Alexeter rufispeculus Chen, Huang & Shiao, 2025

Alexeter rufispeculus Chen, Huang & Shiao sp. nov.

Figs 9 A – H View Figure 9 , 10 G View Figure 10 , 11 M – O View Figure 11 , 12 G – K View Figure 12 ; Suppl. material 3 Chinese vernacular name: 鏡紅亞力姬蜂

Material examined.

Holotype. Taiwan • 1 ♀; Yilan County, Datong Township, Siyuan Pass 42.0 K (Quri Sqabu) ; 25. May. 2020; Light Trap; C. L. Huang & L. H. Wang leg.; GenBank: PV 223409 ( COI); NMNS ENT 8951-5 (Mesolei 08) . Paratypes. Taiwan • 1 ♀; Yilan County, Datong Township, Siyuan Pass ( Quri Sqabu ); 1. Jun. 2020; Light Trap; H. Y. Lee leg.; GenBank: PV 223407 ( COI); KPMNH (Mesolei 04) • 1 ♂; Nantou County, Xinyi Township, Tatajia, Tai- 18 th highway 100.5 K , 23.480555 ° N, 120.852519 ° E (DD); alt. 2350 m; 20. Jun. 2020; Light Trap; C. L. Huang leg.; GenBank: PV 223408 ( COI); NMNS ENT 8951-6 (Mesolei 09) GoogleMaps • 1 ♂; Nantou County, Ren’ai Township, Meifeng ; 23–24. Sep. 1997; Light Trap; C. S. Lin & W. T. Yang leg.; NMNS ENT 2692-791 • 9 ♀♀ 14 ♂♂; ibid; Jun. 1984; alt. 2150 m; Malaise Trap; K. S. Lin & K. C. Chou leg.; TARI (measure 01–03) • 1 ♀ 9 ♂♂; ibid; May. 1984; TARI (measure 04–05) • 3 ♀♀; ibid; Jul. 1984; TARI • 1 ♀ 1 ♂; ibid; 22–26. Jun. 1983; K. S. Lin & S. C. Lin leg.; TARI • 1 ♂; ibid; 24–26. Jun. 1981; K. S. Lin & W. S. Tang leg.; TARI • 1 ♀; ibid; 2–4. Jun. 1980; alt. 2130 m; L. Y. Chou & C. C. Chen leg.; TARI • 1 ♀; Nantou County, Ren’ai Township, Tsuifeng ; alt. 2300 m; 5. Aug. 1984; K. S. Lin leg.; TARI (measure 06) • 1 ♀; ibid; Sep. 1984; Malaise Trap; K. S. Lin & K. C. Chou leg.; TARI (measure 07) • 1 ♀ 2 ♂♂; ibid; Aug. 1984; TARI (measure 08–09) • 1 ♀; Nantou County, Ren’ai Township, 820 Forest Road ; 25. Jun. 2008; Light Trap; H. H. Lin leg.; NMNS ENT 5880-85 • 1 ♀; Nantou County, Ren’ai Township, Tayuling, 820 Forest Road ; 14. Jul. 2008; Light Trap; H. H. Lin leg.; NMNS ENT 6070-1565 • 1 ♀; ibid; 11. Aug. 2008; NMNS ENT 6070-1580 • 1 ♀; ibid; 3. Sep. 2008; NMNS ENT 6070-1608 • 1 ♀; Nantou County, Ren’ai Township, Piluchi Workstation ; alt. 2100 m; 24–25. Jun. 2008; Light Trap; W. T. Yang leg.; NMNS ENT 5881-473 • 1 ♀; Nantou County, Ren’ai Township, Rueiyanxi, Shueiguan Road ; 29–30. Aug. 2009; Light Trap; H. H. Liang leg.; NMNS ENT 6214-311 • 1 ♀; “Lishan” (= Taichung City, Heping Dist., Lishan ); 12–18. Jul. 1971; Malaise Trap; Unknown collector; TARI • 3 ♀♀; Chiayi County, Alishan Township, Mt. Alishan ; alt. 2400 m; 17–20. Aug. 1982; K. C. Chou & C. C. Pan leg.; TARI (measure 10–11) • 1 ♂; ibid; 5–9. Aug. 1981; L. Y. Chou & S. C. Lin leg.; TARI (measure 12) • 2 ♂♂; “Arishan” (= Chiayi County, Alishan Township, Mt. Alishan ); Jun. 1914; M. Maki leg.; TARI (measure 13) • 1 ♀; Hualien County, Xiulin Township, Tayuling ; alt. 2560 m; 24–26. Jun. 1977; K. S. Lin leg.; TARI • 1 ♀; ibid; 9–16. Jun. 1980; K. S. Lin & B. S. Chen leg.; TARI .

Diagnosis.

