Asobara zululana Peris-Felipo, 2019

Peris-Felipo, Francisco Javier, Achterberg, Cornelis Van & Belokobylskij, Sergey A., 2019, Revision of the Afrotropical Asobara Foerster, 1863 (Hymenoptera: Braconidae: Alysiinae), with the descriptions of twenty five new species, European Journal of Taxonomy 557, pp. 1-146 : 57-63

Asobara zululana Peris-Felipo , sp. nov.

urn:lsid:zoobank.org:act:D22A9DD7-A5D8-4BC1-85D2-D7CF7A023308

Figs 80–81

Etymology

The name is derived from the geographical area ‘Zululand’, the type locality of the species.

Material examined

Holotype

SOUTH AFRICA • ♀; Zululand, Eshowe; Jun. 1926; R.E. Turner leg.; BMNH 1926-277 .

Paratype

SOUTH AFRICA • 1 ♀; same collection data as for holotype; BMNH .

Description

Female (holotype)

LENGTH. Body 2.0 mm, fore wing 2.6 mm, hind wing 1.8 mm.

HEAD. In dorsal view, 1.7 times as wide as long, 1.4 times as wide as mesoscutum, smooth, with temple rounded behind eyes. Eye in lateral view 1.2 times as high as wide and 2.0 times as wide as temple medially. POL 1.4 times OD; OOL 4.0 times OD. Face 1.5 times as wide as high, with sparse setae; inner margins of eyes subparallel. Clypeus 2.9 times as wide as high. Anterior tentorial pits short, far not reaching inner border of eye. Mandible 1.6 times as long as its maximum width. Upper tooth wide; middle tooth long, directed upwards; lower tooth wide. Antennae 24-segmented, 1.7 times as long as body. Scape 1.6 times as long as pedicel. First flagellar segment 5.4 times as long as its apical width, 0.8 times as long as 2 nd segment. Second flagellar segment 6.7 times, 3 rd– 6 th segments 5.0 times, 7 th– 9 th segments 4.6 times, 10 th– 21 st segments 4.0 times and 22 nd (apical segment) 5.0 times as long as their maximum width.

MESOSOMA. In lateral view 1.3 times as long as high. Mesoscutum (in dorsal view) 0.9 times as long as its maximum width, smooth. Notauli mainly absent on horizontal surface of mesoscutum. Mesoscutal pit present, round. Prescutellar depression smooth, with only median carina, 1.1 times as long as its maximum width. Precoxal sulcus present, crenulate, not reaching anterior and posterior margins of mesopleuron. Posterior mesopleural furrow almost smooth. Propodeum weakly and sparsely sculptured, with several smooth patches, with large, wide and mainly smooth pentagonal areola; basolateral areas smooth, sparse rugose along carinae. Propodeal spiracle small, its diameter 0.3 times distance from spiracle to anterior margin of propodeum.

WINGS. Length of fore wing 2.9 times its maximum width. Marginal cell ending at apex of wing, 4.3 times as long as its maximum width. Vein r shorter than pterostigma width. Vein 3-SR 8.6 times as long as vein r and 2.8 times as long as vein 2-SR. Vein SR1 1.8 times as long as vein 3-SR. Hind wing 6.8 times as long as its maximum width.

LEGS. Hind femur 5.9 times as long as its maximum width. Hind tibia weakly widened towards apex, 11.8 times as long as its maximum subapical width, about as long as hind tarsus. First segment of hind tarsus 1.8 times as long as 2 nd segment.

METASOMA. First tergite weakly widened towards apex, 1.5 times as long as its apical width, smooth. Visible part of ovipositor sheath 1.5 times as long as 1 st tergite, as long as metasoma and as long as hind femur.

COLOUR. Body, mandible, antennae and pterostigma dark brown. Legs light brown. Head and mesoscutum in dorsal view similarly coloured as 1 st– 3 rd metasomal tergites. Wings almost hyaline.

VARIATION. No variation observed.

Male

Unknown.

Comparative diagnosis

This new species is similar to A. cracentis sp. nov.; the differences between both species are described under the latter species.

Distribution

South Africa.

