Chelonus (Microchelonus) merdicus Rousse et Braet

Braet, Yves, Rousse, Pascal & Sharkey, Michael, 2012, New data on African Cheloninae (Hymenoptera, Braconidae) show a strong biogeographic signal for taxa with spined propodea, Zootaxa 3385, pp. 1-32 : 14-24

Chelonus (Microchelonus) merdicus Rousse et Braet sp. nov.

( Figs 37–42 )

FEMALE (Holotype). Body length 3.5 mm, fore wing length 3.0 mm.

Head ( Figs 38, 40, 42 ). Head 0.65x as length as height (in lateral view). Antennal socket acute and inserted near middle level of eye. Antenna with 14 flagellomeres. Scapus 2.10x longer than wide, equal to first flagellomere, without apical lobe. First flagellomere 5x as long as wide, equal to second (first 3 segments almost equal in length). Penultimate flagellomere 3x as long as wide, 0.40x as long as first segment, 0.60x as long as apical segment. Basal flagellomeres thin, following flagellomeres enlarged. Eye length 2.20x length of temple (in dorsal view), 1.57x as high as broad, with dense, short setae. Maxillary palpus of normal length (ending between fore and middle coxa). Clypeus flattened in lateral view, with slightly convex lower margin, without apical teeth, weakly punctate. Malar suture absent. Malar space 1.5x basal width of mandible, 0.4x eye height. Face straight in lateral view, smooth, punctate, with short, dense setae. Temple not swollen in dorsal view, smooth, with some punctation, with short, sparse setae. Frons smooth, flat, with carina between antennal socket, without lateral carina. POL 1.67x ocellar diameter, 0.83x OOL. Vertex smooth and finely punctate, presence of weak transverse striae near stemmaticum, with short, sparse setae. Occipital carina meeting hypostomal carina at base of mandible.

Mesosoma ( Figs 40–42 ). Pronotum punctate, dorsally without modifications. Pronotal furrow absent, ventral sides of pronotum laterally smooth. Mesosoma 1.28x as long as wide in lateral view, 1.45x as long as wide in dorsal view. Mesoscutum sharply raised anteriorly, at right angle with pronotum, medio-anteriorly areolate, median lobe without median groove anteriorly,of row of punctures in place of groove. Mesoscutum with short, sparse setae. Surface of mesoscutum medially, near scutellar sulcus, mostly punctate or areolate. Notaulus entirely absent,but row of punctures looking like notaulus. Scutellar sulcus 4.30x as wide as long, 1.30x as long as scutellum, smooth. Scutellar sulcus with four complete carina. Scutellum rounded laterally, flattened in lateral view, smooth and punctate. Subalar groove areolate. Mesopleuron areolate, with short, sparse setae. Precoxal sulcus absent. Surface of mesosternum weakly punctate. Propodeum 0.29x as long as mesosoma (in dorsal view), entirely areolate, carinated areas present at least basally (medio-longitudinal carina dividing in two and enclosing mediotriangular area). Propodeum vertical posteriorly, with short, sparse setae. Propodeal transverse carina with two spines laterally and two angles medially. Median tubercles present and short (as long as wide), rather smooth at their apices. Distance between median tubercles 0.6x distance between median and lateral tubercle. Lateral spines twice as long as their transverse width, straight, with rounded apex. Surface of metapleuron areolate, with short, sparse setae. Metapleural flange absent. Wings ( Fig. 39 ): Pterostigma 4.50x as long as wide. Marginal cell of fore wing closed distally. Vein r 0.63x as long as vein 3-SR, 0.17x as long as vein SR1, 0.36x as long as vein 2-SR. Vein 2-SR of fore wing present. Vein 1-SR+M absent. Vein r-m of fore wing with wide bulla. Vein cu-a of fore wing postfurcal. Vein CU1a (relative to cubital vein (2-CU1) of fore wing) not interstitial, arising behind middle of distal vein of subdiscal cell (vein CU1a present basally as short sclerotized stub). Vein CU1b postfurcal with m-cu. First subdiscal cell of fore wing closed distally (vein 2cu-a present). Vein 2–1A long. Hind wing vein 1-SC+R present. Subbasal cell of hind wing distinctly enlarged. Hind wing vein M+CU 1x as long as vein 1-M. Hind wing vein r absent, m-cu absent. Basal cell of hind wing closed. Hind wing vein cu-a present. Legs: Femora not swollen. Hind coxa shortened, dorsally and ventrally smooth. Hind femur 4.4x as long as wide. Hind femur with sparse setae, its surface dorsally and ventrally smooth. Hind tibia 5.87x as long as wide, 2.60x as long as hind basitarsus, apically without specialized patch of setae on its inner side. Hind basitarsus 6x as long as wide, 0.72 as long as tarsomeres 2–5.

