Fusimirax Whitfield & Fernandez-Triana, 2025

Fusimirax Whitfield & Fernandez-Triana gen. nov.

Remarks.

As with the above new genus, Fusimirax shares with other Miracinae the antenna with flagellomeres fixed at 12, maxillary palpal ancestral segments 5 and 6 fused to reduce the number of segments to four, the characteristic reductions in wing venation (Figs 4 C View Figure 4 , 5 D View Figure 5 , 6 C View Figure 6 , 7 C View Figure 7 ) and the medium-length ovipositor and sheaths and a sharp but evenly sclerotized hypopygium (Figs 4 F View Figure 4 , 5 A View Figure 5 , 6 A View Figure 6 ), as well as the characteristics shared with other microgastroids ( Whitfield and Mason 1994)) – the separation of the first metasomal spiracle in the lateral membrane or on a more or less well-defined laterotergite rather than laterally on the medial tergite. In Miracinae this membranous lateral area is usually at least partly strongly striate, and this is the case with Fusimirax . The possession of bracoviruses, and some modifications of the ovarioles to accommodate them ( Whitfield and Mason 1994), are presumably also shared but not usually observable in preserved specimens.

The form of the anterior metasomal segments (desclerotization patterns, Y-shaped skeleton of remaining sclerotized tergites (Fig. 1 A – C View Figure 1 ) typical for previously known Miracinae (as outlined by Whitfield and Mason (1994) and numerous descriptive paper by many authors) is profoundly different in Fusimirax also, although in a different manner than in Paramomirax . In Fusimirax , tergites 2 and 3 are fused into a sclerotized and coarsely sculptured syntergite as in some Microgastrinae, rather than a transverse to broadly c-shaped narrow plate anterior to a desclerotized medial area covering (sometimes) the posterocentral area of T 2 and (almost always) anterocentral portion of T 3. The boundary between T 2 and T 3 is usually indicated at least laterally by a weak groove that often disappears medially. The propodeum has a percurrent medial carina (i. e., extending posteriorly beyond the transverse carina, unlike at least most Centistidea ) and an angular transverse carina just past its midlength, often with some rugosity as well, but not always in the same areas. In a few specimens the medial carina splits at some point to form a small narrow areola-like area within it. The ovipositor and sheaths are relatively short, half the length of the hind tibiae at most. The notauli are distinct but only extend over about the anterior third of the mesoscutum.

The genus name makes reference to the fusion of T 2 and T 3 into an obvious syntergite.