Epelaspis tavoi Lima & Fernandes, 2024

Lima, Adriane G. M., Pádua, Diego G., Araujo, Rodrigo O., Mazariegos, Luis A. & Fernandes, Daniell R. R., 2024, Revisiting the Darwin wasp genus Epelaspis Townes, 1970 (Hymenoptera: Ichneumonidae: Phygadeuontinae): five new species, new records and a key to Neotropical species, Zootaxa 5468 (1), pp. 52-74 : 69-71

Epelaspis tavoi Lima & Fernandes , sp. nov.

( Fig. 12 A–E )

Type material. 2 females. Holotype. COLOMBIA, Jardín, Antioquia, Mesenia-Paramillo nature reserve , VIII.2019, Mazariegos, L. (1 female, CEUA) ; Paratype. same except (1800–3000m altitude) 5°29’45.8”N 75°53’21.3”W, sweep nets, IV.2019 (1 female, CEUA) .

Diagnosis. Epelaspis tavoi Lima & Fernandes , sp. nov. can be distinguished from all other Neotropical species of Epelaspis by the combination of the following characters: (1) lateromedian longitudinal carina with vestigial part on apex and anterior portion of area petiolaris ( Fig. 12D ); (2) lateral longitudinal carina absent ( Fig. 12D ); (3) ovipositor with lower valve with two teeth on apex; (4) tergite 1 with lateromedian carina present on posterior part ( Fig. 12B ).

Description. Holotype female. Body length (head to T8) 6.38 mm.

Head. Frons mat, weak granulate, concave with antennal scrobe M-shaped, striae on the antennal scrobe, sparse punctation and short setae. Face mat, weak granulate, weak convex with punctation with setae ( Fig. 12C ). Carinae W-shaped weak starting from the antennal socket and extending to almost half of the face, without papilla ( Fig. 12C ). Clypeus rounded, with sparse punctation and setae ( Fig. 12C ). Gena length 0.12 mm. Eye height 0.55 mm. Ocellus diameter 0.12 mm. Shortest distance between anterior and posterior ocelli 0.04 mm. Shortest distance between posterior ocellus and compound eye 0.15 mm. Shortest distance between posterior ocelli 0.09 mm.

Mesosoma . Pronotum mat, with punctation and short setae. Epomia present in the middle of the pronotum. Epicnemial carina oblique. Epicnemium polished with punctation with setae. Mesopleuron polished, weak granulate, with sparse punctation with setae. Metapleuron polished, weak granulate, sparse punctation with setae; area below juxtacoxal carina polished with punctation; submetapleural carina with small crest. Mesoscutum mat, granulated with punctation and short setae ( Fig. 12B ). Notaulus reaching nearly on the middle of mesoscutum ( Fig. 12B ). Scuto-scutellar groove polished and smooth. Scutellum mat, granulated with punctation and short setae. Propodeum polished, weak granulated with sparse punctation and setae; area basalis not anteriorly delimited; area superomedia not laterally delimited; posterior transverse carina with small crest; lateral longitudinal carina absent; lateromedian longitudinal carina incomplete with vestigial part on apex and anterior portion of area petiolaris; without sulcus above pleural carina on the portion of area dentipara ( Fig. 12D ). Fore wing without ramulus ( Fig. 12E ). Legs with punctation, short setae and tarsus with denticles, one tibial spur in fore leg, two asymmetrical tibial spurs in mid leg and hind leg. Fore wing length 4.97 mm. Hind femur length 1.56 mm. Hind tibia length 1.84 mm.

Metasoma. Tergites polished with sparse punctation, short setae ( Fig. 12B ). Tergite 1 with dorsolateral carina incomplete near the apex and weak sinuous, lateromedian carina present on posterior part. Tergite 2 with thyridium. Ovipositor with upper valve smooth and lower valve with two teeth on apex. Tergite 1 length 0.87 mm. Anterior width of tergite 1 0.15 mm. Posterior width of tergite 1 0.40 mm. Tergite 2 length 0.59 mm. Anterior width of tergite 2 0.53 mm. Posterior width of tergite 2 0.84 mm. Tergite 3 length 0.43 mm. Anterior width of tergite 3 0.89 mm. Posterior width of tergite 3 0.74 mm. Ovipositor length 2.86 mm.

