Nyxia, Johansson, 2021

Johansson, Niklas, 2021, Contribution to the subfamily Ophioninae (Hymenoptera: Ichneumonidae) of Southern Europe with the description of one new genus and 15 new species, Zootaxa 5023 (3), pp. 301-334 : 329

Nyxia gen. nov.

Figs 19A–E , 20A–D

urn:lsid:zoobank.org:act:B19D64F6-0139-41C8-88B1-766D923218F9

Type species: Nyxia shawi Johansson, 2021

Etymology: The name Nyxia is derived from Nyx, who is the personification of the night in Greek mythology.

Diagnosis: Defined by the unique combination of the presence of a distinct postpectal carina, almost complete occipital carina, the conspicuously bent radial vein, angular and partly sinuous discocubitus and untwisted mandible. It superficially resembles Stauropoctonus Brauns, 1889 , which have strongly narrowed and twisted mandibles and more strongly bent radius at the junction with pterostigma or the tropical genus Lepiscelus Townes, 1971 , which lacks occipital carina. Also similar to the afrotropical genus Laticoleus Townes, 1973 , which is a very rare genus, primarily occurring in African forests, but with the postpectal carina complete and the occipital carina interrupted in its lower part, characters which cannot be attributed to Laticoleus .

Description: Face narrow, inner orbits converging ventrally, in anterior view about as wide as the widest part of the compound eye ( Fig 19C ). Ocelli very large. Occipital carina complete dorsally and laterally, but absent slightly before junction with hypostomal carina. Clypeus very wide and short in anterior view, distinctly convex in lateral view ( Fig. 19D ). Mandibles untwisted, its margins weakly converging towards the tip ( Fig. 20A ). Mandibular teeth equal in length. Mandibular gape right angled with internal angles. Antennae slender, filiform. Mesopleuron with fine dense punctures that partially form weak longitudinal striae. Scutellum wide, polished with lateral carinae ( Fig. 19B ). Propodeum with carination and sculpture as in Enicospilus with an evenly curved anterior transverse carina ( Fig. 19B ). Sculpture posterior to carina rugulose, anterior to carina smooth. Epicnemial carina with pleurosternal angles inconspicuous, strongly obtuse. Postpectal carina well developed, complete ( Fig. 20B ). Wings with radius distinctly curved and widened before junction with pterostigma ( Fig. 20C ). Discocubitus sinous in its basal part. Ramellus and alar sclerites absent. Fore tibia spur without membranous flange ( Fig. 19D ). Claws very small with few short teeth ( Fig. 20D ).

Figures

FIGURE 19. Nyxia shawi gen. et sp. nov. holotype female (OÖLM). A) Habitus, lateral view; B) scutellum and propodeum, dorsal view; C) head, anterior view; D) head, lateral view; E) fore tibia spur.

FIGURE 20. Nyxia shawi gen. et sp. nov. holotype female (OÖLM). A) Mandibles anterior view; B) postpectal carina, posteroventral view; C) central part of fore wing; D) hind tarsal claws.