Apleurotropis albicaulis sp. nov.

(Figs 2–6, 33, 36, 37)

Diagnosis. Costal cell with ventral surface bare (as in Fig. 34); frontal suture down-curved laterally (Fig. 2); fore coxa dark brown, mid and hind coxae white; postmarginal vein 2.4X as long as stigmal vein; petiole white (Fig. 33), 0.6X as long as wide in female and 1.2X as long as wide in male.

Description. FEMALE. Length 1.4 mm.

Scape yellowish-brown, remaining antenna pale brown. Frons below frontal suture golden-green, above suture metallic bluish-purple. Vertex metallic bluish-green. Mesoscutum, scutellum and propodeum metallic bluish-green. Fore coxa dark brown, mid and hind coxae white; fore and mid femora pale brown, hind femur dark brown; tibiae white; tarsi yellowish-brown. Forewing hyaline with a weak infuscate spot medially. Petiole white (Fig. 33). Gaster with tergites 1–2 metallic bluish-green, remaining tergites metallic dark purple.

Antenna as in Fig. 36. Frons with raised and strong reticulation (Fig. 2). Vertex with engraved and weak reticulation (Fig. 4).

Mesoscutum with engraved and strong reticulation, posterior 1/3 with weak median groove (Fig. 5); notaular depressions smooth and shiny. Scutellum with engraved reticulation, laterally and posteriorly smooth (Fig. 5). Axillae with engraved and very weak reticulation (Fig. 5). Dorsellum smooth with two large foveae anterolaterally (Fig. 6). Propodeal callus with two setae (Fig. 6). Forewing rounded, speculum closed below. Petiolar foramen triangular.

Petiole dorsally smooth, 0.6X as long as wide, mediolaterally with a spine (Fig. 6). Gaster ovate with pointed apex.

MALE. Length 1.0– 1.4 mm.

Scape pale brown. Entire frons metallic bluish-green. Vertex golden-green. Mesoscutum with midlobe with anterior ½ golden-red. Propodeum metallic dark purple. Colour otherwise as in female.

Antenna as in Fig. 37. Head otherwise as in female.

Petiole dorsally smooth and shiny, 1.2X as long as wide. Mesosoma and metasoma otherwise as in female.

Distribution. Costa Rica.

Biology. Unknown.

Material examined. Holotype female (INBio) labelled " Costa Rica: Puntarenas, Parque Nacional Corcovado, Estación Los Patos, 200 m, LS 281600/517900, 20.ii.2002, J.A. Azofeifa".

Paratypes. 10Ψ and 19ɗ on cards. COSTA RICA. Puntarenas: Golfo Dulce, 3 km SW Rincón, 10 m, xii.1992, P. Hanson (1ɗ, BMNH); Parque Nacional Carara, 09˚46'N 84˚57'W, 41 m, 1–7.iii.2005, C. Hansson (1ɗ, INBio); Parque Nacional Corcovado, Estación Los Patos, 200 m, LS 281600/517900, 20.ii.2002, J.A. Azofeifa (1ɗ, INBio) and ii.2000 (2ɗ, BMNH, INBio); Parque Nacional Corcovado, Quebrada La Bonanza, 500 m, 15.iii–28.iv.2001, LS 524800/275700, J. Azofeifa (1ɗ, CH) and 20.iv.2002 (1Ψ 1ɗ, BMNH, INBio); Parque Nacional Corcovado, Sirena, 08˚29'N 83˚35'W, 5 m, 19–20.ii.2004, J.S. Noyes (1Ψ 4ɗ, BMNH, INBio); Peninsula Osa, 8 km South puente Río Rincón, Coopemarti, 30 m, 08˚38'N 83˚28'W, ii.1991, P. Hanson (1ɗ, MIUCR); Reserva Privada Karen Mogensen, 09˚52'N 85˚03'W, 300 m, 11–21.ii.2005, C.

Hansson (5Ψ 3ɗ, CH, INBio) and 14–15.ii.2005 (3Ψ 2ɗ, BMNH, CNC).

Etymology. Named for the white petiole in both sexes (Latin albus = white, caulis = stem).