Microctonus rotundatus, 2013

Pucci, Thomas M., 2013, Contributions to the classification of North American Microctonus (Braconidae, Euphorinae), Zootaxa 3725 (1), pp. 1-150 : 23

M. rotundatus Pucci new species

Figures 114–116

Etymology: Latin; in reference to the rounded propodeum i.e. the absent or vestigial medial groove.

Females.—Color: Head dark brown but antenna brown, clypeus with some orange, and mandibles orange basally; mesosoma black to dark brown; legs orange but tibia and tarsi often brown; petiole dark brown but often orange at the extreme anterior and posterior ends, remaining metasoma brown. Length excluding ovipositor: approximately 2.2–2.7. Head: Occipital carina absent medially; lateral eye/gena 1.1–1.4; transverse head/face 1.8– 1.9; flagellum length 2.6–3.3, number of flagellomeres 26–29; first flagellomere/second 1.1; face smooth but for setal insertions; clypeus suboval; length of last four maxillary palpomeres/fore femur length 0.60–0.85. Mesosoma: Pronotum smooth to rugulose; number of setae along widest transverse line of anterior lobe approximately 11; notaulus foveate, joined at approximately posterior 1/3 to 1/4 of mesoscutum; longitudinal carina on the posterior mesoscutum present or absent; lateral mesonotal lobes glabrous but for a narrow fringe; C+SC+R length 0.95–1.4; stigma length/R1 1.2–1.5; fore wing RS a shallow arch; sternaulus formed by fovea extending diagonally dorsoanteriorly to postero-ventrally then horizontally to propodeum, often expanded medially; propodeum areolaterugose, median groove absent to vestigial; outline of propodeum in lateral view convex; setae of hind femur slightly greater than half maximum femur width; hind tibia usually less than C+SC+R. Metasoma: Petiole striate, smooth basally; subbasal petiole rounded dorso-laterally; petiole length/posterior width 2.1–2.8; terga 2 + 3 length 0.45–0.69; sheath length 0.45–0.70, sheath/C+SC+R 0.48–0.58.

Males differ from females by the following: orange face, propleuron, and anterior pronotum; (flagella in examined specimen not complete).

Specimens examined: Holotype: female, Costa Rica, Alejuela [Alajuela], 5 km W San Ramon, 1200m, XII.1996, O. Castro & P. Hanson ( ESUW). Paratypes: Costa Rica: 3 females as above ( ESUW); 3 females as above but IV. 1997 ( ESUW); 1 female, Alajuela, ACA, San Carlos , R . F. Arenal Sendero Pilon, 600m, V . 17–18.1999, G. Carballo, L.N. 269100-457900 #53363, Malaise trap ( ESUW); 1 female, Puntarenas, RF Golfo Dulce, el 200m, 24 km W Piedras Blancas, P. Hanson , XII.1992 ( TAMU) . Mexico: 1 female, Chiapas, Reserva El Triunfo, Sendero Paio [Palo] Gordo, 6400’, VII.21.1997 ( TAMU); 1 female, Chiapas, 7200’, S. Crist. las Casas , VI .10.1969, W.R. M. Mason ( CNC); 1 male, as above but V . 24.1969, Malaise trap ( CNC); 1 female (no head), as above but VII.1– 12.1969, ( CNC); 1 female, Durango, 24 mi. W. La Ciudad , 7000’, VIII .8.1964, W.R. M. Mason ( CNC); 1 female as above but VIII . 4.1964 ( CNC); 1 male, as above but VII.16.1964 ( CNC); 1 male, as above but VII.30.1964 ( CNC); 1 male, Durango, 9000’, El Salto , 10 mi. W., VII.8.1964), W. R . M. Mason ( CNC); 4 males, Guerrero, 6.4 mi. SW Filo de Caballo , 9000’, VII.8.1987, R . Wharton ( TAMU); 1 male, as above but Woolley, Zolnerowich ( TAMU); 1 female, Hidalgo, Pachuca, VII.28.1954, 7300’, Univ. Kans. Mex. Expedition ( SEMC); 1 male, Michoacan, 6 miles N. Cheran, VII.7–8.1985, J. Wooley, G. Zolnerowich, 85/034 ( TAMU); 1 male, Oaxaca, 15.1 mi. N San Gabriel Mixtapec , VII.11.1987, 3850’, J. Heraty, UCRC ENT 92475 ( UCRC); 1 male, Oaxaca, 6.8 mi. N Candalaria Loxicha, 3250’, VII.12.1987, R . Wharton ( TAMU); 1 male, Oaxaca, 1.4 mi. NE La Cumbre, VII.18.1985, Woolley & Zolnerowich ( TAMU); 1 female, Sinaloa, 15 mi. W El Palmito , 5000’, VIII .4.1964, W.R. M. Mason ( CNC); 1 female, Veracruz, Pueblo Nuevo nr Tezonapa , VIII . 5.1965, Cornell Univ. Mexico Field Party ( MCZ) .

Flight period: December in Costa Rica; July and August for approximately 75% in Mexico.

Remarks: The Costa Rican specimens tend to be smaller.