Plagiomerus hospes Timberlake

Noyes, John Stuart, 2023, ENCYRTIDAE OF COSTA RICA (HYMENOPTERA: CHALCIDOIDEA), 4 Subfamily Encyrtinae: tribes Arrhenophagini, Habrolepidini, Cerapterocerini, Cheiloneurini, Trechnitini, Cercobelini, Polaszekiini, Protyndarichoidini, Gahaniellini and Syrphophagini (part), mainly primary parasitoids and hyperparasitoids of Coccoidea and Psylloidea (Hemiptera), Taxonomic Monographs on Neotropical Hymenoptera (Oxford, England) 2 (11), pp. 1-921 : 45-49

Plagiomerus hospes Timberlake

( Figs 48-55; Hab. E 8)

Plagiomerus hospes Timberlake, 1920:428-431 . Holotype E, Hawaii, BPBM?, not examined.

DIAGNOSIS. Female (length about 0.8-1.5mm): head with frontovertex metallic green to dark blue, purple above scrobes; antenna ( Fig. 53) with scape dark brown, apical one-third yellow or pale orange, funicle with F1-F2 mostly brown, F3-F4 mostly pale orange, clava unicolourous dark brown; mesoscutum usually predominantly coppery, rarely much of anterior half fairly dull metallic dark green; fore coxa dark brown; mid tibia with a dark brown subbasal band; head ( Fig. 48) about 3.3-4.5X as wide as frontovertex, ocelli forming an angle 65-85°, smaller specimens generally having a relatively wider frontovertex and ocelli forming a larger angle; scape about 3.7-3.8X as long as broad; funicle ( Fig. 53) with F1-F2 clearly transverse, without linear sensilla, F3-F4 larger, subequal, subquadrate with linear sensilla; clava about as long as pedicel and funicle combined; scutellum ( Figs 49, 50) medially with uniform, rounded, punctate-reticulate cells, with 4 subapical bristle-like or scale-like setae (occasionally a mixture) in a transverse line, separated by less than diameter of a socket; fore wing ( Fig. 51) with marginal vein ( Fig. 52) longer than stigmal vein; gastral tergites as n Fig. 54; hypopygium as in Fig. 55; ovipositor about 1.1-1.5X as long as mid tibia, slightly exserted, the exserted part 0.2-0.75X as long as mid tibial spur. Male: unknown.

DISTRIBUTION. Hawaii, Bermuda, Trinidad & Tobago (see Noyes, 2019); Costa Rica (new record).

HOSTS. Recorded as a parasitoid of Diaspis bromeliae (Kerner) ( Hemiptera : Diaspididae ) ( De Santis, 1979) and recorded below from an unknown scale on Myrtaceae .

BIOCONTROL. An unidentified species of Plagiomerus (possibly hospes ) was found in a wet tropical greenhouse in south-eastern France and was thought to be a potential biocontrol agent of Diaspididae . However, it failed to control Diaspis boisduvalii Signoret , D. coccois (Lichtenstein) or D. bromeliae (Kerner) that were present in the greenhouse ( Panis & Pinet, 2001).

MATERIAL EXAMINED.

