A revision of the parasitoid wasp genus Alphomelon Mason with the description of 30 new species (Hymenoptera, Braconidae)

Jose L. Fernandez-Triana; Eduardo M. Shimbori; James B. Whitfield; Angelica M. Penteado-Dias; Scott R. Shaw; Caroline Boudreault; Jayme Sones; Kate Perez; Allison Brown; Ramya Manjunath; John M. Burns; P. D. N. Hebert; M. Alex Smith; Winnifred Hallwachs; Daniel H. Janzen

doi:10.3897/zookeys.1175.105068

Monograph

A revision of the parasitoid wasp genus Alphomelon Mason with the description of 30 new species (Hymenoptera, Braconidae)

Jose L. Fernandez-Triana^‡, Eduardo M. Shimbori^§, James B. Whitfield^|, Angelica M. Penteado-Dias^¶, Scott R. Shaw^#, Caroline Boudreault^‡, Jayme Sones^¤, Kate Perez^¤, Allison Brown^¤, Ramya Manjunath^¤, John M. Burns^«, P. D. N. Hebert^¤, M. Alex Smith^¤, Winnifred Hallwachs^», Daniel H. Janzen^»

‡ Canadian National Collection of Insects, Arachnids and Nematodes, Ottawa, Canada

§ Universidad Nacional Autónoma de México, Ciudad de México, Mexico

| University of Illinois, Urbana, United States of America

¶ Universidade Federal de São Carlos, São Carlos, Brazil

# University of Wyoming, Laramie, United States of America

¤ University of Guelph, Guelph, Canada

« National Museum of Natural History, Smithsonian Institution, Washington D.C., United States of America

» University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, United States of America

Corresponding author: Jose L. Fernandez-Triana ( cnc.braconidae@gmail.com )

Academic editor: Kees van Achterberg

© 2023 Jose L. Fernandez-Triana, Eduardo M. Shimbori, James B. Whitfield, Angelica M. Penteado-Dias, Scott R. Shaw, Caroline Boudreault, Jayme Sones, Kate Perez, Allison Brown, Ramya Manjunath, John M. Burns, P. D. N. Hebert, M. Alex Smith, Winnifred Hallwachs, Daniel H. Janzen.

This is an open access article distributed under the terms of the CC0 Public Domain Dedication.

Citation: Fernandez-Triana JL, Shimbori EM, Whitfield JB, Penteado-Dias AM, Shaw SR, Boudreault C, Sones J, Perez K, Brown A, Manjunath R, Burns JM, Hebert PDN, Smith MA, Hallwachs W, Janzen DH (2023) A revision of the parasitoid wasp genus Alphomelon Mason with the description of 30 new species (Hymenoptera, Braconidae). ZooKeys 1175: 5-162. https://doi.org/10.3897/zookeys.1175.105068

ZooBank: urn:lsid:zoobank.org:pub:D7BCD6CE-4E8C-4664-BBB9-F0D6CEB60FB4

Abstract

The parasitoid wasp genus Alphomelon Mason, 1981 is revised, based on a combination of basic morphology (dichotomous key and brief diagnostic descriptions), DNA barcoding, biology (host data and wasp cocoons), and distribution data. A total of 49 species is considered; the genus is almost entirely Neotropical (48 species recorded from that region), but three species reach the Nearctic, with one of them extending as far north as 45° N in Canada. Alphomelon parasitizes exclusively Hesperiinae caterpillars (Lepidoptera: Hesperiidae), mostly feeding on monocots in the families Arecaceae, Bromeliaceae, Cannaceae, Commelinaceae, Heliconiaceae, and Poaceae. Most wasp species parasitize either on one or very few (2–4) host species, usually within one or two hesperiine genera; but some species can parasitize several hosts from up to nine different hesperiine genera. Among species with available data for their cocoons, roughly half weave solitary cocoons (16) and half are gregarious (17); cocoons tend to be surrounded by a rather distinctive, coarse silk (especially in solitary species, but also distinguishable in some gregarious species). Neither morphology nor DNA barcoding alone was sufficient on its own to delimit all species properly; by integrating all available evidence (even if incomplete, as available data for every species is different) a foundation is provided for future studies incorporating more specimens, especially from South America. The following 30 new species are described: cruzi, itatiaiensis, and palomae, authored by Shimbori & Fernandez-Triana; and adrianguadamuzi, amazonas, andydeansi, calixtomoragai, carolinacanoae, christerhanssoni, diniamartinezae, duvalierbricenoi, eldaarayae, eliethcantillanoae, gloriasihezarae, guillermopereirai, hazelcambroneroae, josecortesi, keineraragoni, luciarosae, manuelriosi, mikesharkeyi, osvaldoespinozai, paramelanoscelis, paranigriceps, petronariosae, ricardocaleroi, rigoi, rostermoragai, sergioriosi, and yanayacu, authored by Fernandez-Triana & Shimbori.

Key words

Biology, DNA barcoding, Microgastrinae, morphology, Nearctic, Neotropical

Introduction

The genus Alphomelon (Hymenoptera: Braconidae, Microgastrinae) was described by Mason (1981) to accommodate three New World species, previously described under different genera, but all having in common a white spot on the gena, near the mandible base. Deans et al. (2003) revised the genus, including the description of 13 new Neotropical species, and provided the only available key to all known species at the time. That same year, Shimabukuro and Penteado-Dias (2003) added two new species from Brazil. Even today, Alphomelon is still restricted to the New World, and at present includes 19 described species mostly from the Neotropics but with a few extending north into the Nearctic. The overall species richness is estimated to exceed 50 species (Fernandez-Triana et al. 2020).

This study contributes to the ongoing insect biodiversity inventory by rearing and Malaise trapping of the 120,000 terrestrial ha Área de Conservación Guanacaste (ACG) in northwestern Costa Rica, a complex of dry forest, cloud forest, and rain forest, and many intergrades (Janzen and Hallwachs 2016). Here, we revise Alphomelon with an emphasis on the ACG species but also describe additional species from other Neotropical areas.

We provide an updated key, illustrations for all known species, and comments on natural history and DNA barcoding data. We also discuss the challenges of describing new species by combining morphological, molecular, and biological data while integrating previously described species based on less comprehensive data.

Materials and methods

Taxon sampling

As part of studies on the Microgastrinae fauna of ACG, we examined a significant number of Alphomelon specimens from that area but also many unidentified specimens of the genus from many Neotropical countries stored in the Canadian National Collection of insects, arachnids and nematodes, Ottawa, Canada (CNC), Coleção Entomológica do Departamento de Ecologia e Biologia Evolutiva da UFSCar, São Carlos, Brazil (DCBU), and the Illinois Natural History Survey, Urbana-Champaign, USA (INHS). We also analyzed images and DNA sequences from some specimens in the Centre for Biodiversity Genomics, University of Guelph, Canada (CBG), images of material (holotypes and paratypes) in the Coleção Taxonômica do Departamento de Ecologia e Biologia Evolutiva (DCBU) da Universidade Federal de São Carlos (UFSCAR), Brazil, and photographed some specimens in the American Entomological Institute Collection (AEIC), Logan, Utah, USA. In total, we studied more than one thousand specimens. This material allowed us to deal with the entire fauna on hand at this time, but we anticipate tens more new species once portions of the Neotropics have been inventoried with the intensity already invested in ACG.

Morphology and taxonomic characters

In this paper we diagnose and describe all the species using a combination of basic morphology (dichotomous key and brief diagnostic description), DNA barcodes (when available), biology, and distribution data, following suggestions outlined in Fernandez-Triana (2022).

Morphological terms and measurements mostly follow Huber and Sharkey (1993), Whitfield (1997), Karlsson and Ronquist (2012) and Fernandez-Triana et al. (2014). The abbreviations T1, T2, and T3 are used for metasomal mediotergites 1, 2, and 3 respectively; and L and W refer to length and width, respectively. Following recommendations for the simplified and abbreviated use of morphological data in turbo taxonomy approaches (Fernandez-Triana 2022), the diagnostic descriptions for all the new species were based on a relatively small set of morphological characters (12), which can be quickly assessed and scored (Table 1).

Table 1.

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Morphological characters and their states, as used in the diagnostic description of the new species of Alphomelon.

Character	Character states (separated by semicolons)
White patch on gena	neither extending onto clypeus nor to occiput (Figs 65C, 85A, 85B); extending to occiput but not to clypeus (Figs 2B, 16B, 32B, 41B, 64B); extending to occiput and onto clypeus (Figs 18B, 19A, 31C, 37B, 68B)
Tegula/humeral complex color	white/yellow; yellow/yellow; yellow/brown; brown/brown
Mesonotum color	mostly orange-yellow (Figs 57F, 64H, 22F); mostly dark brown to black (Figs 1E, 2E, 3D, 42G)
Metasoma color	mostly orange-yellow (Figs 57E, 64G); with several tergites orange-yellow, some laterotergites and sternites yellow, rest mostly brown (Figs 8D, 18D, 19A, 22A, 22E, 31D, 67B, 67F, 77A, 77F, 77G, 78D); mostly dark brown to black but with some laterotergites and sternites yellow (Figs 15A, 18A, 21B, 21G, 34B, 34F); mostly black or dark brown (Figs 1E, 2E, 7C, 38A, 39A, 42C)
Tarsal claws spine number (hind leg)	0; 1; 2; 3; 4
Pterostigma shape	comparatively more elongate, its length ≥ 3.0× its central height and more triangular with its two lower margins more or less straight (Figs 3C, 6B, 7A, 24A, 48C); comparatively less elongate, its length ≤ 2.5× its central height and usually more rounded with at least one of its lower margins curved (Figs 11C, 18C, 29B)
T1 sculpture	entirely to mostly smooth (Figs 11G, 13E, 13F, 14C, 31D, 31E, 41D, 45E); weakly sculptured along margins (Figs 1D, 1E, 8E, 36F, 38D); strongly sculptured on at least apical half or more (Figs 2D, 2E, 3E, 75F, 76C)
T1 central ridge	absent (Figs 26E, 59B); faintly indicated by shallow depression (Figs 30D, 45E); marked by weak carina (Figs 31D, 31E, 46F, 78D, 78E); clearly marked by two raised carinae (Figs 1E, 3E, 17F, 32E); strongly marked by two raised carinae and strong costulae centrally (Figs 2D, 18D, 33E, 72E, 76C, 76E)
T2 sculpture	entirely to mostly smooth (Figs 1D, 4F, 6F, 8D, 12E, 14C); weakly sculptured along margins (Figs 21G, 22E, 22F, 27E, 29E, 32D); entirely to mostly strongly sculptured (Figs 2D, 3E, 16D, 18D)
Ovipositor sheaths length	shorter than the first segment of metatarsus (Figs 9A, 31A, 44A, 61A); longer than the first segment of metatarsus (Figs 2A, 15A, 16A, 21B, 25A)
Body length (mm)	as detailed in Fernandez-Triana et al. (2014)
Fore wing length (mm)	as detailed in Fernandez-Triana et al. (2014)

Some characters of particular relevance to Alphomelon were incorporated from the previous review of the genus by Deans et al. (2003). These characters are: a) the “petiolar ridge” or T1 central ridge (e.g., Figs 2E, 3E, 8E, 17F, 18E), which is a central, longitudinal carina on T1 usually extending from around half of the tergite length and ending close to the posterior margin; the carina can bifurcate posteriorly and the space between the two arms sometimes presents some transverse striations; b) the size and shape of white/pale coloration in the gena, which can extend to the occiput and sometimes onto the clypeus (e.g., Figs 5D, 9D, 12B, 18B, 19A, 31C, 60B); and c) the degree of angulation of the vein cu-a on the hind wing (e.g., Figs 5C, 14C, 19B, 20C; also see Deans et al. 2003).

In the Distribution section for each species, new country or state records are indicated by an asterisk (*). Complete and verbatim label details were provided only for holotypes. Paratypes and other specimens examined were listed only with basic information (country, repository, sex, and voucher codes). All information associated with those specimens can be accessed in the publicly available CNC database (https://www.cnc.agr.gc.ca/taxonomy/TaxonMain.php) and at dx.doi.org/10.5883/DS-ALPHOMEL; the dataset “DS-ALPHOMEL” in BOLD (https://www.boldsystems.org/index.php/MAS_Management_DataConsole?codes=DS-ALPHOMEL) also comprises details for those specimens with available DNA sequences.

Molecular data

DNA barcoding was also used to characterize and recognize species. DNA extracts were obtained from single legs using a glass fiber protocol (Ivanova et al. 2006), and total genomic DNA was re-suspended in 30 μl of distilled water. The barcode region, a 658 base pairs (bp) region near the 5’ terminus of the COI gene, was amplified using standard primers following established protocols (e.g., see references in Fernandez-Triana et al. 2014).

The Barcode Index Number (BIN) was considered to approximately characterize species limits, following the BIN concept detailed in Ratnasingham and Hebert (2013).

All information for the sequences associated with each specimen barcoded (including primers and trace files) is available on the Barcode of Life Data System (BOLD) (Ratnasingham and Hebert 2007) under the dataset “DS-ALPHOMEL”. Two Neighbor Joining trees (with all Alphomelon sequences longer than 300 and 500 base pairs respectively) are provided in Suppl. material 1.

Host data

Host data (Lepidoptera species) as well as wasp cocoon strategy (solitary/gregarious) were mostly taken from the website “Dynamic database for an inventory of the macrocaterpillar fauna, and its food plants and parasitoids in ACG databases” (http://janzen.sas.upenn.edu/caterpillars/database.lasso). Although many hosts are identified to species in that database, for many others the available information only included the Lepidoptera genus with an interim or provisional species name code. For example, “Neoxeniades Burns03” and “Neoxeniades Burns04” respectively mean species #3 and #4 identified by Burns as members of the genus Neoxeniades; these examples being relatively easy to understand. Other host species names have more complicated syntaxis; for example, “Morys lydeDHJ02” means species # 2 identified by Daniel H. Janzen within the genus Morys, supposedly related to but not the same as the species Morys lyde (the relationship shown by adding the identifier initials to the “lyde” name but the latter not written in italics to indicate it is a different species). Extreme cases include “hespJanzen01 Janzen60”, which means unidentified genus #1 in the Hesperiidae family identified by Janzen, with an unidentified species # 60, also identified by Janzen; in this case it should be interpreted as an unidentified genus and species of Hesperiidae. These conventions to record Lepidoptera hosts from ACG have been used in many scientific papers published during the past 10+ years.

Digital imaging

The majority of the photos were taken by CB and JFT with a Keyence VHX-1000 Digital Microscope (Keyence Corporation, Japan), using a lens with a range of 10–130×; multiple images were taken of the structures through the focal plane and then combined to produce a single in-focus image using the software associated with the Keyence System. Some photographs by CB were taken with a Canon EOS-7D Mark 2 (G) (Canon Inc., Japan) using a super-macro lens Canon MP-65 with a Yongnuo professional flash speedlight flashlight installed on a modified microscope stand; multiple images (in raw format .CR2) were taken of a structure through the focal plane, converted to .dng with Adobe DNG converter, then corrected (brightness and contrast) in Adobe Bridge CS4, converted to .tiff images with Adobe Photoshop CS4 and finally combined to produce a single in-focus image using Zerene Stacker (http://zerenesystems.com/cms/stacker). Final images produced by CB and JFT were corrected using GIMP 2.10.12. Photos by EMS were taken with a 3MP Leica video camera and a Leica M205C stereomicroscope (Wetzlar®, Germany) running Leica Application Suite (LAS) software and focus-stacked using the same software. Images by SRS were produced using Leica Application Suite (Leica Microsystems) and image stacking software, Combine ZM and Zerene Stacker v. 1.04. Color digital photos taken by AMPD were captured through an MC170 HD video camera attached to a Leica M205C stereomicroscope and the Leica Application Suite v. 4.12. Images of wasp cocoons and larvae were taken by parataxonomists at ACG. All plates were prepared using Microsoft PowerPoint 2010 and saved as .TIF files.

Images of eight holotypes (of previously described species), deposited in the Natural History Museum (Smithsonian Institution, Washington DC, USA) were accessed through the Primary Type Specimens Catalog of the Department of Entomology Collections (https://collections.nmnh.si.edu/search/ento/). The downloaded images were later combined into plates. Those images were classified in that website as CC0, therefore making them available under the Creative Commons license CC0 1.0 license granting the right to share for personal and educational purposes under the fair use doctrine; in any case, we acknowledge the source of those images here.

Results

With the 30 new species described below, Alphomelon now contains 49 species (Table 2). This more than doubles the previous total of 19 known species (Fernandez-Triana et al. 2020), in spite of a major taxonomic revision of the genus having been published relatively recently (Deans et al. 2003). Improved and more comprehensive collecting for the past few years, coupled with DNA barcoding, explain this significant increase in species richness. And the total reported here is far from being close to the expected species richness. We have seen in entomological collections many more specimens from South America that remain unstudied and appear to be undescribed. It is clear that the recent estimate of 50 species as the overall diversity of the genus (Fernandez-Triana et al. 2020) was a severe underestimate, and we now estimate the Neotropical species richness of Alphomelon to be close to 100 species, or twice what is presented in this paper.

Table 2.

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List of all Alphomelon species with their hosts, wasp cocoon, DNA data (BINs), and distribution by country. ACG- Area de Conservación Guanacaste, Costa Rica. New country or state records are indicated by *. The column BIN code details the BIN associated with a species (when available), or specifies when only partial barcodes or no molecular data are available. For countries where data was available (Canada, United States and Brazil) finer species distributions (by provinces, states, territories) is provided; abbreviations for Canada and the United States follow http://www.canadapost.ca/tools/pg/manual/PGaddress-e.asp; for Brazil states follow https://www.iso.org/obp/ui/#iso:code:3166:BR.

Species	Host	Wasp cocoons	BIN code	Distribution
Alphomelon adrianguadamuzi	Niconiades incomptus,Parphorus decora	Solitary	BOLD:AAR3562	Costa Rica (ACG)
A. amazonas	No data	No data	No data	Colombia
A. andydeansi	Anthoptus epictetus, A. insignis, A. Burns33, Conga chydaea, Corticea corticea, Cymaenes odilia trebius,C. Burns01, Cynea irma, Justinia norda, Morys lydeDHJ02,Nyctelius nyctelius, Parphorus decora, Psoralis Janzen38, Synapte salenus, Vehilius vetula, Vettius aurelius	Solitary	BOLD:ADJ6568	Costa Rica (ACG)
A. arecaphile	Carystoides basoches,Synale cynaxa	Gregarious	BOLD:AAB1086	Brazil (PA), Costa Rica (ACG)
A. brachymacher	No data	No data	Partial barcode	Brazil (ES, MT, PA, SC), Colombia, Costa Rica, Ecuador, Peru
A. brasiliensis	No data	No data	No data	Brazil (MG, SP, RS).
A. bromeliphile	Neoxeniades luda	Gregarious	BOLD:AAB5598	Costa Rica (ACG), Mexico
A. calixtomoragai	Vettius aurelius	Solitary	BOLD:ADA5721	Costa Rica (ACG), Mexico
A. carolinacanoae	Carystoides escalantei	Solitary	BOLD:ACE5969	Costa Rica (ACG)
A. christerhanssoni	Aides brino, Carystina aurifer, Dubiella belpa	Gregarious	BOLD:AAB0787	Costa Rica (ACG)
A. citroloma	No data	No data	Partial barcode	Argentina, Belize, Bolivia, Brazil (PE, RJ, RO), Costa Rica, Ecuador, Panama, Paraguay, Peru, Trinidad & Tobago, Venezuela
A. conforme	Unidentified hesperiine	Gregarious	No data	Brazil (RJ), Costa Rica, Venezuela
A. crocostethus	Unidentified hesperiine	Solitary	BOLD:AAZ9859	Argentina, Bolivia, Brazil (DF, ES, MG, PE, RJ, RN, SP), Colombia, Dominican Republic, Jamaica, Peru*, Puerto Rico
A. cruzi	No data	No data	No data	Brazil (MG)
A. diniamartinezae	Niconiades incomptus	Gregarious	BOLD:AAE2209	Costa Rica (ACG)
A. disputabile	Cymaenes trebius, Lerema spp.	Solitary	BOLD:AAF3301	United States (KS, TX); Argentina, Belize, Bolivia, Brazil (ES, MT, PA, RJ, SC), Costa Rica, Cuba, Dominica, Ecuador, Grenada, Guatemala, Mexico, Panama, Paraguay, Peru*, Puerto Rico, Saint Vincent, Trinidad & Tobago, Venezuela.
A. duvalierbricenoi	Methionopsis ina	Gregarious	BOLD:AAB4029	Costa Rica (ACG)
A. eldaarayae	Neoxeniades Burns03, N. Burns04	Gregarious	BOLD:AAE2229	Costa Rica (ACG)
A. eliethcantillanoae	Nisoniades castolus	Solitary	BOLD:AAC7653	Costa Rica (ACG)
A. gloriasihezarae	Cymaenes odilia trebius, Morys micythus	Solitary	BOLD:AAE5720	Costa Rica (ACG), Mexico
A. guillermopereirai	Mnasitheus Janzen55, Anthoptus epictetus, Anthoptus insignis, Anthoptus Burns33, Corticea corticea, Cymaenes odilia trebius	Solitary	BOLD:AAB8584 (partially)	Costa Rica (ACG)
A. hazelcambroneroae	Calpodes fusta, C. severus, Cynea anthracinus, C. cynea, C. irma, C. megalops, C. Burns02, C. Burns04, C. Burns05, C. Burns06, C. Burns11, Rhinthon molion, R. osca	Gregarious	BOLD:AAA6775	Costa Rica (ACG)
A. itatiaiensis	No data	No data	No data	Brazil (RJ)
A. josecortesi	Vertica subrufescens	Gregarious	BOLD:AAB6733	Costa Rica (ACG)
A. keineraragoni	Neoxeniades pluviasilva, N. Burns03	Gregarious	BOLD:ABU7420	Costa Rica (ACG)
A. luciarosae	Ebusus ebusus	Gregarious	BOLD:ACJ4259	Costa Rica (ACG)
A. manuelriosi	Corticea lysias, Cymaenes odilia trebius, Parphorus decora, P. storax	Solitary	BOLD:ABX0806	Costa Rica (ACG)
A. melanoscelis	Unidentified hesperiine	No data	BOLD:AAB8584 (partially)	Argentina*, Brazil (AL, MT), Costa Rica, Mexico, Venezuela
A. mikesharkeyi	Parphorus decora, Quasimellana servilius, Quasimellana Burns01	Gregarious	BOLD:AAJ2210	Costa Rica (ACG)
A. nanosoma	Carystoides basoches, C. escalantei, C. hondura, C. orbius, C. Burns01, Cobalopsis sp.(?)	Gregarious	BOLD:AAB9792	Brazil (MT), Costa Rica (ACG), Ecuador, Mexico, Panama, Trinidad & Tobago
A. nigriceps	Calpodes ethlius	Solitary	Partial barcode	Argentina, Belize, Brazil (RO), Colombia, Cuba, Curacao*, Dominica, Grenada, Netherlands Antilles, Peru, Saint Lucia, Saint Vincent, Trinidad & Tobago, Venezuela
A. osvaldoespinozai	Enosis immaculata, Eutychide ochus, Niconiades gladys, N. incomptus, Oxynthes corusca, Parphorus decora, Vettius pica, “hespJanzen01 Janzen60”	Solitary	BOLD:AAJ2207	Costa Rica (ACG)
A. palomae	No data	No data	No data	Brazil (RJ, SP)
A. paramelanoscelis	No data	No data	Partial barcode	Brazil (SC), Colombia
A. paranigriceps	No data	No data	No data	United States, (FL, GA, NC, SC, TX)
A. paurogenum	No data	No data	No data	Argentina, Chile
A. petronariosae	Anthoptus epictetus, Conga chydaea, Lerema liris, Morys lyde, M. micythus, Vehilius vetula, Vehilius Janzen03	Solitary	BOLD:ADA7564	Costa Rica (ACG)
A. pyrrhogluteum	No data	No data	No data	Argentina
A. rhyssocercus	No data	No data	No data	Argentina, Costa Rica, Ecuador, Panama, Peru, Trinidad & Tobago, Venezuela
A. ricardocaleroi	Cynea cynea, C. megalops, C. Burns06	Gregarious	BOLD:AAB7535	Costa Rica (ACG)
A. rigoi	No data	No data	BOLD:AAB8584 (partially)	Belize, Venezuela
A. rostermoragai	Tigasis simplex, Vettius aurelius	Solitary	BOLD:ACB1223	Costa Rica (ACG)
A. rugosus	No data	No data	No data	Brazil (DF, RS, SP)
A. sergioriosi	Calpodes ethlius, Enosis angularis, Perichares adela, Tromba xanthura	Gregarious	BOLD:AAD2561	Costa Rica (ACG), Mexico
A. simpsonorum	Unidentified hesperiine	Solitary	Partial barcode	Brazil (PR, SC), Costa Rica, Paraguay
A. talidicida	Talides sergestus, T. sinois, T. Burns01, T. Burns02, T. Burns03, T. Burns04, Thracides phidon	Gregarious	BOLD:AAA7259	Belize, Brazil (MT, PA, PE, SP), Colombia, Costa Rica (ACG), Ecuador, Guyana, Mexico, Panama, Peru, Trinidad & Tobago, Venezuela
A. winniewertzae	Euphyes spp.	Solitary	Partial barcode	Canada (ON, QC), United States (AR, DC, FL, KS, MA, MI, NC, OH, TN, TX, VA), Mexico (?)
A. xestopyga	Calpodes esperi, C. ethlius, C. fusta, C. severus, Cobalopsis nero, Cynea irma, Cymaenes odilia trebius, C. Burns01, Joanna joanna, Justinia norda, Morys lyde, M. micythus, M. valerius valda, M. lydeDHJ01, M. lydeDHJ02, Niconiades incomptus, Parphorus decora, Quinta cannae, R. osca, Synapte salenus, S. silius, Vettius aurelius	Gregarious	BOLD:AAA1634	Costa Rica (ACG)
A. yanayacu	No data	No data	No data	Ecuador

Distribution

The genus is almost entirely Neotropical (48 species recorded from this region), but three species reach the Nearctic, with one of them extending as far north as 45° N in Canada (southern Ontario and southern Quebec). Based on the data from this paper (Table 2), one species (Alphomelon disputabile) is widely distributed in the New World (North to South America), one species (A. winniewertzae) is only found in North America, 12 are distributed in Central and South America, ten are restricted to South America, and 24 are only found in Central America (20 of them only known so far from ACG in Costa Rica). However, the latter seemingly restricted distribution is undoubtedly due to intensive inventory having only been conducted in the ACG ecosystems.

