Platyplectrus variflagellum, Zhu & Huang, 2004

Zhu, C. D. & Huang, D. W., 2004, A study of Platyplectrus Ferrière (Hymenoptera: Eulophidae) in mainland China, Journal of Natural History 38 (17), pp. 2183-2209 : 2206

P. variflagellum sp. nov.

( figures 65, 66)

Diagnosis. Head completely dark; occipital carina present; post-occipital carina absent. Scape yellow; pedicel dark; clava 1.9 times as long as broad, obtuse; flagellum with at least some funicular segments different in colour. Axillae with setae. Reticulations on scutellum regularly rounded. The area lateral to the sublateral grooves sculptured. Dorsellum areolate. Petiole not apparent.

This species is very close to P. coracinus Wijesekara and Schauff. But it differs from the latter species by having hind femora at least gradually darkened towards apex at apical half.

Description. Head completely black; occipital carina present, developed into translucent lamina, post-occipital carina absent. Scape yellow; pedicel dark. Funicular segments with segments not becoming shorter and broadened towards clava simultaneously, with each longer than broad, with F4 samely separated from F3 and clava, and distinctly four-segmented; F1 about 3.6 times as long as broad, at most paler on basal half than on other parts and other segments. Clava medially same breadth as funicle, obtuse, 1.9 times as long as broad.

Dark parts on mesosoma black. Pronotum rounded into neck, without distinct transverse carina anteriorly, with yellow, narrow, transverse marking posteriorly, which part appears to be translucent. Mid lobe of mesoscutum completely dark, with engraved reticulations, covered with setae all over the dorsum, without longitudinal median carina. Axillae completely dark, reticulate, with more than two setae. Axillula completely dark. Scutellum completely dark, without longitudinal median carina, with broad sublateral grooves united at middle point posteriorly. Reticulations engraved all over the scutellum, regularly rounded. The area lateral to the sublateral grooves engravely reticulate, not crenulate as in latters’ bottom. Dorsellum completely dark including lateral area, areolate, without tooth-like structure directing posteriorly. Propodeum completely dark and smooth. Propodeal median carina at least translucent along margins, thus appearing yellow, raised into a cup-shape but not too much as a translucent, elongate and tongue-shaped protuberance, without short carinae attached. Petiole not apparent.

Hind coxae completely dark. Hind femora mostly dark, except for base and apex yellow. Hind tibiae yellow. Hind tibial spurs with one spur more than 1.5 times length of the first tarsomere. Hind tarsi yellow, with the first segment at least as long as the second.

Material examined. Holotype ”, Fujian, 20 October 1979 (Huang Ju-yi).

Distribution. China: Fujian.