Philoplitis trifoveatus Ranjith & Fernandez-Triana

Ranjith, A. P., Fernandez-Triana, J., Veena, T., Priyadarsanan, D. R. & Nasser, M., 2019, Four new species of Philoplitis Nixon (Braconidae, Microgastrinae) with an updated key and illustrations of all described species, ZooKeys 841, pp. 125-150 : 139-142

Philoplitis trifoveatus Ranjith & Fernandez-Triana sp. n. Figs 14, 15, 16C

Holotype.

Female, INDIA (DZUC). Holotype locality: Karnataka, MSS SRF, Malaise trap, 1-19.ii.2007.

Diagnosis.

Philoplitis trifoveatus sp. n. differs from all other species by having the occiput medially with three pits. This new species can be separated from P. keralensis sp. n. by having scutellar disc L/W ratio 1.10 ×, and its L 0.90 × that of anteromesoscutum (scutellar disc L/W ratio 1.27 ×, its length 1.10 × that of anteromesoscutum in P. keralensis sp. n.), and by the ratio of fore wing veins r/r-m (2.50 ×in trifoveatus sp. n., 2.11 × in keralensis sp. n.).

Description.

Head distinctly rugose. Frons transversely striate. Occipital carina strongly defined and crenulate. Area centrally between posterior ocelli and occipital carina mostly transversally striate, with only small, shiny spot right above the occipital carina. Antennae longer than body length, L of F2 2.90 × its W, L of F15 2.04 × its W. Mesosoma mostly covered with silver setae. Anteromesoscutum coarsely rugose. Notauli deeply impressed, and with impressed postero-lateral area above tegula. Scutellar disc coarsely rugose, apically downward in lateral view. Scutellar disc L/W ratio 1.10 ×, and its L 1.10 × that of anteromesoscutum. Mesopleuron sparsely rugose, but with median, smooth area centrally. Metapleuron rugose. Propodeum rugose with complete median, longitudinal carina. Fore wing ratios, r/3RSa: 1.00 ×; r/r-m: 2.50 ×; r/2RS: 0.80 ×; 3RSa/2M: 1.10 ×; 2RS/2M: 1.30 ×; r-m/2M: 0.44 ×; r/(r-2M): 0.47 ×; height of second sub marginal cell/(r-2M): 0.50 ×. Tarsal claws with one tooth and with arolium subequal to claw length. Metafemur L 3.40 × its maximum width, inner spur of metatibia 0.49 × L of first metatarsomere. T1 faintly rugose laterally and apically, T1 with shallow median longitudinal groove extending beyond half of its length, T1 L 2.35 × its W at posterior margin. T2 smooth, broad, with medial zone outlined by convergent grooves that form a transversely striated triangle, with indistinct carinae markedly divergent, T2 striated medially but without longitudinal striations, T2 medial L 0.37 × its W at posterior margin. T3+ smooth.

Colour.

Head reddish brown, scape, pedicel and ocelli dark yellow, flagellomeres brown, palpi brown, mesosoma reddish brown, anteromesoscutum dark yellow at posterior margin, profemur mostly brown, yellow apically, protibia and protarsomeres yellow, mesofemur and mesotibia brown, mesotarsomeres brown, metafemur and metatibia black, metatarsomeres brown, metatibial spurs yellow, wing veins and pterostigma light brown with a brownish cloud beneath that extends to vein 2M, metasoma reddish brown except for T1 apically and T2 entirely brownish-yellow, laterotergite 1-3 yellowish-white.

Male.

Unknown.

Distribution.

India (Karnataka).

Etymology.

This species name alludes to the distinctive three pits present in the occiput.