Orasema spyrogaster, Baker & Heraty, 2020

Baker, Austin J. & Heraty, John M., 2020, The New World ant parasitoid genus Orasema (Hymenoptera: Eucharitidae), Zootaxa 4888 (1), pp. 1-84 : 64-65

Orasema spyrogaster n. sp.

urn:lsid:zoobank.org:act:FE10364A-DC30-4644-844F-051495D785A4

( Fig. 34 )

Diagnosis. Distinguished from O. johnsoni by features given in the key.

Description. Female. Length 2.5–3.3 mm ( Fig. 34A ). Color. Scape brown; flagellum dark brown. Coxae brown with iridescence. Head ( Fig. 34B ). HW:HH = 1.2–1.3; face smooth; eyes covered in long, erect setae, IOD:EH = 1.3–1.4; MS:EH = 0.6–0.7; malar depression absent. Mandibular formula 3:2. Temples present, angulate. Flagellum with 8 funiculars, FL:HH = 1.6–1.7; anellus disc-shaped; F2L:F2W = 2.3–2.6, F2L:F3L = 1.3–1.4; following funiculars subequal in length, gradually broader ( Fig. 34D ). Mesosoma ( Fig. 34C, F ). ML:MH = 1.5–1.8. Mesoscutal midlobe smooth; notauli shallow. Scutoscutellar sulcus narrow; frenal line indistinct; axillular sulcus indicated by a strong longitudinal carina. Propodeal disc broadly rounded ( Fig. 34G ). Prepectus smooth. Mesepisternum weakly areolate laterally, smooth ventrally, nearly straight anterior to mid coxa. HCL:HCW 1.9–2; HFL:HFW 4.5–4.6. FWL:FWW 2.5–2.6, FWL:ML = 2.1–2.2; entirely densely setose. Hind wing costal cell entirely setose. Metasoma. PTL:PTW = 1.6–1.8, PTL:HCL = 0.8–1.0, lateral margin rounded. Antecostal sulcus foveate to smooth posteriorly; acrosternite posteriorly rounded.

Male. Unknown.

Hosts. Unknown.

Plant associates. Unknown.

Distribution ( Fig. 32 ). Brazil: PA, RR. Collected in April, December.

Material examined. Holotype. BRAZIL. Roraima: Amajari, Serra do Tepequem , 3 ° 44’24”N, 61 ° 45’0”W, 1-15.iv.2016, Rafael et al., Malaise [♀, deposited in INPA: UCRCENT00504573] . Paratype. BRAZIL. Par: Utinga, Belem , 1 ° 25’12”S, 48 ° 26’24”W, xii.1966, S.J. Oliveira [1♀, BLCU: UCRCENT00251376 (former AEIC specimen)] .

Etymology. From Greek spyr meaning “basket and gaster meaning “stomach in reference to the odd basketlike structure of the valvifer.

Discussion. In all other species of Orasema the valvifer is invariable, being apically rounded with long thin setae covering the surface ( Fig. 33E ), whereas O. spyrogaster uniquely has thick cuticular projections (or digits) at the apex giving it a comb-like appearance, as well as having long thin setae covering the surface ( Fig. 34E ).

Figures

FIGURE 32. Distribution map of species in the Orasema johnsoni species group.

FIGURE 33. Orasema johnsoni. Holotype female (UCRCENT00238022): A, habitus, lateral; B, head, anterior; C, mesosoma, lateral; D, antenna showing partial fusion of F2 and F3; F, mesosoma, dorsal; G, propodeum, posterior. Paratype female (UCRCENT00439199): E, ovipositor and valvifer, lateral.

FIGURE 34. Orasema spyrogaster. Holotype female (UCRCENT00540573): A, habitus, lateral; B, head, anterior; C, mesosoma, lateral; D, antenna; E, ovipositor and valvifer, lateral; F, mesosoma, dorsal; G, propodeum, posterior.