USA, 1E, Hawaii, Molokai, Kawela, Gulch, 3500’ (= 1069m), 22.iii.1966 (J.W. Beardsley); 1E, Oahu, Mt Tantalus, 4.vii.1956 (J.W. Beardsley); 1E, Oahu, Mt Kaala, 14.iv.1966 (J.W. Beardsley). COSTA RICA, 1E, Guanacaste, Santa Rosa NP, Sn. Emilio 6-C, 16.xi-7.xii.1985 (D. Janzen, I.D. Gauld); 4E, Guanacaste, Santa Rosa NP, Hacienda , various dates 2.iii-15.vii.1986 (D. Janzen, I.D. Gauld); 1E, Guanacaste, Santa Rosa NP, Hacienda 4-C, 2-23.iii.1986 (D. Janzen, I.D. Gauld); 1E, Guanacaste, Santa Rosa NP, BH 10C, 27.ix-18.x.1986 (D. Janzen, I.D. Gauld); 1E, Guanacaste, Santa Rosa NP, BH 11C, 4-25.iv.1987 (D. Janzen, I.D. Gauld); 1E, Guanacaste, Guanacaste NP (error for Santa Rosa NP ), near HQ, MT/YPT, 2-10.iii.1990 (J.S. Noyes); 1E, Guanacaste, Guanacaste NP, Est. Pitilla, YPT, iii.1990 (J.S. Noyes); 1E, Guanacaste, 9km S Santa Cecilia, Est. Pitilla ( ACG), LN 330200 280200, 700m, vi.1995 (C. Moraga, P. Rios); 6E, Guanacaste, Est. Pitilla ( ACG), 700m, 10°59’N 85°25’W, 700m, 4-7.i.2001 and 4-9.ii.2001 (C. Moraga, P.N. Thomas); 3E, Guanacaste, Guanacaste NP, below Pitilla, 500m, 7-8.iii.1990 (J.S. Noyes); 1E, Guanacaste, 12km SE La Cruz, Cerro El Hacha, LN 329200 238000, Malaise #7499, no date ( GNP Biodiv. Inv.); 1E, Guanacaste, Volcan Cacao, Estac. Cacao, 1100 m, 1988-1989; 1E, Guanacaste, Guanacaste NP, Est. Mengo Vn Cacao , 1000m, v.1988 (Gauld, Janzen); 2E, Guanacaste, Guanacaste NP, Cacao Est. xi-xii.1990 (P. Hanson); 2E, Guanacaste, Guanacaste NP, below Cacao, 400-600m, 3.iii.1990 (J.S. Noyes); 3E, Guanacaste, Guanacaste NP, Est. Cacao, xi-xii.1990 ( INBio Team); 20E, Guanacaste, Cacao (ACG), 1100 m, MT/YPT, 26.i-24.ii.1996 (J.S. Noyes); 1E, Guanacaste, Cacao (ACG) , LN 323160 375800, 6-26.ii.1996 (J.S. Noyes); 3E, Guanacaste, Est. Cacao (ACG) , 2km SW Cerro Cacao, LN 323100 375800, 1000-1400m, iv.1996 (R. Moraga); 1E, Guanacaste, Est. Cacao (ACG) , LN 323150 375500, 1000-1150m, vii.1996 (A. Masis); 1E, Guanacaste, Est. Cacao (ACG) , LN 323150 375500, 1000-1150m, viii.1996 (M. Pereira); 2E, Guanacaste, Cacao (ACG), 1100 m, 10°55’N 85°30’W, 26.i-24.ii.1996 and 22.ii.2003 (J.S. Noyes); 1E, Guanacaste, Maritza ( ACG), 700m, MT/YPT, 20.i-24.ii.1996 (J.S. Noyes); 10E, Guanacaste, Est. Cacao (ACG) , 10°55’N 85°30’W, 1100m, 13.ii.1995, ii.2000, 22.ii.2003 and 19-20.ii.2005 (J.S. Noyes); 4E, Guanacaste, Maritza ( ACG) 700m, MT/YPT, 20.i-24.ii.1996 (J.S. Noyes); 2E, Guanacaste, Est. Maritza ( ACG), LN 326900 373000, 600m, iii.1996 (M. Pereira); 2E, Guanacaste, Est. Maritza, ( ACG), LN 326900 373000, 600m, i.1997 (C. Zuñiga); 4E, Guanacaste, Est. Maritza ( ACG), 10°58’N 85°29’W, 700m, 12.ii.1995, 23.ii.2003 and 