Epsilogaster Whitfield and Mason

Pitz, Kevin M., 2004, Epsilogaster fullertoni, a new species of Epsilogaster Whitfield and Mason (Hymenoptera: Braconidae: Mendesellinae) from Florida, USA, Zootaxa 716, pp. 1-7 : 2-4

Key to described species of Epsilogaster Whitfield and Mason

1 Head and mesosoma black to dark brown..................................................................... 2

­ Head and mesosoma fulvous, sometimes shaded with brownish infuscation............... 5

2 Transverse carinae of propodeum not complete, interrupted by median areola; median areola with transverse carinae across it, but not contiguous with transverse carinae outside areola; antenna with 23 flagellomeres; first metasomal tergite about 1.5 times as long as maximum anterior width, with medial portions flattened or barely raised......... ......................................................................................... E. bicolor Whitfield & Mason

­ At least 1 transverse carina of propodeum complete through median areola; first metasomal tergite about 2 times as long as maximum width, if shorter, then second metasomal tergum with well defined E­shape structure; medial portion variable; antennal flagellomere number variable ....................................................................................... 3

3 First metasomal tergite with medial portion raised in lateral view; antenna with 22 flagellomeres; propodeum with one clearly defined transverse carinae ......................... ...................................................................................... E. palenque Whitfield & Mason

­ First metasomal tergite not raised medially in lateral view, number of antennal flagellomeres variable; propodeum with more than one clearly defined transverse carina ....................................................................................................................................... 4

4 Metapleuron usually without rugulose sculpturing over most of its length; if rugulose sculpturing present on metapleuron, then it is present only over distal third; mesopleuron smooth except for sternaulus multifoveate and subalar depression with scattered striate sculpturing; antenna with 22 to 24 flagellomeres; propodeum with few transversal carinae present ............................................. E. williami Figueroa, López & Valerio

­ Metapleuron with prominent carinae and spaced rugulose sculpturing over most of its surface; mesopleuron essentially nitid except for sternaulus with large scrobiculate sculpturing that reaches and fuses with scrobiculate sculpturing from posterior and dorsal margins of mesopleuron; antenna with more than 24 flagellomeres; propodeum with transversal carina throughout ............................... E. antoniae Valerio & Whitfield

5 Longitudinal carina of first median metasomal tergite strong to at least midlength of tergum ( Figure 1 A); sometimes very near lateral edge of tergite posteriorly ............... 6

­ Longitudinal carina of first median metasomal tergite weak or so laterally placed as to

be difficult to discern..................................................................................................... 8 6 Middle arm of E­shaped sclerotization of second tergite ending abruptly at or before midlength of tergite ....................................................................................................... 7 ­ Middle arm of E­shaped sclerotization of second tergite ending posterior to midlength of tergite ( Figure 1 B) ................................................................... E. fullertoni Pitz n. sp.

7 Surface of posterior half of first tergite smooth; ovipositor sheaths strongly darkened relative to metasoma .................................................... E. dureno Whitfield and Mason

­ Surface of nearly entire length of first metasomal tergite coarsely sculptured; ovipositor sheaths weakly, if at all, darkened ................................ E. tico Whitfield and Mason

8 First metasomal tergite about 1.5 times long as maximal width..................................... ............................................................................... E. braziliensis Whitfield and Mason

­ First metasomal tergite more than 2.0 times long as maximal width............................ 9

9 Wings not infuscate; propodeum with one transverse carina in anterior third that does not pass through the elongate areola ........................... E. panama Whitfield and Mason

­ Wings infuscate; propodeum with a series of transverse carinae, some of which pass through the elongate areola ........................................ E. faviolae Valerio and Whitfield

Figures

FIGURE 1. Female Epsilogaster fullertoni n. sp., A, dorsal view of median tergite of the first metasomal segment, illustrating dorsolateral carina; B, dorsal view of second median metasomal tergite illustrating length of median arm of E­shaped sclerotization; C, fore­ and hind wings illustrating 3 RSb vein and r­m crossvein of forewing.