Larrisson niger 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 : 48

Larrisson niger Pulawski sp. n. Figs 6 8

Name-derivation.

Niger is a Latin masculine adjective meaning black; with reference to the mostly black body.

Recognition.

Like latifrons, the female of niger has an all black gaster, without red markings or yellow apical fasciae on segments, and the setae appressed on the head, thorax, propodeum and legs. Unlike latifrons, however, the hindfemoral apex of niger is broadened ( Fig. 8b ) rather than simple, scutal and mesopleural punctures average about one diameter apart and the interspaces are shiny (scutum and mesopleuron dull in latifrons, with linear interspaces), and the setae of the pygidial plate are dense, largely concealing the integument (rather than sparse, not concealing integument). The male is unknown.

Description (based on holotype only).

Female. Width of face across clypeus and vertex = 60:50, least interocular distance 37. Orbital fovea well defined, slightly wider than half ocellocular distance. Clypeal lobe only slightly prominent, its free margin arcuate, not angulate laterally. Scapal basin sparsely punctate (punctures averaging several diameters apart). Length of scape (excluding radicle) 2.8 × width, length equal to flagellomeres I-V combined. Scutal and mesopleural punctures averaging about one diameter apart ( Fig. 8a ). Mesopleuron with ill-defined transverse crest in front of midcoxa; mesothoracic venter densely punctate throughout (punctures about one diameter apart). Metanotum with obtuse median carina. Propodeum with minimal, obtuse tubercle behind spiracle; side ridged; posterior surface almost unsculptured mesodorsally, unsculptured mesoventrally. Hindfemoral apex broadened ( Fig. 8b ). Outer surface of hindtibia with small setigerous punctures, including dorsal half (punctures sparse in distal half or so of dorsal half).

Setae all silvery, appressed on head, thorax, propodeum, and legs, nearly completely concealing integument on clypeus and frons (on scapal basin markedly shorter than on remaining frons, not concealing integument), not so on mesopleuron and mesothoracic venter, nearly completely concealing integument on pygidial plate. Hindfemoral venter asetose, inner (= posterior) surface asetose in ventral half.

Head (including flagellum), thorax, propodeum, and gaster black except the following are pale yellow: scape (black dorsally), basal half of mandible (apical half brown), and pronotal lobe. Femora black, pale yellow apically (hindfemur narrowly so), tibiae and tarsi pale yellow.

Forebasitarsus with five rake spines, apical spine of foretarsomere III minimally shorter than apical basitarsal width. Pygidial plate with punctures that are about one diameter apart basally, less than one diameter apart apically. Length 4.5 mm.

Male. Unknown.

Geographic distribution

( Fig. 6 ). Known from one locality in Western Australia.

Specimen examined.

Holotype: ♀, AUSTRALIA: Western Australia: 9.5 km SE Banjiwarn Homestead at 27°42'S, 121°37'E, 20-28 Feb 1980, T.F. Houston et al. (WAMP).

Figures

Figure 6. Collecting localities of Larrisson carinatus, latifrons, niger, and orbitalis.

Figure 8. Larrisson niger ♀: a scutum and scutellum b hindfemur in posterior view.