Mikeius Buffington, 2008.

Differs from Thrasorinae by the absence of a circumtorular impression (Fig. 1A; compare with Figs 2A, D, 3A, 4A, 9A-B), and the absence of a distinctly projected pronotal plate (Fig. 1C and G) (Table 2). Differs from Plectocynipinae by lacking an extremely long posterior metatibial spur (Fig. 6F; Ros-Farre and Pujade-Villar 2007), a laterally compressed metasoma in females (Ros-Farre and Pujade-Villar 2007), and a long, exposed hypopygium (7th sternite) in females (Ros-Farre and Pujade-Villar 2007). Differs from Euceroptrinae by lacking an areolet in the forewing, a lateral pronotal carinae (ARE, Fig. 6D; Buffington and Liljeblad 2008) and pronotal plate, having a complete ring of setae at the base of the metasoma and metasomal T4 much larger than T3. The Mikeiinae are unique among these three subfamilies in having two carinae in the median area of the pronotum that do not form a projected pronotal plate (Fig. 1G).

Length. 2 – 3.5 mm.

Coloration. Head and mesosoma dark brown to black, antenna and legs yellowish to brown. Metasoma light brown to black.

Head. (Fig. 1A) Frons and face with abundant setae. Transverse carinae or strigae on face absent. Clypeus distinctly projected ventrally, curved ventrally, clypeopleurostomal lines well developed. Malar furrow absent; malar space coriaceous, striate. Occiput and genae smooth without carinae. Circumtorular impression absent.

Antenna. (Fig. 1D, E) Filiform or clavate with 10–11 flagellomeres in females (last one larger, possibly fusion of two), 12 in males. Males with F1 curved.

Mesosoma. (Fig. 1B, C, F, G) Lateral margins of posterior part of pronotal plate short, not reaching scutum, not forming projected plate; lateral pronotal depressions open laterally. Mesoscutum horizontally striate. Notauli complete, uniformly wide along entire length, or gently widening posteriorly. Parascutal sulcus marked only in basal half. Lateral basal impressions weak. Antero-admedian lines absent or weak. Median mesoscutal line present, short or long. Scutellum striate anteriorly and in center, rugose posteriorly; scutellar foveae round subtriangular or subquadrate, sometimes not delimited posteriorly; interfoveal carina absent. Mesopleural furrow absent or present. Propodeal carinae wide, almost straight. Pronotum, mesoscutum, scutellum, mesopleural triangle and metapleura all covered with sparse/dense setae.

Forewing. Short setae present on wing surface and along margins. Radial cell closed along anterior margin, 2 to 2.5 times longer than wide, R2 almost straight; areolet absent.

Legs. Metatibia with two spurs, sub-equal in length, not exceeding one-third the length of tarsomere 1.

Metasoma. Base of T3 with a complete or incomplete ring of setae. Tergite 3 smaller than T4; T4 large, covering almost entire metasomal surface; remaining terga short, telescoped within T4; entire metasoma shiny and smooth.

In the original description of Mikeius, Buffington (2008) erroneously described species of the genus as having 12 flagellomeres in the female antenna; the correct number is 10 or 11 (Fig. 1 D and E).

Associated with Chalcidoidea (Hymenoptera: Apocrita) that induce galls on species of Acacia (Fabaceae)and Eucalyptus (Myrtaceae), although most of these host records await verification through isolated rearing (Buffington, 2008).

Australia.

Mikeius Buffington, 2008.

Differs from all the other species of Mikeius in having the antenna strongly clavate with the six terminal segments 1.5 times wider than previous segments (Fig. 1E); further distinguished from Mikeius berryi and Mikeius grandawi by the absence of a mesopleural carina.

As in subfamily description (see above) with the following specific characters.

Length. Female 2.8 - 3 mm. Male unknown.

Coloration. Head and mesosoma black, antenna yellowish, except scape, brown, metasoma pale brown. Legs pale yellow, except coxae, brown.

Antenna. (Fig. 1E) Female. Strongly clavate, 11 flagellomeres, antennal formula: 8(4): 4(4): 5(3): 3(3): 3(3): 3(3.5): 4(5): 5(6): 5(6): 6(5): 5(6): 5(6): 7(4). Placoid sensillae from F7 to terminal segment.

