Tsimpision Kasparyan, 2024

Genus Tsimpision Kasparyan , gen.n.

Type species: Tsimpision fulvus Kasparyan , sp.n.

COMPARISON AND DISCUSSION. The most notable feature that distinguishes Tsimpision gen.n. from most genera of the subtribe Goryphina is location of spiracles of the first metasomal segment near its middle ( Fig. 8 View Figs 8–10 ). Within the subtribe Goryphina , similar first metasomal segment is known only in the monotypic genus Tsirambia Seyrig, 1952 (endemic of Madagascar) and the Oriental genus Kriegeria Ashmead, 1905 . The new genus can be easily distinguished from Tsirambia and Kriegeria by its strong ovipositor ( Fig. 9 View Figs 8–10 ) and large areolet in the fore wing ( Fig. 10 View Figs 8–10 ). Tsirambia also differs from Tsimpision gen.n. in having apical tergites shorter and apical transverse carina of propodeum lacking (see Townes [1970: 253, 468, fig. 218]), and Kriegeria differs from Tsimpision gen.n. in having lower valve of ovipositor laterally with apical dorsal lobes and dorsal valve without nodus (see Townes [1970: 473, fig. 226]); the latter feature is apomorphy of the subtribe Gabuniina .

First metasomal segment with spiracles situated near its middle is rare within the subfamily Cryptinae but is typical for the subtribe Gabuniina . In addition to the similar structure of the first metasomal segment, Tsimpision gen.n. resembles Gabuniina in lack of dorsal longitudinal carinae on first metasomal segment, distinctly elongated metasomal tergites 7 and 8 of female, swollen fore tibia of female, and fourth tarsomeres apically hardly bilobed ventrally and with stout bristles at apex (see Table 1).

All morphological features common for Tsimpision gen.n. and subtribe Gabunina are also known in some species of the genus Mallochia Viereck, 1912 , subtribe Lymeonina . Notably, Tsimpision fulvus sp.n. is very similar morphologically (e.g. in the ovipositor structure) and in color pattern to Mallochia pyralidis Wharton, 1985 , a parasitoid of a stem borer on maize, Eoreuma loftini (Dyar, 1917) ( Pyralidae ) in southern USA and Mexico [ Wharton, 1985; Smith et al., 1990]. Such morphological similarity of T. fulvus sp.n. and M. pyralidis may indicate that these species have similar hosts. However, T. fulvus sp.n. differs from Mallochia spp. by having a large areolet in the fore wing ( Fig. 10 View Figs 8–10 ), much longer two basal flagellomeres (1.7 times as long as maximum eye diameter vs 0.9–1.2 times in most Mallochia species), anterior slope of propodeal groove with two pairs of tubercles ( Figs 6 View Figs 1–7 , 8 View Figs 8–10 , arrow) and by presence a basolateral tooth on the first metasomal segment ( Figs 6, 7 View Figs 1–7 ). Two latter features are important for distinguishing subtribes Goryphina and Lymeonina .

DESCRIPTION. Body about 9.5 mm long, fore wing about 8.0 mm long, flagellum 7.7 mm long, ovipositor sheath 2.2 mm long. Antenna with 25 flagellomeres; basal flagellomeres strongly elongate, two basal flagellomeres combined 1.7 times as long as maximum diameter of eye. Tip of antenna with corolla of small setiform sensillae with widened apex ( Fig. 5 View Figs 1–7 ). Clypeus strongly convex; maximum height of clypeus in profile at its lower 0.15, below clypeus sharply descending to widely truncated lower margin; extreme edge of lower margin translucent, with two very small tubercles centrally ( Fig. 3 View Figs 1–7 ). Mandible moderately robust, with lower tooth slightly shorter than upper tooth ( Fig. 3 View Figs 1–7 ). Occipital carina joining hypostomal carina above base of mandible.

Head and body evenly covered with fine granulation and very small setiferous punctures; setae moderately sparse and moderately short ( Figs 4, 6, 7 View Figs 1–7 ); granulation strongly smoothened on temple, speculum and tergites (4)5–8; apical area of propodeum with strong rugosity ( Fig. 6 View Figs 1–7 ).

