Microphecodes (Microsphecodes) stenochorus, Engel, 2013

Engel, Michael S., 2013, A new species of Microsphecodes from Peru, with notes on the classification of the genus (Hymenoptera: Halictidae), Journal of Melittology 2013 (24), pp. 1-9 : 5-8

Microphecodes (Microsphecodes) stenochorus Engel, new species

ZooBank: urn:lsid:zoobank.org:act:06903B29-806C-444F-ACAE-7CB78E3D3E83

( Figs. 1–6 )

DIAGNOSIS: The new species is most similar to M. russeiclypeatus and M. kathleenae in terms of overall coloration but differs from them both in the color of the mesoscutum, by the smaller areolae on other side of the midline on the dorsal-facing surface of the propodeum, and the narrower clypeus (2.8 times as wide as medial length in the new species, 3.5–4.5 times as wide as medial length in M. kathleenae and M. russeiclypeatus ). In M. stenochorus these areolae are similar in size, particularly width, to the bordering areolae demarcated by the radiating striae, while in the aforementioned species the areolae bordering the midline are greatly enlarged relative to the others. In addition, the mesoscutum of M. stenochorus has thin orange-red lateral margins and large, distinctive areas of orange-red medioanteriorly and medioposteriorly, giving the black portion of the surface the appearance of a thickened H-shape.

DESCRIPTION: ♀: Total body length 5.30 mm; forewing length 4.0 mm. Head broader than long (width 1.41 mm, length 1.27 mm as measured from clypeal apex to vertex in facial view). Mandible elongate, without subapical tooth, slightly shorter than compound eye length. Clypeus 2.8 times broader than long (width 0.75 mm, medial length 0.17 mm). Frontal line carinate from lower tangent of antennal toruli to point above upper tangent of toruli equivalent to 2.5 times torulus diameter. Upper interorbital distance 0.89 mm; lower interorbital distance 0.78 mm; inner margin of compound eye slightly concave just above level of antennal toruli. Gena only slightly narrower than compound eye in profile. Intertegular distance 0.84 mm. Inner metatibial spur simple. Forewing venation as in figure 6; hind wing with five distal hamuli arranged in a single series.

Integument generally shining. Clypeus smooth with shallow, coarse punctures separated by less than a puncture width; supraclypeal area smooth with small punctures separated by 0.5–2 times a puncture width; remainder of head smooth and distinctly punctate, punctures separated by less than a puncture width, becoming slightly more widely spaced in ocellocular area, punctures sparser around ocelli and on vertex; gena smooth with punctures separated by 1–2 times a puncture width; postgena imbricate and impunctate. Pronotum smooth with shallow, faint punctures separated by less than a puncture width. Mesoscutum smooth with punctures separated by a puncture width or a little less anteriorly, separated by less than a puncture width lateral to parapsidal lines and along posterior margin, and sparse over disc, separated by 2–5 times a puncture width; tegula impunctate and exceedingly faintly imbricate; mesoscutellum smooth and almost impunctate over disc, small punctures separated by less than a puncture width along extreme lateral and posterior borders; metanotum smooth with shallow punctures separated by a puncture width or less. Pleura smooth with shallow, coarse punctures separated by less than a puncture width. Basal area of propodeum striate-foveolate, strong striae radiating from basal margin and defining distinct areolae ( Fig. 3 ), areolae bordering midline not greatly enlarged relative to neighboring areolae, posteriorly delimited by a strong carina ( Fig. 3 ), integument between striae smooth and shining; lateral and posterior surfaces of propodeum smooth with irregular rugae ( Fig. 4 ). Metasomal terga smooth, virtually impunctate except sparse ( Fig. 4 ), faint, minute punctures associated with base of setae in basal halves of more apical terga; first and second sternum smooth, remaining sterna very faintly imbricate.

Mandible orange, with reddish apex; labiomaxillary complex dark brown except palpi and glossa yellow; clypeus orange-red ( Fig. 2 ); supraclypeal area black with small faint reddish spot medially at peak; remainder of head black; scape orange-red; pedicel and first flagellomere reddish brown, remainder of flagellum dark brown ( Figs. 1, 2 ). Mesosoma largely ferruginous ( Figs. 1, 3–5 ) except with black patches on upper mesepisternum, lower and ventral mesepisternum ( Fig. 5 ), and mesoscutum except laterally, medioanteriorly, and medioposteriorly orange-red, forming a thickened H-shape ( Figs. 1, 2 ). Wing veins dark brown; wing membrane hyaline ( Fig. 6 ). Legs orange-red. First metasomal tergum orange-red, basal and lateral portions of second tergum orange-red, remaining terga dark brown ( Fig. 4 ); first sternum orange-red; second sternum reddish brown; remaining sterna dark brown.

Pubescence relatively sparse and fine ( Figs. 1 , 5 ), generally white except somewhat yellow on face, pro- and mesotibiae, pro- and mesotarsi, and metasoma. Setae generally simple and erect, some with minute branches; face with moderately-dense, appressed, short, plumose setae on lower face ( Fig. 2 ); preëpisternum and anterior mesepisternum with moderately-dense whitish, plumose setae ( Fig. 5 ).

♂: Unknown.

HOLOTYPE: ♀, Peru, UC [Ucayali], Coronel Portillo, Calleria, Abujao , 08º19’34.32’’S / 73º39’58.7’’W, 195 m, 23–25.iv.2013 [23–25 April 2013], L. Sulca ( MUSM).

ETYMOLOGY: The specific epithet is a combination of the Greek words stenos (meaning, “narrow”) and chora (meaning, “room”), and is a reference to the areolae on the dorsal-facing surface of propodeum.

Figures

Figures 1–4. Photomicrographs of holotype female of Microsphecodes (Microsphecodes) stenochorus, new species, from Abujao, Ucayali, Peru. 1. Dorsal habitus. 2. Facial view. 3. Detail of dorsal-facing surface of propodeum. 4. Posterior view.

Figures 5–6. Photomicrographs of holotype female of Microsphecodes (Microsphecodes) stenochorus, new species, from Abujao, Ucayali, Peru. 5. Lateral habitus. 6. Wing venation.