Mesosoma. Mesoscutum slightly striate. Notauli complete of uniform width. Antero-admedian lines weak. Median mesoscutal line very short. Scutellar foveae round to subquadrate, not delimited posteriorly. Mesopleural furrow absent.

Forewing. Radial cell 2.4 times longer than wide.

Metasoma. Base of T3 with an almost complete hairy ring.

HOLOTYPE ♀ (ANIC) with the following label data: “AUSTRALIA: Vict. Mt. Donna Buang, 1200m 11–17.i. 80, Eucalyptus-Nothofagus forest, A. Newton, M. Thayer” (white label), “flight intercept window/trough trap” (white label), “AUST. NAT. INS. COLL.” (green label), “Holotype Mikeius clavatus P-V & R-O” (red label). PARATYPE ♀ (ANIC) with the following labels: “W side Cobungra Hill 20km WbyN, Omeo Vic. 27 Feb. 1980, I.D. Naumann J. C. Cardale” (white label), “ex alcohol collection” (white label), “AUST. NAT. INS. COLL.” (green label), “Paratype Mikeius clavatus P-V & R-O” (red label).

Unknown.

Victoria, Australia.

The specific name refers to the strongly clavate antenna.

Thrasorus Weld, 1944.

Distinguished from other figitids by the presence of a circumtorular impression (Figs 2A, D, 3A, 4A, 9A, B) (Table 2); further distinguished from Euceroptrinae by the absence of an areolet in the forewing and the absence of a lateral pronotal carina. Additional characters that distinguish Thrasorinae from other Figitidae can be found in the key to subfamilies below.

In the redescription of Thrasorus, Buffington (2008) erroneously described species of the genus as having 12 flagellomeres in the female antenna; the correct number is 11.

Unknown.

Australia, South America and North America.

Cicatrix, gen. n.; Myrtopsen Rübsaamen, 1908; Palmiriella, gen. n., Scutimica Ros-Farré, 2007; Thrasorus Weld, 1944.

Cicatrix pilosiscutum (Girault), comb. n.

Cicatrix neumannoides, sp. n., Cicatrix pilosiscutum (Girault), Cicatrix shauffi (Buffington), comb. n.

(Table 2) Cicatrix, gen. n., is distinguished from Myrtopsen, Palmiriella, gen. n., and Scutimica by having T3 and T4 as separate sclerites (Fig. 2C); in these latter three genera, T3 and T4 are fused into a syntergum (Fig. 3F, 9C). Cicatrix is distinguished from Thrasorus having horizontally striate microsculpture on the mesoscutum (Fig. 2B, E); Thrasorus has a smooth mesoscutum (Fig. 4B).

Length. Female2.5 – 4.5 mm.Male unknown.

Coloration. The entire body with the same coloration, light brown or chestnut depending on the specimen.

Head (Fig. 2A, D). Face and frons with abundant setae . Face with transverse carinae, strong across entire face, or only marked at lateral sides of face, smoother, tending towards strigae. Clypeus distinctly projected anteriorly, curved ventrally, clypeopleurostomal lines well developed. Malar furrow coriaceous. Occiput and genae smooth without carinae. Circumtorular impression present.

Antennae (Fig. 2F). Female.Filiform, with 10 or 11 flagellomeres.

Mesosoma (Fig. 2B and E). Pronotal carinae reaching anterior margin of mesoscutum, forming small plate, conspicuous but not projected, concave dorsomedially. Mesoscutum horizontally striate. Notauli complete, of uniform width to slightly wider posteriorly. Parascutal sulcus wide only in basal half. Lateral basal impressions conspicuous. Antero-admedian lines weak. Median mesoscutal line absent, short or long. Scutellum rugose; scutellar foveae round, subtriangular or subquadrate; interfoveal carina absent. Mesopleural furrow conspicuous. Propodeal carinae wide, curved. Pronotum, mesoscutum, scutellum, mesopleural triangle and metapleura all covered with sparse/dense setae.

Forewing. Short setae present on wing surface and along margins. Radial cell closed along anterior margin, two times longer than wide, R2 almost straight; areolet absent.