Key to Afrotropical species of the genus Asobara Foerster, 1863

1. Notauli present on dorsal surface of mesoscutum ……………………………………………………2

– Notauli absent on dorsal surface of mesoscutum ……………………………………………………5

2. Eye in lateral view 2.0 times as wide as temple medially. First flagellar segment 3.1 times and 2 nd segment 5.9 times as long as their maximum width respectively. Hind femur 4.5 times as long as its maximum width. Body length 2.3 mm. Zambia ………………………… A. kapiriensis Fischer, 2007

– Eye in lateral view 1.4–1.5 times as wide as temple medially. First flagellar segment 3.5–4.1 times and 2 nd segment 6.5–7.5 times as long as their maximum width respectively. Hind femur 6.0–7.0 times as long as its maximum width.…………………………………………………………………………3

3. First metasomal tergite 1.3 times as long as its apical width. Mandible 1.1 times as long as its maximum width. Precoxal sulcus not reaching anterior and posterior margins of mesopleuron. Propodeum only with complete median longitudinal carina, without areola. Body length 3.6–3.8 mm. South Africa.………………………………………………………… A. turneri Peris-Felipo, 2014

– First metasomal tergite 1.7–2.0 times as long as its apical width. Mandible 1.5–1.8 times as long as its maximum width. Precoxal sulcus reaching anterior and posterior margins of mesopleuron. Propodeum with narrow areola.……………………………………………………………………4

4. First flagellar segment 3.5 times, 2 nd segment 7.5 times and 3 rd segment 6.6 times as long as their maximum width respectively. Hind femur 7.0 times as long as its maximum width. First metasomal tergite similarly coloured as 2 nd and 3 rd tergites. Body length 2.6–2.8 mm. Kenya ……………… …………………………………………………………………… A. kenyaensis Peris-Felipo, 2014

– First flagellar segment 4.1 times, 2 nd segment 6.5 times and 3 rd segment 5.5 times as long as their maximum width respectively. Hind femur 6.0 times as long as its maximum width. First metasomal tergite paler than 2 nd and 3 rd tergites. Body length 1.8–2.1 mm. Uganda …… A. fletcheri sp. nov.

5. Precoxal sulcus reaching anterior or anterior and posterior margins of mesopleuron ……………6

– Precoxal sulcus not reaching anterior and posterior margins of mesopleuron …………………17

6. Precoxal sulcus reaching only anterior margin of mesopleuron ……………………………………7

– Precoxal sulcus reaching anterior and posterior margins of mesopleuron …………………………8

7. Hind femur 5.0 times as long as its maximum width. First flagellar segment 3.0 times, 2 nd segment 6.0 times and 3 rd segment 3.0 times as long as their maximum width respectively. First metasomal tergite similarly colour as 2 nd and 3 rd tergites. Visible part of ovipositor sheath 0.4 times as long as metasoma. Body length 1.7 mm. South Africa …………………. A. harrinsmithensis sp. nov.

– Hind femur 5.8 times as long as its maximum width. First flagellar segment 3.9 times, 2 nd segment 8.3 times and 3 rd segment 6.7 times as long as their maximum width respectively. First metasomal tergite paler than 2 nd and 3 rd tergites. Visible part of ovipositor sheath 0.9 times as long as metasoma. Body length 2.1 mm. Malawi ………………………… A. transversaria Fischer, 2007

8. Vertex medially (dorsal view) with distinct longitudinal and often crenulate furrow ……………9

– Vertex medially (dorsal view) without longitudinal furrow ……………………………………10

9. Hind femur 4.6 times as long as its maximum width. First metasomal tergite 1.4 times as long as its apical width and similarly colour as 2 nd and 3 rd tergites. First flagellar segment 3.0 times as long as its maximum width. Head in dorsal view 1.4 times as wide as long. Propodeum with areola. Visible part of ovipositor sheath as long as metasoma. Body length 2.0– 2.1 mm. South Africa ………………………………………………………………………… A. natalensis sp. nov.

