A taxonomic study of Costa Rican Leptodrepana with the description of twenty-four new species (Hymenoptera, Braconidae, Cheloninae)

Abstract The genus Leptodrepana Shaw was described in 1983, but prior to the current study only one Neotropical species had been described from Mexico and none were named from Costa Rica. In this paper twenty-four new species are described and named from Costa Rica: L. alexisae Dadelahi & Shaw, sp. n., L. atalanta Dadelahi & Shaw, sp. n., L. conda Dadelahi & Shaw, sp. n., L. conleyae Dadelahi & Shaw, sp. n., L. demeter Dadelahi & Shaw, sp. n., L. eckerti Dadelahi & Shaw, sp. n., L. gauldilox Dadelahi & Shaw, sp. n., L. hansoni Dadelahi & Shaw, sp. n., L. kimbrellae Dadelahi & Shaw, sp. n., L. lorenae Dadelahi & Shaw, sp. n., L. munjuanae Dadelahi & Shaw, sp. n., L. ninae Dadelahi & Shaw, sp. n., L. pamelabbas Dadelahi & Shaw, sp. n., L. ronnae Dadelahi & Shaw, sp. n., L. rosanadana Dadelahi & Shaw, sp. n., L. schuttei Dadelahi & Shaw, sp. n., L. scottshawi Dadelahi, sp. n., L. shriekae Dadelahi & Shaw, sp. n., L. sohailae Dadelahi & Shaw, sp. n., L. sorayae Dadelahi & Shaw, sp. n., L. soussanae Dadelahi & Shaw, sp. n., L. stasia Dadelahi & Shaw, sp. n., L. strategeri Dadelahi & Shaw, sp. n., and L. thema Dadelahi & Shaw, sp. n. A key to Costa Rican species of Leptodrepana is provided. The flagellum of all female Leptodrepana described in this work is reduced to only 17 flagellomeres. This character state is also found in two North American species described by Shaw (1983), L. opuntiae Shaw and L. oriens Shaw. It is hypothesized that a female antenna with 17 flagellomeres is a synapomorphy for a species-group comprising all the Costa Rican Leptodrepana species as well as two of the Mexican and North American species, L. opuntiae and L. oriens.


Introduction
The braconid subfamily Cheloninae is large and cosmopolitan with more than 1500 described species (Shaw 1997, Yu et al. 2012, Kittel and Austin 2014. Here, the subfamily Adeliinae is considered part of the Cheloninae, in agreement with the results of Kittel et al. (2016). All chelonines are characterized by the presence of a metasomal carapace formed by the fusion of the first three metasomal terga into a rigid structure, dorsally covering the abdomen (Dudarenko 1974). Carapace formation is not unique to the Cheloninae and can be found in many other braconid subfamilies e.g., Microgastrinae, Sigalphinae, Ichneutinae, Rogadinae, and Helconinae (Dudarenko 1974, Shaw 1997. The inclusion of Adeliinae left no obvious morphological synapomorphies to define the Cheloninae. However, it is hypothesized that egg-larval parasitism is a trait unifying the subfamily, though such a characteristic is only inferred in Adeliinae based on morphological similarities between Adeliinae and the remaining chelonines (Čapek 1971and Nixon 1965, cited by Shaw and Huddleston 1991. The genus Leptodrepana Shaw was first described in 1983 and is represented by four species (Shaw 1983). Prior to that time Leptodrepana species were placed in the genus Ascogaster Wesmael. A taxonomic study of Ascogaster, however, resulted in the discovery of the genus Leptodrepana (Shaw 1983). Leptodrepana is separated from Ascogaster based on 13 diverging morphological characters (Shaw 1983). In Leptodrepana, the ocellar triangle is equilateral. The occipital carina, while complete, tends to be weak dorsally. Evenly scattered minute setae are present over the eyes. The median frontal carina is often weak. The scutellar disc is generally flat and polished. The ovipositor is long, slender, and tends to be curved upward. The carapace apex is often flared above the ovipositor. In females, the flagellum often consists of 17 segments, the apical flagellomeres tend to be longer than wide, and the ventral cavity is as long as the carapace. The scutellar sulcus has 7-10 well-defined depressions. The propodeal tubercles are usually short or indistinct. The metatibial spurs are less than half the length of the metabasitarsus. And, where host associations are known, members of the genus are associated with plutellid hosts (Lepidoptera: Plutellidae). Leptodrepana species are distributed across Central and South America (Shaw 1997).
In contrast, Ascogaster has an isosceles-shaped ocellar triangle. The occipital carina is strong. The eyes are consistently glabrous. The median frontal carina is often present. The scutellar disk is bulging and often sculptured. The ovipositor tends to be short and retracted under the carapace. The carapace apex is not flared above the ovipositor. In females, the flagellum consists of 25 or more segments, the apical flagellomeres are often almost as long as wide, or shorter, in length than width and the ventral cavity is shorter than the length of the carapace. The scutellar sulcus generally bears 4-6 well-defined depressions. The propodeal tubercles are well-developed. The metatibial spurs tend to be greater than half the length of the metabasitarsus. And, hosts consist primarily of tortricids (Lepidoptera: Tortricidae).
The best characters for distinguishing between the two genera are the shape of the ocellar triangle, shape and number of flagellomeres in the female, and degree of convexity in the scutellar disc.
Despite these noticeable character differences the generic designation of Leptodrepana is still debated. This is largely due to the presence of a few intermediate forms of the genera in other regions. Some species examined in the Palearctic region have characters intermediate to the states mentioned above making it difficult to identify them as either Leptodrepana or Ascogaster (Tang andMarsh 1994, Achterberg 1990). Some European taxonomists accept Leptodrepana as a valid genus (Zettel 1990). Others do not. For example, Huddleston's (1984) revision of the Palearctic Ascogaster did not address the complication created by the presence of intermediate forms; instead the work completely ignored the new genus. In 1990, the problem was discussed by Achterberg and he synonymized the genus, albeit without an adequate explanation or formal examination of the group. Although accepting Achterberg's (1990) synonymy appears to solve the problem of chelonine morphs that fall somewhere between Ascogaster and Leptodrepana, it maintains another conceptual problem; Ascogaster would become a clearly paraphyletic group. A phylogenetic analysis of chelonine wasps, based on 16s rDNA, supports Shaw's (1983) recognition of the genus Leptodrepana as separate from Ascogaster (Chen 1999). A more recent analysis by Kittel et al. (2016), based on three molecular markers (COI,EF1α,28S) and 37 morphological characters, recovered Ascogaster into two separated clades, one mostly Australian and one mostly North American. The genera Austroascogaster Austin, 2014, Leptodrepana, andMegascogaster Baker, 1926 are located between the two clades, thus rendering Ascogaster paraphyletic. Kittel et al. propose two scenarios to solve the paraphyly: one considers Ascogaster sensu lato, i.e., to group all the clades into Ascogaster; the other considers Ascogaster sensu stricto, i.e., to restrict the genus to the North American clade. The last scenario provides some insight about the patterns of biogeographic divergence among the clades, recognizes documented morphological differences among the genera, and maintains the monophyly of each genus. Moreover, an eventual nomenclatural change supporting the first scenario requires a more comprehensive data set (Kittel et al. 2016).
The Cheloninae are egg-larval endoparasitoids of microlepidoptera (Shaw and Huddleston 1991). Shaw (1995Shaw ( , 1997 has suggested that exploiting the exposed and vulnerable egg stage of a host may be a means of simplifying the host location and oviposition process. Chelonines are koinobionts, so parasitized eggs are allowed to develop and mature during the larval stage. The third instar larva of the wasp emerges from the last larval stage of the host within the host pupation chamber (Shaw and Huddleston 1991). After emergence, the wasp larva feeds externally before spinning a cocoon and pupating while still inside the pupation chamber of the host (Shaw 1995). There has been little biological study of Leptodrepana. Shaw (1983) was able to associate L. opuntiae with a plutellid host but no other host information is available for other described Leptodrepana species or those treated in this paper.
The present work is a taxonomic study of Costa Rican Leptodrepana. Due to the unique efforts of the Malaise Network in place in Costa Rica, the country is especially well-sampled and a surprising number of Leptodrepana, normally rare species, have been collected (see Materials and methods).

