taxonID	type	description	language	source
03CC878BFFB2FFFB281DFA65FC3EFEDC.taxon	type_taxon	Type species: Mutilla articulata Latreille, 1792 (by monotypy).	en	Barthélémy, Christophe, Terayama, Mamoru, Sin, Simon Yung Wa, Poon, Emily Shui Kei (2026): The Methocha (Hymenoptera: Thynnidae: Methochinae) of Hong Kong (China), a preliminary faunal list with descriptions of five new species and sexual associations rendered through molecular analysis. European Journal of Taxonomy 1043: 118-151, DOI: 10.5852/ejt.2026.1043.3213, URL: https://europeanjournaloftaxonomy.eu/index.php/ejt/article/download/3213/14249
03CC878BFFB2FFFB281DFA65FC3EFEDC.taxon	diagnosis	Diagnosis Within the family Thynnidae, the females of Methocha are apterous with setose eyes, pronotum, mesonotum and metanotum-propodeum forming three distinct, similar and almost equal regions separated by marked constrictions, and metatibia with one apical S-shaped and dorsally finely comblike spur. Males are fully winged with setose eyes, developed antennal lobe; short pronotal disc, shorter than its width, fore wing with two submarginal cells enclosed by tubular veins, vein Rs between true, first and second submarginal cells reduced or absent, at least anteroapically, S 6 shorter than S 5, S 7 partly exposed, and metatibia with posterior (inner) apical spur distinctly S-shaped.	en	Barthélémy, Christophe, Terayama, Mamoru, Sin, Simon Yung Wa, Poon, Emily Shui Kei (2026): The Methocha (Hymenoptera: Thynnidae: Methochinae) of Hong Kong (China), a preliminary faunal list with descriptions of five new species and sexual associations rendered through molecular analysis. European Journal of Taxonomy 1043: 118-151, DOI: 10.5852/ejt.2026.1043.3213, URL: https://europeanjournaloftaxonomy.eu/index.php/ejt/article/download/3213/14249
03CC878BFFB2FFFB281DFA65FC3EFEDC.taxon	distribution	Distribution Worldwide except Australian Region and the Pacific islands.	en	Barthélémy, Christophe, Terayama, Mamoru, Sin, Simon Yung Wa, Poon, Emily Shui Kei (2026): The Methocha (Hymenoptera: Thynnidae: Methochinae) of Hong Kong (China), a preliminary faunal list with descriptions of five new species and sexual associations rendered through molecular analysis. European Journal of Taxonomy 1043: 118-151, DOI: 10.5852/ejt.2026.1043.3213, URL: https://europeanjournaloftaxonomy.eu/index.php/ejt/article/download/3213/14249
03CC878BFFB1FFFA2BA6FEDAFAF5FD2E.taxon	description	urn: lsid: zoobank. org: act: E 85 AD 8 EF- 2 B 19 - 43 C 4 - 8 CEA- 721 B 5630 BB 2 C Figs 5 A, 6 A, 7 A, 8 A, 9 A, 10 A, 11 A	en	Barthélémy, Christophe, Terayama, Mamoru, Sin, Simon Yung Wa, Poon, Emily Shui Kei (2026): The Methocha (Hymenoptera: Thynnidae: Methochinae) of Hong Kong (China), a preliminary faunal list with descriptions of five new species and sexual associations rendered through molecular analysis. European Journal of Taxonomy 1043: 118-151, DOI: 10.5852/ejt.2026.1043.3213, URL: https://europeanjournaloftaxonomy.eu/index.php/ejt/article/download/3213/14249
03CC878BFFB1FFFA2BA6FEDAFAF5FD2E.taxon	diagnosis	Diagnosis Females of this species can be distinguished from other Asian congeners by the following combination of characters: body entirely black; legs and antennae dark brown; head dorsally trapezoidal, with convex posterolateral margin; mandibles not distally narrowed; clypeus with rounded anterior margin; frontal tubercule reduced; ocelli forming a large equilateral triangle; pronotum, mesoscutellum, and propodeum largely smooth; tarsal claws with subapical tooth shorter than apical tooth. The male is unknown.	en	Barthélémy, Christophe, Terayama, Mamoru, Sin, Simon Yung Wa, Poon, Emily Shui Kei (2026): The Methocha (Hymenoptera: Thynnidae: Methochinae) of Hong Kong (China), a preliminary faunal list with descriptions of five new species and sexual associations rendered through molecular analysis. European Journal of Taxonomy 1043: 118-151, DOI: 10.5852/ejt.2026.1043.3213, URL: https://europeanjournaloftaxonomy.eu/index.php/ejt/article/download/3213/14249
03CC878BFFB1FFFA2BA6FEDAFAF5FD2E.taxon	etymology	Etymology The specific epithet refers to the transliteration of the Cantonese ideograms for the colour “ black ” (黑º) in reference to the black body of this species.	en	Barthélémy, Christophe, Terayama, Mamoru, Sin, Simon Yung Wa, Poon, Emily Shui Kei (2026): The Methocha (Hymenoptera: Thynnidae: Methochinae) of Hong Kong (China), a preliminary faunal list with descriptions of five new species and sexual associations rendered through molecular analysis. European Journal of Taxonomy 1043: 118-151, DOI: 10.5852/ejt.2026.1043.3213, URL: https://europeanjournaloftaxonomy.eu/index.php/ejt/article/download/3213/14249
03CC878BFFB1FFFA2BA6FEDAFAF5FD2E.taxon	materials_examined	Type material Holotype CHINA – Hong Kong • ♀; Ping Shan Chai; 22 ° 29 ′ 14 ″ N, 114 ° 11 ′ 06 ″ E; 140 m a. s. l.; 7 Dec. 2019 – 4 Jan. 2020; C. Barthélémy leg.; Malaise trap; CASC, ref.: M 459. D. Hy. 1. Paratype CHINA – Hong Kong • 1 ♀; Lung Fu Shan; 22 ° 16 ′ 49 ″ N, 114 ° 08 ′ 18 ″ E; 143 m a. s. l.; 22 – 29 Apr. 2021; Andre Ibanez leg.; Malaise trap; CBC, ref.: 0732. E. Hy. 1.	en	Barthélémy, Christophe, Terayama, Mamoru, Sin, Simon Yung Wa, Poon, Emily Shui Kei (2026): The Methocha (Hymenoptera: Thynnidae: Methochinae) of Hong Kong (China), a preliminary faunal list with descriptions of five new species and sexual associations rendered through molecular analysis. European Journal of Taxonomy 1043: 118-151, DOI: 10.5852/ejt.2026.1043.3213, URL: https://europeanjournaloftaxonomy.eu/index.php/ejt/article/download/3213/14249
