Xanthopimpla amazonica

Gómez, Isrrael C., Sääksjärvi, Ilari E., Broad, Gavin R., Puhakka, Liisa, Castillo, Carol, Peña, Carlos & Pádua, Diego G., 2014, The Neotropical species of Xanthopimpla Saussure (Hymenoptera: Ichneumonidae: Pimplinae), Zootaxa 3774 (1), pp. 57-73 : 60

The amazonica species-group

( Figs. 1 b, 1e, 1h)

Diagnosis. The amazonica species-group can be distinguished from all other New and Old world species-groups of Xanthopimpla by the combination of the following characters: 1) occipital carina developed into a thin, high flange ( Fig. 1 b); 2) propodeal spiracle joined to the pleural carina by a short carina ( Fig. 1 e); and 3) first tergite with lateromedian carinae anteriorly highly elevated ( Fig. 1 h). At least the first two characters seem to be unique to the amazonica species-group.

Remarks. The species of the group are restricted to South America and have been found mainly in the vast Amazonian lowland rainforest area ( Fig. 8 ). All species are rare and we have only seen a few specimens.

Figures

FIGURE 1. Comparison between the aurita species-group (left), the amazonica species-group (center), and the unplaced species X. peruana (right). (a) Xanthopimpla aurita; (b) X. vidali; (c) X. peruana; (d) X. aurita; (e) X. guianensis; (f) X. peruana; (g) X. allpahuaya; (h) X. guianensis; and (i) X. peruana.

FIGURE 8. Distribution of the Xanthopimpla species-groups and X. peruana in the Neotropical region.