Methocha arcuata, Kimsey, 2011

Kimsey, Lynn S., 2011, Tiphiidae wasps of Madagascar (Hymenoptera, Tiphiidae), Journal of Hymenoptera Research 22, pp. 45-68 : 55-56

Methocha arcuata sp. n. Figs 9 22, 25

Holotype male:

Fianarantsoa Prov., Parc Natl. Ranomafana, radio tower at forest edge, 1130 m, 14-21/i/2002, 21°5'05S, 47°24'43E, R. Harin’Hala, malaise, mixed tropical forest, MA-02-09B-12 (SAN FRANCISCO).

Paratypes

(8 males): 1 male: 23/v-3/vi/2002, MA-02-09C-30; 1 male: Belle Vue at Talatakely, 1020 m 23-28/iv/2002, 21°15'99S, 47°25'21E. R. Harin’Hala, malaise, secondary tropical forest, MA-02-09C-26; 2 males: JIRAMA water works, 10-14/i/2002, 21°14'91S, 47°27'13E, R. Harin’Hala, MT nr river, 690 m, MA-02-09D-11; 1 male: Antsiranana Prov., Parc Natl. Montagne d’Ambre, 1125m, 14-30/v/2001, 12°31'13S, 49°10'45E, R. Harin’Hala, MT, MA-01-01D-11; 1 male: Toamasina Prov., Montagne d’Anjanaharibe, 18.0 km 21° nnw Ambinanitelo, 470m, 8-12/iii/2003, 15°11'18S, 049°36'54E, Fisher, Griswold et al. MT, in rainforest, BLF8011 (DAVIS).

Diagnosis.

The most distinctive features of Methocha arcuata are the flattened clypeus, well-developed antennal lobes and propodeal sculpturing consisting of fine transverse to dorsally arcuate ridges. This species most closely resembles Methocha arnoldi but can be distinguished by the longer flagellomeres and the finely ridged propodeum.

Description.

Male.

Body length. 7-11 mm.

Head. Clypeus flattened medially ( Fig. 9 ), apex truncate; antennal lobes rounded; frons without medial projection or lobe above antennal sockets; frons and vertex punctures separated by 1-2 puncture diameters; flagellomere I twice as long as broad; flagellomeres II and III 2.6-2.7 × as long as broad; flagellomere XI 4 × as long as broad.

Mesosoma. Pronotal disk gently convex medially, shoulders evenly rounded; scutal punctures separated by 1 puncture diameter, except for less densely punctate medial area; scutellum nearly impunctate; mesopleuron highly polished with tiny sparse punctures, more than 4 puncture diameters apart; propodeum with dense, fine ridges, dorsally and ventrally arcuate ( Fig. 25 ).

Metasoma. Terga highly polished, punctures tiny and separated by 4 or more puncture diameters; sterna impunctate except for basal band of punctures 1 puncture diameter apart.

Genitalia ( Fig. 22 ). Paramere slender, with small medial angle, marked by transparent lobe, breadth at medial angle 2.0-2.3 × breadth at halfway point between apex and medial angle, paramere length versus breadth at submedial angle is 6 ×.

Color. Black, with pale yellow mandibles and fore and midcoxae, fore and mid legs may be yellowish brown; palpi whitish; wing membrane faintly brown-tinted apically.

Vestiture. Sparse erect, silvery.

Figures

Figures 7 - 15. Front view of face. 8 Lateral view genital capsule 9 - 15 Lateral view of head and pronotum.

Figures 16 - 30. Methocha species. 16, 17 Front view of face 18, 21 Dorsal view of head 19, 20 Dorsal view of pronotum 22, 23, 26 - 30 Lateral view of genital capsule 24, 25 Posterior view of propodeum.