(C) 2011 Lynn S. Kimsey. This is an open access article distributed under the terms of the Creative Commons Attribution License, which permits unrestricted use, distribution, and reproduction in any medium, provided the original author and source are credited.
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The tiphiid wasp fauna of Madagascar consists of 28 endemic species, including 12 species of Anthobosca (Anthoboscinae), nine species of Methocha (Methochinae), two species of Tiphia (Tiphiinae) and in the Myzininae three species of Meria, eight species of Mesa and two species of Myzinella. Seven species of Methocha, Methocha arcuata, Methocha depressa, Methocha flavipalpus, Methocha impunctata, Methocha nasiformis, Methocha robusta and Methocha strigosa, and one species of Myzinella, Myzinella minima, are described as new. All of the genera are shared with mainland Africa.
Tiphiidae, Anthobosca, Meria, Mesa, Methocha, Myzinella, Tiphia
Madagascar has a relatively diverse, though seemingly recent tiphiid fauna. The least derived tiphiid subfamily Anthoboscinae is particularly species-rich on Madagascar, with nearly as many species as are found on continental Africa (
The modern Malagassy tiphiid fauna clearly derives from mainland Africa. These wasps are strong fliers but many species have wingless or brachypterous females. Tiphiid wasps are, where known, parasites of beetle larvae, particularly in the Scarabaeidae and Cicindellidae, Their host larvae are largely found in the soil and the tiphiid females spend considerable time on the ground, which makes rafting on plant debris unlikely but not impossible. Thus, dispersal of tiphiid wasps across the oceanic channel to Madagascar from mainland Africa seems unlikely. However, over a period of tens of millions of years even a small number of successful dispersals might be sufficient to establish populations on the island (
The California Academy of Sciences’ Arthropods of Madagascar Project funded by the U.S. National Science Foundation revealed a more diverse tiphiid fauna than previously recorded, including seven new species of Methocha and one species of Myzinella that are described below.
Materials and methodsSpecimens in this study were obtained from the California Academy of Sciences Arthropods of Madagascar Project and the Bohart Museum of Entomology. Holotypes and paratypes are deposited in the California Academy of Sciences, San Francisco (SAN FRANCISCO) and the Bohart Museum of Entomology, University of California, Davis (DAVIS). Other type repositories are indicated by the city names in parentheses in the species lists: BERLIN = Museum für Naturkunde, Berlin, Germany; BOLOGNA = Bologna Zoological Museum, Bologna, Italy; GENEVA = Museum of Natural History, Geneva, Switzerland; ITHACA = Rijksmuseum van Natuurlijke Historie, Leiden, Netherlands; LONDON = Department of Entomology, the Natural History Museum, London; PARIS = Muséum National d’Histoire Naturelle, Laboratoire d’Entomologie, Paris, France; VIENNA = Naturhistorisches Museum, Vienna, Austria, and WASHINGTON = U.S. National Museum, Washington, D. C., USA.
The systematics of members of the family Tiphiidae is largely based on males. Females are less commonly collected and association of the sexes is problematic at best. This situation is also true in Madagascar, as a result the species level keys below are only to males where indicated as most of the females are unknown or unassociated.
Key to the Tiphiid Genera of Madagascar| 1 | Wingless, slender, ant-like; hindtibia with one apical spur; Subfamily Methochinae (females) | Methocha Latreille |
| – | Winged, heavy-bodied or elongate and slender, not ant-like; hindtibia with two apical spurs (males and females) | 2 |
| 2 | Frons flattened medially, without frontal lobes, antenna inserted vertically | 3 |
| – | Frons strongly produced medially into lobes or platform above antennae, antenna inserted obliquely beneath | 4 |
| 3 | Male apical metasomal sternum modified into curved, spine-like uncus (Fig. 3); marginal cell incomplete apically; Subfamily Tiphiinae | Tiphia Fabricius |
| – | Male apical metasomal sternum unmodified (Fig. 2); forewing marginal cell complete (Fig. 2); Subfamily Anthoboscinae | Anthobosca Guérin de Méneville |
| 4 | Mesopleural lamella small, digitate; parameres always exserted well beyond apex of apical tergum (Fig. 1); antennal lobes tooth-like or simple; Subfamily Methochinae | Methocha Latreille |
| – | Mesopleural lamella large, broad, flattened; parameres generally not visible externally (Figs 4–6); antennal lobes rounded, often forming platform above antennal sockets; Subfamily Myzininae | 5 |
| 5 | Metasomal segment I broadly sessile, broader than long, not nodose (Fig. 5) | Meria Illiger |
| – | Metasomal segment I with narrow elongate petiole, twice as long as or longer than broad, posteriorly nodose (Figs 4, 6) | 6 |
| 6 | Metasomal segment I more than 3× as long as broad, terga without transverse subbasal carina (Fig. 4) | Mesa Saussure |
| – | Metasomal segment I less than twice as long as broad, terga with transverse subbasal carina (Fig. 6) | Myzinella Guiglia |
http://species-id.net/wiki/Anthobosca
Fig. 2 Anthobosca australasiae
This is the least derived genus in the family Tiphiidae (
| 1 | Metasoma 6-segmented; ten flagellomeres; females | 2 |
| – | Metasoma 7-segmented; eleven flagellomeres; males | 4 |