Materials and methods
Approximately 292 specimens were examined for this study. This number includes all identified Neotropical Leptodrepana available in the collections of the following institutions: Natural History Museum, London, England (BNHM), California Academy of Sciences, San Francisco, California (CAS), Instituto Nacional de Biodiversidad, Santo Domingo de Heredia, Costa Rica (INBio), University of Wyoming Insect Museum, Laramie, Wyoming (UWIM).
Most of the specimens examined in this study were collected by Malaise traps that are part of the Malaise Network. The Malaise Network is a sampling program originally supported by the Natural History Museum to aid in the inventory of Costa Rican Hymenoptera. The Malaise traps in the program were initially set up by Ian Gauld and Paul Hanson. Eventually, more than 45 sites were sampled in seven different provinces. The collected material was sorted to the family level at the Insect Museum of the University of Costa Rica. Sorted samples were then sent off to experts for further study. According to Hanson (pers. comm. 1995), the purpose of the Malaise Network is two-fold: to encourage taxonomic study and to eventually build a synoptic collection of Costa Rican Hymenoptera.
The majority of the specimens in this study were prepared at the UWIM. Prior to point mounting, specimens were immersed in 100 % ethanol for a 24-hour period. After immersion in the ethanol the specimens were briefly allowed to air-dry for a period of approximately 15 minutes. At this point, specimens were immersed in chloroform for 15 minutes (minute individuals) to 45 minutes (larger bodied individuals) and then allowed to air-dry.
In some instance, specimens were riddled with debris and required cleaning. To clean the specimen it was removed intact on the point from the pin and placed in a small mesh basket. A solution was prepared of approximately 1/2 teaspoon dry dishwasher detergent to 500 mL of warm tap water. The basket and enclosed specimen were submerged in the warm soapy solution and gently agitated for 1 minute. The specimen was allowed to stand in the solution for approximately 2 hours gently agitated 2-3 more times during this period. It was then removed from the soapy solution and immersed in three changes of warm clean water. The specimen without the point was removed from the basket and allowed to dry before being prepared in the manner given above.
A calibrated ocular micrometer was used for all measurements. For the sake of consistency, the same microscope and micrometer were used for all measurements. Images were captured with a Leica M205C stereomicroscope with digital Leica DFC295 camera kit and processed with Leica Application Suite Version 3.8.0 auto-montage software. Unless otherwise noted in the figure captions, illustrated specimens were females. Also, unless otherwise indicated, all of the material examined was collected by use of a Malaise trap, originated in Costa Rica, and is presently located at the UWIM. In addition, due to the large amount of material collected by Paul Hanson his name as collector has also been omitted except in cases of holotype data records. Therefore, unless otherwise indicated, please acknowledge P. Hanson as collector of all of the ma-terial used in this study. Collection data was recorded as it appears on the data label, although for purposes of organization some information may have been rearranged so as to follow the same sequential format of other labels.
This manuscript was developed from a master thesis written by SDD under the guidance of SRS. Authorship of the new species is attributed to SDD and SRS, with the exception of the patronymic species L. scottshawi, authorship of which is solely attributed to SDD. The coauthors HA and LFVA produced and arranged the images and plates for this publication, as well as contributing to the updating of the introduction, and refinement of the identification key and descriptions.

Taxonomic characters and terminology
Costa Rican specimens can be identified to subfamily Cheloninae and genus Leptodrepana using the keys and characters previously provided by Shaw (1995Shaw ( , 1997Shaw ( , 2006 and Wharton et al. (2017).
The morphological characters and terminology in this study follow the works of Shaw (1983), Huddleston (1991), Tang and Marsh (1994), and Sharkey and Wharton (1997). The term precoxal sulcus is employed instead of sternaulus accordingly to Wharton (2006). Microsculpture characteristics are described in accordance to Harris (1979). Wing venation is described according to the conventions used by Sharkey and Wharton (1997).

Head
To describe differences in head shape among species a simple width to length ratio was used. Width (HW) is expressed as the measurement of the maximum breadth of the head when the specimen is viewed anteriorly, in all cases the distance between the outer perimeters of the eyes. Length (HL) is expressed as the measurement of the maximum length of the head when the specimen is held in a lateral view, usually from the top of the ocellar triangle to the apical clypeal margin.
Female specimens in this study consistently had 17 flagellomeres with length of each segment decreasing apically. In almost all cases flagellomere length exceeded width, but in a few species length and width of the penultimate flagellomere is approximately equal and 0.5 the size of the ultimate flagellomere. Additionally, in some species the flagellum appears slightly dilated medially at flagellomeres 8-14. The number of flagellomeres in the antennae of males varied from 22-26. In males, the flagellum was always slender and long with all segments longer than wide and tapering apically.
Microsculpture and pubescence of the head is also a useful character for distinguishing between species, especially the depressed area of the frons, which may be obstructed from view by the position of the antennae. The median carina of the frons is a somewhat useful character but only insofar as it is either present or lacking.

Mesosoma
Microsculpture of the mesopleuron was especially important. The mesopleuron was generally characterized by the type of sculpture present medially and the type of sculpture at the precoxal sulcus. In some cases a deep groove with regularly shaped depressions is present at the precoxal sulcus and in this study is termed a scrobiculate groove. This character is contrasted by a foveate band or groove at the precoxal sulcus which consists of irregularly sized pits.
Other characters include degree of organization of linear lacunose grooves in the mesoscutum, type of sculpture on the mesonotal lobes, the number of well-defined depressions in the scutellar sulcus, type of sculpture present on the lateral pronotum, and comparisons between the median and lateral propodeal tubercles.

Wings
Wing venation patterns are very similar among the known Costa Rican species, and of little value for distinguishing species. However, fore wing color does have utility for species recognition, including the degree of pigmentation, presence of infuscate bands or obfuscate areas, and, in some cases, density of setae (see . The length of the fore wing is abbreviated as FWL.

Metasoma
Many characters of the metasoma are useful. Shape is expressed in terms of length to width ratios and both measurements are made in lateral view. Shape of the carapace apex in lateral, dorsal, and posterior views is also used to discriminate between species. The carapace apex may be rounded, squared, terminating in a single point, or terminating in two points. Microsculpture of the carapace is another useful character. Although basally areolate-rugose in all cases, species differed in microsculpture types apically. The length and width of the carapace are abbreviated as CL and CW respectively.

Size and color
In many species body size (body length, BL) proves to be a useful character. In this study, species are considered small if range in size falls below 2.5 mm and large if range in size is above 3.0 mm. In species of intermediate size, size is not used as part of the species diagnosis. The wide gap between what are considered small and large species should serve to remove some of the problems in length ascribed to various positions of the head, and metasoma.
In this study, color patterns of specimens examined were useful characters. Shaw (1983) notes that although color may vary widely within a species, it still has diagnostic value. Indeed in examining series of material in this study, color is a fairly consistent character for distinguishing the Costa Rican species. Several Leptodrepana species exhibit a black/red/black body color pattern that is also shared by some Scelionidae and other insects, and may be part of a broader mimicry complex (P. Hanson, pers. comm.).
Remarks. Twenty-four new species of Leptodrepana are recorded from Costa Rica. Examinations of these species reveal some variation from the characters originally used by Shaw (1983) to separate the two genera. Shaw's (1983) diagnosis, based on North American species, states that the number of flagellomeres in females is sometimes reduced to 17, the scutellar sulcus has 7-10 depressions, and propodeal tubercles are usually short or indistinct. In Costa Rican Leptodrepana, the females consistently have 17 flagellomeres. The scutellar sulcus has anywhere from 3 to 8 depressions and the propodeal tubercles are often distinct, although sometimes the median flanges are much reduced in comparison to the lateral flanges. Reduction of the flagellum to just 17 flagellomeres is a character unique to only two of the N. American species described by Shaw (1983): L. opuntiae, and L. oriens. As all female Costa Rican Leptodrepana have 17 flagellomeres, this may be a synapomorphic character tying all Costa Rican Leptodrepana to L. opuntiae and L. oriens.
There is only one record of Ascogaster in the neotropics, A. bugabensis Cameron. This specimen was borrowed from the Natural History Museum (London) and upon examination proved to be a helconine in the genus Urosigalphus (Shaw and Dadelahi, 2002). However, based on our own vast experience sorting Costa Rican braconids, Ascogaster and Leptodrepana are easily distinguished with few, if any, of the intermediate forms that are (rarely) found in the Palearctic. Our examination of undescribed Costa Rican Ascogaster species found none with the number of flagellomeres reduced to 17.

