Austinicotesia 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 : 40-41

Austinicotesia Fernandez-Triana gen. n.

Type species.

Austinicotesia indonesiensis Fernandez-Triana & Boudreault, here designated.

Diagnostic description.

Head with mouth relatively narrow, resulting in a relatively very large (but rather transverse) malar line (Figs 9B , 10B ). Distance between tentorial pits 0.4 × width of head at that same height. Palpi elongate, reaching beyond pronotum when extended (Fig. 9A ). Pronotum enlarged dorsally, its median length (on a dorsal view) very large, much longer than width of flagellomeres, and clearly longer than propodeum in most Microgastrinae genera. Pronotum dorsally with a deep central notch and strong punctures on posterior margin (Figs 9H , 10E ). Pronotum laterally with only ventral groove present. Anteromesoscutum with relatively deep punctures, each with one seta in the middle (Figs 9H , 10E ). Propodeum with strongly defined and raised carinae, delimiting an areola (on posterior half) and a central carina (on anterior half), as well as transverse carinae that fork around spiracles (Figs 9F , 10D, E ). Fore wing without areolet, with vein 2RS much longer than vein r. Pterostigma relatively very thin, its length at least 3.5 × its maximum width (Fig. 9D ). Hind wing with vein 2r-m absent (Fig. 10C ). Hind wing with vannal lobe fully setose. Metacoxa relatively short, not surpassing posterior margin of T2 (Fig. 9A ). Metafemur relatively short and thick (Fig. 9A ). Metatibia spurs very short, less than 0.3 × length of first segment of metatarsus (Fig. 9A ). T1 widening towards posterior margin, and with a strong hump centrally followed by a deep, excavated area which is delimited by strong carinae (Figs 9G, F , 10D, E ). Hypopygium uniformly sclerotized. Ovipositor sheaths uniformly setose and clearly shorter than metatibia length (Fig. 9G ).

Putative autapomorphies and potentially related genera.

From a morphological perspective, this genus could only be confused with Austrocotesia (based on similar palpi length, anteromesoscutum sculpture, propodeum carination pattern, hind wing lacking vein 2r-m, and uniformly sclerotized hypopygium). But there are a number of features separating both genera. Austinicotesia has a central notch dorsally on pronotum which is almost unique within Microgastrinae (as far as we know it is only present in a couple of Miropotes species, see Fernandez-Triana et al. 2014c); fore wing without areolet (areolet present in Austrocotesia ); fore wing with pterostigma relatively thin and long, 3.5 × as long as wide (pterostigma much less than 3.0 × as long as wide in Austrocotesia ); fore wing vein 2RS much longer, around 1.5 ×, than vein r (fore wing vein 2RS much shorter, around 0.5 ×, than vein r in Austrocotesia ); metafemur relatively thick and stout (of more normal proportions in Austrocotesia ); T1 widening towards posterior margin and with strong hump followed by deeply excavated area and strong carinae (T1 more or less parallel-sided or narrowing towards posterior margin and without hump or excavate area in Austrocotesia ); and T2 mostly smooth (usually mostly sculptured in Austrocotesia ). Still, the two genera seem to be related and additional studies, especially molecular, might change in the future our current understanding of these two taxa.

Biology.

Host unknown.

Distribution.

The known species are found in the Australasian region (Indonesia and Papua New Guinea).

Molecular data.

No molecular data available.

Etymology.

The genus name refers to and honors the Australian braconid expert Andrew Austin in recognition of his significant contributions to the knowledge of Microgastrinae and other parasitoid wasp groups from Australasia and other regions. The second part of the genus name refers to its putative relationship with Austrocotesia . The gender of the genus is neuter.

Species.

We describe below two new species for the genus. Three other specimens we saw in collections have some morphological differences, and might represent up to two additional species. However, as the material available to us for study is limited (and the morphological differences are rather subtle) we prefer to consider only two species for the time being. They can be separate using the following key.

Figures

Figure 9. Austinicotesia indonesiensis female holotype. A Habitus B Head fronto-ventral C Head frontal D Fore wing E Ovipositor and ovipositor sheaths F Propodeum and tergite 1 G Metasoma dorsal H Head and mesosoma, dorsal.

Figure 10. Austinicotesia papuanus female holotype. A Habitus B Head frontal C Fore wing and hind wing D Propodeum and metasoma, dorsal E Head and mesosoma, dorsal.