Plutothrix yodai Tselikh, Lee et Ku, 2024

Plutothrix yodai Tselikh, Lee et Ku , sp. n.

https://zoobank.org/NomenclaturalActs/ BA9A7D3A-2220-4924-A2F9-09D82BD06442

Figs 51–58 View Figs 51–58

TYPE MATERIAL. Holotype – ♀, South Korea: Gyeongsangnam-do, Geochang-gun, Mari-myeon, Daedong-ri , Malaise Trap, 23.IX–06.X 2021 , 1 ♀, coll. J.H. Lee H.J. Jeong, ( NIBR) . Paratypes – 2 ♀, South Korea: Gyeongsangnam-do, Goseong-gun, Hail-myeon, Suyang-ri, 34°58ʹ34.8ʺN 128°12ʹ08.3ʺE, 18–21. VI GoogleMaps 2022, 1 ♀, coll. Tselikh ( SMNE and ZISP); Geochang-gun, Namsang-myeon, Jeoncheok-ri , 35°37ʹ15.3ʺN 127°57ʹ51.4ʺE, 21.VII 2024 GoogleMaps , 1 ♀, coll. Tselikh ( ZISP); Goseong-gun, Gaecheon-myeon, Bukpyeong-ri , 35°05ʹ01.2ʺN 128°15ʹ28.1ʺE, 29.VII 2024 GoogleMaps , 1 ♀, coll. Tselikh ( ZISP) .

DESCRIPTION. FEMALE. Body length 2.70–3.80 mm; fore wing length 1.95– 2.60 mm.

Head metallic dark blue; antenna with scape yellowish-brown; pedicel and flagellum brown. Mesosoma including propodeum metallic bluish-green with diffuse coppery lustre. Fore and hind coxae metallic bluish-green, mid coxa yellowish-brown; all femora brown; all tibiae and tarsi yellowish-brown. Fore wing with long fuscous cloud below stigmal vein, venation yellowish-brown. Metasoma with Mt2 basally metallic blue with diffuse coppery lustre, apically dark brown, Mt3-Mt6 brown.

Head reticulate; clypeus smooth and shiny. Mesosoma reticulate, but scutellum finely reticulate; dorsellum alutaceous, propodeum smooth; upper mesepimeron with lower part alutaceous, upper part smooth; metapleuron alutaceous. Metasoma weakly alutaceous and shiny.

Head in dorsal view 2.08–2.14 times as broad as long and 1.36–1.52 times as broad as mesoscutum; in frontal view 1.14–1.20 times broader than high. POL 0.95–0.96 times OOL. Eye height 1.32–1.40 times eye length and 2.77–3.00 times as long as malar space. Distance between antennal toruli and lower margin of clypeus 0.67–0.71 times distance between antennal toruli and median ocellus. Antenna with scape 0.73–0.80 times as long as eye height and 0.80–1.05 times as long as eye length; pedicel 1.78–1.95 times as long as broad and 0.57–0.75 times as long as F1; combined length of pedicel and flagellum 1.42–1.49 times breadth of head; flagellum almost filiform; all anelli transverse; F1–F6 longer than broad; F1 with 2 rows of sensilla; clava 2.70–2.90 times as long as broad and longer than F5- F6, with small micropilosity area on C3–C4.

Mesosoma 1.60–1.81 times as long as broad. Scutellum 1.00–1.13 times as long as broad, frenal area distinct. Propodeum without nucha, 0.33–0.37 times as long as scutellum; median carina present. Fore wing 2.58–2.69 times as long as maximum width; basal cell entirely pilose; basal vein pilose; speculum closed below; PST 0.45–0.57 times as long as M, M 0.78–0.83 times as long as P and 2.05–2.13 times as long as S.

Metasoma lanceolate, 6.48–8.66 times as long as broad, 2.12–2.44 times as long as mesosoma and 1.46–1.61 times as long as mesosoma and head; Mt2 deeply emarginate medially, Mt8 3.13–4.00 times as long as broad. Ovipositor sheath projecting beyond apex of metasoma.

MALE. Unknown.

DIAGNOSIS. Plutothrix yodai sp. n. belong to a group of species that have a fore wing with long fuscous cloud below stigmal vein. This species is very similar to P. skywalkeri sp. n.; the differences between these species are given in the key.

ETYMOLOGY. The species is named in honour of George Lucas' “Star Wars” character – “Yoda” is the Grand Master of the Jedi Order.

KEY TO EASTERN PALAEARCTIC SPECIES OF PLUTOTHRIX BASED View in CoL