Larrisson punctatus 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 : 50-52

Larrisson punctatus Pulawski sp. n. Figs 10 11

Name-derivation.

Punctatus , a Latin masculine past participle meaning punctate, with reference to the conspicuous gastral punctation of this species.

Recognition.

The female of punctatus differs from all its congeners by the markedly depressed mesothoracic venter and larger gastral punctures; in particular, the punctures of the basal concavity of tergum I are almost as large as those on the scutum ( Fig. 10a, b ). In all other Larrisson the mesothoracic venter is only slightly depresse d and the basal concavity of tergum I is either impunctate, or has minute, inconspicuous punctures, or (niger) the punctures are visibly smaller than those on the scutum. Also, like tegularis and unlike other Larrisson , the scapal basin is densely punctate (punctures less than one diameter apart), rather than impunctate or with punctures that average several diameters apart. As in tegularis, most of the propodeal enclosure is covered with setae, only the median sulcus and the adjacent area being glabrous; in all other Larrisson , the propodeal enclosure is glabrous (all or nearly so). The absence of a metanotal tubercle or crest is a subsidiary recognition feature. The male is unknown

Description.

Female. Width of face across clypeus and vertex = 60:55-58, least interocular distance 28. Orbital fovea narrow, about one quarter width of ocellocular distance. Clypeal lobe only slightly prominent, its free margin arcuate, angulate laterally. Scapal basin punctate, punctures less than one diameter apart. Length of scape (excluding radicle) 2.3-2.4 × width, length equal to flagellomeres I-IV combined. Mesopleuron without transverse crest or tubercle in front of midcoxa; mesothoracic venter conspicuously depressed, densely punctate mesally (punctures about one diameter apart, up to several diameters apart sublaterally). Metanotum without median tubercle or crest. Propodeum without spine or tubercle behind spiracle; side ridged; posterior surface sculptured mesodorsally and mesoventrally. Outer surface of hindtibia with small setiferous punctures, glabrous adjacent to dorsal margin (except in basal half). Tergal punctures ( Fig. 10a, b ) larger than in other Larrisson , those of basal concavity of tergum I (which is well defined) almost as large as scutal punctures.

Setae all silvery, appressed on head, thorax, propodeum, and legs, nearly completely concealing integument on clypeus and lower frons (on scapal basin markedly shorter than on remaining frons, not concealing integument), not concealing integument on mesopleuron, mesothoracic venter, and pygidial plate. Propodeal dorsum setose except median sulcus and adjacent area glabrous, entire enclosure glabrous anteriorly. Hindfemoral venter asetose, inner (= posterior) face asetose in ventral portion (up to half width mesally).

Head (including flagellum), thorax, propodeum, and gaster black except scape and pronotal lobe pale yellow. Femora either black, brown at very apex, or largely reddish brown; tibiae either light brown, yellow at very apex, or all pale yellow; tarsi yellowish brown. Gaster black in specimens from Calperum Station, with the following reddish brown: basal concavity of tergum I largely, narrow preapical stripes on terga, and tergum VI; in specimen from Grevillea camp terga I and II reddish brown, terga III and IV reddish brown with black basomedian spot, tergum V black basally, and tergum VI yellow, becoming brownish apically; apical depressions of terga yellowish brown in all three specimens examined.

Forebasitarsus with four rake spines, apical spine of foretarsomere III equal to 1.25 × of apical basitarsal width. Pygidial plate with punctures that are more than one diameter apart except less than one diameter apart near apex. Length 5.3-5.5 mm.

Male. Unknown.

Geographic distribution

( Fig. 11 ). Known from two localities in South Australia.

Specimens examined.

Holotype: E, AUSTRALIA: South Australia: Calperum Station 32 km N Renmark at 33°53'S, 140°44'E, 9 Nov - 12 Dec 1995, K.R. Pullen (ANIC). Paratypes: AUSTRALIA: South Australia: same data as holotype (1 ♀, CAS); Grevillea WAT camp at 27°01'30"S, 129°52'32"E, 18-20 Oct 1996, Pitjantjatjara Land Survey (1 ♀, SAM).

Figures

Figure 10. Larrisson punctatus ♀: a tergum I in dorsal view b tergum I in oblique anterodorsal view.

Figure 11. Collecting localities of Larrisson punctatus, quintus, and spinosus.