Acrotaphus fuscipennis (Cresson, 1865)

(Figs 92–100)

Epimecis fuscipennis Cresson, 1865: 33 . Lectotype ♂, Cuba (IES), designated by Cresson, 1916: 33 [lost].

Acrotaphus fuscipennis (Cresson) Townes & Townes, 1960: 256 .

Diagnosis. This species can be distinguished from all other species of Acrotaphus mainly by having the wings and pterostigma entirely black.

Comments. Additional characters to the original description (♂) are as follows: body [?] 8.2 mm; lower face [?] 1.0× as broad as high (from supraclypeal suture to base of antenna); margin of gena behind eyes slightly convex in dorsal view; margin of gena [?] 0.5× length of eye in dorsal view; posterior ocelli separated from eyes by [0.1]× its diameter in dorsal view; distance from tegula to head greater than [?] 0.5× distance from tegula to hind margin of propodeum; epicnemial carina present ventrally, extending until reaching the level of the lower corner of the pronotum laterally. Fore wing [?] 6.9 mm; cu-a opposite to the base of Rs&M; 2 rs-m [?] 0.9× as long as abscissa of M between 2 rs-m and 2 m-cu; hind wing with abscissa of Cu 1 between M and cu-a [?] 0.5× length of cu- a; tarsal claw simples. Tergite I [?] 1.2× as long as posteriorly broad; tergite II [?] 0.9× as long as posteriorly broad; tergite III [?] 0.9× as long as posteriorly broad; tergites IV–V [?] 0.8× as long as posteriorly broad; sternite IX (Fig 98) longer than high, with lateral and anterior margins strongly sclerotised and slightly concave, with few bristles widely spaced posteriorly. Genital capsule (Figs 99–100): Paramere truncated apically, narrower than the parameral lamina, with bristles except in posterior margin; volsellar lamina with bristles anteroapically spaced in anterior margin and with a set of about six to ten bristles in anterolateral region, just below the base of the digitus; cuspis robust with about five to six teeth aligned in the mid part until apex and with two to three few bristles spaced in apical region; digitus with teeth on apex, rounded distally and angular ventrally, with the margins of the apical region narrower than base; aedeagus with few teeth on apex and its apex slightly curved downward in lateral view.

Female. Similar to male in structure and coloration, except lower face 8.0–9.0× as broad as high (from supraclypeal suture to base of antenna); margin of gena behind eyes slightly concave in dorsal view; margin of gena 0.4–0.5× length of eye in dorsal view; posterior ocelli separated from eyes by 0.1× its diameter in dorsal view; distance from tegula to head greater than 0.4–0.5× distance from tegula to hind margin of propodeum; epicnemial carina present ventrally, extending until reaching the level of the lower corner of the pronotum laterally; fore wing 7.5–10.0 mm; cu-a opposite to the base of Rs&M; 2 rs-m 0.7–0.8× as long as abscissa of M between 2 rs-m and 2 m-cu; hind wing with abscissa of Cu 1 between M and cu-a 1.1–1.4× length of cu- a; tarsal claw with basal lobe quadrangular, with claw apex slightly overtaking the posterior margin of lobe; tergite I 1.4–1.7× as long as posteriorly broad; tergite II 1.1–1.3× as long as posteriorly broad; tergite III 1.0–1.2× as long as posteriorly broad; tergites IV–V 0.9–1.0× as long as posteriorly broad; ovipositor robust, 1.6× as long as hind tibia; lower valve with swelling in the mid region.

Distribution. Cuba (Fig 101).

Biological notes. Parasitoid of Neoscona arabesca (Walckenaer, 1841) (Brambila & Porter, 2005) .

Material examined. Lectotype: ♂, CUBA [without others information], #360, IES [analyzed by digital image (sent by Rayner Núñez)] [We observed that the specimen is similar to the type specimen. In addition to presenting the different colour pattern to A. fuscipennis as mentioned by Gauld & Fernández-Triana (2010), it also differentiates by being a female (with basal lobe in tarsal claws) and not a male (simple tarsal claws). We believe that the holotype is lost and the specimen replacing it is probably a female of A. ferruginosus]. Cuba: Soledad, 14.ii.1925 (Geo. Sult) ♀, CNC. USA: Florida, Monroe Co. [= County], 15 MI NE Key Largo City, Key Largo Key, 16.vi.1974, Black Light [trap] (J.B. Heppner), ♂ [with the genitalia extracted], FSCA; idem, but Dade Co. [County] Kend- all, 13601 Old Cutler Rd., Emerged 27.v.2003, ♀, FSCA; idem, but collected 03.viii, pupated 07.viii, emerged 17.viii.2000, from an araneid spider on Ficus religiosa (J. Brambila), ♀, #E 2000–2558, FSCA; idem, but Highlands Co. [= County], Archbold Biol. [= Biological] Sta. [Station], Lk [= Lake] Placid, Trail 1, 25.x.1985, Malaise trap (M. Deyrup), ♀, FSCA; idem but 13.iv.1983, UV Light (L. Lampert), ♀, FSCA.