Neanica Erdös, 1953

Burks, R. A., 2012, Taxonomic studies on some little known genera of Palearctic Eulophidae and Pteromalidae (Hymenoptera: Chalcidoidea), Zootaxa 3487, pp. 24-40 : 35-36

Neanica Erdös urn:lsid:zoobank.org:act:0ACBB813-0E95-4348-B4FD-F6231DCC07FF

( Figs 37–42)

Neanica Erdös, 1953 . Type species: Neanica clavalis Erdös , by monotypy.

Material examined ( HNHM). Lectotype (♀): “Tompa 1949.V.7 Dr. Erdös ” / “Lepidium draba L.” / “ ? Lectotypus M. de V. Graham.” / “Hym. Typ. No. 6694 Mus. Budapest.”

Remarks. Neanica is a distinctive monospecific genus of Pteromalini. It is distinguished by its weakly sculptured body ( Figs 38–40), thick marginal vein ( Fig. 41), straight postmarginal vein, propodeum without carinae or nucha ( Fig. 39), and short but distinct petiole ( Fig. 42). In N. clavalis the antennal club and petiole are whitish and the fore wing disc is infumate ( Figs 37, 41–42), but these may only be features of the type species. Study of long series of other species of Pteromalinae indicates that coloration characters, especially fore wing infumation, are highly variable within genera and can vary or disappear in some specimens of any given species (Burks in prep.). An additional feature of uncertain phylogenetic value is the relatively high position of the foramen magnum, with the occiput correspondingly small ( Figs 39, 40). This feature has not been evaluated across the approximately 300 genera of Pteromalinae , but it may have phylogenetic significance. Neanica superficially resembles Stinoplus Thomson , but differs by the very thick marginal vein and more developed pronotal collar.