Armadilleon, Spasojevic & Broad & Klopfstein, 2022

Spasojevic, Tamara, Broad, Gavin R. & Klopfstein, Seraina, 2022, Revision of 18 ichneumonid fossil species (Hymenoptera, Ichneumonidae) highlights the need for open nomenclature in palaeontology, Fossil Record 25 (1), pp. 187-212 : 187

Armadilleon gen. nov.

Type species.

Armadilleon morticinus ( Brues 1910).

Etymology.

This genus is named after the heavily armoured armadillo due to its unique, heavy sculpture.

Diagnosis.

The placement within the subfamily Phygadeountinae Phygadeountinae is evident from the strong and long sternaulus, which posteriorly ends above the mid-height of the hind coxa, the probably pentagonal areolet, T1 in the shape of a petiole, and the ovipositor clearly protruding from the metasomal apex and without a dorsal subapical notch. In strong and wavy structure on the mesosoma, Armadilleon resembles several described phygadeuontine genera, such as Astomaspis Föster, 1869 and Bentyra Cameron, 1905 from the subtribe Chiroticina , Diaglyptidea Viereck, 1913 and Acrolyta Förster, 1869 from Acrolytina , and Brachypimpla , Strobl 1902 from the subtribe Mastrina ; it also resembles some undescribed tropical phygadeuontines with similar sculpture (Mabel Alvarado pers. comm.). In the fore wing venation, propodeal carination, clypeus shape in the profile and shape of the ovipositor, Armadilleon is very similar to Brachypimpla , but it differs from it in the more extensive longitudinal striate sculpture on the mesosoma that is additionally present on the mesoscutum, anterior half of the propodeum and gena, absent notauli and lack of ramulus in the fore wing, stouter legs, and the flatter T1 in the profile. In addition, Armadilleon has longer metasoma as the posterior tergites are exposed, while they are retracted below each other in Brachypimpla . However, our interpretation of the metasoma should be regarded with caution, as the tergites might have been pushed out and distributed evenly during the preservation process.

Description.

Head above and possibly on front with conspicuous, nubby sculpture. Mesosoma with mesoscutum with strong and dense punctures, which fuse into parallel carinae towards the posterior end; mesopleuron and propodeum nearly completely covered with strong striae forming wavy patterns; sternaulus on mesopleuron strong, reaching almost to its end. Propodeum with strong carinae enclosing area petiolaris, areal lateralis, area basalis, and at least first and second lateral areas. Fore wing areolet pentagonal. Metasoma with T1 broad at apex and strongly tapering towards the narrow base, humped around middle and thus forming a petiole and postpetiole. Ovipositor clearly protruding from metasoma by about the length of the hind tibia, without a dorsal notch.

Circumscription.

Armadilleon includes A. morticinus and A. petrorum , both from the Oligocene Florissant formation.