Key to females of Costa Rican Leptodrepana species
1 Carapace apex appearing broadly or narrowly rounded in dorsal and posterior views (Figs 16,18,26,28,33,59,79,123 In lateral view, carapace no more than 3× as long as wide (Fig. 17); mesopleuron orange anteriorly and black posteriorly; propodeum black; carapace black with basal third yellowish white; fore leg, middle leg, and hind leg mostly yellowish white but hind leg with apical portions of coxa, tibia, and femur dark brown (Fig. 14)  In lateral view, carapace approximately 4× as long as wide (Fig. 27); mesopleuron orange or burnt orange; propodeum orange sometimes with small brownish black area over medial flanges; carapace black sometimes with media-basal yellowish white patch between dorsal carinae but not extending to lateral margin of carapace; fore leg, middle leg and hind leg mostly yellow to yellowish white, femur of hind leg with lateral patch of white and tibia with distinctive pattern: linear brown oval ring visible dorsally running most of tibia length (Fig. 24)  In lateral view, carapace apex with lobe or rounded flange below or posterior to apical point (Fig. 105); carapace yellow-orange and with distinct pattern: in dorsal view, basal area yellowish white between dorsal carinae with lateral crescent shaped yellowish white patch posterior to basal third of carapace; head yellowish orange; wings smoky except for white band across parastigma, and parts of veins 1RS, RS+M, 1m-cu and 2CU-a (Fig. 128)  Carapace brownish black with basal third yellowish white in distinctive bilobed pattern (Fig. 51); small, less than 2.5 mm; in lateral view carapace at the most 3× as long as wide (Fig. 50) Diagnosis. In dorsal view, the carapace apex of L. alexisae lacks projecting tubercles instead it has a protruding flange (Fig. 6); in posterior view, two planar points, either strongly or weakly arched between, are visible (Fig. 4). The mesopleuron has a small shiny impunctate area medially with the immediate surrounding area foveolate. The precoxal sulcus appears foveolate. In females, the flagellum is slightly dilated medially. Body mostly brownish black except basal quarter of carapace yellowish white. Holotype female. BL 2.07 mm; FWL 2.0 mm; CL 0.96 mm; CW 0.32 mm; CL/CW 3. Description. Color. Head brownish black, mandibles yellow, blackish brown apically and basally; palpi yellowish white; antennae brown with scape and pedicel yellowish white; mesosoma brownish black; legs with coxa, trochanter and trochantellus yellowish white, femur and tibia of fore leg yellow, basal half of tibia yellowish white; hind and middle legs similar to fore leg but femur and apical half of tibia dark brown; wings lightly pigmented with darker area below stigma covering apical half of 1 st submarginal cell and anterior portion of 2 nd submarginal cell; yellow/brown venation; carapace mostly black, basal quarter yellowish white.
Metasoma. Carapace areolate-rugose to shiny and impunctate at apex; in posterior view apex terminates in two planar points weakly arched between; in dorsal view square rounded or truncated flange just visible below rounded carapace dorsum; in lateral view, apex terminates in sloping point below midline.
Variation of paratype females. Carapace apex strongly arched in posterior view, in dorsal view square rounded or truncated flange strongly protruding below rounded carapace dorsum; carapace apex with broad squared point in lateral view; mesopleuron foveate at precoxal sulcus; coxae with traces of yellowish brown; HW 0.63-0.7 mm; HL 0.53-0.6 mm; HW/HL1.17-1.19; BL 2.07-3.2 mm; FWL 2.0-2.4 mm.; CL 0.96-1.2 mm; CW 0.32-0.4 mm; CL/CW 3.0-3.25. Remarks. Leptodrepana alexisae is similar to and may be confused with L. pamelabbas. However, the following characters may be used to separate the two species. In dorsal view, the carapace apex of L. alexisae lacks projecting tubercles instead it has a protruding flange (Fig. 6). In posterior view, two planar points, either strongly or weakly arched between, are visible ( Fig. 4). The mesopleuron has a small shiny impunctate area medially with the immediate surrounding area foveolate. The precoxal sulcus appears foveolate. In females, the flagellum is slightly dilated medially. However, in dorsal and posterior views, two small weakly protruding tubercles are visible at the carapace apex of L. pamelabbas (Figs 69,71). The mesopleuron is medially rugose with wrinkles appearing somewhat parallel. At the precoxal sulcus there is a wide foveate groove. In females, the flagellum is uniform in width.
Etymology. This species name is a patronym in honor of a sister of SDD, Alexis Satareh Dadelahi. Diagnosis. The carapace apex terminates in a single point; carapace black with yellowish white area baso-medially covering dorsal carinae. A wide shallow notauli and a wide band at precoxal sulcus formed by at least two shallow foveate grooves. The mesopleuron and propodeum are entirely orange, and the baso-median patch of yellowish white on the carapace does not extend to the lateral margins of the carapace.

Leptodrepana atalanta
Holotype female. BL 3 mm; FWL 2.26 mm; CL 1.36 mm; CW 0.36 mm; CL/CW 3.7. Description. Color. Head black/brown, mandibles mostly yellowish brown but black/brown basally and apically; palpi yellowish white; antennae brown except scape, pedicel and first flagellomere (basal) yellowish white; mesosoma orange; legs mostly yellow, hind leg with brown areas apically on coxa and femur and white patch laterally on femur, tibia with distinct pattern: linear white ellipse ringed in brown visible dorsally running most of tibial length; wings suffused with light yellow/brown pigmentation except a small linear obfuscate area perpendicular to base of stigma in first discal cell; venation brown but veins 1M, RS+Ma, 2RS and 2M yellow or light brown; carapace black with yellowish white area baso-medially covering dorsal carinae. Head. HW 0.9 mm; HL 0.78 mm; HW/HL 1.15; Face, genae, vertex and ocellar triangle rugulose-punctate; frons depressed, coarsely punctate with fine parallel lineation transverse to median carinae; clypeus weakly punctate and apical margin rounded; occipital carina complete.
Metasoma. Carapace areolate-rugose basally graduating to coarsely rugulose-punctate at apex; apex terminating in single small point visible in dorsal and lateral views.
Etymology. This species name stems from the Greek Atalante, one of the Argonauts noted for her fleetness of foot. Description. Color. Head brownish black, mandibles yellow, brownish black apically; apical margin of clypeus yellowish brown; palpi yellowish white; antennae brown with scape and pedicel and flagellomeres 1 and 2 (basal) yellowish white; mesosoma mostly orange except posterior half of mesopleuron black and propodeum black; middle and fore legs yellowish white; hind leg mostly yellowish white except apical portions of coxa, trochantellus, femur, and tibia brown; wings suffused with light yellow/ brown pigment, darker area below stigma covering apical half of 1 st submarginal cell and anterior portion of 2 nd submarginal cell; venation yellowish brown except veins 1M and RS+M yellow; basal third of carapace yellowish white, margin sharply demarcated, and apical 2/3 of carapace black/brown.
Remarks. Leptodrepana conda may be confused with L. demeter as both females are similar in color and have a rounded carapace apex. It may be distinguished from L. demeter by the presence of a scrobiculate groove as opposed to a wide foveate groove at the precoxal sulcus in L. conda. In posterior view, the carapace apex of L. conda is weakly areolate-rugose and evenly rounded. Whereas in posterior view, the carapace apex of L. demeter is rugulose-lacunose and bears a small transverse carina directly above the posterior margin of the carapace. When viewed laterally, the carapace of L. conda is not more than 3× as long as wide (Fig. 17). In lateral view, the carapace of L. demeter is more than 4× as long as wide (Fig. 27). Additionally, the propodeum of L. conda is blackish brown and the basal third of the carapace is completely yellowish white. The propodeum of L. demeter is mostly orange and the baso-median patch of yellowish white, when present, does not extend to the lateral margins of the carapace. Superficially L. conda also resembles the L. atalanta in color and size. However, the apex of L. conda is rounded in dorsal view, while the carapace apex of L. atalanta may terminate in a pointed or truncated end (Figs 10,11).
Etymology. This species name is an arbitrary arrangement of letters to form a euphonious combination. Diagnosis. The carapace apex terminates in two small tubercles weakly arched between. Head blackish brown; mesosoma mostly orange, metapleuron with black areas posteriorly; wings suffused with light yellowish brown pigment. The carapace has a baso-medial yellowish white "cape" or patch that extends laterally but not all the way to the lateral margins of the carapace, remainder of carapace blackish brown.