This species can be distinguished from congeners by the combination of the following characters: ocelli large ( OD = 0.20–0.30 mm; OOL / OD = 0.6–0.9); POL / OOL = 0.6–1.1; clypeus truncate on ventral margin (Figs 9 C View Figure 9 , 12 G View Figure 12 ); fore wing areolet triangular with stalk, receiving 2 m-cu at distal corner (Fig. 10 G View Figure 10 ); fore wing vertical, basad, opposite, or distad to M & RS (Fig. 10 G View Figure 10 ); lateromedian longitudinal carinae of propodeum present posteriorly with the area petiolaris opened (Fig. 10 E View Figure 10 ); posterior transverse carina present (Fig. 10 E View Figure 10 ); general body color variable from reddish-brown (red type) (Fig. 12 J, K View Figure 12 ) to blackish-brown (black type) (Figs 9 View Figure 9 , 12 G – I View Figure 12 ); speculum on the mesopleuron usually reddish-brown, rarely not (Figs 9 A View Figure 9 , 12 I – K View Figure 12 ); males with yellow markings on the latero-anterior corners of mesoscutum (Fig. 12 H – J View Figure 12 ).

The red-type male of this new species is similar to the female of A. pseudozangicus sp. nov. which shares the reddish-brown body color and yellow markings on the latero-anterior corners of the mesoscutum but differs in the following characters: clypeus truncate (Figs 9 C View Figure 9 , 12 G View Figure 12 ) (rounded in A. pseudozangicus ); mandible with both teeth equal in length (Figs 9 C View Figure 9 , 12 G View Figure 12 ) (lower tooth slightly longer than upper tooth in A. pseudozangicus ); areolet present (Fig. 10 G View Figure 10 ) (absent in A. pseudozangicus ); lateromedian longitudinal carinae of propodeum absent on the anterior and median portions (Fig. 9 E View Figure 9 ) (complete in A. pseudozangicus ); T 1 3.0–4.3 × its posterior width (2.3–3.0 × in A. pseudozangicus ); and the width of male gonostyle normal (Fig. 11 O View Figure 11 ) (broad in A. pseudozangicus ).

Description.

The measurements were based on Taiwanese specimens ( 15 females and 8 males).

Female. Head (Figs 9 A – C View Figure 9 , 12 G View Figure 12 ): matt and granulate, HW / HL = 1.7–2.0 (1.9, 1.8 ± 0.11); ocelli large, with OD = 0.20–0.30 (0.26, 0.26 ± 0.03) mm, POL / OD = 0.4–0.8 (0.4, 0.5 ± 0.10), OOL / OD = 0.6–0.8 (0.7, 0.7 ± 0.06), POL / OOL = 0.6–1.1 (0.6, 0.8 ± 0.13); face matt and granulate, FW / FH = 1.2–1.5 (1.5, 1.4 ± 0.08); clypeus smooth with sparce punctures, truncate, and having transverse median ridge on ventral margin, CLW / CLH = 2.6–4.3 (3.7, 3.1 ± 0.43); MSL / BMW = 0.4–0.5 (0.4, 0.4 ± 0.04); mandible evenly punctate in dorsal surface, teeth equal in length or with lower tooth slightly longer than upper tooth; flagellum with 41–51 (49) segments; average ratio of basal five flagellomeres length 2.5: 1.3: 1.1: 1.1: 1.0.

Mesosoma (Figs 9 A, D, E View Figure 9 , 12 H – K View Figure 12 ): polished and granulate; pronotum with epomia absent, weakly rugose on dorso-anterior corner; mesoscutum with MSSL / MSSW = 1.1–1.3 (1.1, 1.2 ± 0.06), notauli short, distinct on anterior ~ 0.2; scutellum with SCL / SCW = 0.9–1.4 (1.4, 1.1 ± 0.15), lateral carina present anteriorly; epicnemial carina weak, ~ 1 / 2 as height of mesopleuron; metapleuron with pleural carina and submetapleural carina complete; juxtacoxal carina vestigial posteriorly; propodeum with spiracle circular to suboval, maximum axis 1.0–1.3 (1.0, 1.1 ± 0.09) × as minimum axis; anterior transverse carina absent; posterior transverse carina present medially; lateromedian longitudinal carinae absent on anterior and median portions, present on posterior ~ 0.25 with area petiolaris opened anteriorly; lateral longitudinal carinae absent; average ratio of hind tarsomere length 4.3: 2.2: 1.7: 1.0: 1.2.

Wings (Fig. 10 G View Figure 10 ): fore wing length 8.4–10.9 (10.7, 10.0 ± 0.66) mm; areolet triangular with stalk 0.3–0.6 (0.4, 0.5 ± 0.09) as long as 2 rs-m, receiving 2 m-cu at distal corner; RMI = 0.6–0.9 (0.7, 0.7 ± 0.08); 1 cu-a vertical, basad, opposite, or distad to M & RS, with BNI = 0.1–0.3 (0.2, 0.2 ± 0.05). Hind wing length 6.2–8.2 (8.0, 7.5 ± 0.51) mm; NI = 1.6–3.0 (1.7, 2.2 ± 0.44); distal hamuli 6–8 (6).