03CC878BFFB1FFFA2BA6FEDAFAF5FD2E.taxon	description	Description Female STANDARD RATIOS (n = 2). L: 3.8 – 4.1 mm (mean = 3.95 mm); CR: 1.17 – 1.21 (mean = 1.19); OOR: 0.56 – 0.82 (mean = 0.69); CLR: 0.37 – 0.60 (mean = 0.48); MER: 0.24 – 0.29 (mean = 0.26); OMR: 0.54 – 0.56 (mean = 0.55); FRR: 2.42 – 2.83 (mean = 2.63); MSR: 1.27 – 1.40 (mean = 1.33); PRR: 0.77 – 1.06 (mean = 0.92). HEAD (Figs 5 A, 7 A, 8 A, 9 A). Head wider than high in frontal view (mean CR = 1.19) width 2.1 × narrowest interocular distance; head trapezoidal dorsally (Fig. 8 A), 1.4 × as long as wide, with convex posterolateral margin; ocelli forming a large equilateral triangle (Fig. 8 A), ocelli minute; frons, vertex and gena largely smooth, with sparse and minute punctures (Figs 5 A, 7 A, 8 A); frontal tubercules much reduced (Fig. 8 A), space lateral to tubercules coriaceous; frontal line absent; clypeus convex, anterior margin weakly rounded (Fig. 9 A), sub-flat, anterior part coriaceous, posterior part minutely rugulose; mandibles not distally narrowed, lower tooth slightly longer than upper one; pedicel long, 0.7 × length of FL 1; FL 1 – FL 3 in a ratio of 6: 7: 6 in length. MESOSOMA (Figs 10 A, 11 A). Collar of pronotum smooth in dorsal view (Fig. 11 A); pronotal disc smooth bearing a few sparse and minute punctures (Fig 11 A); mesonotum longer than pronotum (× 1.25); mesoscutum with concave dorsum in profile, mesoscutellum smooth, rounded in lateral view, not separated from mesepisternum; tegula absent; mesepisternum mostly smooth bearing a few minute punctures; metanotum with transverse ridges anteriorly (Fig. 10 A), smooth posteriorly; propodeum globular, smooth (Figs 10 A, 11 A). METASOMA. Terga polished, bearing largely interspaced minute punctures, petiole rugose. Sterna polished bearing larger and widely spaced punctures. LEGS. Tarsal claws tridentate, apical tooth sharp, subapical tooth blunt nearly as long as apical one, basal tooth minute, triangular. COLOUR AND VESTITURE (Figs 5 A, 6 A). Body entirely black except legs and antennae dark brown (Figs 5 A, 6 A). Body bearing sparse long and erect white setae.	en	Barthélémy, Christophe, Terayama, Mamoru, Sin, Simon Yung Wa, Poon, Emily Shui Kei (2026): The Methocha (Hymenoptera: Thynnidae: Methochinae) of Hong Kong (China), a preliminary faunal list with descriptions of five new species and sexual associations rendered through molecular analysis. European Journal of Taxonomy 1043: 118-151, DOI: 10.5852/ejt.2026.1043.3213, URL: https://europeanjournaloftaxonomy.eu/index.php/ejt/article/download/3213/14249
03CC878BFFB1FFFA2BA6FEDAFAF5FD2E.taxon	discussion	Remarks We were unable to extract viable DNA for analysis from our material; however, the clearly trapezoidal head (in dorsal view) distinguishes this species from the similar looking M. hongkongensis sp. nov.	en	Barthélémy, Christophe, Terayama, Mamoru, Sin, Simon Yung Wa, Poon, Emily Shui Kei (2026): The Methocha (Hymenoptera: Thynnidae: Methochinae) of Hong Kong (China), a preliminary faunal list with descriptions of five new species and sexual associations rendered through molecular analysis. European Journal of Taxonomy 1043: 118-151, DOI: 10.5852/ejt.2026.1043.3213, URL: https://europeanjournaloftaxonomy.eu/index.php/ejt/article/download/3213/14249
03CC878BFFB0FFF42BFDFD6BFDF6FA5A.taxon	description	urn: lsid: zoobank. org: act: 079 CE 0 F 9 - 1 F 02 - 4 F 81 - 9 AAC- 2099124 D 344 E Figs 4 A – C, 5 B – C, H, 6 B – C, 7 B – C, 8 B – C, 9 B – C, 10 B – C, 11 B – C, 12 A, D, 13 A, D	en	Barthélémy, Christophe, Terayama, Mamoru, Sin, Simon Yung Wa, Poon, Emily Shui Kei (2026): The Methocha (Hymenoptera: Thynnidae: Methochinae) of Hong Kong (China), a preliminary faunal list with descriptions of five new species and sexual associations rendered through molecular analysis. European Journal of Taxonomy 1043: 118-151, DOI: 10.5852/ejt.2026.1043.3213, URL: https://europeanjournaloftaxonomy.eu/index.php/ejt/article/download/3213/14249
03CC878BFFB0FFF42BFDFD6BFDF6FA5A.taxon	diagnosis	Diagnosis Females of this species can be distinguished from other Asian congeners by the following combination of characters: body entirely black, scape dark brown; head dorsally sub-triangular, with shallow convex posterolateral margin; mandibles not distally narrowed; clypeus with narrowly convex anterior margin; frontal tubercule reduced; ocelli forming an isosceles triangle; pronotum, mesoscutellum, and propodeum largely smooth; tarsal claws with subapical tooth equal to apical tooth. Males can be differentiated by the following combination of characters: mandibles, antennae, legs, fore and mid coxae and tegula dark orange-brown; frons densely punctured; clypeus concave; pronotal anterior carina present; notauli present; episternal sulcus deep; propodeum areolate; tarsal claws tridentate, apical tooth sharp, subapical tooth blunt / truncate about the same length of the apical one, basal one smaller.	en	Barthélémy, Christophe, Terayama, Mamoru, Sin, Simon Yung Wa, Poon, Emily Shui Kei (2026): The Methocha (Hymenoptera: Thynnidae: Methochinae) of Hong Kong (China), a preliminary faunal list with descriptions of five new species and sexual associations rendered through molecular analysis. European Journal of Taxonomy 1043: 118-151, DOI: 10.5852/ejt.2026.1043.3213, URL: https://europeanjournaloftaxonomy.eu/index.php/ejt/article/download/3213/14249
03CC878BFFB0FFF42BFDFD6BFDF6FA5A.taxon	etymology	Etymology The specific epithet refers to the type locality.	en	Barthélémy, Christophe, Terayama, Mamoru, Sin, Simon Yung Wa, Poon, Emily Shui Kei (2026): The Methocha (Hymenoptera: Thynnidae: Methochinae) of Hong Kong (China), a preliminary faunal list with descriptions of five new species and sexual associations rendered through molecular analysis. European Journal of Taxonomy 1043: 118-151, DOI: 10.5852/ejt.2026.1043.3213, URL: https://europeanjournaloftaxonomy.eu/index.php/ejt/article/download/3213/14249