| 2 | Head, mesosoma and metasoma concolorous brown; wing membrane amber-tinted; body over 25 mm long | Anthobosca insularis F. Smith |
| – | Head, mesosoma and metasoma blackish or blackish and red, often with whitish spots; wing membrane untinted or tinted with brown to black; body length less than 15 mm long | 3 |
| 3 | Metasoma black to dark brown, terga II–III with whitish lateral spots | Anthobosca madecassa Krombein |
| – | Metasoma red, terga II–III without lateral spot | Anthobosca dimidiata Bartalucci |
| 4 | Metasomal sterna II and III with large spoon-like ventral projections; metasoma with extensive yellow markings | Anthobosca hallucigenia Kimsey |
| – | Metasomal sterna II and III unmodified, without projections; metasoma without yellow markings | 5 |
| 5 | Body length 17–20 mm; wings dark amber-tinted; flagellomeres without tyloids; tegula brown | Anthobosca insularis F. Smith |
| – | Body length 11 mm or less; wings untinted; three or more flagellomeres with tyloids; tegula white | 6 |
| 6 | Flagellomere XI less than 2.2× as long as broad | 7 |
| – | Flagellomere XI more than 2.4× as long as broad | 10 |
| 7 | Flagellomere VIII without tyloids; clypeus evenly convex with narrow ventrally facing flattened apical surface | Anthobosca micromeria Bartalucci |
| – | Flagellomere VIII with one tyloid; clypeus without ventrally facing flattened apical surface | 8 |
| 8 | Flagellomere VII with one small tyloid | Anthobosca nigrimacula Kimsey |
| – | Flagellomere VII without tyloids | 9 |
| 9 | Volsella broadest submedially, dorsal lobe oriented diagonally; paramere apex brown | Anthobosca castanea Kimsey |
| – | Volsella broadest dorsally, dorsal lobe oriented horizontally; paramere apex whitish | Anthobosca toliaraensis Kimsey |
| 10 | Paramere apex white; flagellum strongly bicolored brown to black dorsally, yellow ventrally; digitus extending diagonally to horizontally toward paramere in profile | 11 |
| – | Paramere apex brown; flagellum brown to black, may be slightly paler ventrally; digitus extending diagonally toward paramere in lateral view | 12 |
| 11 | Clypeus evenly convex medially, entirely white or less commonly bicolored, black and white; volsella broadest dorsally, digitus horizontally oriented in lateral view | Anthobosca mahajangaensis Kimsey |
| – | Clypeus flattened medially, entirely brown or bicolored brown and black; volsella narrowed dorsally, digitus oriented obliquely in lateral view | Anthobosca namorokaensis Kimsey |
| 12 | Flagellomere XI 2.6–3.0× as long as broad; digitus diagonally to vertically oriented in lateral view | Anthobosca harinhalai Kimsey |
| – | Flagellomere XI 2.3–2.4× as long as broad; digitus horizontally oriented in lateral view | Anthobosca fisheri Kimsey |
1. Anthobosca castanea
2. Anthobosca dimidiata
3. Anthobosca fisheri
4. Anthobosca hallucigenia
5. Anthobosca harinhalai
6. Anthobosca insularis (Smith) 1879: 178. (Myzine). Holotype female; Madagascar (LONDON). Distribution: Ranomafana National Park and adjacent Fianarantsoa Prov.
7. Anthobosca madecassa
8. Anthobosca mahajangaensis
9. Anthobosca micromeria
10. Anthobosca namorokaensis
11. Anthobosca nigrimacula
12. Anthobosca toliaraensis
The genus Tiphia occurs worldwide, but the majority of species are found in the Northern Hemisphere. Only two species are recorded from Madagascar whereas 29 are known from mainland Africa. Members of the genus are known to parasitize scarab beetle larvae.
Tiphia are medium-sized, black wasps. They are characterized by a flat face, incomplete forewing marginal cell, oral fossa and associated hypostomal plate broader than long, male metasomal sternum VI notched apicomedially, and sternum VII unciform.
| Metasomal tergum I with transverse anterodorsal carina | Tiphia bisinuata Saussure | |
| Metasomal tergum I without transverse carina | Tiphia saussurei Krombein |
1. Tiphia bisinuata
2. Tiphia saussurei
Tiphia tripunctata
This is a widespread genus found throughout the Palearctic and Afrotropical Regions. Meria species are sexually dimorphic, as are members of the genera Mesa and Myzinella. Males are elongate and slender with straight, cylindrical antennae. Females are heavy-bodied, with coiled antennae. Males also have the distinctive hook-like apical metasomal sternum (uncus) found in other myzinines. Meria males can be distinguished from Mesa and Myzinella by the short, broad metasomal sternum I and petiolate forewing submarginal cell. Hosts are unknown.
| 1 | Scape with densely pitted band on upper surface extending to apex; volsella with strong processes on inner surface | Meria luteipes Bartalucci |
| – | Scape without densely pitted band on upper surface extending to apex; volsella without processes on inner surface | 2 |
| 2 | Anterior margin of scutum thickened, elevated; metasoma strongly constricted between segments | Meria gradilis Bartalucci |
| – | Anterior margin of scutum not thickened or elevated; metasoma not strongly constricted between segments | Meria vonizongo Krombein |
1. Meria gradilis
2. Meria luteipes
3. Meria vonizongo
Mesa heterogamia
The genus Mesa is found from the Afrotropical Region, including Madagascar, north and east into Iran and Myanmar. Mesa males are characterized by having metasomal segment I more than three times as long as broad and the terga without a transverse subbasal carina or ridge. Hosts are unknown for the genus.
