Rodrigama Gauld

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 : 66-67

Genus Rodrigama Gauld Figs 120

Rodrigama Gauld 1991: 536 Type species: Rodrigama gamezi Gauld, by original designation.

Diagnosis.

Rodrigama can be distinguished from all other poemeniines by either of the following: 1) paired antero-lateral and postero-lateral oblique grooves delimiting a central rhombic area on the second metasomal tergite; 2) fused tergite and sternite of the first metasomal segment and can be readily identified using Wahl & Gauld’s (1998) key to genera.

Description.

Medium to large ichneumonids with fore wing length 12-26 mm. Apical segment of flagellum tapered apically, with distal end narrowly truncate; eyes with inner margins parallel; lower face transverse, about 1.3 × as broad as high at narrowest point; clypeus (Fig. 6) moderately large, not divided into basal and apical parts; clypeal margin thin, more or less indented, about 2 × as wide as high; mandible (Fig. 6) stout, with lower tooth slightly twisted forwards, entire mandible evenly tapered, bidentate, with lower tooth distinctly longer and stouter than upper tooth; posterior ocellus separated from eye by 1.4-1.7 × its maximum diameter; occipital carina (Figs 4, 5) centrally narrowly incomplete, mediodorsally slightly dipped; upper part of gena smooth; head in dorsal view with genae of moderate length, barely narrowed behind eyes. Pronotum (Fig. 7) with a mediodorsal posteriorly directed tooth, with strongly impressed and transversely striate groove extending from upper hind corner down to lower corner; upper part of epomia weak and short. Mesoscutum highly polished, sparsely covered with fine punctures and pubescence, without transverse rugae; epicnemial carina present, with upper end reaching level of lower corner of pronotum. Propodeum (Figs 8, 18) quite short, convex, with longitudinal carinae weak or absent; pleural carina clearly discernible; propodeal spiracle oval. Metapleuron strongly convex; submetapleural carina complete. Fore wing (Fig. 16) with vein 3rs-m present, defining a shortly petiolate, very wide, irregularly rhombic areolet; vein Rs+M opposite or a little basad of cu-a; 2rs-m about as long as M between 2rs-m and 2m-cu; 2m-cu with two bullae; Cu1b shorter than abscissa of Cu1 between 1m-cu and Cu1a; hind wing with 4-5 hamuli on costal margin proximally. Tarsal claws of both sexes simple, large, symmetrical, abruptly curved, with neither inner tooth nor spatulate bristles; hind leg very slender with tibia and tarsus particularly long and slender, with trochantellus not exceptionally long. Metasoma of female (Figs 1-3) moderately slender, fusiform; tergite 1 (Figs 11-12, 19) very long and slender, dorsally smooth and polished, without lateromedian and lateral longitudinal carinae, with spiracles on promontories at centre of tergite; sternite 1 fused to tergite, anteriorly forming cylinder; glymma absent; tergites 2-4 with grooves delimiting more or less rhombic central areas (Figs 1-3, 13, 20); last visible tergite extending into flat, shelf-like posterior prolongation which overhangs cerci (Fig. 14); sternites 2+ to subgenital plate medially indented, latter with small median incision posteriorly; ovipositor moderately stout, projecting beyond subgenital plate by about 4.5 × length of hind tibia, apex somewhat depressed, evenly tapered to point; lower valve dorsolaterally expanded to partially enclose upper, with distinct teeth (Fig. 15); male with metasoma slightly compressed; sternites evenly sclerotized, folded on mid-line; subgenital plate transverse, with posterior margin slightly concave.

Biological notes.

Host unknown. Females of Rodrigama gamezi were observed flying around an old, dead tree, and one was collected whilst probing in an old beetle boring with its ovipositor ( Gauld 1991).

Key to species of Rodrigama