03CC878BFFB0FFF42BFDFD6BFDF6FA5A.taxon	materials_examined	Type material Holotype CHINA – Hong Kong • ♀; Pak Sha O; 22 ° 26 ′ 59 ″ N, 114 ° 19 ′ 04 ″ E; 70 m a. s. l.; 1 – 15 Sep. 2018; C. Barthélémy leg.; Malaise trap; CASC, ref.: M 364. C. Hy. 2. Paratypes CHINA – Hong Kong • 1 ♀; Mang Kung Wo; 22 ° 22 ′ 06 ″ N, 114 ° 15 ′ 12 ″ E; 60 m a. s. l.; 28 Apr. – 12 May 2018; C. Barthélémy leg.; Malaise trap; GenBank no.: PV 631180; CBC, ref.: M 345. C. Hy. 9 • 1 ♀; same collection data as for preceding; 25 – 29 Sep. 2018; C. Barthélémy leg.; Malaise trap; CBC, ref.: M 369. C. Hy. 1 • 1 ♀; same collection data as for preceding; 19 Oct. – 3 Nov. 2019; C. Barthélémy leg.; Malaise trap; CBC, ref.: M 447. C. Hy. 2 • 1 ♀; same collection data as for preceding; 25 Apr. – 3 May 2020; C. Barthélémy leg.; Malaise trap; CBC, ref.: M 485. C. Hy. 7 • 1 ♀; Pak Sha O; 22 ° 26 ′ 59 ″ N, 114 ° 19 ′ 04 ″ E; 70 m a. s. l.; 15 – 29 Jun. 2019; C. Barthélémy leg.; Malaise trap; CBC ref.: M 420. C. Hy. 3 • 1 ♀; same collection data as for preceding; 15 – 29 Jun 2020; C. Barthélémy leg.; Malaise trap; CBC, ref.: M 470. C. Hy. 1 • 2 ♀♀; same collection data as for preceding; 29 Feb. – 14 Mar. 2020; C. Barthélémy leg.; Malaise trap; CBC, refs: M 474. C. Hy. 1, M 474. C. Hy. 3 • 1 ♀; same collection data as for preceding; 16 – 30 Jan. 2021; C. Barthélémy leg.; Malaise trap; GenBank no.: PV 631177; CBC ref.: M 541. C. Hy. 1 • 1 ♀; same collection data as for holotype; 5 – 18 Jul. 2020; C. Barthélémy leg.; Malaise trap; GenBank no.: PV 631178; CBC, ref.: M 500. C. Hy. 3 • 1 ♂; same collection data as for holotype; 10 Apr. – 24 May 2021; C. Barthélémy leg.; Malaise trap; GenBank no.: PV 631176; CBC, ref.: M 556. C. Hy. 1 • 1 ♂; same collection data as for holotype; 8 – 23 May 2021; C. Barthélémy leg.; Malaise trap; GenBank no.: PV 631175; CBC, ref.: M 561. C. Hy. 3.	en	Barthélémy, Christophe, Terayama, Mamoru, Sin, Simon Yung Wa, Poon, Emily Shui Kei (2026): The Methocha (Hymenoptera: Thynnidae: Methochinae) of Hong Kong (China), a preliminary faunal list with descriptions of five new species and sexual associations rendered through molecular analysis. European Journal of Taxonomy 1043: 118-151, DOI: 10.5852/ejt.2026.1043.3213, URL: https://europeanjournaloftaxonomy.eu/index.php/ejt/article/download/3213/14249
03CC878BFFB0FFF42BFDFD6BFDF6FA5A.taxon	description	Description Female STANDARD RATIOS (n = 10). L: 4.4 – 7.1 mm (mean = 5.71 mm); CR: 1.02 – 1.27 (mean = 1.18); OOR: 0.62 – 0.73 (mean = 0.67); CLR: 0.28 – 0.40 (mean = 0.35); MER: 0.22 – 0.25 (mean = 0.24); OMR: 0.45 – 0.56 (mean = 0.52); FRR: 1.77 – 2.19 (mean = 1.94); MSR: 1.42 – 1.71 (mean = 1.52); PRR: 0.70 – 0.76 (mean = 0.72). HEAD (Figs 5 B, 7 B, 8 B, 9 B). Head slightly wider than high in frontal view (mean CR = 1.18) width 2.4 × narrowest interocular distance; head subtriangular dorsally (Fig. 8 B), 1.4 × as long as wide, with almost straight posterolateral margin; ocelli large, forming an isosceles triangle (Fig. 8 B); frons, vertex and gena largely smooth, with sparse and minute punctures (Figs 5 B, 7 B, 8 B); frontal tubercule well defined and bi-lobed (Fig. 8 B), space lateral to tubercule minutely rugose; frontal line absent; clypeus convex, anterior margin weakly rounded (Fig. 9 B), sub-flat, anterior part with minute punctures, posterior part minutely rugulose; mandibles not distally narrowed, lower tooth longer than upper one (Fig. 9 B); pedicel long, 0.6 × length of FL 1; FL 1 – FL 3 in a ratio of 10: 9: 7 in length. MESOSOMA (Figs 10 B, 11 B). Collar of pronotum rugulose anteriorly, costate posteriorly in dorsal view (Fig. 11 B); pronotal disc smooth bearing a few sparse and minute punctures; mesonotum longer than pronotum (× 1.28), mesoscutum with concave dorsal margin in lateral view, mesoscutellum smooth, gently convex in lateral view, not obviously separated from mesepisternum (evanescent suture) (Fig. 10 B); tegula absent; mesepisternum mostly smooth bearing a few minute punctures; metanotum smooth; propodeum globular, smooth (Figs 10 B, 11 B). METASOMA (Fig. 5 B). Terga polished, bearing largely interspaced minute punctures, petiole rugose. Sterna polished bearing minute punctures. LEGS. All tarsal claws tridentate, apical and subapical tooth sharp both of about the same length, basal tooth minute. COLOUR AND VESTITURE (Figs 5 B, 6 B). Body entirely black except coxae and tarsi dark brown. Body bearing sparse long and erect white setae. Male STANDARD RATIOS (n = 4). L = 8.4 – 12.1 mm (mean = 10.35 mm); CR: 1.17 – 1.31 (mean = 1.25); OOR: 0.47 – 0.65 (mean = 0.58); CLR: 0.42 – 0.51 (mean = 0.45); MER: 0.50 – 0.55 (mean = 0.53); OMR: 0.54 – 0.58 (mean = 0.57); FRR: 2.8 – 3.53 (mean = 3.14); MSR: 1.03 – 1.16 (mean = 1.09); PRR: 1.96 – 2.45 (mean = 2.25). HEAD (Figs 5 C, 7 C, 8 C, 9 C). Head wider than high in frontal view (mean CR = 1.25), width 2 × narrowest interocular distance; head 2 × as long as wide dorsally, with convex posterior margin; ocelli forming an equilateral triangle (Fig. 8 C); vertex weakly punctured, punctures separated by distance 1 – 8 × their own diameters (Fig. 8 C); frons densely punctured, punctures separated by distance equal or less than their own diameters (Figs 7 C, 8 C); gena weakly punctate, punctures separated by distance 3 – 5 × their own diameters; clypeus concave, disc bearing a high convex tubercule, surface uniformly punctured with large punctures, clypeal apex emarginate, apical fifth bearing translucent lamina (Fig. 9 C); mandibles not distally narrowed, apical tooth longer than subapical one; FL 1 – FL 3 in a ratio of 3: 5: 5 in length. MESOSOMA (Figs 10 C, 11 C, 12 A). Pronotum weakly punctate with smooth interspace (Fig. 10 C), puncture separated by distance 3 – 4 × their own diameters, lateral and ventral surfaces punctate as dorsal side; pronotal anterior carina present (Fig. 11 