Description.
Color. Head blackish brown, mandibles yellow, blackish brown apically; palpi yellowish white; antennae with scape, pedicel and basal flagellomere 1 light brown and remainder of flagellum brownish black; mesosoma mostly orange, metapleuron with black areas posteriorly; fore leg yellow; hind and middle legs mostly yellow except trochantellus, apical portion of femur and laterally along length of tibia brown; wings suffused with light yellowish brown pigment; venation yellowish brown; basal third of carapace yellowish white with small median area of yellowish white extending into middle third, remainder of carapace blackish brown.
Head. HW 1.1 mm; HL 0.93 mm; HW/HL 1.19; face and genae, coarsely rugulose-punctate; vertex and ocellar triangle coarsely rugulose-punctate almost weakly areolate-rugose; frons depressed, coarsely rugulose-punctate with fine parallel lineation lateral to median carina; clypeus punctate and apical margin rounded; occipital carina complete; antennae with flagellomeres all longer than wide and decreasing in length apically, except penultimate flagellomere almost as long as wide and approximately half the length of ultimate flagellomere.
Metasoma. Carapace areolate-rugose basally to shiny and punctate at apex; in dorsal view, apex terminates in two small points visible below rounded dorsum carapace; in posterior view, apex terminates in two small points weakly arched between; and in lateral view, carapace apex terminates in narrow point below midline.
Paratype Remarks. Leptodrepana conleyae is superficially similar to L. ninae but may be distinguished by the following combination of characters. In dorsal and posterior views the carapace apex of L. conleyae terminates in two small tubercles weakly arched between (Figs 21,23). The propleural margin of the pronotum is shiny and weakly punctate. The mesopleuron is foveate medially and has a foveate groove at the precoxal sulcus. The scutellar sulcus has seven well-defined depressions. The carapace has a basomedial yellowish white "cape" or patch that extends laterally but not all the way to the lateral margins of the carapace. In L. ninae, the carapace apex terminates in two sharp tubercles that are deeply arched between (Fig. 64). The propleural margin of the pronotum is rugose. The mesopleuron is medially shiny and weakly punctate with a shallow foveate band at the precoxal sulcus.
The scutellar sulcus has six well-defined depressions. Dorsally the carapace bears a large oval area of orangish brown.
Etymology. This species is a patronym for Jennifer Katherine Conley, in appreciation for her support, friendship, and ability to argue coherently on any topic for any length of time.