The highest species richness per country is found in Costa Rica with 38 recorded species, 32 of them in ACG, in great part because of the rearing of tens of thousands of wild-caught caterpillars there for the past 40 years. There are 17 species recorded from Brazil, nine from Mexico, eight from Argentina and Venezuela, seven from Ecuador and Peru, six from Colombia, and Trinidad and Tobago, and five from Belize and Panama. Only the total for Costa Rica can be considered reasonably close to the actual species richness, with most of the figures for South American countries being significantly lower than expected due to undersampling. When other parts of Costa Rica are treated as has been ACG since 1978, ACG might no longer seem to be exceptional.

Biology

Our current knowledge of the host biology of the genus (Table 2) can be considered fairly satisfactory, as two-thirds of the species (33 spp, or 67%) have some host information (an additional three species have also been reared but from unidentified hesperiid hosts). Based mostly on ACG data (but also see Deans et al. (2003) for some host data from other areas), Alphomelon parasitizes exclusively Hesperiidae caterpillars in the subfamily Hesperiinae, mostly feeding on monocots in the families Arecaceae, Bromeliaceae, Cannaceae, Commelinaceae, Heliconiaceae and Poaceae. Only one species (Alphomelon eliethcantillanoae) has been reared from a host-specific caterpillar feeding on an herbaceous dicot (Asteraceae) growing among grasses. Most of the species parasitize either one or few (2–4) host species, usually within one or two hesperiid genera; however, seven (20% of all species with host data) have been recorded from several hosts from three or more (up to nine) different hesperiid genera. Among species with available data for their cocoons, roughly half are solitary (16) and half are gregarious (17). Cocoons of Alphomelon tend to be rather distinctive (Figs 91–103), with many species having a messy texture of coarse silk surrounding the cocoon (especially in solitary cocoons but also distinguishable in some gregarious cocoons).

Molecular data

There is a relatively good library of DNA barcode sequences of Alphomelon in BOLD, with 1,409 sequences representing 37 public BINs as of June 2023 (http://www.boldsystems.org/index.php/Taxbrowser_Taxonpage?taxon=Alphomelon&searchTax=Search+Taxonomy). Of the 49 species dealt with in this paper, 31 (63%) have complete DNA barcodes sequences, another six (12%) have at least partial (= shorter) DNA barcodes and only 12 species (24%) have no molecular data currently available. DNA barcodes (and their BINs) were very useful in most cases (Fig. 104) for discriminating between Alphomelon species, with roughly an accuracy of 90%.

Exceptions included four species that are part of a complex related to Alphomelon melanoscelis Deans, 2003, which shared the same BIN (BOLD:AAB8584). Three species of this complex (A. guillermopereirai sp. nov., A. melanocelis, and A. paramelanoscelis sp. nov.) were analyzed further. While they cannot be diagnosed at the BIN level, it was still possible to use diagnostic base pairs (or combinations of base pairs) to differentiate the species within that BIN. There were two diagnostic base pairs (or SNP = Single Nucleotide Polymorphisms) in the available sequences for those three species (Fig. 105). To describe these positions, we used numbers derived by aligning sequences to the cytochrome c oxidase subunit I (COI) region of the full mitochondrial reference genome of Drosophila melanogaster (NC_024511.2). There is a synonymous transition at the third codon at aligned position 201 (A or G) that differentiates A. melanocelis from A. guillermopereirai and A. paramelanoscelis (however, there was a single specimen of guillermopereirai (DHJPAR0043086) that did not have the guillermopereirai-specific G, but rather the paramelanoscelis/melanocscelis-specific A). There is a non-synonymous T to A transversion at the first codon position at aligned position 334 that differentiates A. paramelanoscelis from both A. melanocelis and A. guillermopereirai. The combination of these two diagnostic characters in the barcode region can differentiate these three species that fall within the same BIN. It should be noted that interpreting DNA barcode data in this fashion is particularly sensitive to how well one understands the intraspecific variation in the barcode region (i.e., how many samples per species were included) (Fisher and Smith 2008). When there is good intraspecific representation, there is more confidence in the diagnoses, as with any set of character states.

Diagnosis of the genus Alphomelon Mason, 1981

Alphomelon has the propodeum with complete areola and strong carinae; T1 very broad and usually with some sort of longitudinal carina centrally (petiolar ridge); hypopygium inflexible; ovipositor sheaths entirely setose and usually at least 0.5 as long as metatibia; and gena with a pale spot that is relatively large and very distinctive (Mason 1981; Deans et al. 2003). The latter feature gives the name to the genus (from Greek Alphos = white spot, melon = cheek) and in practice is the most distinctive character to recognize a member of this genus. Although that character is found sporadically (and rarely) in several other Microgastrinae genera, Alphomelon seems to be the only genus where it is present in all its known species. Species of Alphomelon can be distinguished from other Microgastrinae with a pale spot on the gena by their ovipositor sheaths being relatively long (much shorter in Cotesia Cameron, Glyptapanteles Ashmead, and Protapanteles Ashmead), mesoscutum anteriorly without strong notauli (strong notauli in Prasmodon Nixon), propodeum fully areolate (with strong median, longitudinal carina in Pseudapanteles Ashmead, complete or partial median longitudinal carina in Sathon Mason), metacoxa relatively large and metatibial spurs at least 0.5 length of first segment of metatarsus (metacoxa relatively small and metatibial spurs short, < 0.5 length of first segment of metatarsus in Notogaster Fernandez-Triana & Ward), and hypopygium inflexible and without pleats (almost always flexible and with several pleats in Apanteles Foerster and Dolichogenidea Viereck).

Describing new species by combining morphological, molecular, and biological data while integrating previously described species based on less comprehensive data

The present paper was prepared after a relatively recent taxonomic revision of the genus was published 20 years ago. In that paper, Deans et al. (2003) provided a comprehensive treatment, mostly based on morphology but also incorporating some host data, with a total of 16 Alphomelon species extensively described (based on morphological characters) and illustrated (mostly drawings, with some black and white photos as well as some scanning electronic microscope photographs), as well as a dichotomous key. That paper provided a foundation for future work, but it was done right before the widespread use of DNA barcoding; thus, no species had associated molecular data. Likewise, two Brazilian species were described that same year (Shimabukuro and Penteado-Dias 2003), with no more than morphological data.

By contrast, the majority of the 30 new species described below have molecular (DNA barcodes), biological (host data), and morphological data available. Therefore, we faced the challenge to integrate all information to cover both sets of species.

In this paper we treat, diagnose, and describe all species using a combination of basic morphology (dichotomous key and a brief diagnostic description), DNA barcodes (when available), biology, and distribution data, following suggestions outlined in Fernandez-Triana (2022).

For the new dichotomous key, we used Deans et al. (2003) as a foundation and then added the new species, while also correcting some minor mistakes from the original key. But there were challenges and limitations when integrating legacy (= historical) and newly described species with disparate amounts of data. For example, some of the morphological characters used by Deans et al. (2003) were found to be either too variable (e.g., number of spines in tarsal claws), or difficult/subjective to assess (e.g., the extent of the white patch on gena, or degree or curvature of vein cu-a on the hind wing). Furthermore, some species (e.g., A. citroloma, A. nanosoma, A. xestopyga) each comprise complexes of morphologically cryptic species, still needing further study, and where morphology alone was insufficient.

DNA barcoding offered arguably the easiest and more standardized way to distinguish species. However, we did not succeed in obtaining DNA barcodes for all species, particularly those described before 2004 (see Table 2), with approximately one-third of all known species of Alphomelon not having any molecular data available. And while DNA barcoding seemed to be useful to discriminate among some very similar species (e.g., see couplets 36–39 in the key below), in other cases DNA barcoding alone failed to distinguish species (e.g., the melanoscelis complex).

The other sources of information were also limited. Host data and cocoon shape/structure were mostly known for ACG species, with very few records from other areas. And relying on species distribution only offered an incomplete picture, as most of South American countries remain to be studied with the same detail as ACG (i.e., with a sufficient number of specimens available as to draw solid inferences on species distribution).

Thus, there was no silver bullet to deal with these problems. Neither morphology nor DNA barcoding was sufficient on its own to delimit species properly. By integrating all available evidence, even if incomplete and uneven (as available data for every species is different) we hope to provide here a foundation for future and more comprehensive studies of Alphomelon. Incorporating more specimens, especially from South America, as well as more sequences will likely change some of the species concepts presented below.

Key to female New World species of Alphomelon

Modified from Deans et al. (2003), incorporating all new species and additional morphological characters. When available, non-morphological information to help in recognizing species is added at the end of a couplet between brackets: a) Distribution (country), b) Biology (parasitoid cocoons solitary/gregarious; and caterpillar host records), c) DNA (BIN or partial barcodes). Males often can only be identified by DNA barcodes (when and where possible, by comparing sequences that are 500+ base pairs long).