Legs. Metatibia with two spurs, sub-equal in length, not exceeding one-half length of tarsomere 1.

Metasoma (Fig. 2C). Petiole short. Base of T3 with patches of setae or an almost complete hairy ring. Tergite 3 smaller than T4; T4 four large, covering almost entire metasomal surface; remaining terga short, telescoped within T4; entire metasoma shiny, smooth. Hypopygium and ventral spine visible.

Unknown.

Australia.

From the Latin word cicatrix, meaning “scar”, refering to the carinae that resemble a scar through the face. Gender is masculine.

Girault (1929) described Amblynotus pilosiscutum, and Weld (1952) transferred the species to Melanips. This species has the circumtorular impression and thus belongs to Thrasorinae. However, the results of the phylogenetic analysis and the diagnostic characters summarized above indicate that this species cannot be accommodated by any currently recognized genus, thus we describe Cicatrix, gen. n., to contain Cicatrix pilosiscutum (Girault) as well as Cicatrix neumannoides, sp. n., and Cicatrix schauffi (Buffington), comb. n.

Differs from Cicatrix neumannoides and Cicatrix schauffi by having female antenna with 11 flagellomeres (these two species having female antenna with 10 flagellomeres, (Fig. 2F, Cicatrix schauffi)), much stronger carinae crossing the entire face (Fig. 2A) (only marked at lateral sides of the face in the other two species, and being smoother, more like strigae), and by lacking a median mesoscutal impression (present and long in Cicatrix schauffi comb. n. (Fig. 2B), short in Cicatrix neumannoides sp. n. (Fig. 2E)).

As in generic description (see above) with the following specific characters: Length. Female 4.4 mm. Male unknown.

Coloration. Completely light brown except mesosoma, which is dorsally dark.

Head. (Fig. 2A) Frons and face with piliferous punctures; strong transverse carinae crossing the entire face.

Antenna. Female. 11 flagellomeres, antennal formula: 9(4): 5(3): 10(3): 9(2.5): 8.5(2.5): 8(3): 8(3): 8(3): 7(3): 5(3): 5(3): 4.5(3): 7.5(3). Placoid sensillae absent on basal half of F1 to F4, scarce on dorsal half; abundant from F5 to F11.

Mesosoma. Median mesoscutal impression absent. Scutellar foveae subtriangular.

HOLOTYPE ♀ (QM) with the following labels: “25. 10. 23, National Pk., Q. H. Hacker.” (white label), “HOLOTYPE” (pink label), “Amblynotus pilosiscutum ♀, Type Girault” (white label, handwritten), “Xyalophoroides pilosiscutum (Gir), E. F. Riek det 1953” (white label, handwritten), QM Reg. No. T99348” (yellow label), “Cicatrix pilosiscutum P-M det-2009” (white label).

Unknown.

Australia. Label data suggest the single specimen was taken in Royal National Park in Sydney.

Similar to Cicatrix neumannoides, sp. n., in having female antenna with 10 flagellomeres (Fig. 2F) and a face horizontally striate only on the lateral areas (Fig. 2D) (Cicatrix pilosiscutum, comb. n., has female antenna with 11 flagellomeres and much stronger carinae crossing the entire face), but differs from Cicatrix neumannoides sp. n. by having a long median mesoscutal impression and subtriangular scutellar foveae (Fig. 2B).

As in generic description (see above) with the following specific characters: Length. Female: 3.9 mm. Male unknown.

Coloration. Completely light brown.

Head. (Fig. 2D) Frons with piliferous punctures, face horizontally striate only on lateral areas.

Antenna. (Fig. 2F) Female. 10 flagellomeres, antennal formula: 6(2): 4(3): 5(3): 4(3): 4(3): 4.2(3.1): 4.2(3.1): 4.3(3.3): 5.2(3.3): 4.6(3.3): 3.5(3.3): 6(4). Placoid sensillae present from F4, abundant from F6 through terminal segment.

Mesosoma. (Fig. 2B) Median mesoscutal impression long, one-third length of scutum. Scutellar foveae irregular, subquadrate and not delimited posteriorly.

