Eiphosoma merceae Fernandes, 2023

Fernandes, Daniell R. R., Pádua, Diego G., Mazariegos, Luis A. & Araujo, Rodrigo O., 2023, Two new Darwin wasp species of Eiphosoma Cresson, 1865 (Ichneumonidae: Cremastinae) from the northwestern Andes of Colombia, Zootaxa 5375 (2), pp. 262-272 : 267

Eiphosoma merceae Fernandes sp. nov.

Figs 4A–E

Diagnosis. Female. Head black with facial orbits, clypeus, malar space and part of gena yellow; mesosoma and metasoma entirely black; fore wing hyaline with apical part strongly infuscate; ovipositor straight, 2.4× longer than hind tibia, its apex bisinuous; pubescent ovipositor sheaths.

Description. Female (Holotype). Fore wings 10.3 mm. Mandible with upper tooth a little longer than the lower, clypeus moderately convex, malar space 1.3× greater than the basal length of the mandible; antenna with 40 flagellomeres ( Fig. 4B ). Pronotum punctate with epomia weakly elevated; mesoscutum densely punctate, notauli weakly impressed; cutellum densely punctate ( Fig. 4E ); mesopleuron anterior and posterior punctate, central area straight; sternaulus strongly impressed and punctate; metapleuron coarsely punctate, wrinkled and pubescent, strongly complete pleural carina, submetapleural carina long and pronounced, propodeum strongly striate centrally with lateromedial carinae absent, strong and complete anterior transverse carina, weakly and complete posterior transverse carina ( Fig. 4C ). Hind coxa pubescent ventrally and leathery in appearance, hind tibia with a sharp spine on the outside surface; hind tarsal claw curved and pectinate. Fore wing hyaline with apical part strongly infuscate, fore wing with 3 rs -m enclosing an almost lenticular areolet that is petiolate above; cu-a vein front to the base of the Rs & M vein; Hind wings with seven hamuli ( Fig. 4D ). First segment of metasoma narrow, widening posteriorly; tergite II more or less glabrous with isolated hairs posteriorly, remaining tergites moderately pubescent. Ovipositor straight, 2.4× longer than hind tibia, its apex bisinuous; pubescent ovipositor sheaths ( Fig. 4A ).

Coloration. Head black with facial orbits, clypeus, malar space and part of gena yellow; mesosoma black; all legs black except fore trochanter, trochantellus, femur, tibia and mid tibia brownish-yellow; metasoma entirely black. Fore wing hyaline with apical part strongly infuscate; pterostigma black.

Male. Unknown.

Examined material. 1 ♀. HOLOTYPE ♀. Colombia, Antioquia: Mcpio Jardín, Mesenia-Paramillo Nature Reserve , Malaise GG [= Gressitt & Gressitt model], N 5°31’03” – W 75°51’50”, 2400 msnm, II–III.2021, col. L. Mazariegos (1♀, UNIANDES).

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

Etymology. The specific epithet merceae is a patronym honoring Mercedes Arrubla, an outstanding schoolteacher who fostered the growth of intellectual abilities in generations of children for more than 40 years near the municipality of Jardín (Antioquia), the type locality of the species described herein. Convinced of the importance of science experiments in the education of children, she is acknowledged for the development of citizen science groups of students in edaphology, mathematics, meteorology, and music. A tireless and warm person, someone who refuses to retire from the responsibility of promoting scientific thought among rural children.

Biological notes. Host unknown. Specimen collected in humid montane rainforest at 2,400 msnm.

Taxonomic notes. Eiphosoma merceae sp. nov. belongs to the E. nigroandinum species–group. Among the species that make up this group, the closest is Eiphosoma nigroandinum sp. nov., that has the propodeum with lateromedial carinae absent (lateromedial carinae projecting into the superomedial region in E. nigroandinum sp. nov.); scutellum strongly punctate (smooth and polished in E. nigroandinum sp. nov.); and clypeus yellow (clypeus black in E. nigroandinum sp. nov.).

Figures

FIGURE 1. Study area where the Eiphosoma specimens were collected.

FIGURE 4A–E. Eiphosoma merceae Fernandes sp. nov., holotype (female). A. Habitus, lateral. B. Head, front view. C. Propodeum, dorsal view. D. Wings. E. Mesosoma, dorsal view.