1	Mesosoma entirely to mostly orange-yellow (at most with part of propodeum, propleuron, mesosternum, and metapleuron dark brown to black) (Figs 22A, E, 23A, E, 57A, F, 64A, H); wings strongly to slightly infumated (Figs 22D, 57D, 64D); tarsal claws with one spine; white patch on usually gena reduced, not extending to post-genal part of occiput	2
–	Mesosoma entirely dark brown to black; wings variably colored but usually not infumated; tarsal claws variable; white patch on gena variable	4
2(1)	Entire body pale yellow or yellow-orange, except for black head and (sometimes) posterior 0.1–0.2 of metatibia and most of metatarsus brown to dark brown (Fig. 57A); wings only slightly infumated [Distribution: Argentina, Belize, Brazil, Colombia, Cuba, Curacao, Dominica, Grenada, Netherlands Antilles, Peru, Saint Lucia, Saint Vincent, Trinidad & Tobago, Venezuela. Biology. Solitary, reared from Calpodes ethlius. DNA: Partial barcode]	Alphomelon nigriceps (Ashmead, 1900)
–	Body with much darker coloration, usually with extensive areas dark brown to black (Figs 22A, 23A), if rarely body mostly dark orange-yellow then at least with brown coloration on humeral complex, propleuron (mostly), metapleuron (partially to entirely) and propodeum; wings strongly infumated	3
3(2)	T1 petiolar ridge comparatively very large, occupying posterior 0.7 of T1 length and running up to posterior margin of tergite, ridge divided posteriorly in two arms rather widely separated (Fig. 64G); T2 mostly strongly sculptured; head mostly reddish brown, especially face and frons; body mostly dark orange-yellow; wings very strongly infumated [Distribution: United States]	Alphomelon paranigriceps Fernandez-Triana & Shimbori, sp. nov.
–	T1 petiolar ridge comparatively shorter, occupying posterior 0.5 or less of T1 length, and ending clearly before posterior margin of tergite, ridge divided posteriorly in two arms which are usually not as widely separate (Figs 22F, 23F); T2 mostly smooth; head mostly black; body color variable but very rarely mostly dark orange-yellow; wings infumated but not as strongly as above [Distribution: Argentina, Bolivia, Brazil, Colombia, Dominican Republic, Jamaica, Peru, Puerto Rico. Biology: Solitary, reared from unidentified hesperiid. DNA: BIN BOLD:AAZ9859]	Alphomelon crocostethus Deans, 2003
4(1)	Metasoma paler colored, dorsally with some tergites orange or brown-yellow (Figs 18A, D, 31B, D, 67B, F, 77F, G) and/or with most laterotergites and sternites yellow (Fig. 34A, B)	5
–	Metasoma darker colored, mostly dark brown to black, if rarely most of T2 and small areas of T1 or T3 pale orange-brown then rest of metasoma dorsally and laterotergites and sternites dark brown to black, if rarely first three laterotergites and sternites yellow then rest of metasoma dark brown to black	10
5(4)	Metasoma mostly yellow or orange-yellow, except for small central area dark-brown on terga 6–8 and small black area on hypopygium (Fig. 67B, E, F) [Distribution: Argentina]	Alphomelon pyrrhogluteum Deans, 2003
–	Metasoma dorsally mostly brown to black (at most with T1–T3 yellow or orange-yellow, usually less), laterally and ventrally with variable coloration on laterotergites, sternites and hypopygium, but at least with some areas dark brown to black	6
6(5)	Comparatively paler colored species, T1–T3 orange-yellow (Figs 31A, B, D, 77A, F, G); coxae entirely to mostly yellow, yellow-orange or pale yellow-brown, with metacoxa at least yellow-orange on posterior 0.5; central ridge on T1 weakly defined or almost absent	7
–	Comparatively darker colored species, T1–T3 brown or black (Figs 11F, G, 19B, 20E, 34F); coxae brown, dark brown or black, with metacoxa entirely dark brown to black; central ridge on T1 strongly defined (Figs 11G, 18D, E, 20E, 34F, G)	8
7(6)	White patch on gena not extending to clypeus, which is entirely brown; face entirely dark brown (Figs 77B, 78A); ovipositor sheaths comparatively longer, 1.20× as long as length of first segment of metatarsus and > 0.50× length of metatibia (Fig. 77A); T1 with petiolar ridge marked by weak carinae (Figs 77G, 78D, E) [Distribution: Brazil, Costa Rica, Paraguay. Biology: Solitary, reared from unidentified hesperiid. DNA: Partial barcodes]	Alphomelon simpsonorum Deans, 2003
–	White patch on gena extending to clypeus which is mostly white with only central 0.3 pale brown (Fig. 31C); face with pale orange-brown patch centrally, clearly paler than rest of brown face; ovipositor sheaths comparatively shorter, < 1.00× length of first segment of metatarsus and < 0.50× length of metatibia (Fig. 31A); T1 with petiolar ridge almost absent, marked by very weak carina or small depression (Fig. 31D, E) [Distribution: Costa Rica. Biology: Gregarious, reared from Neoxeniades Burns03, N. Burns04. DNA: BIN BOLD:AAE2229]	Alphomelon eldaarayae Fernandez-Triana & Shimbori, sp. nov.
8(6)	Tarsal claws with four spines; T2 mostly sculptured; hypopygium usually mostly yellow (brown to black on posterior 0.3 or less) (Fig. 34A) [Distribution: Costa Rica. Biology: Solitary, reared from Mnasitheus Janzen55, Anthoptus epictetus, Anthoptus insignis, Anthoptus Burns33, Corticea corticea, Cymaenes odilia trebius. DNA: BIN BOLD:AAB8584 (partially)]	Alphomelon guillermopereirai Fernandez-Triana & Shimbori, sp. nov.
–	Tarsal claws with two spines; T2 smooth or weakly sculptured mostly near margins; hypopygium entirely to mostly dark brown to black (Figs 11A, 18A)	9
9(8)	Metasomal terga brown (Figs 11F, G); T2 smooth; T1 smooth and with petiolar ridge comparatively shorter, ~ 0.3 tergite length; fore wing vein 2RS very close to vein 2M (Fig. 11C), giving the impression that a small areolet (= second submarginal cell) is present, although the posterior end of that supposed areolet (which would correspond to veins r-m and/or 3RS) is not defined [Distribution: Brazil]	Alphomelon brasiliensis Shimabukuro & Penteado-Dias, 2003
–	Metasomal terga dark brown to black but usually with yellow markings on T3 (Fig. 18D); T2 mostly rugulose (rarely mostly smooth); T1 sculptured and with petiolar ridge comparatively longer, > 0.5 tergite length; fore wing vein 2RS not as close to vein 2M (Fig. 20C), therefore no small areolet (= second submarginal cell) is apparent [Distribution: Argentina, Belize, Bolivia, Brazil, Costa Rica, Ecuador, Panama, Paraguay, Peru, Trinidad & Tobago, Venezuela. DNA: Partial barcodes]	Alphomelon citroloma Deans, 2003
10(4)	Exserted portion of ovipositor sheaths shorter than first segment of metatarsus (Figs 9A, 13A, 14A, 44A, 45A, E)	11
–	Exserted portion of ovipositor sheaths as long or longer than first segment of metatarsus (e.g., Figs 16A, 29A, 30A, 33A, 46A, 50A, 61A, 65B, 73A, 84A, 90A)	14
11(10)	T2 comparatively narrow, ca. same width than T1 width (Fig. 45E); T2 subquadrate (its width at posterior margin just < 2.50× its central length, and T2 width posterior margin < 1.20× T2 width at anterior margin); white patch on gena not extending to clypeus (although clypeus has two small pale brown spots) (Fig. 45B); hind wing with vein cu-a more or less straight; tarsal claws with three or four spines (not clearly visible in examined specimens) [Distribution: Brazil, Costa Rica. Biology: Gregarious, reared from Ebusus ebusus. DNA: BIN BOLD:ACJ4259]	Alphomelon luciarosae Fernandez-Triana & Shimbori, sp. nov.
–	T2 comparatively broad, clearly broader than T1 width (Figs 8D, 12E, 13E, 14C); T2 transverse (its width at posterior margin just > 3.00× its central length, and T2 width posterior margin > 1.20× T2 width at anterior margin); white patch on gena usually extending to clypeus (Figs 8B, 9B, 12B, 44B); hind wing with vein cu-a strongly curved towards body; tarsal claws with four spines	12
12(11)	Face black; antennae dark brown; ovipositor < 0.50× length of first segment of metatarsus; ovipositor sheaths expanded apically (Fig. 8A) [Distribution: Brazil, Colombia, Costa Rica, Ecuador, Peru]	Alphomelon brachymacher Deans, 2003
–	Face either with pale brown spot centrally or mostly brown with some yellow spots laterally; antennae pale brown; ovipositor longer than 0.50× length of first segment of metatarsus; ovipositor sheaths not expanded apically	13
13(12)	Comparatively slightly darker-colored species, face usually mostly black with only central spot brown (Fig. 13B), T2 usually black to dark brown, anteromesoscutum entirely black (Fig. 13E); T2 more transverse (its width at posterior margin > 3.00× its central length) [Distribution: Costa Rica, Mexico. Biology: Gregarious, reared from Neoxeniades luda. DNA: BIN BOLD:AAB5598]	Alphomelon bromeliphile Deans, 2003
–	Comparatively slightly paler-colored species, face mostly brown with some yellow spots laterally (Fig. 44B), T2 mostly reddish-brown to yellow-brown (Fig. 44F), anteromesoscutum with posterior margins reddish-brown; T2 less transverse (its width at posterior margin < 3.00× its central length) [Distribution: Costa Rica. Biology: Gregarious, reared from Neoxeniades pluviasilva and Neoxeniades Burns03. DNA: BIN BOLD:ABU7420]	Alphomelon keineraragoni Fernandez-Triana & Shimbori, sp. nov.
14(10)	Hind legs mostly dark (Figs 42E, 46A, 48A, 49A, 61A, 72A, 73A, 90A), with metacoxa and metafemur black, dark brown or dark reddish-brown; metatibia usually with anterior 0.1–0.2 white but rest mostly dark orange, dark brown or black, if exceptionally metatibia mostly orange, then metafemur entirely dark; body size comparatively large, usually > 4.0 mm (and up to 5.2 mm), very rarely smaller	15
–	Hind leg coloration variable but metafemur never entirely dark and metatibia mostly pale colored (orange-yellow or yellow, with at most dark spot on posterior 0.1–0.2); body size variable but rarely > 4.0 mm	20
15(14)	Metatibia almost entirely orange-yellow, with only posterior 0.1 brown (Fig. 90A); smaller size, with body length and fore wing length 3.60–3.70 mm [Distribution: Ecuador]	Alphomelon yanayacu Fernandez-Triana & Shimbori, sp. nov.
–	Metatibia entirely to mostly dark (dark orange, dark brown or black); bigger size, almost always > 4.0 mm, usually more	16
16(15)	Size comparatively larger, body length and fore wing at least 4.70 mm (4.70–5.20 mm); and tarsal claws with 3 or 4 spines; and ovipositor sheaths significantly longer (1.30–1.40×) than length of first segment of metatarsus; and tegula yellow and humeral complex brown (rarely both tegula and humeral complex brown) [Distribution: Argentina, Brazil, Costa Rica, Mexico, Venezuela. DNA: BIN BOLD:AAB8584 (partially)]	Alphomelon melanoscelis Deans, 2003
–	Size comparatively smaller, body length and fore wing usually 4.20 mm or less (3.60–4.40 mm); either with tarsal claws with fewer than three spines; and/or ovipositor sheaths < 1.20× length of first segment of metatarsus; and/or tegula yellow and humeral complex of different coloration than above	17
17(16)	T2 smooth (Figs 46F, 60D, 61E, F)	18
–	T2 entirely to partially sculptured (Figs 42F, 72E, 73D)	19
18(17)	First three laterotergites and sternites paler colored (yellow or white-yellow) (Figs 60A, 61A, C); ovipositor sheaths ca. same length than first segment of metatarsus; pterostigma comparatively less elongate (i.e., its length ≤ 2.50× its central height) and usually more rounded (i.e., at least one of its lower margins is curved); tarsal claws with 3 or 4 spines; paler colored species with metatibia usually mostly orange-brown (only posterior 0.2 dark brown), humeral complex yellow, and coxae brown [Distribution: Brazil, Colombia. DNA barcoding: Partial sequence]	Alphomelon paramelanoscelis Fernandez-Triana & Shimbori, sp. nov.
–	All laterotergites brown to dark brown (Fig. 46A); ovipositor sheaths longer (1.30–1.50×) than first segment of metatarsus; pterostigma comparatively more elongate (i.e., its length ≥ 3.00× its central height) and more triangular-shaped (i.e., its two lower margins more or less straight); tarsal claws with two spines; darker colored species with metatibia mostly dark brown to black, humeral complex brown, and all coxae dark brown to black [Distribution: Costa Rica. Biology: Solitary, reared from Corticea lysias, Cymaenes odilia trebius, Parphorus decora, and P. storax. DNA barcoding: BIN BOLD:ABX0806]	Alphomelon manuelriosi Fernandez-Triana & Shimbori, sp. nov.
19(17)	T2 strongly sculptured (Figs 72E, 73D), pterostigma comparatively less elongate (i.e., its length ≤ 2.50× its central height) and usually more rounded (i.e., at least one of its lower margins is curved) (Figs 72B, 73C); tarsal claws with three spines; ovipositor sheaths 1.10× as long as first segment of metatarsus [Distribution: Belize, Venezuela. DNA barcoding: BIN BOLD:AAB8584 (partially)]	Alphomelon rigoi Fernandez-Triana & Shimbori, sp. nov.
–	T2 only partially and much less strongly sculptured (Fig. 42F); pterostigma comparatively more elongate (i.e., its length ≥ 3.00× its central height) and more triangular-shaped (i.e., its two lower margins more or less straight) (Fig. 42D); tarsal claws with 1 or 2 spines; ovipositor sheaths 1.20–1.30× as long as first segment of metatarsus [Distribution: Costa Rica. Biology: Gregarious, reared from Vertica subrufescens. DNA barcoding: BIN BOLD:AAB6733]	Alphomelon josecortesi Fernandez-Triana & Shimbori, sp. nov.
20(14)	White patch on gena neither extending onto clypeus nor onto occiput (90%), if extending to occiput then anteromesoscutum and head strongly punctate; tarsal claws with one spine; hind wing with vein cu-a angled posteriorly towards body	21
–	White patch on gena extending onto occiput and often onto clypeus (75%); tarsal claws variable; hind wing with vein cu-a variable	22
21(20)	Wings usually infumated (Fig. 65D); head, anteromesoscutum, and scutellar disc weakly punctate; posterior 0.2 of metatibia black (Figs 65B, I); labrum black [Distribution: Argentina, Chile]	Alphomelon paurogenum Deans, 2003
–	Wings hyaline (Fig. 83C); head, anteromesoscutum and scutellar disc strongly punctate; metatibia entirely orange (Figs 83B, 85A); labrum yellow [Distribution: Canada, Mexico, United States. Biology: Solitary, reared from Euphyes spp. DNA barcoding: Partial barcodes]	Alphomelon winniewertzae Deans, 2003
22(20)	Tarsal claws simple (without spines) or with only one spine	23
–	Tarsal claws with 2–4 spines	30
23(22)	Pterostigma comparatively less elongate (i.e., its length ≤ 2.50× its central height) and usually more rounded (i.e., at least one of its lower margins is curved); hind wing with vein cu-a angled posteriorly towards body (Figs 27C, 28C, 29B, 33C); tegula yellow, humeral complex at least partially brown (often, although not always) (Fig. 27F); fore wing venation mostly brown	24
–	Pterostigma comparatively more elongate (i.e., its length ≥ 3.00× its central height) and more triangular-shaped (i.e., its two lower margins more or less straight) (Figs 4C, 5C, 6D, 7A); hind wing with vein cu-a usually straight or at most slightly curved or angled posteriorly towards body; usually (but not always) tegula paler than humeral complex (i.e., tegulae whitish and humeral complex yellow, or tegula pale yellow and humeral complex pale brown); coloration of fore wing venation variable	25
24(23)	Metafemur mostly orange-yellow but with posterior 0.2–0.5 brown (Figs 27A, 28A, 29A); T2 from smooth to slightly rugulose (Figs 27D, 28D, 29E) [Distribution: Argentina, Belize, Bolivia, Brazil, Costa Rica, Cuba, Dominica, Ecuador, Grenada, Guatemala, Mexico, Panama, Paraguay, Peru, Puerto Rico, Saint Vincent, Trinidad & Tobago, United States, Venezuela. Biology: Solitary, reared from Lerema* spp. and Cymaenes trebius. DNA barcoding: BIN BOLD:AAF3301]	Alphomelon disputabile (Ashmead, 1900)
–	Metafemur almost entirely orange-yellow with only posterior 0.1 or less with brown spot (Fig. 33A, D); T2 rather strongly sculptured with striae (Fig. 33D) [Distribution: Costa Rica. Biology: Solitary, reared from Cymaenes odilia trebius and Morys micythus. DNA barcoding: BIN BOLD:AAE5720]	Alphomelon gloriasihezarae Fernandez-Triana & Shimbori, sp. nov.
25(23)	Fore wing venation mostly brown to dark brown; T2 entirely or mostly smooth (Figs 4F, 5E, 6F, 17F, 17G)	26
–	Fore wing venation paler with at least veins M+CU, 1CU, 1M, (RS+M) a yellow-white or pale yellow-brown (Figs 2C, 16C, 32C, 76C); T2 entirely sculptured (Figs 2D, 16D, 76B)	27
26(25)	T1 mostly rugulose on posterior 0.5 (Figs 4F, 5E, 6F); hind wing with vein cu-a straight [Distribution: Brazil, Costa Rica; Biology: Gregarious, reared from Carystoides basoches and Synale cynaxa. DNA barcoding: BIN BOLD:AAB1086]	Alphomelon arecaphile Deans, 2003
–	T1 mostly smooth (Fig. 17F, G); hind wing with vein cu-a curved [Distribution: Costa Rica. Biology: Gregarious, reared from Aides brino, Carystina aurifer and Dubiella belpa. DNA barcoding: BIN BOLD:AAB0787]	Alphomelon christerhanssoni Fernandez-Triana & Shimbori, sp. nov.
27(25)	Tegula yellow and humeral complex brown; metafemur with dark spot on posterior 0.25 (Fig. 2A); metatibia with dark spot on posterior 0.2; metatibia spines white-yellow; metatarsus almost entirely dark brown (except for anterior 0.3 of first metatarsus segment orange) [Distribution: Colombia]	Alphomelon amazonas Fernandez-Triana & Shimbori, sp. nov.
–	Tegula whitish, humeral complex yellow; metafemur with dark spot on posterior 0.10–0.15; metatibia orange, without any dark spot posteriorly; metatibia spines orange, same color as metatibia; metatarsus either entirely orange or mostly pale brown but with first segment orange on anterior 0.6–0.7 and last segment entirely yellow-orange	28
28(27)	T1 parallel-sided and around 2.00× as long as wide on posterior margin (Fig. 16D, E); ovipositor sheaths comparatively longer, 0.75× metatibia length (Fig. 16A); metatarsus mostly light brown but with first segment orange on anterior 0.6–0.7 and last segment entirely yellow-orange (Fig. 16A) [Distribution: Costa Rica. Biology: Solitary, reared from Carystoides escalantei. DNA barcoding: BIN BOLD:ACE5969]	Alphomelon carolinacanoae Fernandez-Triana & Shimbori, sp. nov.
–	T1 broadening towards posterior margin, < 1.50× as long as wide on posterior margin; ovipositor sheaths comparatively shorter, around half metatibia length; metatarsus entirely orange	29
29(28)	T1 mostly to entirely smooth (although with strongly defined petiolar ridge); ovipositor sheaths comparatively shorter, 0.50× metatibia length and ca. same length (1.03×) than first segment of metatarsus (Fig. 32A); slightly smaller size, body length 3.9 mm, fore wing length 3.9 mm [Distribution: Costa Rica. Biology: Solitary, reared from Nisoniades castolus. DNA barcoding: BIN BOLD:AAC7653]	Alphomelon eliethcantillanoae Fernandez-Triana & Shimbori, sp. nov.
–	T1 coarsely sculptured on posterior 0.3–0.5 (in addition to strongly defined petiolar ridge); ovipositor sheaths comparatively longer, > 0.60× metatibia length and much longer (1.30–1.40×) than first segment of metatarsus (Fig. 76A); slightly larger size, body length almost always > 4.0 mm, fore wing length almost always > 4.1 mm [Distribution: Costa Rica. Biology: Solitary, reared from Calpodes ethlius, Enosis angularis, Perichares adela and Tromba xanthura. DNA barcoding: BIN BOLD:AAD2561]	Alphomelon sergioriosi Fernandez-Triana & Shimbori, sp. nov.
30(22)	Tegula black to dark brown; T1 with central ridge strongly bifurcating at posterior end, its arms comparatively widely separated [Distribution: Brazil, Costa Rica, Venezuela. Biology: Gregarious, reared from unidentified hesperiid on Cannaceae and Poaceae]	Alphomelon conforme (Muesebeck, 1958)
–	Tegula pale colored (translucent or yellow); T1 with central ridge not strongly bifurcating at posterior end, its arms comparatively narrowly separated	31
31(30)	T1 strongly costate centrally (Figs 3C, E, 69B, D, E, 75F); T2 rugose, raised medially	32
–	T1 not strongly costate; T2 rugulose or nitid	34
32(31)	Flagellomeres black; tegula yellow (Fig. 3D); mesopleuron mostly smooth (at most with shallow and sparse punctures on anterior half); tarsal claws with three spines; males with pterostigma centrally white with brown margins and entire metasoma black [Distribution: Costa Rica. Biology: Solitary, reared from Anthoptus epictetus, A. insignis, Anthoptus Burns33, Conga chydaea, Corticea corticea, Cymaenes odilia trebius, Cymaenes Burns01, Cynea irma, Justinia norda, Morys lydeDHJ02, Nyctelius nyctelius, Parphorus decora, Psoralis Janzen38, Synapte salenus, Vehilius vetula and Vettius aurelius. DNA barcoding: BIN BOLD:ADJ6568]	Alphomelon andydeansi Fernandez-Triana & Shimbori, sp. nov.
–	Flagellomeres brown to dark brown; tegula usually brown; mesopleuron mostly rugose or with deep punctures; tarsal claws with two spines; males (only known for A. rhyssocercus) with pterostigma entirely brown and T2 and T3 orange-brown	33
33(32)	White patch on gena extending to occiput and onto clypeus (sometimes clypeus yellow laterally, with only central third brown-black) (Fig. 68B); T2 and T3 brown to pale brown, T4+ brown (Fig. 69D); pro- and mesocoxae reddish-brown, metacoxa reddish brown to dark brown (Fig. 69A); mesopleuron with deep punctures [Distribution: Argentina, Costa Rica, Ecuador, Panama, Peru, Trinidad & Tobago, Venezuela]	Alphomelon rhyssocercus Deans, 2003
–	White patch on gena not extending to occiput or clypeus (clypeus entirely black) (Fig. 75B); entire metasoma dorsally black (Fig. 75F); coxae black (Fig. 75A, E); mesopleuron rugose [Distribution: Brazil]	Alphomelon rugosus Shimabukuro & Penteado-Dias, 2003
34(31)	T1 with central ridge present (Figs 1E, 25C, 38D, 58E, 71E, 74D, E, 80D, 82F)	35
–	T1 only with inconspicuous depression centrally (Figs 26E, F, 52E, 54E, 55G)	44
35(34)	Pterostigma comparatively more elongate (i.e., its length ≥ 3.00× its central height) and more triangular-shaped (i.e., its two lower margins more or less straight) (Figs 1C, 25A, 70B)	36
–	Pterostigma comparatively less elongate (i.e., its length ≤ 2.50× its central height) and usually more rounded (i.e., at least one of its lower margins is curved) (Figs 40C, 52C, 80D, 82D)	41
36(35)¹	Metafemur darker, with posterior 0.5 dark brown (Fig. 74A) [Distribution: Brazil, Costa Rica. Biology: Solitary, reared from Tigasis simplex and Vettius aurelius. DNA barcoding: BIN BOLD:ACB1223]	Alphomelon rostermoragai Fernandez-Triana & Shimbori, sp. nov.
–	Metafemur paler, with only posterior 0.1–0.2 dark brown	37
37(36)	T1 comparatively much broader posteriorly than anteriorly (posterior margin 1.50× as long as anterior margin, T1 median length 1.15× its maximum width) (Fig. 25E); and tegula and humeral complex yellow (Fig. 25B) [Distribution: Brazil]	Alphomelon cruzi Shimbori & Fernandez-Triana, sp. nov.
–	T1 comparatively much less broad posteriorly (posterior margin < 1.30× as long as anterior margin, T1 median length 1.30–1.60× its maximum width); and tegula different color than humeral complex, if tegula and humeral complex yellow then T1 median length at least 1.50× its maximum width	38
38(37)	T1 comparatively slightly wider (its median length 1.30–1.40× its maximum width); tegula different color than humeral complex (Figs 1E, 58E)	39
–	T1 comparatively slightly narrower (its median length 1.50–1.60× its maximum width); tegula and humeral complex yellow (Figs 38D, 71E)	40
39(38)	Tegula white-yellow, paler colored than humeral complex (which is dark yellow to yellow-brown) (Fig. 58E); all coxae black (Fig. 58A) [Distribution: Costa Rica. Biology: Solitary, reared from Enosis immaculata, Eutychide ochus, Niconiades gladys, N. incomptus, Oxynthes corusca, Parphorus decora, Vettius pica and an unidentified hesperiid with provisional name “hespJanzen01 Janzen60”. DNA barcoding: BIN BOLD:AAJ2207]	Alphomelon osvaldoespinozai Fernandez-Triana & Shimbori, sp. nov.
–	Tegula pale brown, darker than yellow humeral complex (Fig. 1E); coxae usually reddish brown [Distribution: Costa Rica. Biology. Gregarious, reared from Niconiades incomptus and Parphorus decora. DNA barcoding: BIN BOLD:AAR3562]	Alphomelon adrianguadamuzi Fernandez-Triana & Shimbori, sp. nov.
40(38)	Tarsal claws with 2 or 3 very small spines which are difficult to see [Distribution: Costa Rica. Biology: Gregarious, reared from Cynea cynea, C. megalops and C. Burns06. DNA barcoding: BIN BOLD:AAB7535]	Alphomelon ricardocaleroi Fernandez-Triana & Shimbori, sp. nov.
–	Tarsal claws with 3 or 4 spines which are clearly visible [Distribution: Costa Rica. Biology: Gregarious, reared from Calpodes fusta, C. severus, Cynea anthracinus, C. cynea, C. irma, C. megalops, C. Burns02, C. Burns04, C. Burns05, C. Burns06, C. Burns11, Rhinthon molion, and R. osca. DNA barcoding: BIN BOLD:AAA6775]	Alphomelon hazelcambroneroae Fernandez-Triana & Shimbori, sp. nov.
41(35)	Ovipositor width 0.3 width of first segment of metatarsus; hind wing with vein cu-a strongly angled at midpoint towards body [Distribution: Belize, Brazil, Colombia, Costa Rica, Ecuador, Guyana, Mexico, Panama, Peru, Trinidad & Tobago, Venezuela. Biology: Gregarious, reared from Talides sergestus, T. sinois, T. Burns01, T. Burns02, T. Burns03, T. Burns04 and Thracides phidon. DNA barcoding: BIN BOLD:AAA7259]	Alphomelon talidicida (Wilkinson, 1931)
–	Ovipositor width 0.5 width of first segment of metatarsus; hind wing with vein cu-a slightly angled around median section (of vein)	42
42(41)	Metafemur entirely yellow (Figs 40A, 41A); laterotergites dark brown; procoxa pale brown to yellow, metacoxa usually with ventro-apical yellow spot (very small to covering most of coxa) [Distribution: Brazil]	Alphomelon itatiaiensis Shimbori & Fernandez-Triana, sp. nov.
–	Metafemur with dark brown spot on posterior 0.1–0.25 and/or first laterotergites yellow; all coxae dark brown	43
43(42)	Tarsal claws with two spines; first three laterotergites yellow (Fig. 15A); posterior 0.1 of T3 pale yellow-brown, rest of T3 dark brown (Fig. 15F); metafemur with dark brown spot on posterior 0.1; tegula and humeral complex same yellow color (Fig. 15E); pterostigma slightly more elongated (3.00× as long as its maximum height) [Distribution: Costa Rica. Biology: Solitary, reared from Vettius aurelius. DNA barcoding: BIN BOLD:ADA5721]	Alphomelon calixtomoragai Fernandez-Triana & Shimbori, sp. nov.
–	Tarsal claws with one spine; all laterotergites dark brown (Fig. 66A); T3 entirely dark brown (Fig. 66D); metafemur with dark brown spot on posterior 0.25 (Fig. 66A); tegula white, paler than yellow humeral complex (Fig. 66E); pterostigma slightly less elongated (2.80× as long as its maximum height) [Distribution: Costa Rica. Biology: Solitary, reared from Anthoptus epictetus, Conga chydaea Lerema liris, Morys lyde, M. micythus, Vehilius vetula, and Vehilius Janzen03. DNA barcoding: BIN BOLD:ADA7564]	Alphomelon petronariosae Fernandez-Triana & Shimbori, sp. nov.
44(34)	Metafemur entirely orange-yellow; metasoma dorsally entirely dark brown (Fig. 59A, E) [Distribution: Brazil]	Alphomelon palomae Shimbori & Fernandez-Triana, sp. nov.
–	Metafemur with dark brown to black spot on posterior 0.1 (spot usually larger) (Figs 26E, 56A); metasoma often with T2 and/or T3 partially paler (pale brown, pale reddish brown, yellow-brown) (Figs 30D, 52E, 53E, 56B)	45
45(44)	White patch on gena usually not extending onto clypeus (Figs 26A, 30B); T1 mostly nitid with petiolar ridge represented by slight depression (Figs 26E, F, 30D); usually hind wing vein cu-a evenly curved towards body and tarsal claws with two spines and ovipositor width 0.5 width of first segment of metatarsus (if hind wing with vein cu-a strongly curved medially and tarsal claws with three spines and ovipositor width 0.3 width of first segment of metatarsus, then body size smaller, ~ 2.7 mm)	46
–	White patch on gena extending onto lateral portions of clypeus; T1 at least somewhat rugulose, slightly punctate and with central ridge represented by raised bump with slight depression; usually hind with wing vein cu-a sharply angled at midpoint and tarsal claws with 3 or 4 spines and ovipositor width 0.3 width of first segment of metatarsus (if hind wing vein cu-a evenly curved towards body and/or tarsal claws with two spines then body size larger, 3.0–4.0 mm)	48
46(45)	Metafemur brown on posterior 0.5 (Fig. 26C, D); tarsal claws with three spines; ovipositor width 0.3 width of first segment of metatarsus; hind wing with vein cu-a strongly curved medially [Distribution: Costa Rica. Biology: Gregarious, reared from Niconiades incomptus. DNA barcoding: BIN BOLD:AAE2209]	Alphomelon diniamartinezae Fernandez-Triana & Shimbori, sp. nov.
–	Metafemur brown on posterior 0.1–0.2 (Figs 30A, 52A, 53A, 54A); tarsal claws with two spines; ovipositor width 0.5 width of first segment of metatarsus; hind wing with vein cu-a evenly curved towards body	47
47(46)	Body size slightly larger (3.3–3.4 mm); T2 paler (orange-yellow or pale reddish-brown) and contrasting with rest of tergites (mostly dark brown to black) (Fig. 30D) [Distribution: Costa Rica. Biology: Gregarious, reared from Methionopsis ina. DNA barcoding: BIN BOLD:AAB4029]	Alphomelon duvalierbricenoi Fernandez-Triana & Shimbori, sp. nov.
–	Body size slightly smaller (<3.0 mm); T2 (pale brown to rarely orange-yellow) usually less contrasting or not contrasting at all with rest of tergites (mostly brown to pale brown or rarely orange-brown) (variation shown in Figs 52E, 53E, 54E, 55F, 56B) [Distribution: Brazil, Costa Rica, Ecuador, Mexico, Panama, Trinidad & Tobago. Biology: Gregarious, reared from Carystoides basoches, C. escalantei, C. hondura, C. orbius, Carystoides Burns01, and Cobalopsis sp. (questionable). DNA barcoding: BIN BOLD:AAB9792]	Alphomelon nanosoma Deans, 2003
48(45)	Tegula and humeral complex comparatively paler (white-yellow) (Fig. 51C, F); metafemur with comparatively very small dark spot on posterior 0.1 or less (Fig. 51A); fore wing with many veins pale (yellow-brown to yellow-white), including veins M+CU, 1M, (RS+M)a, (RS+M)b and R1 (Fig. 51C); hind wing with vein cu-a curved medially; T2 comparatively narrower when compared with T1 (T2 width at posterior margin < 1.5× T1 width at posterior margin) [Distribution: Costa Rica. Biology: Gregarious, reared from Parphorus decora, Quasimellana servilius and Quasimellana Burns01. DNA barcoding: BIN BOLD:AAJ2210]	Alphomelon mikesharkeyi Fernandez-Triana & Shimbori, sp. nov.
–	Tegula and humeral complex comparatively darker (yellow) (Figs 87F, 89A); metafemur with comparatively larger dark spot on posterior 0.3 (Figs 86A, 87A, 88A, 89C); fore wing with most veins dark (dark brown to pale brown) (Figs 86D, 87D, 88D, 89A); hind wing with vein cu-a usually sharply angled at midpoint towards body; T2 comparatively wider when compared with T1 (T2 width at posterior margin > 1.5× T1 width at posterior margin) [Distribution: Costa Rica. Biology: Gregarious, reared from Calpodes esperi, C. ethlius, C. fusta, C. severus, Cobalopsis nero, Cynea irma, Cymaenes odilia trebius, C. trebius, C. Burns01, Joanna joanna, Justinia norda, Morys lyde, M. micythus, M. valerius valda, M. lydeDHJ01, M. lydeDHJ02, Parphorus decora, Quinta cannae, Rhinthon molion, R. osca, Synapte salenus, S. silius, Vettius aurelius. DNA barcoding: BIN BOLD:AAA1634]	Alphomelon xestopyga Deans, 2003

Taxonomic treatment of species, in alphabetical order

Alphomelon adrianguadamuzi Fernandez-Triana & Shimbori, sp. nov.

https://zoobank.org/703277DC-6B5C-4D32-B66F-882D77BB9D21

Figs 1A–E, 91A

Type material

Holotype. Costa Rica • Female, CNC; Alajuela, Area de Conservación Guanacaste, Brasilia, Gallinazo, 11°01'05.70"N, 85°22'19.16"W, 360m; 9.I.2012; ex. Parphorus decora; coll. Minor Carmona; Voucher code: DHJPAR0047257; Host voucher code: 12-SRNP-65054.

