Plumarius noa Diez & Roig-Alsina

Diez, Patricia A. & Roig-Alsina, Arturo, 2016, Revision of Plumarius Philippi 1873 (Hymenoptera: Chrysidoidea, Plumariidae) from Argentina north of Patagonia, with description of eighteen new species, Zootaxa 4098 (3), pp. 442-470 : 451

Plumarius noa Diez & Roig-Alsina , sp. nov.

( Figs 6 A–D)

Diagnosis. This species is related to P. malaris sp. nov. and P. divergens sp. nov. by the long, apically tapering marginal cell of the fore wing, and the anterior ocellus crossed by the supra-torular line. It is distinguished from these two species by the smooth area anterior to the pronotal lobe and by the propodeum behind the spiracle not swollen.

Description. Holotype, ♂. Body length 7.5 mm. (paratypes 6.7–9.3 mm). Color. Brown with head darker.

Head. 1.1 × wider than high in frontal view; wider in dorsal view than width of scutum between tegulae (6.5:5.8). OOD 1.3 × diameter of lateral ocellus; POD 1.3 × OOD. Antennocular distance subequal to diameter of torulus (0.5:0.6); interantennal distance 3.3 × antennocular distance. Vertex weakly reticulate, without striae, scarcely punctate between lateral ocelli (punctures separated by 2.5 × puncture diameter). Torulus closer to lateral ocellus than to clypeus (1.3:2.5). Lateral ocelli in frontal view below upper margin of head. Median ocellus crossed by supra-torular line ( Fig. 6 A). Genal carina present, distinct. Length of area between preoccipital carina and suboral swelling subequal to length of suboral swelling (0.6:0.7); this area with a weak median longitudinal carina; lower area of genal bridge close to mandibular articulation with carinae and punctures ( Fig. 6 B). Malar area subequal to apical width of F1 (0.7:0.6), finely striate anteriorly. Supraclypeal area with lateral striae extending to about upper level of torulus, with a triangular zone, without striae or punctures; weakly rounded in lateral view ( Fig. 6 C). Epistomal suture evident. Clypeus 1.3 × wider than high; with striae and weakly rounded in lateral view; apex not truncate. Proportion of lengths of segments of maxillary palp, from base to apex: 8:9:13:14:12:11. Scape without swelling or projection. F1 6.3 × as long as its apical width, subequal to scape and pedicel combined (3.8:3.7).

Mesosoma . Area anterior to pronotal lobe smooth; pronotal lateral carina distinct, forming weak lower pocket. Notaulus weakly marked, as long as admedian line. Anterior surface of mesoscutum moderately punctate about admedian line. Propleuron and mesopleuron scarcely punctate. Metapostnotum with striae reaching to posterior margin. Propodeum transverse, not swollen behind spiracle; with carina anterior to spiracle. Fore wing: marginal cell with anterior margin 2.5 × as long as posterior margin; length of vein Rs3 shorter than length of Rs4 (2.0:2.3); vein M separated from cu-a by 0.4 × length of cu-a; discal cell rectangular. Hind wing: veins cu-a and M interstitial. Protarsomere 1 with three outer lateral spines. Metatarsomere 1 1.4 × as long as mesotarsomere 1; inner metatibial spur 1.5 × as long as outer spur.

Metasoma. T7 triangular, with the apex pointing, apically with a polished area. Genitalia as in Fig. 6 D.

Examined material. Holotype, ♂: ARGENTINA, Tucumán, entre Amaicha y Santa María, 28.XI.2005, col Fidalgo P., Torréns ( MACN). Paratypes: Catamarca, 3 ♂, Los Nacimientos de Abajo, 16–31.IX.1969, col Willink, Terán, Stange (Malaise) ( MACN); 1 ♂, Los Nacimientos de Abajo, 16–30.IX.1968, col Willink, Terán, Stange (Malaise) ( MACN); 1 ♂, Los Nacimientos de Abajo, 1–15.VI.1969, col Willink, Terán, Stange (Malaise) ( MACN); 3 ♂, 6 Km S of Belén, 25.XI.1975, col Stange ( IFML). Salta, 1♂ Cachi, 275 km Recta Tin Tin, 8.X.1968, col Peña (IADIZA). Jujuy, 1 ♂, Abra Pampa, 3400 mtrs. 5.II.1960, col Golbach ( MLP).

Distribution. Argentina. (Salta, Jujuy, Tucumán, Catamarca).

Comments. This species can be confused with P. albinervis sp. nov., in particular those specimens of P. n oa sp. nov. with a rather short anterior margin of the marginal cell. It can be separated by the following characters: P. noa has the vertex without striae, the area anterior to the pronotal lobe is smooth, and the face is even coloured; P. albinervis has the vertex weakly striate, the area anterior to the pronotal lobe has striae, and the face has a light spot between the median ocellus and the torulli.

Etymology. The specific name is a noun in apposition and is an acronym of the area where the species occurs, "nor-oeste argentino".

Figures

FIGURE 6. Plumarius noa, sp. nov., ♂. A, Head, frontal view; B, Head, ventral view; C, Head, lateral view; D, Genital capsule, ventral view. Scale bars = 0.5 mm.