Ophion borealis Johansson sp. nov.

urn:lsid:zoobank.org:act: FD4E1CFA-420C-4058-9814-8343D1554BBA

Figs 14C, E, 26

Diagnosis

Superficially very similar to and easily confused with Ophion crassicornis, but with face generally wider and punctures below antennal sockets and on clypeus sparser and smaller with larger interstices. The distance between the tentorial pits and compound eye is almost equal to the distance between the cavities, while it is smaller in O. crassicornis . The sides of the scutellum in known specimens are concolourous with the rest of the scutellum, while they are usually paler in O. crassicornis . The anterior transverse carina of propodeum is straighter.

Etymology

The species is of northern distribution.

Material examined

4 ♀♀ (Sweden); 2 ♀♀ (Finland).

Type material

Holotype SWEDEN • ♀; Småland, Jönköping, Dummemosse; 57.783° N, 14.017° E; 10 Jul. 2017; M. Andersson leg.; sweepnet in sandy pine-forest; STI-NJBC182; NHRS-HEVA000008627.

Paratypes SWEDEN • 1 ♀; Gotland, Sundre, Hallbjäns; 56.938° N, 18.146° E; 21 Jun.–22 Aug. 2008; N. Ryrholm and C. Källander leg.; MV-light trap in coastal, rocky calcareous heath; NHRS-HEVA000008628 • 1 ♀; Gotland, Sundre, Suders; 56.945° N, 18.303° E; 29 Jul.–18 Sep. 2017; N. Ryrholm and C. Källander leg.; MV-light trap in deciduous woodland; NHRS-HEVA000008629 • 1 ♀; Småland, Nybro, Grytsjön, banvallen; 56.932° N, 16.086° E; 15 Jun. 2019; M. Tholin leg.; MV-light in mixed forest; NHRS-HEVA000008630 .

FINLAND • 1 ♀; Uusimaa, Porvoo (Porvoon maalaiskunta), Åminsby; 60.346° N, 25.537° E; 29 Jun. 1980; E. Suomalainen leg.; MV-light; MZLU Type no. 6369:1 • 1 ♀; Uusimaa, Porvoo (Porvoon maalaiskunta), Åminsby; 4 Jul. 1980; E. Suomalainen leg.; MV-light; MZLU Type no. 6369:2 .

Description

Fore wing length 16 mm. Antenna with 56–61 flagellomeres. First flagellomere 3.0 times as long as wide. Central flagellomeres stout, about 1.2–1.3 times as long as wide. Subapical flagellomeres approximately 1.5 times as long as wide. Temple strongly buccate (as in Fig. 30A). Head in lateral view with temple 0.9 times as long as compound eye. Gap between lateral ocellus and inner margin of compound eye distinct, about 0.1–0.2 times the diameter of ocellus. Face below antennal sockets quite polished with distinct interstices between the relatively small punctures. Punctures of clypeus shallower and smaller than in O. crassicornis . Head wide with clypeus relatively narrow in relation to O. crassicornis (Fig. 14E). Malar space about 0.2 times as long as mandibular base. Mandibular gape right-angled, with internal angles. Wing membrane clear to slightly yellowish. Ramellus distinct, reaching about 0.5 the width of the discosubmarginal cell. Radius sinuous. Mesopleuron shagreened with rather dense, punctures that occasionally merge centrally. Punctures smaller and scarcer than in O. crassicornis . Epicnemial carina, in antero-ventral view, with pleurosternal angles slightly anterior to sternal angles (as in Fig. 9G). Pleurosternal angles sharp and slightly obtuse. Scutellum occasionally with distinct lateral carinae in basal half but sometimes only in basal 0.2 (as in Fig. 6A). Propodeum distinctly punctate and coriaceous in front of anterior transverse carina. Between transverse carina more often quite shiny, weakly rugose. Anterior transverse carina sometimes absent laterally, rather straight, slightly convex in front of area superomedia (Fig. 14C) but sometimes laterally bent forwards, thereby creating an undulation. Posterior transverse carina often widely interrupted centrally. Central longitudinal carinae delimiting area superomedia and area petiolaris strong. Area superomedia quite narrow, about two times as long as wide. Sclerotised part of first sternite ending level to spiracle. Hind trochantellus shorter than wide in dorsal view. Legs normal with hind femur about 7.0 times as long as wide. Inner spur of hind tibia as long as 0.4 times metatarsus. Male unknown.

Colour

Body testaceous. Mandibular teeth black. Head with inner and outer eye margins yellow. Ovipositor sheath black or dark brown, contrasting in colour with posterior metasomal segments.

DNA barcode

The DNA barcode sequence of one Swedish specimen of Ophion borealis Johansson sp. nov. is available at the BOLD systems database (www.boldsystems.org, BIN. BOLD: ADM5451. Specimen code: STI-NJBC: 182).

Ecology

The species occurs during summer, June–August, in semi open areas dominated by scots pine Pinus sylvestris L. forests.

Distribution in Sweden

Only a few scattered records (see type series) but probably overlooked.