Brachycyrtus xorix Gauld & Ward, 2000

Nascimento, Alexsandra C. & Fernandes, Daniell R. R., 2024, Synopsis of Brachycyrtus Kriechbaumer, 1880 (Hymenoptera: Ichneumonidae: Brachycyrtinae) from Brazil, with description of two new species, Zootaxa 5430 (1), pp. 1-62 : 54-55

Brachycyrtus xorix Gauld & Ward, 2000

( Fig. 54 )

Brachycyrtus xorix Gauld & Ward, 2000: 33 . Holotype female, Costa Rica (EMUS) [Entomology Museum, Utah State University, Logan , Utah, USA].

Material examined. 1 ♀. BRAZIL. RJ [Rio de Janeiro]: Guapimirim / PARNASO [Parque Nacional Serra dos Órgãos], Altitude : 360m / 22°29’40.8” S-, 42°59’53.9” W / viii.2015; Malaise pto 3B / R.F. Monteiro e col. [collectors] (1 ♀, UFRJ) .

Diagnosis. Brachycyrtus xorix can be differentiated from other Neotropical Brachycyrtus by the combination of the following characters: propodeum smooth and polished with sparse setae, area anterolateral black, area superomedia confluent with area petiolaris, anterior transverse carina complete to pleural carina, lateral longitudinal carina anteriorly incomplete extending forward from the area posteroexterna, area posteroexterna closed, but without the posterior transverse carina so that the lateralis and coxalis areas form a single area ( Figs. 54D, 54G ); apex of ovipositor lanceolate with two teeth and without nodus ( Fig. 54F ).

Geographical records. Brazil (Rio de Janeiro), Costa Rica, Panama and Mexico ( Gauld & Ward 2000; Onody et al. 2009; Yu et al. 2016; Fernandes et al. 2023) ( Fig. 55 ).

Biological note. The host of this species is so far unknown.

Discussion. Brachycyrtus xorix is morphologically similar to B. zani , for having the ocelli forming an equilateral triangle, mainly in the set of carinae of the propodeum, propodeum smooth and polished with sparse setae, area anterolateral black, area externa and area spiracularis confluent, area basalis septate and not laterally delineated, anterior transverse carina complete to pleural carina, area superomedia confluent with area petiolaris, lateral longitudinal carina anteriorly incomplete extending forward from the area posteroexterna. In B. zani area posteroexterna not anteriorly delineated, posterior transverse carina absent so that the area dentipara and area posteroexterna form an elongated, area lateralis and coxalis forming a second elongated area ( Figs. 56D, 56G ). In contrast, in B. xorix area posteroexterna closed, but without the posterior transverse carina so that the lateralis and coxalis area form a single area ( Figs. 54D, 54G ).

Remarks. Additional characters of the material examined from Brazil (n=1) (♀) are the following: Body length 4.30 mm. Head. Antenna length 5.63 mm. Dorsal view ( Fig. 54C ), ocellus diameter 0.37 mm; distance between the anterior and posterior ocellus 0.05 mm; shortest distance between the posterior ocellus and the compound eye 0.11 mm; distance between the posterior ocellus 0.12 mm. Front view ( Fig. 54B ), eye height 0.59 mm. Frons width 0.46 mm, smooth, polished and convex. Face width 0.36 mm. Malar space 0.03 mm. Basal mandible width 0.09 mm, bidentate. Mesosoma. Dorsal view ( Fig. 54E ), mesoscutum with notaulus absent. Scutellum polished, punctate with sparse fine setae. Lateral view ( Fig. 54A ), propleuron smooth, polished, sparse fine setae. Mesopleuron polished, smooth; epicnemial carina ascending about middle from the anterior margin of the mesopleuron and ventrally approaching the posterior carina of the sternum; sternaulus absent. Metapleuron smooth, polished. Wings. Fore wing length 3.20 mm. Hind wing length 1.88 mm; abscissa CU spectral. Metasoma. Length tergite 1 0.74 mm; basal width tergite 1 0.14 mm; apical width tergite 1 0.21 mm. Length tergite 2 0.59 mm; basal width tergite 2 0.23 mm; apical width tergite 2 0.56 mm. Length tergite 3 0.50 mm; basal width tergite 3 0.57 mm; apical width tergite 3 0.64 mm. Length ovipositor 0.89 mm, apex of ovipositor lanceolate with two teeth and without nodus ( Fig. 54F ).

Figures

FIGURE 54A–G. Brachycyrtus xorix Gauld & Ward, 2000, female. (A) Lateral habitus. (B) Head, Frontal view. (C) Head, dorsal view. (D) Propodeum, dorsal view. (E) Body, dorsal view. (F) Ovipositor, lateral view. (G) SEM of propodeum, dorsal view.

FIGURE 55. Map of geographical records of Brachycyrtus xorix Gauld & Ward, 2000 (Legend: the Brazilian state of Rio de Janeiro where the species occurs is highlighted in gray. Red triangle for previous record and yellow star for type locality).

FIGURE 56A–G. Brachycyrtus zani Gauld & Ward, 2000, female.(A) Lateral habitus. (B) Head, Frontal view. (C) Head, dorsal view. (D) Propodeum, dorsal view. (E) Body, dorsal view. (F) Ovipositor, lateral view. (G) SEM of propodeum, dorsal view.