Microchelonus masoni ( McComb, 1968 )

Papp, Jenő, 2016, First Survey Of The Neotropical Species Of Microchelonus Szépligeti With Descriptions Of Twenty-Five New Species (Hymenoptera: Braconidae: Cheloninae), Acta Zoologica Academiae Scientiarum Hungaricae 62 (3), pp. 217-344 : 278-279

Microchelonus masoni ( McComb, 1968)

(Figs 307–316)

Chelonus (Microchelonus) masoni McComb, 1968: 11 (in key) and 86 (description) fm, type locality: USA, California, WhiteWater , “Type” (= holotype; 3 f + 4 mparatypes) in CanadianNationalCollection, Ottawa; notexamined.

Microchelonus masoni (McComb) : ShENEfElt 1973: 891 (comb. n., literature up to 1968).

Material examined (3 f + 2 m in HNHM by exchange) – 1 f paratype (Hym. Typ. No. 11732): USA, California, WhiteWater , 17 March 1955, leg. etdetW. R. M. Mason. 1 f + 1 m: CostaRica, Guanacastle, S. Cañas, takenwithMalaisetrap, 7–10 March (1 f) and 18–22 1989 (1 m), leg. F. D. Parker. 1 f: Honduras, Yoro, PaledeComba , 15˚11’N / 87˚39’W, taken withMalaisetrap, 5 August 1995, leg. R. Cave. 1 m: Honduras, RoatanIsland, takenwith Malaisetrap, 27 February 1979, leg. G. E. Bohart.

Additional features to the original description (McComb l.c.)

Femaleparatype – Body 2.8 mmlong. Penultimateflagellomere 1.6 timesaslongas broad. Headindorsalviewtransverse, 2.1 timesasbroadaslong, eyeandtemplealmost equalinlength, templereceded (Fig. 307). Eyeinlateralviewtwiceashighaswide, gena beyondeyeslightlybroadeningventrallyandaswideaseye (Fig. 308 seearrows). Cheek infrontalviewrounded, i.e. notconverging (Fig. 309 seearrows). Scutellumstriate- rugose (Fig. 311). Forewing: pterostigma 2.1 timesaslongaswideandissuing r distallyfromits middle, 3–SR 1.5 timeslongerthan r, SR1 bent, 1– R 1 halfaslongaspterostigma (Fig. 312). Carapaceindorsalviewbelly, 1.6 timesaslongasbroadposteriorly, apicallyrounded, antero-posteriorlydenselystriatetorugose (Fig. 316).

f. Similartothefemaleparatype. Cheekinfrontalviewslightlylessroundedi.e slightlymoreconverging (Fig. 310 seearrows). Scutellumsmoothtouneven- subrugulose (cf. Fig. 143). Fore wing: 1– R 1 0.6 times as long as pterostigma (Fig. 315).

m. Similartothefemale. CheekinfrontalviewasinFig. 310. Scutellumuneven- subrugulose (cf. Fig. 143) to striate- rugose (Fig. 311). Fore wing: 1– R 1 0.6 times as long as pterostigma (Fig. 315). Carapaceapico-dorsallymorerounded (orweaklypointed, Fig. 313). Apicalforamenofcarapacewide, 2.5–2.7 timesaswideashigh (Fig. 314).

Distribution – *CostaRica, * Honduras, USA: California.

Taxonomic position – In the key to the Nearctic species of Microchelonus it runs to M. elasmopalpi (McComb) , see couplet 68 ( McComb 1968: 11). In the keytothefemalespeciesof Microchelonus itiscloseto M. levigena sp. n., see couplets 117 (118) –119 (120).