Leptodrepana demeter
Diagnosis. Rounded carapace apex. In posterior view, the carapace apex is ruguloselacunose and bears a small transverse carina directly above the posterior margin of the carapace. In lateral view the carapace is more than 4× as long as wide. Head blackbrown; mesosoma mostly orange with some brownish black areas; carapace black with yellowish white elongate oval area baso-medially between dorsal carinae. Presence of the wide foveate groove at the precoxal sulcus.
Description. Color. Head black/brown, mandibles mostly yellowish brown but black/brown basally and apically; palpi yellowish white; antennae brown except scape, pedicel and base of first flagellomere yellowish white; mesosoma mostly orange with some brownish black areas on median pronotum (visible laterally), mesopleuron postero-ventrally and over the median flanges of the propodeal carina; legs mostly yellow, hind leg with brown areas apically on coxa and femur and white patch laterally on femur, tibia with distinct pattern: linear white ellipse ringed in brown visible dorsally running most of tibial length; wings suffused with light yellow/brown pigmentation; venation brown but veins 1M, RS+Ma, 2RS and 2M yellow or light brown; carapace black with yellowish white elongate oval area baso-medially between dorsal carinae.
Metasoma. Carapace areolate-rugose basally graduating to rugulose-lacunose at apex; in dorsal and lateral views, carapace apex rounded; in posterior view, apex rounded and bearing a small transverse carina directly above the posterior margin of the carapace.
Variation of paratype females. Color: apical margin of clypeus brownish orange; carapace small baso-medial area of brownish orange; HW 0.85-0.88 mm; HL 0.68-0.73 mm; HW/HL 1. Remarks. Leptodrepana demeter may be confused with L. conda as both females are similar in color and have a rounded carapace apex. It may be distinguished from L. conda by presence of the wide foveate groove at the precoxal sulcus as opposed to a scrobiculate groove in L. conda. In posterior view, the carapace apex of L. demeter is rugulose-lacunose and bears a small transverse carina directly above the posterior margin of the carapace. Whereas in posterior view, the carapace apex of L. conda is weakly areolate-rugose. When viewed laterally, the carapace of L. demeter is more than 4× as long as wide. In L. conda the carapace is not more than 3× as long as wide. Additionally the propodeum of L. demeter is mostly orange and the baso-median patch of yellowish white, when present, does not extend to the lateral margins of the carapace. The propodeum of L. conda is blackish brown and the basal third of the carapace is completely yellowish white.
Superficially L. demeter also resembles L. atalanta in color and size. However, the apex of L. demeter is rounded in dorsal view (Figs 26,28), while the carapace apex of L. atalanta may terminate in a single pointed or truncated end (Fig. 10, 11).
Etymology. This species name stems from the Greek Demeter representing the goddess of agriculture, sister of Zeus, and mother of Persephone. Diagnosis. Robust body, more than 3.0 mm. In dorsal, lateral and posterior views, the carapace apex is rounded; in posterior view, the ventral margin of the carapace is shallowly arched. The mesopleuron medially is densely foveate and a wide foveate band is present at the precoxal sulcus. The body is mostly blackish brown except for some brownish orange on mesonotum.
Description. Color. Head blackish brown, mandibles yellow, blackish brown apically; palpi yellowish white; antennae brown, distal ends of flagellomeres 1-4 yellowish brown, scape and pedicel yellowish brown; mesosoma mostly brownish black, mesoscutum with medial orangish brown square patch, scutellum and metanotum orange/brown; legs with coxa, trochanter and trochantellus yellowish white, femur and tibia of fore and middle leg yellowish brown, hind leg femur and tibia brown but femur yellowish white ventrally; wings lightly pigmented with yellowish brown venation; carapace blackish brown.
Variation of paratype females. Mesoscutum medially only orange at transcutal articulation, and scutellar sulcus; metanotum black; scutellar sulcus with 5-6 well-defined depressions; HW 0.88-0.95 mm; HL 0.75 mm; HW/HL 1.17-1.27; BL 3.5-3.8 mm; FWL 3.3-3.8 mm; CL 1. Remarks. Leptodrepana eckerti may be easily distinguished from other Costa Rican species. The body is robust, more than 3.0 mm. In dorsal, lateral, and posterior views, the carapace apex is rounded (Figs 32, 33). In posterior view, the ventral margin of the carapace is shallowly arched (Fig. 31). The carapace is punctate at the apex. The mesopleuron medially is densely foveate and a wide foveate band is present at the precoxal sulcus. The scutellar sulcus has 6 well-defined depressions. The medial flanges of the propodeal carina are greatly reduced so that the lateral flanges appear at least twice as large as the medial flanges. In color, the body is mostly blackish brown except for some brownish orange on mesonotum.
Etymology. This species name is a patronym in honor of Jeffery Alan Eckert in thanks for all his mental and financial support. Diagnosis. Body large, more than3.0 mm, and in lateral view the carapace is more than 3.5 times as long as wide. Body mostly brownish black except yellowish white patches baso-laterally below dorsal carinae.
Description. Color. Head brownish black, mandibles yellow, blackish brown apically and basally; palpi yellowish white; antennae darkest apically (black) with scape, pedicel, and flagellomeres 1-5 (basal) yellow; mesosoma brownish black; hind leg: coxa dark brown, trochanter and trochantellus yellowish white, femur and tibia dark brown, tibia with narrow yellowish white basal band; fore and middle legs same as hind leg except middle coxa yellowish white; wings mostly suffused with brown pigment especially apical half of 1 st Submarginal, 2 nd Submarginal, and basal most portion of marginal cell, obfuscate linear area running from base of stigma to slightly beyond vein RS+Mb; brown venation; carapace blackish brown with yellowish white patches basolaterally below dorsal carinae.
Metasoma. Carapace areolate-rugose to shiny punctate at apex; in dorsal and posterior views, apex terminating in two points widely separated; in lateral view, carapace terminates in narrow point below midline.
Variation of paratype females. Antennae with scape partly brown and only flagellomeres 1 and 2 yellow remainder of flagellum brown; HW 0.8-0.95 mm; HL 0.55-  Remarks. Superficially L. gauldilox is most similar to L. kimbrellae but upon closer examination they are easily distinguished from one another. Leptodrepana gauldilox is large, more than 3.0 mm, and in lateral view the carapace is more than 3.5 times as long as wide. Conversely, L. kimbrellae is small, less than 2.5 mm, and in lateral view the carapace is no more than 3 times as long as wide.
Etymology. This species name is an arbitrary arrangement of letters to form a euphonious combination. Description. Color. Head brownish black, mandibles yellow, brownish black apically and basally; palpi yellowish white; antennae brown scape, pedicel, and first flagellomere (basal) yellowish brown; mesosoma brownish black; legs yellowish brown except tibia of hind leg brown; wings lightly pigmented with yellowish brown venation; carapace brownish black.
Metasoma. Carapace areolate-rugose to shiny punctate at apex; in posterior and dorsal views, apex with 2 tubercles; in lateral view, apex terminating in narrow point below midline.
Paratype females. Remarks. Leptodrepana hansoni is superficially similar to L. kimbrellae. They are both similar in size, color, and the carapace apex terminates in two points. It may be distinguished from L. kimbrellae by the shiny impunctate area medially on the mesopleuron and the presence of four well-defined depressions in the scutellar sulcus. Additionally, the carapace of L. hansoni is entirely brownish black. The mesopleuron of L. kimbrellae is deeply foveate medially. The scutellar sulcus has six well-defined depressions. The posterior margin of the basal yellowish white patch is usually deeply notched.
Etymology. This species name is a patronym for Professor Paul Hanson in appreciation for his extensive efforts in collecting braconids of all shapes and sizes.  usually deeply notched. Body mostly blackish brown but carapace with basal third yellowish white, posterior margin of this area is medially deeply notched giving the basal area a bi-lobed appearance.
Description. Color. Head blackish brown, mandibles mostly yellowish brown but blackish brown basally and apically; palpi yellowish white; antennae brown darkest apically with scape, pedicel and first flagellomere (basal) yellow; mesosoma black; legs yellowish orange with a narrow basal band of white on tibiae of hind and middle legs; wings suffused with light brown pigmentation and appear slightly dusky with brown venation, parastigma and vein 1M lighter in color; carapace blackish brown with basal third yellowish white, posterior margin of this area is medially deeply notched giving the basal area a bi-lobed appearance.
Metasoma. Carapace areolate-rugose basally, graduating to shiny and weakly punctate at apex; in posterior view apex terminating in two points deeply arched between; in dorsal view, apex terminates in two points visible below rounded carapace dorsum; in lateral view, apex terminates in sloping point below midline; ventral cavity almost reaching apex.
Material examined. Remarks. Superficially Leptodrepana kimbrellae is most similar to L. gauldilox. Both species are similar in color and in posterior and lateral views, have two tubercles on the carapace apex. However, upon examination they are easily distinguished from one another. Leptodrepana kimbrellae is small, less than 2.5 mm and in lateral view, the carapace is at the most 3 times as long as wide. Leptodrepana gauldilox is large, more than 3.0 mm and in lateral view, the carapace is more than 3.5 times as long as wide. Leptodrepana kimbrellae is also similar to L. hansoni in size, color, and presence of two tubercles on the carapace apex, visible in posterior and dorsal views. Leptodrepana kimbrellae may be easily distinguished from this species. The mesopleuron is deeply foveate medially. The scutellar sulcus has six well-defined depressions. The posterior margin of the basal yellowish white patch on the carapace is usually deeply notched. Leptodrepana hansoni has a shiny impunctate area medially on the mesopleuron and the scutellar sulcus has four well-defined depressions. Additionally, the carapace of L. hansoni is entirely brownish black.
Etymology. This species name is a patronym named in honor of a sister of SDD, Sarah Kimbrell Migrants. Diagnosis. Large body size, more than 3.0 mm. In dorsal view, the carapace apex in females appears distinctly truncated; in posterior view, the points are visible; in lateral view the carapace is approximately 4.5× as long as wide. Head yellowish white except vertex, temple, medial area of frons and apical margin of clypeus blackish brown; lateral pronotum and propleuron yellowish white; mesonotum orange; mesopleuron blackish brown except postero-ventrally yellowish white; metanotum, metapleuron and propodeum blackish brown; wings suffused with dark brown pigment; carapace mostly black with large yellowish white diamond shaped patch covering most of dorsal surface.
Description. Color. Head yellowish white except vertex, temple, medial area of frons and apical margin of clypeus blackish brown; clypeus orange medially; mandibles yellow, blackish brown apically; palpi yellowish white; antennae with scape, pedicel and flagellomeres 1-3 brownish black, flagellomeres 3-6 yellowish white and flagellomeres 7-17 brownish black; lateral pronotum and propleuron yellowish white; mesonotum orange; mesopleuron blackish brown except postero-ventrally yellowish white; metanotum, metapleuron and propodeum blackish brown; legs appear distinctly banded in yellowish white and brownish black: fore leg yellowish white with femur basally brownish black and tibia mostly brownish black except for narrow basal band of yellowish white; middle leg similar to fore leg except tibial band bordered by brownish black basally; hind leg similar to fore and middle legs except coxa brownish black dorso-laterally, femur with wide medial band of yellowish white otherwise brownish black and tibia same pattern as femur; wings suffused with dark brown pigment; venation dark brown; carapace mostly black with large yellowish white diamond shaped patch covering most of dorsal surface.
Metasoma. Carapace areolate-rugose basally to rugulose-punctate at apex; in dorsal view, carapace apex appears distinctly squared or truncated; in posterior view, apex terminates in two blunt points widely separated and weakly arched between, in lateral view, carapace apex terminates in blunt point below midline. Remarks. Leptodrepana lorenae may be easily distinguished from other Costa Rican species because of its many unique characters. The species is large, more than 3.0 mm. In dorsal view, the carapace apex in females appears distinctly truncated (Fig. 56). The square shape is due to the presence of two blunt points widely sepa-rated from one another. In posterior view, the points are visible. Additionally, in lateral view the carapace is approximately 4.5 times as long as wide (Fig. 55). On the mesosoma, the scutellar sulcus bears three well-defined depressions and the mesopleuron is medially shiny and impunctate. Coloration of the species is also quite distinct. The head yellowish white except at the vertex, temple, medial area of frons and apical margin of clypeus which are blackish brown. The antennae are brownish black but bear a yellowish white annulus at basal flagellomeres 3-6. The mesosoma is multicolored with the lateral pronotum and propleuron yellowish white. The mesonotum is orange and the remaining portions of the mesosoma are brownish black except for postero-ventrally on the mesopleuron that is yellowish white. The legs have a distinctly banded appearance, alternating sections appearing yellowish white and brownish black. The carapace mostly black with large yellowish white diamond-shaped patch.
Etymology. This species name is a patronym in honor of the niece of SDD, Loren Paige Migrants, an incredible animated force of nature.
Metasoma. Carapace completely areolate-rugose to rugulose-punctate at apex; in dorsal view, carapace apex square-rounded; in posterior view, apex of carapace rounded with weakly arched transverse ridge or carina; in lateral view, apex mostly rounded but carina visible.
Paratype males. No males. Material examined. Holotype female: LIMON, P. N. Tortuguera, Est. 4-esquinas, 0 m, vi-viii.1989 (Solano) [UWIM]. Paratype data: 1♀, CARTAGO, Ref. Nac. Fauna Silv., Tapanti, 1150, L-N-194000-559800, i.1992  Remarks. Leptodrepana munjuanae has unique characters that make it easy to distinguish it from other Costa Rican species. In dorsal view, the carapace apex is squarerounded (Fig. 61). In posterior view, the carapace apex is rounded with a weakly arched transverse ridge or carina. In lateral view, the apex is mostly rounded but the carina is visible. The carapace is areolate-rugose to rugulose-punctate at the apex. The mesoscutum medially has two wide irregular parallel-pitted grooves between the notauli. The mesopleuron is medially foveate with a wide scrobiculate groove at the precoxal sulcus. The scutellar sulcus has three well-defined depressions. Leptodrepana munjuanae is the only Costa Rican species described that has tri-colored antennae: the scape, pedicel, and flagellomeres 1-4 are yellow; the flagellomeres 4-6 are yellowish white; flagellomeres 6-17 are black.
Etymology. This species is a patronym for Munjuan Kaur, in appreciation for her friendship. Diagnosis. In dorsal and posterior views, the carapace apex terminates in two sharp tubercles that are deeply arched between. Head, metanotum and propodeum brownish black; lateral pronotum and mesopleuron mostly orange. The mesopleuron is medially shiny and weakly punctate with a shallow foveate band at the precoxal sulcus. The scutellar sulcus has six well-defined depressions. Dorsally the carapace bears a large oval area of orangish brown.
Description. Color. Head brownish black, mandibles yellow, blackish brown apically; palpi yellowish white; antennae brown; lateral pronotum mostly orange; mesonotum orange; metanotum brownish black; mesopleuron mostly orange but dark brownish orange posteriorly; propodeum black; fore and middle leg mostly yellowish brown; hind leg with coxa, trochanter and basal portion of femur yellowish white, trochantellus and dorso-apical portions of femur brown, tibia yellowish white ventrally and brown dorsally; wings lightly pigmented with brown venation except parastigma and vein 1M yellow; carapace mostly blackish brown except large oval area of orangish brown.
Head. HW 0.825 mm; HL 0.65 mm; HW/HL 1.26; face finely punctuate; genae, vertex and ocellar triangle rugulose-punctate; frons depressed rugulose-punctate with weak median carina; clypeus punctate and apical margin rounded; occipital carina complete; antennae with flagellomeres all longer than wide and decreasing in length apically except penultimate flagellomere almost as long as wide and approximately half the length of ultimate flagellomere.
Remarks. Leptodrepana ninae is superficially similar to L. conleyae but may be distinguished by the following combination of characters. In dorsal and posterior views, the carapace apex terminates in two sharp tubercles that are deeply arched between (Figs 64, 66). The propleural margin of the pronotum is rugose. The mesopleuron is medially shiny and weakly punctate with a shallow foveate band at the precoxal sulcus. The scutellar sulcus has six well-defined depressions. Dorsally the carapace bears a large oval area of orangish brown. In dorsal and posterior views the carapace apex of L. conleyae terminates in two small tubercles weakly arched between (Figs 21, 23). The propleural margin of the pronotum is shiny and weakly punctate. The mesopleuron of L. conleyae is foveate medially and has a foveate groove at the precoxal sulcus. The scutellar sulcus has five well-defined depressions. The carapace has a baso-medial yellowish white "cape" or patch that extends laterally but not all the way to the lateral margins of the carapace.
Etymology. This species is a patronym in honor of Nina Michelle Zitani for her invaluable aid and advice in all matters entomological. Diagnosis. In dorsal and posterior views, two small weakly protruding tubercles are visible at the carapace apex. The mesopleuron is medially rugose with wrinkles appearing somewhat parallel. Body mostly brownish black except yellowish brown patches basolaterally below dorsal carinae; wings lightly pigmented with darker area below stigma covering apical half of 1 st submarginal cell and anterior portion of 2 nd submarginal cell.
Description. Color. Head brownish black, clypeus brown, mandibles yellow, blackish brown apically; palpi yellowish white; antennae brown with scape and pedicel yellowish brown; mesosoma brownish black; fore and middle legs with coxa, trochanter and trochantellus yellowish white, femur and tibia yellowish brown; hind leg similar to fore and middle legs but trochantellus, femur and tibia dark brown; tibia with narrow basal band of yellowish white; wings lightly pigmented with darker area below stigma covering apical half of 1 st submarginal cell and anterior portion of 2 nd submarginal cell; yellowish brown venation; carapace mostly black, with yellowish brown patches basolaterally below dorsal carinae.
Remarks. Leptodrepana pamelabbas and L. alexisae are similar in size, shape, and color. However, the following characters may be used to separate the two species. In dorsal and posterior views, two small weakly protruding tubercles are visible at the carapace apex of L. pamelabbas (Figs 69, 71). The mesopleuron is medially rugose with wrinkles appearing somewhat parallel. At the precoxal sulcus there is a wide foveate groove. In females, the flagellum is uniform in width. In dorsal view, the carapace apex of L. alexisae lacks projecting tubercles instead it has a protruding flange (Fig. 6). In posterior view, two planar points, either strongly or weakly arched between, are visible (Fig. 4). The mesopleuron has a small shiny impunctate area medially with the immediate surrounding area foveolate. The precoxal sulcus appears foveolate. In females, the flagellum is slightly dilated medially.
Etymology. This species name is an arbitrary arrangement of letters to form a euphonious combination. narrow sloping point below midline. Presence of a transverse carina at the carapace apex in posterior view. Scutellar sulcus with three well-defined depressions, all longer than wide. Body mostly brownish black except flagellum brown that bears a yellowish white annulus at flagellomeres 4-6, and carapace with basal half yellowish white.
Description. Color. Head brownish black, mandibles yellow, blackish brown apically; palpi yellowish white; antennae brown, except for flagellomeres 4-6 yellowish white, scape and pedicel yellowish brown; mesosoma mostly black, pronotum yellowish white postero-laterally, propleuron yellowish white; fore and middle legs with coxa and trochanter yellowish white, trochantellus, femur and tibia yellowish brown; hind leg similar except brown and coxa with apical brown patch; wings lightly pigmented with darker area below stigma covering apical half of 1 st submarginal cell and anterior portion of 2 nd submarginal cell; carapace blackish brown with basal half yellowish white.
Metasoma. Carapace areolate-rugose to punctate at apex; in dorsal view, apex appears rounded or with barely protruding truncated flange below rounded dorsum of carapace; in lateral view, carapace apex terminates in narrow sloping point below midline; in posterior view, apex terminates in shallowly arched ridge or carina.
Variation of paratype females. No paratype females. Remarks. Leptodrepana ronnae is similar to L. strategeri in shape and color. It may be easily distinguished from L. strategeri by the presence of a transverse carina at the carapace apex in posterior view. Also when viewed posteriorly, the carapace apex appears distinctly wrinkled or rugulose. The scutellar sulcus has only three well-defined depressions and the mesopleuron has shallow irregularly shaped pits at the precoxal sulcus. In females, the flagellum is brown but bears a yellowish white annulus at flagellomeres 4-6. Leptodrepana strategeri lacks a transverse carina at the carapace apex in posterior view. The carapace is shiny and weakly punctate at the apex. The scutellar sulcus has 4-5 well-defined depressions and the mesopleuron has a scrobiculate groove at the precoxal sulcus. In females the flagellum is light brown.
Etymology. This species name is a patronym for Ronnae Lynn Nemitz, a close friend of SDD, always ready to point out that we do not know everything. Diagnosis. In lateral and dorsal views, the carapace apex is rounded; in posterior view, the carapace apex is rounded with the posterior margin weakly arched. The scutellar disc is distinctly bulging and punctate. Body mostly black except basal third of carapace with median yellowish white oval shape; the wings are suffused with dark brown pigment except for an obfuscate circular area in the basal cell, directly below the stigma in the first submarginal cell, and a linear area parallel to the vein 1A in subbasal cell.
Description. Color. Head black, mandibles yellow, blackish brown apically; palpi dark brown; antennae dark brown except flagellomeres 2-4 yellowish white; mesosoma black; middle and fore leg coxae and dorsum of trochanter yellowish white; femur and tibia dark brown both with narrow basal bands of yellowish white; hind leg same as fore and middle legs except coxa basal and apical portions of coxa and trochanter yellowish white; wings suffused with dark brown pigment except for obfuscate circular area in basal cell, directly below stigma in first submarginal cell, and linear area parallel to vein 1A in subbasal cell; venation brown; basal third of carapace with median yellowish white oval shape, remainder of carapace black.
Metasoma. Carapace basally areolate-rugose to rugulose at apex; in dorsal and lateral views, apex of carapace rounded; in posterior view, carapace apex rounded with posterior margin weakly arched.
Variation of paratype females. HW 1.13 mm; HL 0.875 mm; HW/HL 1.29; BL 3.5 mm; FWL 2.6 mm; CL 1.6 mm; CW 0.56 mm; CL/CW 2.86. Remarks. Leptodrepana rosanadana has unique characters that easily distinguish it from other Costa Rican species. In lateral and dorsal views, the carapace apex is rounded (Figs 80, 81). In posterior view, the carapace apex is rounded with the posterior margin weakly arched (Fig. 79). The carapace apex is rugulose. The scutellar disc is distinctly bulging and punctate. The anterior scutellar depression is foveate. The mesopleuron is medially shiny and impunctate and foveate at the precoxal sulcus. The medial flanges of the propodeal carina are reduced so that the lateral flanges appear at least twice the size of the median flanges. The wings are suffused with dark brown pigment except for an obfuscate circular area in the basal cell, directly below the stigma in the first submarginal cell, and a linear area parallel to the vein 1A in subbasal cell (Fig. 127).
Leptodrepana rosanadana showed Ascogaster-like variation in the scutellar disc. In Leptodrepana the disc tends to be characteristically flattened and polished while, in Ascogaster, it tends to be bulging or convex and sculptured. Leptodrepana rosanadana had a noticeably bulging coarsely sculptured scutellar disc. However, we firmly believe this species to be within the genus Leptodrepana. The antennae consist of 17 flagellomeres of uniform width, the ventral cavity is roughly the same length as the carapace, and the ocellar triangle is equilateral in shape.
Etymology. This species name is an arbitrary arrangement of letters to form a euphonious combination. Diagnosis. Carapace apex terminates in single small point; in lateral view apex terminates in broad point at midline. Head brownish black, mesosoma mostly orange, wings suffused with light yellowish brown pigment, darker area below stigma, basal third of carapace yellowish white and apical 2/3 of carapace blackish brown.
Description. Color. Head brownish black, mandibles yellow, blackish brown apically; apical margin of clypeus orange; palpi yellowish white; antennae brown with scape and pedicel and first flagellomere (basal) yellowish white; mesosoma mostly orange except posterior half of mesopleuron black, metapleuron, and propodeum black; middle and fore legs yellowish white; hind leg mostly yellowish white except apical portion of coxa brown; wings suffused with light yellowish brown pigment, darker area below stigma covering apical half of 1 st submarginal cell and anterior portion of 2 nd submarginal cell; venation yellowish brown; basal third of carapace yellowish white and apical 2/3 of carapace blackish brown. Head. HW 0.9 mm; HL 0.75 mm; HW/HL 1.2; face, genae, vertex and ocellar triangle rugulose-punctate; frons depressed, weakly punctate with fine parallel lineation lateral to weak median carina; clypeus punctate and apical margin rounded; occipital carina complete.
Metasoma. Carapace completely areolate-rugose; in dorsal and posterior views, carapace apex terminates in single small point; in lateral view apex terminates in broad point at midline.  [UWIM]. Paratype data: 1♀, same data as holotype; 3♀, same data except site #5, Bosque San Emilio, 50 year old deciduous forest in clearing fully insolated part of the day, 6-27.ix.1986; 1♀, same data except more or less fully shaded as possible, 18.x-8.xi.1986. Remarks. Leptodrepana schuttei may be confused with L. atalanta. They are similar in color and the carapace apex of both species terminates in a single point. Leptodrepana schuttei may be distinguished from this species by the following combination of characters. The notauli of L. schuttei is narrow and a scrobiculate groove is present at the precoxal sulcus. The posterior mesopleuron and the propodeum are black. The basal third of the carapace is completely yellowish white. The notauli of L. atalanta are wide and shallow. There is a wide band at the precoxal sulcus formed by at least two shallow foveate grooves. The mesopleuron and propodeum are entirely orange. The carapace has a baso-median patch of yellowish white that does not extend to the lateral margins of the carapace.
Etymology. This species is a patronym for Vincent Paul Schutte. After all the science fiction watched together, it seemed fitting that something as "alien" as a koinobiont parasitoid should bear his name. Diagnosis. The carapace apex appears coarsely rugulose-punctate and terminates in two protruding points or tubercles that are visible in both dorsal and posterior views. Medially, the mesoscutum is divided into 5-6 neat parallel-pitted grooves and scutellar disc is very flat. Mesosoma orange; head and metasoma mostly blackish brown except with yellowish white patches baso-laterally below dorsal carinae.
Description. Color. Head blackish brown, mandibles mostly yellowish brown but blackish brown basally and apically; palpi yellowish white; antennae dark brown with scape, pedicel and first two basal flagellomeres yellowish white; mesosoma orange; legs orange except middle coxae and trochanter yellowish white, hind trochanter yellowish white and tibia of all legs with basal yellowish white band; venation brown with parastigma and vein 1M lighter in color, yellow-brown; carapace brownish black with yellowish white patches baso-laterally below dorsal carinae.
Metasoma. Carapace areolate-rugose to coarsely rugulose-punctate at apex; in posterior view, apex terminating in two points shallowly arched between; in dorsal view, apex terminates in two points visible below rounded carapace dorsum; in lateral view, apex terminates in sloping point below midline; ventral cavity almost reaching apex.
Remarks. Leptodrepana scottshawi is easily distinguished from other Costa Rican Leptodrepana. Medially, the mesoscutum is divided into 5-6 neat parallel pitted grooves and scutellar disc is very flat. The carapace apex appears coarsely rugulosepunctate and terminates in two protruding points or tubercles that are visible in both dorsal and posterior views.
Etymology. This species name by SDD is a patronym for her advisor Scott Shaw, in appreciation for all the encouragement, advice, and occasional lash of the whip he has been obliged to give over the years. Diagnosis. Body small, less than 2.5 mm; the carapace apex has two protruding points or tubercles that are visible in both dorsal and posterior view; the apex is shiny and weakly punctate; the mesopleuron is medially shiny-impunctate and it is deeply foveate at the precoxal sulcus. Body mottled brownish orange in color with a very characteristic median orange square patch on mesoscutum.
Description. Color. Head blackish brown, mandibles mostly yellowish brown but blackish brown basally and apically; palpi yellowish white; antennae dark brown with scape, pedicel and first flagellomere (basal) yellowish white; mesosoma mostly brownish black except mesoscutum with median yellowish brown square patch and anterior scutellar depression surrounding scutellar disc yellowish brown; legs yellow with faint basal white band on tibia; wings lightly pigmented with darker area below stigma covering apical half of 1 st submarginal cell and anterior portion of 2 nd submarginal cell; yellowish brown venation; carapace brownish black.
Metasoma. Carapace areolate-rugose basally graduating to shiny and weakly punctate at apex; but weak; in posterior view, apex terminating in two points shallowly arched between; in dorsal view, apex terminates in two points visible below rounded carapace dorsum; in lateral view, apex terminates in sloping point below midline; ventral cavity almost reaching apex.
Paratype males. Similar to females except clypeus yellow/orange; antennae broken in male examined; flagellum yellowish white; face sometimes with orange markings below antennae; mesoscutum without median orange square patch coarsely punctate medially; anterior scutellar depression surrounding scutellar disc same color as disc; ventral cavity distal carapace apex by at least twice the distance in females; HW 0.58 mm; HL 0.5 mm; HW/HL 1. Remarks. Leptodrepana shriekae may be distinguished from other Costa Rican species by the following combination of characters: the body is small, less than 2.5 mm; the carapace apex has two protruding points or tubercles that are visible in both dorsal and posterior view; the apex is shiny and weakly punctate; the mesopleuron is medially shiny-impunctate and it is deeply foveate at the precoxal sulcus. Leptodrepana shriekae is an interesting mottled brownish orange in color with a very characteristic median orange square patch on mesoscutum.
Etymology. This species name is a patronym for Erika L. Smith, affectionately known as Shriek since the age of fourteen, in appreciation for all the commiseration she has provided to SDD over the years. Diagnosis. Body small, less than 2.5 mm in length. The carapace apex terminates in a single point, which is visible in both dorsal and posterior views. The carapace apex is shiny-impunctate. The mesopleuron is medially shiny and weakly punctate and the precoxal sulcus is defined by a scrobiculate groove. The body is dark brown in color.