Distribution

Costa Rica (ACG).

Biology

Solitary, reared from Niconiades incomptus and Parphorus decora.

DNA barcoding

BIN BOLD:AAR3562.

Etymology

Named in honor of Sr. Adrián Guadamuz in honor of his decades of teamwork in the ACG parataxonomist team.

Diagnostic description

White patch on gena: extending to occiput but not to clypeus. Tegula/humeral complex color: brown/yellow. Mesonotum color: mostly dark brown to black. Metasoma color: mostly black or dark brown. Tarsal claws spines: 3. Pterostigma shape: comparatively less elongate, its length ≤ 2.5× its central height and usually more rounded with at least one of its lower margins curved. T1 sculpture: weakly sculptured along margins. T1 central ridge: clearly marked by two raised carinae. T2 sculpture: entirely to mostly smooth. Ovipositor sheaths length: longer than first segment of metatarsus. Body length: 3.6 mm. Fore wing length: 3.6 mm.

Figure 1.

Alphomelon adrianguadamuzi Fernandez-Triana & Shimbori holotype female DHJPAR0047257 A habitus, lateral B head, frontal C fore wing D propodeum and metasoma, dorsal E head and mesosoma, dorsal.

Alphomelon amazonas Fernandez-Triana & Shimbori, sp. nov.

https://zoobank.org/A239BCD6-BD74-4C0F-9E1E-1CAF9D3E2D4A

Fig. 2A–E

Type material

Holotype. Colombia • Female, CNC; Amazonas, Leticia, 04°12'34.20"S, 69°56'49.53"W; 19–26.II.1974; Malaise Trap; Voucher code: CNC1066010.

Distribution

Colombia.

Biology

No data.

DNA barcoding

Not available.

Etymology

Named after the Colombian department Amazonas, the capital of which is the type locality, Leticia. The species name also indirectly refers to the Amazon River (in Spanish also spelled as Amazonas), which borders the city of Leticia, as an appreciation of the extraordinary diversity found in that area.

Diagnostic description

White patch on gena: extending to occiput but not to clypeus. Tegula/humeral complex color: yellow/brown. Mesonotum color: mostly dark brown to black. Metasoma color: mostly black or dark brown. Tarsal claws spines: 1. Pterostigma shape: comparatively more elongate, its length ≥ 3.0× its central height and more triangular-shaped with its two lower margins more or less straight. T1 sculpture: strongly sculptured on at least apical half or more. T1 central ridge: strongly marked by two raised carinae and strong costulae centrally. T2 sculpture: entirely to mostly strongly sculptured. Ovipositor sheaths length: longer than first segment of metatarsus. Body length: 4.1 mm. Fore wing length: 3.7 mm.

Figure 2.

Alphomelon amazonas Fernandez-Triana & Shimbori holotype female CNC1066010 A habitus, lateral B head, frontal C fore wing D propodeum and metasoma, dorsal E mesosoma and T1, dorsal.

Alphomelon andydeansi Fernandez-Triana & Shimbori, sp. nov.

https://zoobank.org/DDBF4E97-0082-47AD-8399-DCA888B7BC0E

Figs 3A–F, 91B

Type material

Holotype. Costa Rica • Female, CNC; Guanacaste, Area de Conservación Guanacaste, Sector Santa Rosa, Area Administrativa, 10°50'15.50"N, 85°37'07.36"W, 295m; 25.XII.2008; Malaise Trap; coll. Daniel Janzen & Winifred Hallwachs; Voucher code: DHJPAR0031609.

Paratypes. Costa Rica• 17 females, 3 males, CNC; DHJPAR0031655, DHJPAR0031618, DHJPAR0031647, DHJPAR0031619, DHJPAR0043085, DHJPAR0031612, DHJPAR0031613, DHJPAR0031643, DHJPAR0031611, DHJPAR0031615, DHJPAR0025868, DHJPAR0047217, DHJPAR0031617, DHJPAR0047175, DHJPAR0049243, DHJPAR0049244, DHJPAR0049254, DHJPAR0049260, DHJPAR0049250, DHJPAR0055291.

Distribution

Costa Rica (ACG).

Biology

Solitary, reared from Anthoptus epictetus, A. insignis, A. Burns33, Conga chydaea, Corticea corticea, Cymaenes odilia trebius, Cymaenes Burns01, Cynea irma, Justinia norda, Morys lydeDHJ02, Nyctelius nyctelius, Parphorus decora, Psoralis Janzen38, Synapte salenus, Vehilius vetula and Vettius aurelius, all feeding on Poaceae.

DNA barcoding

BIN BOLD:ADJ6568.

Etymology

Named in honor of Dr. Andrew (Andy) Deans in honor of his effort to work on the morphological taxonomy of ACG, and as a pioneer in the taxonomic study of Alphomelon, before the tool of DNA barcoding for identification became widely available.

Diagnostic description

White patch on gena: extending to occiput and onto clypeus. Tegula/humeral complex color: yellow/yellow. Mesonotum color: mostly dark brown to black. Metasoma color: mostly dark brown to black but with some laterotergites and sternites yellow. Tarsal claws spines: 2 or 3. Pterostigma shape: comparatively less elongate, its length ≤ 2.5× its central height and usually more rounded with at least one of its lower margins curved. T1 sculpture: strongly sculptured on at least apical half or more. T1 central ridge: clearly marked by two raised carinae. T2 sculpture: entirely to mostly strongly sculptured. Ovipositor sheaths length: longer than first segment of metatarsus. Body length: 3.5–4.3 mm. Fore wing length: 3.6–4.2 mm.

Figure 3.

Alphomelon andydeansi Fernandez-Triana & Shimbori holotype female DHJPAR0031609 A habitus, lateral B head, frontal C wings D mesosoma, dorsal E propodeum and metasoma, dorsal F ovipositor, lateral.

Alphomelon arecaphile Deans, 2003

Figs 4A–F, 5A–F, 6A–G, 7A–C, 92A

Distribution

Brazil (PA), Costa Rica (ACG); collected in intermediate altitude rainforest sites.

Biology

Gregarious, reared from Carystoides basoches and Synale cynaxa.

DNA barcoding

BIN BOLD:AAB1086.

Other specimens examined

(14 females, 4 males). DHJPAR0050978, CNC1802029, CNC1802030, CNC1802031, CNC1802032, CNC1802033, CNC1802034, CNC1802035, CNC1802036, DHJPAR0053712, DHJPAR0026445, DHJPAR0047100, CNC280512, CNC704668, CNC704667, CNC704664, CNC704665, CNC704666.

Notes

This species was keyed out by Deans et al. (2003) in an incorrect way, as it has one spine on the tarsal claws but it was keyed out through the second half of their couplet 11, which stated “tarsal claws with 2–4 spines” (Deans et al. 2003: 7). Here we have keyed out the species based on the correct assessment of this character. A few specimens may have some veins in the fore wing more pale in color, but otherwise they fit very well with the rest of the characters (including biology, molecular and other morphological features).

Figure 4.

Alphomelon arecaphile Deans female CNC280512 A habitus, lateral B head, frontal C wings D antenna, lateral E mesosoma, dorsal F propodeum and metasoma, dorsal.

Figure 5.

Alphomelon arecaphile Deans female CNC704666 A habitus, lateral B head, frontal C wings D head, fronto-lateral E metasoma, dorsal F mesosoma, dorsal.

Figure 6.

Alphomelon arecaphile Deans female DHJPAR0053712 A hind leg B habitus, lateral C head, frontal D wings E mesosoma, dorsal F propodeum and metasoma, dorsal G ovipositor, lateral.

Figure 7.

Alphomelon arecaphile Deans holotype female USNMENT00828294 A habitus, lateral B habitus, dorsal C close-up of habitus, lateral.

Alphomelon brachymacher Deans, 2003

Figs 8A–E, 9A–F, 10A–C

Distribution

Brazil (ES, MT, PA, SC), Colombia, Costa Rica, Ecuador, Peru.

Biology

No data.

DNA barcoding

Four partial barcodes (164 bp).

Other specimens examined

(8 females). CNCHYM 00010, CNC280513, CNC704683, CNCHYM 00006, CNCHYM 00007, CNCHYM 00008, CNCHYM 00009, CNC704684.

Notes

Some of the specimens we have seen (e.g., Fig. 8A) have the ovipositor longer and of different coloration than what was discussed by Deans et al. (2003).

Figure 8.

Alphomelon brachymacher Deans female CNCHYM 00006 A habitus, lateral B head, frontal C wings D propodeum and metasoma, dorsal E mesosoma, dorsal.

Figure 9.

Alphomelon brachymacher Deans female CNCHYM 00010 A habitus, lateral B head, frontal C wings D head, fronto-lateral E metasoma, dorsal F mesosoma, dorsal.

Figure 10.

Alphomelon brachymacher Deans holotype female USNMENT00828295 A close-up of habitus, lateral B head and mesosoma, dorsal C habitus, lateral.

Alphomelon brasiliensis Shimabukuro & Penteado-Dias, 2003

Fig. 11A–G

Distribution

Brazil (MG, SP, RS).

Biology

Unknown.

DNA barcoding

Not available.

Notes

The fore wing vein 2RS is very close to vein 2M (Fig. 11C), giving the impression that a small areolet (= second submarginal cell) is present; although the posterior end of that supposed areolet (which would correspond to veins r-m and/or 3RS) is not defined. This feature (of having an almost completely defined areolet) is unique among all species of Alphomelon that we studied.

Figure 11.

Alphomelon brasiliensis Shimabukuro & Penteado-Dias holotype female DCBU513116 A habitus, lateral B head, frontal C fore wing D mesosoma, dorsal E antenna, lateral F habitus, dorsal G metasoma, dorsal.

Alphomelon bromeliphile Deans, 2003

Figs 12A–E, 13A–F, 14A–C, 92B

Distribution

Costa Rica (ACG), Mexico.

Biology

Gregarious, reared from Neoxeniades luda.

DNA barcoding

BIN BOLD:AAB5598.

Other specimens examined

(14 females, 7 males, 2 sex unknown). DHJPAR0051200, CNC1802037, CNC1802038, CNC1802039, CNC1802040, CNC1802041, CNC1802042, CNC1802043, DHJPAR0031621, DHJPAR0031657, DHJPAR0031669, DHJPAR0003979 (additional specimens in a gel capsule associated with that specimen), CNC1802044, CNC1802045, CNC1802046, CNCHYM 00011, CNC704663, CNC704660, CNC704662, CNC704661, CNC704659, CNC704658, CNC280514.

Figure 12.

Alphomelon bromeliphile Deans female CNC704660 A habitus, lateral B head, frontal C fore wing D head and mesosoma, dorsal E propodeum and metasoma, dorsal.

Figure 13.

Alphomelon bromeliphile Deans female CNC1802037 A habitus, lateral B head, frontal C head, lateral D wings E Propodeum and metasoma, dorsal F mesosoma, dorsal.

Figure 14.

Alphomelon bromeliphile Deans holotype female USNMENT00828296 A habitus, lateral B close-up of habitus, lateral C habitus, dorsal.

Alphomelon calixtomoragai Fernandez-Triana & Shimbori, sp. nov.

https://zoobank.org/2083B0DD-A58D-4741-843D-C409ECEBE2CC

Figs 15A–F, 93A

Type material

Holotype. Costa Rica • Female, CNC; Guanacaste, Area de Conservación Guanacaste, Sector El Hacha, Vuelta Peligrosa, 11°02'07.22"N, 85°32'11.22"W, 280m; 25.IX.2008; ex. Vettius aurelius; coll. Roster Moraga; Voucher code: DHJPAR0034186; Host voucher code: 08-SRNP-23629.

Other specimens examined

Mexico • 1 female, CBG. Voucher code: BIOUG26457-C04.

Distribution

Costa Rica (ACG), Mexico.

Biology

Solitary, reared from Vettius aurelius.

DNA barcoding

BIN BOLD:ADA5721.

Etymology

Named in honor of Sr. Calixto Moraga in honor of his decades of teamwork in the ACG parataxonomist team.

Diagnostic description

White patch on gena: extending to occiput and onto clypeus. Tegula/humeral complex color: yellow/yellow. Mesonotum color: mostly dark brown to black. Metasoma color: mostly dark brown to black but with some laterotergites and sternites yellow. Tarsal claws spines: 2. Pterostigma shape: comparatively less elongate, its length ≤ 2.5× its central height and usually more rounded with at least one of its lower margins curved. T1 sculpture: entirely to mostly smooth. T1 central ridge: clearly marked by two raised carinae. T2 sculpture: entirely to mostly smooth. Ovipositor sheaths length: longer than first segment of metatarsus. Body length: 4.3 mm. Fore wing length: 4.6 mm.

Figure 15.

Alphomelon calixtomoragai Fernandez-Triana & Shimbori holotype female DHJPAR0034186 A habitus, lateral B antenna, lateral C fore wing D head, frontal E head and mesosoma, dorsal F propodeum and metasoma, dorsal.

Notes

The specimen from Mexico (which has an almost complete barcode with 564 bp) is associated with the species because its sequence matches perfectly with the specimen from ACG and the image available in BOLD is also similar. The sequences of A. calixtomoragai and A. petronariosae are comparatively very similar (only 1.28% bp difference) but they have morphological differences (see key) as well as different hosts.

Alphomelon carolinacanoae Fernandez-Triana & Shimbori, sp. nov.

https://zoobank.org/E8F5245F-6310-4D89-BE95-8AEDE51B45CF

Figs 16A–E, 93B

Type material

Holotype. Costa Rica • Female, CNC; Guanacaste, Area de Conservación Guanacaste, Sector Cacao, Sendero Nayo, 10°55'28.06"N, 85°28'10.31"W, 1090m; 22.X.2013; ex. Carystoides escalantei; coll. Harry Ramirez; Voucher code: DHJPAR0054776; Host voucher code: 13-SRNP-36219.

Distribution

Costa Rica (ACG).

Biology

Solitary, reared from Carystoides escalantei.

DNA barcoding

BIN BOLD:ACE5969.

Etymology

Named in honor of Sra. Carolina Cano in honor of her decades of teamwork in the ACG parataxonomist team.

Diagnostic description

White patch on gena: extending to occiput but not to clypeus. Tegula/humeral complex color: white/yellow. Mesonotum color: mostly dark brown to black. Metasoma color: mostly black or dark brown. Tarsal claws spines: 1. Pterostigma shape: comparatively more elongate, its length ≥ 3.0× its central height and more triangular with its two lower margins more or less straight. T1 sculpture: strongly sculptured on at least apical half or more. T1 central ridge: strongly marked by two raised carinae and strong costulae centrally. T2 sculpture: entirely to mostly strongly sculptured. Ovipositor sheaths length: longer than first segment of metatarsus. Body length: 4.3 mm. Fore wing length: 4.5 mm.

Figure 16.

Alphomelon carolinacanoae Fernandez-Triana & Shimbori holotype female DHJPAR0054776 A habitus, lateral B head, frontal C fore wing D metasoma, dorsal E head and mesosoma, dorsal.

Notes

The single specimen studied had all the anterior and middle legs with one spine on every tarsal claw; one hind leg was missing, but the one present had a different number of spines on its tarsal claws (one claw had two spines whereas the second claw had one spine). Here we consider the species as having tarsal claws with one spine and thus, the species should be run through the first half of couplet 22; if other specimens become available in the future this species may need to be run differently in the key.

Alphomelon christerhanssoni Fernandez-Triana & Shimbori, sp. nov.

https://zoobank.org/FD3052CE-87E2-4C87-8AC7-F989B25F0C5E

Figs 17A–G, 94A

Type material

Holotype. Costa Rica • Female, CNC; Alajuela, Area de Conservación Guanacaste, Sector Rincon Rain Forest, Quebrada Escondida, 10°53'57.41"N, 85°16'29.50"W, 420m; 21.III.2013; ex. Carystina aurifer; coll. Pablo Umana Calderon; Voucher code: CNC308752; Host voucher code: 13-SRNP-41090.

Paratypes. Costa Rica • 63 females, 6 males, CNC; DHJPAR0051210, DHJPAR0051778, DHJPAR0038130, DHJPAR0034208, CNC308762, CNC308761, CNC308763, CNC308764, CNC308765, CNC308766, CNC308767, CNC308768, CNC308769, CNC308770, CNC308771, CNC308772, CNC308773, CNC308774, CNC308775, CNC308776, CNC308777, CNC308778, CNC308779, CNC308780, CNC308781 (additional specimens in a gel capsule associated with that specimen), CNC308782, DHJPAR0052972, CNC308753, CNC308754, CNC308755, CNC308756, CNC308757 (additional specimens in a gel capsule associated with that specimen), DHJPAR0041775, DHJPAR0038131, CNC308786, CNC308783 (additional specimens in a gel capsule associated with that specimen), DHJPAR0038970, DHJPAR0030718, DHJPAR0041792, DHJPAR0047129, CNC308784, CNC308785 (additional specimens in a gel capsule associated with that specimen), CNC958829, CNC958831, CNC958830, CNC958832 (additional specimens in a gel capsule associated with that specimen), DHJPAR0039878, DHJPAR0055257, CNC308787, CNC308788, CNC308789, CNC308790, CNC308791, CNC308792, CNC308793, CNC308794, CNC308795, DHJPAR0053105, CNC308800, CNC308801, DHJPAR0020200, CNC308796, CNC308797, DHJPAR0053730, CNC308798, CNC308799, DHJPAR0054626, CNC308802, CNC308803.

Figure 17.

Alphomelon christerhanssoni Fernandez-Triana & Shimbori holotype female CNC308752 A head, lateral B habitus, lateral C head, frontal D ovipositor, lateral E wings, F propodeum and metasoma, dorsal G mesosoma, dorsal.

Distribution

Costa Rica (ACG).

Biology

Gregarious, reared from Aides brino, Carystina aurifer, and Dubiella belpa.

DNA barcoding

BIN BOLD:AAB0787.

Etymology

Named after Mr. Christer Hansson in honor of his dedication to the taxonomy of the Eulophidae (Chalcidoidea) of Costa Rica.

Diagnostic description

White patch on gena: extending to occiput and onto clypeus. Tegula/humeral complex color: yellow/ partially yellow and partially brown. Mesonotum color: mostly dark brown to black. Metasoma color: mostly black or dark brown. Tarsal claws spines: 1. Pterostigma shape: comparatively more elongate, its length ≥ 3.0× its central height and more triangular with its two lower margins more or less straight. T1 sculpture: entirely to mostly smooth. T1 central ridge: clearly marked by two raised carinae. T2 sculpture: entirely to mostly smooth. Ovipositor sheaths length: longer than first segment of metatarsus. Body length: 3.6–3.9 mm. Fore wing length: 3.4–3.8 mm.

Alphomelon citroloma Deans, 2003

Figs 18A–E, 19A–C, 20A–F

Distribution

Argentina, Belize*, Bolivia, Brazil (PE, RJ, RO), Costa Rica, Ecuador, Panama, Paraguay, Peru*, Trinidad & Tobago, Venezuela.

Biology

No data.

DNA barcoding

No BIN but four partial barcodes (109–234 bp) available.

Notes

In the CNC collection many specimens from Central and South America look morphologically similar to A. citroloma. However, they differ in coloration, sculpture of T2, and the number of spines on the tarsal claws. We suspect additional cryptic species may be discovered in the future when the South American fauna is better studied and more DNA barcodes become available.

Other specimens examined

(79 females, 72 males, 1 sex unknown): CNC280515, CNCHYM 00019, CNCHYM 00016, CNCHYM 00018, CNCHYM 00012, CNCHYM 00013, CNCHYM 00014, CNCHYM 00015, CNCH0686, CNC704128, CNC704129, CNC704130, CNC704131, CNC704132, CNC704133, CNC704134, CNC704135, CNC704136, CNC704137, CNC704138, CNC704139, CNC704140, CNC704141, CNC704142, CNC704143, CNC704144, CNC704145, CNC704146, CNC704147, CNC704148, CNC704149, CNC704150, CNC704151, CNC704152, CNC704153, CNC704154, CNC704155, CNC704156, CNC704157, CNC704158, CNC704159, CNC704160, CNC704161, CNC704162, CNC704163, CNC704164, CNC704165, CNC704166, CNC704167, CNC704168, CNC704169, CNC704170, CNC704171, CNC704172, CNC704173, CNC704174, CNC704175, CNC704176, CNC704177, CNC704178, CNC704179, CNC704180, CNC704181, CNC704182, CNC704183, CNC704184, CNC704185, CNC704186, CNC704187, CNC704188, CNC704189, CNC704190, CNC704191, CNC704192, CNC704193, CNC704194, CNC704195, CNC704196, CNC704197, CNC704198, CNC704199, CNC704200, CNC704201, CNC704202, CNC704203, CNC704204, CNC704205, CNC704206, CNC704207, CNC704208, CNC704209, CNC704210, CNC704211, CNC704212, CNC704213, CNC704214, CNC704215, CNC704216, CNC704217, CNC704218, CNC704219, CNC704220, CNC704221, CNC704222, CNC704223, CNC704224, CNC704225, CNC704226, CNC704227, CNC704228, CNC704229, CNC704230, CNC704231, CNC704232, CNC704233, CNC704234, CNC704235, CNC704236, CNC704237, CNC704238, CNC704239, CNC704240, CNC704241, CNC704242, CNC704243, CNC704244, CNC704245, CNC704246, CNC704247, CNC704248, CNC704249, CNC704250, CNC704251, CNC704252, CNC704253, CNC704670, CNC704671, CNC704672, CNC704673, CNC704674, CNC704675, CNC704676, CNC704677, CNC704678, CNC704679, CNC704680, CNC704681, CNC704682, CNC704685, CNC704686, CNC704687, CNC1065904.

Figure 18.

Alphomelon citroloma Deans female CNC704170 A habitus, lateral B head, frontal C fore wing D propodeum and metasoma, dorsal E mesosoma, dorsal.

Figure 19.

Alphomelon citroloma Deans holotype female USNMENT00828298 A close-up of habitus, lateral B habitus, dorsal C habitus, lateral.

Figure 20.

Alphomelon citroloma Deans male CNCHYM 00019 A habitus, lateral B head, frontal C wings D head, fronto-lateral E metasoma, dorsal F mesosoma, dorsal.

Alphomelon conforme (Muesebeck, 1958)

Fig. 21A–H

Distribution

Brazil (RJ), Costa Rica, Venezuela; specimens collected in rainforest sites.

Biology

Gregarious, reared from unidentified hesperiine feeding on Cannaceae in Venezuela and unidentified hesperiine feeding on Poaceae in Costa Rica.

Figure 21.

Alphomelon conforme (Muesebeck) female from AEIC A head, dorsal B habitus, lateral C head, frontal D wings E antenna, ventral F mesosoma, dorsal G metasoma, dorsal H hind leg.

DNA barcoding

Not available.

Alphomelon crocostethus Deans, 2003

Figs 22A–F, 23A–F, 24A–D

Distribution

Argentina*, Bolivia, Brazil (DF*, ES, MG, PE*, RJ, RN*, SP*), Colombia, Dominican Republic*, Jamaica, Peru*, Puerto Rico.

Biology

Solitary, reared from unidentified hesperiid on sugar cane Saccharum officinarum (Deans et al. 2003).

DNA barcoding

BIN BOLD:AAZ9859.

