Synergus luteus Nieves-Aldrey & Medianero

Nieves-Aldrey, Jose Luis & Medianero, Enrique, 2011, Taxonomy of inquilines of oak gall wasps of Panama, with description of eight new species of Synergus Hartig (Hymenoptera, Cynipidae, Synergini), Zootaxa 2774, pp. 1-47 : 15-16

publication ID	https://doi.org/ 10.5281/zenodo.276876
DOI	https://doi.org/10.5281/zenodo.6189374
persistent identifier	https://treatment.plazi.org/id/03A487F3-FFFC-C604-FF2A-6481FE0BEE14
treatment provided by	Plazi
scientific name	Synergus luteus Nieves-Aldrey & Medianero
status	sp. nov.

Treatment

Synergus luteus Nieves-Aldrey & Medianero sp. nov.

( Figs. 2 View FIGURE 2 F, 4E, 5G, 6E, 9B, 11E, 14D, 15D, 16E, 17I, 20F–G)

Type material. Holotype ̩ (in Museo Nacional de Ciencias Naturales, Madrid, Spain ( MNCN), card-mounted. Cat. nº 2102). PANAMA, Chiriquí, Volcan Barú, Rio Seco 8º 47' 54 05” N, 82º 30' 32 05” W, 2447 m; ex gall of Loxaulus sp on Quercus bumelioides (Fagaceae) , gall collected 26.xi.2008, E. Medianero leg. Paratypes: 23, 5̩, same data as holotype; 13, 1̩, same data as holotype, but collected at 2,870 m, 22.xii.2008. Seven paratypes in the MNCN, two paratypes in Maestría en Entomología, Universidad de Panamá ( MEUP).

1̩ paratype of the type series was dissected for SEM observations (in the MNCN).

Etymology. Named after the predominantly yellow coloration of this species.

Diagnosis and comments. Closely related to Synergus colombianus and Synergus baruensis ; can be distinguished from S. colombianus by the F1 being longer than F 2 in the female antenna and not strongly expanded dorsally in male antenna, in addition to its predominantly yellow coloration. Compared to S. baruensis , S. luteus differs in its coloration, in the weaker and more branched frontal carinae, the stronger transverse sculpture of the mesoscutum, the expanded genae and the metasomal 2+3 terguites being visibly punctate posteriorly.

Description. Body 2.7 mm (range 2.45–3; N = 5) for females; 2.05 (range 1.9–2.2; N = 2) for males.

Female ( Fig. 20 View FIGURE 20 F). Head yellow red, the ocelar triangle, the occiput, around the occipital foramen, and tip of mandibles black. Antennae yellow. Mesosoma predominantly yellow red; the margin anterolateral of pronotum, anterior part of anteromedial signa, ventral area of mesopleuron, metanotum and propodeum black. Metasoma yellowish red, dorsally black. Legs yellow, excepting the metatarsomeres slightly darkened. Forewing hyaline, veins pale yellow. Male ( Fig. 20 View FIGURE 20 G) similar to female but black coloration more extended on frons and vertex medially, the entire mesonotum and the metasoma, excepting its apical area.

Female. ( Fig. 20 View FIGURE 20 F). Head in dorsal view ( Fig. 4 View FIGURE 4 E) 2 times as wide as long. POL 1.3 times OOL, posterior ocellus separated from inner orbit of eye by 1.3 times its diameter. Head in anterior view ( Fig. 2 View FIGURE 2 F) more or less rounded, 1.2 times as wide as high, genae slightly expanded behind eyes. Facial carinae strong, regular, reaching toruli and internal margin of eyes, slightly branched near compound eyes, medially in face the carinae arriving close to ventral margin of toruli. Ventral margin of clypeus slightly projected over mandibles. Malar space 0.6 as long as height of compound eye. Toruli size and relative separation as in their closely allied species. Frontal carinae branched and diffuse close lateral ocelli. Frons coriarious-punctate; vertex and dorsal area of occiput coriariouspunctate ( Figs. 2 View FIGURE 2 F, 4E).

Female antenna with 14 segments ( Fig. 5 View FIGURE 5 G); flagellum filiform not broadened towards apex; relative lengths of antennal segments: 20:11:29:22:23:24:21:20:16:15:15:12:12:24; pedicel 1.3 as long as wide; F1 1.3 as long as F2.

Male antenna with 15 segments; distal half slighty broadened; F1 curvated medially and slightly expanded apically; F1 2 times as long as F2 ( Fig. 6 View FIGURE 6 E).

Mesosoma. Pronotum without lateral pronotal carina, laterally with coriarious-striate sculpture. Mesoscutum moderately pubescent, with strong horizontal, closely spaced, striate sculpture ( Fig. 9 View FIGURE 9 B). Notauli percurrent, slightly converging posteriorly; notauli slightly broadened posteriorly, being wider than width of transscutal fissure. Median mesoscutal impression not impressed. Scutellar foveae ellipsoidal, shallow, slightly rugose, separated anteriorly by a narrow septum. Scutellum not margined, with horizontal, irregular, rugose sculpture. Mesopleuron ( Fig. 11 View FIGURE 11 E) with close spaced, regular, horizontal striae, extended also on the speculum, the interspaces without visible coriarious sculpture.

Lateral propodeal carinae distinct, broad, rather convergent posteriorly. Median propodeal area smooth and pubescenct. Nucha sulcate.

Legs. Tarsal claw with secondary acute tooth large, measuring 1/2 of length of apical tooth ( Fig. 16 View FIGURE 16 E).

Forewing ( Fig. 17 View FIGURE 17 I). Radial cell long, about 3.2 times as long as wide. R1 slightly depigmented along margin of radial cell, the radial cell appearing ambiguously closed; areolet inconspicuous but visible; vein Rs+M quite pale, but visible. Basal cell sparsely pubescent. Apical margin of wing with a long fringe of setae.

Metasoma ( Fig. 14 View FIGURE 14 D). First metasomal tergum longitudinally sulcate dorsally. Metasomal tergum T2+3 fused, covering almost all the metasoma, smooth and shining, micropunctures present, forming a band on posterior one third of metasomal terguite. Anterolateral pubescence forming a group of about 7 setae. Projecting part of the hypopygial spine clearly expanded beyond attachment with sternite ( Figs. 14 View FIGURE 14 D, 15D); lateral pubescence of hipopigial spine conspicuous and closely spaced; apical setae of hypopigial spine not projecting beyond apex spine.

Distribution. Known from the Volcán Barú area, Chiriqui region, Panama.

Biology. This new species inhabits galls of an undescribed species of the Loxaulus or Bassettia genera (Medianero & Nieves-Aldrey in prep.). The host galls consist of small swellings, which are sometimes inconspicuous, on twigs or small branches of Quercus bumelioides . The host galls are, thus, integral non-detachable, plurilocular and often cryptic ( Fig. 22 View FIGURE 22 B).