Paramblynotus zohy van Noort

FEMALE. Length 4.5 mm. Head, antennae (except for terminal segments which are darker), mesosoma (except for propodeum and mesopleuron which are black) reddish-brown; legs and metasoma dark brown. Wings clear (Fig. 10A). Entire head punctate-rugose, strongly pubescent. Eyes small, not extending beyond outer margin of genae in anterior view (Fig. 10E); 1.4× length of malar space. Antenna 13 segmented; F1 same length as F2; flagellum widening toward apex. Vertex alveolate, ocellar plate raised; ocelli small, median ocellus diameter 0.62× distance between lateral and median ocellus (Fig. 11A). Face punctate-rugose, humped between toruli and clypeal margin (Fig. 10E), protruding medially in lateral view (Fig. 10C); antennal scrobe rugose. Vertex rugose with two weak lateral carinae extending from each torulus towards lateral ocelli; strongly keeled medial carina present between toruli extending from median ocellus and fading below toruli (Fig. 10E). Occiput concave in dorsal view, alveolate without carinae. Lower face with two weak excavations at upper clypeal margin, containing anterior tentorial pits. Clypeus rugose, margin strongly convex. Genae large, swollen (Fig. 10C). Mesosoma dorsally with scattered long pubescent (Fig. 10D). Anterior flange of pronotum weakly punctuate/foveate; plate of pronotum medially glabrate and punctate/foveate with pubescence laterally (Fig. 11C). Pronotum dorsomedially distinctly raised, in lateral view distinctly higher than anterior margin of mesoscutum (Fig. 10C). Pronotal crest prominent, raised into a sharp carina running parallel to mesoscutal margin, fronting a horizontal shelf on posterior prontal margin that comprises longitudinally carinate foveae (Fig. 11A). Lateral pronotal carinae distinct, not reaching pronotal crest dorsomedially. Lateral surface of pronotum foveate with smooth areas (Fig. 11D). Mesoscutum foveate-reticulate with foveae set in irregular rows between transverse costae irregularly raised into strong backward pointing teeth (Figs 10C–D). The two scutellar foveae not subdivided by submedian longitudinal carinae (Fig. 11B). Mesoscutellum foveate-reticulate; posteriorly raised and projected into a truncate lamella with a slight emargination in dorsal view (Fig. 11B). Mesopleural triangle ventrally defined by a smoothly curved carina; upper mesopleuron foveate-reticulate; median impression vertically carinate; speculum finely longitudinally carinate (Fig. 11D). Metapectal-propodeal complex coarsely foveate-rugose laterally with dense pubescence. Dorsellum with two medial foveae; laterally excavated with fine pubescence in lateral depressions. Median propodeal area areolate-reticulate (Fig. 11B). Rs+M of forewing defined, arising from the base of basal vein (Fig. 12C). Marginal cell 2.7 times as long as wide. Abdominal petiole short, longitudinally carinate, 0.22 times as long as wide in dorsal view (Fig. 11E). Posterior ventral margin of metasomal T6 and T7 sinuate (Fig. 10A). T7 largely concealed benath T6 only partially visible laterally and covered on dorso-posterior central margin. T8 marginally exposed with two pothole excavations on each side, a smaller circular one surrounding the spiracle and a second larger oval one adjacent to the first and extending to posterior margin (Figs 12 A–B). Relative dorsal length of T3–8: 21:13:15:12:0:4. Tergites 4-8 finely punctate; T3 polished. All legs sparsely punctuate, strongly pubescent, except metacoxae dorsally glabrous, smooth. Mesotibial outer spur shorter than inner spur; metatibial spurs subequal in length. Ratio of first metatarsomere to the remaining 4 metatarsomeres combined: 0.65. MALE. Unknown. Remarks. This is the most species-rich group within the Afrotropical region with 23 previously described species and a further five species added here. The species-group is only known from the African mainland. Diagnosis. Species in this group are typically smaller than those in other species-groups, and are the easiest to confuse with Figitidae. They are characterized by having a flat pronotal crest (or, pronotal crest absent); the mesoscutum is foveate-reticulate or with continuous transverse carinae with foveae set in rows looking like saw teeth in lateral view; in most species, the speculum is perfectly smooth (gently striate in Paramblynotus vannoorti); and