M. Pereira); 1E, Guanacaste, Maritza ( ACG) LN 326500 372600, 600m, 23.iv.-11.v.1996 (F.A. Quesada); 1E, Guanacaste, Est. Maritza ( ACG), LN 326900 373000, 600m, xi.1996 (C. Zuñiga); 2E, Guanacaste, Est. Maritza ( ACG), 10°58’N 85°29’W, 700m, 23.ii.2003 and 21.ii.2005 (J.S. Noyes); 1E, Guanacaste, Las Pallas, 5km S Cerro Braun, 950m, LN 307450 388700, v.1996 (D. Espinoza, A. Masis); 1E, Guanacaste, Santa Cruz, Vista del Mar, Torre Cocesna, LN 357490 235450, 970m, #61247, xii.2000 - i.2001 (Y. Cardenas); 6E, Guanacaste, BN Diriá, Vista del Mar, LN 233900 358750, 890m, 12.vi-9. vii.2001 and vii-viii.2001 (I. Jiménez); 5E, Guanacaste, ZP Nosara, Fila Maravilla, LN 221350 381700, 800m, vi-vii.2001, vii-viii.2001 and viii-ix.2001 (I. Jiménez); 1E, Guanacaste, PN Palo Verde, Sector Palo Verde, LN 257400 400000, 250m, #53297, ix.1999 (I. Jiménez); 7E, Guanacaste, PN Palo Verde, Sector Palo Verde, 150/ 200m NE Estación, LN 260952 385020, 0-50m, various dates viii.1999 - 18.i.2000 (I. Jiménez); 1E, Guanacaste, PN Palo Verde, Sect. Palo Verde, Laguna Laza, LN 260952 385020, 0m, #54244, 2-11. xii.1999 (I. Jiménez); 1E, Guanacaste, PN Palo Verde, Est. Palo Verde, LN 259050 388400, 10m, #60220, x-xi.2000 (I. Jiménez); 1E, Guanacaste, PN Palo Verde, Sector Palo Verde, Cerro Guayacan, MT, #53297, 15.vi.1999 (I. Jiménez); 1E, Guanacaste, 10km NW Cañas Mojica, rice, 30,viii- 12.ix.2011 (P. Hanson); 1E, Alajuela, San Ramon de Dos Rios, 1.5km N Hda Nueva Zealandia, 620m, #8523, 23.viii.1996 (F.A. Quesada); 1E, Alajuela, Reserva Rincon Forestal, Est. Caribe, 10°53’N 85°18’W, 400m, 19-20.ii.2003 (J.S. Noyes); 2E, Alajuela, San Cristobal, LN 318056 383200, 600-620m 17.vi-18.vii.1996 (F.A. Quezada, D. Briceño); 1E, Alajuela, PN Arenal, 10°28’N 84°45’W, 617m, 21-28.ii.2005 (C. Hansson); 1E, Alajuela, PN Arenal, Sendero Mena, LN 454170 271800, 600m, 17.iv-19.v.2001 (G. Carballo); 3E, Alajuela, PN Arenal, La Peninsula , 10°27’N 84°40’W, 600m, 25.ii.2003 (J.S. Noyes); 1E, Alajuela, RF Arenal, Sendero Pilón, LN 269100 457900, 600m, #53365, 14.x-3.xii.1998 (G. Carballo); 2E, Alajuela, PN Arenal, Sendero Pilón, 10°27’N 84°43’W, 600m, 26.ii.2003 (J.S. Noyes); 1E, Alajuela, 5km W San Ramon, 1200m, vii.1997 (O. Castro, P. Hanson); 1E, Alajuela, San Ramon BS, 700m, viii-ix,1995 (P. Hanson); 1E, Alajuela, Peñas Blancas, 9.vi.1987 (E. Cruz); 1E, Alajuela, Chiles de Aguas Zarcas, café, xii.1989 (R. Cespedes); 1E, Heredia, San Joaquin de Flores, LN 220900 519700, 1200m, #5515, 2.vi-8.vii.1995 (C. Viquez); 1E: Heredia, San Joaquin de Flores, LN 220900 519700, 1054m, #5487, 7.vi-2.ix.1995 (C. Viquez); 2E, Heredia, La Selva BS, 50m, MT/YPT, ii.1991 (J.S. Noyes); 1E, Heredia, OTS-La Selva, 10°26’N 84°01’W, ii.1994 ( ALAS); 1E, Heredia, La Selva BS, 10°26’N 84°01’W, FOT 21, 10.x.1994; 1E, Heredia, RB La Selva, 10°26’N 84°01’W, 14.xii.1995 ( INBio / OET ALAS); 1E, Heredia, 11km SE La Virgen, 10°11’N 84°07’W, 450-550m, 05/M/TN, 23.ii-20.iv.2003 (INBio-OET-ALAS); 3E, Heredia, 16km SSE La Virgen, 10°16’N 85°05’W, 1050-1150m, 11/M/NOTN, 9.ii-12.iv.2001 ( INBio / OET – ALAS); 5E, Heredia, La Selva BS, 10°26’N 84°01’W, ii.2001 and ii.2003 (J.S. Noyes); 2E, Heredia, Puerto Viejo, Est. Biol. La Selva, LN 264463 532850, 100-200m, #67193, 30-31.iii.2002 (J. Azofeifa); 1E, Heredia, OTS La Selva, 10°26’N 84°01’W, 75m, 23-24.ii.2005 (J.S. Noyes); 2E, Heredia, Est. Biol. La Selva, 10°26’N 84°01’W, 75m, 25. ii.2016 (J.S. Noyes); 1E, Heredia, 6km ENE Vara Blanca, 10°11’N 84°07’W, 2000m, 20/M/TN, ii.2002 (INBio-OET-ALAS); 1E, Heredia, Santo Domingo, INBio Parque, 1200m (error for 1100m), 19.ii.2001 (J.S. Noyes); 10E, Heredia, Santo Domingo, INBio Parque 1100m, LN 217300 526200, various dates vi.2000 - 18. iii.2002 (R. Zuñiga); 5E, Heredia, Santo Domingo, INBio Parque, LN 536250 217400, 1100m, ii.2002 (J. Azofeifa, J.S. Noyes); 1E, Heredia, Santo Domingo, INBio Parque, LN 526250 217400, 1100m, 1-12.iv.2002 ( D. Rubí, J.S. Noyes ); 1E, Heredia, Santo Domingo, INBio