Euplectrus henrytownesi Hansson

Hansson, Christer, Smith, M. Alex, Janzen, Daniel H. & Hallwachs, Winnie, 2015, Integrative taxonomy of New World Euplectrus Westwood (Hymenoptera, Eulophidae), with focus on 55 new species from Area de Conservacion Guanacaste, northwestern Costa Rica, ZooKeys 485, pp. 1-236 : 48-49

Taxon classification Animalia Hymenoptera Eulophidae

Euplectrus henrytownesi Hansson sp. n. Figures 274-280, 285-287, 757

Material.

Holotype a female labeled "COSTA RICA: Guanacaste, ACG, Sector Pitilla, Pasmompa, 18.ix.2005, M. Rios, ex Thysanopyga cermala eating Gouania polygama , sibling of wasp DHJPAR0028805, 05-SRNP-33942" (BMNH). PARATYPES: 11♀ 3♂: 5♀ 1♂ with same label data as holotype (BMNH, INBio, MZLU); following from same locality and host as holotype but collected 18.ix.2005, sibling of wasp DHJPAR0028810, 05-SRNP-33946 (2♀ 1♂, in CNC), 12.ix.2006, sibling of wasp DHJPAR0028862, 06-SRNP-34122 (4♀ 1♂, in BMNH, INBio, USNM).

Diagnosis.

Lower face with median part dark reddish-brown, pale part reaching only to inner lateral margins of toruli (Figs 275, 276); legs yellowish-brown (Fig. 274); petiole 1.0 × as long as wide; gaster dark brown, anterior ½ with a large yellowish-brown (female, Fig. 277) or white (male, Fig. 278) spot, female with apex of gaster pale brown, in male dark brown; male antenna with scape expanded and widest slightly above the middle, 3.5 × as long as wide (Fig. 280), flagellomeres 2-5 with a basal whorl of erect setae.

Description.

Female. Length of body 2.5 mm. Antenna with scape and pedicel yellowish-brown, flagellomere 1 pale brown, 2-6 dark brown (Fig. 279). Mandibles and palpi yellowish-white. Head black and shiny, lower face with median part dark reddish-brown, pale part reaching only to inner lateral margins of toruli, with parts between pale area and eyes black (Fig. 275). Frons close to eyes with three rows of setae (Fig. 285). Vertex smooth (Fig. 286). Occipital margin with a carina behind ocellar triangle (Fig. 286).

Mesosoma black and shiny (Fig. 274). Each sidelobe of mesoscutum with 13 setae. Scutellum 1.0 × as long as wide; with weak engraved reticulation (Fig. 287). Dorsellum along anterior margin with a wide groove that is divided by longitudinal carinae (Fig. 757), groove medially 0.4 × as long as length of dorsellum. Propodeum with very weak reticulation (Fig. 757); anteromedially with a semicircular cup that has posterior part strongly raised and distinctly higher than anterior part; propodeal callus with eight setae. Legs yellowish-brown (Fig. 274). Fore wing: costal cell with two irregular rows of setae on ventral surface, and margin with eight setae in apical ½; with 16 admarginal setae, in one row.

Gaster dark brown with apex pale brown, anterior ½ with a large yellowish-brown spot (Fig. 277).

Ratios. HE/MS/WM = 1.9/1.0/1.1; POL/OOL/POO = 4.0/2.4/1.0; OOL/DO = 1.5; WE/WF/WH/HH = 1.0/2.8/5.0/3.8; WH/WT = 1.1; PM/ST = 1.5; TS1/TS2/LT/LT1/LT2/LT3/LT4 = 4.0/2.4/5.8/2.0/1.2/1.0/1.8; LP/WP = 1.0; MM/LG = 1.0.

Male. Length of body 2.1 mm. Scape slightly expanded and widest slightly above the middle (Fig. 280), sensory pores confined to apicoventral ⅔, sensory area pale as scape. Otherwise similar to female except flagellomeres 2-5 with a basal whorl of erect setae (Fig. 280); gaster shorter, and with apex dark brown (Fig. 278).

Ratios. LC/WS = 3.5; MM/LG = 1.2.

Hosts and biology.

Feeding on last instar larva of Thysanopyga cermala ( Geometridae ) feeding on Gouania polygama ( Rhamnaceae ), parasitoid cocoons stuck to cuticle of host larva.

Distribution.

Costa Rica (Guanacaste Province).

Etymology.

This species is named after Henry K. Townes, in recognition of his contribution to the understanding of ACG Hymenoptera taxonomy.