the median propodeal area is distinctly delimited by lateral propodeal carinae, and posteriorly is not foveate-reticulate. Careful attention to the metasomal sclerites will prevent confusing trisetosus-group Paramblynotus with Figitidae. http://www.waspweb.org/Cynipoidea/Liopteridae/Keys/index.htm 1 Head compressed longitudinally; occiput not concave in dorsal view. Mesoscutum densely foveate, without transverse carinae Paramblynotus prinslooi – Head not compressed longitudinally; occiput distinctly concave in dorsal view. Mesoscutum more or less foveate-reticulate, with or without transverse carinae 2 2 Median frontal carina absent. T6 of female metasoma the largest and T8 distinctly exposed. Median propodeal area without a strong transverse carina 3 – Median frontal carina present (may only be weakly represented between toruli). T6 of female metasoma not always the largest; if T6 the largest, then T8 is not exposed. Median propodeal area usually with a strong transverse carina. Occasionally variations occur, but never come in combination of features as the above collate 7 3 Forewing entirely clear 4 – Forewing at least ferruginous in marginal cell 5 4 Antennae of female with 11 flagellomeres; apical flagellomere less than twice as long as subapical flagellomere. Pronotal crest medially not raised into a triangular process. Metasoma black Paramblynotus nigricornis – Antennae of female with 10 flagellomeres; apical flagellomere longer than twice as long as subapical flagellomere. Pronotal crest medially raised into a small but distinct triangular process. Metasoma brown Paramblynotus claripennis 5 Antennal scrobes longitudinally carinate in upper part and glabrous in lower part. Upper mesopleuron glabrous, smooth, shiny. Metasoma black Paramblynotus samiatus – Antennal scrobes longitudinally carinate entirely. Upper mesopleuron foveate to rugose. Metasoma brown 6 6 Vertex longitudinally carinate laterally. Pronotal crest medially raised into a small, distinct rounded triangular process. Scutellar foveae without submedian carinae Paramblynotus maculipennis – Vertex foveate-reticulate entirely without longitudinal carination. Pronotal crest smoothly flat, without triangular process. Scutellar foveae subdivided by distinct submedian carinae Paramblynotus townesorum 7 Distance between posterior ocelli at most twice as large as the distance between posterior ocellus and eye. Metasomal T5 of female normal, T6 the largest; T7 exposed, almost entirely covering T8 8 – Distance between posterior ocelli at least three times the distance between posterior ocellus and eye. Metasomal T5 of female dorsally expanded, being the largest (at least so dorsally); T7 is largely or entirely covered by T6; T8 exposed 22 8 Female flagellum distinctly thicker toward apex; median flagellomeres not or slightly constricted toward ends. Antennae with distal flagellomeres 1–3 black, contrasting to the rest, which are yellow-orange 9 – Female flagellum not distinctly thicker toward apex; median flagellomeres distinctly constricted toward ends. Antennae yellow or gradually becoming somewhat darker toward apex, but never with contrasting colors between distal and proximal flagellomeres 13 9 Wings with infuscate patch covering submarginal and marginal cells and extending distally slightly beyond vein RS (Fig. 27E) Paramblynotus ruvubuensis sp. n. – Wings clear 10 10 Metacoxae ventrally expanded to form a triangular lobular process Paramblynotus coxatus – Metacoxae ventrally not expanded to form a triangular lobular process 11 11 Antennae with apical 3 flagellomeres black (Fig. 25A). Antennal scrobes finely punctate and without longitudinal carinae posteriorly Paramblynotus parinari sp. n. – Antennae with either the apical or apical 2 flagellomeres dark-brown to black. Antennal scrobes heavily and densely punctate with longitudinal carinae posteriorly 12 12 Female flagellum with terminal two segments usually dark brown; T9 without dense brush of setae Paramblynotus fuscapiculus – Female flagellum usually with only terminal segment darkened (occasionally blending into penultimate segment); female T9 with a distinct brush of setae present, engulfing ovipositor (Fig. 13F) Paramblynotus alexandriensissp. n. 13 Dorsal surface of head between toruli and posterior margin of lateral ocelli mostly smooth, shiny with lateral