– Hind femur 5.0 times as long as its maximum width. First metasomal tergite 1.8 times as long as its apical width, paler than 2 nd and 3 rd tergites. First flagellar segment 3.4 times as long as its maximum width. Head in dorsal view 1.8 times as wide as long. Propodeum without areola. Visible part of ovipositor sheath 0.2 times as long as metasoma. Body length 2.6 mm. D.R.C. …………………………………………………………………………………. A. robusta sp. nov.

10. Hind femur 3.9–4.3 times as long as its maximum width ……………………………………11

– Hind femur 4.8–6.0 times as long as its maximum width ……………………………………12

11. First metasomal tergite as long as its apical width. Antennae without pale segments apically. First flagellar segment 3.3 times as long as its maximum width. Visible part of ovipositor sheath 1.4 times as long as metasoma in lateral view. Body length 2.8–3.3 mm. D.R.C., Ethiopia, Madagascar, South Africa, Uganda.………………………………………………… A. kovacsi ( Papp, 1966)

– First metasomal tergite 1.5 times as long as its apical width. Antennae with pale segments apically. First flagellar segment 4.0 times as long as its maximum width. Visible part of ovipositor sheath 0.3 times as long as metasoma in lateral view. Body length 1.6–1.8 mm. Kenya, Guinea-Bissau, D.R.C., Zimbabwe.………………………………………………………… A. zimbabwana sp. nov

12. Propodeum with areola distinctly delineated by carinae ………………………………………13

– Propodeum without areola delineated by carinae ………………………………………………14

13. First metasomal tergite 1.2 times as long as its apical width, similarly colour as 2 nd and 3 rd tergites. Second flagellar segment 5.0 times as long as its maximum width. Eye in lateral view 1.4 times as wide as temple medially. Visible part of ovipositor sheath 0.6 times as long as metasoma. Body length 2.4–2.7 mm. Kenya, Zimbabwe …………………… A. victoriana sp. nov.

– First metasomal tergite 2.3 times as long as its apical width, paler than 2 nd and 3 rd tergites. Second flagellar segment 7.2 times as long as its maximum width. Eye in lateral view 1.8 times as wide as temple medially. Visible part of ovipositor sheath 1.1 times as long as metasoma. Body length 2.4–2.6 mm. Kenya ………………………………… A. stubbsi sp. nov.

14. Hind femur 4.8–5.0 times as long as its maximum width ……………………………………15

– Hind femur 6.0 times as long as its maximum width …………………………………………16

15. Eye in lateral view 1.6 times as wide as temple medially. First flagellar segment 4.5 times, 2 nd segment 5.8 and 3 rd segment 3.3 times as long as their maximum width respectively. First metasomal tergite paler than 2 nd and 3 rd tergites. Visible part of ovipositor sheath 0.2 times as long as metasoma. Body length 2.0 mm. Madagascar ………… A. subdentata ( Granger, 1949)

– Eye in lateral view 2.2 times as wide as temple medially. First flagellar segment 3.5 times, 2 nd segment 5.1 and 3 rd segment 4.5 times as long as their maximum width respectively. First metasomal tergite similarly coloured as 2 nd and 3 rd tergites. Visible part of ovipositor sheath 0.8 times as long as metasoma. Body length 2.2 mm. South Africa …… A. epiclypealis Fischer, 2003

16. Eye in lateral view 1.1 times as wide as temple medially. First metasomal tergite 1.1 times as long as its maximum width, similarly colour as 2 nd and 3 rd tergites. Visible part of ovipositor sheath 0.9 times as long as metasoma. Posterior mesopleural furrow smooth. Body length 4.6 mm. Uganda.……………………………………………………………… A. ugandensis Fischer, 2007

– Eye in lateral view 1.6 times as wide as temple medially. First metasomal tergite 1.8 times as long as its maximum width, paler than 2 nd and 3 rd tergites. Visible part of ovipositor sheath 1.5 times as long as metasoma. Posterior mesopleural furrow crenulate. Body length 2.5 mm. D.R.C. …………………………………………………………………… A. elongitarsis sp. nov.