C); mesoscutum densely punctate, punctures separated by distance equal or less than their own diameter with smooth interspace; notauli present (Fig. 11 C); parapsidal furrow with deep fovea, reaching posterior edge of mesoscutum (Fig. 11 C); posterior margin of mesoscutum clearly marked; scutellum bulging with large punctures, punctures separated by distance equal or less that their own diameter with smooth interspaces (Fig. 11 C), lateral slope with large punctures; mesepisternum convex and punctate, punctures separated by distance equal or less than their own diameter with smooth interspaces (Fig. 10 C), dorsal depression with six to seven longitudinal large fovea (Fig. 10 C); episternal sulcus deep; metanotum elevated, punctured, laterally smooth; metapleuron with a few weak and shallow transverse striations; propodeum areolate (Fig. 12 A). METASOMA (Figs 12 D, 13 A – D). T 1 weakly punctate, puncture separated by distance 2 – 8 × their own diameter; T 2 – T 4 uniformly punctate, punctures small and separated by distance 2 – 3 × their own diameter with smooth interspaces; T 1 with weak median depression not reaching apical margin, depression shiny; anterior transverse depression of T 2 costate; T 3 – T 5 without anterior carina, T 5 – T 7 punctate as T 1; S 1 with uniform and dense punctures, punctures separated by distance less than their own diameter; S 2 – S 7 punctate as terga, anterior third bearing sparse small punctures (Fig. 13 A); hypopygium punctate (Fig. 13 D). LEGS. Tarsal claws tridentate, apical tooth sharp, subapical tooth blunt / truncate about same length of apical one, basal one smaller, length about ½ subapical tooth; hind coxa without a rounded and elevated carina dorsally. COLOUR AND VESTITURE (Figs 5 C, 6 C). Body entirely black except mandibles, antennae, legs, fore and mid coxae and tegula dark brown; wing veins brown. Body with sparse appressed silvery setae; antenna covered with short suberect brownish setae; S 2 – S 4 with row of long brownish setae on apical margin.	en	Barthélémy, Christophe, Terayama, Mamoru, Sin, Simon Yung Wa, Poon, Emily Shui Kei (2026): The Methocha (Hymenoptera: Thynnidae: Methochinae) of Hong Kong (China), a preliminary faunal list with descriptions of five new species and sexual associations rendered through molecular analysis. European Journal of Taxonomy 1043: 118-151, DOI: 10.5852/ejt.2026.1043.3213, URL: https://europeanjournaloftaxonomy.eu/index.php/ejt/article/download/3213/14249
03CC878BFFB0FFF42BFDFD6BFDF6FA5A.taxon	discussion	Remarks This species, especially females, resembles M. maai from Taiwan in the black body and the tarsal claws with the subapical tooth equal to the apical tooth. However, it is separated from the latter by the convex anterior margin of the clypeus (truncate in M. maai), the ocelli forming an isosceles triangle (equilateral triangle in M. maai), the weakly convex posterior margin of the head in frontal view (strongly convex in M. maai), and the gently convex dorsal margins of the pronotum, mesonotum and propodeum in profile (strongly convex in M. maai). Females are usually rare in this genus, but this species is commonly seen in Hong Kong with numerous postings on the i-Naturalist website at https: // www. inaturalist. org / projects / hong-kong-bees-and-wasps (20 observations) and is the most common female caught in Malaise traps (11 specimens). The male was associated through DNA analysis.	en	Barthélémy, Christophe, Terayama, Mamoru, Sin, Simon Yung Wa, Poon, Emily Shui Kei (2026): The Methocha (Hymenoptera: Thynnidae: Methochinae) of Hong Kong (China), a preliminary faunal list with descriptions of five new species and sexual associations rendered through molecular analysis. European Journal of Taxonomy 1043: 118-151, DOI: 10.5852/ejt.2026.1043.3213, URL: https://europeanjournaloftaxonomy.eu/index.php/ejt/article/download/3213/14249
03CC878BFFBEFFF72BB3FA5EFEF8F86B.taxon	description	urn: lsid: zoobank. org: act: AFDE 6899 - F 985 - 48 A 3 - 8 F 4 D- 164 EB 9 B 4 CAEF Figs 5 D, 6 D, 7 D, 8 D, 9 D, 10 D, 11 D	en	Barthélémy, Christophe, Terayama, Mamoru, Sin, Simon Yung Wa, Poon, Emily Shui Kei (2026): The Methocha (Hymenoptera: Thynnidae: Methochinae) of Hong Kong (China), a preliminary faunal list with descriptions of five new species and sexual associations rendered through molecular analysis. European Journal of Taxonomy 1043: 118-151, DOI: 10.5852/ejt.2026.1043.3213, URL: https://europeanjournaloftaxonomy.eu/index.php/ejt/article/download/3213/14249
03CC878BFFBEFFF72BB3FA5EFEF8F86B.taxon	diagnosis	Diagnosis The female of this species can be distinguished from other Asian congeners by the following combination of characters: head and metasoma black and mesosoma red; dorsal surface of mesoscutum laterally flat; posterolateral margin of head convex, forming blunt angle in dorsal view, clypeus with a large median lobe which is rounded and translucent; pronotal disc largely smooth and shining. The male is unknown.	en	Barthélémy, Christophe, Terayama, Mamoru, Sin, Simon Yung Wa, Poon, Emily Shui Kei (2026): The Methocha (Hymenoptera: Thynnidae: Methochinae) of Hong Kong (China), a preliminary faunal list with descriptions of five new species and sexual associations rendered through molecular analysis. European Journal of Taxonomy 1043: 118-151, DOI: 10.5852/ejt.2026.1043.3213, URL: https://europeanjournaloftaxonomy.eu/index.php/ejt/article/download/3213/14249
03CC878BFFBEFFF72BB3FA5EFEF8F86B.taxon	etymology	Etymology The specific name is in honour of Arkady S. Lelej (Laboratory of Entomology of the Federal Scientific Center of the East Asia Terrestrial Biodiversity in Vladivostok), a charming person and eminent hymenopterist.	en	Barthélémy, Christophe, Terayama, Mamoru, Sin, Simon Yung Wa, Poon, Emily Shui Kei (2026): The Methocha (Hymenoptera: Thynnidae: Methochinae) of Hong Kong (China), a preliminary faunal list with descriptions of five new species and sexual associations rendered through molecular analysis. European Journal of Taxonomy 1043: 118-151, DOI: 10.5852/ejt.2026.1043.3213, URL: https://europeanjournaloftaxonomy.eu/index.php/ejt/article/download/3213/14249
