Euplectrus bobwhartoni Hansson

Hansson, Christer, Smith, M. Alex, Janzen, Daniel H. & Hallwachs, Winnie, 2015, Integrative taxonomy of New World Euplectrus Westwood (Hymenoptera, Eulophidae), with focus on 55 new species from Area de Conservacion Guanacaste, northwestern Costa Rica, ZooKeys 485, pp. 1-236 : 27-28

Taxon classification Animalia Hymenoptera Eulophidae

Euplectrus bobwhartoni Hansson sp. n. Figures 60-63, 67-69, 740

Material.

Holotype a female labeled "COSTA RICA: Guanacaste, ACG, Sector Murcielago, Camino Bahia Hachal, 13.vi.2006, G. Pereira, ex Bagisara tristicta eating Herissantia crispa , sibling of wasp DHJPAR0028861, 06-SRNP-17307" (BMNH). PARATYPES: 8♀: 1♀ with same label data as holotype (BMNH, INBio); Guanacaste: Parque Nacional Palo Verde, 50 m, LN 260952/385020, 5-16.vi.1999, malaise trap, I. Jiménez (6♀, CNC, INBio, USNM); Puntarenas: Peninsula Osa, Estación Agujas, 250-350 m, LS 276750/526550, 4-20.vi.1999, swept, J. Azofeifa (1♀, INBio).

Diagnosis.

Lower face medially yellowish-white with median part yellowish-brown, pale area reaching slightly outside outer lateral margin of toruli (Fig. 61); scutellum smooth medially and with very weak engraved reticulation laterally (Fig. 69); legs yellowish-brown (Fig. 60); petiole 0.5 × as long as wide; gaster yellowish-brown with dark brown lateral margins (Fig. 62).

Description.

Female. Length of body 2.6 mm. Antenna with scape yellowish-white in basal ½ and yellowish-brown in apical ½, pedicel yellowish-brown, flagellomeres 1-4 yellowish-brown ventrally and dark brown dorsally, 5-6 dark brown (Fig. 58). Mandibles and palpi white. Head black and shiny, lower face medially yellowish-white with median part yellowish-brown, pale area reaching slightly outside outer lateral margin of toruli, with parts between pale area and eyes black (Fig. 61). Frons close to eyes with two rows of setae (Fig. 67). Vertex smooth (Fig. 68). Occipital margin rounded (Fig. 68).

Mesosoma black and shiny (Fig. 60). Each sidelobe of mesoscutum with 13 setae. Scutellum 1.0 × as long as wide; smooth medially and with very weak engraved reticulation laterally (Fig. 69). Dorsellum along anterior margin with a groove that is very narrow laterally and wide medially, medially 0.4 × as long as length of dorsellum, groove is divided by longitudinal carinae (Fig. 740). Propodeum partly with very weak reticulation and partly smooth (Fig. 740); anteromedially with a short and wide triangular cup; propodeal callus with 12 setae. Legs yellowish-brown (Fig. 60). Fore wing: costal cell with two rows of setae on ventral surface, and margin with two setae close to marginal vein; with 24 admarginal setae, in two rows.

Gaster yellowish-brown with dark brown lateral margins (Fig. 62).

Ratios. HE/MS/WM = 2.1/1.0/1.3; POL/OOL/POO = 6.7/3.8/1.0; OOL/DO = 1.4; WE/WF/WH/HH = 1.0/2.6/4.6/3.5; WH/WT = 1.1; PM/ST = 1.2; TS1/TS2/LT/LT1/LT2/LT3/LT4 = 3.2/1.7/6.0/1.8/1.3/1.0/1.7; LP/WP = 0.5; MM/LG = 1.0.

Male. Unknown.

Hosts and biology.

Feeding on penultimate instar larva of Bagisara tristicta ( Noctuidae ) feeding on Herissantia crispa ( Malvaceae ), parasitoid cocoons stuck to dead larva and substrate.

Distribution.

Costa Rica (Guanacaste and Puntarenas Provinces).

Etymology.

This species is named after Bob A. Wharton, in recognition of his contribution to the understanding of ACG Hymenoptera taxonomy.