Probles (Probles) bengalensis Khalaim, 2022

Khalaim, A. I., 2022, New species of Oriental Tersilochinae (Hymenoptera: Ichneumonidae), with remarks on sexual dimorphism in the genus Allophrys Förster, 1869, Russian Entomological Journal 31 (1), pp. 53-61 : 58-60

Probles (Probles) bengalensis Khalaim , sp.n.

Figs 21–28 .

MATERIAL. Holotype: ♀ ( EUM), India, West Bengal, near Darjeeling, Tiger Hill , over 2600 m, 8.V.1980, coll. S. Hisamatsu.

COMPARISON. The new species belongs to the subgenus Probles s. str. as it has the clypeus with a median transverse convexity ( Fig. 22 ) and a long basal part of the propodeum ( Fig. 26 ). Probles bengalensis sp.n. is similar to the European P. flavipes (Szépligeti, 1899) in having an antenna with about 22 flagellomeres, second recurrent vein (2 m-cu) postfurcal, propodeum with a long basal keel ( Fig. 26 ), and first tergite strongly longitudinally striate ( Fig. 24 ), but differs from this species in having polished dorsolateral areas of the propodeum ( Fig. 26 ) (wrinkled in P. flavipes ) and a much longer ovipositor, with the sheath 4.0 times as long as the first tergite ( Fig. 21 ) vs 2.0 times in P. flavipes .

This is the first record of the subgenus Probles s. str. from the Oriental region, as it was known hitherto only from the Nearctic and Western Palaearctic regions.

DESCRIPTION. Female. Body length 4.8 mm. Fore wing length 3.8 mm.

Head, in dorsal view, roundly constricted posterior to eyes ( Fig. 23 ); gena 0.9 times as long as eye width. Eyes with very short sparse setae ( Fig. 22 ). Clypeus 3.2 times as broad as long, in front view lenticular ( Fig. 22 ), convex in upper part, with distinct transverse concavity in lower part; clypeus separated from face by distinct furrow, polished and impunctate in lower 0.6, finely and sparsely punctate in upper 0.4, with weak granulation near upper margin. Mandible robust, weakly tapered in basal half; upper tooth somewhat longer and broader than lower. Malar space 0.7 times as long as basal mandibular width. Antennal flagellum slightly clavate apically, with 22 flagellomeres; subbasal flagellomeres 1.5– 1.6 times as long as broad, median flagellomeres 1.3–1.4 times as long as broad, and subapical flagellomeres as long as broad; flagellomeres 3 to 6 with distinct subapical finger-shaped structures on outer surface ( Fig. 25 ). Face with weak median prominence. Face and frons distinctly granulate, dull, with very indistinct (because of granulation) punctures. Vertex finely punctate, medially finely granulate and dull, laterally nearly smooth and weakly shining. Gena finely punctate on smooth and shining background. Occipital carina complete, arcuate in dorsal view ( Fig. 23 ).

Mesoscutum very finely and densely punctate on finely granulate and dull background, laterally with nearly smooth areas. Notaulus virtually absent, with vestige of wrinkle indicating its path on anterolateral side of mesoscutum ( Fig. 25 ). Scutellum with lateral longitudinal carinae present at its anterior 0.3. Mesopleuron with fine distinct punctures on polished background ( Fig. 24 ). Epicnemial carina with upper end abruptly curved to reach front margin of mesopleuron. Foveate groove moderately broad, deep, weakly upcurved anteriorly, extending over posterior 0.9 of mesopleuron (thus not reaching epicnemial carina anteriorly), with transverse wrinkles ( Fig. 24 ). Propodeal spiracle separated from pleural carina by almost 2.0 times diameter of spiracle ( Fig. 24 ). Propodeum ( Fig. 26 ) polished, with very fine inconspicuous punctures on dorsolateral areas, with weak basal keel which is indistinct anteriorly because of irregular wrinkles; basal keel about 0.7 times as long as apical area; apical area flat, anteriorly narrowly rounded; apical longitudinal carinae complete, reaching transverse carina anteriorly.

Fore wing ( Fig. 21 ) with second recurrent vein (2 m-cu) postfurcal, with unpigmented bulla anteriorly. Intercubitus (2 rs-m) long, slightly thickened, twice longer than abscissa of cubitus between intercubitus and second recurrent vein (abscissa of M between 2 rs-m and 2 m-cu). First abscissa of radius (Rs +2 r) straight, longer than width of pterostigma. First and second abscissae of radius (Rs +2 r and Rs) meeting at right angle. Metacarpus (R 1) not reaching apex of fore wing. Hind wing with nervellus (cu 1& cu-a) subvertical. Legs slender. Tarsal claws long and slender, not pectinate.

First tergite 2.5 times as long as posteriorly broad, slightly depressed, in cross-section centrally trapeziform; tergite strongly longitudinally striate laterally before glymma ( Fig. 24 ) and dorsally in central part, remainder smooth. Glymma distinct, situated in centre of tergite, joining by furrow to ventral part of postpetiole ( Fig. 24 ). Second tergite 1.15 times as long as anteriorly broad ( Fig. 27 ). Thyridial depression distinct, almost twice as long as broad, with posterior end rounded ( Fig. 27 ). Ovipositor very long, evenly bent upwards, with weak dorsal subapical depression ( Fig. 28 ); sheath 4.0 times as long as first tergite ( Fig. 21 ).

Head, mesosoma and first metasomal tergite black; lower half of clypeus brownish yellow. Mouthparts yellow. Mandible brownish yellow, teeth reddish. Antenna black, scape and pedicel yellow-brown. Tegula yellow. Wings slightly infumate with brown. Pterostigma brown. Legs yellowish brown, hind coxa dark brown. Second tergite yellow-brown; third and following tergites brown to dark brown.

Male. Unknown.

ETYMOLOGY. Named after the region where the holotype was collected.

DISTRIBUTION. North India (West Bengal).

Acknowledgements. I am thankful to Kazuhiko Konishi (EUM) for loaning valuable material and to Gavin R. Broad (the Natural History Museum, London, UK) for reviewing this manuscript and linguistic corrections. This work was supported by the State Research Project No. AAAA-A19- 119020690101-6.

Figures

Figs 21–24. Probles bengalensis sp.n., ♀, holotype: 21 — habitus, lateral view; 22 — head, front view; 23 — head, dorsal view; 24 — head, mesosoma and base of metasoma, lateral view. Рис. 21–24. Probles bengalensis sp.n., ♀, голотип: 21 — габитус, сбоку; 22 — голова, спереди; 23 — голова, сверху; 24 — голова, меЗосома и основание метасомы, сбоку.

Figs 25–28. Probles bengalensis sp.n., ♀, holotype: 25 — head and bases of antennae, lateral view; 26 — propodeum, dorsal view; 27 — tergites 1–3, dorsal view; 28 — apex of ovipositor, lateral view. Рис. 25–28. Probles bengalensis sp.n., ♀, голотип: 25 — голова и основание антенн, сбоку; 26 — проподеум, сверху; 27 — тергиты 1–3, сверху; 28 — верШина Яйцеклада, сбоку.