Chelonus (Microchelonus) erugatus sp. nov.

Figs 29–32

Material examined. Holotype: female, Nalati Grassland, Xinjiang Autonomous Region, China, 19–20. VII.2005, Hongying Zhang, No. 200602754 (ZJUH) . Paratypes: 1 male, Tianlu Lake, Urumqi, Xinjiang Autonomous Region, China, 25.VII.1991, Junhua He, No. 920162 ; 11 females, same label data as holotype, but Nos. 200602734, 200602743, 200602743, 200602714, 200602706, 200602848, 200602762, 200602712, 200602713, 200602760, 200602750 ; 2 females, same label data as holotyp, but Deying Ma, 24. VI.1997 and Nos. 20037181, 20037154 ; 1 male, same label data as holotype, but Min Shi, and No. 200602659; 2 males, Changbai Mt., Jilin Prov., China, 4–20. VIII.1993, Juxian Lou, Nos. 976445, 951977 .

Diagnosis. This new species is similar to C. (M.) microphtalmus Wesmael, 1838, sharing the metasoma narrowed towards apex and straight striae at basal 70% of metasoma (Fig. 30E), and temple widened behind eyes (Fig. 30G), but the two species can be separated by the following characters: head 3.5 × wider than long (Fig. 30G) (versus 1.8–1.95 × in C. (M.) microphtalmus); antenna of female slightly longer than head and mesosoma combined (Fig. 30J) (versus as long as body); tubercles distinct and strong (Fig. 30C) (versus small and weak).

Description. Holotype, female, length of body 3.2 mm, of fore wing 2.6 mm.

Head. Head transverse, width of head 3.5 × its dorsal length; occiput deeply excavated; antennomeres 16, antenna slightly widened medially, length of 3 rd and penultimate antennomeres 2.2 × and 1.4 × their width, respectively (Fig. 30J); eye 1.2 × longer than temple in dorsal view; OOL: OD: POL=15: 5: 15; temple widened behind eyes; vertex and frons striate-rugulose, shiny (Fig. 30G); face flat and shiny, transverse-longitudinally striate-rugose, width of face 1.7 × its height; eyes about parallel; clypeus densely punctulate, apical margin slightly sinuate, interspaces shiny, clypeus 1.7 × wider than high; distance between tentorial pits 1.4 × distance between pits and eyes (Fig. 30F).

Mesosoma. Length of mesosoma 1.5 × its height; side of pronotum and mesopleuron completely punctate (Fig. 30B); notauli slightly developed, anterior part of mesoscutum dense punctulate and posterior part coarsely reticulate-rugose; scutellum slightly convex, smooth medially, rugose laterally; scutellar suture comparatively deep, with carinae; propodeum coarsely rugose, lateral tubercles weak and small (Fig. 30C).

Wings. Vein r straight; marginal cell 0.9 × as long as pterostigma; pterostigma 3.4 × longer than wide; r: 3-SR: SR1=10: 13: 51; SR1 slightly sinuate; marginal cell 1.8 × longer than second submarginal cell; 1-CU1: 2-CU1=10: 31; 2-R1 short (Fig. 30A).

Legs. Hind coxa punctate laterally, densely setose, shiny; hind femur rather robust, length of hind femur, tibia and basitarsus 2.5 ×, 4.0 × and 5.8 × their maximum width, respectively; length of inner hind tibial spur 0.5 × hind basitarsus.

Metasoma. Length of carapace 2.0 × its maximum width, narrowed towards apex; carapace striate-rugose up to basal 70%, punctate apically (Fig. 30E); carapace in lateral view 2.6 × longer than high, maximum height moderate, posterior height of metasoma 1.3 × its anterior height (Fig. 30D); carapace slightly incurved apically.

Colour. Body black;antennomeres brown; mandible yellow, tip dark; palpi black; pterostigma brown; parastigma dark brown; middle of wing and its veins dark brown, wing base and its veins light yellowish; legs entirely black; carapace entirely black.

Male. Antennomeres 19, antenna filiform, not widened medially (Fig. 32I); eyes slightly diverging (Fig. 32G); metasomal carapace widest at middle in dorsal view (Fig. 32E); apical aperture in posterior view medium-sized, oval and median process of aperture horizontal, nearly round (Fig. 32F); other characters as in female.

Biology. Unknown.

Distribution. China (Jilin, Xinjiang).

Etymology. Named after its smooth scutellum: “ erugo ” is Latin for clear of wrinkles, smooth.