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| Thaictenopelma splendida Ranjith, Reshchikov & Quicke, in Ranjith, Quicke, Reshchikov et Butcher, 2024. |
Abstract
The Ctenopelmatinae is one of the least explored groups of Ichneumonidae in South East Asia. We describe and illustrate an enigmatic new genus, Thaictenopelma Ranjith, Reshchikov & Quicke with the type species, T. splendida Ranjith, Reshchikov & Quicke, sp. nov., from a moderately high altitude site in northern Thailand. The new genus shows a unique set of morphological characters that distinguishes it from all other ctenopelmatine genera. The presence of a pair of complete latero-median as well as complete dorso-lateral carinae on the T2 are considered autapomorphic characters of the new genus. Affinities of the new genus within the Ctenopelmatinae are discussed and a note on the taxonomic placement is provided.
Keywords: Malaise trap, new species, parasitoid wasp, South East Asia, taxonomy
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| Thaictenopelma splendida Ranjith, Reshchikov & Quicke, gen. et sp. nov., holotype, female A habitus, lateral view B head, anterior view C head, antero-lateral view. |
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| Thaictenopelma splendida Ranjith, Reshchikov & Quicke, gen. et sp. nov., holotype, female A head, dorsal view B head, ventro-lateral view C mesosoma, lateral view D mesosoma, dorsal view E propodeum, dorsal view F T1, dorsal view. Abbreviations: dlc, dorso-lateral carina, lmc, latero-median carina. |
Thaictenopelma Ranjith, Reshchikov & Quicke, gen. nov.
Diagnosis: Thaictenopelma gen. nov. can be separated from all other ctenopelmatine genera by its putatively autapomorphic carination pattern of T1 and T2. In particular, the pairs of complete latero-median and dorso-lateral carinae on T2 are completely unknown for the subfamily (Townes 1970). Additionally, the new genus can be distinguished from other ctenopelmatines by a combination of characters viz., the lower tooth of mandible being longer than upper tooth, propodeum with distinct carination, fore wing with rhombic areolet, T2 and T3 with posteriorly diverging groove basally, and T3 with distinct medio-basal protuberances.
Etymology: The generic name derived from a combination of ‘Thai’ for Thailand and ‘Ctenopelma’, type genus of the subfamily Ctenopelmatinae.
Thaictenopelma splendida Ranjith, Reshchikov & Quicke, sp. nov.,
Etymology: The species is named after the magnificent combination of morphological characters which are completely unknown from the members of the subfamily.
Avunjikkattu P. Ranjith, Donald L. J. Quicke, Alexey Reshchikov and Buntika A. Butcher. 2024. A New enigmatic Genus of the ichneumonid subfamily Ctenopelmatinae (Hymenoptera, Ichneumonidae) from Thailand. Journal of Hymenoptera Research. 97: 491-504. DOI: 10.3897/jhr.97.121436