Metopius (Metopius) lugubris TOSQUINET, 1896: 368

Riedel, Matthias, 2016, Contribution to the genus Metopius PANZER (Hymenoptera, Ichneumonidae, Metopiinae) from Africa South of Sahara, Linzer biologische Beiträge 48 (2), pp. 1635-1675 : 1651-1652

Metopius (Metopius) lugubris TOSQUINET, 1896: 368

M a t e r i a l: RSA, Northern Transvaal , N of Nylstroom 1200 m, 2440´S 2830´S, 2♀♀ 14.I.2008, leg. M. Halada (Linz) ; RSA, Northern Transvaal , Ganzakulu, Letaba Groot nv. 16 9.II.2003, leg. M. Snizek (Linz) ; Kenya, Voi (Isavo) environment, 2♀♀ and 266 22.XI.-2.XII.1996, leg. M. Halada (Linz and coll. Riedel) ; RSA, Northern Prov. , Lekqameetse Res., 2412´S/3020´E, 3♀♀ 266 18.XII.1995, leg. F. Koch (Berlin) ; Zimbabwe, Matopos Nat Park , 16 29.XI.1993, 2033´S/2830´E, leg. F. Koch (Berlin) .

D e s c r i p t i o n of ♀:

Body length 12-16 mm. Flagellum with 49-56 segments. Mandible with one tooth. Second maxillary palpomere semi-globose, about 1.6x as long as wide. Facial shield slightly narrowed below, with somewhat scattered puncture and strong carinae, length 1.1x width, slightly pointed below. Interantennal lamella high, with a very shallow subdistal impression and a small distal tooth. Frons with fine puncture and transverse striation. Vertex punctate. Temple strongly but roundly narrowed behind eye. Distance of lateral ocellus to eye1.5-1.6x its diameter.

Mesosoma with long whitish hairs. Pronotum coarsely punctate, striate anteriorly. Epicnemial carina obsolete above sternaulus. Central area of propodeum wide, with strong lateral carinae, length 1.2x width, apical carina obsolete, costula indistinct. Basal parts of propodeum with smoothened structure. Hind femur length 2.2-2.6x height. Hind metatarsus about 0.45-0.5x as long as the hind tibia. Outer apical spur of hind tibia 0.4- 0.45x as long as the hind metatarsus. Front and middle claws without teeth. Areolet 1.7- 2x wider than long, second recurrent vein apical of the middle, with one bulla.

First tergite with dorsal carinae the basal half, its spiracle with a strong spine-like ventral extension and without distinct lateral lamella, sides with dense whitish hairs. Second tergite with strong spine-like posterolateral edges, third and fourth tergites with rounded edges.

Color: Black. Ivory are spot on second maxillary palp, margins of facial shield (sometimes shield except black center), lower frontal orbit, sometimes subtegular ridge, often prescutellar ridge and apical part of scutellum, sometimes postscutellum and posterolateral spot on propodeum, wide apical bands of third and fourth tergites, often narrow hind margins of following tergites, sometimes spots on coxae, often apical spots on femora, frontal side of front tibia and tarsus, sometimes also on middle tibia. Legs except front and middle coxae and trochanters reddish, hind femur with black hind margin, hind tibia black with reddish stripe on outer side, hind tarsus blackened. Wings almost completely darkened.

D e s c r i p t i o n o f 6:

Body length 14-15 mm. Flagellum with 53-60 segments. Second segment of maxillary palps club-shaped, about 2x as long as wide. Facial shield rounded on sides, with somewhat scattered puncture and strong carinae, length 1.1x width, slightly pointed below. Interantennal lamella high, with a very shallow subdistal impression and a small distal tooth. Temple strongly narrowed behind eye. Distance of lateral ocellus to eye 1.2x its diameter.

Central area of propodeum wide, with strong lateral carinae, length 1.2x width, apical carina obsolete, costula indistinct. Basal parts of propodeum smoothened. Hind femur length 2.4x height. Hind metatarsus about 0.45x as long as the hind tibia. Outer apical spur of hind tibia short, 0.45x as long as the hind metatarsus.

Color: Black. Flagellum reddish ventrally. Ivory coloration variable. Ivory are usually palps, labrum, face except a central black spot on facial shield, frontal orbit up to anterior ocellus, scape and pedicel ventrally, often subtegular ridge, sometimes spot on upper mesopleuron, often prescutellar ridge and part of scutellum, sometimes postscutellum and posterolateral spot on propodeum, posterolateral spot on first tergite, wide apical bands of third and fourth tergites, sometimes lateral spot on fifth tergite, often narrow hind margins of following tergites, usually spots on all coxae and trochanters, usually apical spots on femora, frontal side of front and middle tibiae and tarsi. Legs except front and middle coxae and trochanters reddish-brown), hind tibia black with reddish stripe on outer side, hind tarsus blackened. Wings almost completely darkened.

D i s t r i b u t i o n: Kenya, South Africa, Zimbabwe, Mosambique.