Larrisson tegularis Pulawski, 2012

Pulawski, Wojciech J., 2012, A review of the genus Larrisson Menke, 1967, and description of the new genus Larrissa (Hymenoptera, Crabronidae), Journal of Hymenoptera Research 25, pp. 35-82 : 62-65

Larrisson tegularis Pulawski sp. n. Figs 3 19

Name-derivation.

Tegularis, a Latin masculine and feminine adjective derived from tegula, which is unusual shape in this species.

Recognition.

Larrisson tegularis has a reddish brown gaster with yellow apical bands on terga, a unique such coloration (yellow bands somewhat obscured by vestiture). It also has a unique tegula: elongate, with concave inner margin ( Fig. 19b ). In the female, the punctures of the pygidial plate are sparser than in all the congeners, averaging more than one diameter apart mesally, and the setae do not conceal the integument ( Fig. 19c ). In the male, flagellomere I is shorter than in the congeners (dorsal length equal to 0.8 × apical width, rather than at least equal) and sternum VIII is unique: it is emarginate apicomesally ( Fig. 19d ), but less so than in armatus, orbitalis, quintus, and variegatus, and unlike these species the ventral surface is all flat, punctate throughout (rather than with a glabrous, raised platform basomedially).

Description.

Width of face across clypeus and vertex = 60:61-62, least interocular distance 30-31 in female, and 60:60 and 36, respectively, in male. Orbital fovea absent. Clypeal lobe only slightly prominent, its free margin arcuate, not angulate laterally. Scapal basin smaller than in other Larrisson , all punctate (punctures almost contiguous), setae not concealing integument ( Fig. 17a ). Length of scape (excluding radicle) 2.7 × width, length equal to flagellomeres I-III + half IV combined. Scutal and mesopleural punctures less than one diameter apart; mesopleuron rounded in front of midcoxa, without tooth or crest; mesothoracic venter densely punctate throughout in some individuals (punctures less than one diameter apart), but sparsely punctate or impunctate on each side in others. Tegula elongate, with concave inner margin ( Fig. 19b ). Metanotum without tooth or carina. Propodeum without spine or tubercle behind spiracle; side ridged, punctate between ridges, finely ridged and impunctate anteriorly; posterior surface unsculptured or finely ridged mesodorsally, coarsely punctured mesoventrally. Externoventral hindfemoral margin minimally expanded next to apex. Outer surface of hindtibia with small setigerous punctures, including dorsal half.

Setae all silvery, appressed on head, thorax, propodeum, and legs, completely concealing integument on clypeus (except medioventrally), lower frons (except scapal basin), and mesopleuron. Glabrous area of propodeal dorsum limited to slightly more than median sulcus. Hindfemoral venter asetose, inner (= posterior) surface setose, asetose ventrally.

Head, thorax, and propodeum black except the following are yellow: clypeus medioventrally, scape, pedicel, mandible (apical third dark brown), and pronotal lobe; flagellum brown dorsally, yellowish brown ventrally. Forefemur yellow except reddish brown dorsally (light to dark), most of midfemur reddish brown (light to dark), but yellow ventrally and apically, hindfemur reddish brown except yellow apically; tibiae and tarsi yellow. Gaster brownish red, terga with yellow apical bands that are somewhat concealed by appressed vestiture ( Fig. 17e ).

Female. Punctures of pygidial plate averaging more than one diameter apart mesally, setae not concealing integument. Forebasitarsus with three or four rake spines; apical spine of foretarsomere III about 1.4 × as long as apical basitarsal width. Length 4.2-4.9 mm.

Male. Posterior mandibular margin not expanded between base and notch. Flagellum cylindrical; dorsal length of flagellomere I 0.8 × apical width. Legs unmodified; forebasitarsus with four rake spines; apical spine of forebasitarsus III as long as apical basitarsal width. Sternum II without transverse swelling; apex of sternum IV and all sterna V-VIII with dense, erect setae; sternum VIII flat, all punctate, shallowly emarginate apically ( Fig. 17d ). Genitalia unlike those of other Larrisson , with broad, rounded gonocoxite and setae invisible from above ( Fig. 20 ). Length 4.2 mm.

Geographic distribution

( Fig. 3 ). Known from one locality in southwestern New South Wales.

Specimens examined.

Holotype: ♀, AUSTRALIA: New South Wales: Kinchega National Park at 32°22.8'S, 142°23.6'E, 29 Dec 2009, V. Ahrens and W.J. Pulawski (AMS). Paratypes: same locality and collectors, 29 Dec 2009 (5 ♀, CAS), 30 Dec 2009 (4 ♀, 1 ♂, CAS).

Figures

Figure 3. Collecting locality of Larrisson armatus and tegularis.

Figure 17. Larrisson sulcatus ♀: a propodeal posterior surface (arrow indicates sulcus) b forewing showing triangular submarginal cell II.

Figure 19. Larrisson tegularis: a female head in frontal view b tegula (arrow indicates concave inner margin) c pygidial plate of female d apical sterna of male in ventral view e female gaster in dorsal view.

Figure 20. Larrisson tegularis: male genitalia dorsally.