Description.
Color. Head brown, mandibles mostly yellowish brown but blackish brown basally and apically; palpi yellowish white; antennae dark brown, darkest apically with scape, pedicel and first two basal flagellomeres yellowish brown; mesosoma brown; legs yellow with dark area dorso-apically on femur and tibia with faint yellowish white band basally; venation yellowish brown; carapace brown.
Metasoma Remarks. Leptodrepana sohailae may be distinguished from other Costa Rican species by the following combination of characters. The body is small, being less than 2.5 mm in length. The carapace apex terminates in a single point, which is visible in both dorsal and posterior views. The carapace apex is shiny-impunctate. The mesopleuron is medially shiny and weakly punctate and the precoxal sulcus is defined by a scrobiculate groove. The body is dark brown in color.
Etymology. This species name is a patronym named in honor of a sister of SDD, Sohaila Catherine Dadelahi. Diagnosis. In lateral view, the carapace bears a rounded flange posterior to the dorsoapical point. In posterior view the carapace apex terminates in a single broad point below which is a strongly arched medially notched flange. Body mostly yellowish orange; wings suffused with smoky brown pigmentation except for a white band running from the and including the parastigma. Holotype female. BL 2.6 mm; FWL 2.13 mm; CL 1.2 mm; CW 0.4 mm; CL/ CW 3.3.