17. Vertex medially (dorsal view) with distinct longitudinal and often crenulate furrow …………18

– Vertex medially (dorsal view) without longitudinal furrow ……………………………………21

18. Eye in lateral view 0.8–1.0 times as wide as temple medially. Hind femur 5.0–5.3 times as long as its maximum width. Second flagellar segment 4.5–5.3 times as long as its maximum width …19

– Eye in lateral view 1.3–1.6 times as wide as temple medially. Hind femur 4.1–4.4 times as long as its maximum width. Second flagellar segment 4.0 times as long as its maximum width …20

19. First flagellar segment 2.6 times and 2 nd segment 4.5 times as long as their maximum width respectively. First metasomal tergite similarly colour as 2 nd and 3 rd tergites. Face 1.8 times as wide as high. Body length 3.0– 3.2 mm. Ethiopia … A. abyssiniensis sp. nov.

– First flagellar segment 3.4 times and 2 nd segment 5.3 times as long as their maximum width respectively. First metasomal tergite paler than 2 nd and 3 rd tergites. Face 1.5 times as wide as high. Body length 3.0–4.0 mm. South Africa.……………… A. somersetensis sp. nov.

20. First flagellar segment 2.6 times as long as its maximum width. Hind femur 4.1 times as long as its maximum width. First metasomal tergite 1.2 times as long as its apical width. Precoxal sulcus reaching anterior and posterior margins of mesopleuron. Visible part of ovipositor sheath 0.4 times as long as metasoma. Body length 1.4–1.6 mm. Kenya … A. notleyi sp. nov.

– First flagellar segment 3.1 times as long as its maximum width. Hind femur 4.4 times as long as its maximum width. First metasomal tergite as long as its apical width. Precoxal sulcus not reaching anterior and posterior margins of mesopleuron. Visible part of ovipositor sheath 0.7 times as long as metasoma. Body length 1.9–2.0 mm. South Africa … A. carinata sp. nov.

21. Eye in lateral view 1.0–1.2 times as wide as temple medially ………………………………22

– Eye in lateral view 1.6–3.6 times as wide as temple medially ………………………………24

22. First metasomal tergite 1.1 times as long as its apical width and paler than 2 nd and 3 rd tergites. Clypeus as wide as high. Head darker than mesoscutum. Body length 2.2 mm. Malawi …………………………………………………………………… A. rufimalawiana Fischer, 2007

– First metasomal tergite 1.5 times as long as its apical width and similar colour as 2 nd and 3 rd tergites. Clypeus 1.4–2.0 times as wide as high. Head same colour as mesoscutum …23

23. Head in dorsal view 1.3 times as wide as long. Mandible 1.4 times as long as its maximum width. Clypeus 1.6 times as wide as high. Mesosoma in lateral view as long as high. Vein 3-SR 2.3 times as long as 2-SR. Body length 2.0 mm. Malawi … A. malawiana Fischer, 2007

– Head in dorsal view 1.8 times as wide as long. Mandible 1.7 times as long as its maximum width. Clypeus 2.0 times as wide as high. Mesosoma in lateral view 1.3 times as long as high. Vein 3-SR 2.7 times as long as 2-SR. Body length 1.3 mm. South Africa … A. nigerrima Fischer, 2003

24. First flagellar segment 1.7–3.3 times as long as its maximum width ………………………25

– First flagellar segment 3.8–5.4 times as long as its maximum width ………………………38

25. First metasomal tergite 1.0–1.3 times as long as its apical width ……………………………26

– First metasomal tergite 1.8–2.1 times as long as its apical width ……………………………36

26. Mandible 1.1 times as long as its maximum width. Visible part of ovipositor sheath 2.5 times as long as metasoma. Body length 1.7–2.2 mm. Benin, Cameroon, D.R. Congo, Ivory Coast, Nigeria, Tanzania, Uganda.……………………………………………… A. citri ( Fischer, 1963)

– Mandible 1.6–1.9 times as long as its maximum width. Visible part of ovipositor sheath 0.4–0.9 times as long as metasoma ………………………………………………………………………27

27. Hind femur 3.6–4.0 times as long as its maximum width ……………………………………28

– Hind femur 4.6–5.0 times as long as its maximum width ……………………………………29

28. Eye in lateral view 2.5 times as wide as temple medially. First flagellar segment 2.5 times and 2 nd 4.3 times as long as their maximum width respectively. Face 1.9 times as wide as high. Clypeus 2.1 times as wide as high. Head dorsally paler than mesoscutum. Body length 2.5 mm. Uganda …………………………………………………………………… A. kawandensis sp. nov.