Notes

The specimens we examined are very variable and it is likely that there are several species within what is currently considered A. crocostethus. The Caribbean specimens have darker legs, mesosoma and metasoma; T1 with stronger sculpture (near posterior margins); and T1 petiolar ridge tends to be larger and wider. The South American specimens vary considerably, but usually have paler colored legs, mesosoma, and metasoma; T1 with weaker sculpture; and T1 petiolar ridge shorter, narrower, and usually less well defined. However, there are exceptions, sometimes from the same locality (such as in Brazil, where most of the material we have examined was collected). Besides morphology, DNA barcoding supports more than one species, although only four specimens (three with partial barcodes) are available. Until more specimens and sequences from South America are available for study, we think is best to keep a single species, but future work will certainly reveal more within what appears to be a species complex.

Figure 22.

Alphomelon crocostethus Deans female CNC704257 A habitus, lateral B head, frontal C antenna, lateral D wings E propodeum and metasoma, dorsal F mesosoma, dorsal.

Figure 23.

Alphomelon crocostethus Deans female CNC1065929 A habitus, lateral B head, frontal C propodeum, dorso-lateral D wings E head and mesosoma, dorsal F metasoma, dorso-lateral.

Figure 24.

Alphomelon crocostethus Deans holotype female USNMENT00828299 A habitus, dorsal B close-up of habitus, dorsal C habitus, lateral D close-up of habitus, lateral.

Other specimens examined

(13 females): CNC280516, CNCHYM 00021, CNCHYM 00022, CNCHYM 00023, CNCHYM 00020, CNC704254, CNC704255, CNC704256, CNC704257, CNC704258, CNC1065929, CNC1179774, CNC1179953.

Alphomelon cruzi Shimbori & Fernandez-Triana, sp. nov.

https://zoobank.org/784074FB-BF74-4A7D-8ABE-341B10A207C8

Fig. 25A–E

Type material

Holotype. Brazil • Female “Sete Lagoas, MG, Brasil / EMBRAPA Milho e Sorgo / Mata João Dias / S19o25'27,1” W44o8'59” / Armadilha Malaise / 11.IV – 21.IV.2011 / I. Cruz col.” (DCBU 82866)

Distribution

Brazil.

Biology

No data.

DNA barcoding

None available.

Etymology

Named after Sr. Ivan Cruz, collector of the type specimen.

Diagnostic description

White patch on gena: extending to occiput but not to clypeus. Tegula/humeral complex color: yellow/yellow. Mesonotum color: mostly dark brown to black. Metasoma color: mostly black or dark brown. Tarsal claws spines: 2. Pterostigma shape: comparatively more elongate, its length ≥ 3.0× its central height and more triangular with its two lower margins more or less straight. T1 sculpture: entirely to mostly smooth. T1 central ridge: clearly marked by two raised carinae. T2 sculpture: entirely to mostly smooth. Ovipositor sheaths length: longer than first segment of metatarsus. Body length: 4.1 mm. Fore wing length: 4.4 mm.

Figure 25.

Alphomelon cruzi Shimbori & Fernandez-Triana holotype female DCBU 82866 A habitus, lateral B mesosoma, dorsal C T1, dorsal D head, frontal E metasoma, dorsal.

Alphomelon diniamartinezae Fernandez-Triana & Shimbori, sp. nov.

https://zoobank.org/DEEBC1C0-880A-4541-B5F6-451D04AB1D3D

Figs 26A–F, 94B

Type material

Holotype. Costa Rica • Female, CNC; Alajuela, Area de Conservación Guanacaste, Sector Rincon Rain Forest, Laureles, 10°55'59.48"N, 85°15'12.06"W, 95m; 21.X.2006; ex. Niconiades incomptus; coll. Anabelle Cordoba; Voucher code: DHJPAR0012804; Host voucher code: 06-SRNP-43998.

Paratypes. Costa Rica • 2 females, 1 male, CNC; CNC1180084, CNC1180085, CNC1180086.

Distribution

Costa Rica (ACG).

Biology

Gregarious, reared from Niconiades incomptus.

DNA barcoding

BIN BOLD:AAE2209.

Etymology

Named in honor of Srta. Dinia Martínez in honor of her decades of teamwork in the ACG parataxonomist team.

Diagnostic description

White patch on gena: extending to occiput and onto clypeus. Tegula/humeral complex color: yellow/yellow. Mesonotum color: mostly dark brown to black. Metasoma color: mostly black or dark brown. Tarsal claws spines: 3. Pterostigma shape: comparatively less elongate, its length ≤ 2.5× its central height and usually more rounded with at least one of its lower margins curved. T1 sculpture: entirely to mostly smooth. T1 central ridge: absent. T2 sculpture: entirely to mostly smooth. Ovipositor sheaths length: longer than first segment of metatarsus. Body length: 2.5–2.8mm. Fore wing length: 2.6–2.8 mm.

Figure 26.

Alphomelon diniamartinezae Fernandez-Triana & Shimbori holotype female DHJPAR0012804 A head, frontal B head, lateral C habitus, lateral D fore wing E metasoma, dorsal F mesosoma, dorsal.

Alphomelon disputabile (Ashmead, 1900)

Figs 27A–F, 28A–E, 29A–F

Distribution

Argentina, Belize, Bolivia, Brazil (ES, MT, PA, RJ, SC), Costa Rica, Cuba, Dominica, Ecuador, Grenada, Guatemala, Mexico, Panama, Paraguay, Peru*, Puerto Rico, Saint Vincent, Trinidad & Tobago, United States (KS, TX), Venezuela.

Biology

Solitary, reared from Cymaenes trebius and Lerema spp. on Poaceae.

DNA barcoding

BIN BOLD:AAF3301.

Notes

Some specimens may have tarsal claws with two spines.

Other specimen examined

(70 females, 43 males, 1 sex unknown): DHJPAR0031614, CNCHYM 00005, CNCHYM 00033, CNCHYM 00031, CNCHYM 00030, CNCHYM 00024, CNCHYM 00026, CNCHYM 00027, CNCHYM 00028, CNCHYM 00029, CNCHYM 00032, CNC704259, CNC704260, CNC704261, CNC704262, CNC704263, CNC704264, CNC704265, CNC704266, CNC704267, CNC704268, CNC704269, CNC704270, CNC704271, CNC704272, CNC704273, CNC704274, CNC704275, CNC704276, CNC704277, CNC704278, CNC704279, CNC704280, CNC704281, CNC704282, CNC704283, CNC704284, CNC704285, CNC704286, CNC704290, CNC704291, CNC704292, CNC704293, CNC704294, CNC704295, CNC704296, CNC704297, CNC704298, CNC704299, CNC704300, CNC704301, CNC704302, CNC704303, CNC704304, CNC704305, CNC704306, CNC704307, CNC704308, CNC704309, CNC704310, CNC704311, CNC704312, CNC704313, CNC704314, CNC704315, CNC704316, CNC704317, CNC704318, CNC704319, CNC704320, CNC704321, CNC704322, CNC704323, CNC704324, CNC704325, CNC704326, CNC704327, CNC704328, CNC704329, CNC704330, CNC704331, CNC704332, CNC704333, CNC704334, CNC704335, CNC704336, CNC704337, CNC704338, CNC704339, CNC704340, CNC704341, CNC704342, CNC704343, CNC704344, CNC704345, CNC704346, CNC704347, CNC704348, CNC704349, CNC704350, CNC704351, CNC704352, CNC704353, CNC704354, CNC704355, CNC704356, CNC704357, CNC704358, CNC704359, CNC704360, CNC734950, CNC1065892, CNC1065931, CNC1065995.

Figure 27.

Alphomelon disputabile (Ashmead) female CNC704298 A habitus, lateral B head, frontal C wings D antennae, lateral E propodeum and metasoma, dorsal F head and mesosoma, dorsal.

Figure 28.

Alphomelon disputabile (Ashmead) female CNC1065931 A habitus, lateral B head, frontal C wings D propodeum and metasoma, dorsal E mesosoma, dorsal.

Figure 29.

Alphomelon disputabile (Ashmead) female DHJPAR0031614 A habitus, lateral B wings C head, frontal D head and mesosoma, dorsal E propodeum and metasoma, dorsal F head, lateral.

Alphomelon duvalierbricenoi Fernandez-Triana & Shimbori, sp. nov.

https://zoobank.org/394F9781-BF68-48BF-9BF2-4E5CA30167C9

Figs 30A–E, 95A

Type material

Holotype. Costa Rica • Female, CNC; Guanacaste, Area de Conservación Guanacaste, Sector Mundo Nuevo, Vado Miramonte, 10°46'18.30"N, 85°26'02.40"W, 305m; 27.III.2007; ex. Methionopsis ina; coll. Jose Alberto Sanchez; Voucher code: DHJPAR0030806; Host voucher code: 07-SRNP-55789.

Paratypes. Costa Rica • 4 females, 1 male, CNC; CNC1180109, CNC1180011 (additional specimens in a gel capsule associated with that specimen), CNC1180117, CNC1180124, DHJPAR00002291.

Distribution

Costa Rica (ACG).

Biology

Gregarious, reared from Methionopsis ina.

DNA barcoding

BIN BOLD:AAB4029.

Etymology

Named in honor of Sr. Duvalier Briceño in honor of his decades of teamwork in the ACG parataxonomist team.

Diagnostic description

White patch on gena: extending to occiput and onto clypeus. Tegula/humeral complex color: white/yellow.

Mesonotum color: mostly dark brown to black. Metasoma color: mostly dark brown to black but with some laterotergites and sternites yellow. Tarsal claws spines: 2. Pterostigma shape: comparatively less elongate, its length ≤ 2.5× its central height and usually more rounded with at least one of its lower margins curved. T1 sculpture: entirely to mostly smooth. T1 central ridge: faintly indicated by shallow depression/marked by weak carina. T2 sculpture: entirely to mostly smooth. Ovipositor sheaths length: longer than first segment of metatarsus. Body length: 3.1–3.4 mm. Fore wing length: 3.1–3.5 mm.

Figure 30.

Alphomelon duvalierbricenoi Fernandez-Triana & Shimbori holotype female CNC1180104 A habitus, lateral B head, frontal C wings D propodeum and metasoma, dorsal E mesosoma, dorsal.

Alphomelon eldaarayae Fernandez-Triana & Shimbori, sp. nov.

https://zoobank.org/A03807BB-1149-4331-9902-EF4378AD2383

Figs 31A–E, 95B

Type material

Holotype. Costa Rica • Female, CNC; Guanacaste, Area de Conservacion Guanacaste, Sector Pitilla, Sendero Naciente, 10°59'13.38"N, 85°25'41.38"W, 700m; 18.IV.2007; ex: Neoxeniades sp. Burns04; coll. Petrona Rios; Voucher code: CNC1179987; Host voucher code: 07-SRNP-31939.

Paratypes. Costa Rica • 8 females, CNC. Voucher codes: DHJPAR0042931, DHJPAR0042940, DHJPAR0049085, CNC1179988, CNC1179989 (additional specimens in a gel capsule associated with that specimen), CNC958826, CNC958827, CNC958828 (additional specimens in a gel capsule associated with that specimen).

Figure 31.

Alphomelon eldaarayae Fernandez-Triana & Shimbori holotype female CNC1179987 A habitus, lateral B wings C head, frontal D propodeum and metasoma, dorsal E mesosoma, dorsal.

Distribution

Costa Rica (ACG).

Biology

Gregarious, reared from Neoxeniades Burns03, Neoxeniades Burns04.

DNA barcoding

BIN BOLD:AAE2229.

Etymology

Named in honor of Sra. Elda Araya in honor of her decades of teamwork in the ACG parataxonomist team.

Diagnostic description

White patch on gena: extending to occiput and onto clypeus. Tegula/humeral complex color: yellow/yellow. Mesonotum color: mostly dark brown to black. Metasoma color: with several tergites orange-yellow, some laterotergites and sternites yellow, rest mostly brown. Tarsal claws spines: 3. Pterostigma shape: comparatively less elongate, its length ≤ 2.5× its central height and usually more rounded with at least one of its lower margins curved. T1 sculpture: entirely to mostly smooth. T1 central ridge: marked by weak carina. T2 sculpture: entirely to mostly smooth. Ovipositor sheaths length: shorter than first segment of metatarsus. Body length: 3.1–3.3 mm. Fore wing length: 3.0–3.5 mm.

Alphomelon eliethcantillanoae Fernandez-Triana & Shimbori, sp. nov.

https://zoobank.org/E0172A4B-A32D-4500-BCAD-60D76DBDD1D8

Fig. 32A–E

Type material

Holotype. Costa Rica • Female, CNC; Guanacaste, Area de Conservación Guanacaste, Sector Pitilla, Cano, 10°59'43.44"N, 85°23'59.28"W, 490m; 9.X.2008; ex. Nisoniades castolus; coll. Ronald Siezar; Voucher code: DHJPAR0031004; Host voucher code: 08-SRNP-72663.

Distribution

Costa Rica (ACG).

Biology

Solitary, reared from Nisoniades castolus on Lepidaploa tortuosa (Asteraceae).

DNA barcoding

BIN BOLD:AAC7653.

Etymology

Named in honor of Sra. Elieth Cantillano in honor of her decades of teamwork in the ACG parataxonomist team.

Diagnostic description

White patch on gena: extending to occiput but not to clypeus. Tegula/humeral complex color: yellow/yellow. Mesonotum color: mostly dark brown to black. Metasoma color: mostly black or dark brown. Tarsal claws spines: 1. Pterostigma shape: comparatively more elongate, its length ≥ 3.0× its central height and more triangular with its two lower margins more or less straight. T1 sculpture: entirely to mostly smooth. T1 central ridge: clearly marked by two raised carinae. T2 sculpture: weakly sculptured along margins. Ovipositor sheaths length: longer than first segment of metatarsus. Body length: 3.9 mm. Fore wing length: 4.0 mm.

Figure 32.

Alphomelon eliethcantillanoae Fernandez-Triana & Shimbori holotype female DHJPAR0031004 A habitus, lateral B head, frontal C fore wing D propodeum and metasoma, dorsal E mesosoma, dorsal.

Alphomelon gloriasihezarae Fernandez-Triana & Shimbori, sp. nov.

https://zoobank.org/BFA2916D-563B-4FD4-8A30-7C1CEEE961E2

Figs 33A–E, 96A

Type material

Holotype. Costa Rica • Female, CNC; Alajuela, Area de Conservación Guanacaste, Sector San Cristobal, Estacion San Gerardo, 10°52'48.32"N, 85°23'19.93"W, 575m; 15.IV.2008; Malaise Trap; coll. Daniel Janzen & Winifred Hallwachs; Voucher code: DHJPAR0026269.

Paratypes. Costa Rica • 1 female, 1 male, CNC; DHJPAR0012536, DHJPAR0039877.

Other specimens examined

Mexico • 1 female, 1 male, CBG. Voucher codes: 07TAPACH-01674, 07TAPACH-01693.

Distribution

Costa Rica (ACG), Mexico.

Biology

Solitary, reared from Cymaenes odilia trebius, Morys micythus.

DNA barcoding

BIN BOLD:AAE5720.

Etymology

Named in honor of Sra. Gloria Sihezar in honor of her decades of teamwork in the ACG parataxonomist team.

Diagnostic description

White patch on gena: extending to occiput but not to clypeus. Tegula/humeral complex color: yellow/yellow. Mesonotum color: mostly dark brown to black. Metasoma color: mostly black or dark brown. Tarsal claws spines: 1. Pterostigma shape: comparatively less elongate, its length ≤ 2.5× its central height and usually more rounded with at least one of its lower margins curved. T1 sculpture: strongly sculptured on at least apical half or more. T1 central ridge: strongly marked by two raised carinae and strong costulae centrally. Ovipositor sheaths length: longer than first segment of metatarsus. Body length: 3.5–3.6 mm. Fore wing length: 3.5–3.7 mm.

Figure 33.

Alphomelon gloriasihezarae Fernandez-Triana & Shimbori holotype female DHJPAR0026269 A habitus, lateral B head, frontal C wings D propodeum and metasoma, dorsal E mesosoma, dorsal.

Notes

The specimens from Mexico (at least one sequence being a full barcode) are associated with the species because their sequences match perfectly with ACG specimens and the images available in BOLD are also similar.

Alphomelon guillermopereirai Fernandez-Triana & Shimbori, sp. nov.

https://zoobank.org/3AFF3D0E-CF69-406F-96A9-F44D53C505C1

Figs 34A–G, 35A–F, 36A–G, 96B

Type material

Holotype. Costa Rica • Female, CNC; Alajuela, Area de Conservación Guanacaste, Sector Rincon Rain Forest, Jacobo, 10°56'26.88"N, 85°19'3.72"W, 461m; 22.VI.2012; ex: undetermined hesperiid with provisional name “hespJanzen01 Janzen55”; coll. Edwin Apu; Voucher code: DHJPAR0049916; Host voucher code: 12-SRNP-81025.

Paratypes. Costa Rica • 12 females, 3 males, CNC. Voucher codes: DHJPAR0043075, DHJPAR0043077, DHJPAR0043086, DHJPAR0043087, DHJPAR0047235, DHJPAR0053881, DHJPAR0054794, DHJPAR0054802, DHJPAR0055561, DHJPAR0055293, DHJPAR0055325, CNC308812, CNC704669, CNC1065996, CNCHYM 00017.

Figure 34.

Alphomelon guillermopereirai Fernandez-Triana & Shimbori holotype female DHJPAR0049916 A ovipositor, lateral B habitus, lateral C head, lateral D head, frontal E wings F metasoma, dorsal G mesosoma, dorsal

Other specimens examined

Costa Rica • 2 Females, CNC. Voucher codes: DHJPAR0026274, DHJPAR0049249.

Distribution

Costa Rica (ACG and Peñas Blancas).

Biology

Solitary, reared from Mnasitheus Janzen55, Anthoptus epictetus, Anthoptus insignis, Anthoptus Burns33, Corticea corticea, Cymaenes odilia trebius.

Figure 35.

Alphomelon guillermopereirai Fernandez-Triana & Shimbori paratype female DHJPAR0054794 A habitus, lateral B head, frontal C wings D mesosoma, dorsal E propodeum and metasoma, dorsal F ovipositor, lateral.

DNA barcoding

BIN BOLD:AAB8584 (but see Notes below).

Etymology

Named in honor of Sr. Guillermo Pereira honor of his decades of teamwork in the ACG parataxonomist team.

Diagnostic description

White patch on gena: extending to occiput but not to clypeus. Tegula/humeral complex color: yellow/yellow. Mesonotum color: mostly dark brown to black. Metasoma color: with several tergites orange-yellow, some laterotergites and sternites yellow, rest mostly brown. Tarsal claws spines: 4. Pterostigma shape: comparatively less elongate, its length ≤ 2.5× its central height and usually more rounded with at least one of its lower margins curved. T1 sculpture: weakly sculptured along margins. T1 central ridge: marked by two raised carinae and strong costulae centrally. T2 sculpture: weakly sculptured along margins. Ovipositor sheaths length: longer than first segment of metatarsus. Body length: 4.1–4.5 mm. Fore wing length: 4.2–4.5 mm.

Figure 36.

Alphomelon guillermopereirai Fernandez-Triana & Shimbori paratype female DHJPAR0054802 A head, lateral B habitus, lateral C head, frontal D wings E mesosoma, dorsal F metasoma, dorsal G ovipositor, lateral.

Notes

The associated BIN includes at least three (possibly more) species, see further explanations and details under the treatment of Alphomelon melanoscelis. Two ACG specimens (DHJPAR0026274 and DHJPAR0049249) have a darker coloration (they look similar to A. andydeansi and thus they would end in a different place of the key) and also have different DNA barcodes. They are excluded from the type series.

Alphomelon hazelcambroneroae Fernandez-Triana & Shimbori, sp. nov.

https://zoobank.org/2E74C6CB-79A4-4331-BF7C-1C9D927D6C30

Figs 37A–F, 38A–F, 39A–E, 97A

Type material

Holotype. Costa Rica • Female, CNC; Guanacaste, Area de Conservación Guanacaste, Sector Pitilla, Sendero Mismo, 10°59'15.29"N, 85°25'10.81"W, 680m; 11.II.2013, ex. Cynea megalops; coll. Manuel Rios; Voucher code: CNC308813; Host voucher code: 13-SRNP-30331.

Paratypes. Costa Rica • 30 females, 3 males, CNC; DHJPAR0051805, DHJPAR0054746, DHJPAR0030704, DHJPAR0030714, CNC308819, CNC308820, CNC308821, CNC308822, CNC308823, CNC308824, CNC308825, CNC308826, CNC308817, CNC308818, CNC308814, CNC308815, CNC308816 (additional specimens in a gel capsule associated with that specimen), DHJPAR0053717, DHJPAR0050981, CNC308827, CNC308828, CNC308829, CNC308830, CNC308831 (additional specimens in a gel capsule associated with that specimen), DHJPAR0050090, CNC308832, CNC308833, CNC308834 (additional specimens in a gel capsule associated with that specimen), DHJPAR0026885, DHJPAR0048159, DHJPAR0053774, CNC308835, CNC308836.

Figure 37.

Alphomelon hazelcambroneroae Fernandez-Triana & Shimbori holotype female CNC308813 A habitus, lateral B head, frontal C wings D mesosoma, dorsal E metasoma, dorsal F metasoma, lateral.

Distribution

Costa Rica (ACG).

Biology

Gregarious, reared from Calpodes fusta, C. severus, Cynea anthracinus, C. cynea, C. irma, C. megalops, Cynea Burns02, Cynea Burns04, Cynea Burns05, Cynea Burns06, Cynea Cynea Burns11, Rhinthon molion, and R. osca.

Figure 38.

Alphomelon hazelcambroneroae Fernandez-Triana & Shimbori paratype female CNC308824 A habitus, lateral B head, fronto-lateral C wings D metasoma, dorsal E mesosoma, dorsal F metasoma, lateral.

DNA barcoding

BIN BOLD:AAA6775.

Etymology

Named after Sra. Hazel Cambronero in honor of her decades of teamwork in the ACG parataxonomist team.

Diagnostic description

White patch on gena: extending to occiput and onto clypeus. Tegula/humeral complex color: yellow/yellow. Mesonotum color: mostly dark brown to black. Metasoma color: mostly black or dark brown. Tarsal claws spines: 3 or 4. Pterostigma shape: comparatively more elongate, its length ≥ 3.0× its central height and more triangular with its two lower margins more or less straight. T1 sculpture: weakly sculptured along margins (but some specimens, including holotype, with T1 mostly smooth). T1 central ridge: clearly marked by two raised carinae. T2 sculpture: entirely to mostly smooth. Ovipositor sheaths length: longer than first segment of metatarsus. Body length: 3.7–4.4 mm. Fore wing length: 3.9–4.4 mm.

Figure 39.

Alphomelon hazelcambroneroae Fernandez-Triana & Shimbori paratype female DHJPAR0051805 A habitus, lateral B head, frontal C wings D metasoma, dorsal E head and mesosoma, dorsal.

Alphomelon itatiaiensis Shimbori & Fernandez-Triana, sp. nov.

https://zoobank.org/799B3BD2-A218-472F-8DC3-AABA9CA91A69

Figs 40A–G, 41A–E

Type material

Holotype. Brazil • Female (DCBU 100574): “Itatiaia, RJ, Brasil / PARNA de Itatiaia / Projeto Pensa Rio - Hympar / S 22o25'42,6” W 44o37'42,2” / Armadilha Malaise 03 (1.442 m) / 21.XI.2013 / R.F. Monteiro col.”

