Pleolophus obtusus, Watanabe, 2025

Pleolophus obtusus sp. nov.

[New SJN: Sakimaru-futo-togari-himebachi]

( Figs. 52A–H, 79T)

Type series. Holotype: JAPAN, KPM-NK 91376 , F, Honshu, Gunma Pref., Tsumagoi Vil., Kanbara, Takamine-kogen , 3. IX. 2015, K. Watanabe leg. Paratype: JAPAN, KPM-NK 84972 , F, Honshu, Nagano Pref., Outaki Vil., Mt. Ontake-san, Tanohara , 8. VIII. 2007, K. Watanabe leg.

Description. Female (n = 2). Body punctate and polished; covered with setae; body length 5.9–7.0 (HT: 7.0) mm.

Head 0.6 × as long as wide in dorsal view. Clypeus 2.3 × as wide as long; slightly convex in lateral view; lower margin subtruncate; blunt in lateral view. Face 0.4–0.45 (HT: 0.4) × as long as minimum width; weakly convex medially; sparsely punctate laterally; ISP largely coriaceous. Frons coriaceous; shallowly concave above each antennal socket. POL 1.8–2.0 (HT: 1.8) × as OD. OOL 1.5 × as OD. Dorsal profile of gena slightly rounded in dorsal view; width gradually narrowing posteriorly ( Fig. 52D). Occipital carina complete. Malar space 1.35–1.4 (HT: 1.35) × as long as basal width of mandible. Mandible flat at base; lower tooth equal in length of upper tooth. Antenna with 21–23 (HT: 23) flagellomeres; not flattened and tapped. FL I 2.1–2.25 (HT: 2.25) × as long as maximum depth in lateral view, 0.95 × as long as FL II.

Mesosoma densely and finely punctate ( Fig. 52E). Pronotum rugulose ventrally ( Fig. 52E). Epomia present; short, obscured and indistinguishable from rugae. Mesoscutum without notaulus (only visible as trace-like depression anteriorly). Scutellum flat in lateral view. Mesopleuron without conspicuous smooth area around speculum ( Fig. 52E). Epicnemial carina present laterally and ventrally. Sternaulus deep in anterior 0.6 of mesopleuron. Metapleuron with complete juxtacoxal carina. Propodeum rugose or rugulose except for weakly coriaceous anterior part; with all carinae except for anterior transverse carina absent; lateromedian longitudinal carina weak and partly obscured; area superomedia partly undefined; posterior transverse carina reverse-U shaped in dorsal view ( Fig. 52G); apophysis absent; spiracle round. Fore wing length 5.1–5.8 (HT: 5.8) mm. Areolet as long as maximum width; width gradually narrowing anteriorly; received vein 2m-cu at near middle ( Fig. 52F). Fore wing vein 1cu-a slightly postfurcal to vein M&RS ( Fig. 52F). Nervellus inclivous; intercepted near posterior end of vein. Hind femur reticulate coriaceous; 4.0–4.2 (HT: 4.0) × as long as maximum depth in lateral view. Tarsal claws simple.

Metasoma largely matt ( Fig. 52H). T I 1.5 × as long as maximum width; latero-median carina present except for apical part; dorso-lateral carina complete. T II 0.7–0.95 (HT: 0.7) × as long as maximum width. Thyridium present; close to anterior margin of T II; flat; ca. 2.0 × as wide as length. Ovipositor sheath 1.05 × as long as hind tibia, 1.6– 1.85 (HT: 1.6) × as long as T I. Ovipositor straight; apex obtuse; apex of lower valve with teeth ( Fig. 79T).

Colouration ( Figs. 52A–H). Body (excluding wings) black to blackish-brown. Setae silver to brown. Frons with a pair of yellow spots. FL V (HT) or VI to FL IX with white markings. Middle parts of T VI and T VII white. Wing slightly yellowish-brown hyaline. Veins and pterostigma blackish brown to brown except for yellow wing base. Ventral surface of flagellum, tibiae and fore and mid tarsi more or less tinged with dark brown. Tibial spurs ivory. T II tinged with dark reddish brown except for median part. Ovipositor brown.

Male. Unknown.

Distribution. Japan (Honshu).

Bionomics. Unknown.

Etymology. The specific name is from the Latin “ obtusus ” (obtuse), referred to the obtusely pointed apex of ovipositor.

Remarks. This species is rather unusual species from other species by the obtuse apex of ovipositor. This character state is frequently found in Schenkia while the antennal shape of this species is largely differed from them. The generic position of this species should be reanalysed in future study. The shape of ovipositor apex rather resembles Pleo. astrictus Townes, 1962 but can be distinguished by the slightly convex clypeus (strongly convex in Pleo. astrictus ), the fore wing length 5.1–5.8 mm (4.3 mm in Pleo. astrictus ), and the largely black legs (“fulvoferruginous” in Pleo. astrictus ).