Macroplectron nishidai, Hansson, 2024

Hansson, Christer, 2024, Two new genera of Eulophinae (Hymenoptera: Eulophidae), including four new species parasitoids on Gracillariidae (Lepidoptera) leaf miners in Costa Rica, Zootaxa 5447 (4), pp. 562-572 : 567-569

Macroplectron nishidai sp. nov.

Figs 8–11 , 18–19 , 21–22, 24

Diagnosis. Predominantly black species ( Figs 8–11 ). Midlobe of mesoscutum evenly covered with setae ( Figs 9, 11 ). Ventral surface of costal cell in fore wing with scattered setae throughout ( Figs 8, 10 ).

Description (female holotype). Length 3.0 mm. Mesoscutum with weak reticulation, evenly covered with strong setae. Mesoscutellum with weak reticulation throughout, meshes isodiametric. Dorsellum with very weak reticulation. Propodeum with very weak reticulation; propodeal callus with 15 setae. Fore wing with 11&11 setae on dorsal surface of submarginal vein; costal cell with a row of setae along anterior margin in apico-dorsal one-third, also with scattered setae throughout on ventral surface.

Colour. Head black. Antennae dark brown. Mesosoma black. Legs with fore and mid coxae dark brown, hind coxa black; trochanters yellowish-brown; fore femur dark brown with apical one-fourth yellowish-brown, mid femur pale brown, hind femur black with basal one-third yellowish-brown; fore and mid tibiae yellowish-brown, hind tibia pale brown; tarsi yellowish-brown with T4 dark brown. Wings infumate. Petiole black. Gaster dark brown.

Relative measurements: head length, dorsal view 22; head length, frontal view 34; head width 49; POL 10; OOL 8; mouth width 15; malar space 14.5; eye length 20; lateral ocellus diameter 5; scape length 18; scape width 5; pedicel length 7; pedicel width, dorsal view 4.5; flagellum length 46; F1 length 14; F1 width 5; F2 length 11; F2 width 7; clava length 20; clava width 7.5; pronotum length 21; pronotum width 35; mesosoma length 88; mesosoma width 52; midlobe of mesoscutum length 28; midlobe of mesoscutum width across posterior margin 18; sidelobes of mesoscutum width across posterior margin 18; mesoscutellum length 32; mesoscutellum width 29; propodeum length 12; hind tibia length 46; hind tibial spur length 33; hind tarsus length 50; hind basitarsus length 21; fore wing length 180; fore wing width 73; costal cell length 57; costal cell width 5; marginal vein length 70; postmarginal vein length 13; stigmal vein length 13; petiole length 13; petiole width 19; gaster length 114; gaster width 52.

Variation in paratypes. Length 2.4–3.0 mm. Colour and structure as in holotype.

Male. Length 2.0– 2.1 mm. Antenna with F1 and F2 paler than remaining antennal segments. Petiole longer than in female, 1× as long as wide. Gaster shorter than in female. Otherwise as in female.

Relative measurements: head length, dorsal view 28; head width 38; eye length 16.5; scape length 17; scape width 6; flagellum length 38; F1 length 12; F1 width 4; F2 length 9; F2 width 5.5; clava length 17; clava width 7; petiole length 12; petiole width 12; gaster length 65; gaster width 37.

Hosts. Reared from an unidentified Gracillariidae mining leaf on Schefflera rodriguesiana Frodin ( Araliaceae ). The leaf mine was a large blotch mine (K. Nishida in letter).

Distribution. Costa Rica.

Etymology. Named after Kenji Nishida who reared material of this species, and of both species of Petiolachertus .

Material. Holotype female: COSTA RICA, Zurqui de Moravia , 10º03’N, 84º00’W, 1600m, vii.1992, P. Hanson ( NHMUK) . Paratypes (3♀ 2♂, MZLU, MZUCR, NHMUK): following from same locality as holotype but collected iv.1992 (1♂) , ix–x.1993 (1♀), ii.1995 (1♂); 1♀ COSTA RICA, San José, San Gerardo de Dota , 9º34’N, 83º43’W, 2250m, 20–21.ii.2012 , J. S. Noyes ; 1♀ COSTA RICA, Heredia, 6km ENE Vara Blanca , 2000m, 2.xi.2002 , K. Nishida , ex leaf mine on Schefflera rodriguesiana .

Figures

FIGURES 8–13. Macroplectron spp. nov.; 8–11. M. nishidai; 8 female holotype, habitus in lateral view; 9 female holotype, habitus in dorsal view; 10 male paratype, habitus in lateral view; 11 male paratype, habitus in dorsal view; 12–13. M. safron, female holotype; 12 habitus in lateral view; 13 habitus in dorsal view.

FIGURES 14–20. Petiolachertus & Macroplectron spp. nov., head and antennae in lateral view; 14–15. P. castor; 14 female holotype; 15 male paratype; 16–17. P. pollux; 16 female paratype; 17 male paratype; 18–19. M. nishidai; 18 female holotype; 19 male paratype; 20 M. safron, female holotype.

FIGURES 21–26. Petiolachertus & Macroplectron spp. nov.; 21–23. Head in frontal view; 21 M. nishidai, female paratype; 22 M. nishidai, male paratype; 23 M. safron, female holotype; 24–26. Vertex; 24 M. nishidai, female holotype; 25 M. safron, female holotype; 26 P. castor, female holotype.