Enicospilus riukiuensis (Matsumura & Uchida, 1926)

Shimizu, So, Broad, Gavin R. & Maeto, Kaoru, 2020, Integrative taxonomy and analysis of species richness patterns of nocturnal Darwin wasps of the genus Enicospilus Stephens (Hymenoptera, Ichneumonidae, Ophioninae) in Japan, ZooKeys 990, pp. 1-144 : 1

Enicospilus riukiuensis (Matsumura & Uchida, 1926) Figure 40

Henicospilus riukiuensis Matsumura and Uchida, 1926: 71; HT ♂ from Ryûkyûs, SEHU, examined.

Enicospilus nasutus Chiu, 1954: 65; HT ♀ from Taiwan, TARI, examined; synonymised by Gauld and Mitchell (1981: 278).

Enicospilus vontalis Gauld and Mitchell, 1978: 125; HT ♀ from Madagascar, MNHN, not examined; synonymised by Gauld and Mitchell (1981: 278).

Specimens examined.

Total of 29 specimens (20♀♀7♂♂ and 2 unsexed): Indonesia (1♀), Japan (16♀♀5♂♂ and 1 unsexed), Madagascar (1 unsexed), Malaysia (2♀♀), Taiwan (1♀2♂♂).

Type series: HT ♂ of Henicospilus riukiuensis Matsumura & Uchida, 1926, Okinawa, Ryûkyûs, JAPAN, Sakaguchi leg. (SEHU); HT ♀ of Enicospilus nasutus Chiu, 1954, Kanshirei, Tainan, TAIWAN, 9.XI.1926, S. Toyota leg. (TARI); AT ♂ of E. nasutus , Kuraru [= Kueitzuchiao in Hengchun, Kenting National Park], TAIWAN, 31.VII.1931, T. Shiraki leg. (TARI); PT of Enicospilus vontalis Gauld & Mitchell, 1978, unsexed, Bekily, Madagascar, VI.1936, A. Seyrig leg. (NHMUK).

Distribution.

Afrotropical, Australasian, Eastern Palaearctic, Oceanic and Oriental regions ( Yu et al. 2016). This is a widely distributed species in tropical to temperate regions of the Old World. Gauld and Mitchell (1981) thought that the presence of E. riukiuensis in the Afrotropical region (Madagascar) resulted from human trans-Indian Ocean trade, although there is no reliable evidence to support or refute this hypothesis.

Newly recorded from Indonesia.

JAPAN: [ Kantô-Kôshin] Tochigi ( Katayama et al. 2016) and Kanagawa*; [ Tôkai] Gifu* and Mie*; [Kinki] Kyôto ( Chiu 1954; present study), Hyôgo *, and Wakayama*; [ Chûgoku] Shimane ( Konishi and Nakamura 2002, 2010; present study) and Hiroshima ( Konishi and Nakamura 2005; present study); [Shikoku] Kôchi *; [ Kyûshû] Fukuoka ( Chiu 1954; present study), Nagasaki* and Kagoshima*; [ Ryûkyûs] Okinawa ( Matsumura and Uchida 1926; Uchida 1928; present study). *New records.

Bionomics.

Unknown.

Differential diagnosis.

This species is one of the most easily identified Enicospilus species based on the following character states: clypeus nasute (Fig. 40B, D ); mandible evenly tapered, rather short and stout, with upper tooth as long as lower (Fig. 40B, D ); proximal and central sclerites strongly sclerotised (Fig. 40F ).

Remarks.

The central sclerite of the Madagascan specimens is smaller than others. The colour of the interocellar area is usually a useful character for identification of Enicospilus , however, the interocellar area varies considerably in colour in E. riukiuensis .

The nasute clypeus of E. riukiuensis is unique among the described Ophioninae , although a similar clypeus is also known in other Ichneumonidae , such as Zagryphus Cushman, 1919 of Tryphoninae , but its function is unknown. In addition, some undescribed Oriental Enicospilus species have a similar clypeus and mandible.

Figures

Figure 40. Enicospilus riukiuensis (Matsumura & Uchida, 1926) ♀ from Japan A habitus B head, frontal view C head, dorsal view D head, lateral view E mesosoma, lateral view F central part of fore wing.