Allophrys megafrons Khalaim & Broad

Khalaim, Andrey I. & Broad, Gavin R., 2012, Tersilochinae (Hymenoptera: Ichneumonidae) of Costa Rica, part 1. Genera Allophrys Förster, Barycnemis Förster and Meggoleus To w ne s, Zootaxa 3185, pp. 36-52 : 44-45

Allophrys megafrons Khalaim & Broad , sp. nov.

( Figs 9–12 , 25 )

Comparison. Differs from other species of the genus by its pear-shaped (in lateral view) head with antennae strongly displaced downward, thus the frons is unusually long, almost 3.0 x longer than the face ( Fig. 9 ). Most similar to A. compressor sp. nov. as both have a strongly compressed mesosoma, but differs from this species by the shape of the head, the shorter temple, basally narrower mandible, and shorter second tergite of metasoma.

Description. Female. Body length 3.3 mm. Fore wing length 2.4 mm.

Head, in lateral view, pear-shaped (wider ventrally, narrower dorsally), with antennae inserted far below of level of centre of head ( Fig. 9 ). Head roundly narrowed behind eyes in dorsal view; temple 0.53 x as long as eye width. Mandible short, with upper tooth longer than lower tooth. Clypeus rather small, densely punctate in upper part. Malar space 0.9 x as long as basal width of mandible. Antenna with 15 flagellomeres; second flagellomere 1.8, third flagellomere 1.6 x as long as broad, subapical flagellomere slightly transverse; flagellomeres 4–6 with conspicuous subapical finger-shaped structures on outer surface ( Fig. 10 ). Face finely granulate, dull, impunctate. Frons unusually long, almost 3.0 x longer than face, finely granulate ventrally to smooth dorsally, punctulate. Vertex and temple smooth and shining, punctulate. Occipital carina complete.

Mesosoma elongate, strongly compressed laterally, 3.0 x as long as broad. Notaulus present as weak wrinkle. Mesoscutum finely granulate, dull, laterally finely punctate. Foveate groove of mesopleuron thin and long, crenulate, upcurved anteriorly ( Fig. 11 ). Mesopleuron smooth centrally, finely granulate peripherally, with very fine punctures. Propodeum rather densely granulate, dull, without distinct punctures, with neither carinae nor groove dorsally (dorsolateral areas confluent); basal part of propodeum 0.7 x as long as apical area. Distance between propodeal spiracle and pleural carina equal to 2 x diameter of spiracle. Apical area long, slightly impressed, anteriorly rounded; apical longitudinal carinae well-developed, complete, reaching transverse carina anteriorly.

Fore wing with vein 2 m-cu postfurcal. Vein 2 rs-m longer than abscissa of M between 2 rs-m and 2 m-cu. Vein Rs +2 r somewhat shorter than width of pterostigma. R 1 almost reaching apex of fore wing. Hind wing with vein cu 1& cu-a distinctly reclivous (angle 40°).

Legs slender. Hind spurs curved at extreme apex. Claws moderately long, not pectinate.

First tergite slender, 4.4 x as long as posteriorly broad, round in cross-section, gradually and very weakly widened from base to apex in dorsal view, smooth. Glymma absent. Second tergite 2.1 x as long as anteriorly broad. Thyridial depression more than 3.0 x as long as broad. Ovipositor short, weakly upcurved ( Fig. 12 ); sheath slightly shorter than first tergite or hind tibia.

Colour pattern as in Fig. 25 . Head and antenna black; lower part of clypeus, palpi and mandible (teeth blackish) yellow-brown, scape and pedicel of antenna ventrally brown. Mesosoma: propleuron, lower part of pronotum and mesopleuron reddish brown. Tegula yellow-brown. Pterostigma brown. Legs brownish yellow, hind leg slightly darker than fore and mid legs. First metasomal segment black with brownish hue. Metasoma behind first tergite yellow-brown ventrally to dark brown dorsally.

Male. Unknown.

Etymology. Named after its unusually long frons.

Material examined. Holotype female ( BMNH) Puntarenas Prov., San Vito Las Cruces, 19–23.III.1990, coll. J.S. Noyes.

Distribution. Costa Rica (Puntarenas).

Figures

FIGURES 9 – 16. Allophrys megafrons sp. nov., Ƥ: 9 — head with antenna, left; 10 — flagellomeres 4 to 6 of antenna, left; 11 — mesosoma, mid and hind legs (tarsi incomplete), and first metasomal segment, left; 12 — apex of metasoma with ovipositor, left. Allophrys noyesi sp. nov., Ƥ: 13 — head with antenna, left. Barycnemis costaricensis sp. nov., Ƥ: 14 — head, mesosoma and first metasomal segment, left; 15 — hind leg (without coxa, tarsus incomplete); 16 — apex of metasoma with ovipositor, left.

FIGURES 22 – 28. Allophrys bribria sp. nov., Ƥ: 22 — whole insect, left; 23 — head, dorsal. Allophrys compressor sp. nov., Ƥ: 24 — head with antennae, latero-ventro-anterior. Allophrys megafrons sp. nov., Ƥ: 25 — whole insect, left. Allophrys noyesi sp. nov., Ƥ: 26 — whole insect, left; 27 — head, dorsal. Barycnemis costaricensis sp. nov., Ƥ: 28 — whole insect, left.