Coloration. Body whitish yellow ( Fig. 12A ). Antenna brownish red; scape whitish yellow with apex light brown, pedicel light brown, annellus and base of first flagellomere yellowish orange. Flagellomeres IV–VI whitish yellow ( Fig. 12A ). Head whitish yellow, dorsal part yellowish orange ( Fig. 12C ). Clypeus whitish yellow ( Fig. 12C ). Gena yellowish orange. Mandibular teeth whitish yellow with apex brownish red ( Fig. 12C ). Mesoscutum yellowish orange with brownish parts ( Fig. 12B ). Propodeum yellowish orange with a spot brown anteriorly ( Fig. 12D ). Fore leg whitish yellow, except fore tibia and fore tarsus light brown. Mid coxa and mid trochanter whitish yellow, mid trochanter, mid femur, mid tibia, and mid tarsus light brown. Hind leg whitish yellow, except hind trochantellus laterally brown, hind femur dorsally light brown, hind tibia light brown and tarsus brown. Wings hyaline. Veins and pterostigma light brown ( Fig. 12E ). Tergites whitish yellow with dorsal spot brown, except on tergite 3 ( Fig. 12B ).

Male. Unknown. Variation. Body length (head to T8) 5.34 mm. Head. Scape and pedicel yellowish brown. Flagellomeres IV– VII whitish yellow. Clypeus yellowish orange. Gena length 0.16 mm. Eye height 0.25 mm. Ocellus diameter 0.06 mm. Shortest distance between anterior and posterior ocelli 0.07 mm. Shortest distance between posterior ocellus and compound eye 0.12 mm. Shortest distance between posterior ocelli 0.04 mm. Mesosoma . Fore femur light brown. Mid tibia and tarsus brown. Hind trochanter and hind trochantellus ventrally brown; hind femur distally brown; hind tibia and hind tarsus brown. Fore wing length 4.62 mm. Hind femur length 1.38 mm. Hind tibia length 1.65 mm. Metasoma. Tergites whitish-yellow with dorsal part brown. Tergite 1 length 0.81 mm. Anterior width of tergite 1 0.15 mm. Posterior width of tergite 1 0.34 mm. Tergite 2 length 0.56 mm. Anterior width of tergite 2 0.45 mm. Posterior width of tergite 2 0.72 mm. Tergite 3 length 0.41 mm. Anterior width of tergite 3 0.74 mm. Posterior width of tergite 3 0.79 mm. Ovipositor length 1.75 mm.

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

Host. Unknown.

Etymology. The specific epiphet tavoi is in honor of the late Gustavo Alberto Suarez Osorio—Tavo, whose life was intricately woven with the landscape of Antioquia’s southwest, where his intimate knowledge of its forests and mountains began from a young age. Gustavo’s involvement in monitoring and rediscovery bird expeditions and land conservation efforts further solidified his legacy in protecting biodiversity. His work provided the foundation for the establishment of the Mesenia-Paramillo nature reserve. Tavo’s profound impact on conservation and community service is a testament to his unwavering dedication, leaving an indelible mark on the landscape he cherished.

Discussion. Epelaspis tavoi Lima & Fernandes , sp. nov. is most similar to the E. boteroi Lima & Fernandes , sp. nov. for the fore wing without ramulus, metapleuron polished, granulate with sparse punctation and area below juxtacoxal carina with punctation. However, E. tavoi Lima & Fernandes , sp. nov. differs from E. boteroi Lima & Fernandes , sp. nov. in the following characters: lateral longitudinal carina of propodeum absent (present in E. boteroi Lima & Fernandes , sp. nov.) and scuto-scutellar groove smooth (rugae in E. boteroi Lima & Fernandes , sp. nov.).

Figures

FIGURE 1. Mesenia-Paramillo nature reserve, Antioquia, Colombia.

FIGURE 12. A–E: Epelaspis tavoi Lima & Fernandes, sp. nov.. Holotype female. A: habitus, lateral view; B: habitus, dorsal view; C: head, frontal view; D: propodeum, dorsal view; E: fore wing, ventral view.