Pleolophus obtusus, Watanabe, 2025

Key to Japanese species of Pleolophus View in CoL View at ENA (female only)

1. Hind femur largely reddish-brown to red. Posterior part of T I, T II, and T III largely red. Ovipositor sheath slightly shorter than hind tibia.

.......................... Pleolophus basizonus ( Gravenhorst, 1829) View in CoL -. Hind femur black ( Figs. 51A, 52A, 53A, 55A). Metasomal tergites without red area(s) or with narrow or weak red tinges ( Figs. 51B, 52B, 53B, I, 55B).

................................................................................................ 2 2. Metasomal tergites matt ( Figs. 51G, 52H). Body sometimes larger than 9.0 mm. Tibiae and trochanters without white areas ( Figs. 51A, 52A). Lateromedian longitudinal carina of propodeum at least partly present in front of posterior transverse carina ( Figs. 51F, 52G).

................................................................................................ 3 -. Metasomal tergites polished ( Figs. 53H, I, 55G). Body length usually less than 8.0 mm. Tibiae and/or trochanters sometimes with white areas ( Figs. 53A, B, 55A, B). Lateromedian longitudinal carina of propodeum present or absent.

................................................................................................ 4 3. Apex of ovipositor sharply pointed ( Fig. 79S). Ovipositor sheath shorter than hind tibia ( Fig. 51A). Metasomal tergites black ( Fig. 51B).

................................ Pleolophus funereoides ( Uchida, 1952) View in CoL -. Apex of ovipositor obtusely pointed ( Fig. 79T). Ovipositor sheath as long as or longer than hind tibia ( Fig. 52A). Metasomal tergites partly tinged with red ( Fig. 52B). .................................................. Pleolophus obtusus sp. nov. 4. Base of hind tibia without white area; black or at most tinged with yellowish-brown ( Figs. 53A, B). Hind trochanter and trochantellus usually ivory (especially dorso-lateral view) ( Figs. 53A, B). Lateromedian longitudinal carina of propodeum at least distinct anteriorly ( Fig. 53G). Antero-lateral part of area basalis of propodeum with conspicuous smooth area ( Fig. 53G). FL I ≧ FL II. Ovipositor sheath 0.75–0.8 × as long as hind tibia.

............................... Pleolophus sapporensis ( Uchida, 1930) View in CoL -. Base of hind tibia with conspicuous white band ( Figs. 55A, B). Hind trochanter and trochantellus brown to black ( Figs. 55A, B). Lateromedian longitudinal carina of propodeum indistinct ( Fig. 55F). Antero-lateral part of area basalis of propodeum without conspicuous smooth area ( Fig. 55F). FL I <FL II. Ovipositor sheath 0.65–0.7 × as long as hind tibia.

..................................... Pleolophus setiferae (Uchida, 1936) View in CoL