21. ii.2005 (J.S. Noyes); 1E, Guanacaste, San Cristobal, #51905, 17.viii-17.ix.1996 (F.A. Quezada); 1E, Guanacaste, San Ramon, 5km WSW Dos Rios de Upala, LN 318500 381200, 17.v-17.vi.1996 (D. Briceño); 2E, Guanacaste, Las Pallas, 5km S Cerro Braun, LN 307450 388700, 950m, 10-24.ii.1996 (J. Ugalde); 2E, Guanacaste, Las Pallas, 4km S Cerro Braun, LN 308400 388800, 1100m, 10-24.ii.1996 (J. Ugalde); 1E, Guanacaste, Santa Maria, 25km N Liberia, LN 304700 393450, 1250m, 15.x-15.xii.1996 (D. Briceño); 1E, Guanacaste, RF Monte Alto, Cerro Romo, LN 220700 382545, 883m, 27-29.x.2001 (I. Jiménez); 1E: Guanacaste, Macizo Miravalles, Est. Cabro Muco, LN 299769 411243, 1100m, 13.iii-3.iv.2003 (J. Azofeifa, et al.); 2E, Guanacaste, Macizo Miravalles, Est. Cabro Muco, LN 299769 411243, 1100m, 18-24.iii.2003 and 15.iii-3.ix.2003 (J. Azofeifa); 2E, Guanacaste, Tierras Morenas, ZP Tenorio, Rio San Lorenzo, LN 287800427600, 1050m, vii.1994 (G. Rodriguez); 1E, Guanacaste, BN Diriá, Vista del Mar, LN 233900 358750, 890m, #64074, 12.vi-9.vii.2001 (I. Jiménez); 1E, Guanacaste, Santa Cruz, Vista del Mar, Torre Cocesna, LN 235350 357500, 972m, #71769, 20.x.2002 (W. Porras); 3E, Guanacaste, PN Palo Verde, Sect. Palo Verde, LN 385020 260952, 0-50m, 2-12.xii.1999 and 8-18.iii.2000 (I. Jiménez); 2E, Guanacaste, PN Palo Verde, Sect. Palo Verde, 0.4km E. Puente, LN 385020 260952, 10m, #59288, 8-ix.1999 and 10.x.2000 (I. Jiménez); 1E, Guanacaste, PN Palo Verde, Sector Palo Verde, Cerro Guayacán, LN 259350 389600, #53255, vii-viii.1999 (I. Jiménez); 1E, Guanacaste, PN Palo Verde, Laguna. 200m S Estación, LN 260952 385020, YPT, #52763, 13-17.i.1999 (I. Jiménez); 2E, Guanacaste, PN Palo Verde, Sect. Palo Verde, LN 385020 260952, 250m, viii-ix.1999 and 10-18.viii.2000 (I. Jiménez); 1E, Guanacaste, PN Palo Verde, Sect. Palo Verde, LN 385020 260952, 50m, #54943, 8-9.ii.2000 (I. Jiménez); 1E, Guanacaste, PN Palo Verde, Sector Palo Verde, 0.5km NW Estacion, LN 259300 3879000, 40m, #52849, MT, vi.1999 (I. Jiménez); 1E, Guanacaste, PN Palo Verde, Est. Palo Verde, 10m, #60220, x-xi.2000 (I. Jiménez); 4E, Guanacaste, PN Palo Verde, Sector Catalina, Fila Catalina, LN 257400 400000, 250m, 8.i-8.ii.2000 and 13.iii-19.vi.2001 (I. Jiménez); 2E, Guanacaste. PN Palo Verde, Sector Palo Verde, Campo Aterrizaje, LN 388400 259050, 10m, 9.ii-12.iii.2001 (I. Jiménez); 1E, Alajuela, PN Volcán Tenorio, Sect. El Pilón, La Catarata, LN 298212 427913, 700m, #67163, 8.ii-9.iii.2002 (G. Carballo); 1E, Alajuela, R. Peñas Blancas, 28.vii.1986 (L. Masner); 2E, Alajuela, Peñas Blancas, 9.v.1987 (E. Cruz); 2E, Alajuela, PN Arenal, Sect. la Peninsula, LN 271500 453800, 