Holotype • 1♂; Keravat, New Britain; 10.v.1952; bred from Hibiscus leaf folder (J.H.Barett); Com.Inst.Ent.Coll. No.; 3017, B.M.TYPE HYM 3c.1884.

Male: legs fulvous throughout except metatarsus infuscate (Fig. 1a, i); the transverse, posterior tangent to anterior ocellus not touching posterior pair; antennal sockets very deep, their anterior margins strongly raised, forming a sharp keel medially; head above strongly shiny with a few scattered punctures (Fig. 1b); face strongly transverse, very shiny with large, scattered punctures, with vague striation towards eye margin (Fig. 1c); mesoscutum very shiny with scattered punctures; notauli indicated by a row of larger, more irregularly shaped punctures; propodeum with strong medial carina and various, strong secondary carinae (Fig. 1e); vein 1-R1 about 1.5× longer than its distance from the apex of marginal cell (Fig. 1g); petiole of T1 linear but dilated posteriorly, with deep groove throughout; T2+T3 smooth, shiny; T2 with a hardly defined, raised median swelling that is elongate and more or less parallel-sided (Fig. 1f) (based on Nixon, 1965).

Figure 1. 

Wilkinsonellus daira (Nixon, 1965), male, holotype a habitus, lateral view b head, dorsal view c head, frontal view d antenna and holotype labels e mesosoma, dorsal view f metasoma, dorsal view g fore wing h hind wing i hind leg.

Nixon (1965) mentioned that this species was characterized by its very large size, colour, and lobed claws. Based on our examination of the holotype, the body length is 5.2 mm, fore wing length is 5.3 mm (Fig. 1a), the body is entirely brown-yellow with head slightly paler (Fig. 1a, b). Other supplementary characters we add here to the holotype description: antenna distinctly shorter than body length, with penultimate flagellomere 2.1× as long as wide (Fig. 1d); fore wing with vein r 1.3× 2-SR, m-cu 0.9× 2-SR+M and 1.3× 2-SR, 1-CU1 0.6× 2-CU1 and 1.3× cu-a (Fig. 1g); hind wing with short setae on vannal lobe posterior margin, cu-a distinctly curved posteriorly (Fig. 1h).

• 1♀; Solomon Islands, Guadalcanal Island, Honiara; 13–16.ix.1953; J.D. Bradley, Rennell I. Expedition, B.M.1954–222, M[ercury].V[apour]; light; NHMUK101639756.

Similar to W. tomus except the following: body much larger, ♀ length 3.9–4.1 mm, ♂ length 3.5–3.9 mm; area between ocelli black (Fig. 2d); sometimes patch on posterior tergites and apex of metafemur, tibia and metatarsus dark brown to black; eyes very large, inner margins of eyes at antennal sockets deeply emarginate (Fig. 2c); face narrow, head across medial face 2.5× as wide as face (Fig. 2c); ocelli large, closer to each other than their own diameter, lateral ocelli raised above vertex on a low turret, separated from eye margin by 0.5× their own diameter (Fig. 2d); temple and occiput narrow; medial part of posterior band of scutellum rugose (based on Austin and Dangerfield 1992).

Figure 2. 

Wilkinsonellus amplus Austin & Dangerfield, 1992, female a habitus, dorsal view b propodeum and T1–T3, dorsal view c head, frontal view d head and mesosoma, dorsal view e fore wing f mesosoma, lateral view.

Australia, Solomon Islands (new record).

This species is easily distinguished from its congeners by its large size, large eyes, large and strongly protuberant ocelli, yellow mesosoma, deeply emarginated inner eye margins and more transverse head (Austin and Dangerfield 1992; Long and van Achterberg 2011). The specimen from the Solomon Islands is consistent with the descriptions and illustrations in the above references except for the larger body size (4.9 mm in length).

