Oxyscelio linguae Burks

Burks, Roger A., Masner, Lubomir, Johnson, Norman F. & Austin, Andrew D., 2013, Systematics of the parasitic wasp genus Oxyscelio Kieffer (Hymenoptera, Platygastridae s. l.), part II: the Australian and southwest Pacific fauna, ZooKeys 331, pp. 1-266 : 115-117

Oxyscelio linguae Burks sp. n. Figures 169-172; Morphbank60

Description.

Female. Body length 4.1-4.2 mm (n=2).

Radicle color and shade: same as scape, both dark brown. Pedicel color: same as scape. A3: longer than pedicel. A4: broader than long. A5: broader than long.

Ventral clypeal margin: with slightly convex median lobe. Interantennal process: not elongate. Lower frons at dorsal margin of interantennal process: with oblique carina extending towards mouth corner. Transverse curved rugae extending from frontal depression to eye: absent. Median longitudinal carina in frontal depression: absent. Ventral portion of frontal depression: with transverse carinae. Dorsal portion of frontal depression: without transverse carinae. Submedian carina: present. Frontal depression dorsally: not hood-like, open dorsally. Upper frons major sculpture: umbilicate foveate; irregularly rugose. Upper frons microsculpture: absent. Hyperoccipital carina: indicated by a set of irregular elevations. Carina connecting occipital carina to hyperoccipital carina: absent. Occipital carina: present laterally, absent medially. Occiput sculpture: umbilicate foveate. Extra carina ventral to occipital carina: absent. Gena length: shorter than eye. Major sculpture of gena anteroventrally: umbilicate foveate. Major sculpture of gena posteroventrally: umbilicate foveate. Microsculpture of gena anteroventrally: punctate. Microsculpture of gena posteroventrally: punctate.

Lateral pronotal area sculpture: mostly granulate, ventral corner with irregular carinae. Posterior border of central pronotal area: directed posteriorly, epomial carina absent or meeting transverse pronotal carina at arch on lateral surface of pronotum. Mesoscutum anteriorly: not steep, forming less than a right angle. Major sculpture of mesoscutal midlobe anteriorly: umbilicate foveate. Mesoscutal midlobe sculpture at midlength: not different from nearby sculpture. Major sculpture of mesoscutal midlobe posteriorly: umbilicate foveate. Microsculpture of mesoscutal midlobe anteriorly: granulate. Microsculpture of mesoscutal midlobe posteriorly: absent. Median mesoscutal carina: present as a flattened or rounded elevation. Major sculpture of mesoscutellum centrally: umbilicate foveate. Major sculpture of mesoscutellum peripherally: umbilicate foveate. Microsculpture of mesoscutellum centrally: granulate. Microsculpture of mesoscutellum peripherally: granulate. Mesoscutellar rim: not expanded. Mesoscutellar rim medially: without notch. Mesofemoral depression: with slight, indistinct sculpture dorsally, smooth ventrally. Metascutellum shape: not emarginate, convex dorsally. Metascutellar setae: absent. Metascutellum sculpture: with many longitudinal rugae. Postmarginal vein: present. Fore wing apex at rest: reaching middle of T5. Coxae color brightness: same color as femora. Spines along tibiae: absent. Lateral propodeal carinae: broadly separated, not parallel anteriorly. Setae in metasomal depression: absent. Anterior sculpture of metasomal depression: unknown. Median propodeal carina: unknown.

T 1 horn: present. Number of longitudinal carinae of T1 midlobe: obscured by other raised sculpture. T1 lateral carina: straight. T2 sculpture: with longitudinal striae or rugae, setiferous puncta present between them. T2 sublateral longitudinal foveae: absent. T3 metasomal flanges: absent. T4 sculpture: longitudinally striate to rugose, setal pits spanning interspaces. T4 metasomal flanges: absent. T5 sculpture: longitudinally striate to rugose, setal pits spanning interspaces. T5 metasomal flanges: absent. T6: longer than broad. Major sculpture of T6: umbilicate punctate; longitudinally striate. Microsculpture of T6: granulate. T6 medially: tapering to a sharp point, not separated from apical rim. T6 metasomal flanges: absent. T6 raised peripheral rim: absent. S4 sculpture: longitudinally striate or rugose, setal pits spanning interspaces. S5 sculpture: longitudinally striate to rugose, setal pits spanning interspaces. S5 median carina: present. S6 peripheral carina: absent. S6 apex in relation to T6: not exposed to dorsal view. S6 apex: rounded or acuminate.

Male. unknown.

Diagnosis.

Both sexes: Frontal depression concave, transverse carinae present ventrally; submedian carina weakly indicated by a single carina. Weak oblique carina extending from bottom of frontal depression towards lower margin of eye. Head directed downward. Hyperoccipital carina indicated by rugae. Occipital carina absent medially, with protruding lateral corners. Metascutellum tongue-like, very narrow, resting in long groove presented by propodeum medially. Postmarginal vein present. Coxa not darker than rest of leg. T1 lateral carina not expanded laterally. Metasomal flanges absent. Female: A3 longer than pedicel. A4 longer than broad, A5 broader than long. Mesoscutellum with granulate sculpture. T1 midlobe with strong anterior horn, longitudinal carinae obscured by raised area. Fore wing long enough to reach middle of T5. T6 longer than broad.

Etymology.

Latin noun, genitive case, meaning “tongue.”

Link to distribution map.

[http://hol.osu.edu/map-full.html?id=307126]

Material examined.

Holotype, female: PAPUA NEW GUINEA: Chimbu Prov., New Guinea Isl., Kerowagi, 25.III.1964, D. H. Colless, OSUC 448567 (deposited in ANIC). Paratype: PAPUA NEW GUINEA: 1 female, OSUC 448568 (ANIC).

Comments.

Oxyscelio linguae is unique in having a long, narrow metascutellum that rests in a groove caused by raised areas of the propodeum. In other respects it resembles species in the foveatus-group.