Leptodrepana sorayae
Description. Color. Head yellow, mandibles yellow, blackish brown apically; palpi yellowish white; antennae brown with scape, pedicel and first two flagellomeres (basal) yellow; mesosoma yellowish orange except scutellar sulcus dark brown, propleural margin of pronotum and propleuron yellowish white; fore leg coxa brown, trochanter brown and apically white, trochantellus yellow, femur, tibia and tarsus orangish yellow; middle leg coxa white, trochanter mostly white, trochantellus mostly brown, femur, tibia and tarsus orangish yellow; hind leg coxa white, trochanter mostly white, trochantellus mostly brown, femur orangish yellow but dark brown dorsally, tibia white basally and orangish brown apically, tarsus orangish brown; wings suffused with smoky brown pigmentation except for white band running from parastigma (white) over veins RS+Ma, RS+Mb, 1m-cu, 2Cua and basal most portions of veins 2RS, 2M, and 3CU; remaining venation dark brown; carapace mostly orange, basally with median yellowish white patch between dorsal carinae, posterior margin of basal third of carapace with very faint ridge followed by transverse crescent shaped yellowish white patch.
Metasoma. Carapace areolate-rugose to weakly areolate-rugose at apex; in posterior view apex terminating in a single broad point with arched flanges beneath; in dorsal view, apex terminates in single point; in lateral view, posterior to apical point is rounded flange; ventral cavity distal apex.
Variation of paratype males. Similar to females except sometimes frons and vertex darker in color than remainder of head; antennae with 26 flagellomeres tapering apically; pronotum foveate to smooth at propleural margin; mesoscutum sometimes mottled orange/brown/black with or without lighter orange patches at anterior notauli; median area of mesoscutum without well-defined parallel grooves appearing more areolate-rugose; HW 0.7-0.8 mm; HL 0.6-0.68 mm; HW/HL 1. 16 Remarks. Leptodrepana sorayae may be easily distinguished from other Costa Rican species because of its many unique characters. The configuration of the carapace apex is diagnostic for this species. In lateral view, the carapace bears a rounded flange posterior to the dorso-apical point (Fig. 105). In posterior view the carapace apex terminates in a single broad point below which is a strongly arched medially notched flange. The carapace is areolate-rugose from base to apex. The wings also have a characteristic pattern. They are suffused with smoky brown pigmentation except for a white band running from the and including the parastigma over veins RS+Ma, RS+Mb, 1mcu, 2Cua and basal most portions of veins 2RS, 2M and 3CU (Fig. 128).
Etymology. This species name is a patronym named in honor of a sister of SDD, Soraya Elizabeth Dadelahi. Description. Color. Head black, clypeus orangish brown with yellow at apical margin; mandibles mostly yellowish brown but blackish brown basally and apically; palpi yellowish white; antennae light brown with scape, pedicel and first 2 flagellomeres (basal) yellowish white; mesosoma black; fore leg with coxa, trochanter, and trochantellus white-yellow, femur brown, tibia and tarsus white-yellow, tarsal claw brown; middle and hind leg same as foreleg except tibia brown with basal band of yellowish white and tarsus brown; wings obfuscate except for circular area below stigma suffused with brown pigmentation and densely setose covering apical half of 1 st sub-marginal cell and most of 2 nd submarginal cell; carapace mostly black, basal fourth of carapace yellowish white.
Variation. Paratype females. HW 0.9 mm; HL 0.68-0.7 mm; HW/HL 1. Remarks. Leptodrepana soussanae is superficially similar to L. thema but may be distinguished from this species by its robust body, over 3mm in length, uniform thickness of the flagellum and the densely setose circular area below the stigma suffused with brown pigmentation and covering apical half of 1 st submarginal cell and most of 2 nd submarginal cell. Leptodrepana thema is small, less than 2.5 mm. The flagellum appears slightly dilated medially. The wings are lightly suffused with yellowish brown pigment and do not have a densely setose darkly pigmented patch below the stigma.
Etymology. This species name is a patronym in honor of a sister of SDD, Soussan Parker Dadelahi. Diagnosis. Presence of 2 tubercles on the apex of the carapace. The penultimate flagellomere is almost the same length as the ultimate flagellomere. The carapace is completely brownish black; head and carapace brownish black; mesosoma mostly orange, anteriorly and ventrally blackish; wings lightly pigmented with yellowish brown venation. Holotype female. BL 2.53 mm; FWL 2.13 mm; CL 1.16 mm; CW 0.36 mm; CL/CW 3.2.
Description. Color. Head brownish black, mandibles yellow, blackish brown apically; palpi yellowish white; antennae brown with scape, pedicel and first flagellomere yellowish white; mesosoma mostly orange, median mesonotal lobe black, postero-ventral portion of mesopleuron black, posterior metapleuron black; propodeum orangish black; middle and fore leg coxae yellowish white, remainder of legs brown; hind leg coxa brown basally and yellowish brown apically, trochanter yellowish brown, femur and tibia brown and tibia with basal white band; wings lightly pigmented with yellowish brown venation; carapace blackish brown.
Metasoma. Carapace areolate-rugose to punctate at apex; in posterior and dorsal views, apex terminating in two thick tubercles close together; in lateral view, carapace terminates in narrow sloping point below midline.
Remarks. Leptodrepana stasia is superficially similar to both L. ninae and L. conleyae in color and the presence of 2 tubercles on the apex of the carapace. However it may be easily distinguished from both of these species. In L. stasia the penultimate flagellomere is almost the same length as the ultimate flagellomere. The carapace is completely brownish black. In both L. ninae and L. conleyae the penultimate flagellomere is almost the same length as width and approximately half the length of the ultimate flagellomere. Additionally, the carapace of both species is yellowish white basally.
Etymology. This species name is an arbitrary arrangement of letters to form a euphonious combination.  pleuron has a scrobiculate groove at the precoxal sulcus. In females, the flagellum is light brown. Body mostly blackish brown except carapace with basal third yellowish white.