Body 2.7 mm long, black, except T1, lateral part of T2–T7 light brown (Fig. 3a); OOL: OD = 1.7 (Fig. 3b); face with minute punctures, their intervals uneven to transversely rugulose (Fig. 3c); antenna 1.3× as long as body length, with penultimate flagellomere 2.6× as long as wide (Fig. 3d); mesoscutum distinctly strigose with a medio-longitudinal carina posteriorly; scutellum with dense umbilicate punctation, protruding far above level of propodeum in lateral view (Fig. 3e); propodeum areolate-rugose along inner side of oblique carinae (Fig. 3i); mesopleuron largely smooth except densely punctate on anterior and upper edges (Fig. 3f); vein r 0.8× 2-SR(Fig. 3g); metacoxa extending nearly to apex of metasoma, with areolate-rugose sculpture on outer dorsal edge, nearly smooth medio-longitudinally, finely punctate ventrally (Fig. 3f); petiole of T1 smooth, 2.0× as long as basal width, 4.4× as long as medial width; T2 subtriangular, smooth, 1.8× as wide as length in the middle; T3 about as long as T2 (Fig. 3l); hypopygium broad (Fig. 3k).

Figure 3. 

Wilkinsonellus carinatus Liu & Polaszek, sp. nov., female a habitus, lateral view b head, dorsal view c head, frontal view d antenna e mesosoma, dorsal view f mesosoma, lateral view g fore wing h hind wing i propodeum, dorsal view j hind leg k ovipositor sheath l metasoma, dorsal view.

Female. Body length 2.7 mm, fore wing length 3.2 mm (Fig. 3a).

Head. 1.7× as wide as long, 0.8× as wide as mesoscutum. Eyes 1.7× longer than temple in dorsal view. Temple dull with small punctures, rounded behind eyes in dorsal view. Vertex dull with small sparse punctures, slightly transversely rugulose behind ocelli. Ocelli large, distance between fore and a posterior ocellus 0.6× as long as minor axis of a posterior ocellus, POL:OD:OOL = 1.0:1.0:1.7. Frons slightly depressed, with curved carinae around sockets (Fig. 3b). Face slightly shiny with minute punctures, their intervals uneven to transversely rugulose, slightly bulging medio-longitudinally, 0.9× as wide as high. Clypeus 2.3× as wide as medial length, nearly smooth with superficial punctures. Length of malar space 1.4× width of mandible (Fig. 3c). Antenna 1.3× as long as body length, with 1^st, 2^nd and penultimate flagellomeres 3.3, 3.1, and 2.6× as long as wide, 1^st indistinctly longer than 2^nd, flagellomeres gradually shortening towards penultimate flagellomere, closely articulated (Fig. 3d).

Mesosoma. Length:width:height = 1.1:1.0:1.1. Mesoscutum dull with even punctures, which tend to be larger along the “imaginary” notauli, intervals uneven with minute punctuation and about the length of a puncture’s diameter, and distinctly strigose with a medio-longitudinal carina posteriorly. Scutellar sulcus wide and straight with carinae inside. Scutellum dull with dense umbilicate punctation, medial part of posterior band of scutellum rough, protruding far above level of propodeum in lateral view (Fig. 3e, f). Propodeum 2.8× wider than high, dull with a strong percurrent medio-longitudinal carina, and adjacent oblique carinae, which have weak transverse carinae between them, shallowly punctate anterio-laterally, areolate-rugose along inner side of oblique carinae; spiracles large, enclosed by costulae (Fig. 3i). Mesopleuron shiny, largely smooth except densely punctate on anterior and upper edges, sternaulus crenulate, with an oblique furrow attaching right-angled to its anterior end (Fig. 3f).

Wings. Fore wing: pterostigma narrow, 3.4× as long as its widest part; vein 1-R1 1.4× length of pterostigma; vein r arising from apical third of pterostigma, slightly longer than maximum width of pterostigma, 0.8× 2-SR; vein m-cu 2.3× as long as 2-SR+M, nearly as long as 2-SR; vein 1-CU1 0.7× 2-CU1 and 1.7× cu-a (Fig. 3g). Hind wing: vannal lobe of normal size, posterior margin with short setae medially, basally and apically with longer setae, cu-a slightly curved (Fig. 3h).

Legs. Metacoxa long, extending nearly apex of metasoma, areolate-rugose sculptures on outer dorsal edge, nearly smooth medio-longitudinally, finely punctate ventrally (Fig. 3f). Metafemur 3.4× as long as its widest part. Inner spur of metatibia ⁴/₅ length of metabasitarsus. Metabasitarsus 0.7× as long as combined length of tarsomeres 2–5 (Fig. 3j).

