Barycnellus robustus Khalaim & Ward, sp. nov.

(Figs 16, 27, 77–81)

Comparison. This species is very similar to B. conlisus, but distinct in having a globose head (Fig. 78), mesosoma less compressed laterally (Fig. 77), and almost straight ovipositor with strongly upcurved apex (Fig. 81).

Description. Female. Body length 2.4 mm. Fore wing length 2.1 mm.

Head polished and shining except for granulate, dull face. Head, globose, somewhat widened ventrally (Fig. 78). Head in lateral view 1.5× as high (from lower margin of clypeus to top of head) as broad, with antennae inserted well below level of centre of head (Fig. 78). Clypeus very narrow, strap-like. Malar space about 0.6× as long as basal mandibular width. Flagellum short and thick, weakly clavate, with 15–18 shortened flagellomeres (16 in holotype) (Fig. 79).

Mesoscutum and mesopleuron smooth and shining. Mesosoma compressed laterally, with mesoscutum, in dorsal view, about 0.65× as broad as head (Fig. 77). Notaulus present, weakly reaching 0.2 along mesoscutum. Foveate groove thin, short and sharp, oblique, situated in centre of mesopleuron. Metapleuron and propodeum mostly granulate, centrally almost smooth. Propodeum mediodorsally with furrow which is more densely granulate than dorsolateral parts. Propodeum virtually ecarinate, with only transverse carina hardly discernible medially. Apical area narrow.

Fore wing (Fig. 16) with vein R1 indistinct, not reaching apex of the wing. Veins Rs and Rs+2 r meeting at obtuse angle. Vein 2m-cu antefurcal, entirely absent or discernible only posteriorly. Vein Cu1b intercepted near its centre. Legs robust, hind femur 2.8–3.0× as long as broad (Fig. 80).

Metasoma slightly compressed laterally. First tergite mostly striate; petiole short, dorsally finely granulate; postpetiole posteriorly smooth. Second tergite 1.8× as long as anteriorly broad. Thyridial depression about twice as long as broad. Ovipositor almost straight, weakly sinuate, with extreme apex strongly upcurved, with sharp dorsal subapical notch (Fig. 81); sheath about 1.5× as long as hind tibia.

Head, mesosoma and first tergite predominantly dark brown. Palpi, mandible (teeth reddish), clypeus, scape and pedicel of antenna, and tegula yellow. Flagellum yellowish or pale brown basally. Pterostigma pale brown. Legs brownish yellow (hind leg more extensively brown). Metasoma behind first tergite yellowish brown ventrally to brown and dark brown dorsally.

Male. Unknown.

Molecular data. BOLD BIN:AAV2707.

Etymology. On account of its thickened (robust) femora and tibiae.

Material examined. Holotype. Female (NZAC), New Zealand, AK, Huia, XII.1980, B.M. May, Malaise trap in bush, NZAC04036315.

Paratypes. AK: 3 ♀ (NZAC) Huia, in bush, Malaise trap, XII.1980, B.M . May. 1 ♀ (ZISP) same data but XI.1980 . BP: 1 ♀ (NZAC) Te Puke, kiwifruit orchard, Flight intercept trap, X.2007, J . Todd. CL: 1 ♀ (AMNZ) Great Barrier Island, Mt. Hobson, Malaise trap, 21.I–22.II.2003, K . Parsons. WN: 1 ♀ (NZAC) Wellington, Maupuia Park, Malaise trap, 10–14.II.2004, F.R. Schnitzler.

Distribution. North Island: AK, BP, CL, WN.