Orasema erwini n. sp.

urn:lsid:zoobank.org:act:F2C98814-442B-417C-A13B-43BB19174B15 (Figs 18–21)

Diagnosis. Face with longitudinal groove between torulus and eye. Petiole slightly expanded laterally near midlength, but at least 3.6× as long as broad, and with dorsal sculpture including irregular longitudinal carinae (Fig. 21).

Similar to O. delicatula and O. festiva, but recognized by the dorsal petiolar sculpture and intermediate lateral expansion of the petiole.

Female. Length, 3.5 mm. Head and mesosoma metallic bluish green to black; pedicel and anellus yellowish brown, flagellum dark brown; coxae yellow, metatrochanters with small brown area medially; petiole metallic blue to purple; gaster dark brown dorsally, ventrally pale brown, except anterior region of Ms2 black with metallic luster.

Head subquadrate, 1.5× as long as broad (Fig. 18). Face with broad depression enclosing a longitudinal groove between torulus and eye; scrobal depression medially with a broad flat carina bordered laterally by narrow foveate furrow. Eye bare. Labrum with 8 digits. Palpal formula 3-2. Pedicel as broad as F2; flagellum 2.1× height of head, F2 2.5× as long as broad, F2 1.3× as long as F3.

Mesosoma (Figs 19, 20) with mid lobe coarsely areolate-rugose, bare; lateral lobe nearly smooth posteriorly, with finely sculptured area near center. Axilla with oblique carinae; mesoscutellar disc coarsely areolate-rugose, as long as broad, broadly separated from transscutal articulation at base by deep fovea; frenum coarsely areolaterugose. Propodeal disc areolate-rugose with irregular median carina; callus smooth, with a few setae. Metafemur with short dense setae dorsoapically. Fore wing 2.8× as long as broad; stigmal vein 2.0–2.5× as long as broad, perpendicular to anterior margin.

Metasoma with petiole 1.7× as long as metacoxa, 3.6× as long as broad, laterally weakly expanded near midlength, weakly rugose with irregular median dorsal carina that is weak or absent posteriorly (Fig. 21). Hypopygium with few minute setae apically. Ovipositor curved cephalad, ventral (first) valvula with subapical lateral line of 6 blunt teeth; dorsal (2nd) valvula with 10 rasp-like annuli meeting along midline.

Male. Length, 3.25–3.58 mm. Similar to female except for following character states: antenna with flagellum 2.5–2.9× height of head; F2 length/width = 2.5–3.4; metasoma with petiole 1.7–2.3× as long as metacoxa, 3.5–4.7× as long as broad. Genitalia: parameres long and narrow, digitus with 5 broadly spaced teeth.

Type material. Holotype. Brazil: Mato Grosso: Sinop, 11°52'14"S, 55°29'46"W, x.1974, M. Alvarenga, Malaise [1♀, CNC: UCRCENT00320683]. Paratypes. Ecuador: Napo: Reserva Etnica Waorani 1 km S. Onkone Gare Camp, 220m, 0°39'10"S, 76°26'00"W, 2.x.1999, T.L. Erwin et al. [4♂ 1♀, UCRC: UCRCENT00092062, USNM: UCRCENT00092063, USNM: UCRCENT00092209, USNM: UCRCENT00092061, USNM: UCRCENT00092064]. Peru: Madre de Dios: 30 km (air) SW Ptp. Maldonado, 290m, 12°50'00"S, 69°17'00"W, 9.iii.1984, T.L. Erwin [2♂, UCRC: UCRCENT00436386, UCRC: UCRCENT00436387].

Etymology. Named in honor of Terry L. Erwin of the Smithsonian Institution, a champion of tropical biodiversity who has opened our eyes to what might be possible.