Lataxiphyda nodai (Togashi)

Smith, David R., 2020, New Species And New Records Of Xiphydriid Woodwasps (Hymenoptera: Xiphydriidae) From Southeastern Asia, Proceedings of the Entomological Society of Washington 122 (1), pp. 135-146 : 144

Lataxiphyda nodai (Togashi) ( Figs. 22–26 )

Hyperxiphia nodai Togashi 1982 , in Togashi and Hirashima 1982: 186.

Lataxiphyda nodai: Shinohara 2019: 103 (syn.: H. tabunokii Togashi , L. makiharai Togashi )

Hyperxiphia tabunokii Togashi 2007: 436 .

Lataxiphyda tabunokii: Shinohara and Hara 2015: 180 (syn: L. makihaarai Togashi )

Lataxiphyda makihaarai Togashi 2009: 145 .

Diagnosis.—Fenmale ( Figs. 22–26 ) and male entirely black; wings uniformly darkly infuscated. Frons ( Fig. 25 ) rugulose, with sculpture extending slightly posterior to hind ocellus ( Fig. 26 ). Sheath short ( Fig. 22 ), about 2.5X longer than broad.

Specimens examined.— Lao, Hua Phan Prov., Ban Saleui: Phou Pan-Mt. , 20 ° 13’30”N / 103 ° 59’26”E, 1350 – 1900 m, 10.05.2011, leg. C. Holzschuh + locals (2 ♀, OML, USNM), same except 06.052011 (1 ♀, OML), 13.05.2010 (1♀, OML), 21.05.2010 (1 Ơ, OML). Laos, Prov. Hua Phan, Phou Pan (Mt.), Ban Saleui (village), 20 ° 13’30”N / 103 ° 59’26”E, 1350–1900 m MSL, 08.06.2009, leg. C. Holzschuh and many locals (1 ♀, OML).

Remarks.—This is the first record of this species from Laos, which distinctly expands its distribution. I cannot tell see differences in these specimens and L. nodai and its synonyms, all described from Amami-Oshima Island, Japan ( Togashi and Hirashima 1982; Togashi 2007, 2009). The taxonomy of this species was discussed by Shinohara (2019), who also recorded it from Okinawa-Honto Island, Japan. Females range in length from 14– 18 mm; the one male examined is 8.0 mm long. The entirely black color, dark wings, rugose frons, and rugose sculpture extending posterior to the ocelli are distinctive for this species. Hyperxiphia ungulivaria Maa 1949 from China is entirely black, but it is metallic greenish with bluish iridescence, the wings are hyaline, only slightly tinted with yellowish brown, and the antennae have only 13 antennomeres. This species has been reared from wood of Machilus thunbergii Siev. and Zucc.(Lauraceae) and Ardisia sieboldii Miq. (Primulaceae) on Amani-Oshima Island ( Togashi 2007; Shinohara 2019). Both plant genera occur in Laos.

Figures

Figs. 22–26. Lataxiphyda nodai. 22, Lateral. 23, Thorax, lateral. 24, Thorax, dorsal. 25, Head, front. 26, Head, dorsal.