Type material. HOLOTYPE ♀ (ANIC) with the following label data: “23.36S 133.35E 32 km WNW of Alice Springs, NT 8 Oct. 1978 J:C: Cardale” (white label), “ex alcohol collection” (white label), “AUST. NAT. INS. COLL.” (green label). “HOLOTYPE, Mikeius schauffi, Buffington” (red label), “Cicatrix schauffi P-M det-2009” (white label).

Unknown

Central Australia.

The circumtorular impression present in this species indicates that it belongs in Thrasorinae, not in Mikeiinae. We transfer this species to Cicatrix gen. n., because it possesses all the diagnostic characters of that genus.

Similar to Cicatrix schauffi, comb. n., having female antenna with 10 flagellomeres and a face with horizontal strigae only on the lateral areas (Cicatrix pilosiscutum comb. n. has female antenna with 11 flagellomeres and much stronger carinae crossing the entire face), but differs from Cicatrix schauffi comb. n. by having short median mesoscutal impression and rounded scutellar foveae (Fig. 2E).

As in generic description (see above) with the following specific characters.

Length. Female: 2.9 to 3.0 mm. Male unknown.

Coloration. Shiny chestnut, scutum darker in center.

Head. Frons and face with piliferous punctures; face with a few carinae from internal margin of eye reaching center of face.

Antenna. Female. 10 flagellomeres, antennal formula: 6(2): 4(2.8): 6(2.5): 4.1(2.8): 4.1(2.8): 4(3): 4(3): 4(3): 4.8(3.1): 3.8(3.3): 3.5(3.3): 5.6(4). Placoid sensillae starting from F4, F4 to F6 are scarce, abundant from F7-F10.

Mesosoma. (Fig. 2E) Median mesoscutal impression short, only indicated basally, not reaching one-fifth length of scutum. Scutellar foveae rounded.

The specific name neumannoides means “related to neumanni”, referring to the fact that the specimens used to describe this species were previously included in the type series of Mikeius neumanni.

HOLOTYPE ♀ (ANIC) with the following labels: “AUSTRALIA: NSW Peak Hill Range, Braidwood, Cooma Road, At top of pass. 30 December 1994. A. Sundholm & R de keyzer. On Acacia dealbata” (white label), “AUST. NAT. INS. COLL.” (green label), “Mikeius neumanni Det. M. L. Buffington 2008” (white label), “Holotype Cicatrix neumannoides P-M & R-O” (red label)”. PARATYPE ♀ (ANIC) with the following labels: “Crowea St. For. nr Pemberton W.A. Nov.-Dec. 1978 S.J. Curry Malaise trap open forest” (white label), “AUST. NAT. INS. COLL.” (green label), “Paratype Cicatrix neumannoides P-M & R-O” (red label)”.

Unknown; label data suggests an association with Acacia.

New South Wales and Western Australia, Australia.

Although Buffington (2008) recognized two specimens of Mikeius neumanni in the collection at ANIC, he used only one specimen in his description of the taxon, designating it as the holotype. The species neumanni (based on the holotype) is transferred to Palmiriella, gen. n., below, and the second specimen, in addition to another specimen discovered in ANIC, belongs to Cicatrix.

Palmiriella neumanni (Buffington), comb. n., by present designation and monotypy.

(Table 2) Palmiriella, gen. n., can be distinguished from other thrasorines by having the face smooth, without any sculpturing (Fig. 3A); in Scutimica and Myrtopsen, the face is irregularly sculptured (Fig. 9A, B); in Cicatrix and Thrasorus, strong transverse carinae are present crossing the entire face or on lateral areas (Fig. 3A, D, 4A). Palmiriella is further differentiated from other thrasorines by having metasomal T3 and T4 fused into a syntergum, but not covering the entire metasomal surface (Fig. 3F); in Scutimica and Myrtopsen, a syntergum covering the entire metasomal surface is present (Fig. 9C); in Cicatrix and Thrasorus, T3 and T4 are separate sclerites (syntergum absent) (Fig. 2C, 4F). Additionally, Palmiriella is distinguished from Scutimica and Myrtopsen by having the scutellum posteriorly rounded (Scutimica and Myrtopsen have an emarginate/truncate scutellum, Fig. 9D, E), and pronotum not sculptured nor projected (strongly carinate and projected in Scutimica (Fig. 9F), with microsculpture or carinate in Myrtopsen (Fig. 9G)); from Thrasorus by having horizontally striate microsculpture on the mesoscutum (Fig. 3B) (mesoscutum smooth in Thrasorus, Fig. 4B).

