Rodrigama takakuwai Matsumoto and Broad

Matsumoto, Rikio & Broad, Gavin R., 2011, Discovery of Rodrigama Gauld in the Old World, with description of two new species (Hymenoptera, Ichneumonidae, Poemeniinae), Journal of Hymenoptera Research 20, pp. 65-75 : 69-70

Rodrigama takakuwai Matsumoto and Broad sp. n. Figs 217-20

Holotype

♀ (Fig. 4), 7-9. v. 2009, Gaofong Ln., (24°00'48"N, 121°07'48"E (WGS 84), 1,400m a.s.l.), Ren-ai, Ln., Ren-ai t., Nantou, Taiwan, (Masatoshi Takakuwa) [TARI, 19-8].

Paratypes.

[Taiwan] 3♂, 9. iv. 1996, Kuantaoshan, Nantou (R.M.) (OMNH).

Diagnosis.

This species can be distinghished from all congeners by the following: Pronotum with strongly impressed and transversely striate groove from epomia to ventroposterior corner; area dorsal to this groove rather strongly and densely punctate; subalar prominence reddish brown, without yellow mark; metasomal tergites entirely brown to reddish brown, without whitish transverse markings apically.

Description.

Female. Length of fore wing 12 mm. Malar space about 0.2 × basal width of mandible. Pronotum (Fig. 17) with strongly impressed and transversely striate groove from epomia to ventroposterior corner; area dorsal to this groove rather strongly and densely punctate, slightly rugose. Mesoscutum in front of scuto-scutellar groove 1.5 × as long as wide in dorsal view; length of pubescence at centre of middle lobe about 3 × as long as distance between adjoining punctures; mesopleuron moderately punctate anteriorly, rather finely and sparsely punctate posteriorly, rather densely covered with pubescence; mesopleural suture strongly transversely striate; propodeum (Fig. 18) moderately punctate, transversely striate dorsomedially, with anterior part of lateromedian longitudinal carina present (sometimes very short), without swelling above spiracle; posterior transverse carinae very weak and incomplete. First metasomal tergite (Fig. 19) broadened at anterior 0.1, slightly narrowed a little posterior to spiracle, with posterior end slightly broader than width at anterior 0.2; posterior end of first metasomal sternite at posterior 0.35 between spiracle and posterior end of first metasomal tergite; tergites 2-4 sparsely covered with fine punctures and minute pubescence.

Colouration (Fig. 2). Head largely yellow with following parts black: apical half of mandible, frons except narrow yellow stripe extending along inner orbit to top of eye, dorso-median area of vertex and occiput; gena brown above. Pronotum black with yellow elongate marking next to antero-lateral margin on both side, with upper margins yellow posteriorly. Mesoscutum black with pair of yellow longitudinal spots; mesopleuron reddish brown, area between subalar prominence and speculum black; mesosternum black; scutellum black with median yellow triangular marking; scutellum yellow; propodeum dark brown, ventrally reddish brown below lateral longitudinal carina behind spiracle; metapleuron reddish brown with anterior margin blackish. Legs yellowish brown. Coxa, trochanter and trochantellus of fore leg slightly paler. Middle coxa black dorsally. Hind coxa fulvous, dorsally black. Trochanter darkened dorsally, hind femur and tibia reddish brown, latter darkened apically; basal 0.6 of first tarsomere brown. Wings hyaline, slightly tinged with brown; pterostigma brown, with faint brownish spots around junction of of cu-a and Cu1, and on Rs+2r below pterostigma. Metasomal tergites brown to reddish brown. Ovipositor brown, sheath black.

Male.

Similar to female but smaller. Length of fore wing 8.0-9.5 mm. Body colour similar to that of female; dark stripe on dorsal face of mid coxa reduced; hind femur blackish dorsally; metasoma reddish brown; fore wing without brown spot.

Distribution.

Taiwan (central mountainous region).

Etymology.

This species is named after Dr Masatoshi Takakuwa who collected the Holotype.

Biological notes.

Host unknown. Adult wasps were hand netted in mature forest of rather high altitude (1,100-1,400m a.s.l.). Both the preceding species and this Taiwanese species have only been found in mature forest.