Paratypes. 1 female, same as holotype (DCBU 100575); 1 female, same as holotype, except “... 22°26'1,4"S 44°36'49,5"W / Armadilha malaise 01 (1070 m) / 27.II.2014 …” (DCBU 100571); 1 female, same as holotype except “... 22°25'20,2"S 44°38'10"W Armadilha Malaise 04 (1.642m) / 14.IX.2013 …” (DCBU 100578); 1 female: “Itatiaia, RJ, Brasil / PARNA de Itatiaia / 22°26'16,5"S 44°36'41,4"W / Armadilha Malaise 02 (987 m) / 30.I.2012 / R.F. Monteiro col.” (DCBU 100577).

Distribution

Brazil.

Biology

No data.

DNA barcoding

Not available.

Etymology

Named after the locality of collection of the holotype and paratype specimens.

Diagnostic description

White patch on gena: extending to occiput but not to clypeus. Tegula/humeral complex color: yellow/yellow. Mesonotum color: mostly dark brown to black. Metasoma color: mostly black or dark brown. Tarsal claws spines: 2 or 3. Pterostigma shape: comparatively less elongate, its length ~ 2.5× its central height and usually more rounded with at least one of its lower margins curved. T1 sculpture: entirely to mostly smooth. T1 central ridge: clearly marked [with 1 or 2 strong costula centrally; costula absent in smaller specimens]. T2 sculpture: entirely to mostly smooth. Ovipositor sheaths length: slightly longer than first segment of metatarsus. Body length: 3.7–4.8 mm. Fore wing length: 3.8–4.8 mm.

Figure 40.

Alphomelon itatiaiensis Shimbori & Fernandez-Triana holotype female DCBU 100574 (A to E) and paratype female DCBU 100575 (F, G) A habitus, lateral B head, frontal C wings D head, lateral E antenna, lateral F metasoma, dorsal G mesosoma, dorsal.

Figure 41.

Alphomelon itatiaiensis Shimbori & Fernandez-Triana paratype female DCBU 100571 (A, B) and paratype female DCBU 100577 (C–E) A habitus, lateral B head, frontal C fore wing D mesosoma, dorsal E metasoma, dorsal.

Alphomelon josecortesi Fernandez-Triana & Shimbori, sp. nov.

https://zoobank.org/D3242314-8BDA-4EF2-ABD7-A75AD54D7890

Figs 42A–G, 43A–G, 48A–F, 97B, 99B

Type material

Holotype. Costa Rica • Female, CNC; Guanacaste, Area de Conservación Guanacaste, Sector Pitilla, Sendero Orosilito, 10°58'59.88"N, 85°26'10.32"W, 900m; 14.I.2013; ex. Vertica subrufescens; coll. Freddy Quesada; Voucher code: DHJPAR0051219; Host voucher code: 13-SRNP-30133.

Paratypes. Costa Rica • 37 females, 3 males, CNC; CNC1801997, CNC1801998, CNC1801999, CNC1802000, CNC1802001, CNC1802002, CNC1802003, DHJPAR0041756, DHJPAR0052937, CNC1802004, CNC1802005, CNC1802006, CNC1802007, CNC1802008, CNC1802009, DHJPAR0051213, CNC1802010, CNC1802011, CNC1802012, CNC1802013, CNC1802014, CNC1802015, CNC1802016, CNC1802017, CNC1802018, CNC1802019, CNC1802020, DHJPAR0055445, CNC1802021, CNC1802022, CNC1802023, CNC1802024, CNC1802025, CNC1802026, CNC1802027, CNC1802028, CNC958823, CNC958824, CNC958825 (additional specimens in a gel capsule associated with that specimen), DHJPAR0034230.

Figure 42.

Alphomelon josecortesi Fernandez-Triana & Shimbori holotype female DHJPAR0051219 A head, frontal B head, lateral C habitus, lateral D wings E metasoma, lateral F metasoma, dorsal G mesosoma, dorsal.

Distribution

Costa Rica (ACG).

Biology

Gregarious, reared from Vertica subrufescens on at least 34 palm species (Arecaceae).

DNA barcoding

BIN BOLD:AAB6733.

Etymology

Named in honor of Sr. José Cortés in honor of his decades of teamwork in the ACG parataxonomist team.

Diagnostic description

White patch on gena: extending to occiput and onto clypeus. Tegula/humeral complex color: yellow/brown or brown/brown. Mesonotum color: mostly dark brown to black. Metasoma color: mostly black or dark brown. Tarsal claws spines: 3 or 4. Pterostigma shape: comparatively more elongate, its length ≥ 3.0× its central height and more triangular with its two lower margins more or less straight. T1 sculpture: strongly sculptured on at least apical half or more. T1 central ridge: clearly marked by two raised carinae. T2 sculpture: entirely to mostly smooth. Ovipositor sheaths length: longer than first segment of metatarsus. Body length: 4.1–4.2 mm. Fore wing length: 4.0–4.3 mm.

Figure 43.

Alphomelon josecortesi Fernandez-Triana & Shimbori paratype female CNC1802002 A ovipositor, lateral B habitus, lateral C head, frontal D head, lateral E wings F metasoma, dorsal G mesosoma, dorsal.

Alphomelon keineraragoni Fernandez-Triana & Shimbori, sp. nov.

https://zoobank.org/D05A016F-080A-4430-BB69-3EC3E86C6F8E

Figs 44A–G, 98A

Type material

Holotype. Costa Rica • Female, CNC; Alajuela, Area de Conservación Guanacaste, Sector Rincon Rain Forest, Jacobo, 10°56'26.88"N, 85°19'3.72"W, 461m; 1.V.2010; ex: Neoxeniades pluviasilva; coll. Noe Castillo; Voucher code: DHJPAR0041820; Host voucher code: 10-SRNP-69422.

Paratypes. Costa Rica • 11 females, 1 male, CNC. Voucher codes: DHJPAR0038957, DHJPAR0038962, DHJPAR0047035, DHJPAR0047120, CNC308804, CNC308805, CNC308806 (additional specimens in a gel capsule associated with that specimen), CNC308807, CNC308808, CNC308809 (additional specimens in a gel capsule associated with that specimen), CNC308810, CNC308811.

Distribution

Costa Rica (ACG).

Biology

Gregarious, reared from Neoxeniades pluviasilva and Neoxeniades Burns03.

DNA barcoding

BIN BOLD: ABU7420.

Etymology

Named in honor of Sr. Keiner Aragón in honor of his decades of teamwork in the ACG inventory team.

Diagnostic description

White patch on gena: extending to occiput and onto clypeus. Tegula/humeral complex color: yellow/yellow. Mesonotum color: mostly dark brown to black. Metasoma color: mostly black or dark brown. Tarsal claws spines: 4. Pterostigma shape: comparatively more elongate, its length ≥ 3.0× its central height and more triangular with its two lower margins more or less straight. T1 sculpture: entirely to mostly smooth/weakly sculptured along margins/ strongly sculptured on at least apical half or more. T1 central ridge: marked by weak carina. T2 sculpture: entirely to mostly smooth. Ovipositor sheaths length: shorter than first segment of metatarsus. Body length: 2.9–3.7 mm. Fore wing length: 3.2–3.8 mm.

Figure 44.

Alphomelon keineraragoni Fernandez-Triana & Shimbori holotype female DHJPAR0041820 A habitus, lateral B head, frontal C head, dorsal D fore wing E antenna, lateral F propodeum and metasoma, dorsal G mesosoma, dorsal.

Notes

Alphomelon bromeliphile and A. keineraragoni are very similar morphologically. However, bromeliphile parasitizes caterpillars of Neoxeniades luda feeding on epiphytic Bromeliaceae in rain forest, whereas A. keineraragoni parasitizes different Neoxeniades species (N. pluviasilva and N. Burns03) feeding on terrestrial Bromeliaceae in dry forest. They also have distinctive BINs, which are 2.72% bp different.

Alphomelon luciarosae Fernandez-Triana & Shimbori, sp. nov.

https://zoobank.org/7AB920E4-02BE-40D6-9843-68176A91782B

Figs 45A–G, 98B

Type material

Holotype. Costa Rica • Female, CNC; Alajuela, Area de Conservación Guanacaste, Brasilia, Piedrona, 11°0'58.32"N, 85°21'32.40"W, 340m; 4.XII.2012; ex: Ebusus ebusus; coll. Duvalier Briceño; Voucher code: DHJPAR0051292; Host voucher code: 12-SRNP-65952.

Distribution

Costa Rica (ACG).

Biology

Gregarious, reared from Ebusus ebusus.

DNA barcoding

BIN BOLD:ACJ4259.

Etymology

Named in honor of Sra. Lucía Rosa in honor of her decades of teamwork in the ACG parataxonomist team.

Diagnostic description

White patch on gena: extending to occiput but not to clypeus. Tegula/humeral complex color: yellow/yellow. Mesonotum color: mostly dark brown to black. Metasoma color: mostly black or dark brown. Tarsal claws spines: 3. Pterostigma shape: comparatively more elongate, its length ≥ 3.0× its central height and more triangular with its two lower margins more or less straight. T1 sculpture: entirely to mostly smooth. T1 central ridge: faintly indicated by shallow depression. T2 sculpture: entirely to mostly smooth. Ovipositor sheaths length: shorter than first segment of metatarsus. Body length: 3.8 mm. Fore wing length: 3.8 mm.

Figure 45.

Alphomelon luciarosae Fernandez-Triana & Shimbori holotype female DHJPAR0051292 A habitus, lateral B head, frontal C head, lateral D wings E metasoma, dorsal F mesosoma, dorsal G ovipositor, lateral.

Alphomelon manuelriosi Fernandez-Triana & Shimbori, sp. nov.

https://zoobank.org/8C18B545-6439-4956-9CD0-DC06E9CA85E8

Figs 46A–G, 99A

Type material

Holotype. Costa Rica • Female, CNC; Alajuela, Area de Conservación Guanacaste, Sector Rincon Rain Forest, Palomo, 10°57'42.84"N, 85°16'49.44"W, 96m; 2.X.2013; ex: Cymaenes odilia trebius; coll. Keiner Aragón; Voucher code: DHJPAR0053843; Host voucher code: 13-SRNP-76649.

Paratypes. Costa Rica • 1 female, 3 males, CNC. Voucher codes: DHJPAR0049470, DHJPAR0051849, DHJPAR0053809, DHJPAR0053818.

Distribution

Costa Rica (ACG).

Biology

Solitary, reared from Corticea lysias, Cymaenes odilia trebius, Parphorus decora, and Parphorus storax.

DNA barcoding

BIN BOLD:ABX0806.

Etymology

Named in honor of Sr. Manuel Ríos in honor of his decades of teamwork in the ACG parataxonomist team.

Diagnostic description

White patch on gena: extending to occiput and onto clypeus. Tegula/humeral complex color: dark brown/brown. Mesonotum color: mostly dark brown to black. Metasoma color: mostly black or dark brown. Tarsal claws spines: 2. Pterostigma shape: comparatively more elongate, its length ≥ 3.0× its central height and more triangular with its two lower margins more or less straight. T1 sculpture: entirely to mostly smooth. T1 central ridge: marked by weak carina. T2 sculpture: entirely to mostly smooth. Ovipositor sheaths length: longer than first segment of metatarsus. Body length: 3.5–4.2 mm. Fore wing length: 3.7–4.3 mm.

Figure 46.

Alphomelon manuelriosi Fernandez-Triana & Shimbori holotype female DHJPAR0053843 A habitus, lateral B head, frontal C wings D hind leg, lateral E head, lateral F propodeum and metasoma, dorsal G mesosoma, dorsal.

Figure 47.

Alphomelon xestopyga Deans female DHJPAR0031632 A habitus, lateral B metasoma, lateral C head, frontal D wings E head, lateral F metasoma, dorsal G mesosoma, dorsal.

Figure 48.

Alphomelon josecortesi Fernandez-Triana & Shimbori paratype female DHJPAR0051213. A habitus, lateral B head, frontal C wings D mesosoma, dorsal E metasoma, dorsal F propodeum and T1, dorsal.

Alphomelon melanoscelis Deans, 2003

Figs 49A–D, 50A–E

Distribution

Argentina*, Brazil (AL, MT), Costa Rica, Mexico, Venezuela; collected in dry forest and rainforest sites.

Biology

Reared from unidentified hesperiines feeding on grasses (Poaceae) and sedges (Cyperaceae) in Costa Rica (Deans et al. 2003).

DNA barcoding

BIN BOLD:AAB8584 (but see Notes below).

Other specimens examined

See notes below.

Notes

BIN BOLD:AAB8584 comprises what we consider to be several species, namely a) a few specimens of the “true” A. melanoscelis (in the restricted sense as it is understood in this paper), from Central and South America; b) a single specimen of A. paramelanoscelis and two specimens of A. rigoi, two new South American species described below; c) Costa Rican (ACG) specimens of A. guillermopereirai, a completely different species morphologically and which represents the majority of specimens currently associated with that BIN in BOLD. This BIN has a relatively large barcode variation, with the maximum distance between sequences within the BIN being 1.93% bp, a larger difference than the distance to the closest BIN in BOLD (BOLD:ADJ6568) which is only 1.08% bp. That second BIN represents A. andydeansi, a species with comparatively significant morphological differences (especially paler color of hind legs) and different host caterpillars.

Based strictly on the specimens of these species that are deposited in the CNC and that we could examine and study, the A. melanoscelis specimens cluster separate from specimens of A. guillermopereirai (although the barcode differences between the two species are < 1% bp). This is an example of BINs failing to properly represent the species limits (as compared versus other criteria to delimit species such as morphology and biology). BINs containing more than one species have been commonplace with ACG speciose genera (e.g., Hebert et al. 2004, Burns et al. 2008, Fernandez-Triana 2019) although the discussion of the topic among the scientific community is ongoing and far from being resolved (e.g., Brower 2010; Meier et al. 2021).

In addition to the holotype (from Costa Rica, Heredia, which we examined, and it is illustrated here in Figs 49A–D) and the paratypes from Costa Rica, Brazil, Mexico and Venezuela mentioned in the original description of the species by Deans et al. (2003) (of those paratypes we could only examine a Brazilian specimen deposited in the CNC with voucher code CNCHYM 00036 and a sequence 164 bp long), we provided here a restricted concept of melanoscelis. The following specimens (not included in the original description) are associated with the species: a) additional specimens from Brazil (CNCHYM 00035, CNC2805178, and CNC704367); b) a new country record from Argentina which is based on a sequence in BOLD (specimen BIOUG24734-D06 with 585 bp); c) at least four ACG specimens (currently in BOLD as A. guillermopereirai): DHJPAR0026277, DHJPAR0027666, DHJPAR0047176, and DHJPAR0049083; d) ACG specimen DHJPAR0020621, which had been associated to A. andydeansi based on sequence matching, is actually A. melanoscelis, based on morphological examination (this could represent an accidental labeling mistake or lab contamination). Other ACG specimens that in the future could be transferred to A. melanoscelis (based on molecular data) are DHJPAR0058243, DHJPAR0058276, and DHJPAR0056870, but we have not been able to study those specimens and thus cannot conclude on its status at present.

Figure 49.

Alphomelon melanoscelis Deans holotype female A habitus, lateral B fore wing pterostigma C metasoma, dorsal D habitus, dorsal.

Specimens from Belize, which were included in the original description of A. melanoscelis not as paratypes but just as “other material examined” (Deans et al. 2003: 25) are now considered to represent a separate species, A. rigoi. One of those Belize specimens rendered an almost complete barcode (573 bp), which allowed us to associate with this species additional specimens in the CNC from Venezuela (with voucher code WMIC 0349, not far from the locality of the Venezuelan paratype of A. melanoscelis) and Colombia (see Notes under A. rigoi below).

Figure 50.

Alphomelon melanoscelis Deans paratype female CNCHYM 00036 A habitus, lateral B head, frontal C wings D propodeum and metasoma, dorsal E mesosoma, dorsal.

A Mexican specimen in BOLD (in the same BIN and with voucher code 07TAPACH-01773) shows a reddish-brown metafemur and may represent a different species, not considered in this paper because we could not access that specimen.

Alphomelon mikesharkeyi Fernandez-Triana & Shimbori, sp. nov.

https://zoobank.org/FEA1C5E8-A3EB-4667-9107-E7D78CBCC80A

Figs 51A–F, 100A

Type material

Holotype. Costa Rica • Female, CNC; Guanacaste, Area de Conservación Guanacaste, Sector Pitilla, Medrano, 11°00'57.67"N, 85°22'49.91"W, 380m; 10.III.2012; ex. Parphorus decora; coll. Minor Carmona; Voucher code: DHJPAR0049235; Host voucher code: 12-SRNP-65197.

Paratypes. Costa Rica • 6 females, 1 male, CNC; CNC308750, CNC308751 (additional specimens in a gel capsule associated with that specimen), DHJPAR0038114, CNC958833, CNC958834, CNC958835 (additional specimens in a gel capsule associated with that specimen), DHJPAR0002292 (additional specimens in a gel capsule associated with that specimen).

Figure 51.

Alphomelon mikesharkeyi Fernandez-Triana & Shimbori holotype female DHJPAR0049235 A habitus, lateral B head, frontal C wings D antenna, lateral E propodeum and metasoma, dorsal F head and mesosoma, dorsal.

Distribution

Costa Rica (ACG).

Biology

Gregarious, reared from Parphorus decora, Quasimellana servilius, and Quasimellana Burns01.

DNA barcoding

BIN BOLD:AAJ2210.

Etymology

Named in honor of Dr. Michael (Mike) Joseph Sharkey, for his intense interest in conducting the taxonomy of ACG and Costa Rican Braconidae making use of DNA barcode information for identifications.

Diagnostic description

White patch on gena: extending to occiput and onto clypeus. Tegula/humeral complex color: white/yellow or. Mesonotum color: mostly dark brown to black. Metasoma color: mostly black or dark brown. Tarsal claws spines: 2 or 3. Pterostigma shape: comparatively less elongate, its length ≤ 2.5× its central height and usually more rounded with at least one of its lower margins curved. T1 sculpture: weakly sculptured along margins. T1 central ridge: marked by weak carina. T2 sculpture: entirely to mostly smooth. Ovipositor sheaths length: shorter than first segment of metatarsus/longer than first segment of metatarsus. Body length: 3.3–3.6 mm. Fore wing length: 3.4–3.5 mm.

Alphomelon nanosoma Deans, 2003

Figs 52A–F, 53A–F, 54A–F, 55A–G, 56A–C, 100B

Distribution

Brazil (MT), Costa Rica (ACG), Ecuador, Mexico, Panama, Trinidad & Tobago.

Biology

Gregarious, reared from Carystoides basoches, C. escalantei, C. hondura, C. orbius, Carystoides Burns01, Carystoides escalanteiDHJ02 on at least 10 palm species (Arecaceae). A previous host record, Cobalopsis sp. on Oryza latifolia (Deans et al. 2003) could not be confirmed.

Figure 52.

Alphomelon nanosoma Deans female CNC704374 A habitus, lateral B head, frontal C fore wing D head, fronto-lateral E metasoma, dorsal F mesosoma, dorsal.

Figure 53.

Alphomelon nanosoma Deans female CNC704379 A habitus, lateral B head, frontal C fore wing D antennae, dorso-lateral E propodeum and metasoma, dorsal F mesosoma, lateral.

Figure 54.

Alphomelon nanosoma Deans female CNC1802093 A habitus, lateral B head, frontal C head, lateral D wings E propodeum and metasoma, dorsal F mesosoma, dorsal.

DNA barcoding

BIN BOLD:AAB9792.

Other specimens examined

(83 females, 17 males, 1 sex unknown): CNC1802049, CNC1802050, CNC1802051, CNC1802052, CNC1802053, CNC1802054, CNC1802055, CNC1802056, CNC1802057, CNC1802058, CNC1802059, CNC1802060, CNC1802061, CNC1802062 (additional specimens in a gel capsule associated with that specimen), CNC1802063, CNC1802064, CNC1802065, DHJPAR0052916, CNC1802066, CNC1802067, CNC1802068, CNC1802069, CNC1802070, CNC1802071, CNC1802072, CNC1802073, CNC1802074, CNC1802075, CNC1802076, CNC1802077, CNC1802078, CNC1802079, DHJPAR0051812, CNC1802080, CNC1802081, CNC1802082, CNC1802083, CNC1802084, CNC1802085 (additional specimens in a gel capsule associated with that specimen), DHJPAR0054602, CNC1802086, CNC1802087, CNC1802088, CNC1802089, CNC1802090, CNC1802091, CNC1802092, CNC1802093, CNC1802094, CNC1802095, CNC1802096, DHJPAR0054600, CNC1802097, CNC1802098, CNC1802099, CNC1802100, CNC1802101 (additional specimens in a gel capsule associated with that specimen), CNC280519, CNCHYM 00042, CNCHYM 00038, CNCHYM 00039, CNCHYM 00040, CNCHYM 00041, CNC704368, CNC704369, CNC704370, CNC704371, CNC704372, CNC704373, CNC704374, CNC704375, CNC704376, CNC704377, CNC704378, CNC704379, CNC704380, CNC704381, CNC704382, CNC704383, CNC704384, CNC704385, CNC704386, CNC704387, CNC721027, CNC721028, CNC721029, CNC721030, CNC721031, CNC721032, CNC721033, CNC721034, CNC721035, CNC721036, CNC721037, CNC721038, CNC721039, CNC721040, CNC721041, CNC721042, CNC721043, CNC721044.

Notes

Based on the material studied, A. nanosoma could include a complex of species (all comparatively of smaller size than most Alphomelon species). Pending the availability of more DNA barcodes from more specimens, especially from South America, we keep for now all known specimens within the same species.

Figure 55.

Alphomelon nanosoma Deans female DHJPAR0052916 A habitus, lateral B ovipositor, lateral C head, frontal D head, lateral E wings F metasoma, dorsal G mesosoma, dorsal.

Figure 56.

Alphomelon nanosoma Deans holotype female USNMENT00828300 A close-up of habitus, lateral B habitus, dorsal C habitus, lateral.

Alphomelon nigriceps (Ashmead, 1900)

Fig. 57A–F

Other specimens examined

(4 females, 2 sex unknown): CNC721046, CNCHYM 00046, CNCHYM 00044, CNCHYM 00043, CNC721045, CNC734964.

Distribution

Argentina, Belize, Brazil (RO), Colombia, Cuba, Curacao*, Dominica, Grenada, Netherlands Antilles, Peru, Saint Lucia, Saint Vincent, Trinidad & Tobago, Venezuela.

Biology

Solitary, reared from Calpodes ethlius and unidentified hesperiid on corn Zea mays (Deans et al. 2003).

DNA barcoding

Two partial barcodes (234 and 458 bp).

Notes

Based on CNC specimens we have studied, the Southern American specimens are darker than the ones from Central America and could represent a different species. In fact, and based on the sequences available to us, one Caribbean specimen (voucher code CNCHYM 00044, from Curacao, and with a partial barcode of 458 bp) is different from a South American specimen (voucher code CNCHYM 00045, from Argentina and with partial barcode of 573 bp). That information seems to indicate that at least two (and possibly three) different species are currently mixed within the name A. nigriceps; however, in this paper we prefer to keep all specimens as one species until additional material and sequences become available for study.

Figure 57.

