Epirhyssa lewisi Zúñiga & Hanson, 2024

Zuñiga, Ronald & Hanson, Paul, 2024, Two new species of Epirhyssa (Hymenoptera: Ichneumonidae: Rhyssinae) from Costa Rica, Zootaxa 5406 (3), pp. 441-450 : 446-448

Epirhyssa lewisi Zúñiga & Hanson , sp. n.

( Figs. 7 , 10 )

Diagnosis. Epirhyssa lewisi may be distinguished by its relatively short ovipositor (9.2–12.8 mm), weak occipital carina, antenna basally yellowish, and metasomal tergites VI–VIII entirely black. In the key to Peruvian species ( Gómez et al., 2015), E. lewisi goes to E. simpirae Gómez & Sääksjärvi in couplet 16, but differs by having a yellow mesosternum (as opposed to black) and by lacking a median longitudinal channel on the propodeum.

Description. Female. Fore wing length 9.3–10 mm. Head with occipital carina weak, interrupted dorsally, not joining the hypostomal carina above base of mandible; posterior ocellus separated from eye by about 1.4– 1.5× its diameter; clypeus small, trapezoidal, with ventral margin straight; face as broad as medially high (from supraclypeal suture to base of antenna), smooth; antenna with 32 flagellomeres, apical flagellomeres much shorter and slightly wider than basal flagellomeres; gena smooth with sparse long setae ventrally. Mesosoma with strong epomia diverging from anterior margin of pronotum; mesoscutum with central lobe not overhanging pronotum; mesopleuron polished; subalar prominence strongly inflated; epicnemial carina reaching well above level of the lower corner of pronotum; hind coxa convex dorsally; fore wing with cu–a more or less opposite base of Rs & M; 1st subdiscal cell moderately broadened distally, its width near outer end about 1.8–2.2× it basal width; abscissa of M between 2 rs–m and 2 m –cu 0.2× as long as 2 rs–m; Rs weakly and evenly bowed; propodeum short, 1.4× as long (measured along midline) as width of propodeal orifice, polished with sparse setae laterally, without median longitudinal depression. Metasoma with tergite I 1.2–1.4× as long as posteriorly broad, dorsal surface smooth; tergites II–VII mostly lacking evident sculpture, anterior part of each tergite with long dark hairs, posterior part with shorter more dispersed hairs polished, with anterior margin alutaceous and fine pubescence; suranal cornus short and broad, without hairs on dorsal surface and with apical flattened area transversely oval. Ovipositor projecting beyond apex of metasoma by 3.8–4.3× the length of the hind tibia.

Coloration. Antenna mostly brownish, first flagellomere black, second to fifth light brown, remaining flagellomeres darker brown. Head yellow with black on apical 2/3 of mandibles and with a transverse black band between inner eye margins and passing through ocellar triangle; dark brown arc above occipital carina, disappearing ventrally. Mesosoma yellow except black (or dark brown) on following: hind margin of propleuron; median posterior part of pronotum; three longitudinal stripes on mesoscutum and scuto–scutellar groove; anterior margin of mesopleuron; extreme anterior margin of propodeum and arc surrounding propodeal orifice. Metasomal tergite I mostly yellow, light brown anteriorly; tergites II–IV light brown anteriorly, yellow in middle, dark brown posteriorly; tergite V same color but dark brown anteriorly; tergites VI–VIII dark brown to black; ovipositor sheath yellowish. Legs almost entirely yellow, with some light brown markings on femora. Wings light yellowish.

Male. Unknown

Material. Holotype F: Costa Rica, Heredia Prov.: Estación Magsasay, Sendero Terciopelo , 200m, xi.1990 – ii.1991, M. Zumbado, INBIOCRI002543363 ( USNM) . Paratype 1F: Limón Prov.: Valle de la Estrella, Reserva Biol. Hitoy Cerere, Sendero Toma de Agua , 140 m, vi–vii. 1999, F. Umaña, INB0003138899 ( MZUCR) .

Comments. Epirhyssa lewisi has been collected in the Central Volcanic mountain range and in the Caribbean lowlands. Nothing is known about its hosts.

Etymology. This species is named in honor of our friend James (Jim) Lewis, for his humanity, love of nature and of Costa Rica.

Figures

FIGURES 7–8. Epirhyssa spp., mesoscutum, dorsal view. 7. E. lewisi Zuñiga & Hanson. 8. E. praecincta Porter.

FIGURES 9–10. Epirhyssa spp., lateral habitus. 9. E. quirosi Gauld. 10. E. lewisi Zuñiga & Hanson