Aulacidae, Shuckard, 1841

Ramage, Thibault & Jouault, Corentin, 2020, New species and records of Evanioidea and Stephanoidea from New Caledonia (Hymenoptera), European Journal of Taxonomy 723, pp. 1-32 : 15

Key to female Aulacidae of New Caledonia (modified from Jennings et al. 2004 for species of Aulacus Jurine, 1807)

1. Tarsal claws simple or with a small inner tooth ................................................................................ 2

– Tarsal claws pectinate ....................................................................................................................... 5

2. Hind wing venation reduced, R +Rs, M+ Cu, Cu, r-m and 2-M absent ( Jennings et al. 2004: fig. 1) ................................................................................................................................................. 3

– Hind wing venation not reduced, R+Rs, M +Cu, Cu, r-m and 2-M present, although spectral ( Jennings et al. 2004: fig. 2) .......................... Aulacus coracinus Jennings, Austin & Stevens, 2004

3. Hind coxa with a distinct lobe on inner distal surface, extending posteriorly for a distance equal to about one third of the length of trochanter; ovipositor on posterior surface of hind coxa, guide longitudinal and backward-pointing, extending to tip of hind coxal lobe ( Jennings et al. 2004: fig. 10) ................................................................ Aulacus emineo Jennings, Austin & Stevens, 2004

– Hind coxa without a distinct lobe on inner distal surface; ovipositor guide on inner surface of hind coxa ( Jennings et al. 2004: fig. 9) ..................................................................................................... 4

4. Mesosoma (with the exception of the pronotum) and metasoma black ( Fig. 1A ); fore wing with vein 2-Rs+M shorter than 2-Rs, discal cell elongated and narrow; metasoma 1.10 × as long as mesosoma; smaller species (3.18 mm) ......................................................... Aulacus pascali sp. nov.

– Mesosoma and metasoma black with extensive orange coloration ( Fig. 2 ); fore wing with vein 2-Rs+ M as long as 2-Rs, discal cell not elongated; metasoma 1.28 × as long as mesosoma; bigger species (4.1–5.9 mm) ....................................... Aulacus burwelli Jennings, Austin & Stevens, 2004

5. Mostly light orange species ( Figs 3–4 ). Head 1.35 × as wide as long; antenna with scape 1.58 × as long as pedicel. Mesosoma stouter; dorsal face of propodeum strongly concave basally; presence of a single transversal ridge on dorsal posterior half of propodeum ( Fig. 4 ); OI index superior to 88 ............................................................................................................ Pristaulacus elveni sp. nov.

– Mostly black species ( Fig. 5 ). Head 1.20 × as wide as long; antenna with scape 2 × as long as pedicel. Mesosoma more elongate; dorsal face of propodeum shallowly concave basally; presence of several transversal ridges on dorsal posterior half of propodeum ( Fig. 5 ); OI index inferior to 86 .................................................................................................. Pristaulacus villemantae sp. nov.

Figures

Fig. 1. Aulacus pascali sp. nov., holotype, ♀ (MNHN). A. Ateral habitus. B. Head in full-face view. C. Head in lateral view. D. Mesosoma in lateral view. E. Metasoma in lateral view. F. Line drawing of wings venation. Scale bars: A, D–F = 0.5 mm; B–C = 0.25 mm.

Fig. 2. Aulacus burwelli Jennings, Austin & Stevens, 2004, ♀ (MNHN), lateral habitus. Scale bar = 1.0 mm.

Fig. 3. Pristaulacus elveni sp. nov., holotype, ♀ (MNHN), lateral habitus. Scale bar = 1.0 mm.

Fig. 4. Pristaulacus elveni sp. nov., holotype, ♀ (MNHN). A. Head in lateral view. B. Mesosoma in lateral view. C. Head in full-face view. D. Metasoma in lateral view. E. Line drawing of fore wing venation. F. Line drawing of hind wing venation. Scale bars: A–D, F = 0.5 mm; E = 1.0 mm.

Fig. 5. Pristaulacus villemantae sp. nov., holotype, ♀ (MNHN). A. Head in lateral view. B. Mesosoma in lateral view. C. Head in full-face view. D. Metasoma in lateral view. E. Line drawing of wings venation. Scale bars: A–C = 0.5 mm; D–E = 1.0 mm.