Parque, LN 217300 526200, 1100m, #71481, 6.x.2002 (J. Azofeifa); 1E, Heredia, Santo Domingo, INBio Parque, 9°59’N 86°06’W, 1100m, 13.ii.2010 (J.S. Noyes); 1E, Heredia, Santo Domingo, INBio Parque, 9°59’N 86°06’W, 1100m, 16.ii.2013 (J.S. Noyes); 1E, Heredia, Santo Domingo, INBio Parque, 9°59’N 86°06’W, 14.ii.2015 (J.S. Noyes); 2E, Heredia, Santo Domingo, Parque Ecológico, 9°59’N 86°06’W, 1100m, 10.ii.2017 (J.S. Noyes); 1E, San José, Univ. campus, 27.ii.1990 (J.S. Noyes); 15E, San José, Zurqui de Moravia, 1600m, various dates vii.1990 - xi.1995 (P. Hanson); 1E, San José, PN Braulio Carrillo, 9.5km E Tunel, i-iii.1990 (P. Hanson); 1E, San José, 5km E. Villa Mills, LS 389550 500050, 8-20.i.1996 (A. Picado, B. Gamboa); 2E, San José, Cerro de la Muerte, 26km N San Isidro, 9°34’N 83°43’W, 2100m, ii-v.1991and xi.1992 - i.1993 (P. Hanson); 3E, Cartago, Dulce Nombre, Vivero Linda Vista, 1300m, vi-viii.1993 and viii-x.1993 (P. Hanson); 1E, Cartago, Braulio Carrillo NP, 25.iii.1990 (J.S. Noyes); 1E, Cartago, PN Tapanti, 1200-1500m, 9°45’N 83°47’W, 20-iii-10.iv.2000 (C. Hansson, D. Rubí ); 1E, Cartago, PN Tapanti-Macizo de la Muerte, Send a Rio Humo, LN 188100 560500, 1400-1500m, #56624, xii.1999 - i.2000 (M. Alfaro); 2E, Cartago, Turrialba, CATIE, Reventazon, 550m, 4.ix.1986 (L. Masner); 1E, Cartago, PN Barbilla, 2km S Rio Barbilla, Camino a Moravia, LN 212485 598200, 800m, #60332, 27.x.2000 (E. Rojas); 1E, Puntarenas, Res. Priv.Karen Mogensen, 9°52’N 85°03’W, 305m, 14-15.ii.2005 (J.S. Noyes); 1E, Puntarenas, Res. Priv. Karen Mogensen, 9°52’N 85°03’W, 305m, 19- 20.ii.2009 (J.S. Noyes); 1E, Puntarenas, Monteverde, 21.vii.1987 (H. & A. Howden); 1E, Puntarenas, Monteverde, Finca Canada Res., 22.viii-1.ix.1992 (D. Currie); 1E, Puntarenas, Est. Altamira, 9°03’N 83°00’W, ii.2002 (C. Hansson, D. Rubí ); 1E, Puntarenas, Est. Altamira, Send a Casa Coca, 1900m, LS 332800 574250, #63086, 12.viii.2001 ( D. Rubí ); 1E, Puntarenas, Cerro Biolley, 1700m, LS 332400 572200, #62094, 13.ii-15.iii.2001 ( D. Rubí ); 6E, Puntarenas, Est. Altamira, Cerro Frantzius, LS 334150 574450, 2134m, vi.2000, 10.iv-10.v.2001 and 12.v-12.vi.2001 ( D. Rubí ); 1E, Puntarenas, San Vito, 1200m, coffee, ii-iv.1996 (P. Hanson); 2E, Puntarenas, San Vito, Las Cruces, Wilson Bot. Gdns, 18-22.iii.1990 (J.S. Noyes); 4E, Puntarenas, San Vito, Las Cruces, Wilson Bot. Gdns, 8°46’N 82°57’N, 1300m, 24.ii.2002 and 15-16. ii.2006 (J.S. Noyes); 4E, Puntarenas, San Vito, Las Cruces, Wilson Bot. Gdns, 8°46’N 82°57’N, 7-29.ii.2007 (C. Hansson); 1E, Puntarenas, Las Tablas, 1km NE Sao Portones, 1530m, 30.viii-5.ix.1995 (M. Chinchilla); 1E, Puntarenas, RF Golfo Dulce, 24km W Piedras Blancas, 8°46’N 83°18’W, 200m, iii-iv.1993 (P. Hanson); 1E, Puntarenas, Pen Osa , Puerto Jimenez, 10m, vi-vii.1991 (P. Hanson, C. Godoy); 1E, Puntarenas, Pen. Osa , Puerto Jimenez, 8°32’N 83°19’W, i.1992 (P. Hanson); 1E, Puntarenas, Est. Agujas, C. Quebraditos, LS 521400 274300, 782m, xii.2001 - ii.2002 (J. Azofeifa); 1E, Puntarenas, PN Corcovado, Est. Agujas, Cerro Mueller, LS 521500 273200, 744m, xii.2001 - ii.2002 (J. Azofeifa); 1E, Puntarenas, PN Corcovado, Las Quebraditas, LS 275200 520100, 640m, #53263, 8-9.ix.1999 (J. Azofeifa); 1E, Puntarenas, Coco Is., Bahia Wafer , 0m, ii.1994 (Y. Camacho); 9E, Puntarenas, Isla del Coco, Bahia Wafer , 5°32’N 87°03’W, 2-31.iii.2002 (J. Azofeifa); 2E, Puntarenas, Isla de Coco, Wafer-Chathan, 0°32’N 87°03’W, 0-100m, 2-31.v.2002 (J. Azofeifa); 1E, Limón, 16km W Guapiles, ii-v.1990 (P. Hanson); 2E, Limón, RB Hitoy-Cerere, 100m, 14- 19.i.1991 (J.S. Noyes). INDIA: 1E, Karnataka, Bangalore, xi,1979 (Z. Bouček); 1E, Karanataka, Bannerghatta NP, 5.xi.1979 (Bouček, Noyes); 3E, Tamil Nadu, Coimbatore, 25.ix-1.x.1979 (J.S. Noyes); 1E, Tamil Nadu, Mangarai Forest, 28.ix.1979 (J.S. Noyes); 1E, Tamil Nadu, Coimbatore, 7.xi.1979 (Bouček); 4E, Kerala, Periyar A[nimal] Sanc[tuary], 5-15.x.1979 (J.S. Noyes). Material in MZUCR, NHMUK, MLP, UCR, TAMU and USNM.