Metasoma. 0.9× length of mesosoma. Petiole of T1 smooth, bottle-shaped, attenuated to posterior edge, 2.0× longer than basal width, 4.4× longer than medial width, petiole with a groove reaching to half of apical swollen area. T2 subtriangular, smooth, 1.8× as wide as length in the middle. T3 about as long as T2, T3, and posterior tergites smooth and more delicate and membranous (Fig. 3l). Hypopygium broad, hardly reaching apex of metasoma. Ovipositor sheath slightly protruding beyond apex of metasoma, almost glabrous (except for a few extremely short hairs apically) (Fig. 3k).

Colour. Body black, except T1, lateral part of T2–T7 light brown, dorsal part dark brown, and face slightly brown below sockets (Fig. 3a). Palpi white. Tibia spurs pale yellow. Antenna brown to dark brown except scape and pedicel yellow-brown. Fore and middle legs off-white to yellow-brown, hind leg black except trochanter pale yellow, extreme basal femur and basal third of tibia yellow-brown. Wing membranes hyaline, slightly infumate, fore wing with pterostigma brown, veins pale brown to brown.

Variation. Specimens from Brunei (Labi) with T1–T2 white laterally, and specimens from Brunei (Kuala Belalong), Sarawak and Seram with yellow-brown head. Body length 2.7–3.1 mm.

Male. Similar to female except T1 longer with petiole at least 5.5× longer than medial width and T2 narrower. Body length 2.7–3.1 mm.

Unknown.

(NHMUK) Holotype • 1♀; Brunei, Seria swamp forest edge; M.C. Day; 14.ii–4.iii.1982; NHMUK010639301. Paratype • 1♀; Brunei, Ulu Temburong N.P. (Malaise trap); M.C. Day; BMNH(E)2011-106; 14.ii–9.iii.1982; NHMUK010639751 • 2♀♀3♂♂; Brunei, Labi, mixed dipterocarp forest, 200m; viii–ix.1979; NHMUK010826306, 010826288, 010826315, 010826623, 010826324 • 4♀♀6♂♂; Brunei, Kuala Belalong FSC 4°34′N, 115°7′E; 1800m Malaise trap; iii.1992; NHMUK010826331, 010826319, 010826344, 010826346, 010826280, 010826347, 010826333, 010826329, 010826355, 010826349 • 6♀♀1♂; Malaysia, Sarawak (Borneo), 4^th Div. Gunung Mulu, RGS Exp.; 27.vi–19.vii.1978; H. Vallack; NHMUK010826330, 010826319, 010826328, 010826320, 010826338, 010826345, 010826327, 010826334 • 3♂♂; Malaysia, Sarawak (Borneo), 4^th Div. Gn. Mulu, RGS Exp.; ii–iii.1978; N.M. Collins; NHMUK010826343, 010826321, 010826352 • 1♀; Malaysia, Sarawak (Borneo), 1^st Div. Lubok, Jita, 1°12′N, 110°48′E; 6–10.xi.1976; P.S. Cranston; NHMUK010826370 • 1♂; Indonesia, Seram, Solea village, Malaise trap, forest; VIII.1987; coll. M.C. Day, BMNH(E) 1987-262; NHMUK010826350.

Brunei, Malaysia (Sarawak), Indonesia (Seram).

The specific name carinatus, meaning “keeled” or “carinate”, refers to the presence of the medio-longitudinal carina on posterior mesoscutum.

This species is similar to W. nigratus, but differs in the following: vein cu-a of hind wing curved (sinuate in W. nigratus); scutellum without apical spine in lateral view (with an apical spine in W. nigratus); and mesoscutum strigose apically (smooth in W. nigratus).

