Apleurotropis strix sp. nov.

(Figs 27–30, 42)

Diagnosis. Scutellum close to anterior margin with longitudinal lateral grooves (Fig. 29); costal cell with ventral surface with a complete row of setae (as in Fig. 35); frontal suture v-shaped (Fig. 27); all coxae and femora dark and metallic; postmarginal vein 3.3X as long as stigmal vein; petiole 0.5–0.7X as long as wide and with a median carina. Similar to A. assis but dorsellum with two foveae anterolaterally (Fig. 30), and female petiole with a median carina (Fig. 30) (dorsellum in A. assis without foveae (Fig. 21) and female petiole smooth dorsally (Fig. 21)).

Description. FEMALE. Length 1.7–2.6 mm.

Scape yellowish-brown to pale brown, remaining antenna dark brown. Frons below frontal suture golden to golden-green, above suture metallic bluish-purple. Vertex metallic bluish-purple, bluish-green, or goldengreen. Mesoscutum, scutellum and propodeum metallic bluish-purple, bluish-green with purple tinges, or golden-green with blue tinges. Coxae metallic bluish-green; femora dark brown with metallic tinges; tibiae and tarsi yellowish-white. Forewing hyaline with an infuscate spot medially, or with entire forewing hyaline. Petiole golden-green. Gaster with tergites 1–2 metallic bluish-purple or golden-green, remaining tergites metallic dark purple.

Antenna as in Fig. 42. Frons below frontal suture with raised and strong reticulation, above suture with engraved and weak reticulation (Fig. 27). Vertex with engraved and weak small-meshed reticulation (Fig. 28).

Mesoscutum with engraved and strong reticulation, posterior 1/3 with or without a weak median groove (Fig. 29); notaular depressions smooth and shiny. Scutellum slightly convex to flat with engraved and strong reticulation, laterally and posteriorly smooth (Fig. 29). Axillae with engraved and very weak reticulation (Fig. 29). Dorsellum smooth with two large foveae anterolaterally (Fig. 30). Propodeal callus with two setae (Fig. 30). Forewing rounded, speculum closed below. Petiolar foramen triangular.

Petiole dorsally smooth and shiny, 0.5–0.7X as long as wide, mediolaterally with a spine (Fig. 30). Gaster elongate with apex pointed.

MALE. Unknown.

Distribution. Brazil, Colombia, Costa Rica.

Biology. Parasitoid on unidentified lepidopteran leafminers on Saurauia sp. ( Actinidiaceae).

Material examined. Holotype female “ Costa Rica: Cartago, Parque Nacional Tapantí, 09˚45'N 83˚47'W, 1200–1550 m, 20.iii–10.iv.2000, ex lepidopteran leafminer on Saurauia sp., C. Hansson & D. Rubí” (INBio).

Paratypes. 5Ψ on cards. COSTA RICA. Alajuela: San Carlos, Parque Nacional Arenal, Sendero Pilón, 600 m, 10˚27'N 84˚43'W, 17–18.v.1999, G. Carballo” (1Ψ, CH). Guanacaste: Guanacaste National Park, below Pitilla, 500 m, 7–8.iii.1990, J.S. Noyes" (1Ψ, BMNH). Puntarenas: Golfo Dulce, 24 km W Piedras Blancas, 200 m, 08˚46'N 83˚24'W, ii.1992, P. Hanson” (1Ψ, MIUCR). BRAZIL. BA, Mata de São João, Reserva de Sapiranga, 12°33’42.1”S 38°02’43.8”W, Varredura veg. – Am. 13, 24.vii.2001, M.T. Tavares e eq., col.” (1Ψ, MZSP). COLOMBIA. Amazonas, PNN Amacayacu, San Martin, 03˚23'N 70˚06'W, 150 m, 24.iv–5.v.2000, A. Parente (1Ψ, IAvH).

Etymology. Named for the two lateral grooves on anterior part of scutellum (Latin strix = furrow, groove).