Capitonius venustus Pitz

Pitz, Kevin M., 2010, New taxonomic status of Foenomorpha Szépligeti as a subgenus of Capitonius Brullé (Hymenoptera: Braconidae: Cenocoeliinae) including a revision of species, Zootaxa 2607, pp. 1-54 : 50-52

Capitonius venustus Pitz n. sp.

( Figs. 39 , 40 A–G)

Diagnosis: Distinguishable from other species in the subgenus by having mid tibia rufous.

Length: 8.3 mm.

Color: body rufous except: flagellomere segments 7–32, apex of mandible, metasomal terga 2–9 melanic; wing yellow basally and lightly infuscate apically ( Fig. 40 G).

Head ( Fig. 40 A–C): antenna with 35 flagellomeres, each with 2–5 rows of longitudinal placodes; vertex smooth with sparse setae; occipital carina with evenly spaced setae over its entirety; lateral carina bordering antennal scrobe complete to lateral ocellus; median lamella of antennal scrobe flattened anteriorly, acute posteriorly; face and clypeus with dense punctures; ventral margin of clypeus with three blunt tubercles.

Mesosoma ( Fig. 40 D–E): anterior margin of pronotum protruding posteriorly as curl of cuticle; pronotum lightly rugosofoveate anteriorly, crenulate medianly and posteriorly; anterior face of mesoscutum with moderately dense fovea and setae; median lobe of mesoscutum triangular; mesoscutum with large fovea along anterior margin with moderately dense setae, lateral lobe smooth with sparse setae; notauli meeting in anterior half of mesoscutum, with transverse carinae that create large oval and rectangular fovea; transscutal articulation slightly grooved medianly; scutellar disc smooth with moderately dense setae; scutellar sulcus with 4 fovea; propleuron smooth posteriorly, becoming moderately foveate anteriorly, with moderately dense setae; mesopleuron with carinae running perpendicular to epicnemial area, pleural sulcus with few perpendicular carinae, rugose ventrally, otherwise mesopleuron smooth, with moderate setae anteriorly and posteroventrally; sternaulus complete, restricted to single row of ovoid fovea; propodeum irregularly areolate with sparse to moderately dense setae; metapleuron irregularly areolate with sparse to moderately dense setae; hind coxa with distinct groove or depression on median face; sharp carina of anterior border on hind coxal groove present; tarsal claw with basal lobe absent.

Metasoma ( Fig. 40 F): t1 with dorsal carinae extending from base over one-third of length, otherwise smooth; t4–t7 with dense, small pits posteroventrally near spiracles; first valvula of ovipositor with serrations apically; second valvula lacking subapical serration; ratio of length:width of t1 1.4; ratio of ovipositor:forewing 1.3; ratio of M+CU:1M vein of hind wing 2.5.

Variation: antenna with 36–38 flagellomeres.

Biology: unknown.

Male: unknown.

Etymology: from Latin venustus meaning like Venus, lovely, beautiful, elegant, or graceful, named in honor of my wife, Kristina Pitz, and for the beauty of this species.

Material examined: Holotype. Ψ COLOMBIA Putumayo PNN La Paya Finca Charapa 0º 8’S 74º 57’ W 330m Malaise 1–15.x.2001 R.Cobete, leg. M.2442 (IAvH).

Paratypes. 1 Ψ PERU: Loreto, Pucallpa. 26.ix.1954, J.M. Schunke, B.M. 1961-64 ( BMNH); 1 Ψ LETICIA, Amazonas, Colombia, 700 ft, [2125m], Feb. 23–Mar. 2/74, H. & A. Howden ( AEIC); 1 Ψ COLOMBIA Amazonas, PNN Amaycayacu Matamata 3º 23’S 70º 06’W 150m Mar 12–Mar19/2000 M. 87 A. Parente Leg (IaVH); 1 Ψ COLOMBIA-Chocó, PNN Utria, 4.v.2000, Red, D. Campos, c14 ( HIC); 1 Ψ PERU Huanuco, vic. Tingo Maria, 1–5 June 1999, W. Hanson S. Keller ( EMUS); 1 Ψ BRAZIL Rondonia, 62km SE Ariquemes, 1–14 Nov. 1997, B. Dozier ( EMUS); 1 Ψ BRAZIL Rondonia, 62km SE Ariquemes, 7– 18 Nov. 1995, W.J. Hanson ( EMUS); 9 Ψ BRAZIL Rondonia, 62km SE Ariquemes, 8–20 Nov. 1994, W.J. Hanson ( AEIC 4, CNCI 2, EMUS 3).

Figures

FIGURE 39. Lateral habitus of C. venustus holotype female, including label information.

FIGURE 40. Holotype female of C. venustus. A, anterior head; B, lateral head; C, dorsal head; D, dorsal mesosoma; E, lateral mesosoma; F, dorsal metasoma; G, forewing.