Linoeucoila Lin, 1988

Noort, Simon van, Buffington, Matthew L. & Forshage, Mattias, 2015, Afrotropical Cynipoidea (Hymenoptera), ZooKeys 493, pp. 1-176 : 88-90

Taxon classification Animalia Hymenoptera Figitidae

Linoeucoila Lin, 1988

Remarks.

Rare in the Afrotropical region. Linoeucoila was first described with a number of species from Taiwan ( Lin 1988), and considered close to Trybliographa , mainly differing by their aciculate, vermiculate or striate body sculpture. The name has only been used later when the genus was included in the tribe Eucoilini (Forshage et al. 2007). Type specimens have not been available for loan, but specimens from Taiwan corresponding to the original description of the genus (mostly undescribed species) have been studied, and it has been considered that this is a taxon present throughout the Oriental region and also present in Africa. However, it has been difficult to decide how to circumscribe the genus or to separate it from Trybliographa except by the body sculpture, and it may well turn out to be one or several lineages within Trybliographa . Despite conforming to the hitherto known diagnostic characters of Linoeucoila , African specimens have some differences from the Oriental species, and may eventually have to form a genus of their own.

Diagnosis.

Large and dark (bicolored) eucoilines, most similar to Bothrochacis , but lacking the characteristic subcostal setae and pentiful truncate mesosomal setae of that genus, and having striation on sides of mesosoma. Striation of vertex is reticulate or lateral, not radiate as in Bothrochacis . Very similar to Trybliographa except for the sculpture of the integument. With subalar pits, an oblique and glabrous metapleural corner, more or less reduced wing pubescence, large scutellar foveae, and vermiculate sculpture on coxae.

Distribution.

Mainly Oriental, but also occuring in the Afrotropical region (hitherto unpublished). Afrotropical records: South Africa, Uganda (here).

Biology.

Unknown, but many close relatives, and many figitids with striate sides and reduced wing pubescence are parasitoids of dung-breeding flies.

Species richness.

Undescribed species only.