Eiphosoma nigroandinum Fernandes, 2023

Fernandes, Daniell R. R., Pádua, Diego G., Mazariegos, Luis A. & Araujo, Rodrigo O., 2023, Two new Darwin wasp species of Eiphosoma Cresson, 1865 (Ichneumonidae: Cremastinae) from the northwestern Andes of Colombia, Zootaxa 5375 (2), pp. 262-272 : 264-267

Eiphosoma nigroandinum Fernandes sp. nov.

Figs 2A–E , 3A–E

Diagnosis. Female. Head black with facial orbits, and central part of gena yellow; mesosoma and metasoma entirely black; fore wing hyaline with apical part strongly infuscate; ovipositor straight, 2.0–2.1× longer than hind tibia, its apex bisinuous.

Description. Female (Holotype). Fore wings 9.4 mm. Mandible with upper tooth slightly longer than the lower, clypeus moderately convex, malar space 1.1× greater than the basal length of the mandible; antenna with 40 flagellomeres ( Fig. 2A ). Pronotum punctate with epomia weakly elevated; mesoscutum densely punctuated, notauli weakly impressed; scutellum smooth and polished without punctures ( Fig. 2D ); mesopleuron anterior and central area striate and posterior punctuated; sternaulus strongly impressed and punctate; metapleuron coarsely punctate, wrinkled and pubescent, complete pleural carina, submetapleural carina long and pronounced, propodeum weakly striate centrally with lateromedial carinae projecting into the superomedial region, strong and complete anterior transverse carina, weak and complete posterior transverse carina ( Fig. 2C ). Hind coxa pubescent ventrally and leathery in appearance, hind tibia with a sharp spine on the outside surface; hind tarsal claw curved and pectinate. Fore wing hyaline with apical part strongly infuscate, wing with 3 rs -m enclosing an almost lenticular areolet that is petiolate above; cu- a vein front to the base of the Rs & M vein; hind wings with five hamuli ( Fig. 2E ). First segment of metasoma narrow, widening posteriorly; tergite II more or less glabrous and posteriorly with isolated hairs, and other pubescent tergites. Ovipositor straight, 2.1× longer than hind tibia, its apex bisinuous; pubescent ovipositor sheaths ( Fig. 2A ).

Coloration. Head black with facial orbits, and central part of gena yellow. Mesosoma black; all legs black. Metasoma entirely black. Fore wing hyaline with apical part strongly infuscate; pterostigma black.

Variation. Paratype with fore wing 7.4 mm; antenna with 37 flagellomeres; ovipositor 2.0× longer than hind tibia ( Fig. 3A ); malar space completely black ( Fig. 3B ); yellow marks on the gena less intense than on the holotype ( Figs 3A, 3E ).

Male. Unknown.

Examined material. 2♀. HOLOTYPE ♀. Colombia, Antioquia: Mcpio Jardín, Mesenia-Paramillo Nature Reserve , manual or sweeping net collection, N 5°31’03” – W 75°51’50”, 09.IX.2020, col. L. Mazariegos (1♀, UNIANDES) ; PARATYPE Colombia, Antioquia: Some data as holotype, except Malaise GG [= Gressitt & Gressitt model], II–III.2021 (1♀, UNIANDES) .

Distribution. Colombia (Antioquia) ( Fig. 1 ).

Etymology. From the Latin ‘ nigro’ (=black), ‘ andinum’ (=latinized form for “from the Andes”); in reference to the black body and its original distribution site.

Biological notes. Host unknown. Specimens collected in humid montane rainforest on 2,400 msnm.

Taxonomic notes. Eiphosoma nigroandinum sp. nov. belongs to the E. nigroandinum species-group. Among the species that make up this group, the closest is Eiphosoma merceae sp. nov., which has the propodeum with lateromedial carinae projecting into the superomedial region (lateromedial carinae absent in Eiphosoma merceae sp. nov.); scutellum smooth and polished without punctures (strongly punctate in Eiphosoma merceae sp. nov.); and head with clypeus completely black (yellow in Eiphosoma merceae sp. nov.).

Figures

FIGURE 1. Study area where the Eiphosoma specimens were collected.

FIGURE 2A–E. Eiphosoma nigroandinum Fernandes sp. nov., holotype (female). A. Habitus, dorsal. B. Head, front view. C. Propodeum, dorsal view. D. Mesosoma, dorsal view. E. Wings.

FIGURE 3A–E. Eiphosoma nigroandinum Fernandes sp. nov., paratype (female). A. Habitus, lateral. B. Head, front view. C. Propodeum, dorsal view. D. Wings. E. Mesosoma, dorsal view.