Ophion trochantellus, 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 : 326-327

Ophion trochantellus sp. nov.

Figs 17A–G

urn:lsid:zoobank.org:act:139246AB-AD5C-4774-89D7-7F89B4E9857A

Holotype: CROATIA: 1♀, Icevo , Sibensko-Kninska, 2 May 2017, MV-light, N. Ryrholm leg. ( NHRS)

Paratypes: GREECE: 9♀♀, Crete, Lasithi, 15 km NW Males , 850 m . a. s. 35˚05’N, 25˚33’E, 14 May 2003, Sausa leg. ( OÖLM) ; 3♀♀, 1♂, Crete, SE Kato Simi, 1000 m. a. s., 35˚02’N, 27˚29’E, 6–12 May 2003, Sausa leg. ( OÖLM) ; 1♀, Xanthi, Alexandroupolis Rd. 4 May 1960, Guichard & Harvey leg, “BM 1960-364”, ( NHMUK) . TURKEY: 1♀, 30 km N. Kutahya, Porsuk Baraji , 22 May 1998, Ma. Halada leg. ( OÖLM) ; 2♀♀, 1♂, Angora Province, Kavakli-Dere, Suruya bay , 1930. ( NHMUK) .

Etymology: The name trochantellus refers to the relatively long trochantelli in this species.

Diagnosis: Possibly closely related and similar to the species within the Ophion luteus aggregate with which it shares features such as the short ramellus, the long hind trochantellus and the shape of the mandibles. Distinguished primarily from the known European species of O. luteus s. lat. by the very long hind trochantellus, the more buccate temples, the complete carination of propodeum, the wider face, and the stouter flagellomeres. Also quite similar and easily confused with Ophion forticornis Morley, 1915 , but with the face wider, the propodeum with the carination less raised and the hind trochantellus longer.

Description: Fore wing length 14‒16 mm. Body length 17‒19 mm.Antenna with 46‒50 flagellomeres. Temple strongly buccate behind compound eyes, in lateral view about 1.0 × as long as compound eye in female and male ( Fig. 17F ). Malar space short, about 0.2 × the mandibular base. Space between compound eye and lateral ocellus wide, about 0.3 × the diameter of ocellus in female and male. Face wide ( Fig. 17E ). Occipital carina centrally evenly rounded. Face below antennal sockets with small distinct punctures, the interstices between punctures about 1.0 × the diameter of punctures. Mandibular gape acute, without internal angles. First flagellomere long, about 5.0 × as long as wide. Central flagellomeres stout, about 1.3 × as long as wide. Apical flagellomeres approximately 1.2 × as long as wide ( Fig 17C ). Mesoscutum polished with weak, but quite dense punctures, space between punctures about 2.0 × their diameter. Mesopleuron weakly shagreened with distinct, very dense small punctures, punctures often merging. Mesopleuron centrally usually slightly rugulose. Epicnemial carina, in antero-ventral view, with pleurosternal angles prominent, right angled, distinctly anterior to sternal angles ( Fig. 17G ). Scutellum without lateral carinae. Propodeum with weak irregular rugulose sculpture. Carination complete ( Fig. 17B ). Sclerotised part of first sternite ending level to spiracle. Hind trochantellus very long in dorsal view ( Fig. 17D ). Hind femur slender, about 7.0–8.0 × as long as wide. Inner spur of hind tibia long, about 0.4 × as long as hind metatarsus. Wing membrane clear. Ramellus reaching 0.1–0.2 of the width of the discosubmarginal cell. Radius very weakly sinuous, straight before junction with pterostigma. Nervellus broken distinctly below the middle by the discoidella.

Colouration: Body yellow reddish, with the following paler yellow: mandibles, clypeus, inner and outer orbits, subalar prominence, tegulae, scutellum and postscutellum diffusely, a larger diffuse spot in front of the epicnemial carina on mesopleuron, sometimes a small diffuse spot in the lower posterior part of mesoscutum and one small corresponding spot on metapleuron, posterior part of propodeum and petiolus. Mandibular teeth black. Ovipositor sheath testaceous-brown, concolorous with posterior metasomal segments.

DNA Barcode: The DNA barcode sequence of one specimen of Ophion trochantellus sp. nov. is available at the BOLD systems database: sample id. NJP739, sequence id. LNU2575-21.

Figures

FIGURE 17. Ophion trochantellus sp. nov. paratype female (OÖLM). A) Habitus, lateral view; B) scutellum and propodeum, dorsal view; C) apical flagellomeres; D) hind trochanter and trochantellus, lateral view; E) head, anterior view; F) head, dorsal view; G) mesopleuron and epicnemial carina, ventrolateral view.