carina of antennal scrobe bound on both sides by smooth areas, and sub-confluent with genal carina (Figs 21E–F) Paramblynotus matele sp. n. – Dorsal surface of head between toruli and posterior margin of lateral ocelli sculptured or with diagonal carina, except for antennal scrobes, which may be smooth; lateral carina of antennal scrobe interrupted on vertex and not joining genal carina 14 14 Ocellar plate of head not defined by lateral carinae, and without a small, triangular glabrous area beneath anterior ocellus Paramblynotus trisetosus – Ocellar plate of head well defined by lateral carinae, with a small, triangular glabrous area beneath anterior ocellus 15 15 Vertex with distinct longitudinal carination 16 – Vertex without distinct longitudinal carination 20 16 Median frontal carina almost extending to clypeus. Ocellar plate either with a row of relatively uniform, large foveae along the lateral carinae delimiting the plate or delimited with two parallel carinae 17 – Median frontal carina not or slightly extending in lower face. Ocellar plate delimited only by a simple lateral carina 18 17 Ocellar plate with a row of relatively uniform, large foveae along the lateral carinae delimiting the plate Paramblynotus carinatus – Ocellar plate delimited only by two simple parallel lateral carinae (Fig. 15B) Paramblynotus bayangensis sp. n. 18 Lateral surface of pronotum longitudinally costate in lower part. Lateral propodeal carinae medially strongly curved. Nucha dorsally longitudinally carinate Paramblynotus kekenboschi – Lateral surface of pronotum without longitudinal costa in lower part. Lateral propodeal carinae nearly parallel, if strongly curved then nucha dorsally glabrate 19 19 Lateral propodeal carinae medially strongly curved (Fig. 18F) Paramblynotus dzangasangha sp. n. – Lateral propodeal carinae nearly parallel Paramblynotus zairensis 20 Median frontal carina not distinctly extending in lower face. Head and mesosoma black. Rs and Rs+M veins of forewing distinct and brown in color Paramblynotus jacksoni – Median frontal carina distinctly extending to middle of lower face. Head and mesosoma brown to dark brown. Rs and Rs+M veins of forewing reduced and pale in color 21 21 Antennal scrobes not distinctly depressed. Mesoscutum foveate-reticulate. Head, pronotum, mesoscutum, and mesoscutellum dark brown. Antenna yellow. Lateral occipital carinae well developed and crestlike. Median propodeal area glabrate Paramblynotus cameroonensis – Antennal scrobes distinctly depressed. Mesoscutum transversely costate with foveae set in between. Head, pronotum, mesonotum, and mesoscutellum reddish brown. Antenna black, except basal two segments yellow. Lateral occipital carinae not crestlike. Median propodeal area areolate-reticulate Paramblynotus rwandensis 22 Wings slightly and evenly tinted Paramblynotus immaculatus – Wings with large brown to dark brown macula 23 23 Upper mesopleuron foveate-rugose Paramblynotus minutus – Upper mesopleuron glabrous 24 24 Vertex diagonally carinate entirely or heavily punctate medially and diagonally carinate laterally 25 – Vertex generally glabrate to glabrous with sparse punctures, and sometimes slightly rugose laterally 26 25 Vertex entirely diagonally carinate. Forewing clear basally and distally with a broad medial smoky band across the marginal and submarginal cells (Fig. 30A). Metasomal T7 of female almost covered by T6 (Fig. 30F) Paramblynotus vannoorti – Vertex heavily punctate medially and diagonally carinate laterally. Forewing clear in distal two-fifths and ferruginous basally. Metasomal T7 of female distinctly exposed Paramblynotus scalptus 26 Lateral propodeal carinae straight and percurrent; medial propodeal area with one straight and percurrent longitudinal carina Paramblynotus diminutus – Lateral propodeal carinae discontinuous, medially interrupted by a large fovea; medial propodeal area with more than one non percurrent longitudinal carinae 27 27 Forewing ferruginous only medially, and clear both proximately and distally. Metasomal T7 of female only slightly exposed, only 1:15 as long as T6 as measured medially on lateral sides Paramblynotus angolensis – Forewing clear only distally, and ferruginous in basal two-thirds. Metasomal T7 distinctly visible, about 1:2.5as long as T6 as measured along middle of lateral sides Paramblynotus antistatus