Physaraia, Chansri & Quicke & Butcher, 2022

Chansri, Kittipum, Quicke, Donald L. J. & Butcher, Buntika A., 2022, Four new species of Physaraia (Hymenoptera: Braconidae: Braconinae) from Thailand, Zootaxa 5182 (5), pp. 479-488 : 480

Key to Indo-Australian species of Physaraia

1. Mesosternum strongly transverse striate; propodeum with strong carination running radially from medial side of tubercles (apophyses) ( Figs 1E , 4E ).............................................................................. 2

- Mesosternum not transversely striate; propodeum almost smooth medial to tubercles........... P. sumatrana (Enderlein)

2. Apical margin of metasoma and metasoma spines black; metasomal carapace widest more than 0.8 distance from base to apex ( Figs 3A, 3G ); Fore wing vein r approximately 0.67 × 3SR................................. P. sakaeratensis sp. nov.

- Metasoma and metasoma spines entirely yellowish or brownish (ochraceous), metasomal carapace widest not over 0.8 distance from base to apex ( Figs 1G, 1H , 2G, 2H , 4G, 4H ); Fore wing vein r 0.5 × 3SR.................................... 3

3. Frons with a Y-shaped carina running from anterior ocellus ( Fig 4D )............................................ 4

- Frons without Y-shaped carina running from anterior ocellus................................... P. nanensis sp. nov.

4. Middle lobe of mesoscutum with distinct mid-longitudinal carina, ovipositor protruding posteriorly beyond spines by less than 0.75 spine lengths.......................................................... P. sinensis Quicke, You and Kruft

- Middle lobe of mesoscutum with only weak mid-longitudinal carina ( Figs 2F , 4F ), ovipositor protruding posteriorly beyond spines by more than 1.0 spine lengths ( Figs 2A , 4A ,)......................................................... 5

5. Propodeum postero-laterally smooth especially on inner face of apophysis, mid-longitudinal propodeal groove narrow and sharply defines ( Fig 4E ); pterostigma translucent brown; metasoma pale whitish anteriorly and broadly medially; medioposterior margin with one round pit ( Fig 4G ).................................................. P. tigeri sp. nov.

- Propodeum postero-laterally weakly scabrous with some striate running radially from apophysis; mid-longitudinal propodeal groove weak, not sharply defines anteriorly ( Fig 2F ), pterostigma black; metasoma largely brown-yellow with white marking sublaterally on anterior two thirds; medioposterior margin areolate rugose ( Fig 2G ).................. P. panhai sp. nov.

Figures

FIGURE 1. Light micrographs of Physaraia nanensis n. sp., holotype female (♀). A, whole body; B, top of head; C, lateral view of head; D, face; E, lateral view of mesosoma; F, top of mesosoma and propodeum; G, top of metasoma; H, metasomal spines.

FIGURE 2. Light micrographs of Physaraia panhai n. sp., holotype female (♀). A, whole body; B, top of head; C, lateral view of head; D, face; E, lateral view of mesosoma; F, top of mesosoma and propodeum; G, top of metasoma; H, metasomal spines.

FIGURE 3. Light micrographs of Physaraia sakaeratensis n. sp., holotype female (♀). A, whole body; B, top of head; C, lateral view of head; D, face; E, lateral view of mesosoma; F, top of mesosoma and propodeum; G, metasomal spines.

FIGURE 4. Light micrographs of Physaraia tigeri n. sp., holotype female (♀). A, whole body; B, top of head; C, lateral view of head; D, face; E, lateral view of mesosoma; F, top of mesosoma and propodeum; G, top of metasoma; H, metasomal spines.