Virgichneumon scopator, Riedel, 2024

Virgichneumon scopator nov.sp. (figs 15, 20, 37, 57, 90, 93)

Holotype: (♀) M. Etna-Maletto, C. da Fontanamurata, m. 1000, 7.VII.1996, coll. Turrisi (coll. Turrisi).

E t y m o l o g y: The species name refers to the large scopa on the hind coxa.

D e s c r i p t i o n: ♀. Body length 11.5 mm (fig. 20). Flagellum with more than 28 segments, almost bristle-shaped (tips broken off); 1 st flagellar segment 2.9× as long as wide, 8 th to 10 th segments square; widest segments 1.1× as wide as long. Temple slightly and roundly narrowed behind eye (fig. 15). OED 1.3× ocellar diameter. Frons coarsely punctate. Gena 1.1× as wide as eye, coarsely striate-punctate (fig. 90). Clypeus with sparse punctures. MI 0.9.

Mesoscutum coarsely rugose-punctate. Mesopleuron and metapleuron coarsely rugose-punctate, speculum punctate. Scutellum wider than long, with sparse punctures and lateral carina in basal 0.2. Area superomedia hexagonal, 1.2× as long as wide; at 4/10 of its length with costula (fig. 37). Area petiolaris rugose, with lateral carina. Hind coxa with dense punctures and distinct scopa apico-ventrally (1/4 of coxal length) (fig. 93). Hind femur densely punctate, 3.9× as long as wide. External surface of hind tibia with multiple (ca. 11) denticular spines. Areolet pentagonal, frontal distance between veins 2rs-m and 3rs-m 2× their width; vein 2m-cu reaching distad its middle. Vein 1cu-a postfurcal by 1-2× its width.

Postpetiole with distinct latero-median carina; median field elevated, coarsely rugose-punctate. Gastrocoelus rectangularly impressed. Thyridium slightly oblique, 0.7× as wide as interval between thyridia (fig. 57). 2 nd tergite 1.2× as wide as long. 2 nd and 3 rd tergites coarse and densely rugose-punctate, ± dull. Following tergites with superficial punctures, shining. Ovipositor sheath extending beyond metasomal apex by 0.5-1.0× of 7 th tergite length.

Color: black. Setae of mesoscutum brownish. Flagellar segments 9-14 dorsally, small spot on frontal orbit opposite to lateral ocellus, scutellum, dorsal triangular spot on 6 th tergite, and wide dorsal spot on 7 th tergite ivory. Legs except black coxae and trochanters red; hind tibia shortly infuscate at apex; hind tarsus black. Pterostigma blackish.

♁ unknown.

Taxonomical remark: This new species closely resembles V. monostagon , but differs by slenderer basal flagellar segments and ± distinct scopa of hind coxa.

Distribution: Only known from Sicily *.