Metasoma ( Fig. 41 ). Metasoma without visible sutures on carapace. Carapace anteriorly longitudinally rugoseareolate (two medio-longitudinal rugae clearly indicated basally, surface rather mostly punctate between longitudinal rugae), posteriorly longitudinally rugulose (in frontal view). Carapace without apical opening, with short setae. Ovipositor sheath 0.13x as long as metasoma. Ovipositor sheath apically weakly spatulate, straight, with short, thin setae.

Color. Scapus yellowish but pedicel and inner posterior part of scapus infuscate to brownish, flagellomeres dark-brownish. Head blackish, mandible (except apex) and palpi yellowish, apex of mandible brownish, scapus yellowish brown with the posterior inner side brownish to infuscate. Mesosoma blackish. Fore wing hyaline, veins yellowish-brown, stigma yellowish. Coxae, trochanters, femora and fore tibia yellowish; outer sides of mid and hind tibia mostly infuscate and inner sides yellowish; all tarsi strongly infuscate; hind tibial spurs pale whitish-yellow. Carapace mainly blackish apically with long, oval patch covering medio-anterior 2/3 of carapace. Ovipositor sheath blackish.

Hosts records. None.

Comments. The dimensions of the first five flagellomeres are similar to those of species in the subgenus C. (Baculonus). This is the main character separating this species from its closely related species C. (M.) matilei sp. nov. S ee C. matilei sp. nov. for additional comments. The two paratypes housed in the MNHN collections (box 45, under the label Chelonus spinosus Sigwalt ) have probably been studied by the late Dr Sigwalt but he never published the description.

Etymology. “ merdicus ” is an entomological term in Reunion referring to any small insect ( Martiré & Rochat 2008).

Distribution record. Ethiopian ( La Réunion).

Type material. Holotype: Ψ (coll. P. Rousse): " Reunion Plaine des Palmistes / Piton Bébour, forêt primaire de Bébour-Bellouve, alt. 1475m, XII.2010, tente Malaise". Paratypes: ɗ ( MHNP), " La Reunion, Cilaos, R.F." "Institut scientifique de Madagascar " "hand writing label: C. spinosissimus (probably by Sigwalt)"; ɗ ( MHNP), " La Reunion, Cilaos, XI.(19)55-R.P" "Institut scientifique Madagascar " " type ".

Odontosphaeropyx gracilis Braet , sp. nov. ( Figs 69–75 )

FEMALE (Holotype). Body length 5 mm, fore wing length 4.5 mm.

Head ( Figs 71-74 ). Head width 1.04 x its median length (in lateral view). Antennal sockets inserted close top of eye. Antenna with 36 flagellomeres (right antenna broken apically). Scapus 1.75x as long as wide. Scapus longer than first flagellomere, without apical lobe. First flagellomere length equal to the second, 2.5x as long as wide. Penultimate flagellomere 2x as long as wide, 0.4x as long as first segment, shorter than apical segment. Eye length 1.43x length of temple (in dorsal view), 1.47x as high as broad, without setae. Maxillary palpus shortened (at most reaching the anterior coxa). Clypeus flat in lateral view, without carina/lamella on lower margin. Clypeus with one large apical acute tooth medially, finelly punctate. Malar suture absent. Malar space 0.87x basal width of mandible, 0.25x eye height. Face straight, in lateral view, smooth, punctate, with dense, short, fine setae. Temple strongly swollen, in dorsal view, smooth and finely punctate, with sparse, short setae. Frons smooth, flat, with carina between antennal sockets: lateral carina of frons long and meeting the lateral ocelli. POL as long as ocellar diameter, 0.30x OOL. Vertex smooth and sparsely punctate, with sparse, short setae. Occipital carina complete, joining hypostomal carina at mandible.