Body 2.2 mm long, dark brown, except head yellow, petiole of T1 light yellow, T2–T7 brown and lateral part of T1 white (Fig. 4a); OOL:OD = 2.4 (Fig. 4b); face with weakly defined punctures, their intervals uneven (Fig. 4c); antenna with 1^st and 2^nd flagellomeres 2.8× and 3.0× longer than wide (Fig. 4d); mesoscutum with small punctures, intervals uneven with minute punctuation and larger than puncture’s diameter (Fig. 4e); scutellum with a spine apically in lateral view (Fig. 4f); propodeum with spiracles not enclosed by costulae anteriorly and posteriorly (Fig. 4h); mesopleuron largely smooth except indistinctly punctate on anterior and upper edges (Fig. 4f); vein r 0.7× 2-SR (Fig. 4j); metacoxa nearly surpassing T3, areolate-rugose on outer dorsal edge, weaker ventrally (Fig. 4f); petiole of T1 smooth, weakly constricted at anterior half; T2 subtriangular, 1.4× as wide as length in the middle; T3 1.5× as long as T2 (Fig. 4k); hypopygium a little broad (Fig. 4i).

Figure 4. 

Wilkinsonellus paracorpustriacolor Liu & Polaszek, sp. nov., female a habitus, lateral view b head, dorsal view c head, frontal view d antenna e mesosoma, dorsal view f mesosoma, lateral view g hind leg h propodeum, dorsal view i ovipositor sheath j fore wing k metasoma, dorsal view.

Female. Body length 2.2 mm, fore wing length 2.4 mm (Fig. 4a).

Head. 1.6× as wide as long, slightly wider than mesoscutum. Eyes 1.7× as long as temple in dorsal view. Temple slightly shiny with small punctures, rounded behind eyes in dorsal view. Vertex with weakly rugulose sculptures punctures, especially behind ocelli. Ocelli large, distance between fore and a posterior ocellus 0.8× as long as minor axis of a posterior ocellus, POL:OD:OOL = 1.3:1.0:2.4. Frons slightly depressed, nearly polished (Fig. 4b). Face slightly shiny, bulging medio-longitudinally, 0.9× as wide as high, with weakly defined punctures, their intervals irregular. Clypeus 2.8× wider than medial length, nearly smooth with superficial punctures. Length of malar space 1.3× width of mandible (Fig. 4c). Antenna with 1^st and 2^nd flagellomeres 2.8× and 3.0× longer than wide, eight apical flagellomeres missing (Fig. 4d).

Mesosoma. Length:width:height = 1.7:1.2:1.0. Mesoscutum dull with small punctures, notauli indistinct, intervals irregular with minute punctation, narrowly polished along posterior margin. Scutellar sulcus wide and straight, with internal carinae (Fig. 4e). Scutellum dull, with rugulose punctures anteriorly, slightly polished posteriorly, slightly protruding above level of propodeum with a spine apically in lateral view (Fig. 4e, f). Propodeum 2.3× wider than high, dull with strong percurrent medio-longitudinal carina and adjacent oblique carinae which have obsolete carinae laterally; spiracles large, not enclosed by costulae (Fig. 4h). Mesopleuron shiny, largely smooth except indistinctly punctate on anterior and upper edges, sternaulus weakly crenulate, and with an oblique furrow attached at a right-angle to its anterior end (Fig. 4f).

Wings. Fore wing: pterostigma narrow, 3.5× as long as its widest part; vein 1-R1 1.3× length of pterostigma; vein r arising from apical third of pterostigma, slightly longer than maximum width of pterostigma, 0.7× 2-SR; vein m-cu 2.9× as long as 2-SR+M, nearly half of 2-SR; vein 1-CU1 0.7× 2-CU1 and 1.8× cu-a (Fig. 4j). Hind wing: vannal lobe of normal size, posterior margin with short setae medially, basally and apically with longer setae, cu-a slightly curved.

Legs. Metacoxa nearly surpassing T3, areolate-rugose on outer dorsal edge, with weaker sculpture ventrally (Fig. 4f). Metafemur 4.0× as long as its widest part. Inner spur of metatibia half length of metabasitarsus. Metabasitarsus 0.7× as long as combined length of tarsomeres 2–5 (Fig. 4g).

Metasoma. 0.9× length of mesosoma. Petiole of T1 smooth, weakly constricted at anterior half, 2.3× longer than basal width, 5.0× longer than medial width, petiole with a groove reaching to anterior part of apical swollen area. T2 subtriangular, smooth, 1.4× as wide as length in the middle. T3 1.5× as long as T2, T3 and posterior tergites smooth and softer (Fig. 4k). Hypopygium slightly broadened, hardly exceeding apex of metasoma. Ovipositor sheath slightly protruding beyond metasoma, almost glabrous (Fig. 4i).