See description, biology and distribution of type species below.

The new genus is dedicated to our colleague and good friend Palmira Ros-Farré, who has helped us for many years with our little wasps. Gender is feminine.

The holotype of Mikeius neumanni Buffington, unlike the other species included in Mikeius, does have the circumtorular impression diagnostic for Thrasorinae. For this reason, this species is transferred from Mikeius to the new thrasorine genus Palmiriella. Characters summarized in the diagnosis below and phylogeny in Fig. 5 justify the erection of the new genus.

Length. Female 3.2 mm. Male unknown.

Coloration. Head and mesosoma black, antennae yellowish except scape, brown, metasoma medium brown. Legs light yellow except tibia and metatarsi, brown.

Head (Fig. 3A, F). Frons and face with piliferous punctures and abundant setae. No transverse carinae or strigae on face. Clypeus distinctly projected anteriorly, curved ventrally, clypeopleurostomal lines well developed. Malar space with conspicuous, coriaceous, striate band. Vertex in dorsal view with small piliferous punctures. Occiput and genae smooth without carinae. Circumtorular impression present.

Antenna (Fig. 3D). Female. 11 flagellomeres; antennal formula: 7(4): 4(4): 4(3): 4.5(3): 4.5(3): 4.5(3): 4(3): 4(3): 4(3): 3(3): 3(3): 3(3): 5(4). Placoid sensillae from F7 to terminal segment.

Mesosoma (Fig. 3B, C, E). Pronotal carinae reaching scutum, forming small plate, conspicuous but not projected, concave dorsomedially. Mesoscutum horizontally striate. Notauli complete of uniform width. Parascutal sulcus wide only in basal half. Lateral basal impression conspicuous. Antero-admedian lines weak, reaching anterior one-third of mesoscutum. Median mesoscutal impression short and weak. Scutellum rugose; scutellar foveae triangular; interfoveal carina absent. Mesopleural furrow present. Propodeal carinae present. Pronotum, mesoscutum, scutellum, mesopleural triangle and metapleura all covered with sparse/dense setae.

Forewing. Short setae present on wing surface and along margins. Radial cell closed, 2.3 times longer than wide; R2 almost straight, basal vein distally widening; areolet absent.

Legs. Metatibia with two spurs, sub-equal in length, not exceeding one-half length of tarsomere 1.

Metasoma (Fig. 3F). Petiole very short, almost not visible. T3 and T4 fused into a syntergum, not covering the entire metasomal surface; remaining terga short, telescoped within T4; entire metasoma shiny and smooth. Hypopygium and ventral spine visible. Base of syntergum with only some scattered setae.

HOLOTYPE ♀ (ANIC) with the following labels: “Mt Nebo, S. E. Qld, 24. Xi. 1970, S. R. Monteith” (white label), “AUST. NAT. INS. COLL.” (green label). “HOLOTYPE, Mikeius neumanni, Buffington” (red label), “Palmiriella neumanni P-V & P-M det-2009” (white label).

Unknown.

Queensland, Australia.

Thrasorus pilosus Weld, 1944.

Thrasorus pilosus Weld, Thrasorus rieki, sp. n., Thrasorus schmitdae Buffington.

Differs from other species of Thrasorus by having small scutellar foveae not clearly defined in posterior margin (Fig. 4B); other species of Thrasorus have scutellar foveae clearly delimited in the entire circumference (Fig. 4D). Further differs from other Thrasorus species by having a well-defined median mesoscutal impression (arrow, Fig. 4B); in other Thrasorus, the impression is not present, or at most, a very small incision can be seen (Fig. 4D).

Length. Female: 3.0–3.2 mm; males: 3.2–3.3 mm.

Coloration. Head and mesosoma black, antennae brown, and metasoma pale brown. Legs pale yellow except coxae, brown.