Although
| 1 | Metasomal sternum I basally with narrow punctate groove, margined with longitudinal carinae; clypeal apex and some metasomal terga with whitish markings | Mesa saussurei (Turner) |
| – | Metasomal tergum I basally evenly convex, without longitudinal carinae or groove; clypeus and metasoma entirely black | 2 |
| 2 | Tegula and tibiae with some whitish markings; body 13 mm long or shorter; propodeal posterior face densely punctuate, not rugose | Mesa nodosa (Guérin de Meneville) |
| – | Tegula and tibiae without whitish markings; body longer than 15 mm; propodeal posterior face rugosopunctate | 3 |
| 3 | Paramere broadest apically, apically truncate; cuspis inner surface with scale-like setae | Mesa krombeini Bartalucci |
| – | Paramere broadest submedially or subapically, tapering apically; cuspis inner surface without scale-like setae | 4 |
| 4 | Pygidium delimited by lateral carina extending two-thirds distance from apex to exposed base; metepimeron rugulose; paramere apically hooked | Mesa tandrona Krombein |
| – | Pygidium delimited by lateral carina extending less than half distance from apex to exposed base; metepimeron smooth; paramere not apically hooked | 5 |
| 5 | Pygidium apical emargination shallow, broad, twice as wide as deep; foretibia reddish, with whitish marks basally and apically | Mesa marovatana Krombein |
| – | Pygidium apical emargination deep, narrow, nearly as deep as wide; foretibia red, without whitish markings | Mesa madecassa Krombein |
1. Mesa hova (Turner) 1908:504. (Plesia). Holotype female; Madagascar: Tamatave (LONDON). Synonymized by
2. Mesa krombeini
3. Mesa madecassa
4. Mesa marovatana
5. Mesa nodosa (Guérin Méneville) 1837:584. (Myzine). Lectotype male (designated by
6. Mesa saussurei (Turner) 1910:394. (Plesia). Holotype female; Madagascar: Tananarive (BERLIN). Distribution: Diego Suarez, Mahajanga, Toamasina and Toliara Provinces.
7. Mesa tandrona
Myzinella patrizii
The most distinctive features of male Myzinella are the abruptly up curved uncus, short, nodose metasomal tergum I, metasomal terga III–VII with an abruptly elevated transverse ridge or flange separating the smooth anterior surface that slides beneath the preceding tergum from the tergal disk and the subapical metasomal sternum is broadly truncate apically.
unknown for the genus.
| Metasomal segment I red; tegula with posterior depression; flagellum not apically dilated, apical flagellomere more than twice as long as broad | Myzinella festiva Bartalucci | |
| Metasomal segment I black; tegula evenly rounded; Myzinella flagellum apically dilated, apical flagellomere less than twice as long as broad | Myzinella minima sp. n. |
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http://species-id.net/wiki/Myzinella_minima
Figs 6–8Toliara Prov., Réserve Spéciale de Cap Sainte Marie, 14.9 km 261° W Marovato, 160m, 13–19/ii/2002 25°35'40'S 45°8'49'E, Fisher, Griswold et al., pitfall trap in spiny forest thicket, BLF5650 (CAS).
(8 males): 5 males, same data as holotype; 2 males: 12.3 km 262° w Marovato, 200m, 11–15/ii/2002, 25°34'54'S 45°10'6'E, Fisher, Griswold et al., Malaise trap in spiny forest thicket, BLF5504; 1 male: Tuléar [Toliara] Prov., Ifaly 22 km north Tuléar, 23°11'S 43°37'E, 18/iv/1998, 30 m, swept from beach dunes, M. E. Irwin & E. I. Schlinger, Schlinger Foundation Expedition (DAVIS, SAN FRANCISCO).
Myzinella minima can be readily distinguished from Myzinella festiva by the black metasomal segment I, evenly convex and ovoid tegula and apically thickened antenna. Myzinella minima is also smaller than Myzinella festiva, which ranges from 10–12 mm long.
Male (Fig. 6).
Body length. 5–8 mm.
Face (Fig. 7). Oral cavity unmodified; genal bridge opaque, barely covering the tongue base; vertex impunctate between hindocellus and eye, except for single row of punctures along eye margin; flagellomere I twice as long as broad; flagellomeres II and III 1.7× as long as broad; flagellomere XI 1.4× as long as broad, apical flagellar segments twice the breadth of basal segments.
Thorax. Pronotum more than twice as broad as long; metasomal dorsum and mesopleuron with punctures separated by 0.5–2.0 puncture diameters; tegula ovoid, evenly convex; forewing apical cells separated from wing apex by more than length of discoidal cell.
Metasoma. Tergum I highly polished, punctures 2–4 or more puncture diameters apart; terga I–VII polished with punctures 2–4 puncture diameters apart; tergum VII apically acute on either side of apicomedial notch; sternum I with punctures 1–2 puncture diameters apart; sterna II–V with transverse medial and apical bands of punctures; sternum VI impunctate, except for medial patch of punctures.
Genitalia (Fig. 8). Paramere 1.5× as long as broad, broadly curved dorsally with blunt apex; aedeagus simple, linear two-thirds as long as paramere; volsellar simple, apex rounded.
Color. Black, with pale yellow markings, mandibles pale yellow, pronotum with yellow transverse band, tegula pale yellow, femoral apices, tibiae partly and tarsi completely yellow, metasomal terga II–VI with medial and lateral yellow spots, tergum I with short transverse yellow band along posterior margin; wing veins whitish basally, black apically and medially, wing membrane whitish. Vestiture. Long white, largely decumbent.
Lateral view of males. 1 Methocha 2 Anthobosca 3 Tiphia (uncus obscured by genital capsule shown in inset) 4 Mesa 5 Meria 6 Myzinella.