Colour. Body dark brown, except head yellow, petiole of T1 light yellow, T2–T7 brown and lateral part of T1 white (Fig. 4a). Vertex with narrow striae present above occiput. Palpi white. Tibia spurs pale yellow. Antenna dark brown except scape and pedicel yellow. Fore and middle legs off-white to light yellow-brown, hind leg black to dark brown except trochanter pale yellow, basal half of femur and basal ¾ of tibia yellow-brown. Wing membranes hyaline, slightly infumate, fore wing with pterostigma brown, veins pale brown to brown.

Male. Similar to female except T1 longer with petiole at least 6.0× longer than medial width and ultimate flagellomere abruptly narrowed and pointed. Body length 2.2–2.6 mm.

Unknown.

(NHMUK) Holotype • 1♀; Malaysia, Sarawak (Borneo), Gn. Mulu; i–iv.1978; J.D. Holloway; NHMUK010639725. Paratypes • 1♀11♂; Malaysia, Sarawak (Borneo), 4^th div. Gn. Mulu; RGS Exp., N.M. Collins, Malaise trap; iii–vi.1978; NHMUK010826357, 010826358, 010826359, 010826360, 010826361, 010826362, 010826363, 010826364, 010826365, 010826366, 010826367, 010826368.

Malaysia (Sarawak).

The specific name paracorpustriacolor is in reference to the very similar appearance of the new species to W. corpustriacolor.

This species is very similar to W. corpustriacolor, but it differs in the following: vein m-cu of fore wing nearly half of 2-SR (about as long as 2-SR in W. corpustriacolor); mesoscutum with small punctures, intervals uneven with minute punctuation and larger than punture diameter (with dense areolate-rugose punctures in W. corpustriacolor); and propodeum without transverse carinae (with several transverse carinae attaching medio-longitudinal carina in W. corpustriacolor).

Body 3.7 mm long, bright yellow (Fig. 5a); OOL:OD = 0.4 (Fig. 5b); face wider dorsally (Fig. 5e); antenna with 1^st and 2^nd flagellomeres equal in length and 2.6× longer than wide (Fig. 5a); mesoscutum with notauli; scutellar sulcus with six carinae inside (Fig. 5b); scutellum with rugulose punctures, distinctly above level of propodeum with a spine apically in lateral view; propodeum 2.0× wider than high, spiracles enclosed by costulae anteriorly and posteriorly (Fig. 5d); mesopleuron with dense rugulose punctures except narrowly polished above sternaulus (Fig. 5c); vein r 1.4× 2-SR (Fig. 5f); metacoxa areolate-rugose on outer dorsal edge, with weaker sculpture laterally and ventrally (Fig. 5c); petiole of T1 strongly constricted medially, 12.5× longer than medial width; T2 trapezoid, smooth with shallow longitudinal grooves delimiting a median field that is indistinctly wider posteriorly; T3 0.9× as long as T2 (Fig. 5g); ovipositor sheath directed downwards (Fig. 5c).

Figure 5. 

Wilkinsonellus rugiscutum Liu & Polaszek, sp. nov., female a habitus, lateral view b head and mesosoma, dorsal view c body, lateral view d propodeum, dorsal view e head, frontal view f fore wing g metasoma, dorsal view.

Female. Body length 3.7 mm, fore wing length 3.8 mm (Fig. 5a).

Head. 2.0× as wide as long, 1.2× slightly wider than mesoscutum. Eyes 4.6× longer than temple in dorsal view. Temple dull, with dense punctures, strongly constricted behind eyes in dorsal view. Vertex with shallow punctures excluding foveate areas along outside edge of posterior ocelli, a shallow depression present behind ocelli. Ocelli large, distance between fore and a posterior ocellus 0.4× as long as minor axis of a posterior ocellus, POL:OD:OOL = 1.0:2.3:1.0. Frons slightly depressed, nearly polished (Fig. 5b). Face little shiny, indistinctly bulging medio-longitudinally, 0.8× as wide as high, with dense punctures, their intervals uneven. Clypeus 2.3× wider than medial length, nearly smooth. Length of malar space as long as width of mandible (Fig. 5e). Antenna with 1^st and 2^nd flagellomeres equal in length and 2.6× longer than wide, three apical flagellomeres missing (Fig. 5a).