03CC878BFFBEFFF72BB3FA5EFEF8F86B.taxon	materials_examined	Type material Holotype CHINA – Hong Kong • ♀; Pak Sha O; 22 ° 26 ′ 59 ″ N, 114 ° 19 ′ 04 ″ E; 70 m a. s. l.; 24 Sep. – 22 Oct. 2011; C. Barthélémy leg.; Malaise trap; GenBank no.: PV 631183; CASC, ref.: M 099. C. Hy. 2. Paratypes CHINA – Hong Kong • 1 ♀; same collection data as for holotype; 20 Jun. – 4 Jul. 2015; C. Barthélémy leg.; Malaise trap; GenBank no.: PV 631182; CBC, ref.: M 209. C. Hy. 1 • 1 ♀; San Tau Village; 22 ° 17 ′ 22 ″ N, 113 ° 55 ′ 07 ″ E; 5 m a. s. l.; 10 Oct. 2023; M. T. Hamer leg.; hand net, CBC, ref.: 0741. F. Hy. 1 • 1 ♀; Yee Ting Campsite; 22 ° 24 ′ 30 ″ N, 114 ° 19 ′ 24 ″ E; 35 m a. s. l.; 19 May 2022; M. T. Hamer leg.; hand net; CBC, ref.: 0742. F. Hy. 1.	en	Barthélémy, Christophe, Terayama, Mamoru, Sin, Simon Yung Wa, Poon, Emily Shui Kei (2026): The Methocha (Hymenoptera: Thynnidae: Methochinae) of Hong Kong (China), a preliminary faunal list with descriptions of five new species and sexual associations rendered through molecular analysis. European Journal of Taxonomy 1043: 118-151, DOI: 10.5852/ejt.2026.1043.3213, URL: https://europeanjournaloftaxonomy.eu/index.php/ejt/article/download/3213/14249
03CC878BFFBEFFF72BB3FA5EFEF8F86B.taxon	description	Description Female STANDARD RATIOS (n = 4). L: 5.7 – 8.6 mm (mean = 6.8 mm); CR: 0.88 – 1.14 (mean = 1.06); OOR: 0.38 – 0.44 (mean = 0.40); CLR: 0.35 – 0.44 (mean = 0.39); MER: 0.21 – 0.28 (mean = 0.24); OMR: 0.29 – 0.53 (mean = 0.45); FRR: 2.40 – 2.95 (mean = 2.57); MSR: 1.45 – 1.62 (mean = 1.54); PRR: 0.69 – 0.82 (mean = 0.76). HEAD (Figs 5 D, 7 D, 8 D, 9 D). Head as high as wide in frontal view (mean CR = 1.06), width 2.0 × narrowest interocular distance; head 1.7 × as long as wide dorsally, with convex posterolateral margin; ocelli forming an equilateral triangle (Fig. 8 D); frons shagreened; vertex and gena largely smooth, with sparse and shallow punctures (Figs 5 D, 8 D), punctures separated by distance 2 – 8 × their own diameter; pair of small frontal tubercules present, surface above tubercules mostly smooth; frontal line weakly present; clypeus with weakly rounded apical margin, disc bearing conspicuous tubercule, apical part with numerous minute punctures, dorsal part finely rugulose (Fig. 9 D); mandibles not distally narrowed, lower tooth longer than upper one; pedicel long, 0.7 × length of FL 1; FL 1 – FL 3 in a ratio of 7: 7: 6 in length. MESOSOMA (Figs 10 D, 11 D). Pronotum dorsally narrow (mean PRR = 0.76), collar costate dorsally (Fig. 11 D), disc with only a few sparse and small puncture (Fig. 11 D); mesonotum with trapezoidal disc, mostly impunctate, length a little shorter (× 0.88) than pronotum, mesoscutum with three longitudinal grooves, flat in lateral view; mesoscutellum separated from mesepisternum by distinct groove; tegula vestigial but present (Fig. 11 D); mesepisternum mostly smooth bearing a few minute punctures and a sub-horizontal carina in its ventral half (Fig. 10 D); metanotum smooth; propodeum globular, smooth (Figs 10 D, 11 D). METASOMA (Fig. 5 D). Terga mostly polished, bearing a few minute punctures; sterna polished, S 3 bearing minute hexagonal mesh pattern on basal half; petiole transversely rugose. LEGS. Tarsal claws tridentate; apical tooth sharp; subapical tooth blunt, about ½ length of apical tooth; basal tooth minute, about ½ length of subapical tooth. COLOUR AND VESTITURE (Figs 5 D, 6 D). Head black, except mandibles and first five antennomeres reddish yellow; 6 th to terminal antennomeres blackish; terga mostly black, apical ones dark brown, sterna dark brown; legs with dorsal sides of femora dark brown; mesosoma reddish. Vestiture sparse and white.	en	Barthélémy, Christophe, Terayama, Mamoru, Sin, Simon Yung Wa, Poon, Emily Shui Kei (2026): The Methocha (Hymenoptera: Thynnidae: Methochinae) of Hong Kong (China), a preliminary faunal list with descriptions of five new species and sexual associations rendered through molecular analysis. European Journal of Taxonomy 1043: 118-151, DOI: 10.5852/ejt.2026.1043.3213, URL: https://europeanjournaloftaxonomy.eu/index.php/ejt/article/download/3213/14249
03CC878BFFBEFFF72BB3FA5EFEF8F86B.taxon	discussion	Remarks This female resembles M. yasumatsui from Japan, M. emarginata and M. plana, both from Taiwan. However, it is separated from M. yasumatsui by the convex posterolateral margins of the head (almost straight in M. yasumatsui) and the absence of median longitudinal striae on the pronotal disc, and from M. emarginata and M. plana by the shape of the clypeus with a large median lobe which is rounded and translucent.	en	Barthélémy, Christophe, Terayama, Mamoru, Sin, Simon Yung Wa, Poon, Emily Shui Kei (2026): The Methocha (Hymenoptera: Thynnidae: Methochinae) of Hong Kong (China), a preliminary faunal list with descriptions of five new species and sexual associations rendered through molecular analysis. European Journal of Taxonomy 1043: 118-151, DOI: 10.5852/ejt.2026.1043.3213, URL: https://europeanjournaloftaxonomy.eu/index.php/ejt/article/download/3213/14249
03CC878BFFBCFFF12BADFEAAFE55F9A1.taxon	description	urn: lsid: zoobank. org: act: 9 FE 8 FEF 0 - 2 BE 5 - 4090 - A 61 D- 4 B 9 BFA 48 D 409 Figs 3 A – C, 5 E, 6 E, 7 E, 9 E, 10 E, 11 E, 12 B, E, 13 B, E	en	Barthélémy, Christophe, Terayama, Mamoru, Sin, Simon Yung Wa, Poon, Emily Shui Kei (2026): The Methocha (Hymenoptera: Thynnidae: Methochinae) of Hong Kong (China), a preliminary faunal list with descriptions of five new species and sexual associations rendered through molecular analysis. European Journal of Taxonomy 1043: 118-151, DOI: 10.5852/ejt.2026.1043.3213, URL: https://europeanjournaloftaxonomy.eu/index.php/ejt/article/download/3213/14249
