Tinkerbella, Huber & Noyes, 2013

Huber, John T., Read, Jennifer D. & Triapitsyn, Serguei V., 2024, Illustrated key to the genera and catalogue of Mymaridae (Hymenoptera) in the Neotropical region, Zootaxa 5557 (1), pp. 1-263 : 103

TINKERBELLA Huber & Noyes, 2013

( Figs 335–339)

Tinkerbella Huber & Noyes, 2013: 19 . Type species: Tinkerbella nana Huber & Noyes, 2013 , by original designation.

Diagnosis. Funicle 5-segmented, clava 1-segmented ( Fig. 336); mandible with 4 teeth ( Fig. 335a); fore wing with venation 0.7 × wing length ( Fig. 337); hind wing without fringe seta along anterior margin ( Fig. 337); tarsi 4- segmented.

Remarks. Tinkerbella belongs to the Arescon group of genera. Tinkerbella is distinguished from the other genera of the group by the following combination: funicle 5-segmented and tarsi 4-segmented; the remaining genera either have the tarsi 5-segmented or, in Kikiki , funicle 4-segmented and tarsi 3-segmented. Tinkerbella is closest to Arescon but differs in its minute size, striated inner surface of scape ( Fig. 336), different shape of both wings and absence of setae along most of anterior margin of hind wing, and extremely narrow metanotum without differentiated dorsellum ( Figs 338, 339a).

Neotropical hosts. Unknown.

Important reference. Huber & Noyes (2013).