Front view of face. 8 Lateral view genital capsule 9–15 Lateral view of head and pronotum.
1. Myzinella festiva
2. Myzinella minima sp. n. Distribution: Toliara Prov.
Members of the genus Methocha are distinctive wasps. Females are wingless and ant-like. Males are slender and elongate with exserted parameres that protrude as far as the uncus. There are 16 species of Methocha in continental Africa, and ten Malagassy species, nine based on males and one species, Methocha cambonini Saussure, based on females. These wasps are known to be parasites of cicindellid beetles.
| 1 | Pronotal disk strongly depressed posterior to anterior margin (as in Figs 19, 20) | 2 |
| – | Pronotal disk not depressed posterior to anterior margin | 3 |
| 2 | Pronotal disk depressed on either side of medial longitudinal elevation (Fig. 20); frons produced into medial angular projection just above suprantennal projections (Fig. 18) | Methocha depressa sp. n. |
| – | Pronotal disk without medial longitudinal elevation (Fig. 19); frons not produced into medial projection or medial projection rounded | Methocha robustasp. n. |
| 3 | Clypeal deeply apicomedially emarginate; suprantennal projections broadly rounded separated by broadly obtuse, shallow medial depression; parategula yellow; legs usually yellow to reddish | Methocha lambertoni Krombein |
| – | Clypeal apex truncate or slightly concave; suprantennal projections strongly convex separated by narrow, acute medial depression; parategula entirely black, brown or bicolored; legs brown to black or yellow | 4 |
| 4 | Clypeus with acute to digitate medial projection (as in Figs 11, 13, 15) | 5 |
| – | Clypeus broadly convex, without acute or digitate medial projection (as in Figs 9, 10, 12) | 7 |
| 5 | Parategula yellowish brown to brown with transparent margin; clypeal apical margin emarginate; mandible yellow; legs yellow to yellowish brown | Methocha flavipalpus sp. n. |
| – | Parategula opaque, evenly black to dark brown; clypeal apical margin linear or shallowly emarginate, mandible dark reddish brown to black; legs dark brown to black | 6 |
| 6 | Propodeum covered with coarse contiguous punctures | Methocha nasiformis sp. n. |
| – | Propodeum covered with fine transverse parallel ridges (similar to Fig. 25) | Methocha strigosa sp. n. |
| 7 | Flagellomere I twice as long as broad, flagellomere II 3× as long as broad; antennal lobes strongly produced, medially forming parallel-sided or apically narrowed notch | Methocha arnoldi Krombein |
| – | Flagellomere I less than twice as long as broad, flagellomere II twice as long as broad; antennal lobes weakly or strongly produced, forming obtuse medial notch | 8 |
| 8 | Propodeum covered with dense, fine ridges, dorsally and ventrally arcuate (Fig. 25) | Methocha arcuata sp. n. |
| – | Propodeum polished, nearly impunctate, without more than traces of ridges | Methocha impunctata sp. n. |
Fianarantsoa Prov., Parc Natl. Ranomafana, radio tower at forest edge, 1130 m, 14–21/i/2002, 21°5'05S, 47°24'43E, R. Harin’Hala, malaise, mixed tropical forest, MA-02-09B-12 (SAN FRANCISCO).
(8 males): 1 male: 23/v–3/vi/2002, MA-02-09C-30; 1 male: Belle Vue at Talatakely, 1020 m 23–28/iv/2002, 21°15'99S, 47°25'21E. R. Harin’Hala, malaise, secondary tropical forest, MA-02-09C-26; 2 males: JIRAMA water works, 10–14/i/2002, 21°14'91S, 47°27'13E, R. Harin’Hala, MT nr river, 690 m, MA-02-09D-11; 1 male: Antsiranana Prov., Parc Natl. Montagne d’Ambre, 1125m, 14–30/v/2001, 12°31'13S, 49°10'45E, R. Harin’Hala, MT, MA-01-01D-11; 1 male: Toamasina Prov., Montagne d’Anjanaharibe, 18.0 km 21° nnw Ambinanitelo, 470m, 8–12/iii/2003, 15°11'18S, 049°36'54E, Fisher, Griswold et al. MT, in rainforest, BLF8011 (DAVIS).
The most distinctive features of Methocha arcuata are the flattened clypeus, well-developed antennal lobes and propodeal sculpturing consisting of fine transverse to dorsally arcuate ridges. This species most closely resembles Methocha arnoldi but can be distinguished by the longer flagellomeres and the finely ridged propodeum.
Male.
Body length. 7–11 mm.
Head. Clypeus flattened medially (Fig. 9), apex truncate; antennal lobes rounded; frons without medial projection or lobe above antennal sockets; frons and vertex punctures separated by 1–2 puncture diameters; flagellomere I twice as long as broad; flagellomeres II and III 2.6–2.7× as long as broad; flagellomere XI 4× as long as broad.
Mesosoma. Pronotal disk gently convex medially, shoulders evenly rounded; scutal punctures separated by 1 puncture diameter, except for less densely punctate medial area; scutellum nearly impunctate; mesopleuron highly polished with tiny sparse punctures, more than 4 puncture diameters apart; propodeum with dense, fine ridges, dorsally and ventrally arcuate (Fig. 25).
Metasoma. Terga highly polished, punctures tiny and separated by 4 or more puncture diameters; sterna impunctate except for basal band of punctures 1 puncture diameter apart.
Genitalia (Fig. 22). Paramere slender, with small medial angle, marked by transparent lobe, breadth at medial angle 2.0–2.3× breadth at halfway point between apex and medial angle, paramere length versus breadth at submedial angle is 6×.
