Billmasonius Fernandez-Triana, 2018

Fernandez-Triana, Jose L & Boudreault, Caroline, 2018, Seventeen new genera of microgastrine parasitoid wasps (Hymenoptera, Braconidae) from tropical areas of the world, Journal of Hymenoptera Research 64, pp. 25-140 : 46

Billmasonius Fernandez-Triana gen. n.

Type species.

Billmasonius cienci Fernandez-Triana & Boudreault, here designated.

Diagnostic description.

Head and mesosoma mostly smooth, at most with areas with sparse and shallow punctures. Posteromedian band of scutellum smooth. Propodeum entirely smooth but with partial median carina defined posteriorly (Fig. 11E ). Fore wing with small, slit-shaped areolet. Hind wing with vannal lobe entirely setose. Unique T1 shape (better illustrated in Fig. 11D-F ), with relatively wide anterior 0.6 and strongly narrowed posterior 0.4, so that widest part of tergite (near anterior margin) is around 4.0 × narrowest width (along posterior 0.4). Anterior 0.6 of T1 mostly desclerotized (only with lateral margins and narrow central strip sclerotized), a totally unique pattern within Microgastrinae . Area surrounding spiracles on laterotergite 2 partially sclerotized and same color than T2, giving the impression of T2 having "three peaks" (the largest and central one being the actual T2, the two smallest and lateral ones being the area surrounding spiracles on laterotergites (better illustrated in Fig. 11E-F ). T4-7 with thin desclerotized area medially near posterior margin, giving the appearance of terga being pushed forward medially (Fig. 11E ). Hypopygium medially desclerotized, with several pleats. Ovipositor sheaths clearly shorter than metatibia length.

Putative autapomorphies and potentially related genera.

The shape and degree of sclerotization of T1 and T2 are unusual among known species of Microgastrinae . A somewhat similar shape of T1 is also found in Tobleronius , another genus described below, but the latter genus is completely unrelated (based on characters of the scutellar complex, very different carination pattern of propodeum, shape of T4-T7, and wing venation). Billmasonius does not seem to have any close or clear relationship to any described genera in the subfamily.

Biology.

Host unknown.

Distribution.

The only species known is found in the Oriental region (Thailand).

Molecular data.

The DNA barcode of the holotype specimen (BIN BOLD:AAH1264) is very unique, 10.4% different from the closest Microgastrinae sequence in BOLD.

Etymology.

The genus name refers to and honors the Canadian braconid expert William R. M. Mason, in recognition of his extraordinary contributions to the knowledge of Microgastrinae and other parasitoid wasps of the world. Although the first author never had the opportunity to meet him, Bill has been an inspiration for many years to continue working on this group. The gender of the genus is neuter.

Species.

Only one species is known.

Figures

Figure 11. Billmasonius cienci female holotype. A Habitus B Head frontal C Fore wing D Head, mesosoma and tergite 1, dorsal E Metasoma dorsal F Propodeum and Tergites 1 to 2.