Zuparka Heraty & Burks gen. n. Figs 68-73, 74-78, 79-80, 81-86

Type species.

Zuparka monomoria Heraty, 2000: 375-378, figs 1-7.

Etymology.

Named after Robert Zuparko of the California Academy of Sciences; gender feminine.

Discussion.

Defined by Heraty (2000: 375) as the Orasema monomoria group as based on the single species Z. monomoria (Heraty), comb. n. and on a single recently emerged teneral female. Another distinctive species is recognized herein, Z. fisheri sp. n. The two species are morphologically distinct from each other, and the divergence in their ribosomal and mitochondrial data is generally what is expected between different genera in other Oraseminae . However, morphological features support recognition of a single genus. Zuparka is most similar to the African Leiosema, the only other orasemine with ventral pores on the male scape. Based on Z. monomoria, Zuparka is the only genus with a pupa that lacks pronounced tubercles over the petiolar region (c.f. Fig. 37) or laterally on the lateral abdominal region (Heraty, 2000). It is also the only genus known to attack Monomorium ( Myrmicinae).

Diagnosis .

Separated from other Oraseminae by the presence of ventral pores on the male scape, 4-digitate labrum (Figs 69, 79), parallel scrobal depressions with a dorsal fovea (Fig. 79, dsd), sculptured frenum (Fig. 70, frn), presence of a basal petiolar carina (Fig. 75, apc), and absence of an antecostal sulcus. Distinguished from the other Old World genera by having the head smooth or very weakly coriaceous, and subtriangular in frontal view (Figs 69, 79, 81); scrobal depression with parallel channels and dorsal fovea (Fig. 79); occiput rounded; funicle 7-segmented; labrum with 4 digits; mesonotum appearing bare, at most with few minute setae; mesosomal lateral lobes and frenum sculptured; transscutal articulation complete and relatively straight; propodeal disc has either smooth or nearly smooth lateral areas on the propodeal disc in combination with a rugose-areolate or reticulate median channel (Fig. 73), or more weakly sculptured propodeum with a weak median channel and a median carina; prepectus foveate dorsally and tightly articulated with pronotum ventrally (Figs 70, 82); fore wing with basal area and specular area bare (Figs 74, 83), wing disc with relatively long dense setae; postmarginal vein less than twice as long as stigmal vein; petiole with prominent basal flange; antecostal sulcus absent; first valvula of ovipositor with 3-4 lateral teeth. Male scape with distinct ventral pores (glands) set in circular depressions across entire ventral surface (Fig. 78).

Host association.

Myrmicinae: Z. monomoria reared from Monomorium sp. (Heraty 2000).

Distribution.

Madagascar.