Philoplitis striatus, Fernandez-Triana & Goulet, 2009

Fernandez-Triana, Jose & Goulet, Henri, 2009, Revision of the genus Philoplitis Nixon (Hymenoptera, Braconidae, Microgastrinae), ZooKeys 20 (20), pp. 285-298 : 294-296

Philoplitis striatus sp. n.

urn:lsid:zoobank.org:act:22D4FF11-C305-4C96-B803-ED2FBE19FE21

Philoplitis sp. Mason, 1981: 130.

Diagnosis. The striate mediotergite 2 distinguishes this species from all the others. Additionally, the reddish-orange body color separates it from P. adustipalpus , P. masneri and P. punctatus ; while the shorter length/width ratio of mediotergite 2 distinguishes it from P. coniferens .

Description. Head densely rugosopunctate, frons transversely striated, small and impressed area (behind posterior ocelli and reaching to central part of the occiput) rather smooth but with confluent fine punctures. Antenna long, length of 2nd flagellomere 2.3× its width, length of 15th flagellomere 2.8× its width. Mesosoma with

TI

T2

T3

Figures Ι3-Ι6. Ι3 First metasomal segments of Philoplitis coniferens Ι4 First metasomal segments of Philoplitis masneri Ι5 First metasomal segments of Philoplitis punctatus Ι6 First metasomal segments of Philoplits striatus .

rather dense and long pubescence. Mesoscutum with coarse punctures, notauli deeply impressed, and with impressed surface posterlaterally above the tegulae (Fig. 6, 9, 12). Scutellum coarsely punctate, in lateral view with apex pointing upwards, scutellar disc length/width ratio 1.10× (0.97–1.20), and its length 0.94× (0.90–1.00) that of mesoscutum. Mesopleura mostly punctate, with medial smooth area below speculum and some striation marking the sternaulus; metapleuron punctate. Propodeum rugose and with complete median longitudinal carina. Forewing ratios: r/3RSa: 2.05 (1.65–2.60); r/r-m: 2.33 (2.10–2.67); r/2RS: 0.95 (0.90–1.00); 3RS/2M: 0.50 (0.45–0.57); 2RS/2M: 1.14 (1.00–1.30); r-m/2M: 0.45 (0.36–0.57); r /(r-2M); 0.47 (0.44–0.50); height of 2nd submarginal cell/(r-2M): 0.41 (0.35–0.47). Tarsal claws with 2–3 teeth and with arolium subequal to claw length; metafemur length 3.15× (3.10–3.20) its maximum width; inner spur of metatibia 0.55× (0.50–0.60) the length of first tarsomere. Metasoma with apical half of mediotergite 1 sculptured, its length 1.74× (1.70–1.80) its width at apex; mediotergite 2 broad, with medial zone outlined by shallow convergent grooves that form a transverse striated triangle, with carinae markedly divergent, mediotergite with longitudinal striation apically and its medial length 0.38× (0.30–0.41) its width at apex (Fig. 16); tergum 3+ smooth.

Color. Head (including antenna) and mesosoma reddish-orange; palpi brown with apical 3–5 maxillary palps light brown; occiput sometimes with darker marks, as well as base of scutellum, mesosternum, metapleura and propodeum. Legs orange-brown; tibia and tarsi of first two pairs yellowish-white; hind legs dark brown; metatibial spurs orangeyellow. Wing veins and stigma light brown (Rs + M hyaline), with a brownish cloud beneath stigma that extends to 2M. Metasoma reddish-brown; with sternites 1–3 yellowishwhite, and mediotergite 1 with basal third and a small apical triangular area orange.

Variation. One male has a different color pattern (all palpi yellowish; body color blackish), and the striation in mediotergite 2 is not clear. Lacking more specimens for study we tentatively consider this specimen as P. striatus but exclude it from the type series.

Etymology. Th e name alludes to the distinctive striation on mediotergite 2.

Material examined. Holotype ♁ ( CNC type 23530). INDIA: Madras State , Coimbatore, 1400 ft, VIII.1959, P. S. Nathan ( SEM photo No. 23–79; H. R.M.M.) . Paratypes 1♀ and 1♁ ( USNM). SRI LANKA: Amp. Dist. , Inginiyagala, 250 ft, Samudra Gardens, malaise trap, 22–23.XI.1976, Hevel, Dietz, Karunaratne and Balasooriya colls .; Tri. Dist. , Trincomalee , China Bay Ridge Bungalow, 0–100 ft, 13–17.V.1976, Krombein, P., S. Karunaratne and Balasooriya . Other material examined: SRI LANKA: Mate Dist. Kibissa, 0.5 mi West of Sigiriya, jungle, malaise trap, 28.VI–4. VI.1978 ( USNM 1♁), Krombein, Karunaratne, Wijesinhe and Kulasekare.