Mesosoma ( Figs 72-73 ). Pronotum ventrally striate/costate, punctuate-areolate elsewhere. Pronotal furrow absent. Mesosoma 1.56x as long as wide in lateral view, 1.62x as long as wide in dorsal view. Mesoscutum sharply raised anteriorly, at right angle with pronotum, median lobe without median groove anteriorly, mesocutum with sparse, long setae. Notauli complete, rather scrobiculate anteriorly, long and meeting each other medially. Surface of mesoscutum medially, near scutellar sulcus mostly punctate. Scutellar sulcus transversally long and narrow, 5x as wide as long, 2x as wide as scutellum length. Scutellar sulcus smooth, with 6 transverse carina. Scutellum flattened in lateral view, smooth and punctate, rounded, smooth and shining laterally. Epicnemial carina present. Subalar groove scrobiculate-punctate. Mesopleuron largely smooth, with sparse and short setae. Precoxal sulcus anteriorly scrobiculate, medially punctuate and posteriorly absent. Surface of mesopleuron glabrous around precoxal sulcus. Mesosternum smooth. Propodeum 0.26x as long as mesosoma (in dorsal view). Propodeum entirely rugose, with one medio-longtudinal ruga and several transversal. Propodeum sloping from base to apex, with long and sparse setae. Propodeum without apophyses. Metapleuron largely areolate-punctate, with long and sparse setae. Metapleural flange absent. Wings ( Fig. 69 ): Pterostigma 5x as long as height. Marginal cell of fore wing closed distally. Vein r 1.25x as long as 3-SR, 0.21x as long as SR1, 0.4x as long as 2-SR. Vein 1-SR+M straigth. First discal cell 3.24x as long as wide (measured perpendicular to vein 1-CU1+2-CU1). Vein r-m of fore wing present, mostly tubular, with large posterior bulla. Vein m-cu of fore wing antefurcal. Vein cu-a of fore wing postfurcal. Vein CU1a (relative to vein 2-CU1 of fore wing) not interstitial, arising behind middle of distal vein of brachial cell. Vein CU1b postfurcal with m-cu. First subdiscal cell of fore wing closed distally (vein 2cu-a present). Vein 2–1A long. Hind wing three distal hamuli. Hind wing vein 1-SC+R present. Subbasal cell of hind wing small, hindwing vein M+CU 0.34x as long as 1M. Vein r of hind wing present, vein m-cu absent. Basal cell of hind wing closed, vein cu-a present (but translucent). Legs: Femora not swollen. Hind coxa shortened, smooth dorsally and ventrally. Hind femur 4.17x as long as wide. Hind femur smooth, finely punctate dorsally and ventrally, with sparse setae. Hind tibia with dense stout and rather short setae, apically without patch of setae on its inner side. Hind tibia 6.5x as long as wide, as long as hind tarsus. Hind basitarsus 6x as long as wide, as long as tarsomeres 2–5.

