Eiphosoma bioeco, 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 : 52-53

Eiphosoma bioeco sp. nov.

Diagnosis. Characters used to differentiate E. bioeco sp. nov. from all species other than those of its speciesgroup are presented in the diagnosis for E. dentator . It seems that E. bioeco sp. nov. is morphologically similar to E. yoron Gauld from Costa Rica. However, the Cuban species has a slightly larger malar space, thinner metafemur, longer petiole compared to areolet, and dorsal end of epomia raised and without low and rounded swollen flange as found in the Costa Rican species.

Description. Forewing length 5.0– 5.5 mm. Mandible evenly tapered towards distal end, with upper tooth slightly longer and stouter than lower tooth; clypeus, in profile, convex, malar space 0.35–0.40X as long as basal mandibular width; posterior ocellus separated from eye by 0.65–0.87X its own maximum diameter. Pronotum with dorsal end of epomia raised without forming rounded flange laterally; mesoscutum fairly evenly sparsely and regularly punctate; scutellum weakly convex, smooth centrally; mesopleuron with ventral part regularly punctate; sternaulus sharply but shortly impressed anteriorly; dorsal end of epicnemial carina reaching anterior end of pleuron about half way up pronotum; metapleuron regularly punctate over entire surface; submetapleural carina short anteriorly, moderately elevated. Propodeum regularly punctate but more sparsely at center; anterior transverse carina complete, with median angulation strong but broadly rounded; posterior transverse carina complete. Profemur with long but sparse pubescence ventrally, longest seta about half diameter of femur; metathoracic leg with trochantellus, in dorsal view, 0.73–0.76X as long as trochanter; metafemur 5.60–5.90X as long as deep, metatibia with scattered spines, metatarsal claw short, abruptly curved, sparsely pectinate. Forewing 3rs-m tubular, areolet large and obliquely rectangular, its height larger than length of petiole; distal abscissa of M present but nebulous; cu-a opposite to base of Rs&M. Hind wing with 4 hamuli distally, with weak angulation in Cu1&cu-a. Metasomal tergite I moderately swollen posteriorly, with spiracle positioned 0.70 of way back; tergite II dorsally with fine and sparse setae in apical half. Ovipositor straight, 1.62–1.69X as long as metatibia; ovipositor sheath with long and dense pubescence.

Colour. Head yellow with frons centrally, part of occiput and dorsal part of gena black; mesosoma with mesoscutum black with anterolateral yellow marks; remainder of mesosoma yellow, with diagonal stripe on mesopleuron, metanotum, anterior margin of propodeum and short median longitudinal stripe in basal half of propodeum black. Metasoma bright orange-brown, with basal 2/3 of tergite I yellowish and apical 1/3 brown, basal 0.80 of dorsum of tergite II and basal spot on dorsum of tergite III black and ovipositor dark brown. Pro- and mesothoracic legs yellow; metathoracic leg with coxa, trochanter and trochantellus yellowish ventrally and brown dorsally (coxa orange), femur orange-brown with basal and apical bands bicoloured with yellow and dark brown, tibia and tarsus dark brown, with yellowish band medially in tibia. Wings hyaline, pterostigma brown.

Etymology. We name this species after the Centro Oriental de Ecosistemas y Biodiversidad, Santiago de Cuba (known as BIOECO, its Spanish acronym) for all of its outstanding accomplishments in the study and conservation of Cuban biodiversity.

Material examined. HOLOTYPE: Female , CUBA: El Dorado, Peralejo, Bayamo, GR, EC; vii-1996; J. Fernández ( BIOECO) . PARATYPE: Female, Puerto Boniato, Oriente [Santiago de Cuba], EC; ix-1945; P. Alayo ( IES, CN: 7.001.225) .