Pristaulacus candidus SMITH, 2008

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 : 330-331

Pristaulacus candidus SMITH , new species

( Figs 132-135 )

Diagnosis:

Entirely orange. Forewing black at apex only (though a very small indistinct spot under stigma). Head shining. Mesoscutum with transverse carinae. Hind coxa smooth, shining. Anterior margin of pronotum with one anteriorly projecting tooth.

Female:

Length, 8.0 mm; forewing length, 6.5 mm; ovipositor length, 6.5 mm. Color: Orange; antennal flagellum and ovipositor sheath black. Wings hyaline; forewing with black spot at apex; veins and stigma amber. Head: Antennal length 3.5X head width. Lower interocular distance subequal to eye height; malar space about 0.25X eye height ( Fig. 132 ). From above, head behind eyes roundly narrowing but long, about 0.8X eye length ( Fig. 133 ). Occipital carina very narrow, less than a fifth diameter of an ocellus. Smooth and shining, practically impunctate, with white pubescence, pubescence densest above antennae, and on inner orbits and malar area ( Figs 132, 133 ). Mesosoma: Pronotum with anteriorly projecting tooth. Propleuron smooth, shining, impunctate. Mesoscutal middle lobe with about 6 transverse carinae; mesoscutal lateral lobes reticulate; axillae slightly reticulate; mesoscutellum with about 6 transverse carinae at center; pronotum reticulate, except ventroanteriorly with fine punctures; mesopleuron finely punctured, reticulate anteroventrally and on posterior margin; metapleuron finely punctured dorsally, rest reticulate; propodeum reticulate ( Figs 134, 135 ). Hind coxa about 3X longer than broad, smooth and shining. Hind basitarsus 1.3X length of remaining tarsal segments combined. Tarsal claws with 4 teeth. Forewing with cells 1M and 1Rs separated by short vein Rs+M (as in Fig. 91 ). Hind wing veins absent (as in Fig. 157 ). Metasoma: Segments 2 to apex with fine white pubescence and fine punctures. Ovipositor length subequal to forewing length.

Male: Length, 7.5 mm; forewing length, 5.0 mm. Color and structure similar to female.

Types: Holotype: Female , “ Mexico, Oaxaca, 16 mi N. of Juchitan, 2 July 1955, R.E. Beer & party ( UKAN). Paratypes: MEXICO: Same data as holotype except 13 July 1989, #036 (1 ♂, UKAN); Sin., Mazatlan, 31 July 1964, W.R.M. Mason (1 ♀, CNC); Jalisco, Chamela Bio. Stn., 10 July 1989, A. Roig Alsina, C. Michener, R. Brooks, ex. malaise trap #002” (1 ♂, UKAN).

Etymology: From the Latin candidus , meaning bright, shining, referring to the texture of the head.

Remarks:

The entirely orange color, shining head and hind coxae, and presence of a tooth on the anterior margin of the pronotum separate this species from other mostly orange Pristaulacus .

Figures

Figs 132-135: Pristaulacus candidus. 132 Head, front. 133 Head, orsal. 134 Mesosoma, lateral. 135 Mesosoma, dorsal.

Figs 87-92: Pristaulacus torridus. 87 Head, front. 88 Head, dorsal. 89 Mesosoma, lateral. 90 Mesosoma dorsal. 91 Wings. 92 Posterior portion of mesosoma and mid- and hind coxae.

Figs 152-157: Pristaulacus ruficruris. 152 Head, front. 153 Head, dorsal. 154 Head and anterior mesosoma, lateral. 155 Mesosoma, dorsal. 156 Mesosoma, lateral. 157 Wings.