Microplitis bomiensis Zhang

Zhang, Wangzhen, Song, Dongbao & Chen, Jiahua, 2019, Two new species of the genus Microplitis Foerster, 1862 (Hymenoptera, Braconidae, Microgastrinae) from China, ZooKeys 859, pp. 49-61 : 49

Microplitis bomiensis Zhang sp. nov. Figs 8-14

Etymology.

The specific name “bomiensis” is derived from the type locality.

Type material.

Holotype: female, Bomi, Tibet, 96°23'23.23"E, 29°36'22.33"N, 3427 m, 28.vii. 2013. Leg. Zhang Wangzhen (FAFU).

Comparative diagnosis.

Morphologically this species and M. paizhensis Zhang, sp. nov. are very similar; the main points of distinction are to be found in the former having golden setae on mesoscutum and disc of scutellum (vs light grey or colourless setae on mesoscutum and disc of scutellum). Fore vein 1-R1 1.6 × as long as its distance from apex of marginal cell and 1.3 × as long as stigma (vs. vein 1-R1 1.3 × as long as its distance from apex of marginal cell and 1.1 × as long as stigma). Mid coxa reddish brown, hind coxa black brown or infuscate (vs all coxae black).

The new species is also similar to M. helicoverpae Xu & He with the distinction between them as following: vein 1-R1 1.6 × as long as its distance from apex of marginal cell and 1.3 × as long as stigma (vs vein 1-R1 1.1 × as long as its distance from apex of marginal cell and 0.7 × as long as stigma). Areolet approximately quadrangular (vs areolet approximately triangular). T1 2.2 × as long as wide (vs T1 1.7 × as long as wide).

Description.

Female (holotype).

Head. Subcircular in anterior view, lateral temples hidden behind eyes in anterior view. Width of face (at widest) half as wide as head. Face flat to slightly convex, densely punctate, with associated dense setae. Inner margin of eyes straight to moderately emarginate adjacent to antennal sockets. Eyes setose. Transverse in dorsal view, 2.2 × as wide as long. Ocelli medium-sized, in a high triangle, imaginary tangent of posterior margin of anterior ocellus distant from posterior ocelli. Vertex shiny, shallowly punctate. Frons depressed, nearly smooth. POL: OD: OOL = 0.9: 0.4: 1.1. Antennae long than body (14.1: 10.3), flagellomeres thin, with bristly setae. Flagellomere proportion: 2 L/W (Flagellomere 2 length/ width) = 2.5, 8 L/W = 2.6, 14 L/W = 2.5. L 2/14 = 1.4, W 2/14 = 1.3. F12-15 (Flagellomere 12-15) loosely connected.

Mesosoma. Thorax slightly wider than head (7.3: 7.8). Pronotum sparsely punctae. Mesoscutum shiny, evenly punctate, with dense setae. Notauli faintly impressed. Scutellar lunules broad, divided by five carinae. Disc of scutellum shiny, weakly convex, evenly punctate, with setae, its rugose spot in the middle interrupting the posterior, polished band of scutellum. Propodeum rather evenly curved in profile, coarsely reticulate and rugose, with a median longitudinal carina.

Wings. Fore wing: vein 1-R1 (metacarpus) 1.6 × as long as its distance from apex of marginal cell and 1.3 × as long as stigma. Vein r (1st radius) emitted distally from middle of stigma and approximately as long as 2-SR. Areolet approximately quadrangular. Stigma 2.9 × as long as wide. Ratio of width of 1st discal cell: height of 1st discal = 21.6: 17.5. 1-CU1: 2-CU1: m-cu = 7.4: 11.5: 9.5. Hind wing: vein cu-a incurved.

Legs. Hind coxa small, slightly shorter than T1. Inner hind tibial spur almost as long as outer one, 0.3 × as long as hind basitarsus. Metasoma Slightly shorter than mesosoma (4.9: 5.2). T1 2.2 × as long as wide, parallel-sided, with broad shallow medial depression on basal 1/3, surface rugulose except for smooth apical swelling. T2 subtrapezoidal, its apical width: medial length ratio = 3.1: 0.9, smooth, shiny, glabrous, with a shield-shaped median field indicated by oblique grooves. T3 longer than T2 (1.3: 0.9), suture between T3 and T2 reduced to slight depression. T3 and the following tergites smooth, each with one or two transverse rows of sparse hairs posteriorly, denser laterally. Hypopygium small. Ovipositor sheath short, 1.3 × as long as second hind tarsomere.

Color. Body generally black to dark brown. Palps yellow to white. Setae of mesoscutum and disc of scutellum golden. Lateral edges of T1-T3 reddish yellow. Hypopygium reddish brown. Antennae dark brown or brown. Wings hyaline, venation brown, stigma with pale yellowish patch basally. Legs yellow, except mid coxa which are reddish brown; hind coxa, tibia, and tarsus black brown or infuscate.

Body length 3.4 mm; forewing length 3.9 mm.

Male. Unknown.

Distribution.

Tibet, China.

Habitat.

Prairie and bushes.