Alphomelon nigriceps (Ashmead) female CNC721046 A habitus, lateral B head, frontal C antennae, lateral D wings E propodeum and metasoma, dorsal F mesosoma, dorsal.

Alphomelon osvaldoespinozai Fernandez-Triana & Shimbori, sp. nov.

https://zoobank.org/6B41A1F1-B010-4CD7-B9DF-5C42D6469BCA

Figs 58A–E, 101A

Type material

Holotype. Costa Rica • Female, CNC; Alajuela, Area de Conservación Guanacaste, Sector Rincon Rain Forest, Garzasol, 10°53'47.98"N, 85°17'24.11"W, 400m; 21.III.2007; ex. Vettius pica; coll. Jose Perez; Voucher code: DHJPAR0030952; Host voucher code: 07-SRNP-40735.

Paratypes. Costa Rica • 3 females, 2 males, CNC; CNC1179920 (additional specimens in a gel capsule associated with that specimen), DHJPAR0030884, DHJPAR0031005, DHJPAR0038181, CNC1180004.

Distribution

Costa Rica (ACG).

Biology

Solitary, reared from Enosis immaculata, Eutychide ochus, Oxynthes corusca, Parphorus decora, Psoralis Janzen38, Vettius pica, and an unidentified hesperiid with provisional name “hespJanzen01 Janzen60”.

DNA barcoding

BIN BOLD:AAJ2207.

Etymology

Named in honor of Sr. Osvaldo Espinoza in honor of his decades of teamwork in the ACG parataxonomist team.

Diagnostic description

White patch on gena: extending to occiput and onto clypeus. Tegula/humeral complex color: white/yellow. Mesonotum color: mostly dark brown to black. Metasoma color: mostly black or dark brown. Tarsal claws spines: 3. Pterostigma shape: comparatively more elongate, its length ≥ 3.0× its central height and more triangular with its two lower margins more or less straight. T1 sculpture: entirely to mostly smooth. T1 central ridge: marked by weak carina. T2 sculpture: entirely to mostly smooth. Ovipositor sheaths length: longer than first segment of metatarsus. Body length: 3.8–4.7 mm. Fore wing length: 3.9–4.6 mm.

Figure 58.

Alphomelon osvaldoespinozai Fernandez-Triana & Shimbori holotype female DHJPAR0030952 A habitus, lateral B head, frontal C wings D propodeum and metasoma, dorsal E mesosoma, dorsal.

Alphomelon palomae Shimbori & Fernandez-Triana, sp. nov.

https://zoobank.org/7F77AE85-5C18-47EA-88DC-6FE0EAA205B3

Fig. 59A–F

Type material

Holotype. Brazil • Female “Teresópolis, RJ, Brasil / PARANA da Serra dos Órgãos 22°28'36"S 42°59'31"W Armadilha Malaise 04a (563 m) X.2015 / R.F. Monteiro e eq. col.” (DCBU 467753)

Paratypes. Brazil. 3 females, same as holotype except: 1F “22°28'37"S 42°59'45"W / Malaise 5b (691m) / I.2015” (DCBU 370748); 1F “22°29'40"S 42°59'54"W / Armadilha Malaise 3a (360m) / XI.2014” (DCBU 356385); 1F “22°31'02"S 43°00'22"W Armadilha Malaise 02b (248m) VII.2015” (DCBU 375530). 2 females “Iguape, SP, Brasil / ESEC Juréia - Itatins / 24°31'12"S 47°12'5,8"W / Armadilha Malaise 4 / 19.v.2010 / N.W. Perioto e eq. cols” (DCBU 49960, 49963).

Distribution

Brazil.

Biology

No data.

DNA barcoding

Not available.

Etymology

Named in honor of our colleague Dra. Paloma Helena Fernandes Shimabukuro, for her contribution to the taxonomy of the Brazilian species of Alphomelon.

Diagnostic description

White patch on gena: extending to occiput and onto clypeus. Tegula/humeral complex color: yellow/yellow. Mesonotum color: mostly dark brown to black. Metasoma color: mostly black or dark brown. Tarsal claws spines: 1. Pterostigma shape: comparatively less elongate, its length ≤ 2.5× its central height and usually more rounded with at least one of its lower margins curved. T1 sculpture: entirely smooth. T1 central ridge: absent or faintly indicated by shallow depression. T2 sculpture: entirely to mostly smooth. Ovipositor sheaths length: longer than first segment of metatarsus. Body length: 3.7–4.0 mm. Fore wing length: 3.7–4.0 mm.

Figure 59.

Alphomelon palomae Shimbori & Fernandez-Triana holotype female DCBU 467753 A habitus, lateral B head, frontal C head, lateral D wings E metasoma, dorsal F mesosoma, dorsal.

Alphomelon paramelanoscelis Fernandez-Triana & Shimbori, sp. nov.

https://zoobank.org/5B3781B1-6F4B-4A52-B0FB-76FEE47E62B4

Figs 60A–E, 61A–F, 62A–E, 63A–E

Type material

Holotype. Brazil • Female, CNC; Santa Catarina, Nova Teutonia, 27°11'0"S, 52°23'0"W, 300–500 m; 9.II.1962; coll. Fritz Plaumann; Voucher code: CNC704362.

Paratypes. Brazil • 3 females, CNC. Voucher codes: CNC704361, CNC704363, CNC704366; COLOMBIA • 1 female, CNC. Voucher code: CNCHYM 00034.

Distribution

Brazil, Colombia.

Biology

No data.

DNA barcoding

No BIN but one partial sequence (442 bp) from Colombia (see further details about problems with the closest BIN associated with this species under the treatment of Alphomelon melanoscelis).

Figure 60.

Alphomelon paramelanoscelis Fernandez-Triana & Shimbori female CNC704366 A habitus, lateral B head, frontal C wings D propodeum and metasoma, dorsal E mesosoma, dorsal.

Etymology

Named after Alphomelon melanoscelis, a species it resembles. In fact, some specimens of A. paramelanoscelis were considered as part of A. melanoscelis by previous authors (Deans et al. 2003).

Figure 61.

Alphomelon paramelanoscelis Fernandez-Triana & Shimbori holotype female CNC704362 A habitus, lateral B head, frontal C wings D propodeum, dorsal E head and mesosoma, dorsal F metasoma, dorsal.

Diagnostic description

White patch on gena: extending to occiput and onto clypeus. Tegula/humeral complex color: yellow/yellow. Mesonotum color: mostly dark brown to black. Metasoma color: mostly dark brown to black but with some laterotergites and sternites yellow. Tarsal claws spines: 3 or 4. Pterostigma shape: comparatively less elongate, its length ≤ 2.5× its central height and usually more rounded with at least one of its lower margins curved. T1 sculpture: entirely to mostly smooth. T1 central ridge: marked by two raised carinae. T2 sculpture: entirely to mostly smooth. Ovipositor sheaths length: shorter than first segment of metatarsus. Body length: 4.1–4.7 mm. Fore wing length: 4.0–4.7 mm.

Figure 62.

Alphomelon paramelanoscelis Fernandez-Triana & Shimbori paratype female CNC704363 A habitus, lateral B head, frontal C fore wing D propodeum and metasoma, dorso-lateral E mesosoma, dorsal.

Notes

The paratype from southern Colombia (Leticia) shares all characteristics with the Brazilian specimens except that metatibia is dark brown on posterior 0.5 and its is smaller (body size 4.1 mm and fore wing length 4.0 mm).

Figure 63.

Alphomelon paramelanoscelis Fernandez-Triana & Shimbori paratype female CNCHYM 00034 A habitus, lateral B head, frontal C wings D propodeum and metasoma, dorso-lateral E mesosoma, dorsal.

Alphomelon paranigriceps Fernandez-Triana & Shimbori, sp. nov.

https://zoobank.org/536C1A8C-BC86-41E1-B41E-7DD8A6B3E747

Fig. 64A–H

Type material

Holotype. United States • Female, CNC; Georgia, McIntosh county, Sapelo Island, Shrub Sand Dunes; 18.vii–22.viii.1987; Malaise Trap; BRC Hymenoptera Team; Voucher code: CNC280520.

Other specimens examined

United States • 2 females, USNM, Florida (Key Largo); North Carolina (Moore County, Southern Pines); 1 female, TAMU, Texas (Hunt county, Clymer Prairie); unspecified specimen from South Carolina (Deans et al. 2003).

Distribution

United States.

Biology

No data.

DNA barcoding

Not available.

Etymology

Named after Alphomelon nigriceps, a species it resembles. Some specimens of A. paranigriceps were considered as part of A. nigriceps by previous authors (e.g., Deans et al. 2003; Fernandez-Triana et al. 2020).

Diagnostic description

White patch on gena: extending to occiput but not to clypeus. Tegula/humeral complex color: yellow/yellow. Mesonotum color: mostly orange-yellow. Metasoma color: mostly orange-yellow. Tarsal claws spines: 1. Pterostigma shape: comparatively less elongate, its length ≤ 2.5× its central height and usually more rounded with at least one of its lower margins curved. T1 sculpture: strongly sculptured on at least apical half or more. T1 central ridge: strongly marked by two raised carinae. T2 sculpture: entirely to mostly strongly sculptured. Ovipositor sheaths length: as long as first segment of metatarsus. Body length: 5.0 mm. Fore wing length: 5.2 mm.

Notes

We consider as belonging to this species all specimens from the USA (FL, NC, SC, and TX) previously reported by Marsh (1965) and Deans et al. (2003) as A. nigriceps. This would agree with the comments made by Deans et al. (2003: 28) about the USA specimens having different (darker) colouration than tropical specimens. Because we could not examine that material we cannot include those specimens as paratypes of the new species, but we assume in this paper that the “true” A. nigriceps is limited to the Caribbean islands and South America, whereas A. paranigriceps includes all specimens from continental USA.

Figure 64.

Alphomelon paranigriceps Fernandez-Triana & Shimbori holotype female CNC280520 A habitus, lateral B head, frontal C head, dorsal D wings E antenna, ventral F mid leg, lateral G propodeum and metasoma, dorsal H mesosoma, dorsal.

Alphomelon paurogenum Deans, 2003

Fig. 65A–I

Distribution

Argentina, Chile.

Biology

No data.

DNA barcoding

Not available.

Figure 65.

Alphomelon paurogenum Deans paratype female from AEIC A head, dorsal B habitus, lateral C head, frontal D fore wing E metasoma, dorsal F propodeum, dorsal G T1, dorsal H antenna, ventral I Hind legs, lateral.

Alphomelon petronariosae Fernandez-Triana & Shimbori, sp. nov.

https://zoobank.org/D33B0E1A-E82C-44E9-AD68-E080CC2B5091

Figs 66A–E, 101B

Type material

Holotype. Costa Rica • Female, CNC; Guanacaste, Area de Conservación Guanacaste, Sector Pitilla, Pasmompa, 11°01'09.34"N, 85°24'35.89"W, 440m; 17.IX.2011; ex. Lerema liris; coll. Freddy Quesada; Voucher code: DHJPAR0048219; Host voucher code: 11-SRNP-32632.

Distribution

Costa Rica (ACG).

Biology

Solitary, reared from Anthoptus epictetus, Conga chydaea, Lerema liris, Morys lyde, M. micythus, Vehilius vetula, and Vehilius Janzen03.

DNA barcoding

BIN BOLD:ADA7564

Etymology

Named in honor of Sra. Petrona Ríos in honor of her decades of teamwork in the ACG parataxonomist team.

Diagnostic description

T1 central ridge: clearly marked by two raised carinae. T2 sculpture: entirely to mostly smooth. Ovipositor sheaths length: longer than first segment of metatarsus. Body length: 4.4 mm. Fore wing length: 4.2 mm.

Notes

The barcodes available for this species are comparatively very similar to those of A. calixtomoragai (only 1.28% bp different) but the two species have morphological differences (see key) as well as different hosts.

Figure 66.

Alphomelon petronariosae Fernandez-Triana & Shimbori holotype female DHJPAR0048219 A habitus, lateral B head, frontal C wings D metasoma, dorsal E mesosoma, dorsal.

Alphomelon pyrrhogluteum Deans, 2003

Fig. 67A–G

Distribution

Argentina.

Biology

Unknown.

DNA barcoding

Not available.

Figure 67.

Alphomelon pyrrhogluteum Deans paratype female from AEIC A head, dorsal B habitus, lateral C head, frontal D wings E mesosoma, dorsal F metasoma, dorsal G hind leg, lateral.

Alphomelon rhyssocercus Deans, 2003

Figs 68A–G, 69A–E

Distribution

Argentina, Costa Rica, Ecuador, Panama, Peru, Trinidad & Tobago, Venezuela; specimens collected in rainforest sites.

Biology

Unknown.

DNA barcoding

Not available.

Other specimens examined

(9 females, 10 males, 2 sex unknown): CNCHYM 00049, CNC721047, CNC721048, CNC721051, CNC721057, CNC721056, CNC721055, CNC721054, CNC721061, CNC721059, CNC721049, CNC280521, CNC721053, CNC721058, CNC721052, CNCHYM 00047, CNCHYM 00048, CNCHYM 00050, CNC721050, CNC721060, CNC1196961.

Figure 68.

Alphomelon rhyssocercus Deans holotype female A habitus, lateral B head, frontal C wings D head, dorsal E antenna, lateral F metasoma, dorsal G mesosoma, dorsal.

Figure 69.

Alphomelon rhyssocercus Deans paratype female CNCHYM 00049 A habitus, lateral B fore wing C head, frontal D propodeum and metasoma, dorsal E mesosoma, dorsal.

Alphomelon ricardocaleroi Fernandez-Triana & Shimbori, sp. nov.

https://zoobank.org/3893D222-5444-4C00-B61A-26E806CD1A39

Figs 70A–E, 71A–E, 102A

Type material

Holotype. Costa Rica • Female, CNC; Alajuela, Area de Conservación Guanacaste, Sector Rincon Rain Forest, Vochysia, 10°51'59.98"N, 85°14'43.01"W, 320m; 16.VI.2007; ex. Cynea sp. Burns06; coll. Jose Perez; Voucher code: DHJPAR0020280; Host voucher code: 07-SRNP-41811.

Paratypes. Costa Rica • 12 females, CNC; CNC1180130, CNC1180125, CNC1180148 (additional specimens in a gel capsule associated with that specimen), DHJPAR0020276, DHJPAR0040440, CNC1180144, CNC1180154, CNC1180169, DHJPAR0054695, CNC1196552, CNC1196559, CNC1196599 (additional specimens in a gel capsule associated with that specimen).

Distribution

Costa Rica (ACG).

Biology

Gregarious, reared from Cynea cynea, C. megalops, and C. Burns06.

DNA barcoding

BIN BOLD:AAB7535.

Etymology

Named in honor of Sr. Ricardo Calero in honor of his decades of teamwork in the ACG inventory parataxonomist team.

Diagnostic description

White patch on gena: extending to occiput and onto clypeus. Tegula/humeral complex color: yellow/yellow. Mesonotum color: mostly dark brown to black. Metasoma color: mostly black or dark brown. Tarsal claws spines: 2 or 3. Pterostigma shape: comparatively more elongate, its length ≥ 3.0× its central height and more triangular with its two lower margins more or less straight. T1 sculpture: weakly sculptured along margins. T1 central ridge: marked by weak carina. T2 sculpture: entirely to mostly smooth. Ovipositor sheaths length: longer than first segment of metatarsus. Body length: 3.7–3.9 mm. Fore wing length: 3.4–3.7 mm.

Figure 70.

Alphomelon ricardocaleroi Fernandez-Triana & Shimbori holotype female DHJPAR0020280 A habitus, lateral B wings C head, frontal D mesosoma, dorsal E metasoma, dorsal.

Figure 71.

Alphomelon ricardocaleroi Fernandez-Triana & Shimbori paratype female DHJPAR0040440 A habitus, lateral B head, frontal C fore wing D propodeum and metasoma, dorsal E mesosoma, dorsal.

Notes

Some paratype specimens have ovipositor sheaths longer than holotype.

Alphomelon rigoi Fernandez-Triana & Shimbori, sp. nov.

https://zoobank.org/B505E0F8-ABE3-4C06-A047-9F9AF4C044F1

Figs 72A–E, 73A–E

Type material

Holotype. Belize • Female, CNC; Belize [Label has country as “British Honduras”], Middlesex, 17°2'22.70"N, 88°31'13.30"W, 125m; 12.IV.1965; coll. E. C. Welling; Voucher code: CNCHYM 00037.

Paratypes. Belize • 2 females, CNC. Voucher codes: CNC704364, CNC704365.

Other specimens examined

Venezuela • 1 female, CNC. Voucher codes: WMIC 0349

Distribution

Belize, Venezuela.

Biology

No data.

DNA barcoding

BIN BOLD:AAB8584, based on an almost complete sequence (573 bp), but see Notes below.

Etymology

JFT dedicates this species to his dear friend Rigoberto (Rigo) Pérez de Alejo Fortún, in appreciation for the many adventures and experiences they have shared over the years.

Diagnostic description

White patch on gena: extending to occiput and onto clypeus. Tegula/humeral complex color: yellow/brown. Mesonotum color: mostly dark brown to black. Metasoma color: mostly black or dark brown. Tarsal claws spines: 3. Pterostigma shape: comparatively less elongate, its length ≤ 2.5× its central height and usually more rounded with at least one of its lower margins curved. T1 sculpture: strongly sculptured on at least apical half or more. T1 central ridge: strongly marked by two raised carinae and strong costulae centrally. T2 sculpture: strongly sculptured. Ovipositor sheaths length: shorter than first segment of metatarsus. Body length: 4.2–4.4 mm. Fore wing length: 4.2–4.6 mm.

Figure 72.

Alphomelon rigoi Fernandez-Triana & Shimbori holotype female CNCHYM 00037 A habitus, lateral B fore wing C head, frontal D mesosoma, dorsal E metasoma, dorsal.

Notes

The associated BIN includes at least three (possibly more) species, see further explanations and details under the treatment of Alphomelon melanoscelis. One female from Venezuela (WMIC 0349) is kept provisionally as this species but is excluded from the type series because it probably represents a different, undescribed species.

Figure 73.

Alphomelon rigoi Fernandez-Triana & Shimbori paratype female CNC704365 A habitus, lateral B head, frontal C wings D metasoma, dorsal E mesosoma, dorsal.

Alphomelon rostermoragai Fernandez-Triana & Shimbori, sp. nov.

https://zoobank.org/3ED44A5B-B7B5-4312-98CD-84320011E29D

Fig. 74A–E

Type material

Holotype. Costa Rica • Female, CNC; Guanacaste, Area de Conservación Guanacaste, Sector El Hacha, Estacion Los Almendros, 11°01'56.14"N, 85°31'39.94"W, 290m; 28.XII.2011; ex. Vettius aurelius; coll. Elieth Cantillano; Voucher code: DHJPAR0049074; Host voucher code: 11-SRNP-23685.

Distribution

Costa Rica (ACG).

Biology

Solitary, reared from Tigasis simplex and Vettius aurelius.

DNA barcoding

BIN BOLD:ACB1223.

Etymology

Named in honor of Sr. Roster Moraga in honor of his decades of teamwork in the ACG parataxonomist team.

Diagnostic description

White patch on gena: extending to occiput and onto clypeus. Tegula/humeral complex color: white/yellow. Mesonotum color: mostly dark brown to black. Metasoma color: mostly black or dark brown. Tarsal claws spines: 3. Pterostigma shape: comparatively more elongate, its length ≥ 3.0× its central height and more triangular with its two lower margins more or less straight. T1 sculpture: entirely to mostly smooth. T1 central ridge: clearly marked by two raised carinae. T2 sculpture: entirely to mostly smooth. Ovipositor sheaths length: longer than first segment of metatarsus. Body length: 3.6 mm. Fore wing length: 3.7 mm.

Figure 74.

Alphomelon rostermoragai Fernandez-Triana & Shimbori holotype female DHJPAR0049074 A habitus, lateral B head, frontal C wings D metasoma, dorsal E mesosoma, dorsal.

Alphomelon rugosus Shimabukuro & Penteado-Dias, 2003

Fig. 75A–F

Distribution

Brazil (DF, RS, SP).

Biology

Unknown.

DNA barcoding

Not available.

Notes

Alphomelon rugosus is morphologically similar to A. rhyssocercus, and could end up being the same species when more specimens can be examined and DNA barcodes obtained. For the time being, we consider it as a valid, distinct species, based on the differences outlined in the key.

Figure 75.

Alphomelon rugosus Shimabukuro & Penteado-Dias holotype female DCBU513130 (A, B, D–F), paratype female canhim86 (C) and paratype female IBGE (E) A habitus, lateral B head, frontal C fore wing. D mesosoma, dorsal E habitus, lateral F metasoma, dorsal.

Alphomelon sergioriosi Fernandez-Triana & Shimbori, sp. nov.

https://zoobank.org/7C8FCE40-332B-40AB-9D20-A06D19C55399

Figs 76A–F, 102B

Type material

Holotype. Costa Rica • Female, CNC; Guanacaste, Area de Conservación Guanacaste, Sector Santa Rosa, Cuesta Canyon Tigre, 10°49'01.31"N, 85°38'37.18"W, 270m; 31.VII.1992; ex. Calpodes ethlius; coll. Parataxonomists; Voucher code: DHJPAR0013671; Host voucher code: 92-SRNP-4136.

Paratypes. Costa Rica • 7 females, 1 male, CNC; DHJPAR0013669, DHJPAR0053837, DHJPAR0053814, DHJPAR0053819, DHJPAR0053835, DHJPAR0031007, DHJPAR0013665, DHJPAR0053842.

Other specimens examined

Mexico • 1 Female, CBG. Voucher code: 07TAPACH-01765.

Distribution

Costa Rica (ACG), Mexico.

Biology

Gregarious, reared from Calpodes ethlius, Enosis angularis, Perichares adela, and Tromba xanthura.

DNA barcoding

BIN BOLD:AAD2561.

Etymology

Named in honor of Sr. Sergio Ríos in honor of his decades of teamwork in the ACG parataxonomist team.

Diagnostic description

White patch on gena: extending to occiput but not to clypeus. Tegula/humeral complex color: white/yellow. Mesonotum color: mostly dark brown to black. Metasoma color: mostly black or dark brown. Tarsal claws spines: 1. Pterostigma shape: comparatively more elongate, its length ≥ 3.0× its central height and more triangular-with its two lower margins more or less straight. T1 sculpture: strongly sculptured on at least apical half or more. T1 central ridge: strongly marked by two raised carinae and strong costulae centrally. T2 sculpture: entirely to mostly strongly sculptured. Ovipositor sheaths length: longer than first segment of metatarsus. Body length: 3.8–4.2 mm. Fore wing length: 4.1–4.2 mm.

Figure 76.

Alphomelon sergioriosi Fernandez-Triana, Shimbori holotype female DHJPAR0013671 A habitus, lateral B propodeum and metasoma, dorsal C wings D head, frontal E head and mesosoma, dorsal F antenna, dorsal.

Notes

The specimen from Mexico (having a full barcode) is associated with the species because its sequence matches perfectly with ACG specimens and the image available in BOLD is also similar.

Alphomelon simpsonorum Deans, 2003

Figs 77A–G, 78A–E

Distribution

Brazil (PR, SC), Costa Rica, Paraguay; all known records are from rainforest sites.

Biology

Solitary, reared from unidentified Hesperiinae feeding on Poaceae in Costa Rica (no ACG) (Deans et a. 2003).