– Eye in lateral view 3.0 times as wide as temple medially. First flagellar segment 2.9 times and 2 nd 6.1 times as long as their maximum width respectively. Face 1.2 times as wide as high. Clypeus 3.3 times as wide as high. Head dorsally and mesoscutum similarly colour. Body length 1.5– 1.8 mm. Yemen.…………………………………………………………… A. vanharteni sp. nov.

29. First flagellar segment 1.7–2.5 times as long as its maximum width …………………………30

– First flagellar segment 3.0–3.3 times as long as its maximum width …………………………32

30. Face (without clypeus) 1.9 times as wide as high. Second flagellar segment 4.0 times as long as its maximum width. Head dorsally paler than mesoscutum. Body length 2.0– 2.3 mm. South Africa.…………………………………………………………………………… A. sarae sp. nov.

– Face (without clypeus) 1.4–1.5 times as wide as high. Second flagellar segment 3.3–3.5 times as long as its maximum width. Head dorsally and mesoscutum similarly colour …………31

31. Clypeus 2.5 times as wide as high. Diameter of propodeal spiracle 0.5 times distance from spiracle to anterior margin of propodeum. Precoxal sulcus smooth. Body length 1.6–2.1 mm. Tanzania …………………………………………………………………… A. zaprionae sp. nov.

– Clypeus 3.0 times as wide as high. Diameter of propodeal spiracle 0.2 times distance from spiracle to anterior margin of propodeum. Precoxal sulcus crenulate. Body length 1.9–2.3 mm. Tanzania …………………………………………………………………… A. vanalpheni sp. nov.

32. Eye in lateral view 1.7–1.9 times as wide as temple medially …………………………………33

– Eye in lateral view 2.3–2.6 times as wide as temple medially …………………………………35

33. Visible part of ovipositor sheath as long as 1 st tergite, 0.4 times as long as metasoma and 0.7 times as long as hind femur. Third flagellar segment 3.7 times as long as its maximum width. Vein 3-SR 1.6 times as long as vein 2-SR. Body length 1.6–2.1 mm. Uganda. … A. taylori sp. nov.

– Visible part of ovipositor sheath 2.7 times as long as 1 st tergite, 0.8 times as long as metasoma and 1.3–1.4 times as long as hind femur. Third flagellar segment 4.8–5.3 times as long as its maximum width. Vein 3-SR 2.6–2.8 times as long as vein 2-SR …………………………34

34. First metasomal tergite as long as its apical width. Clypeus 2.5 times as wide as high. Mandible 1.6 times as long as its maximum width. Mesoscutal pit round. Head in dorsal view 1.5 times as wide as mesoscutum. Body length 1.3–1.8 mm. Cabo Verde … A. caboverdensis sp. nov.

– First metasomal tergite 1.3 times as long as its apical width. Clypeus 4.8 times as wide as high. Mandible 1.9 times as long as its maximum width. Mesoscutal pit elongateoval. Head in dorsal view 1.3 times as wide as mesoscutum. Body length 2.2 mm. Uganda …………………………………………………… A. pulchricornis (Szépligeti, 1911) comb. nov.

35. Eye in lateral view 2.3 times as wide as temple medially. Second flagellar segment 4.2 times as long as its maximum width. Visible part of ovipositor sheath 0.8 times as long as metasoma. Head dorsally paler than mesoscutum. Body length 2.1–2.3 mm. Uganda ………………………………………………………………………… A. mellicephalata sp. nov.

– Eye in lateral view 2.6 times as wide as temple medially. Second flagellar segment 5.0 times as long as its maximum width. Visible part of ovipositor sheath 0.4 times as long as metasoma. Head dorsally and mesoscutum similarly colour. Body length 1.5–2.0 mm. Uganda ………………………………………………………………………………… A. mediana sp. nov.

