Dinapsis cresta Mita & Shaw, 2020

Mita, Toshiharu & Shaw, Scott Richard, 2020, A taxonomic study of Dinapsis Waterson, 1922 from Madagascar (Hymenoptera Megalyridae, Dinapsini): crested wasps of the hirtipes species-group, Zootaxa 4858 (1), pp. 71-84 : 81-83

Dinapsis cresta Mita & Shaw , n. sp.

Figs 35–38

Materials examined. Holotype: ♀, “CASENT/ 2009739”, “ MADAGASCAR: Province / Diego-Suarez , Parc National/ Montagne d’Ambre ”, “el 1125 m, 4–19 March 2001 / 12°31’13”S, 49°10’45”E / R. Harin’Hala collector/ Malaise trap MA-01-01D-05”.

Paratypes: [ Madagascar] 1♀, same as holotype, but 19. III –5. IV; 1♀, Toamasina Prov., botanic garden near entrance to Andasibe National Park (1025 m alt.), 18°55.58’S, 48°24.47’E, 8–16. X. 2001 (MsT), R. Harin’Hala leg. ; 1♀, Toliara Prov., Analavelona Classified Forest , 29.2 km 343° NNW of Mahaboboka (1100 m alt.), 22°40’30”S 044°11’24”E, 18–22. II. 2003 (YPT), Fisher, Griswold et al. leg .

Description. (Female) Head ( Figs 37, 38 ) sparsely covered with short setae on frons and dorsal surface of vertex, long setae on posterior surface of vertex and gena; frons and dorsal surface of vertex weakly rounded, with small scattered punctures; transversal elevation present on lower part of frons; row of punctures behind anterior ocellus present; outer margin of each ocellus bearing crescent-shaped depression; vertex produced dorsally forming low carina; posterior surface of vertex reticulate; orbital carina present; gena smooth with suborbital irregular carina present, not reaching subocular suture; occipital carina with lateral collar developed; clypeus smooth; POL: OOL: OL: OPL = 1.0: 1.2–1.3: 0.9–1.0: 0.5–0.6.

Mesosoma ( Fig. 35 ): Mesonotum sparsely covered with long erect setae; mesoscutum with small scattered punctures, not humped, with deep median sulcus continuous to apex; anterior surface forming lateral carina; dorsal surface flat in lateral view, with anterior margin not excavated; short depression of parapsides present; lateral lobe absent; axilla smooth, flat; scuto-scutellar sulcus deep, forming continuous groove; scutellum smooth, flat; mesepimeron indicated by groove with short transverse carinae; mesepisternum hairless anteriorly, ventral surface hairy; metanotum hairy, densely covered with minute punctures; propodeum with paired longitudinal median, submedian, and lateral carinae: carinae parallel; surface between longitudinal carinae transversely striated; posterior margin of median region weakly producing dorsally ( Fig. 36 , arrow); posterior strong transversal carinae indistinct.

Forewing ( Fig. 35 ) hyaline; vein M 1.7–1.9 × basal part of RS.

Hind coxa bearing longitudinal carina, weakly striated dorsally, weakly shagreened distally; distal apex of hind tibia ( Fig. 35 ) not produced, bearing simple setae.

Metasoma smooth but anterior surface of 6th and entire 7–8th metasomal tergites shagreened; ovipositor 1.67– 1.79 × mesosoma length, apex bearing small teeth and single knob.

Color. Head black; clypeus dark brown; mandible brown; antenna testaceous with 5–7th flagellomeres paler, 8–12th flagellomeres dark brown ( Fig. 35 ). Mesosoma black but propleuron dark brown. Legs testaceous but trochanters whitish, hind coxa blackish, and hind femur dark brown. Metasoma dark brown. Ovipositor brown. Ovipositor sheath dark brown.

Measurements (in mm). Head 0.66–0.84 long, 0.84–1.00 wide; mesosoma 1.12–1.40 long; mesoscutum 0.66– 0.78 wide; propodeal disc 0.46–0.54 long, 0.58–0.74 wide; forewing 2.60–3.10 long; metasoma 1.40–1.76 long, 0.66–0.84 wide; ovipositor 1.95–2.50 long; total body length excluding ovipositor 3.32–3.70.

(Male) Unknown.

Distribution. Known from northern, eastern, and southwestern Madagascar ( Fig. 42 ): Antsiranana Prov.; Toamasina Prov.; Toliara Prov.

Etymology. The specific epithet is derived from the Latin word for “crest,” referring to the crested projection on the posterior margin of the propodeum.

Notes. This species is similar to Dinapsis albicauda Mita & Shaw , n. sp. but can be distinguished by its entirely brown ovipositor sheath. For other characters useful in their separation, see the notes for D. albicauda , n. sp.

Figures

FIGURE 42. Distribution of Dinapsis hirtipes species-group.

FIGURES 35–38. Dinapsis cresta, n. sp., holotype female. 35, lateral habitus; 36, propodeum; 37, head in dorsal view; 38, head in lateral view. Scale = 1.0 mm (35), 0.5 mm (36–38).