Color. Black, with pale yellow mandibles and fore and midcoxae, fore and mid legs may be yellowish brown; palpi whitish; wing membrane faintly brown-tinted apically.
Vestiture. Sparse erect, silvery.
Methocha species. 16, 17 Front view of face 18, 21 Dorsal view of head 19, 20 Dorsal view of pronotum 22, 23, 26–30 Lateral view of genital capsule 24, 25 Posterior view of propodeum.
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http://species-id.net/wiki/Methocha_depressa
Figs 10, 18, 20, 21, 23Fianarantsoa Prov., Parc Natl. Ranomafana, Belle Vue at Talatakely, 1020 m, 12–19/ii/2002, 21°15'99S, 47°25'21E, R. Harin’Hala, Malaise trap, secondary tropical forest, MA-02-09C-16 (SAN FRANCISCO).
(12 males): 9 males: same data as holotype; 1 male: 12–23/iv/2003, MA-02-09C-58; 4 males: 16/x–8/xi/2001, MA-02-09C-01; 1 male: 22–28/xi/2001 MA-02-09C-04; 1 male: 10–14/i/2002, MA-02-09C-11; 1 male: 23–28/iv/2002, MA-02-09C-26; 1 male: 28/iv–5/v/2002, MA-02-09C-27; 4 males: 23/v–3/vi/2002, MA-02-09C-30; 1 male: 13–23/vi/2002, MA-02-09C-32; 1 male: 10–21/iii/2003, MA-02-09C-56; 1 male: 21/iii–12/iv/2003, MA-02-09C-57; 1 male: 28/v–6/vi/2003, MA-02-09C-62; 2 males: JIRAMA water works, 21–24/xii/2001, 21° 14.91'S, 47° 27.13'E colr. R. Harin’Hala CAS MT nr river 690 m, MA-02-09D-08; 1 male: 2–10/i/2002, MA-02-09D-10; 3 males: radio tower at forest edge, 1130 m, 14–21/i/2002 21°15'05S, 47°24'43E, R. Harin’Hala, Malaise trap, mixed tropical forest, MA-02-09B-12; 2 males: 12–19/ii/2002, MA-02-09B-16; 1 male: 12–19/iii/2002, MA-02-09B-20; 3 males: 24/v–4/vi/2002, MA-02-09B-30; 1 male: 27/ii–9/iii/2003, MA-02-09B-54; 1 male: 9–20/iii/2003, MA-02-09B-55; 1 male: 29/vi/–6/vii/2003 2, 1 MA-02-09B-65; 2 males: 6–17/vii/2003, MA-02-09B-66; 1 male: Vohiparara, at broken bridge, 1110 m, 21°13'57S, 47°22'19E, R. Harin’Hala, Malaise trap in high altitude rainforest, 25/vii–3/viii/2002, MA-02-09A-36; 3 males: 6–15/xii/2001, MA-02-09A-061 male: 15–21/xii/2001, MA-02-09A-07; 3 males: 21-28/i/2002, MA-02-09A-13; 2 males: 26–31/iii/2002 21, MA-02-09A-22; 7 males: 1 male: Antsiranana Prov., Parc Natl Montagne d’Ambre, 1125m, 14-30/v/2001 12°31'13S, 49°10'45E, R. Harin’Hala, MT MA-01-01D-11; 1 male: Forêt de Binara, 7.5 km 230° sw Daraina, 375m, 1/xii/2003, 13°15'18S, 049°37'00E, B. L. Fisher, MT tropical dry forest, BLF9557 (DAVIS, SAN FRANCISCO).
The most distinctive features of Methocha depressa are the coarsely areolate propodeum, the shape of the frontal projection above and between the antennal lobes and the sublaterally impressed pronotal disk. This species does not closely resemble any of the other Malagasy Methocha species, although the depressed pronotum resembles that of Methocha robusta, which differs in having the pronotal depression interrupted medially.
Male.
Body length. 5–7 mm.
Head. Clypeus with obtuse medial projection (Fig. 10), apex linear or shallowly emarginate; antennal lobes rounded; frons with strong medial projection or lobe above antennal sockets (Fig. 18); frons and vertex punctures separated by 1–2 puncture diameters; scapal carina less than half length of scape; flagellomere I 1.7× as long as broad; flagellomere II 2.5× as long as broad; flagellomere III 2.8× as long as broad; flagellomeres IV–X arcuate; flagellomere XI 5× as long as broad.
Mesosoma. Pronotal disk strongly depressed on either side of elevated midline posterior to anterior margin, shoulders evenly rounded (Fig. 18); scutal punctures separated by 1 puncture diameter, except for less densely punctate medial area; scutellum nearly impunctate; mesopleural punctures 1–2 puncture diameters apart; propodeum with coarse, contiguous areolae (Fig. 24).
Metasoma. Terga highly polished, punctures tiny and separated by 4 or more puncture diameters; sternum I punctures 1 puncture diameter apart; sterna II-V anteriorly with contiguous punctures, separated from posterior part by punctulate transverse groove, posteriorly strongly convex, punctures 1–2 puncture diameters apart.
Genitalia (Fig. 23). Paramere breadth at medial angle 1.5× breadth at halfway point between apex and medial angle, paramere length versus breadth at submedial angle is 6×.
Color. black; clypeus sometimes partly reddish brown; mandibles reddish; palpi yellow to pale brown; parategula black; legs dark brown to black; palpi whitish; wing membrane untinted apically.