600m, #54382, i.2000 (G. Carballo); 1E, Alajuela, PN Arenal, La Peninsula 10°27’N 84°40’W, 600m, 25.ii.2003 (J.S. Noyes); 2E, Alajuela, PN Arenal, Sendero Pilón, LN 453800 271500, 600m, 6.viii-5. ix.2000 and 14-23.i.2001 (G. Carballo); 1E, Alajuela, PN Arenal, Send. Pilón, LN 269200 458050, 650m, #55392, xii.1999 - i.2000 (G. Carballo); 1E, Alajuela, PN Arenal, Send. Pilón, LN 269100 457900, 650m, #59233, 16.x.2000 (G. Carballo); 1E, Alajuela, PN Arenal, 10°26’N 84°45’W, 617m, 21-28.ii.2005 (C. Hansson); 1E, Alajuela, San Ramon BS, 700m, YPT, 24-26.iii.1996 (L. Masner); 1E, Alajuela, Volcán Poas, Lagunillas, 2400m, ex scale on Myrtaceae , vi.2003 (P. Hanson); 1E, Heredia, La Selva Biol. Sta., 3km S Pto Viejo, 10°26’N 84°01’W, on leaves of Alchornea costaricensis Pax & Hoffm. , 31.iii.1987 (H.A. Hespenheide); 1E, Heredia, OTS La Selva, 10°26’N 86°05’W, canopy fog Pentaclethra, FPM /08, no date; 1E, Heredia, 3km S. Puerto Viejo, OTS La Selva, 100m, ii-iv.1993 (P. Hanson); 4E, Heredia, La Selva BS, 10°26’N 84°01’W, 50-150m, fog Carapa guianensis, FOT /02, 5.iii.1993 (INBio-OET); 1E, Heredia, 3km S Puerto Viejo, OTS-La Selva, 100m, canopy fog, Carapa sp. , FOT/02, 15.iii.1993; 2E, Heredia, La Selva BS, 10°26’N 84°01’W, fog Pentaclethra macroloba , 50-150m, FPM/03, 6.iii.1993 (INBio-OET); 1E, Heredia, La Selva BS, 10°26’N 84°01’W, 100m, fog Virola, FVK /09, 5.vii.1993 (INBio-OET); 1E, Heredia, OTS La Selva, 100m, canopy fog Pentaclethra, FPM /12, 5.ix.1993; 1E, Heredia, La Selva BS, 10°26’N 84°01’W, FOT 29, 23.x.1994; 1E, Heredia, OTS-La Selva, 10°26’N 84°01’W, 100m, vii.1995 ( ALAS project); 1E, Heredia, Est. Biol. La Selva, 10°26’N 84°01’W, 50-150m, canopy fog, FOT/42/01-40, 29.xii.1999 ( INBio / OET); 1E, Heredia, Est. Biol. La Selva, 10°26’N 84°01’W, 50-150m, canopy fog Eugenia sp. , FOT/76/1-49, 5.i.2000 ( INBio / OET); 1E, Heredia, Puerto Viejo, Est. Biol. La Selva, LN 264463 532850, 100-200m, #67193, 30-31.iii.2002 (J. Azofeifa); 1E, Heredia, Est. Biol. La Selva, 10°26’N 84°01’W, 75m, ii.2003 (J.S. Noyes); 1E, Heredia, Est. Biol. La Selva, 10°26’N 84°01’W, 75m, 25.ii.2016 (J.S. Noyes); 1E, Heredia, 11km SE La Virgen, 10°20’N 84°04’W, 450-550m, 05/N/TN, 22.ii-20.iv.2003 ( INBio - OET - ALAS); 1E, Heredia, 16km SSE La Virgen, 10°16’N 85°05’W, 1050-1150m, 11/TN/ALL, 11.ii-21.iv.2001 ( INBio / OET – ALAS); 2E, Heredia, 16km SSE La Virgen, 10°16’N 85°05’W, 1050-1150m, 11/M/TN, 10.ii-21.iv.2001 ( INBio / OET – ALAS); 2E, Heredia, 16km SSE La Virgen, 10°16’N 85°05’W, 1050-1150m, 11/M/NOTN, 9.ii-21.iv.2001 ( INBio / OET – ALAS); 4E, Heredia, 6km ENE Vara Blanca, 10°11’N 84°07’W, 2000m, 20/M/NOTN, ii.2002, iii.2002 and