Metasoma ( Figs 70, 75 ). Metasoma with two sutures on carapace, 2.85x as long as wide. First tergite as long as apical width. First tergite without basolateral process (pointed wing-like, spine-like projections). Medio-lateral carina of first tergite very short (less than the third of petiole length). First tergite longitudinally rugulose areolate. Median length of second tergite 1.14x its basal width, 1.14x length of first tergite. Second metasomal suture weakly curved. Second tergite striate-rugulose, third tergite punctate. Remaining tergites concealed by the metasomal carapace. Ovipositor sheath 0.18x as long as metasoma.Ovipositor sheath with apical setae, glabrous basally

Color. Antenna and scapus dark brown. Head dark brown, setae whitish. Mesosoma blackish, propleuron dark brown. Fore wing banded, infuscated but lighter basally and transverse white band medially, stigma brown, hind wing infuscate apically, veins brownish. Legs dark brown, fore and mid coxa white-yellow with faint brown patch basally, fore and mid trochanters white-yellowish (but mid trochantellus brown), tibial spur pale yellowish to whitish. Metasoma dark-brownish, second tergite rather red-brownish. Ovipositor sheath orange basally and dark brownish apically.

Hosts records. None.

Morphological variation. The main variations are in the body length (4.9-5.05mm) and fore wing length (4.25-4.5mm) in paratypes. Sculptures of propodeum are more or less pronouced, and sometimes the medilongitudinal carina is bifurcate enclosing a narrow medio-longitudinal area

Comments. This species is strongly related to the P. leucocoxus Braet , sp. nov. But they can be distinguished as shown in the key.

Etymology. From the slender appearance of this species.

Distribution record. Ethiopian ( Madagascar).

Type material. Holotype: Ψ( MHNP): " Madagascar Nord Montagne d'Ambre, les Roussettes 1100m, xi & xii.(19)58, Andria Robinson". Paratypes: 3ΨΨ & 4ɗɗ ( MHNP), " Madagascar Nord Montagne d'Ambre, les Roussettes 1100m, XI & XII.(19)58, Andria Robinson" "Institut scientifique Madagascar "; Ψ ( MHNP), "Mont d'Ambre, XII.(19)48, Inst. Scient. Madagascar, RP "; 2ɗɗ ( MHNP), " Madagascar Nord, dct(district) Diègo-Suarez, Analamerana 80m, I.(19)59, Andria Robinson" "Institut scientifique Madagascar "; 2ɗɗ ( MHNP), " Madagascar Nord, dct(district) Diègo-Suarez, Montagne des Français, II.(19)59, Andria Robinson" "Institut scientifique Madagascar ".

Odontosphaeropyx leucocoxus Braet , sp. nov. ( Figs 22 – 29 )

MALE (2 specimens). Body length 6.4-7.4 mm, fore wing length 5.4-5.8 mm.

Head ( Figs 26, 28–29 ). Head width 1.0-1.1x its median length (in lateral view). Antennal socket inserted close top of eye. Antenna with 38 flagellomeres (left antenna broken apically). Scapus 2.25x as long as wide. Scapus longer than first flagellomere, without apical lobe. First flagellomere longer than second, 2.2-3.0x as long as wide, without placodes. Penultimate flagellomere 1.5x as long as wide, 0.3x as long as first segment, 0.57x as long as apical segment. Eye length 0.9–1.35x length of temple (in dorsal view), 1.4x as high as broad, without setae. Maxillary palpus shortened (at most reaching anterior coxa). Clypeus flat in lateral view, without carina/lamella on lower margin. Clypeus with one large apical blunt tooth medially, weakly punctate. Malar suture absent. Malar space 1.00-1.10x basal width of mandible, 0.25x eye height. Face straight, in lateral view, smooth, punctate; with dense, long, fine setae. Temple normal, in dorsal view, smooth and punctate, with sparse, long setae. Frons smooth, flat, with carina between antennal socket; lateral carina of frons long and meeting lateral ocellus (carina rather weak but clearly present). POL 0.80-1.00x as long as ocellar diameter, 0.25-0.27x OOL. Vertex smooth and punctate, with sparse, long setae. Occipital carina complete, joining hypostomal carina at mandible.