Vestiture. Sparse erect, silvery.
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http://species-id.net/wiki/Methocha_flavipalpus
Figs 11, 26Mahajanga Prov. Parc Natl. Tsingy de Bemaraha, 10.6 km ese 123° Antsalova, 150m, 16–20/xi/2001, 19°42'34S, 44°43'5E, Fisher, Griswold et al., MT, tropical dry forest on Tsingy, BLF4462 (SAN FRANCISCO).
(10 males) 6 males: same data as holotype; 1 male: 2.5 km 62° ene Bekopaka, Ankidrodroa River, 100m, 11–15/xi/2001, 19°07.56S, 44°48.53E, Fisher, Griswold et al., MT-tropical dry forest on Tsingy, BLF4345; 1 male: Mahavavy River, 6.2 km 145° se Mitsinjo, 20m, 1–5/xii/2002, 16°03'06S, 045°54'30E, Fisher, Griswold et al., MT in gallery forest, BLF6930; 1 male: 3.4 km 93° e Bekopaka, Tombeau Vazimba, 50m, 6–10/xi/2001, 19°8'31S, 44°49'41E, Fisher, Griswold et al., MT, in tropical dry forest, BLF4233; 1 male: Forêt Ambohimanga, 26.1 km 314° Mampikony, 250 m, 13/xii/2004, 15°57.46S, 047°6.17E, B. L. Fisher, MT tropical dry forest, BLF11670; 1 male: Toliara Prov. Rés. Spéciale d’Ambohijanahary, Forêt d’Ankazotsihitafototra, 35.2 km 312° nw Ambaravaranala, 1050 m, 13–17/i/2003, 18°16'00S, 045°24'24E, Fisher, Griswold et al., MT-montane rainforest, BLF7023 (DAVIS, SAN FRANCISCO).
Methocha flavipalpus resembles Methocha nasiformis and Methocha strigosa based on the strong medial clypeal projection. It can be distinguished from those species by the coloration of the parategula, which has a transparent margin and the yellowish mandibles, palpi and legs; all black to dark or reddish brown in Methocha nasiformis and Methocha strigosa.
Male.
Body length. 9–11 mm.
Head. Clypeus with acute to digitate medial projection (Fig. 11), apical margin emarginate; antennal lobes strongly convex; frons without medial projection or lobe above antennal sockets; frons punctures separated by 1 puncture diameter; vertex nearly impunctate; scapal ridge two-thirds length of scape; flagellomere I 1.7× as long as broad; flagellomere II 2.2× as long as broad; flagellomeres II and III 2.4× as long as broad; flagellomeres III–X arcuate; flagellomere XI 5× as long as broad.
Mesosoma. Pronotal disk gently convex medially, shoulders rounded, punctures large nearly contiguous; scutal punctures contiguous sublaterally becoming sparser medially; scutellum punctures 1–3 puncture diameters apart; mesopleuron with punctures separated by 1–2 puncture diameters apart; propodeum with coarse, contiguous, transversely striatiform punctures.
Metasoma. Terga polished, punctures separated by 1–2 puncture diameters; sterna I and VI with punctures separated by 1–2 puncture diameters; sterna II–V basally with punctures separated by 1 puncture diameter, separated from posterior part by smooth, transverse groove, posteriorly convex, with punctures separated by 2–4 puncture diameters.
Genitalia (Fig. 26). Paramere breadth at medial angle 3.0–3.3× breadth at halfway point between apex and medial angle, paramere length versus breadth at submedial angle is 4.6×.
Color. Black; mandibles and palpi whitish to yellow; fore and midcoxae may be pale brown, fore and mid legs brown with paler joints and tarsi; parategula bicolored, brown and whitish with transparent margin; wing membrane untinted, except posterior margin slightly brown-tinted in some specimens.
Vestiture. Sparse erect, silvery.
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http://species-id.net/wiki/Methocha_impunctata
Figs 12, 27Toamasina Prov., Andasibe NP, 1–7/xi/2001, 18°55'58S, 48°24.47E, R. Harin’Hala colr., Malaise trap, 1025 m, MA-01-08B-18 (SAN FRANCISCO).
The highly polished, largely impunctate and unsculptured body is the most distinctive feature of Methocha impunctata. The unsculptured propodeum will immediately separate it from Methocha arcuata, which shares the largest number of characteristics with Methocha impunctata.
Male.
Body length. 8 mm.
Head (Fig. 12). Clypeus flattened medially, apical margin at most slightly concave; antennal lobes rounded; frons without medial projection or lobe above antennal sockets; frons punctures 1 puncture diameter apart; vertex punctures tiny, separated by 2–4 puncture diameters; scapal ridge two-thirds length of scape; flagellomere I 1.4× as long as broad; flagellomeres II–III twice as long as broad; flagellomeres IV–X arcuate; flagellomere XI 4× as long as broad.
Mesosoma. Pronotal disk gently convex medially, shoulders evenly rounded, punctures 0.5–1.0 puncture diameter apart; scutal punctures contiguous to 1 puncture diameter apart, except for less dense medial area; scutellum, mesopleuron and propodeum highly polished, nearly impunctate.
Metasoma. Terga and sterna highly polished, nearly impunctate, subbasal sternal groove smooth impunctate.
Genitalia (Fig. 27). Paramere breadth at medial angle 3.0–3.3× breadth at halfway point between apex and medial angle, paramere length versus breadth at submedial angle 6×.
Color. Black; mandibles and palpi brown; legs dark brown; parategula black; wing membrane untinted.