03CC878BFFBCFFF12BADFEAAFE55F9A1.taxon	diagnosis	Diagnosis The male of this species is characterized by the following combination of characters: head from above subtriangular, with convex posterior margin; ocelli forming small, acute triangle; clypeus distally translucent, viewed laterally, with low convex tubercle at base; vertex coarsely punctate; anterior margin of pronotum not carinate; notauli absent; mesepisternum moderately punctate, without distinct median fovea; propodeum dorsally areolate; tarsal claws with subapical tooth shorter than apical tooth. The female is unknown.	en	Barthélémy, Christophe, Terayama, Mamoru, Sin, Simon Yung Wa, Poon, Emily Shui Kei (2026): The Methocha (Hymenoptera: Thynnidae: Methochinae) of Hong Kong (China), a preliminary faunal list with descriptions of five new species and sexual associations rendered through molecular analysis. European Journal of Taxonomy 1043: 118-151, DOI: 10.5852/ejt.2026.1043.3213, URL: https://europeanjournaloftaxonomy.eu/index.php/ejt/article/download/3213/14249
03CC878BFFBCFFF12BADFEAAFE55F9A1.taxon	etymology	Etymology The specific epithet is in honour of the late famous American ant specialist and revolutionary sociobiologist E. O. Wilson.	en	Barthélémy, Christophe, Terayama, Mamoru, Sin, Simon Yung Wa, Poon, Emily Shui Kei (2026): The Methocha (Hymenoptera: Thynnidae: Methochinae) of Hong Kong (China), a preliminary faunal list with descriptions of five new species and sexual associations rendered through molecular analysis. European Journal of Taxonomy 1043: 118-151, DOI: 10.5852/ejt.2026.1043.3213, URL: https://europeanjournaloftaxonomy.eu/index.php/ejt/article/download/3213/14249
03CC878BFFBCFFF12BADFEAAFE55F9A1.taxon	materials_examined	Type material Holotype CHINA – Hong Kong • ♂; Pak Sha O; 22 ° 26 ′ 59 ″ N, 114 ° 19 ′ 04 ″ E; 70 m a. s. l.; 15 – 27 Apr. 2009; C. Barthélémy leg.; Malaise trap; CASC, ref.: M 060. C. Hy. 4 A. Paratypes CHINA – Hong Kong • 1 ♂; same collection data as for holotype; CBC, ref.: M 060. C. Hy. 4 B • 1 ♂; same collection data as for holotype; 27 Apr. – 14 May 2009; C. Barthélémy leg.; Malaise trap; CBC, ref.: M 061. C. Hy. 11 • 1 ♂; same collection data as for holotype; 14 – 31 May 2009; C. Barthélémy leg.; Malaise trap; CBC, ref.: M 062. C. Hy. 1 • 1 ♂; same collection data as for holotype; 30 Apr. – 15 May 2010; C. Barthélémy leg.; Malaise trap; CBC, ref.: M 075. C. Hy. 4 • 1 ♂; same collection data as for holotype; 3 – 10 Jul. 2010; C. Barthélémy leg.; Malaise trap; CBC, ref.: M 079. C. Hy. 4 • 1 ♂; same collection data as for holotype; 1 – 15 Sep. 2018; C. Barthélémy leg.; Malaise trap; CBC, ref.: M 364. C. Hy. 11 • 2 ♂♂; same collection data as for holotype; 25 Apr. – 9 May 2020; C. Barthélémy leg.; Malaise trap; CBC, refs: M 486. C. Hy. 2, M 486. C. Hy. 4 • 1 ♂; same collection data as for holotype; 9 – 23 May 2020; C. Barthélémy leg.; Malaise trap; GenBank no.: PV 631179; CBC, ref.: M 488. C. Hy. 3 • 2 ♂♂; same collection data as for holotype; 9 – 23 May 2020; C. Barthélémy leg.; Malaise trap; CBC, refs: M 488. C. Hy. 5 A, M 488. C. Hy. 5 B • 1 ♂; same collection data as for holotype; 10 – 25 Oct. 2020; C. Barthélémy leg.; Malaise trap; CBC, ref.: M 522. C. Hy. 2 • 2 ♂♂; Mang Kung Wo; 22 ° 22 ′ 06 ″ N, 114 ° 15 ′ 12 ″ E; 60 m a. s. l.; 10 Apr. – 24 May 2021; C. Barthélémy leg.; Malaise trap; GenBank no.: PV 631184; CBC, refs: M 557. C. Hy. 2 A, M 557. C. Hy. 2 B.	en	Barthélémy, Christophe, Terayama, Mamoru, Sin, Simon Yung Wa, Poon, Emily Shui Kei (2026): The Methocha (Hymenoptera: Thynnidae: Methochinae) of Hong Kong (China), a preliminary faunal list with descriptions of five new species and sexual associations rendered through molecular analysis. European Journal of Taxonomy 1043: 118-151, DOI: 10.5852/ejt.2026.1043.3213, URL: https://europeanjournaloftaxonomy.eu/index.php/ejt/article/download/3213/14249
03CC878BFFBCFFF12BADFEAAFE55F9A1.taxon	description	Description Male STANDARD RATIOS (n = 14). L: 9.4 – 13.2 mm (mean = 11.4 mm); CR: 1.29 – 1.66 (mean = 1.39); OOR: 0.31 – 0.43 (mean 0.35); CLR: 0.27 – 0.42 (mean = 0.37); MER: 0.52 – 0.60 (mean = 0.55); OMR: 0.43 – 0.51 (mean = 0.46); FRR: 2.33 – 3.18 (mean = 2.83); MSR: 0.89 – 1.17 (mean = 1); PRR: 2.30 – 3.85 (mean = 2.67). HEAD (Figs 5 E, 7 E, 8 E, 9 E). Head wider than high in frontal view (mean CR = 1.39), width 2.0 × narrowest interocular distance; head 1.7 × as long as wide dorsally, with convex posterior margin (Fig. 8 E); ocelli forming a small isosceles triangle (Fig. 8 E); vertex weakly punctured, punctures separated by distance 2 – 6 × their own diameters; frons densely punctured (Figs 7 E, 8 E), punctures separated by distance less than their own diameters; gena punctate, punctures separated by distance more or less equal to their own diameter; gena narrowed ventrally; clypeus narrowly convex, disc bearing a low convex tubercule, surface uniformly punctured with large punctures, clypeal apex truncate, apical fifth bearing translucent lamina (Fig. 9 E); mandibles not distally narrowed, apical tooth longer than subapical one; FL 1 – FL 3 in a ratio of 5: 6: 6 in length. MESOSOMA (Figs 10 E, 11 E, 12 B). Pronotum punctate, anterior two-third with large and numerous punctures separated by their own diameter or less, posterior third with smaller punctures, distance between punctures 2 – 3 × their own diameter with smooth interspace (Figs 10 E, 11 E), lateral and ventral surfaces punctate as dorsal side; pronotal anterior carina absent; mesoscutum punctate (Fig. 11 E), punctures