Aphelagathis ceciliapinedae Sharkey

Sharkey, Michael J., Chapman, Eric G., Janzen, Daniel H., Hallwachs, Winnie & Smith, M. Alex, 2015, Revision of Aphelagathis (Hymenoptera, Braconidae, Agathidinae, Agathidini), Zootaxa 4000 (1), pp. 73-89 : 77-79

Aphelagathis ceciliapinedae Sharkey n. sp.

( Fig. 3 )

Diagnosis. The sculpture of the propodeum is unique.

Description. Body length 5.7. Fore wing length 4.2. Ovipositor length 3.3. Body color yellow except: melanic as follows; posterior half of scape, antennal pits, occiput near foramen, small spots near bases of wings; apex of hind tibia tan (sole paratype with darkened ocellar triangle). 43 flagellomeres. Fore wing weakly and evenly infuscate. Propodeum shallow, confluent, irregular fovea covering most of surface, with a weak median longitudinal carina that weakens posteriorly. Cub of hind wing not pigmented.

Etymology. Named in honor of Sra. Cecilia Pineda Calles, Directora of the Departmento de Historia Natural, Museo Nacional de Costa Rica, in recognition of her bravery and fortitude in accepting the challenge of the integration of the former national biodiversity collections of INBio (Instituto Nacional de Biodiversidad) into those of the national biodiversity collections of the Museo Nacional de Costa Rica, beginning 27 March 2015.

Specimens Examined. Holotype ♀, Costa Rica, Guanacaste Prov., Area de Conservacion Guanacaste, Sector Santa Rosa, 300m., Malaise trap in 7-yr old secondary dry forest, 24.viii-14.ix.1985, Gauld and Janzen, H15497, lat 10.83764 long -85.61871 (HIC). Paratype. 1♀, Costa Rica, Guanacaste Prov., 6 mi. S., 6 mi. W., Canas Taboga 10°19’N, 85°09’W, 2–18.ii.1967 (MCZ). Multiple efforts to obtain DNA sequences for this species were unsuccessful.

Figures

FIGURE 3. Aphelagathis ceciliapinedae holotype ♀. A. Lateral habitus. B. wings (hind wing not to scale). C. dorsal habitus. D. lateral habitus showing antennae. E. lateral head and mesosoma. F. dorsal, scutellum, metanotum and propodeum.