Mesosoma. Length:width:height = 1.8:1.2:1.0. Mesoscutum dull with dense punctures, notauli indicated by slightly rugose punctures, intervals narrow, ridge-like. Scutellar sulcus wide and straight with six carinae inside (Fig. 5b). Scutellum dull, with rugulose punctures, distinctly above level of propodeum with a spine apically in lateral view (Fig. 5b, c). Propodeum 2.0× wider than high, a little shiny with strong percurrent medio-longitudinal carina and adjacent oblique carinae with thinner carinae at sides; spiracles large, enclosed by costulae anteriorly and posteriorly (Fig. 5d). Mesopleuron not shiny, with dense rugulose punctures except narrowly polished above sternaulus, the latter weakly crenulated and with an oblique furrow attaching right-angled to its anterior end (Fig. 5c).

Wings. Fore wing: pterostigma narrow, 3.6× as long as its widest part; vein 1-R1 1.2× length of pterostigma; vein r arising from apical third of pterostigma, 1.4× longer than maximum width of pterostigma, 1.4× 2-SR; vein m-cu 0.7× as long as 2-SR+M, about half of 2-SR; vein 1-CU1 0.3× 2-CU1 and as long as cu-a (Fig. 5f). Hind wing: vannal lobe of normal size, posterior margin with short setae medially, basal and apical with longer setae, cu-a nearly straight.

Legs. Metacoxa just surpassing T3, areolate-rugose on outer dorsal edge, with weaker sculpture laterally and ventrally (Fig. 5c). Metafemur 3.5× as long as its widest part. Inner spur of metatibia ⁴/₅ length of metabasitarsus. Metabasitarsus 0.8× as long as combined length of tarsomeres 2–5 (Fig. 5a, c).

Metasoma. Nearly as long as length of mesosoma. Petiole of T1 smooth, strongly constricted medially, 2.7× longer than basal width, 12.5× longer than medial width, petiole with a groove reaching to anterior half of apical swollen area. T2 trapezoidal, smooth, with shallow, longitudinal grooves delimiting a median field that is indistinctly widened posteriorly, 1.3× as wide as length in the middle. T3 0.9× as long as T2, T3, and posterior tergites smooth and softer (Fig. 5g). Hypopygium somewhat broad, hardly exceeding apex of metasoma. Ovipositor sheath slightly protruding beyond metasoma, pointing downwards, almost glabrous (Fig. 5c).

Colour. Body bright yellow (Fig. 5a). Palpi white. Tibia spurs pale yellow. Antenna yellow-brown to dark brown. Fore and middle legs light yellow, hind leg yellow except black on macula of apical coxa, apical ²/₅ of metafemur, apical ¹/₃ of metatibia and dark brown to yellow-brown on metatarsus. Wing membranes hyaline, indistinctly infumate, fore wing with pterostigma brown, veins pale brown to brown.

Male. Unknown

Unknown.

(NHMUK) Holotype • 1♀; Malaysia, Selangor, Serdang Carambola Farm; xi.1979; Gauld, Khashiyah; NHMUK010826369.

Malaysia (Selangor).

The specific name rugiscutum derives from the Latin “rugosus” and “scutum”, referring to the rugose punctate mesoscutum.

This species is similar to W. longicentrus, but differs in the following: fore wing with vein 1-CU1 shorter, 0.3× 2-CU1 (1-CU1 longer, over half length of 2-CU1 in W. longicentrus); POL shorter, less than half length of OD (POL longer, nearly as long as OD in W. longicentrus); and petiole of T1 longer, 12.5× longer than medial width (petiole shorter, at most 5× longer than medial width in W. longicentrus). It also resembles W. amplus from the Oriental region being pale in colour, but it can be easily differentiated from the latter by the black maculae on the apical metacoxa, and hind leg with less rugosity on lateral-dorsal part of metacoxa.