Cubocephalus confusus, Watanabe, 2025

Cubocephalus confusus sp. nov.

[New SJN: Kogata-onaga-togari-himebachi]

( Figs. 19A–G, 76O, 78O)

Type series. Holotype: JAPAN, KPM-NK 91383 , F, Honshu, Toyama Pref., Toyama City, Arimine , Inonedani , 8–15. IX. 2009, M. Watanabe leg. (MsT) . Paratype: JAPAN: [Honshu] KPM-NK 102965 , F, Saitama Pref., Ootaki Vil., Mt. Karisaka , 5–15. VI. 1998, M. Hinakura leg. (collision traps baited with chemical attractants) ; KPM-NK 102964 , F, Nagano Pref., Ueda City, Sugadaira-kogen , 27. VII. – 13. IX. 2013, S. Shimizu leg. (MsT) ; KPM-NK 102974 , F, Toyama Pref., Nanto City, Togamura-kamimomose , 8–15. IX. 2009, M. Watanabe leg. (MsT) ; KPM-NK 102966 F, Toyama Pref., Toyama City, Arimine, Inonedani , 7–14. VII. 2009, M. Watanabe leg. (MsT) ; KPM-NK 102967 , F, ditto, 14–21. VII. 2009 ; KPM-NK 102968 & OMNH, 2F, ditto, 21–28. VII. 2009 ; KPM-NK 102969 , F, ditto, 4–11. VIII. 2009 ; KPM-NK 102970 , F, ditto, 25. VIII. – 1. IX. 2009 ; KPM-NK 102971 & OMNH, 2F, ditto, 1–8. IX. 2009 ; KPM-NK 102972 , F, ditto, 8–15. IX. 2009 ; KPM-NK 102973 , F, ditto, 15–22. IX. 2009 ; KPM-NK 102875 , F, Toyama Pref., Toyama City, Arimine, Jyurodani , 25. VIII. – 1. IX. 2009, M. Watanabe leg. (MsT).

Description. Female (n = 15). Body polished; covered with setae; body length 7.0–9.0 (HT: 7.3) mm.

Head 0.6–0.65 (HT: 0.63) × as long as wide in dorsal view. Clypeus 2.05–2.1 (HT: 2.1) × as wide as long; slightly convex in lateral view; coriaceous and punctate dorsally, smooth ventrally; lower margin subtruncate in frontal view, obtuse in lateral view. Face 0.4 × as long as minimum width; matt; weakly convex medially; punctures indistinct laterally. Frons slightly concave above antennal sockets; coriaceous; sparsely punctate dorsally. POL 1.4–1.5 (HT: 1.5) × as OD. OOL 1.3–1.5 (HT: 1.5) × as OD. Gena and occiput coriaceous and finely punctate. Dorsal profile of gena rounded in dorsal view; gradually narrowing posteriorly ( Fig. 19D). Occipital carina complete. Malar space 1.35–1.45 (HT: 1.35) × as long as basal width of mandible. Mandible flat at base; lower tooth equal in length of upper tooth. Antenna with 22–23 (HT: 23) flagellomeres; not flattened and tapped. FL I 2.1–2.4 (HT: 2.4) × as long as maximum depth in lateral view, 0.95 × as long as FL II.

Mesosoma. Pronotum matt, finely rugulose. Epomia absent. Mesoscutum finely punctate with weakly coriaceous ISP. Notaulus sharp; posterior end not reaching centre of mesoscutum. Scutellum sparsely punctate; flat in lateral view. Mesopleuron finely reticulate rugulose; with conspicuous smooth area around speculum ( Fig. 19E). Epicnemial carina present laterally and ventrally. Sternaulus deep in entire length of mesopleuron. Posterior transverse carina of mesosternum without deep notch and teeth. Metapleuron coriaceous; with complete juxtacoxal carina. Propodeum matt ( Fig. 19G); anterior transverse carina absent ( Fig. 19G); posterior transverse carina complete, inverted U-shaped ( Fig. 19G); lateromedian longitudinal carina largely indistinct and trace-like; lateral longitudinal carina complete; pleural carina complete; area superomedia indistinct; apophysis absent; spiracle oval. Fore wing length 6.0–7.2 (HT: 6.4) mm. Areolet slightly longer than maximum width; as long as half-length of vein 2m-cu; width steeply narrowing anteriorly; received vein 2m-cu at near middle; anterior width shorter than half length of vein 2m-cu ( Fig. 19F). Fore wing vein 1cu-a interstitial to vein M&RS. Nervellus subvertical; intercepted near posterior end of vein. Hind femur reticulate coriaceous; 4.55–5.2 (HT: 5.2) × as long as maximum depth in lateral view. Tarsal claws simple.

Metasoma matt and coriaceous. T I 1.78–2.0 (HT: 1.78) × as long as maximum width; latero-median carina absent; dorso-lateral carina complete. Spiracle of T I behind the mid-length of T I. T II 0.75–0.8 (HT: 0.75) × as long as maximum width. Thyridium present; close to anterior margin of T II; flat to slightly depressed; ca. 2.0 × as wide as length. Ovipositor sheath 1.8–2.0 (HT: 2.0) × as long as hind tibia, 2.1–2.3 (HT: 2.1) × as long as T I. Ovipositor weakly upcurved; apex sharp and without minute teeth dorsally; apex of lower valve with teeth ( Fig. 78O).

Colouration ( Figs. 19A–G). Body (excluding wings) black to blackish-brown. Setae silver. Subapical part of mandible tinged with reddish-brown. Labrum reddish-brown. FL V (or VI) to FL X with white markings. Bases of femora, all tibial spurs, and fore tibia more or less tinged with brown to reddish-brown. Posterior margins of metasomal tergites sometimes narrowly tinged with reddish-brown. Postero-median membranous parts of T V to T VII white. Thyridium and ovipositor reddish-brown. Wings brownish-hyaline. Veins and pterostigma blackish-brown to brown except for yellowish wing base.

Male. Unknown.

Distribution. Japan (Honshu).

Bionomics. Unknown.

Etymology. The specific name is from the Latin “ confusus ”, referring to the morphological characteristics of this species is relatively obscure in the genus.

Remarks. This species resembles Cu. atrator and Cu. asiaticus sp. nov. in the entirely black legs and almost or entirely black metasomal tergites but can be distinguished by the character state of mesosternum, and the length of FL I and ovipositor sheath (see remarks of Cu. asiaticus and above key).