E. ferox subgroup

Recognition. Species with affinity to E. ferox have two broad longitudinal thoracic vittae stretching from the fore to the hind margin of the mesonotum (Figs 1D–E, 2–4) and the ventral areas of T1+2 and other abdominal tergites covered in dense tomentum (Figs 47–49). Females possess a long, broadly curved piercer that is nearly abdomenlength or more (Fig. 94). The female end tergite is partially fused at base and forked at apex (Fig. 109). Males of the species in this subgroup are unknown.

Relationships and ecology. The forked end tergite of E. ferox subgroup species suggests an affinity to E. fordlandia sp. nov. and E. charapensis of the E. gladiatrix subgroup, as females of these species also have forked end tergites. Genetic evidence from the E. inclani sp. nov. holotype (Fig. 1) suggests that the E. ferox subgroup is sister to the E. gladiatrix subgroup. All species are tropical in distribution. Hosts are unknown.