iv.2002 (INBio-OET-ALAS); 5E, Heredia, 6km ENE Vara Blanca, 10°11’N 84°07’W, 2000m, 20/M/TN, ii.2002, iii.2002 and iv.2002 (INBio-OET-ALAS); 1E, Heredia, 6km ENE Vara Blanca, 10°11’N 84°07’W, 2000m, 20/TN/ALL, ii.2002 (INBio-OET-ALAS); 1E, Heredia, Est. La Esperanza, 2500m, 24.iii.2002 (M. Gates); 3E, Heredia, Est. La Esperanza, 2500m, 24.iii.2002 (J. Azofeifa); 2E, Heredia, Santo Domingo, INBio Parque, 1200m [error for 1100m], 19.ii.2001 (J.S. Noyes); 5E, Heredia, Santo Domingo, INBio Parque, LN 217300 526200, 1100m, TM, 1-iii.2001, v.2001, vii.2001 and 4.ix-4.x.2001 (R. Zuñiga); 3E, Heredia, Santo Domingo, INBio Parque, 9°59’N 84°06’W, 1100m, 11-26. ii.2006 (J.S. Noyes); 2E, San José, Braulio Carrillo NP, 18.ii.2001 (J.S. Noyes); 4E, Heredia, Santo Domingo, INBio Parque, LN 526250 217400, 1100m, iii.2002 (J.A. Azofeifa, J.S. Noyes); 3E, Heredia, Santo Domingo, INBio Parque, LN 526250 217400, 1100m, 1-12.iv.2002 ( D. Rubí, J.S. Noyes ); 1E, Heredia, Santo Domingo, INBio Parque, 9°59’N 94°06’W, 1100m, 11-26.ii.2006 (J.S. Noyes); 1E, Heredia, Est. La Esperanza, 2500m, 24.iii.2002 (J. Azofeifa); 1E, Heredia, Braulio Carrillo NP, 1400-1500m, 11.iv.1985 (L. Masner); 3E, San José, San Antonio de Escazu, 1300m, ix.1997 and vii.1998 (W. Eberhard); 2E, San José, San Antonio de Escazu, 1300m, i.1989 (W. Eberhard, P. Hanson); 10E, San José, Zurqui de Moravia, 1600m, various dates vii.1990 - iii.1996 (P. Hanson); 1E, San José, Zurqui de Moravia, 1600m, 12.i.1991 (J.S. Noyes); 2E, San José, 5km N San Gerardo, 2800m, xii.1992 - ii.1993 (P. Hanson); 2E, San José, 2km W Empalme, 2300m, ii-iii.1995 and vii.1995 (P. Hanson); 2E, San José, Cerro de la Muerte, 19km S, 3km W Empalme, 9°39’N 83°52’W, 2600m, iv-vii.1992 and iv-v.1993 (P. Hanson, C. Godoy); 1E, San José, Carret. Interamer., Villa Mills, 3000m, i-ii.1989 (P. Hanson); 1E, San José, Est. Cuereci, El Mirador, 4km E Villa Mills, LS 390450 500100, 2900m, #44767, 26.x-29.xi.1998 (R. Gamboa); 1E, Hwy 2 km 93, 9°36’N 83°45’W, 3200m, 3. iv.1986 (H. Goulet, L. Masner); 2E, San José, 26km N San Isidro, 9°30’N 83°43’W, vi-viii.1992 and 11. iv.1993 (P. Hanson); 3E, Cartago, Madreselva, Finca Los Lagos, LN 184650 550050, 2600m, 10-30.viii.1993, ii.1995 and vii-viii.1995 (M.M. Chavarria); 1E, Cartago, Madreselva, Finca Los Lagos, LN 184450 550050, 2600m, xii.1994 - 16.i.1995 (M.M. Chavarria, A. Solano); 3E, Cartago, PN Tapanti, 1200-1500m, 9°45’N 83°47’W, 20.iii-10.iv.2000 (C. Hansson, D. Rubí ); 1E, Cartago, PN Tapanti, Torre ICE #32, LN 561600 187400, 1700m, viii-ix.2000 ( D. Rubí ); 1E, Cartago, Gran de Oro, Chirripo, LN 200250 595900, 1120m, #2597, xi.1993 (P. Campos); 