separated by distance 2 – 3 × their own diameter with smooth interspace; notauli absent; parapsidal furrow simple, reaching posterior edge of mesoscutum; posterior margin of mesoscutum clearly marked (Fig. 11 E); scutellum bulging and punctate, punctures separated by distance less that their own diameter with smooth interspaces, lateral slope with minute punctures; mesepisternum convex and punctate (Fig. 10 E), punctures separated by distance less than their own diameter with smooth interspaces; episternal sulcus deep and foveate (Fig. 10 E); metanotum elevated, punctured, laterally striate; metapleuron transversely striate; propodeum areolate becoming more or less rugulose posteriorly (Fig. 12 B). METASOMA (Figs 12 E, 13 B, 13 E). T 1 – T 4 uniformly punctate, punctures small and separated by distance 2 – 6 × their own diameter with smooth interspaces (Fig. 12 E); T 1 with marked and deep median furrow nearly reaching posterior margin; anterior transverse depression of T 2 costate; T 3 – T 5 with anterior carina, T 5 – T 7 punctate as T 1 but with anterior quarter bearing dense small punctures; S 1 with uniform and dense punctures; S 2 – S 7 punctate as terga, anterior third bearing dense small punctures; hypopygium with longitudinal striae, wide at base (Fig. 13 E). LEGS. Tarsal claws tridentate, apical tooth sharp, subapical tooth blunt / truncate about ½ the length of apical one, basal one minute length about ½ of subapical tooth; hind coxa with a rounded and elevated carina dorsally. COLOUR AND VESTITURE (Figs 5 E, 6 E, 11 B). Body entirely black except mandibles, legs, coxae and tegula dark brown; wing veins brown. Body with appressed silvery setae; antenna covered with short suberect brownish setae; S 2 – S 7 with erect row of long white setae on apical margins (13 B).	en	Barthélémy, Christophe, Terayama, Mamoru, Sin, Simon Yung Wa, Poon, Emily Shui Kei (2026): The Methocha (Hymenoptera: Thynnidae: Methochinae) of Hong Kong (China), a preliminary faunal list with descriptions of five new species and sexual associations rendered through molecular analysis. European Journal of Taxonomy 1043: 118-151, DOI: 10.5852/ejt.2026.1043.3213, URL: https://europeanjournaloftaxonomy.eu/index.php/ejt/article/download/3213/14249
03CC878BFFBCFFF12BADFEAAFE55F9A1.taxon	discussion	Remarks It most resembles Methocha mandibularis from Shanghai; however, it is separated from the latter by the black mandibles with reddish apices (yellow with black apices in M. mandibularis), the clypeus narrowly convex (rounded with a notch in the middle in M. mandibularis), fore wings uniformly subhyaline (fore wings subhyaline, darkest towards the apex in M. mandibularis) and the marginal cell plain (with dark spot in M. mandibularis).	en	Barthélémy, Christophe, Terayama, Mamoru, Sin, Simon Yung Wa, Poon, Emily Shui Kei (2026): The Methocha (Hymenoptera: Thynnidae: Methochinae) of Hong Kong (China), a preliminary faunal list with descriptions of five new species and sexual associations rendered through molecular analysis. European Journal of Taxonomy 1043: 118-151, DOI: 10.5852/ejt.2026.1043.3213, URL: https://europeanjournaloftaxonomy.eu/index.php/ejt/article/download/3213/14249
03CC878BFFBBFFF32BA9F9F1FB75FD21.taxon	description	urn: lsid: zoobank. org: act: 980 CBBCC- 50 A 4 - 481 E- 99 FC-F 42 E 12 C 3219 B Figs 5 F, 6 F, 7 F, 8 F, 9 F, 10 F, 11 F, 12 C, F, 13 C, F	en	Barthélémy, Christophe, Terayama, Mamoru, Sin, Simon Yung Wa, Poon, Emily Shui Kei (2026): The Methocha (Hymenoptera: Thynnidae: Methochinae) of Hong Kong (China), a preliminary faunal list with descriptions of five new species and sexual associations rendered through molecular analysis. European Journal of Taxonomy 1043: 118-151, DOI: 10.5852/ejt.2026.1043.3213, URL: https://europeanjournaloftaxonomy.eu/index.php/ejt/article/download/3213/14249
03CC878BFFBBFFF32BA9F9F1FB75FD21.taxon	diagnosis	Diagnosis This male of this species is characterized by the following combination of characters: head from above rectangular, with convex posterior margin; ocelli forming small, equilateral triangle; clypeus emarginate; vertex weakly punctate; anterior margin of pronotum with weak carina; notauli absent; mesepisternum weakly punctate, without distinct median fovea; propodeum dorsally striate, laterally areolate, slope smooth; tarsal claws with subapical tooth equal in length to the apical one. The female is unknown	en	Barthélémy, Christophe, Terayama, Mamoru, Sin, Simon Yung Wa, Poon, Emily Shui Kei (2026): The Methocha (Hymenoptera: Thynnidae: Methochinae) of Hong Kong (China), a preliminary faunal list with descriptions of five new species and sexual associations rendered through molecular analysis. European Journal of Taxonomy 1043: 118-151, DOI: 10.5852/ejt.2026.1043.3213, URL: https://europeanjournaloftaxonomy.eu/index.php/ejt/article/download/3213/14249
03CC878BFFBBFFF32BA9F9F1FB75FD21.taxon	etymology	Etymology The specific name is derived from the ancient Greek word ζητητῐκός (‘ zētētĭkós’), meaning ‘ seeker’, in reference to the prey-searching habits of this genus.	en	Barthélémy, Christophe, Terayama, Mamoru, Sin, Simon Yung Wa, Poon, Emily Shui Kei (2026): The Methocha (Hymenoptera: Thynnidae: Methochinae) of Hong Kong (China), a preliminary faunal list with descriptions of five new species and sexual associations rendered through molecular analysis. European Journal of Taxonomy 1043: 118-151, DOI: 10.5852/ejt.2026.1043.3213, URL: https://europeanjournaloftaxonomy.eu/index.php/ejt/article/download/3213/14249
