Neapterolelaps viridescens Desjardins, 2007

Desjardins, Christopher A., 2007, Phylogenetics and classification of the world genera of Diparinae (Hymenoptera: Pteromalidae), Zootaxa 1647 (1), pp. 1-88 : 68-69

Neapterolelaps viridescens Desjardins , New Species

( Fig. 50 , 59 )

Type information: Holotype female, ANIC. “ 35.22S 148.50E ACT, Blundells Ck. 850 m., 3km E Piccadilly Circus, Oct. 1985 Lawrence , Weir and Johnson., flight intercept / window trough trap.”

Description: Female. 3.1 mm. Color: Brownish orange with metallic green head and brown areas as follows: anellus plus F1–7; medial posterior portion of lateral lobe of mesoscutum; posterior margin of scutellum anterior to frenal sulcus; dorso-posterior blotch on GT1; GT5 except for anterior margin; posterior margin of GT7; ovipositor sheaths. Head: Subtriangular in frontal view, slightly wider than high (1.2:1); head with short, white, sparse setae, which are short dorsally, becoming twice as long ventrally; occipital carina faint, present only as dorsal line; vertex coriaceous becoming coriaceous-reticulate on upper face to reticulate on lower face; ratio of ocellocular: postocellar: mid-to-lateral ocellus distance: lateral ocellus diameter about 1.6: 5: 3.4: 1; scrobe high, reaching 4/5 of distance from torulus to midocellus; scrobal basin polished; scrobal walls coriaceous-striate; interantennal carina strong, reaching about 0.4X height of scrobe; toruli separated by 1.5 torulus diameters; antenna strongly clavate; scape about 0.7X eye height; anellus 1.5–2X broader than long; ratio of scape: pedicel: anellus: F1: F2: F3 about 38: 20: 1: 13: 10: 10: 7; F4 as long as broad; F5 slightly broader than long; clypeus poorly delimited. Mesosoma: Dorsally imbricate, becoming reticulate in posterior region of scutellum; ratio of pronotum: scutum: scutellum: propodeum about 1.7: 2.8: 2.5: 1; row of longer darker setae on medial posterior margin of pronotum; pronotum 1.6–2X wider than long, transversely striate laterally; antero-lateral margin of pronotum with carina reaching 0.3X height of pronotum; scutum wider than long (1.9:1); ratio of scutellum: frenum about 4.1: 1; marginal rim of scutellum with lightly grooved, pitted lamella; metanotum medially with grooved, pitted lamella; propodeum irregularly alveolate; plicae strong, latero-medially pointed and attached to second, semicircular carinae adjacent to postspiracular sulcus; postspiracular sulcus deep, with transverse carinae; spiracle 1.5X own diameter from metanotum; spiracle facing dorsally; callus densely setose, projecting posteriorly beyond postspiracular sulcus; prepectus triangular, not in same plane as pronotum, abutting at about 100º angle; mesepimeron mostly smooth, with transversely striate region near dorsal margin; femoral depression deep, smooth, well defined anteriorly; metapleuron transversely striate; all coxae with clumps of white setae on anterior margins; meso- and metatibias spinose; longer metatibial spur about 1.7X length of shorter, about 3X width of metatibia at point of spur insertion; metabasitarsus 5.5X as long as wide, about 0.7X length of remaining tarsi; hind coxae distinctly transversely striate; wings brachypterous, forewing about 0.7X length of mesosoma; hind wings sinuate, narrow, with marginal vein, about 0.7X length of forewing; submarginal vein of forewing with 6 strong, dark setae; ratio of submarginal vein: marginal vein 1.7:1. Metasoma: About 1.9X length of mesosoma; ratio of GT1: GT2–6:GT7:ovipostor sheaths about 2.3:2.2:1.2:1; GT1 dorsally without setae; GT4–6 each with single transverse row of white setae of uniform density; ovipositor apico-dorsally serrate. Male: Unknown, but see below.

Discussion: Although the male of viridescens , or the newly described mitteri , is not known with certainty, a specimen from Tasmania (ANIC, “ 41.21S 147.22E, Barrow Ck. 8km NE Nunamara, TAS, 12 Jan–6 Feb 1983, I.D. Naumann & J.C. Cardale, malaise/ethanol.”) probably represents the male of a closely related species. It does not belong to either newly described species, as it differs significantly from these taxa in propodeal and metapleural sculpture. Since the male cannot be positively associated with any females, it is not described at this time. However, characteristics which distinguish this specimen from aeniceps , leai , lodgei , and nigrisaepta are mentioned in the key above.

Etymology: viridescens , meaning green, named after the metallic green head present in the species.

Distribution: Southeastern Australia (Australian Capitol Territory).

Hosts: Unknown.

Figures

FIGURES 47–52. Pseudoceraphron burwelli: 47, mesosoma excluding coxae (lateral view); 48, mesosoma (dorsal view); 49, propodeum + metasternum (posterior view). Neapterolelaps viridescens: 50, mesosoma (dorso-lateral view). Neapterolelaps mitteri: 51, mesosoma (dorso-lateral view). Pondia sp.: 52, scrobe.

FIGURES 59–64. Lateral habitus views: 59, Neapterolelaps viridescens; 60, N. mitteri; 61, Cerodipara sabensis; 62, Chimaerolelaps villosa; 63, Conophorisca littoriticus; 64, C. grisselli.