Platyplectrus pyrrhomaculatus, Yefremova & Copeland, 2023

Yefremova, Zoya A. & Copeland, Robert S., 2023, African Platyplectrus Ferrière (Hymenoptera: Eulophidae) from Kenya, with description of nine new species, Zootaxa 5360 (3), pp. 355-384 : 378

17. Platyplectrus pyrrhomaculatus, Yefremova & Copeland sp. nov.

Figs 69–71

Diagnosis. Pronotum with carina ( Fig. 70 ). Occipital carina present. Scutellum reticulate. Eyes asetose. POL 1.96× as long as OOL. F1 1.5× as long as pedicel. Clava 2.3× as long as wide and 1.6× as long as F4. Fore wing 2.3× as long as wide. Petiole transverse. Body mostly black, legs yellow, hind coxae and hind femora brown.

Description. Female. Body size 2.8–3.4 mm. Holotype 3.4 mm.

Colour: Body mostly black. Head black, vertex black with white setae. Face black with dark reddish-orange orbital lines ( Fig. 71 ) clypeus and genae dark reddish-orange. Antenna with pale yellow scape and brownish flagellum. Legs yellow ( Fig. 69 ) except hind coxae dark brown and hind femora brown in apical half. Medial lobes of mesoscutum and axillae with reddish-orange maculae ( Fig. 70 ). A small, similarly-coloured macula on posterolateral edges of scutellum.

Head: Malar sulcus present. Occiput with fine carina. Eyes asetose. POL 2.0× as OOL. Antenna. Scape 4.8–5.0× as long as wide. Pedicel 2.3× as long as wide. Flagellomeres 1 – 4. F1 1.4× as long as F2, F1 1.5× as long as pedicel, F2 = F3, F3 1.1× as long as F4. Clava 2.3× as long as wide and 1.6× as long as F4).

Mesosoma ( Fig. 70 ): Pronotum with posterior transverse carina. Mesoscutum rugulose, scutellum strongly reticulate with narrow crenulated grooves, propodeum smooth. Propodeum with strong median carina, callus with 6 long setae in marginal row and 4 in 2 nd row. Wings: ( Figs 69–70 ). Fore wing 2.3× as long as wide SMV with 7–8 long setae. Speculum large along pterostigma and marginal vein. SMV (35): MV (43): PMV (20): STV (12). PMV 1.7× as long as STV. Costal cell with three rows of setae: 18 long setae in posterior marginal row, two rows in middle of cell each 12–14 short setae. Hind wing rounded apically. Hind tibiae with 2 spurs; TS1 1.3× as long as 1 st tarsomere and 1.8× as long as TS2. Petiole as long as wide, reticulate.

Gaster 2.4× as long as wide.

Male. Unknown.

Host. Unknown.

Distribution. Currently known from Kenya.

Holotype. ♀, Kenya, Central Prov. , Kamwana forest, 1842 m, 0.40009º S, 37.38403º E, Malaise trap in indigenous forest, 28 Mar–11 Apr 2016. Condition of holotype excellent, head on card, R. Copeland, ICIPE 64326 ( NMK).

Paratypes. 1 ♀, Kenya, Rift Valley Prov. , Saiwa Swamp Nat. Park, nr. Campsite, 1882 m, 1.09417° N, 35.11833° E, Malaise trap, next to permanent upland swamp, 12–26 Feb 2006, R. Copeland ( SMNH-TAU) ; 1 ♀, Kenya, Central Prov. , Kamwana forest, 1842 m, 0.40009º S, 37.38403º E, Malaise trap in indigenous forest, 28 Mar–11 Apr 2016, R. Copeland, ICIPE 64327 ( NMK) .

Etymology. The species’ epithet refers to the dark reddish-orange coloured maculae; Pyrrho (G.= reddish-orange)

Figures

FIGURES 62–69. 62. P. ornatus Ferrière. Head, frontal. 63–68. P. pseudoornatus sp. nov. Holotype. Female. 63. Lateral habitus. 64. Dorsal head and thorax. 65. Dorsal habitus. 66. Mesosoma, dorsal. 67. Habitus ventral, showing dark spots on underside of metafemur. 68. Head+antennae, frontal. 69. P. pyrrhomaculatus sp. nov. Holotype, Lateral habitus.

FIGURES 70–75. 70–71 P. pyrrhomaculatus sp. nov. Holotype. Female. 70. Dorsal habitus. 71. Head+antennae, frontal. 72–75. P. striolatus (Ferrière). 72. Lateral habitus. 73. Dorsal habitus. 74. Head, frontal. 75. Scutellum, dorsal, close-up of strigose scutellum (red arrow).