Pristaulacus annulatus KIEFFER, 1911

Smith, David R., 2008, Aulacidae of the southwestern United States, Mexico, and Central America (Hymenoptera), Beiträge Zur Entomologie = Contributions to Entomology 58 (2), pp. 267-355 : 350-351

Pristaulacus annulatus KIEFFER

( Figs 181-183 )

Psilaulacus annulatus KIEFFER 1911: 230 .

Pristaulacus annulatus: KIEFFER 1912: 381 , 404.– HEDICKE 1939: 5.– SMITH 2001: 278.

Diagnosis:

Black; whitish spot a middle on each side of first metasomal segment; white band on ovipositor. Forewing with black spot at apex. Head shining with large scattered punctures. Mesoscutum with transverse carinae. Hind coxa smooth, shining. Anterior margin of pronotum without anteriorly projecting tooth.

Female:

Length, 11.5 mm; forewing length, 9.0 mm; ovipositor length 15.0 mm. Color: Black; whitish spot at middle on each side of first metasomal segment; ovipositor with white band near apical third; legs somewhat brownish. Wings hyaline, veins and stigma black; forewing with dark spot at apex. Head: Antenna apex missing. Lower interocular distance subequal to eye height; malar space equal to first antennal segment. Occipital carina narrow, less than a quarter diameter of an ocellus. Head from above straight then narrowing behind eyes, distance behind eyes about 0.6X eye length ( Fig. 181 ). Shining with large punctures on vertex and frons separated by distances two or more times puncture diameters ( Fig. 181 ), punctures on frons slightly denser than those on vertex. Mesosoma: Pronotum without anteriorly projecting tooth. Propleuron shining, finely punctate. Anterior lobes of mesonotum rounded. Mesoscutal middle lobe transversely carinate, lateral lobes more reticulate; axillae reticulate; mesoscutellum shining, with 3 medial transverse ridges at center, reticulate laterally; pronotum, mesopleuron, metapleuron, and propodeum shining, mostly reticulate ( Fig. 182 ). Hind coxa shining, without sculpture. Hind basitarsus 1.3X longer than remaining tarsal segments combined. Tarsal claw with 3 large subequal teeth and basal lobe; third tooth slightly smaller that two outer teeth. Metasoma: Basal two segments shining, glabrous; apical segments with fine white pubescence. Ovipositor length 1.7X forewing length.

Male: Unknown.

Type: Female ( BMNH) labeled “Type,” “B.M. type Hym. 3.a.102,”B.M. type Hym. Psilaulacus annulatus Kieffer 1911 ,” “ Pristaulacus annulatus K.”, “56 143” above and “Mex.” below on one label, “Determined by Dr. Kieffer,” “ Aulacus bimaculatus Smith [purple label].” I regard this as a syntype; though undoubtedly the only specimen KIEFFER had, he did not mention the number of specimens .

Remarks:

This species is known only from the holotype. Its large size, black color, punctate head, and unusually long ovipositor should make this species readily recognizable. Females of all other Pristaulacus I have examined have the ovipositor length 1.5X or less the forewing length.

Figures

Figs 181-183: Pristaulacus annulatus. 181 Head and anterior mesosoma, dorsal. 182 Mesosoma, lateral. 183 Mesosoma, dorsal. Note: Figures taken with another photomicroscope and not of similar quality as other figures; specimen not reborrowed for further pictures.