Hoplopria aterrima Dodd, 1920: 373

Notton, David G., 2014, A catalogue of the types of Diapriinae (Hymenoptera, Diapriidae) at the Natural History Museum, London, European Journal of Taxonomy 75, pp. 1-123 : 35

Hoplopria aterrima Dodd, 1920: 373 .

Valid name

Spilomicrus aterrimus ( Dodd, 1920) comb. nov.

Summary of types

Holotype ♀, BMNH number 9.635, by original designation . Paratype ♂. Lectotype designation by Masner (1965) invalid.

Primary type data

Lecto/ type/ L.M.; Kuching/ J.H.; P.Cameron Coll./ 1914-110; Brachyaulax / striaticollis/ Cam. Type/ Borneo; Hoplopria / aterrima Dodd / ♀; selected as lectotype by/ L. Masner 25.xi.01.

Type locality

Malaysia, Borneo, Sarawak, Kuching.

Remarks

This species was described from one specimen of each sex, of which Dodd said one was type and the other cotype (effectively holotype and paratype). There is, however, no clear evidence to say which of the two specimens is the type either from Dodd’s description or labels. Masner (1965) tried to resolve the situation by designating a lectotype; however, this action is invalid since only syntypes can be designated as lectotypes and Dodd had already designated a holotype. It is prudent to recognise the female specimen as Dodd’s holotype because a) Dodd described the female first and in more detail and so it is most likely he considered the female specimen the type, and b) it is in the interests of stability to follow Masner in recognising the female as the name bearing type. The holotype is mounted on a card and is entire. Following the synonymy of Hoplopria Ashmead, 1893 with Spilomicrus presented by Masner & García (2002), the position of this species in Spilomicrus is confirmed.