Metasoma (Fig. 9 F – H View Figure 9 ): polished and minutely coriaceous; T 1 3.0–4.2 (3.3, 3.2 ± 0.31) × as long as posterior width, 5.8–9.5 (6.7, 7.2 ± 1.06) × as long as anterior width, 1.3–1.7 (1.4, 1.4 ± 0.09) × as long as length of T 2; T 1 with latero-median carina absent, dorso-lateral carina and ventro-lateral carina complete and varied from weak to strong, spiracle at around middle of T 1, glymma distinct; T 2 1.1–1.5 (1.5, 1.3 ± 0.09) × as long as posterior width, 1.6–2.3 (2.0, 1.8 ± 0.17) × as long as anterior width, gastrocoeli shallow and indistinct, thyridia circular; ovipositor sheath 2.4–5.5 (5.5, 3.6 ± 0.88) × as long as its maximum width in lateral view, shorter than apical depth of metasoma.

Color (Figs 9 View Figure 9 , 10 G View Figure 10 , 12 K View Figure 12 ): variable, head, and legs generally reddish-brown, mesosoma and metasoma generally blackish-brown or brown in black-type specimens (including holotype) and reddish-brown in red-type specimens, except antenna, fore legs except tarsi, mid coxae, and trochanters yellowish-brown; face, clypeus (whole or in dorsal 1 / 2), mandibles, malar space, palpi, tegula, all tarsi, hind tibiae (whole or at least in basal 0.6) yellow or pale yellow; frons, ocellar area, ventral marking of clypeus and T 1 (in some specimens) blackish-brown; speculum and scutellum always reddish-brown; and metasomal tergites behind T 3 reddish-brown, sometimes tinged with red. Wings hyaline, veins blackish-brown or yellowish-brown, pterostigma pale yellowish-brown.

Male. General structure and color similar to female, except latero-anterior margin of mesoscutum and ventral side of mesopleuron with pale yellow marking (Fig. 12 G – J View Figure 12 ). Male genitalia with gonostyle tapered and rounded apically, S 9 weakly concave on posterior margin, with subtriangular median area weakly sclerotized (Fig. 11 M – O View Figure 11 ).

HW / HL = 1.6–2.0 (1.8 ± 0.18); OD = 0.24–0.28 (0.26 ± 0.01) mm, POL / OD = 0.5–0.7 (0.6 ± 0.08), OOL / OD = 0.6–0.9 (0.7 ± 0.08), POL / OOL = 0.6–1.0 (0.8 ± 0.14); FW / FH = 1.2–1.4 (1.3 ± 0.05), CLW / CLH = 2.7–3.2 (3.0 ± 0.2), MSL / BMW = 0.2–0.4 (0.3 ± 0.05); flagellum with 43–49 segments; average ratio of basal five flagellomeres length 2.3: 1.2: 1.1: 1.1: 1.0; MSSL / MSSW = 1.2–1.3 (1.2 ± 0.06); SCL / SCW = 1.0–1.2 (1.1 ± 0.06); maximum axis of propodeal spiracles 1.0–1.1 (1.0 ± 0.06) × as minimum axis; average ratio of hind tarsomere length 4.1: 2.2: 1.7: 1.0: 1.1; fore wing length 8.6–10.1 (9.5 ± 0.52) mm; RMI = 0.6–0.9 (0.7 ± 0.12); BNI = 0.1–0.2 (0.2 ± 0.04); hind wing length 6.5–7.5 (7 ± 0.41) mm; NI = 1.5–3.7 (2.4 ± 0.75); distal hamuli 6–8; T 1 2.9–4.1 (3.5 ± 0.34) × as long as posterior width, 5.8–8.0 (7.0 ± 0.73) × as long as anterior width, 1.3–1.6 (1.5 ± 0.08) × as long as length of T 2; T 2 1.3–1.6 (1.4 ± 0.13) × as long as posterior width, 1.8–2.4 (2.0 ± 0.2) × as long as anterior width.

Bionomics.

This species has been collected from mountainous areas in Taiwan above 2000 m by Malaise trap or light trap. Hosts are unknown.

Distribution.

Taiwan ( Yilan, Hualien, Nantou, Taichung, and Chiayi).

Etymology.

The specific name rufispeculus is derived from the Latin words rufi - (meaning red) and speculus (meaning mirror, refer to speculum on the mesopleuron herein), referring to the reddish-brown speculum on the mesopleuron of this new species. The name is an adjective.

Remarks.

According to the collection data in this study, this is the most common species of Alexeter in Taiwan (Suppl. material 1). Large color variation was observed in this species, with two color types, black type (body color generally blackish-brown) (Figs 9 View Figure 9 , 12 G – I View Figure 12 ) and red type (reddish-brown) (Fig. 12 J, K View Figure 12 ). Both types have speculum on the mesopleuron reddish-brown (except one observed specimen in this study) (Figs 9 A View Figure 9 , 12 I – K View Figure 12 ). Additionally, the sexual dimorphism was also observed in this species, with yellow markings on the latero-anterior corners of mesoscutum present in males (Fig. 12 H – J View Figure 12 ) but absent in females (Figs 9 A, D View Figure 9 , 12 K View Figure 12 ).

As mentioned in the Remarks of A. mediolobus sp. nov. above, endosymbiont co-amplification was also observed in this new species when amplifying the COI - 5 P region of the COI gene, with the same solutions applied. It is nested within Alexeter Clade I in the current COI - based phylogeny (Fig. 2 View Figure 2 ).