Methocha impunctata, Kimsey, 2011

Kimsey, Lynn S., 2011, Tiphiidae wasps of Madagascar (Hymenoptera, Tiphiidae), Journal of Hymenoptera Research 22, pp. 45-68 : 57-58

Methocha impunctata sp. n. Figs 12 27

Holotype male:

Toamasina Prov., Andasibe NP, 1-7/xi/2001, 18°55'58S, 48°24.47E, R. Harin’Hala colr., Malaise trap, 1025 m, MA-01-08B-18 (SAN FRANCISCO).

Diagnosis.

The highly polished, largely impunctate and unsculptured body is the most distinctive feature of Methocha impunctata . The unsculptured propodeum will immediately separate it from Methocha arcuata , which shares the largest number of characteristics with Methocha impunctata .

Description.

Male.

Body length. 8 mm.

Head ( Fig. 12 ). Clypeus flattened medially, apical margin at most slightly concave; antennal lobes rounded; frons without medial projection or lobe above antennal sockets; frons punctures 1 puncture diameter apart; vertex punctures tiny, separated by 2-4 puncture diameters; scapal ridge two-thirds length of scape; flagellomere I 1.4 × as long as broad; flagellomeres II-III twice as long as broad; flagellomeres IV-X arcuate; flagellomere XI 4 × as long as broad.

Mesosoma. Pronotal disk gently convex medially, shoulders evenly rounded, punctures 0.5-1.0 puncture diameter apart; scutal punctures contiguous to 1 puncture diameter apart, except for less dense medial area; scutellum, mesopleuron and propodeum highly polished, nearly impunctate.

Metasoma. Terga and sterna highly polished, nearly impunctate, subbasal sternal groove smooth impunctate.

Genitalia ( Fig. 27 ). Paramere breadth at medial angle 3.0-3.3 × breadth at halfway point between apex and medial angle, paramere length versus breadth at submedial angle 6 ×.

Color. Black; mandibles and palpi brown; legs dark brown; parategula black; wing membrane untinted.

Vestiture. Sparse erect, silvery.

Figures

Figures 7 - 15. Front view of face. 8 Lateral view genital capsule 9 - 15 Lateral view of head and pronotum.

Figures 16 - 30. Methocha species. 16, 17 Front view of face 18, 21 Dorsal view of head 19, 20 Dorsal view of pronotum 22, 23, 26 - 30 Lateral view of genital capsule 24, 25 Posterior view of propodeum.