Head. (Fig. 4A) Frons and face with abundant setae and piliferous punctures; space between clypeus and compound eye with carinae. Malar furrow conspicuous, coriaceous and striate. Occiput smooth; genae with strong striae. Vertex in dorsal view with small piliferous punctures. Circumtorular impression present.

Antenna. Female. (Fig. 4G) 11 flagellomeres, antennal formula: 6(3): 2(2): 5(2): 4(2): 4(3): 4(3): 4(3): 4(3): 4(3): 3(3): 3(3): 3(3): 5(4). Placoid sensillae from F4 to terminal segment. Male. (Fig. 4C) 12 flagellomeres, antennal formula: 7(3): 3(2): 5(2): 4(3): 4(3): 4(3): 4(3): 4(3): 4(3): 4(3): 4(3): 4(3): 4(3): 5(3). Placoid sensillae starting from F1.

Mesosoma (Fig. 4B, E). Lateral margins of pronotal plate reaching the scutum, forming a small plate conspicuous but not projected, concave dorsomedially, with piliferous punctures. Mesoscutum smooth and shiny, with piliferous punctures. Notauli complete, very narrow anteriorly and much wider posteriorly. Parascutal sulcus wide only in basal half. Lateral basal impressions weak. Antero-admedian lines very weak. Median mesoscutal impression well defined but not clearly delimited anteriorly. Scutellum smooth on anterior falf and centre, rugose posteriorly; scutellar foveae small subtriangular, not clearly delimited posteriorly; interfoveal carina absent. Mesopleural furrow present but not conspicuous. Propodeal carinae present. Pronotum, mesoscutum, scutellum, mesopleural triangle and metapleura not very pubescent, only some sparse setae.

Forewing. Short setae present on wing surface and along margins. Radial cell closed, 1.9 times longer than wide; R2 almost straight; areolet absent.

Legs. Metatibia with two spurs, sub-equal in length, not exceeding one-half length of tarsomere 1.

Metasoma. (Fig. 4F) Petiole short. Base of T3 with an almost complete hairy ring. Tergite 3 smaller than T4; T4 four large, covering almost entire metasomal surface; remaining terga short, telescoped within T4; entire metasoma shiny and smooth.

HOLOTYPE ♀ (ANIC; marked by a red spot, on a pinned card with six other specimens of the same taxon) with the following labels: “Out of large galls on mullee acacia On 18–1-16” (handwritten below the label with the insects), “Thrasorus berlesei (Grlt) Riek det” (white label, handwritten), “sp 7 (berlesei) det ML Buffington 2006” (white label), “Holotype Thrasorus rieki P-M & P-V det-2009” (red label). PARATYPES: 4 ♂ and 1 ♀ (on the same pinned card as the holotype) with the same data as the holotype, “Paratype Thrasorus rieki P-M & P-V det-2009” (red label); 1 ♂ and 5 ♀ (ANIC) (on a pinned card together with 6 Chalcidoidea specimens) with the following labels: “Out of Acacia galls ???? 19.1.16 QLD” (handwritten below the label with the insects), “AUST. NAT. INS. COLL.” (green label), “Paratype Thrasorus rieki P-M & P-V det-2009” (red label); 1 ♀ (QM) with the following labels: “Amblynotus berlesei ♀ Girault types” (white label handwritten), “HOLOTYPE” (pink label), “Thrasorus berlesei (Gir) EF Riek det 1953” (white label handwritten), “QM reg. No. T99347” (yellow label), “Paratype Thrasorus rieki P-M & P-V det-2009” (red label).

Unknown host on Acacia galls (based on label data).

Australia, Queensland.

Named after E.F. Riek, who worked before us on Australian Cynipoidea.

In the QM, there is one specimen labelled as ‘Amblynotus berlesei’ by Girault. In ANIC, there are six specimens on one large card with a determination label placed by Riek, stating that taxon is ‘Thrasorus berlesei (Grlt)’. But as Buffington (2008) pointed out, this species was never published by Girault nor Riek. As this name is a nomen nudum after Buffington (2008), we described it as a new species. In ANIC, there is another large card that has six specimens of Thrasorus rieki, sp. n., mixed with Chalcidoidea specimens.