Nasuconia ellenfutterae sp. nov.

(Figures. 2F, 3F, 4F, 5; 6E, 7D–F, 8C–D, 8G–F, 9C–D, 9G–H, 10G–I, 11B, 13C, 14C)

Diagnosis. (1) Preapical area of posterior pronotal process enlarged with two rounded humps; (2) in dorsal view, posterolateral area projected, about the same point of humeral angles; (3) s crossvein absent; (4) apex of first valvulae with dorsal and ventral margin serrate; (5) second valvulae, dorso apical margin with about four irregular teeth; (6) pronotum black; lacking yellow longitudinal lines or nodes.

Description. Color and sculpture. Head, pronotum, and legs black, eyes yellow, ocelli brown, legs black contrasting with yellow tarsi; rostrum distinctively yellow. Head, pronotum, ventral side of abdomen corrugated, strongly punctate; frontoclypeus with transversal rugae; forewing area costal punctate; legs densely pubescent with minute yellow setae. Head. Vertex with longitudinal elevated lines from the anterior margin to the suprantennal margin (Fig. 2F). Thorax. Proepisternum about twice longer than meso and metasternum (Fig. 5). P ronotum, in lateral view, followed by a concave with depression behind humeral angles (Fig. 3F); in dorsal view, posterolateral area rounded, projected laterally, about the same point of humeral angles (Fig. 4F). Forewing. 1 st and 2 nd apical cells with distinctive macula; s crossvein absent (Fig. 6E). Abdomen. Female. First valvula, (Fig. 13C) ventral interlocking device (VID) slightly sinuate; dorsal margin declined in apex, apex serrate, with about denticles (DEN) distributed on ventral and apical margin. Second valvulae, (Fig. 14C) dorso apical margin with about four irregular teeth, tip of valvulae with regular denticles located in dorsal and ventro-apical area. Male. Unknown.

Measurements (mm). Female. Total length: 7.58; pronotum length: 5.94; pronotum height: 1.71; head width: 1.5; head height: 2.00; distance between apices of humeral angles: 2.60.

Etymology. The specific epithet is a patronym for Ellen Futter who served as director of the AMNH for 30 years, the first woman to serve in this role. Ellen Futter’s unique and creative leadership fostered robust scientific discovery.

Material examined. Holotype. Pinned. (♀ QCAZ: 273254) Ecuador, Orellana, Reserva Etnica Waorani. 1 Km Onkone Gare Camp Transect. Ent. 216.3 m. 06-Oct-1995. 00 ⁰39’25.7” S 076 ⁰27’10.8”W T.L. Erwin. Et al. Fogging Terre firme forest: Lot # 1213.

Comments. This species is similar to N. curculionoida and N. guianensis sp. nov. in the frontoclypeus shape, and the transverse elevated line of the pronotal posterior process. It differs from N. curculionoida and N. guianensis sp. nov. in the color and pronotal sculpture. The latter species are brown and with elevated lines or nodes; N. ellenfutterae sp. nov. is black overall without lines or nodes on the pronotum. The notably enlarged proepisternum is unique to N. ellenfutterae sp. nov. The first valvulae in N. curculionoida have two preapical prominences that are absent in N. ellenfutterae sp. nov.; the second valvulae of N. ellenfutterae sp. nov. have about four irregular prominent teeth, in contrast with the small blunt teeth on the dorsal margin in N. curculionoida . This species represents the first record of the genus from Ecuador.