Cerodipara Desjardins, 2007

Desjardins, Christopher A., 2007, Phylogenetics and classification of the world genera of Diparinae (Hymenoptera: Pteromalidae), Zootaxa 1647 (1), pp. 1-88 : 31-32

Cerodipara Desjardins , New Genus

( Figs. 56–58 , 61 )

Type Species: Cerodipara sabensis Desjardins , New Species

Diagnosis: Cerodipara is unique among the diparines in having ventrally diverging inner eye margins ( Fig. 56 ), a vertical carinate ridge running from the interantennal area to the ventral clypeal margin ( Fig. 57 ), and only a single pair of bristles positioned on the posterior margin of the scutellum ( Fig. 58 ). In addition, the toruli of Cerodipara are positioned approximately 2 torulus diameters from the oral fossa. Only Boeria has similarly positioned toruli, and additional characters used to separate Cerodipara from Boeria are discussed in the Boeria diagnosis.

Description: Female. Head: Occipital margin rounded; occipital carina absent; upper face without strong, transversely carinate sculpture; eyes not posteriorly extended beyond occipital margin; inner eye margins ventrally diverging; eyes bare; scrobe present and scrobal channel parallel-sided; dorsal margin of scrobe rounded; junction between upper and lower face rounded; angle between upper and lower face ~90°; toruli within 2 torulus diameters of ventral margin of face; antennae symmetrically clavate; antennal formula 11173; pedicel, first funicular segment, second funicular segment subequal in length; claval apex without thick tuft of micropilosity; apical clypeal margin symmetrically bilobed; clypeus with medial longitudinal carina; malar groove present; strong, dark bristles on vertex absent. Mesosoma: dorsum of mesosoma with single pair of strong, dark bristles on posterior half of scutellum; pronotum short, collar-like; notauli strongly arched along entire length (appearing semi-circular) and meeting posterior scutal margin at scutoscutellar suture; lateral lobes of scutum similar in color to remainder of scutum; posterior scutal margin without setose groove; scutellum large, slightly convex, not descending posteriorly; axillae reduced and concave; posterior notal wing process present but truncate, rounded; frenal sulcus absent; metanotum present as narrow, sculptured band; propodeum at least 1.5X higher than long; propodeum without medial spine; plicae absent; suture between postspiracular area and metapleuron diagonal; propodeal foramen circular, open in one plane; longitudinal invagination of pronotum, mesepimeron and metapleuron absent; prepectus reduced, not reaching tegula; tegula normal, flap-like; axillary wing sclerite not visible; acropleuron large, convex, broadly expanded along dorsal length of mesopleuron; mesopleuron smooth posteriorly; metacoxa posteriorly convex, with transverse striations; metacoxa posteriorly without thick vertical brush of seta; 2 metatibial spurs, longer spur <1.5X width of tibia at point of insertion. Metasoma: Petiole cylindrical, without setae, broader than long; GT1 expanded, covering at least half of metasoma length; GT1 rounded lateral to petiole insertion; cercal setae elongate; cercal brush present. Male: Unknown.

Discussion: In the phylogenetic analysis excluding bristle characters, Cerodipara is positioned as sistergroup to Boeria , which in turn is sister-group to the most derived diparines. The relationship between Cerodipara and Boeria is discussed in the latter taxon’s generic entry. As Cerodipara is known only from the female holotype specimen, it is difficult to speculate on the morphology of the male.

Etymology: cero-, meaning horn or crest, after both the genus’ superficial resemblance to Cerocephalinae and the carinate ridge running between the toruli. -dipara to ally the genus with Diparinae .

Number of Species: 1 described ( South Africa: Mpumalanga).

Distribution: South Africa.

Hosts: Unknown.

Figures

FIGURES 53–58. Pondia sp.: 53, mesosoma (dorsal view). Pyramidophoriella sp.: 54, mesosoma (lateral view); 55, mesosoma (dorso-lateral view). Cerodipara sabensis: 56, head (frontal view); 57, head (latero-frontal view); 58, mesosoma (dorsal view).

FIGURES 59–64. Lateral habitus views: 59, Neapterolelaps viridescens; 60, N. mitteri; 61, Cerodipara sabensis; 62, Chimaerolelaps villosa; 63, Conophorisca littoriticus; 64, C. grisselli.