Mesosoma ( Figs 27–28 ). Pronotum smooth and areolate. Pronotal furrow absent. Mesosoma 1.50-1.60x as long as wide in lateral view, 1.8x as long as wide in dorsal view. Mesoscutum sharply raised anteriorly, at right angle with pronotum, median lobe without median groove anteriorly, mesocutum with sparse, long setae. Notauli complete, scrobiculate, long and meeting each other medially. Surface of mesoscutum medially, near scutellar sulcus mostly punctate. Scutellar sulcus transversely long and narrow, 4.00-4.20x as wide as long, 0.85–1.10x as wide as scutellum lengthg. Scutellar sulcus smooth with 3 to 6 full transverse carina. Scutellum flattened in lateral view, smooth and punctate, rounded, smooth and shining laterally. Epicnemial carina present. Subalar groove scrobiculate. Mesopleuron mostly smooth and punctate. Precoxal sulcus, with sparse, long setae. Precoxal sulcus anteriorly scrobiculate, medially and posteriorly absent. Mesosternum smooth. Propodeum 0.46-0.48x as long as mesosoma (in dorsal view). Propodeum entirely areolate. Propodeum convex from base to apex, with long and sparse setae. Propodeal transverse carina without acute angles or apophyses. Metapleuron areolate, with sparse, long setae. Metapleural flange absent. Wings ( Fig. 23 ): Pterostigma 3.75x as long as height. Marginal cell of fore wing closed distally. Vein r 1.75x as long as 3-SR, 0.20x as long as SR1, 0.30x as long as 2-SR. Vein 1-SR+M straight. First discal cell 3x as long as wide (measured perpendicular to vein 1-CU1+2-CU1). Vein r-m of fore wing mostly tubular, with large posterior bulla. Vein m-cu of fore wing antefurcal. Vein cu-a of fore wing postfurcal. Vein CU1a (relative to vein 2-CU1 of fore wing) not interstitial, arising behind middle of distal vein of brachial cell. Vein CU1b postfurcal with m-cu. First subdiscal cell of fore wing closed distally (vein 2cu-a present). Vein 2–1A long. Hind wing vein 1-SC+R present. Subbasal cell of hind wing small, hind wing vein M+CU 0.60x as long as 1-M. Vein r of hind wing present, vein m-cu absent. Basal cell of hind wing closed, vein cu-a present (but nebulous). Legs: Femora not swollen. Hind coxa shortened, smooth dorsally and ventrally. Hind femur 4.20x as long as wide. Hind femur smooth dorsally and ventrally, with sparse setae. Hind tibia with dense, stout and rather short setae, apically without specialized patch of setae on its inner side. Hind tibia 7.00x as long as wide, 0.78–0.95x hind tarsus. Hind basitarsus flattened laterally, 12.00-12.80x as long as wide, 0.89-0.90x as long as tarsomeres 2–5.

Metasoma ( Figs 24–25 ). Metasoma with two sutures on carapace, 4.30x as long as wide. First tergite 1.20x as long as apical width. First tergite without basolateral process (pointed flange-like or spine-like projections). Mediolateral carina of first tergite longer than half length of petiole. First tergite longitudinally striate (or costate-reticulate) over entire surface. Median length of second tergite 1.16-1.26x its basal width, 1x length of first tergite. Second metasomal suture straight. Second and third tergites densely reticulate-punctate. Remaining tergites concealed by metasomal carapace. Setae on metasoma fine and short.

Color. Antenna and scapus dark brown. Head dark brown, mandible orange, setae whitish. Mesosoma dark brown, setae rather whitish. Fore wing banded, fore wing infuscate but hyaline basally and with transverse white band medially, hind wing infuscate apically, veins brownish. Legs dark brown. Fore and mid coxa, fore and mid trochanter, tibial spur pale yellowish to whitish. Metasoma dark-brownish, except for semicircular white patch medially at base of second tergite.

Hosts records. None.

Comments. This distinctive species can be distinguished from all other Pachychelonus by having a long metasoma (more than 4x as long as wide vs. at most 2.3x for other species), the presence of white spots on its dark metasoma and its biogeographic location.

Etymology. From the white color of fore and mid coxae.