1E, Cartago, Turrialba, CATIE, 22.ii.1991 (J.S. Noyes); 1E, Puntarenas, San Gerardo, 2200m, 7-10.viii.1995 (J.M. Cumming); 4E, Cartago, 12.5km SE Turrialba, Ranch Naturalista, 9°50’N 83°34’W, 1000m, 12-14.ii.2017 (J.S. Noyes); 4E, Cartago, 8km SW Pejibaye, Res. Biol. El Copal, 9°47’N 83°45’W, 1100m, 19-20.ii.2017 (J.S. Noyes); 1E, Puntarenas, Res. Priv. Karen Mogensen, 9°52’N 85°03’W, 11-21.ii.2005 (C. Hansson); 1E, Puntarenas, Res. Priv. Karen Mogensen, 9°52’N 85°03’W, 305m, 19-20.ii.2016 (J.S. Noyes); 1E, Puntarenas, Monteverde, 15-16.vii.1986 (L. Masner); 3E, Puntarenas, Monteverde, St Louis Valley, 1400m, 17.viii.1986 (L. Masner); 1E, Puntarenas, Monteverde, 21.vii.1987 (H.& A. Howden); 1E, Puntarenas, Monteverde, 1650m, viii.1987 (H. Howden); 2E, Puntarenas, Monteverde Res. 1.vi.1993 and 2.vi.1993 (Michalski); 2E, Puntarenas, Monteverde, Finca Canada Res. 22.viii-1.ix.1992 (D.C. Currie); 1E, Puntarenas, Monteverde, “Ecological farm”, 1350m, 10°18N 84°49’W, 16-17.iii.2003 (J.S. Noyes); 1E, Puntarenas, Est. Biol. Monteverde, 10°20’N 84°49’W, 1540m, 18-24.ii.2004 (C. Hansson); 2E, Puntarenas, Est. Biol. Monteverde, 10°19’N, 84°49’W, 1540-1890m, 19.ii.2013 (J.S. Noyes); 1E, Puntarenas, Las Tablas, 3km N Escuela el Progresso, 1520m, ii-iii.1996 (M. Chinchilla); 1E, Puntarenas, Zona Protectora Tablas, 1520m, #7467, 1.ii-27.iii.1996 (M. Chinchilla Diaz); 1E, Puntarenas, Buenos Aires, Est. Altamira, Send. Los Gigantes, LS 572100 331800, 1460m, xi-xii.2000 ( D. Rubí ); 2E, Puntarenas, Est. Altamira, Send. Los Gigantes, LS 572200 331700, 1460m, 8.vi-10.viii.2000 and 9.v-9.vi.2001 ( D. Rubí ); 1E, Puntarenas, Est. Altamira, 9°03’N 83°00’W, 1450m, ii.2002 (C. Hansson, D. Rubí ); 1E, Puntarenas, Est. Altamira, Valle de Silencio, Jardin Natural, LS 572200 342300, 2450m, #64111, vi-vii.2001 ( D. Rubí ); 5E, Puntarenas, Est. Altamira, Cerro Frantzius, LS 334150 574450, 2134m, vi.2000, i.2001, vii-viii.2001 and 12.vi-12.vii.2002 ( D. Rubí ); 1E, Puntarenas, Est. Altamira, Send a Casa Coca, LS 331750 574400, 1700m, #62124, 12.iii-12.iv.2001 ( D. Rubí ); 1E, Puntarenas, Est. Altamira, Send a Casa Coca, LS 332800 574250, 1900m, #63986, 12.vii-12.viii.2001 ( D. Rubí ); 1E, Puntarenas, Est. Altamira, 1km S. Cerro Biolley, LS 331700 572100, 1300-1350m, 26.ix-30.x.1995 (R. Villalobos); 2E, Puntarenas, Est. Altamira, Cerro Quemado, LS 336200 575560, 2279m, 16.vii-16.viii.2001 and 13.xii.2001 ( D. Rubí ); 1E, Puntarenas, Albergue Cerro de Orro, LS 279650 518450, 150- 170m, iii.1996 (L. Anguilo); 1E, Puntarenas, Las Alturas BS, 8°57’N 82°50’W, 2000m, i-iii.1995 (P. Hanson); 1E, Puntarenas, San Vito, 1200m, coffee, iii-iv.1996 (P. Hanson); 1E, Puntarenas, San Vito, Las Cruces, Wilson Bot Gdns, 1500m, 18-22.iii.1990 (J.S. Noyes); 1E, Puntarenas, RF Golfo Dulce, 24km W Piedras Blancas, 8°46’N 83°24’W, 200m, i-ii.1993 (P. Hanson); 1E, Puntarenas, Pen. Osa , 23km N Puerto Jimenez, La Palma, ii-iii.1993 (P. Hanson); 2E, Puntarenas, Golfo Dule, 24km W Piedras Blancas, 200m, xii.1989 - iii.1990 and iii-vi.1990 (P. Hanson); 1E, Puntarenas, Pen. Osa , Puerto Jimenez, 8°32’N 83°19’W, xii.1990 (P. Hanson); 1E, Puntarenas, Pen. Osa , Puerto Jimenez, 10m, xii.1991 (P. Hanson); 1E, Puntarenas, PN Corcovado, Los Patos/Sirena, La Cansona, LS 514200 276500, 100m, #61695, 13.ii.-18.iii.2001 (J. Azofeifa); 1E, Puntarenas, PN Corcovado. Est. Agujas, LS 275200 520100, 640m, #55204, 15.i-15.ii.2000 (J. Azofeifa); 1E, Puntarenas, Golfito, Est. Agujas, Cerro Quebraditos, LS 521400 274300, 782m, xi-xii.2000 (J. Azofeifa); 1E, Puntarenas, Golfito, Est. Agujas, LS 526550 276750, 300m, #61195, 8-22.xii.2000 (J. Azofeifa); 1E, Puntarenas, Golfito, Est.Agujas, LS 526650 276750, 300m, canopy fog, #61183, 15.iii.2000 (A. Solis); 2E, Limón, RB Hitoy-Cerere, 100m, 14-19.i.1991 (J.S. Noyes); 1E, Limón, P.I.L.A., Valle del Silencio, Alr. del Refugio, LS 340258 577465, 2480m, #74308, 19-27.vi.2003 (R. González, et al.); 3E, Limón, PI Amistad, Valle del Silencio, Zona de Acampar, LS 341250 577200, 2400m, 17.iv-17.v.2001 and 14.xi.2001 - 14.i.2002 ( D. Rubí ); 2E, Limón, PI Amistad, Ref. Valle del Silencio, LS 341400 577250, 2450m, #64569, 17.vii-17.ix.2001 ( D. Rubí ); 2E, Limón, PI Amistad, Valle del Silencio, Jardin Natural, LS 342300 577200, 2400m, #66673, i-ii.2002 ( D. Rubí ); 2E, Limón, PI Amistad, Valle del Silencio, sendero al Jardin Natural, LS 342300 577200, 2400m, #62338, iv-v.2001 ( D. Rubí ); 1E, Limón, P.I.L.A., Sendero Toma de Agua, LN 340258 577465, 2460m, 17.iii-2.ix.2003 (R. González, et al.). Material in MZUCR, NHMUK, MLP, UCR, USNM and CNC.

COMMENTS. There is significant variation in the shape of the subapical seta on the scutellum of this species (see Figs 49, 50). In some specimens there are 4 bristle-like setae ( Fig. 49) whereas in the majority there are 4 slender, scale-like setae ( Fig. 50) with a few specimens having the outer pair bristle-like and the inner pair scale-like or even 1 bristle-like seta and 3 scale-like setae. Larger specimens tend to have slightly broader fore wings, the apical scutellar setae broader and more scale-like and more extensive rounded, polygonal, cellular sculpture on the scutellum (compare Figs 49 and 50).

Plagiomerus aulacaspis Tan & Zhao (1998) described from southern China may the same as hospes Timberlake.