Vestiture. Sparse erect, silvery.
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http://species-id.net/wiki/Methocha_nasiformis
Figs 13, 16, 21, 28Fianarantsoa, Parc Natl. Ranomafana, radio tower at forest edge, 1130 m, 4–12/ii/2002, 21°15.05'S, 47°24.43'E, R. Harin’Hala, Malaise trap, mixed tropical forest, MA-02-09B-15 (SAN FRANCISCO).
(5 males): 1 male: same data as holotype; 1 male: 29/vi/– 6/vii/2003, MA-02-09B-65; 1 male: 4–12/ii/2002, 21°15'05S, 47°24'43E, R. Harin’Hala, malaise, mixed tropical forest, MA-02-09B-15; 1 male: Belle Vue at Talatakely, 1020 m, 28/iv/–5/v/2002, 21°15.99S, 47°25'21E, R. Harin’Hala, malaise, secondary tropical forest, MA-02-09C-27; 1 male: Antsiranana Prov., Parc Natl. de Marojejy, Manantenina River, 28 km 38° ne Andapa, 8.2 km 333° nnw Manantenina, 450m, 12–25/xi/2003, 14°26'12S, 049°46'30E, B. L. Fisher et al, MT in rainforest, BLF8723; 1 male: Parc Natl Montagne d’Ambre, 1125m, 14–30/v/2001 12°31'13S, 49°10'45E, R. Harin’Hala, MT, MA-01-01D-11 (DAVIS, SAN FRANCISCO).
Methocha nasiformis is one of three species with an acute or even digitate medial clypeal projection. It can be distinguished from Methocha flavipalpus by the black, concolorous parategula, dark legs and nearly straight apical clypeal margin (features shared with Methocha strigosa). It can be distinguished from Methocha strigosa by the coarsely punctate, not finely ridged propodeum.
Male.
Body length. 7–13 mm.
Head. Clypeus projecting into acute sometimes digitate medial projection (Fig. 13), apex subtruncate (Fig. 16); antennal lobes rounded; frons without medial projection or lobe above antennal sockets (Fig. 21); frons and vertex punctures separated by 1–2 puncture diameters; scapal ridge more than half length of scape; flagellomere I 1.8× as long as broad; flagellomere II 2.2× as long as broad; flagellomeres II and III 2.5–2.6× as long as broad; flagellomere XI 5× as long as broad.
Mesosoma. Pronotal disk gently convex medially, shoulders evenly rounded; scutal punctures separated by 1 puncture diameter, except for less dense medial area; scutellum with punctuates 1 puncture diameter apart; mesopleuron highly polished with punctures 2–4 puncture diameters apart; propodeum covered with dense, contiguous punctures, becoming striatiform dorsally, dorsally with transverse ridges becoming U-shaped basally.
Metasoma. Terga polished, punctures separated by 2–4 or more puncture diameters; sternum I punctures 1–4 puncture diameters apart; sterna II–VI basal part with punctures 0.5–1.0 puncture diameters apart, separated from posterior convex part by small transverse groove, posterior part with punctures 2–4 puncture diameters apart.
Genitalia (Fig. 28). Paramere breadth at medial angle 4.5× breadth at halfway point between apex and medial angle, paramere length versus breadth at submedial angle 5×.
Color. Black, with dark red mandibles, scapal carina yellow legs black to dark brown, trochanters sometimes paler; palpi reddish; wing membrane brown-tinted.
Vestiture. Sparse erect, silvery.
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http://species-id.net/wiki/Methocha_robusta
Figs 1, 14, 17, 19, 29Fianarantsoa Prov., Parc Natl. Ranomafana, radio tower at forest edge, 1130 m 14–21/i/2002, 21°15'05S, 47°24'43E, R. Harin’Hala, malaise, mixed tropical forest, MA-02-09B-12 (SAN FRANCISCO).
(4 males): 1 male: 15–27/iv/2003, MA-02-09B-58; 1 male: Belle Vue at Talatakely, 1020 m, 10–14/i/2002, 21°15'99S, 47°25'21E, R. Harin’Hala, malaise, secondary tropical forest, MA-02-09C-11; 1 male: 23/v–3/vi/2002, 21°15'99S, 47°25'21E, R. Harin’Hala, malaise, secondary tropical forest, MA-02-09C-30; 1 male: Toamasina Prov., botanic garden nr entrance to Andasibe Natl. Park, 1–7/xi/2001, 18°55'58S, 48°24'47E, R. Harin’Hala, MT-tropical forest , 1025 m, MA-01-08B-18 (DAVIS, SAN FRANCISCO).
Methocha robusta is one of two species with a medial depressed pronotal disk. It can be distinguished from the other species, Methocha depressa, by the frons concave between the antennal lobes and the strongly convex clypeus. In addition, the pronotal depression lacks the longitudinal medial elevation seen in Methocha depressa.
Male.
Body length. 10–13 mm.
Head. Clypeus elevated medially into two broad submedial tubercles (Fig. 17) strongly convex in profile (Fig. 14), apex emarginate, with densely shagreened patch on either side of emargination (Fig. 17); antennal lobes elevated with obtuse depression between; frons without medial projection or lobe above antennal sockets; frons and vertex punctures separated by 1 puncture diameters, becoming nearly impunctate behind ocelli; scapal ridge half scapal length; flagellomere I 2.5× as long as broad; flagellomere II 3× as long as broad; flagellomeres III–X arcuate; flagellomere XI 7–8× as long as broad.