Distribution record. Ethiopian ( Madagascar).

Type material. Holotype: ɗ ( MRAC): "Coll. Mus. Congo, Madagascar, Rogez, for. Analandraraka, VI-37, A. Seyrig"; in good state. Paratype: ɗ ( MRAC), "Coll. Mus. Congo, Madagascar, Rogez, V-1931, A. Seyrig"; in good state.

Phanerotomella erena Braet , sp. nov. (Figs 43–44)

MALE (Holotype). Body length 4.5 mm, fore wing length 4.2 mm.

Head. Head as wide as medial height. Antennal socket inserted near middle level of eye. Antenna with 45 flagellomeres. Scapus twice as long as wide, 1.1x first flagellomere, without apical lobe. First flagellomere 4.5x as long as wide, longer than second. Penultimate flagellomere 2.7x as long as wide, 0.2x as long as first segment, shorter than apical segment. Eye length 1.2x length of temple (in dorsal view), 1.36x as high as broad, without setae. Maxillary palpus of normal length (reaching between fore and middle coxae). Clypeus flattened in lateral view, with slightly convex lower margin, without apical teeth, weakly punctate. Malar suture absent. Malar space 1.7x basal width of mandible, 0.43x eye height. Face straight in lateral view,flattened with small bump in its middle, close to antennal socket, weakly punctate and longitudinally weakly rugose, with sparse, long setae. Temple not swollen in dorsal view, coarsely punctate, with sparse, long setae. Frons costate/striate, concave, without carina between antennal socket (a short ruga running between antennal socket to ocellus), without lateral carina. POL 1x ocellar diameter, 0.4x OOL. Vertex striate, with faint and poorly defined transverse striate sculpture, with short, sparse setae. Occipital carina complete, joining hypostomal carina at mandible.

Mesosoma. Pronotum mostly punctate. Pronotal furrow shortened, laterally scrobiculate. Mesosoma 1.47x as long as wide in lateral view, 1.74x as long as wide in dorsal view. Mesoscutum sharply raised anteriorly, at right angle with pronotum, medio-anteriorly areolate, median lobe without median groove anteriorly. Mesoscutum with short, sparse setae. Surface of mesoscutum medially mostly punctate or areolate near scutellar sulcus. Notaulus entirely absent. Scutellar sulcus 10x as wide as long, 1.3x as long as scutellum, smooth. Scutellar sulcus with 3 complete carina. Scutellum rounded laterally, flattened in lateral view, punctate. Subalar groove areolate. Mesopleuron entirely areolate, with short, sparse setae. Precoxal sulcus absent. Surface of mesosternum weakly punctate. Propodeum 0.46x as long as mesosoma (in dorsal view), entirely sculptured, areolate, carinated areas completely absent. Propodeum rather vertical posteriorly, with short, sparse setae. Propodeal transverse carina not apparent, not distinguishable from sculpturing. Propodeum with two long spine-like apophyses laterally, median tubercles absent. Propodeal lateral spine 5x its transverse width, straight, with rounded apex. Surface of metapleuron areolate, with short, sparse setae. Metapleural flange absent. Wings: Pterostigma 5x as long as wide. Radial (marginal) cell of fore wing closed distally. Vein r 4x as long as vein 3-SR, 0.17x as long as vein SR1, 0.25x as long as vein 2-SR. Vein 2-SR of fore wing present. Vein 1-SR+M straight. First discal cell of fore wing 1.74x as long as wide (measured perpendicular to vein 1-CU1+2-CU1). Vein r-m of fore wing mostly tubular, with posterior bulla. Vein m-cu postfurcal ((RS+M)b absent, second marginal cell not petiolate. Vein cu-a of fore wing present, nervellus (cu-a) of fore wing postfurcal. Vein CU1a (relative to cubital vein, 2-CU1, of fore wing) not interstitial, arising apical to middle of distal vein of subdiscal cell. Vein CU1b absent. First subdiscal cell of fore wing open (vein 2cu- a absent or only present as faint brownish spot). Vein 2–1A long. Hind wing vein 1-SC+R present. Subbasal cell of hind wing distinctly enlarged. Hind wing vein M+CU 0.81x as long as vein 1-M. Hind wing vein r absent, m-cu absent. Basal cell of hind wing closed. Hind wing vein cu-a present. Legs: Fore femur and mid femur not swollen. Hind coxa large (more than half length of metasoma), dorsally and ventrally smooth. Hind femur not swollen, 4.93x as long as wide. Hind femur with sparse setae, dorsally and ventrally punctate. Hind tibia 5.77x as long as wide, 2.2x hind basitarsus, with dense, stout and rather short setae, presence of sparse, stout spines on outer side of hind tibia. Hind basitarsus 7x as long as wide, equal in length to tarsomeres 2–5.

