Microdonophagus tertius Hansson

Hansson, Christer, Lachaud, Jean-Paul & Perez-Lachaud, Gabriela, 2011, Entedoninae wasps (Hymenoptera, Chalcidoidea, Eulophidae) associated with ants (Hymenoptera, Formicidae) in tropical America, with new species and notes on their biology, ZooKeys 134, pp. 65-82 : 71-73

Microdonophagus tertius Hansson sp. n. Figures 12-16, 20, 28

Material.

HOLOTYPE female (BMNH) glued to a card, labelled "COSTA RICA, Puntarenas, Parque Nacional Corcovado, Mosokha, Quebrada Hedionda, 15. iii– 15.iv.2003, Khanaki."

Diagnosis.

This species is similar to Microdonophagus levis Hansson ( Hansson 2009b) in its smooth and shiny thoracic dorsum but differs from the latter in several characters: scutellum without median groove (Fig. 14); propodeum with a narrow median carina and with distinct anterolateral foveae (Fig. 15); lower mesepimeron enlarged (Fig. 28) but not as enlarged as in Microdonophagus levis (Fig. 29).

Description.

Female. Length 2.0 mm. Scape yellowish–brown, pedicel and flagellum pale brown. Head and body including gaster dark brown and shiny. Coxae pale brown; femora, tibiae and tarsi yellowish–brown. Wings hyaline.

Flagellum without anelli, with three funicular segments and a two-segmented clava (Fig. 20). Frons smooth and shiny (Fig. 12), without antennal scrobes and frontal suture, with a narrow and sharp process (an interantennal crest) between toruli. Vertex smooth and shiny (Fig. 13). Occipital margin sharp (Fig. 13). Eyes with scattered long hairs (longer than in Microdonophagus levis ).

Mesoscutum smooth and shiny (Fig. 14); midlobe with two pairs of setae; notauli as distinct grooves throughout. Scutellum smooth and shiny (Fig. 14); with one pair of setae; with sublateral grooves in posterior half. Propodeum with a narrow median carina (Fig. 15); with wide sublateral grooves; with distinct anterolateral foveae; propodeal callus with about eight setae; propodeal surface smooth. Fore wing with four setae (right fore wing) and six setae (left fore wing) respectively on dorsal surface of submarginal vein; costal cell bare; speculum small and closed below; postmarginal vein not visible.

Petiole hidden behind inflated gaster but appears to be about as long as wide, dorsal surface with strong sculpture. Gaster circular; gastral tergites smooth (Fig. 16).

Ratios.

HE/MS/WM 1.7/1.0/1.3; POL/OOL/POO 6.0/4.4/1.0; WH/WT 1.0; LW/LM/HW 1.7/1.0/1.0; LP/WP ca 1; MM/LG 1.0.

Male. Unknown.

Etymology.

From the Latin tertius = third. Named for this being the third species described in the genus.

Distribution.

Costa Rica.

Biology.

Unknown, but possibly associated with ants, as is the type species of Microdonophagus , Microdonophagus woodleyi .