36. Propodeum without areola delineated by carinae. Hind femur 6.7 times as long as its maximum width. Second flagellar segment 8.3 times and 3 rd segment 6.7 times as long as their maximum width respectively. Visible part of ovipositor sheath as long as metasoma. Body length 1.9– 2.1 mm. Nigeria …………………………………………………………… A. cracentis sp. nov.

– Propodeum with areola delineated by carinae. Hind femur 4.5–4.6 times as long as its maximum width. Second flagellar segment 5.5 times and 3 rd segment 4.5–5.0 times as long as their maximum width respectively. Visible part of ovipositor sheath 0.6–1.0 times as long as metasoma …………………………………………………………………………………………… 37

37. Eye in lateral view 1.8 times as wide as temple medially. First metasomal tergite 2.1 times as long as its maximum width. Third flagellar segment 5.0 times as long as its maximum width. Visible part of ovipositor sheath as long as metasoma. Body length 1.9–2.0 mm. South Africa …………………………………………………………………… A. glabrisulcata Fischer, 2003

– Eye in lateral view 2.5 times as wide as temple medially. First metasomal tergite 1.8 times as long as its maximum width. Third flagellar segment 4.5 times as long as its maximum width. Visible part of ovipositor sheath 0.6 times as long as metasoma. Body length 1.8–2.0 mm. Democratic Republic of the Congo …………………………………………………………… A. ghesquierei ( Fischer, 1963)

38. Eye in lateral view 3.6 times as wide as temple medially. First metasomal tergite as long as its maximum width. Second flagellar segment 7.3 times as long as its maximum width. Head dorsally darker than mesoscutum. Body length 1.6–2.0 mm. Nigeria … A. laticlypeata sp. nov.

– Eye in lateral view 2.0–2.7 times as wide as temple medially. First metasomal tergite 1.3–1.6 times as long as its maximum width. Second flagellar segment 6.0–6.7 times as long as its maximum width. Head dorsally and mesoscutum similarly colour ………………………………………39

39. Face 1.5 times as wide as high. First flagellar segment 5.4 times and 3 rd segment 5.9 times as long as their maximum width respectively. First metasomal tergite similar colour as 2 nd and 3 rd tergites. Visible part of ovipositor sheath as long as hind femur. Body length 2.0 mm. South Africa ……………………………………………………………………… A. zululana sp. nov.

– Face 1.1–1.2 times as wide as high. First flagellar segment 3.8–4.3 times and 3 rd segment 5.0– 5.4 times as long as their maximum width respectively. First metasomal tergite paler than 2 nd and 3 rd tergites. Visible part of ovipositor sheath 3.8–4.2 times as long as 1 st metasomal tergite …40

40. Eye in lateral view 2.2 times as wide as temple medially. First metasomal tergite 1.6 times as long as its maximum width. First flagellar segment of female 4.3 times and 2 nd segment 6.6 times as long as their maximum width respectively. Body length 1.5–1.8 mm. South Africa …………………………………………………………………………… A. apicalis Fischer, 2003

– Eye in lateral view 2.7 times as wide as temple medially. First metasomal tergite 1.3 times as long as its maximum width. First flagellar segment of female 3.8 times and 2 nd segment 6.0 times (in female; in male 6.0 and 6.4 times, respectively) as long as their maximum width respectively. Body length 1.6–2.1 mm. Uganda.………………………… A. kibalensis sp. nov.

Figures

Fig. 80. Asobara zululana Peris-Felipo, sp. nov., ♀, holotype (BMNH 1926-277). A. Habitus, lateral view. B. Head and mesosoma, lateral view. C. Mandible. D. Antenna. E. Head, front view. F. Head, dorsal view.

Fig. 81. Asobara zululana Peris-Felipo, sp. nov., ♀, holotype (BMNH 1926-277). A. Mesoscutum, dorsal view. B. Propodeum and first metasomal tergite, dorsal view. C. Hind leg, metasoma and ovipositor, lateral view. D. Fore and hind wings.