Metasoma. Metasoma with two sutures on carapace. Carapace without apical opening, anteriorly and posteriorly entirely areolate.. First tergite less than 1.5x as long as apical width, without basolateral process near base, median carina present as two short carina and very short. Median length of second tergite 0.9x its basal width, equal to length of first tergite. Second metasomal suture curved. Third tergite areolate-reticulate. Fourth to sixth tergites concealed by metasomal carapace.

Color. Scapus brownish, flagellum dark. Head yellowish; median part of frons, stemmaticum, and posterior part of vertex medially mostly dark-brownish; mandible yellowish but apically light brown. Mesosoma bicolored. Pronotum blackish medially and partly blackish laterally. Mesopleuron anteriorly and ventrally, mesosternum entirely, metapleuron ventrally, mesonotum anteriorly and laterally, metanotum laterally, and propodeum laterally mostly brown; other parts yellowish. Fore wing lightly infuscate, veins and stigma brownish. Legs yellowish. Fore tibia apically, fore tarsus entirely, mid tibia apically, mid tarsus mostly, hind trochantellus strongly, hind tibia apically, and hind tarsus entirely brownish. Carapace black with pale patches medially on first and second tergites.

Hosts records. None.

Comments. This species may be distinguished from other Phanerotomella by the presence of various dark patches on its body. It is closely related to Phanerotomella seyrigi Granger from which it can be separated by having long lateral spines on the propodeum (vs. short).

Etymology. From the Greek 'εɩρήνη (eirenè)' meaning "the peace" and in honour of my girlfriend who share my study of insects.

Distribution record. Ethiopian ( Madagascar).

Type material. Holotype: ɗ ( CAS): "CASENT 2184137"" Madagascar, Province Fianarantsoa, PN Ranomafana, radio tower at forest edge, elev. 1130m, 14–24.VI.2002, Collector: R. Harin'Hala"" 21°15'05''S- 47°24'43''E, California Acad of Sciences, Malaise trap, mixed tropical forest, MA-02–098–34, CASLOT 024096"; in good state.

Figures

FIGURES 37 – 42. Chelonus (Microchelonus) merdicus Rousse & Braet sp. nov., Holotype female. FIGURES 43 – 44. Phanerotomella erena Braet sp. nov., Holotype male. 37, 43. full imago, laterally; 38. head, face; 39. fore and hind wings; 40. head and mesosoma, lateral; 41. metasoma, dorsal; 42. head and anterior part of mesosoma, dorsal; 44. full imago dorsally.

FIGURES 69 – 75. Odontosphaeropyx gracilis Braet, sp. nov., Holotype female. 69. full imago, lateral; 70. metasoma, lateral; 71. frons and vertex; 72. head and mesosoma, lateral; 73. head and mesosoma, dorsal; 74. head, frontal; 75. metasoma, dorsal.

FIGURES 22 – 29. Odontosphaeropyx leucocoxus Braet sp. nov., Holotype male. 22. full imago, laterally; 23. fore wing; 24. metasoma, laterally; 25. metasoma, dorsal; 26. head, face; 27. mesosoma, lateral; 28. head and anterior part of mesosoma, dorsal; 29. head, lateral.