Epomia entirely absent ( Fig. 4 View Figs 1–7 ). Upper margin of pronotum weakly swollen. Notaulus sharp, extending far behind centre of mesoscutum ( Fig. 4 View Figs 1–7 ). Sternaulus distinct, its anterior half sharp and almost straight, posterior portion weaker, sinuate and reaching base of mid coxa ( Fig. 8 View Figs 8–10 ). Mesopleuron with distinct vertical furrow extending from centre of sternaulus to mesopleural fovea ( Fig. 8 View Figs 8–10 , arrow); similar furrow is known in some species of Digonocryptus Viereck, 1913 in Gabuniina . Mesopleural fovea joining to mesopleural suture by horizontal groove. Median portion of postpectal carina absent. Juxtacoxal carina absent. Submetapleural carina strong ( Fig. 8 View Figs 8–10 ). Pleural carina complete but weak behind basal transverse carina ( Fig. 8 View Figs 8–10 ). Hind edge of metanotum laterad postscutellum weakly widened, with distinct tooth on anterior slope of transverse groove; transverse groove between postscutellum and propodeum polished, moderately deep, with one large tooth on its anterior slope ( Figs 6 View Figs 1–7 , 8 View Figs 8–10 , arrows). Propodeum with rounded spiracle which is separated from anterior margin of propodeum by two its own diameters and from transverse part of basal transverse carina by about two its own diameters ( Fig. 8 View Figs 8–10 ). Basal part of propodeum (between anterior margin of propodeum and basal transverse carina) in dorsal view about 1.5 times as long as median part (between basal and apical transverse carinae) ( Fig. 6 View Figs 1–7 ). Propodeum mediodorsally with longitudinal superficial depression which is widener anteriorly ( Fig. 6 View Figs 1–7 ); apical transverse carina more or less complete, with lateral crests ( Figs 6 View Figs 1–7 , 8 View Figs 8–10 ).

Fore tibia of female swollen apically ( Fig. 1 View Figs 1–7 ). Fourth tarsomeres in female ventrally hardly bilobed apically and with stout bristles. Fore wing with areolet large, pentagonal, about 0.45 times as long as of second recurrent vein, slightly longer than width of pterostigma; lateral sides of areolet distinctly convergent anteriorly ( Fig. 10 View Figs 8–10 ). Ramulus absent. Nervulus interstitial. Postnervulus intercepted slightly above middle (in upper 0.45). Hind wing with mediocubitella maximally arched in distal 0.35. Nervellus intercepted slightly below middle. Brachiella short, reaching about 0.3 of distance to edge of hind wing. Tip of axillus converging towards anal margin.

First tergite stout, with lateral flange (tooth) at base, 6.0 times as long as subbasal minimum width and 2.2 times as apical maximum width; dorso-median carinae absent; dorsolateral carina more or less distinct at base and behind spiracle; ventrolateral carina weak, completely obliterated in median part of tergite; spiracles near its middle ( Figs 1 View Figs 1–7 , 8 View Figs 8–10 ). Second tergite in profile widely depressed in basal half and convex in apical half ( Fig. 1 View Figs 1–7 ); thyridium subcircular, separated from tergite base by distance of its own diameter. Epipleura of tergites 2 and 3 narrow, white, separated by crease ( Fig. 1 View Figs 1–7 ). Tergites 1–6 with even fine granulation and very small and dense setiferous punctures; setae moderately short ( Fig. 7 View Figs 1–7 ); granulation of tergites 4–6 strongly smoothened. Tergites 7 and 8 of female strongly elongate ( Fig. 1 View Figs 1–7 ). Ovipositor sheath about 0.75 times as long as hind tibia ( Fig. 1 View Figs 1–7 ); ovipositor stout, with distinct nodus, with ten subvertical teeth on lower valve, without dorsal lobe enclosing lower margin of dorsal lobe ( Fig. 9 View Figs 8–10 ).

ETYMOLOGY. The genus name is a masculine noun composed of the Greek “tsimpima isia” (straight sting), referring to straight ventral valve of the ovipositor.

COMPOSITION. The genus comprises one species, T. fulvus Kasparyan , sp.n.