Zagrammosoma metallicum Perry, 2021

Perry, Ryan K. & Heraty, John M., 2021, Read between the lineata: A revision of the tattooed wasps, Zagrammosoma Ashmead (Hymenoptera: Eulophidae), with descriptions of eleven new species, Zootaxa 4916 (1), pp. 1-108 : 74-76

Zagrammosoma metallicum Perry n. sp.

( Fig. 32 )

Diagnosis. This species is distinguished by the dark metallic luster on the body, almost appearing iridescent. No other described species of Zagrammosoma possess metallic luster ( Z. lineaticeps occasionally has a shiny and reflective gaster, however, it is not metallic). Zagrammosoma metallicum is most similar in appearance to Z. lineaticeps but can be separated by the different wing patterns ( Fig. 28C versus 32C), and yellow stripes dorsally on the mesoscutum. In Z. lineaticeps , these stripes are thinner and only found on the pronotum ( Fig. 28D ), whereas the stripes in Z. metallicum are wider and extend from the pronotum to the posterior margin of the mesoscutum ( Fig. 32D, E ).

Description. Female - body length 1.38–2.48 mm. Metallic luster on body present. Scape yellow with black stripe dorsally. Lower face with median stripe present. Vertex with 2 stripes above compound eye. Gena posteriorly with wide, dark band below compound eye and small yellow spot/stripe adjacent to ventral margin of eye. Occiput yellow with wide, dark band. Pronotum black with yellow lateral stripe in dorsal view; laterally with one dark band. Prepectus yellow with dark stripe along dorsal margin. Mesoscutum black with yellow lateral stripe in dorsal view. Mesoscutellum black. Propodeum black. Procoxa and mesocoxa yellow. Metacoxa yellow, basally dark; Profemur and mesofemur yellow. Metafemur black. Fore wing: basal band absent; cubital band present; parastigmal, stigmal, and postmarginal bands present, with perpendicular extension greater than that of stigmal apex; connections from parastigmal band to stigmal band and from stigmal band to postmarginal band present. Hind wing hyaline. Gaster black.

Upper ocular sulcus present. Pedicel longer than wide. Funiculars symmetrical: first longer than wide (w:l = 0.67–0.86); second subequal or wider than long (w:l = 1.0–1.15).

Pronotum, in dorsal view, bell-shaped (w:l = 1.12–1.34); 3–4 pairs of setae along posterior margin. Mesoscutum reticulate; small, scattered setae present; intermediate setae absent. Mesoscutellum longer than wide (w:l = 0.89–0.94); submedian grooves absent. Hind tibial spur distinctly shorter than basitarsus. Hind basitarsus subequal or longer than second tarsomere (bst:2 nd = 1.0–1.17).

Fore wing l:w = 2.34–2.65. Submarginal vein with 5–7 setae dorsally. Basal fold setose. Cubital fold setose. Admarginal setae present. Uncus originating on stigma by more than own length from stigmal apex.

Male - as female, except: body length 0.84–1.04 mm; mesosoma and gaster dark brown to black; connection from stigmal band to postmarginal band absent or present.

Remarks. This species is the exception to the rule regarding metallic coloration in the genus. The yellow is the same hue as that found in the other species of Zagrammosoma that are predominantly dark, so it remains unclear as why only this species is metallic.

Hosts. Unknown.

Distribution. Nearctic: USA (CA, TX) ( Fig. 33 ).

Etymology. Metallicus is Latin for metallic. The metallic luster makes this species the rockstar of the genus, with a name not unlike a certain rock band.

Type Material. Holotype: USA: Texas: Brewster Co., Big Bend Natl. Park, Rosillos Mtn., 1554–1600m, 29°31’55”N, 103°14’37”W, 16.iv.1991, J. B. Woolley, 91/023 [1♀, UCRCENT426797 (D4569)], deposited at TAMU . Paratypes: USA: California: Orange Co., Laguna Canyon , 79m, 33°35’9”N, 117°45’48”W, 31.viii.1984, H. Andersen [1♁ 4♀, UCRC: UCRCENT414618–21 , 414595 ] . San Diego Co., Valley Center , 417m, 33°13’18”N, 117°02’6”W, 11.xi.1987, H. Andersen [3♀, UCRC: UCRCENT312245–312247 ] . Texas: Brewster Co., Big Bend Natl. Park, Cottonwood Cpgd. , 651m, 29°08’15”N, 103°31’17”W, 13–14.vii.1982, G. A. P. Gibson [4♁, CNC: CNC508681–84 ] . Presidio Co., Presidio , 29°33’39”N, 104°22’19”W, xi.1954, J. H. Russell [1♀, USNM: UCRCENT471436 ] .

Figures

FIGURE 28. Zagrammosoma lineaticeps, ♀: (A) head, frontolateral, (B) lateral habitus, (C) fore wing, dorsal, (D) dorsal habi- tus; (E) ♁ dorsal habitus. Scale bar = 0.2 mm (A), 0.5 mm (B–E).

FIGURE 32. Zagrammosoma metallicum n. sp., ♀: (A) head, frontolateral, (B) lateral habitus, (C) fore wing, dorsal, (D) dorsal habitus; (E) ♁ dorsal habitus. Scale bar = 0.2 mm (A), 0.5 mm (B–E).

FIGURE 33. Distributions of Zagrammosoma metallicum n. sp., Z. trifurcatum n. sp., and Z. velerii.