DNA barcoding

Two partial barcodes (164 and 234 bp).

Other specimens examined

(4 females): CNC1197001, CNCHYM 00051, CNCHYM 00052, CNC704289.

Figure 77.

Alphomelon simpsonorum Deans holotype female A habitus, lateral B head, frontal C Wings D head and mesosoma, dorsal E antenna, lateral F metasoma, lateral G propodeum and metasoma, dorso-lateral.

Figure 78.

Alphomelon simpsonorum Deans paratype female CNCHYM 00051 A head, frontal B habitus, lateral C wings D propodeum and metasoma, dorsal E mesosoma, dorsal.

Alphomelon talidicida (Wilkinson, 1931)

Figs 79A–E, 80A–F, 81A–E, 82A–G, 103A

Distribution

Belize, Brazil (MT, PA, PE, SP), Colombia, Costa Rica (ACG), Ecuador, Guyana, Mexico, Panama, Peru, Trinidad & Tobago, Venezuela.

Biology

Gregarious, reared from Talides sergestus, T. sinois, Talides Burns01, Talides Burns02, Talides Burns03, Talides Burns04 and Thracides phidon, on at least seven species of Heliconia (Heliconiaceae).

DNA barcoding

BIN BOLD:AAA7259.

Other specimens examined

(94 females, 16 males): DHJPAR0050959, CNC1802102, CNC1802103, CNC1802104, CNC1802105, CNC1802106, CNC1802107, CNC1802108 (additional specimens in a gel capsule associated with that specimen), DHJPAR0050091, CNC1802109, CNC1802110, CNC1802111, CNC1802112, CNC1802113, CNC1802114, CNC1802115, CNC1802116, CNC1802117, DHJPAR0050979, CNC1802118, CNC1802119, CNC1802120, CNC1802121, CNC1802122 (additional specimens in a gel capsule associated with that specimen), DHJPAR0050958, CNC1802123, CNC1802124, CNC1802125, CNC1802126, CNC5213175, CNC5213176, CNC5213177, CNC5213178, CNC5213179, CNC5213180, DHJPAR0051199, CNC5213181, CNC5213182, CNC5213183, CNC5213184 (additional specimens in a gel capsule associated with that specimen), DHJPAR0054700, CNC5213185, CNC5213186, CNC5213187, CNC5213188, CNC5213189, CNC5213190 (additional specimens in a gel capsule associated with that specimen), DHJPAR0055247, DHJPAR0049213, CNC5213191, CNC5213192 (additional specimens in a gel capsule associated with that specimen), DHJPAR0053777, CNC5213193, CNC5213194, CNC5213195, CNC5213196, CNC5213197, CNC5213198, CNC5213199, CNC5213200, CNC5213201, CNC5213202, CNC5213203, CNC5213204, CNC5213105, DHJPAR0051203, CNC5213206, CNC5213207, CNC5213208, CNC5213209, CNC5213210, CNC5213211, CNC5213212 (additional specimens in a gel capsule associated with that specimen), CNC721062, CNC721063, CNC721064, CNC721065, CNC721066, CNC721067, CNC721068, CNC721069, CNC721071, CNC721072, CNC721073, CNC721074, CNC721075, CNC721076, CNC721077, CNC280522, CNC721078, CNC721087, CNC721086, CNC721085, CNC721083, CNC721082, CNC721080, CNC721088, CNC721089, CNC721090, CNC721091, CNC721092, CNCHYM 00053, CNCHYM 00054, CNCHYM 00055, CNCHYM 00056, CNC721079, CNC280523, CNC721081, CNC721084, CNC721070.

Figure 79.

Alphomelon talidicida (Wilkinson) female CNC280523 A habitus, lateral B head, frontal C fore wing D metasoma, dorsal E mesosoma, dorsal.

Figure 80.

Alphomelon talidicida (Wilkinson) female CNC721067 A habitus, lateral B head, frontal C head, fronto-lateral D fore wing E metasoma, dorsal F mesosoma, dorsal.

Figure 81.

Alphomelon talidicida (Wilkinson) female CNC721079 A habitus, lateral B head, frontal C wings D head and mesosoma, dorsal E propodeum and metasoma, dorsal.

Figure 82.

Alphomelon talidicida (Wilkinson) female CNC1802118 A head, lateral B habitus, lateral C head, frontal D wings E head and mesosoma, dorsal F metasoma, dorsal G metasoma, lateral.

Alphomelon winniewertzae Deans, 2003

Figs 83A–E, 84A–D, 85A–C

Distribution

Canada (ON, QC), Mexico, United States (AR, DC, FL, KS, MA, MI, NC, OH, TN, TX, VA); collected in variable habitats throughout its range.

Biology

Solitary, reared from Euphyes spp. in the United States (TX).

DNA barcoding

No BIN but five partial barcodes (from 103 to 382 bp) available.

Other specimens examined

(8 females, 5 males, 1 sex unknown): CNC721097, CNC280524, CNC721095, CNC721100, CNCHYM 00057, CNCHYM 00060, CNCHYM 00025, CNC721098, CNCHYM 00058, CNC721093, CNC721094, CNC721096, CNC721099, CNCHYM 00059.

Figure 83.

Alphomelon winniewertzae Deans female CNC721098 A head, frontal B habitus, lateral C wings D metasoma, dorsal E mesosoma, dorsal.

Notes

We have not found any evidence supporting the species presence in Costa Rica, as it was previously reported in Deans et al. (2003); thus, we here remove the country record as well as associated host data. It is also possible that the two specimens recorded from Mexico (from Guadalajara and Veracruz, see Deans et al. 2003: 38) are incorrect, but we have not been able to examine those specimens to conclude. The species is therefore considered in this paper to be mostly (or perhaps entirely) Nearctic, with a relatively broad distribution in eastern North America, including Canada up to 45° N.

Figure 84.

Alphomelon winniewertzae Deans female CNCHYM 00025 A habitus, lateral B head, fronto-lateral C mesosoma, dorsal D metasoma, dorsal.

Figure 85.

Alphomelon winniewertzae Deans holotype female USNMENT00828301 A habitus, lateral B close-up of habitus, lateral C habitus, dorsal.

Alphomelon xestopyga Deans, 2003

Figs 47A–G, 86A–F, 87A–F, 88A–F, 89A–C, 103B

Distribution

Costa Rica (ACG).

Biology

Gregarious, reared from Calpodes esperi, C. ethlius, C. fusta, C. severus, Cobalopsis nero, Cynea irma, Cymaenes odilia trebius, C. Burns01, Joanna joanna, Justinia norda, Morys lyde, M. micythus, M. valerius valda, M. lydeDHJ01, M. lydeDHJ02, Niconiades incomptus, Parphorus decora, Quinta cannae, R. osca, Synapte salenus, S. silius, and Vettius aurelius.

DNA barcoding

BIN BOLD: AAA1634.

Other specimens examined

(93 females, 32 males): CNC308749, CNC308837, CNC308838, CNC308839, CNC308840 (additional specimens in a gel capsule associated with that specimen), DHJPAR0049842, CNC1620806, CNC1620807, CNC1620808, CNC1620809, CNC1620810, CNC1620811, DHJPAR0051223, CNC1620802, CNC1620803, CNC1620804, CNC1620805, DHJPAR0031632, DHJPAR0053792, DHJPAR0053789, DHJPAR0053751, CNC1620772, CNC1620773, CNC1620774, CNC1620775, CNC1620776, DHJPAR0053767, CNC1620777, DHJPAR0020278, CNC958681, CNC958682 (additional specimens in a gel capsule associated with that specimen), DHJPAR0053760, CNC1620778, CNC1620779, CNC1620780, CNC1620781, CNC1620782 (additional specimens in a gel capsule associated with that specimen), CNC1620783, CNC1620784, CNC1620785, CNC1620786, CNC1620787, CNC1620788, CNC1620789, CNC1620790, DHJPAR0031616, DHJPAR0031735, DHJPAR0031620, DHJPAR0052957, CNC1620791, CNC1620792, CNC1620793, DHJPAR0053758, CNC1620794, CNC1620795, CNC1620796, CNC1620797, CNC1620798, CNC1620812, CNC1620813, CNC1620814, CNC1620815, CNC1620816, CNC1620817, CNC1620818, CNC1620819, CNC1620820, CNC1620821, CNC1620822, CNC1620823, CNC1620824, CNC1620825, CNC1620826, CNC1620827, CNC1620828, CNC1620829, CNC1620830, CNC1802047, CNC1802048, DHJPAR0053755, CNC1620837, CNC1620831, CNC1620832, CNC1620833, CNC1620834, CNC1620835, CNC1620836, CNC1620799, CNC1620800, CNC1620838, CNC1620839, CNC1620840, CNC1620801, CNC1620841, CNC1620842, CNC1620843, CNC1620844, CNC721102, CNC721114, CNC721118, CNC721119, CNC721122, CNC721123, CNC721125, CNCHYM 00061, CNC721103, CNC721104, CNC721106, CNC721107, CNC721108, CNC721112, CNC721101, CNC721113, CNC721115, CNC721116, CNC721117, CNC721120, CNC721121, CNC721124, CNC721126, CNC280525, CNC721105, CNC721109, CNC721110, CNC721111.

Figure 86.

Alphomelon xestopyga Deans female CNC308749 A habitus, lateral B head, frontal C head, lateral D wings E metasoma, dorsal F mesosoma, dorsal.

Notes

There are some differences between A. xestopyga in the sense of Deans et al. (2003) and the ACG specimens identified as such that we have been able to examine. The species clearly comprises a complex of species, with some specimens we have seen in the CNC collection from other countries besides Costa Rica. Solving this potential complex will require obtaining more DNA barcodes, especially from areas outside of ACG.

Figure 87.

Alphomelon xestopyga Deans female CNC721122 A habitus, lateral B head, frontal C antenna, lateral D wings E propodeum and metasoma, dorsal F mesosoma, dorsal.

Figure 88.

Alphomelon xestopyga Deans female CNC1620777 A habitus, lateral B head, lateral C head, frontal D wings E metasoma, dorsal F head and mesosoma, dorsal.

Figure 89.

Alphomelon xestopyga Deans holotype female USNMENT00828302 A habitus, lateral B habitus, dorsal C close-up of habitus, lateral.

Alphomelon yanayacu Fernandez-Triana & Shimbori, sp. nov.

https://zoobank.org/E1745F15-F7D9-435B-8C9B-F172F9B4A53D

Fig. 90A–E

Type material

Holotype. Ecuador • Female, CNC; Guayas, Yanayacu, Las Penas, 2°10'55.74"S, 79°52'31.98"W, 300 m; 29–30.VIII.1977; Voucher code: CNC1065901.

Paratype. Ecuador • Female, CNC. Voucher code: CNC1196598.

Distribution

Ecuador.

Biology

No data.

DNA barcoding

Not available.

Etymology

Named after the holotype locality.

Diagnostic description

White patch on gena: extending to occiput but not to clypeus. Tegula/humeral complex color: yellow/yellow. Mesonotum color: mostly dark brown to black. Metasoma color: mostly black or dark brown. Tarsal claws spines: 3. Pterostigma shape: comparatively less elongate, its length ≤ 2.5× its central height and usually more rounded with at least one of its lower margins curved. T1 sculpture: strongly sculptured on at least apical half or more. T1 central ridge: clearly marked by two raised carinae. T2 weakly sculptured along margins. Ovipositor sheaths length: longer than first segment of metatarsus. Body length: 3.6–3.7 mm. Fore wing length: 3.6–3.8 mm.

Figure 90.

Alphomelon yanayacu Fernandez-Triana & Shimbori holotype female CNC1065901 A habitus, lateral B head, frontal C fore wing D propodeum and metasoma, dorsal E mesosoma, dorsal.

Figure 91.

Parasite cocoons A Alphomelon adrianguadamuzi 06-SRNP-34573 DHJ436594 B Alphomelon andydeansi 15-SRNP-32133 DHJ729026.

Figure 92.

Parasite cocoons A Alphomelon arecaphile 16-SRNP-70716-DHJ732874 B Alphomelon bromeliphile 06-SRNP-60114-DHJ419211.

Figure 93.

Parasite cocoons A Alphomelon calixtomoragai 08-SRNP-23629-DHJ448941 B Alphomelon carolinacanoae 06-SRNP-45140-DHJ414816.

Figure 94.

Parasite cocoons A Alphomelon christerhanssoni 16-SRNP-65052-DHJ488258 B Alphomelon diniamartinezae 15-SRNP-30195-DHJ803603.

Figure 95.

Parasite cocoons A Alphomelon duvalierbricenoi 05-SRNP-24943-DHJ415451 B Alphomelon eldaarayae 05-SRNP-40812-DHJ436395.

Figure 96.

Parasite cocoons A Alphomelon gloriasihezarae 09-SRNP-45000-DHJ465227 B Alphomelon guillermopereirai 16-SRNP-70422-DHJ732639.

Figure 97.

Parasite cocoons A Alphomelon hazelcambroneroae 17-SRNP-27155-DHJ731343 B Alphomelon josecortesi 15-SRNP-32024-DHJ728940.

Figure 98.

Parasite cocoons and caterpillars A Alphomelon keineraragoni 15-SRNP-71451-DHJ727801 B Alphomelon luciarosae 12-SRNP-65952-DHJ487984.

Figure 99.

Parasite cocoons and caterpillars A Alphomelon manuelriosi 15-SRNP-31843-DHJ728686 B Alphomelon josecortesi 15-SRNP-2670-DHJ704019.

Figure 100.

Parasite cocoons and caterpillars A Alphomelon mikesharkeyi 09-SRNP-72362-DHJ474249 B Alphomelon nanosoma 15-SRNP-31923-DHJ728702.

Figure 101.

Parasite cocoons A Alphomelon osvaldoespinozai 08-SRNP-72533-DHJ447339 B Alphomelon petronariosae 15-SRNP-71861-DHJ727939.

Figure 102.

Parasite cocoons A Alphomelon ricardocaleroi 15-SRNP-55879-DHJ492398 B Alphomelon sergioriosi 08-SRNP-32245-DHJ462411.

Figure 103.

Parasite cocoons and caterpillars A Alphomelon talidicida 17-SRNP-30054-DHJ735829 B Alphomelon xestopyga 16-SRNP-55580-DHJ492508.

Figure 104.

Maximum Likelihood analysis of all species of Alphomelon with full or almost full (> 500 base pairs) DNA barcodes. The tree was constructed based on the General Time Reversible model (Nei and Kumar 2000), made using MEGA X (Kumar et al. 2018). Tip labels include the accession for the sequence from the type series used to construct the tree.

Figure 105.

Diagnostic base pairs to differentiate species that fall within the same BIN. Red rectangles show two diagnostic base pairs (Single Nucleotide Polymorphisms) in specimens of Alphomelon guillermopereirai, A. melanoscelis, and A. paramelanoscelis within BIN BOLD:AAB8584. Numbers were derived by aligning sequences to the cytochrome c oxidase subunit I (COI) region of the full mitochondrial reference genome of Drosophila melanogaster (NC_024511.2).

Acknowledgments

We are very thankful to the Reviewers (Avunjikkattu Parambil Ranjith, Diana Carolina Arias Penna, Shunpei Fujie, and Erinn Fagan-Jeffries) and the Copy Editor (Nathalie Yonow) for their very thorough and comprehensive work, which helped to correct many details from the original submission to the paper. JFT and CB were supported by Agriculture and Agri-Food Canada Project J-002276 Systematics of beneficial arthropods in support of resilient agroecosystems. DHJ, WH, and the ACG Parataxonomist team thank the staff of ACG (https://www.acguanacaste.ac.cr/index.php) for financial, logistic, and protection for all of the activities of the ACG biodiversity inventory and its ecosystems itself since 1978, and the parataxonomist team supported by the Guanacaste Dry Forest Conservation Fund (http://www.gdfcf.org). All involved with the inventory of ACG thank the Centre for Biodiversity Genomics lodged in the University of Guelph (https://biodiversitygenomics.net), without whose barcoding, data management and support, this heavily DNA barcoded inventory could not have taken place. We specifically acknowledge the continual and innovative support of Sujeevan Ratnasingham. All ACG Alphomelon specimens were collected, exported and DNA barcoded under Costa Rican government permits issued to BioAlfa (Janzen and Hallwachs 2019) (R-054-2022-OT-CONAGEBIO; R-019-2019-CONAGEBIO; National Published Decree #41767); JICA-SAPI #0328497 (2014); and DHJ and WH (ACG-PI-036-2013; R-SINAC-ACG-PI-061-2021; Resolución N°001-2004 SINAC; PI-028-2021). CB is grateful to David Wahl (American Entomological Institute, Utah State University, Logan, USA) for hosting her during a visit to photograph Alphomelon specimens which images were used in this paper.

Additional information

Conflict of interest

The authors have declared that no competing interests exist.

Ethical statement

No ethical statement was reported.

Funding

EMS was supported by the Brazilian Council for Research and Development-CNPq, processes PDS 102429/2022-7 and PDE 201050/2022-6. EMS thanks INCT - Semioquímicos na Agricultura for the photographic equipment usage, financed by The São Paulo Research Foundation-FAPESP 14/50871-0 and CNPq 465511/2014-7, and SPARCBIO (São Paulo Advanced Research Center for Biological Control) for additional support. Research funding for SRS and imaging equipment was provided by National Science Foundation grants DEB-10-20751 and DEB 14-42110 (Dimensions of Biodiversity Program). Additional research support for SRS was provided by McIntire-Stennis Grant Project number WYO-612-20, Studies of Parasitoid Wasps of Forest Ecosystems. AMPD was supported by Brazilian institutions CNPq (Conselho Nacional de Desenvolvimento Científico e Tecnológico) and FAPESP (Fundação de Amparo à Pesquisa do Estado de São Paulo.

Author contributions

All authors contributed to this work.

Author ORCIDs

Jose L. Fernandez-Triana https://orcid.org/0000-0003-0425-0309

Eduardo M. Shimbori https://orcid.org/0000-0003-4655-2591

James B. Whitfield https://orcid.org/0000-0002-3031-9106

Angelica M. Penteado-Dias https://orcid.org/0000-0002-8371-5591

Scott R. Shaw https://orcid.org/0000-0002-5024-4594

Caroline Boudreault https://orcid.org/0000-0002-4511-2626

P.D.N. Hebert https://orcid.org/0000-0002-3081-6700

M. Alex Smith https://orcid.org/0000-0002-8650-2575

Daniel H. Janzen https://orcid.org/0000-0002-7335-5107

Data availability

All of the data that support the findings of this study are available in the main text or Supplementary Information.

References

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1 The four species in the couplets 36–39 are very similar morphologically and the characters presented here are rather subtle and subjective, but DNA barcodes discriminate among them.

Supplementary material

Supplementary material 1

Two NJ trees of Alphomelon sequences over 300 and 500 base pairs

Jose L. Fernandez-Triana, Eduardo M. Shimbori, James B. Whitfield, Angelica M. Penteado-Dias, Scott R. Shaw, Caroline Boudreault, Jayme Sones, Kate Perez, Allison Brown, Ramya Manjunath, John M. Burns, P. D. N. Hebert, M. Alex Smith, Winnifred Hallwachs, Daniel H. Janzen

Data type: DNA barcoding data

This dataset is made available under the Open Database License (http://opendatacommons.org/licenses/odbl/1.0/). The Open Database License (ODbL) is a license agreement intended to allow users to freely share, modify, and use this Dataset while maintaining this same freedom for others, provided that the original source and author(s) are credited.

Download file (80.22 kb)

﻿Abstract

Key words

﻿Introduction

﻿Materials and methods

﻿Taxon sampling

﻿Morphology and taxonomic characters

﻿Molecular data

﻿Host data

﻿Digital imaging

﻿Results

﻿Distribution

﻿Biology

﻿Molecular data

﻿Diagnosis of the genus Alphomelon Mason, 1981

﻿Describing new species by combining morphological, molecular, and biological data while integrating previously described species based on less comprehensive data

﻿Key to female New World species of Alphomelon

﻿Taxonomic treatment of species, in alphabetical order

﻿ Alphomelon adrianguadamuzi Fernandez-Triana & Shimbori, sp. nov.

Type material

Distribution

Biology

DNA barcoding

Etymology

Diagnostic description

﻿ Alphomelon amazonas Fernandez-Triana & Shimbori, sp. nov.

Type material

Distribution

Biology

DNA barcoding

Etymology

Diagnostic description

﻿ Alphomelon andydeansi Fernandez-Triana & Shimbori, sp. nov.

Type material

Distribution

Biology

DNA barcoding

Etymology

Diagnostic description

﻿ Alphomelon arecaphile Deans, 2003

Distribution

Biology

DNA barcoding

Other specimens examined

Notes

﻿ Alphomelon brachymacher Deans, 2003

Distribution

Biology

DNA barcoding

Other specimens examined

Notes

﻿ Alphomelon brasiliensis Shimabukuro & Penteado-Dias, 2003

Distribution

Biology

DNA barcoding

Notes

﻿ Alphomelon bromeliphile Deans, 2003

Distribution

Biology

DNA barcoding

Other specimens examined

﻿ Alphomelon calixtomoragai Fernandez-Triana & Shimbori, sp. nov.

Type material

Other specimens examined

Distribution

Biology

DNA barcoding

Etymology

Diagnostic description

Notes

﻿ Alphomelon carolinacanoae Fernandez-Triana & Shimbori, sp. nov.

Type material

Distribution

Biology

DNA barcoding

Etymology

Diagnostic description

Notes

﻿ Alphomelon christerhanssoni Fernandez-Triana & Shimbori, sp. nov.

Type material

Distribution

Abstract

Introduction

Materials and methods

Taxon sampling

Morphology and taxonomic characters

Molecular data

Host data

Digital imaging

Results

Distribution

Biology

Molecular data

Diagnosis of the genus Alphomelon Mason, 1981

Describing new species by combining morphological, molecular, and biological data while integrating previously described species based on less comprehensive data

Key to female New World species of Alphomelon

Taxonomic treatment of species, in alphabetical order

Alphomelon adrianguadamuzi Fernandez-Triana & Shimbori, sp. nov.

Alphomelon amazonas Fernandez-Triana & Shimbori, sp. nov.

Alphomelon andydeansi Fernandez-Triana & Shimbori, sp. nov.

Alphomelon arecaphile Deans, 2003

Alphomelon brachymacher Deans, 2003

Alphomelon brasiliensis Shimabukuro & Penteado-Dias, 2003

Alphomelon bromeliphile Deans, 2003

Alphomelon calixtomoragai Fernandez-Triana & Shimbori, sp. nov.

Alphomelon carolinacanoae Fernandez-Triana & Shimbori, sp. nov.

Alphomelon christerhanssoni Fernandez-Triana & Shimbori, sp. nov.

Alphomelon citroloma Deans, 2003

Alphomelon conforme (Muesebeck, 1958)

Alphomelon crocostethus Deans, 2003

Alphomelon cruzi Shimbori & Fernandez-Triana, sp. nov.

Alphomelon diniamartinezae Fernandez-Triana & Shimbori, sp. nov.

Alphomelon disputabile (Ashmead, 1900)

Alphomelon duvalierbricenoi Fernandez-Triana & Shimbori, sp. nov.

Alphomelon eldaarayae Fernandez-Triana & Shimbori, sp. nov.

Alphomelon eliethcantillanoae Fernandez-Triana & Shimbori, sp. nov.

Alphomelon gloriasihezarae Fernandez-Triana & Shimbori, sp. nov.