Zambion wahli, Bennett, Andrew M. R. & Barnes, Diana I., 2011

Bennett, Andrew M. R. & Barnes, Diana I., 2011, Revision of the world species of Zambion (Hymenoptera, Ichneumonidae, Tryphoninae), ZooKeys 159, pp. 19-48 : 36-38

Zambion wahli sp. n. Figs 81420, 2728, 31, 33

Diagnosis.

Zambion wahli can be distinguished from all other Zambion spp. by combination of all of the following characters: 1) mesopleuron completely black (no yel low) (Fig. 8); 2) supra-antennal horn long and sub-parallel-sided in dorsal view (Fig. 20), 1.2 to 1.3 times as long as pedicel at midheight in lateral view (Fig. 27); 3) propodeum completely black (Fig. 8) (not orange).

Description.

Adult. Female. Fore wing length 6.1 mm. Clypeus separated from supraclypeal area by a strong groove (Fig. 14). Malar space 0.5 times basal width of mandible. Supraclypeal area 2.1 times as wide as high (Fig. 14), dorsomedially without a short, narrow, longitudinal lamella between the antenna. Supra-antennal horn long and sub-parallel-sided in dorsal view (Fig. 20), 1.2 times as long as width of pedicel at midheight in lateral view. Ocello-ocular distance 1.6 times ocellar diameter. Gena 0.8 times transverse diameter of the eye. Antenna incomplete (see Material examined).

Notaulus present, but weak. Epicnemial carina medially curving away from anterior edge of mesopleuron near ventral corner of pronotum (Fig. 33) (not mostly straight medially as in Fig. 32). Scutellum with lateral carinae to 0.3 length of scutellum. Medial longitudinal carinae of propodeum incomplete anterior to posterior transverse carina (present between posterior transverse carina and the level of the propodeal spiracles, but absent anterior to this point). Carina running from pleural carina to spiracle absent. Posterior transverse carina of propodeum with lateral abscissa roughly straight, point of union with pleural carina at about 0.4 distance from posterior end of pleural carina to propodeal spiracle (similar to Zambion monodon shown in Fig. 36). Ventral transverse carina extending from metasomal foramen to pleural carina present (as in Zambion hirtum shown in Fig. 35). Fore tibia with a moderately strong apical point on dorsal surface. Hind femur 3.8 times as long as medial width. Hind tarsal claw with pectination not known (both distal tarsomeres missing). Angulation of fore wing vein 2m-cu strong.

Tergite 1 of metasoma 1.2 times as long as apical width. Dorsal longitudinal carina of T1 extending to about level of spiracle (0.4 length of segment), dorsolateral longitudinal carina absent (no obvious carina visible between anterior part of dorsal longitudinal carina and spiracle).

Black. Distal trochantelli of fore and middle legs, hind trochanter except at base, all femora and tibiae except apical 0.1 of hind tibia, fore tarsomeres 1 - 4, middle tarsomeres 1 - 3, basal 0.8 of hind basal tarsomere, T1 - 4, T5 sublaterally, T6 except anteriorly and all sternites yellow. Palpi, glossa, basal trochantelli of fore and middle legs, base of hind basal trochantellus, apical 0.1 of hind tibia, distal tarsomere of fore and middle leg, all of hind tarsus except basal 0.8 of basal tarsomere, T5 medially and laterally, T6 anteriorly and ovipositor sheaths brown. Membrane of fore wing moderately uniformly infumate (Fig. 8). Body covered with dense, golden setae.

Male as female except: Fore wing length 6.2 to 6.3 mm. Malar space 0.4 to 0.5 times basal width of mandible. Supraclypeal area 1.9 to 2.0 times as wide as high. Supra-antennal horn 1.3 times width of pedicel at middle. Ocello-ocular distance 1.8 to 2.0 times ocellar diameter. Gena 0.8 to 0.9 times transverse diameter of eye. Flagellum with 27 segments. Hind femur length 3.7 to 3.8 times medial width. Hind tarsa l claw pectinate to 0.5 to 0.6 length of claw. Posterior transverse carina of propodeum incomplete in middle. Tergite 1 1.3 to 1.4 times as long as apical width. Dorsal longitudinal carina extending to just anterior to spiracles or to level of spiracles (0.3 to 0.4 length of T1). Dorsolateral longitudinal carina of T1 absent or present as a thin, weak ridge that extends half way to spiracle. Colour as female except apical 0.2 of hind tibia, apical 0.5 to 0.9 of hind basal tarsomere brown. Tergites 1 to 4 yellow brown with irregular brown mottling, especially medially and anteriorly on each segment. Tergite 5 yellow laterally. Gonoforceps basally yellow, apically brown.

Material examined.

Holotype: ♀, Label 1: A43. Label 2: AFRICA, UGANDA, Mt. Elgon, Butandiga, 7,000 ft. Label 3: J. Ford, B.M.1935-459. [NHM]. Condition: intact except both antenna with only basal flagellomere attached, right flagellomeres 2 to 14 glued to double-mount block, left hind leg missing distal 3 tarsomeres, right hind leg missing distal tarsomere, apical half of right ovipositor sheath missing. Paratypes: 2 ♂, same data as holotype except: A47 on upper label [NHM, CNC].

Etymology.

This species is named in honour of Dr. David Wahl (American Entomological Institute) (AEIC) for his contributions to ichneumonid taxonomy and his hospitality to the senior author during many visits to the AEIC.

Comments.

Zambion wahli is most closely related to Zambion broadi on the basis of the long, sub-parallel-sided horn (Figs 20, 21), the curved epicnemial carina (Fig. 33) and the lack of a complete medial, longitudinal carina of the propodeum anterior to the posterior transverse carina. See comments under the latter species for distinction of these two species.