03CC878BFFBBFFF32BA9F9F1FB75FD21.taxon	materials_examined	Type material Holotype CHINA – Hong Kong • ♂; Tai Tam Tuk; 22 ° 14 ′ 59 ″ N, 114 ° 13 ′ 34 ″ E; 2 m a. s. l.; 4 Nov. – 2 Dec. 2017; C. Barthélémy leg.; Malaise trap; GenBank no.: PV 631181; CASC, ref.: M 321. E. Hy. 4 A. Paratype CHINA – Hong Kong • 1 ♂; same collection data as for holotype; CBC, ref.: M 321. E. Hy. 4 B.	en	Barthélémy, Christophe, Terayama, Mamoru, Sin, Simon Yung Wa, Poon, Emily Shui Kei (2026): The Methocha (Hymenoptera: Thynnidae: Methochinae) of Hong Kong (China), a preliminary faunal list with descriptions of five new species and sexual associations rendered through molecular analysis. European Journal of Taxonomy 1043: 118-151, DOI: 10.5852/ejt.2026.1043.3213, URL: https://europeanjournaloftaxonomy.eu/index.php/ejt/article/download/3213/14249
03CC878BFFBBFFF32BA9F9F1FB75FD21.taxon	description	Description Male STANDARD RATIOS (n = 2). L: 6.6 – 7.4 mm (mean = 7 mm); CR: 1.24 – 1.40 (mean = 1.32); OOR: 0.48 – 0.50 (mean = 0.49); CLR: 0.36 – 0.38 (mean = 0.37); MER: 0.57 – 0.62 (mean = 0.59); OMR: 0.52 – 0.53 (mean = 0.53); FRR: 3.29 – 3.39 (mean = 3.34); MSR: 1 – 1.08 (mean = 1.04); PRR: 3.08 – 3.18 (mean = 3.13). HEAD (Figs 5 F, 7 F, 8 F, 9 F). Head wider than high in frontal view (mean CR = 1.32), width 2 × narrowest interocular distance; head 2 × as long as wide dorsally, with convex posterior margin (Fig. 8 F); ocelli forming a small equilateral triangle (Fig. 8 F); vertex weakly punctured, punctures separated by distance 2 – 3 × their own diameters (Fig. 8 F); frons densely punctured (Fig. 7 F), punctures separated by distance equal to their diameters or less; gena weakly punctate, punctures separated by distance 2 – 3 × their own diameter; clypeus convex, disc bearing a low convex tubercule, surface uniformly punctured with large punctures, clypeal margin emarginate (Fig. 9 F); mandibles not distally narrowed, apical tooth longer than subapical one; FL 1 – FL 3 in a ratio of 4: 5: 5 in length. MESOSOMA (Figs 10 F, 11 F, 12 C). Pronotum weakly punctate, anterior third with large punctures separated by their own diameter or less, posterior two-thirds with weak and minute punctures, distance between punctures 3 – 5 × their own diameter with smooth interspace (Fig. 11 F), lateral and ventral surfaces punctate as dorsal side; pronotal anterior carina present but weakly expressed; mesoscutum punctate (Fig. 10 B), punctures separated by distance 1 – 2 × their own diameter with smooth interspace; notauli present; parapsidal furrow simple, reaching posterior edge of mesoscutum; posterior margin of mesoscutum clearly marked (Fig. 11 F); scutellum bulging and weakly punctate, punctures separated by distance 2 – 4 × their own diameter with smooth interspaces, lateral slope with minute punctures; mesepisternum convex and weakly punctate (Fig. 10 F), punctures separated by distance 4 – 8 × their own diameter with smooth interspaces; episternal sulcus simple (Fig. 10 F); metanotum elevated, laterally with fovea; metapleuron transversely striate; sides of propodeum areolate (Fig. 11 F), dorsal side striate, slope smooth and shiny centrally (Fig. 12 C). METASOMA (Figs 12 F, 13 C, F). T 1 – T 7 weakly punctate (Fig. 12 F), punctures minute and separated by distance 4 – 8 × their own diameter with smooth interspaces; T 1 without median furrow; anterior transverse depression of T 2 smooth; S 1 – S 7 punctate (Fig 13 C), punctures separated by distance 2 – 3 × their own diameter with smooth interspaces, anterior third bearing dense small punctures; hypopygium smooth, wide at base (Fig. 13 F). LEGS. Tarsal claws tridentate, apical tooth sharp, subapical tooth blunt / truncate the same length as apical one, basal one minute, length about ½ of subapical tooth; hind coxa with a weak carina dorsally. COLOUR AND VESTITURE (Figs 5 F, 6 F). Body entirely black except apical part of mandibles and tegula dark brown; wing veins brown. Body with appressed silvery setae; antenna covered with short suberect brownish setae; S 2 – S 7 with erect row of long brown setae on apical margins.	en	Barthélémy, Christophe, Terayama, Mamoru, Sin, Simon Yung Wa, Poon, Emily Shui Kei (2026): The Methocha (Hymenoptera: Thynnidae: Methochinae) of Hong Kong (China), a preliminary faunal list with descriptions of five new species and sexual associations rendered through molecular analysis. European Journal of Taxonomy 1043: 118-151, DOI: 10.5852/ejt.2026.1043.3213, URL: https://europeanjournaloftaxonomy.eu/index.php/ejt/article/download/3213/14249
03CC878BFFBBFFF32BA9F9F1FB75FD21.taxon	discussion	Remarks This species resembles M. transcarinata Liao, Chen & Li, 2022 in having the propodeum posteriorly with a transverse carina between the dorsal and posterior surfaces; the mesepisternum anteriorly with a strong carina followed by a deep smooth groove; the clypeus emarginate (circularly) with an obtuse prominence medially; the absence of a pronotal carina and T 1 antero-laterally with a pair of strong longitudinal carinae. However, important morphological features differ: FL 1 without ventral carina (FL 1 with ventral carina in M. transcarinata); claws of hind tarsus with subapical tarsal tooth equal in length to apical tooth (shorter than ½ of apical tooth in M. transcarinata); species much smaller with a length of 6.6 – 7.4 mm (9.2 – 9.6 mm in M. transcarinata). In consequence, we consider that the Hong Kong material is a different species, but we hypothesise that it may be closely related to M. transcarinata. DNA analysis revealed that this species was distinct from all other Hong Kong material.	en	Barthélémy, Christophe, Terayama, Mamoru, Sin, Simon Yung Wa, Poon, Emily Shui Kei (2026): The Methocha (Hymenoptera: Thynnidae: Methochinae) of Hong Kong (China), a preliminary faunal list with descriptions of five new species and sexual associations rendered through molecular analysis. European Journal of Taxonomy 1043: 118-151, DOI: 10.5852/ejt.2026.1043.3213, URL: https://europeanjournaloftaxonomy.eu/index.php/ejt/article/download/3213/14249