COMMENTS. Plagiomerus bangaloriensis is very close to cyaneus (Ashmead) and diaspidis Crawford and may possibly be synonymous with cyaneus .

I have examined the single extant type specimen of Plagiomerus cyaneus (Ashmead) (USNM) which is probably the holotype because, in his original description of the species, Ashmead (1888) did not state the number of specimens from which he described the species. It is in excellent condition and therefore I hereby designate it as the LECTOTYPE of Comys cyanea Ashmead in order to prevent any future confusion. It is labelled: “Jacksonville Fla”; “Type”; red label “Type No 4763 U.S. N.M.”; “ Comys cyanea Ashm ”; “ Plagiomerus cyanea Ashm Timberlake det.”; “ Habrolepis cyanea Ashm ”; Q-code label “ USNM Ent 00802864”. The specimen is almost certainly synonymous with diaspidis but it impossible to be sure as to whether or not F3 has linear sensilla. This can be ascertained only by slide-mounting the specimen.

Unfortnately, the syntype of diaspidis (possibly described from only one specimen) ( USNM) is missing from its point. Crawford’s (1910) original drawing of the antenna of the female clearly shows that F1 and F2 are subequal in size and much smaller than F3-F4 which are also subequal and the clava has the base dusky and apex pale yellow, his description also notes a cluster of flattened scales at apex of scutellum. I am therefore following the interpretation of cyaneus by Gordh & Lacey (1976; material examined, NHMUK) which has F3 subequal to F4 and F3 always has linear sensilla This agrees well with Crawford’s original description of the species. Although otherwise almost identical to diaspidis sensu Gordh & Lacy , the Costa Rica specimens differ in always having F3 smaller than F4 and lacking linear sensilla. I am confident that all these specimens belong to a completely different species from diaspidis .

I have not examined the holotype of Plagiomerus bangaloriensis but the specimens listed above and collected in southern India agree well with the original description of the species and with subsequent notes on the holotype and other material by Hayat (1999). These specimens are also very similar to the lectotype of cyaneus (Ashmead) and material collected in Costa Rica. As I am unable to ascertain the presence or absence of linear sensilla on F 3 in the lectotype of cyaneus I am therefore choosing to use bangaloriensis as the valid name for the Costa Rica species until the lectotype of cyaneus can be slide-mounted.

Plagiomerus magniclavus Tan & Zhao (1998) described from southern China is very probably the same as bangaloriensis .