Ibitya Heraty & Burks, 2017

Burks, Roger A., Heraty, John M., Mottern, Jason, Dominguez, Chrysalyn & Heacox, Scott, 2017, Biting the bullet: revisionary notes on the Oraseminae of the Old World (Hymenoptera, Chalcidoidea, Eucharitidae), Journal of Hymenoptera Research 55, pp. 139-188 : 160

Ibitya Heraty & Burks gen. n. Figs 36 , 37

Type species.

Orasema communis Risbec, 1952: 412-414. Heraty 1994: 59-60, figs 80, 82, 84-85.

Etymology.

Named after one of the Madagascar collecting localities, Ibity; gender feminine.

Discussion.

Heraty (1994) proposed a uichancoi -group that included Ibitya seyrigi (Risbec) and I. communis (Risbec) as well as five other Indo-Pacific species of Orasema (now Losbanus ). Based largely on all of the Malagasy species having more than 8 labral digits (Fig. 36 ), Heraty (2000) proposed a separate communis -group. Herein we recognize the two currently described communis -group species as the genus Ibitya , although other potential species from Madagascar have been identified. Illustrations and a key to species, as Orasema , are provided in Heraty (1994).

Diagnosis.

Separated from other Oraseminae by having the apex of the first valvula of the ovipositor with sinuate ridges as opposed to distinct lateral teeth. Distinguished from other Old World genera by the head subtriangular in frontal view; face entirely smooth laterally, scrobal depression evenly impressed and lacking parallel channels and dorsal foveae; dorsal occipital margin abrupt and rounded or carinate; antenna with 7 or 8 funiculars (11-12 antennal segments); labrum with 8-10 digits (rarely 5) (Fig. 36 ); mesonotum appearing bare, at most with minute setae; mesoscutal lateral lobes and frenum evenly sculptured and never smooth and shining; transscutal articulation complete; propodeal disc evenly sculptured; prepectus foveate and tightly articulated with pronotum ventrally; fore wing with basal area pilose or bare, and with specular area pilose, wing disc with dense long setae; postmarginal vein much longer than stigmal vein and reaching beyond half distance to wing apex; petiole base truncate with weak basal flange; antecostal sulcus smooth and distinctly impressed; first valvula of ovipositor with 3-4 sinuate lateral ridges. Male scape lacking ventral pores.

Host association.

Myrmicinae : Ibitya communis reared from Pheidole veteratrix Forel.

Distribution.

Madagascar.

Figures

Figures 34 - 37. 34 - 35 Hayatosema plicator. Holotype female: 34 propodeum and petiole, dorsal oblique 35 ovipositor, dorsal 36 - 37: Ibitya communis. Female: 36 head, frontal 37 pupa. hcx = hind coxa; pet = petiole.