Eiphosoma nelitae, Fernández-Triana & Ravelo, 2007

Fernández-Triana, José L. & Ravelo, Horacio Grillo, 2007, A taxonomic review of Cuban Eiphosoma Cresson (Hymenoptera: Ichneumonidae), with biogeographical notes, Zootaxa 1655 (1), pp. 49-61 : 57-58

Eiphosoma nelitae sp. nov.

Diagnosis. Characters that differentiate E. nelitae from all species other than those of its species-group are presented in the diagnosis for E. laphygmae . Eiphosoma nelitae can in turn be separated from the rest of the species of the vitticolle species-group based on its mostly yellowish body colour. The dorsal black marks on the metacoxa, present in the other species, are absent in E. nelitae (i.e. metacoxa completely yellow and/or reddish). Further, the black marks on dorsal parts of the occiput are very short, sometimes brownish instead of blackish or even absent in a few specimens.

Comments. This species belongs to the vitticolle species-group which is well characterized by the short, deep anterior part of the submetapleural carina, the hyaline forewing and stout bristles on the shaft of the aedeagus ( Gauld 2000). Only three species were previously known from the group: the widely distributed E. laphygmae and E. vitticolle and an undescribed Costa Rican species ( Gauld 2000). Eiphosoma nelitae is well distributed throughout Cuba.

A female from western Cuba has most of the black markings larger and even a black stripe in the mesopleuron. This specimen might represent a different species, but given the relatively small number of specimens at present, we think it is best to treat it as E. nelitae but do not designate it as a paratype. It is labelled PR, Viñales; xii-1961; P. Alayo (1 ♀, UCLV) .

Description: Forewing length 6.50–7.50 mm. Mandible slightly tapered towards distal end, with upper tooth slightly broader and longer than lower tooth; clypeus, in profile, convex, malar space 0.60–0.75X as long as basal mandibular width; posterior ocellus separated from eye by 0.80–0.90X its maximum diameter. Pronotum with dorsal end of epomia raised, forming sharp flange laterally; mesoscutum with median lobe punctate anteriorly and posteriorly, more sparsely so centrally, lateral lobes with scattered punctures; scutellum weakly convex and smooth; mesopleuron with ventral part bearing sparse punctures; sternaulus impressed anteriorly; dorsal end of epicnemial carina extending to anterior end of pleuron about 0.60 of way up pronotum; metapleuron almost impunctate; pleural carina strong; submetapleural carina very strongly raised, short and deep. Propodeum smooth and polished; anterior transverse carina complete, with median angulation strong but rounded; posterior transverse carina complete. Profemur with short sparse pubescence ventrally; metathoracic leg with trochantellus, in dorsal view, 0.50–0.60X as long as trochanter; metafemur 5.70–5.80X as long as deep, metatibia with strong spines, metatarsal claw short, abruptly rounded, sparsely pectinate. Forewing 3rs-m strong, areolet large and obliquely rectangular, its height larger than length of its petiole; distal abscissa of M complete; cu-a slightly distal to base of Rs&M. Hind wing with 4 hamuli distally. Metasoma tergite I slender, weakly swollen posteriorly, with spiracle positioned 0.80 of way back; tergite II polished. Ovipositor slightly bowed downwards but straight apically, 1.40–1.50X as long as metatibia; ovipositor sheath with moderately short pubescence.

Colour. Head yellow with frons centrally, ocellar area, and two marks in dorsal part of occiput black (spots in occiput sometimes brownish or absent); mesosoma with mesoscutum black with anterolateral yellow marks that meet posteriorly; scuto-scutellar sulcus black; remainder of mesosoma yellow, with spot on anterior margin of propodeum and median longitudinal stripe on propodeum black. Metasoma bright orange- brown with most of dorsal part of tergite II, small spots on base of tergite III and mesal portion of tergite IV black; ovipositor dark brown. Pro- and mesothoracic legs orange-yellow, with coxae and trochanters yellowish; metathoracic leg with coxa variously yellow, reddish and/or yellow-reddish; trochanter, trochantellus and femur orange with trochantellus more yellowish; tibia and tarsus dark brown with wide central yellow band on tibia. Wings hyaline, pterostigma brown to dark brown.

Etymology. We dedicate this species to honour the mother of the senior author, Nelia (Nelita) Triana, for all of her love and support.

Material examined. HOLOTYPE: Female, CUBA. Sevilla , Santiago de Cuba, SC, EC, x-1984, A. Ruiz & J. Reyes ( BIOECO) . PARATYPES: WC. PR: Mil Cumbres , v-1989, L. Hernández (1 ♀, MNHNCu) . Lomas de Soroa, Candelaria , v-1964, Alayo-García (1 ♀, IES) . Sierra del Rosario, Candelaria , iii-1968 (3 ♀, IES) . Valle San Juan, Península de Guanahacabibes, Guane , xi-1991, J. Genaro (1 ♀, MNHNCu) . Manguito, river margins, Mariel , xii-1987, L. Hernández (1 ♀, MNHNCu) . LH: Santiago de Las Vegas , viii-1948, J. Ferrás (1 ♀, IES) . MT: Bacunayagua , Matanzas, x-1999, R. Fernández (1 ♀, MNHNCu) . CC. VC: Santa Clara, Santa Clara , iii-1978, H. Grillo (1 undetermined sex, UCLV) ; La Movida, Manicaragua , x-1994, F. Medina (1 ♀, BIOECO) . EC. GR: El Zapote, Guisa , viii-1999, M. Guevara (1 ♀, BIOECO) . Forestry Experimental Station, Guisa , ix-1998 & vii-1999, Light Trap, M. Guevara (2 ♀, BIOECO) . SC: Santa María , Santiago de Cuba, 1941, P. Alayo (1 undetermined sex, IES) . La Gran Piedra , Santiago de Cuba, x-1966, I. García (1 ♀, IES) . Puerto Boniato , Santiago de Cuba, vii-1946 & v-1947, P. Alayo (2 ♀, IES) . Santiago de Cuba, x-1931 (1 ♀, IES) ; Cuabitas , Santiago de Cuba, P. Alayo (1 ♀, UCLV) .