Aconias fujiei, Watanabe, 2025

Aconias fujiei sp. nov.

[New SJN: Fujie-kuro-togari-himebachi]

( Figs. 3A–I, 77E, 78B)

Type series. Holotype: JAPAN, KPM-NK 81195 , F, Hyogo Pref., Kami Town, Niiya, Mikata-kogen , 26. VI. – 18. VII. 2011, S. Fujie leg. (MsT) . Paratype: JAPAN, KPM-NK 102903 , F, Toyama Pref., Toyama City, Arimine, Jyurodani , 16–25. VIII. 2009, M. Watanabe leg. (MsT) .

Description. Female (n =2). Body polished; covered with setae; body length 6.1–7.1 (HT: 6.1) mm.

Head 0.65 × as long as wide in dorsal view. Clypeus 3.4–3.7 (HT: 3.7) × as wide as long; slightly convex in lateral view; sparsely punctate dorsally; transversely rugulose ventrally; punctures partly united into groove-like foveola; lower margin weakly rounded; blunt in lateral view. Face 0.35 × as long as minimum width; slightly convex medially; matt; punctate medially; punctures partly united into groove-like foveola medially. Frons weakly concave above antennal sockets; punctate dorsally, transversely rugose ventrally. POL 1.25–1.5 (HT: 1.25) × as OD. OOL 1.4–1.6 (HT: 1.4) × as OD. Gena and occiput densely punctate. Dorsal profile of gena rounded in dorsal view; width not narrowing anteriorly, somewhat abruptly narrowing posteriorly ( Fig. 3D). Occipital carina complete. Malar space 0.7 × as long as basal width of mandible. Mandible flat at base; lower tooth longer than upper tooth. Antenna with 24 flagellomeres; not flattened and tapped. FL I 2.1 × as long as maximum depth in lateral view, 1.05– 1.1 (HT: 1.05) × as long as FL II.

Mesosoma. Pronotum rugulose. Epomia absent. Mesoscutum densely punctate; punctures partly united into groove-like longitudinal foveola; with short notaulus. Scutellum sparsely punctate; flat in lateral view. Mesopleuron longitudinally rugulose; with conspicuous smooth area around speculum ( Fig. 3E). Epicnemial carina present laterally and ventrally. Sternaulus deep in anterior 0.5 of mesopleuron. Metapleuron rugulose; without juxtacoxal carina. Propodeum rugose or rugulose except for area externa and area basalis sparsely punctate with smooth ISP; anterior transverse carina absent; posterior transverse carina present, inverted U-shaped, weak and partly indistinct medially ( Fig. 3G); lateromedian longitudinal carina weak and partly or largely indistinct in front of posterior transverse carina; lateral longitudinal carina complete; pleural carina complete; area superomedia partly distinct; apophysis small but pointed; spiracle round. Fore wing length 5.0–5.7 (HT: 5.0) mm. Areolet as long as wide; width gradually narrowing anteriorly; received vein 2m-cu at near or slightly beyond middle ( Fig. 3F). Fore wing vein 1cu-a interstitial to vein M&RS. Nervellus subvertical; intercepted near posterior end of vein. Hind femur densely punctate; with long setae ( Figs. 3H, 77E); 4.0–4.2 (HT: 4.0) × as long as maximum depth in lateral view. Tarsal claws simple.

Metasoma. T I 2.4 × as long as maximum width; smooth; longitudinally striate subapically ( Fig. 3I); lateromedian carina absent; dorso-lateral carina complete. T II 0.65 × as long as maximum width; smooth; finely and sparsely punctate laterally. Thyridium present; close to anterior margin of T II; slightly depressed; ca. 2.0 × as wide as length. T III to T V finely punctate. Ovipositor sheath 0.9–1.25 × as long as hind tibia, 1.9–2.15 (HT: 1.9) × as long as T I. Ovipositor straight; apex sharp; apex of lower valve with teeth ( Fig. 78B).

Colouration ( Figs. 3A–I). Body (excluding wings) black to blackish-brown. Setae silver. Subapical part of mandible and lower part of clypeus tinged with yellowish-brown. Palpi, membranous part of metasomal sternite, and ovipositor yellowish-brown to brown. FL VII (or VIII) to FL XI (or XII) with ivory markings. Scutellum and postscutellum reddish-brown. Wings hyaline. Veins and pterostigma blackish-brown to brown except for yellowish-brown to yellow wing base.

Male. Unknown.

Distribution. Japan (Honshu).

Bionomics. Unknown.

Etymology. The specific name is from the collector of holotype, Mr. Shunpei Fujie, who is a Japanese taxonomist of Braconidae and my friend.

Remarks. This species resembles Ac. concavopropodeonus in black and small-sized body but can be distinguished by the hind femur with long setae (with short setae in Ac. concavopropodeonus ) and the reddish-brown scutellum (entirely black in Ac. concavopropodeonus ).