Key to the known females of the species of the genus Austrocotesia Austin and Dan­

gerfield (modified after Austin and Dangerfield, 1992)

1) Australasian; no white band present at midlength of antenna....................................... 2

­ New World; mid white band present near midlength of antenna (Figs. 1 A, 2A) and antenna reaching well past mid metasoma ................................................................... 4

2) Antenna reaching to about middle of metasoma; first metasomal tergum virtually parallel­sided A. paradoxa Austin & Dangerfield

­ Antenna reaching well past or beyond posterior gaster of metasoma; first metasomal tergum clearly narrowing posteriorly ........................................................................... 3

3­ First metasomal tergum broadest at midlength, narrowing slightly in posterior 1/3; second metasomal tergum slightly wider than long and longitudinally striate ................... ...................................................................................... A. exigua Austin & Dangerfield

­ First metasomal tergum broadest anteriorly, strongly tapering over posterior half; second metasomal tergum with narrow smooth sub­triangular median field ..................... .................................................................................... A. delicata Austin & Dangerfield

4­ Sternaulus with transverse lineate sculpturing throughout its length (Fig. 1 D); first metasomal tergum more than 4x as long as posteriorly broad, with basal 2/3 brownish yellow, distal area paler yellow (Fig.1 A&B); mesosoma mostly yellowish brown dorsally ....................................................................... A. croizati Valerio & Whitfield n.sp.

­ Sternaulus margined by just one anterior but otherwise nearly smooth (Fig. 2 Ex); first metasomal tergum less than 4x as long as posteriorly broad (Fig. 2 D X); mesosoma and first metasomal tergum almost entirely golden yellow ............................................ ................................................................................... A. renei Valerio & Whitfield n.sp.