Ceranisus barsoomensis, S. Triapitsyn, 2005

Triapitsyn, Serguei V., 2005, Revision of Ceranisus and the related thrips-attacking entedonine genera (Hymenoptera: Eulophidae) of the world, African Invertebrates 46, pp. 261-315 : 290-292

Ceranisus barsoomensis sp. n.

Figs 36–38 Etymology: This species is so weird in habitus that it seems to be from Barsoom. Diagnosis: This species stands alone among the known species of Ceranisus because of its unusual habitus (a very long body of the female with a very long, markedly protruding ovipositor), which is likely an adaptation to the morphology and biology of its unknown thrips host.

Description: Female (n=3, holotype and paratypes). Body slender, mostly dark brown except gena orange, tegula and seventh metasomal tergum light brown; antenna brown, legs brown to dark brown.

Head triangular in lateral view; vertexal suture angulate (broadly Y-shaped).Antenna ( Fig. 36 ) inserted just above lower ocular line; scape slightly broadened medially, about 4.5 x as long as wide; pedicel long, about 2.6 x longer than wide, a little shorter than clava; both funicle segments longer than wide, F1 a little shorter and narrower than F2 and without sensilla, F2 with 1 sensillum; clava short, about 2.3 x as long as wide, its two segments subequal in length, with several sensilla.

Mesosoma much shorter than metasoma, almost smooth except pronotum and mesoscutum with faint cellulate sculpture; pronotum very long for the genus, a little broader than long; notauli faint but distinct, midlobe of mesoscutum with 2 pairs of setae. Wings much shorter than body. Forewing ( Fig. 37 ) about 3.0 x as long as wide; longest marginal setae short, about 1/5 maximal width of forewing; disc hyaline, with numerous short setae, more or less uniformly setose behind and beyond base of marginal vein; postmarginal vein slightly shorter than stigmal vein. Hind wing about 7 x as long as wide; longest marginal setae about 3/4 its maximal width. Hind coxa faintly sculptured.

Petiole about 2 x wider than long. Ovipositor very long for genus, occupying about 3/4 length of gaster, markedly exserted beyond apex of gaster (by about 1/3 of its total length); ovipositor length/metatibia length ratio about 3.4:1; exserted part of ovipositor sheaths with numerous conspicuous setae ( Fig. 38 ).

Measurements (n=1, holotype). Body: 1292. Antenna: scape: 127; pedicel: 79; F1: 39; F2: 44; clava: 88. Forewing: 658/215; longest marginal seta: 46. Hind wing: 615/85; longest marginal seta: 64. Ovipositor: 726.

Male. Unknown.

Holotype: Female on slide, labelled: 1. “ 29.21S 117.20E, 15 km N by E Mt. Singleton WA, 28-29 Sept. 1981 I. D. Naumann, J. C. Cardale”; 2. “caught in yellow tray; ex alcohol collection”; 3. “Mounted at UCR/ ERM by V. V. Berezovskiy 2004 in Canada balsam.ANIC”; 4. “?genus nr Ceranisus ” (in blue ink); 5. (red) “ Ceranisus barsoomensis S. Triapitsyn HOLOTYPE ^ [ANIC].

Paratypes: AUSTRALIA: Western Australia: same data as the holotype, 2^ on points [ ANIC, UCRC] .

Hosts: Unknown.

Figures

Figs 36–38. Ceranisus barsoomensis sp. n., female (holotype): (36) antenna, (37) forewing, (38) ovipositor. Scale lines = 0.1 mm.