Description.
Color. Head black, clypeus brown, and mandibles yellow, brown apically; palpi yellowish white; antennae light brown with scape and pedicel yellowish white; mesosoma black; legs mostly yellowish brown except coxa, trochanter, trochantellus and basal portions of femur and tibia yellowish white; wings lightly pigmented with darker area below stigma covering apical half of 1 st submarginal cell and anterior portion of 2 nd submarginal cell; yellowish brown venation; carapace blackish brown with basal third yellowish white.
Metasoma. Carapace areolate-rugose to shiny and weakly punctate at apex; in dorsal and posterior views, apex rounded; in lateral view, apex terminates in broad rounded point.
Remarks. Superficially L. strategeri is similar to L. ronnae but may be distinguished from this species by the lack of a transverse carina at the carapace apex in posterior view. The carapace is shiny and weakly punctate at the apex. The scutellar sulcus has 4-5 well-defined depressions and the mesopleuron has a scrobiculate groove at the precoxal sulcus. In females, the flagellum is light brown. Leptodrepana ronnae has a transverse carina at the carapace apex in posterior view and the apex appears rugulose. The scutellar sulcus has only three well-defined depressions and the mesopleuron has shallow irregularly shaped pits at the precoxal sulcus. In females the flagellum is brown but bears a yellowish white annulus at flagellomeres 4-6.
Etymology. This species name is an arbitrary arrangement of letters to form a euphonious combination. appears slightly dilated medially. The wings are lightly suffused with yellowish brown pigment and do not have a densely setose darkly pigmented patch below the stigma. Leptodrepana soussanae has a robust body, more than 3 mm in length. The thickness of the flagellum is uniform. The wing bears a densely setose circular area below the stigma that is suffused with brown pigmentation and covers the apical half of 1 st submarginal cell and most of 2 nd submarginal cell.
Etymology. This species name is an arbitrary arrangement of letters to form a euphonious combination.