Mesosoma. Pronotal disk transversely depressed medially, anterior margin elevated in lateral view, shoulders angulate (Fig. 19); scutal and mesopleural punctures separated by 1 puncture diameter; scutellar punctation sparser, 2–3 puncture diameters apart; propodeum completely coarsely areolate.
Metasoma. Terga polished, punctures small separated by 2–4 puncture diameters; sterna I and VI with punctures large, 0.5–1.0 puncture diameters apart; sterna II–V basal area with punctures 0.5–1.0 puncture diameters apart, separated from convex posterior part by punctulate groove, posterior part with punctures tiny and 2–4 puncture diameters apart.
Genitalia (Fig. 29). Paramere breadth at medial angle 2.5× breadth at halfway point between apex and medial angle, paramere length versus breadth at submedial angle 4.7×.
Coloration. Black, mandibles, scapal carina and palpi red; parategula black, legs black to dark brown fore; wing membrane untinted.
Vestiture. Sparse erect, silvery.
urn:lsid:zoobank.org:act:1CC35A15-DEA2-415B-82C8-DB85827712B1
http://species-id.net/wiki/Methocha_strigosa
Figs 15, 30Fianarantsoa Prov., Ranomofana N.P. 21°16'S 47°27'E, 18/iv/1994, M. Wasbauer (DAVIS).
(91 males): 4 males: Belle Vue at Talatakely, 1020 m, 21°15.99'S, 47°25.21'E, R. Harin’Hala, Malaise trap, secondary tropical forest, 23–28/iv/2002, MA-02-09C-26; 1 male: 22–28/xi/2001, MA-02-09C-04; 1 male: 10–14/i/2002, MA-02-09C-11; 2 males: 23/v–3/vi/2002, MA-02-09C-30; 1 male: 12–19/ii/2002, MA-02-09C-16; 1 male: 24/vii–4/viii/2002, MA-02-09C-36; 1 male: 16–26/ii/2003, MA-02-09C-54; 1 male: 12–23/iv/2003, MA-02-09C-58; 1 male: 14–21/i/2002, MA-02-09C-12; 3 males: 26/ii–4/iii/2002, MA-02-09C-18; 2 males: radio tower at forest edge, 1130 m, 21°15'05S, 47°24'43E, R. Harin’Hala, Malaise trap, mixed tropical forest, 9–20/iii/2003, MA-02-09B-55; 1 male: 6–17/vii/2003, MA-02-09B-66; 1 male: 4–12/ii/2002, MA-02-09B-15; 2 males: 15-21/xii/2001, MA-02-09B-07; 1 male: 12–19/iii/2002, MA-02-09B-20; 1 male: 14–24/vi/2002 21, MA-02-09B-32; 2 males: 24/v–4/vi/2002 t, MA-02-09B-30; 1 male: 15–25/vii/2002, MA-02-09B-35; 1 male: 9–20/iii/2003, MA-02-09B-55; 4 males: 29/vi–6/vii/2003, MA-02-09B-65; 1 male: 6–17/vii/2003, MA-02-09B-66; 6 males: Vohiparara, at broken bridge, 1110 m, 25/vii/–3/viii/2002, 21°13.57S, 47°22.19E, R. Harin’Hala, MT in high altitude rainforest, MA-02-09A-36; 1 male: 15–21/xii/2001, MA-02-09A-07; 2 males: 4–12/ii/2002, MA-02-09A-15; 1 male: 26–31/iii/2002, MA-02-09A-22; 2 males: radio tower at forest edge, 1130 m, 17–30/v/2003, 21°5.05S, 47°24.43E, R. Harin’Hala, malaise, mixed tropical forest, MA-02-09B-61; 4 males: 20/iii–3/iv/2003, MA-02-09B-56; 8 males: Montagne d’Anjanaharibe, 18.0 km 21° NNE Ambinanitelo, 470m, 8-12/iii/2003, 15°11'18"S 049°36'54"E, Fisher, Griswold et al., Malaise trap, in rainforest, BLF8011; 15 males: Toamasina Prov., Montagne d’Anjanaharibe, 19.5 km 27° nne Ambinanitelo 1100 m, 12-16/iii/2003, 15°10'42'S 049°38'06'E, Fisher, Griswold et al., Malaise trap, in montane rainforest, BLF8149; 3 males: botanic garden nr entrance to Andasibe Natl. Park, 24/x/–1/xi/2001, 18°55.58S, 48°4.47E, R. Harin’Hala, MT-tropical forest, 1025 m, MA-01-08B-17; 1 male: 1-7/xi/2001, MA001-08B-18; 2 males: Antsiranana Parc Natl. de Marojejy, Manantenina River, 28.0 km 38° ne Andapa, 8.2 km 333° nnw Manantenina, 450m, 12-25/xi/2003, 14°26'12S, 049°46'30E, B.L. Fisher et al, MT in rainforest, BLF8723; 1 male: Parc Natl Montagne d’Ambre, 1125m, 14-30/v/2001, 12°31'13S, 49°10'45E, R. Harin’Hala, MT, MA-01-01D-11; 5 males: Toliara Prov., Rés. Spéciale d’Ambohijanahary, Forêt d’Ankazotsihitafototra, 35.2 km 312° nw Ambaravaranala, 1050m, 13-17/i/2003, 18°16'00S, 045°24'24E, Fisher, Griswold et al., MT-montane rainforest, BLF7023; 1 male: Forêt Classée d’Analavelona, 29.2 km 343° nnw Mahaboboka, 1100m, 18-22/ii/2003, 22°40'30S, 044°11'24E, Fisher, Griswold et al., MT, in montane rainforest, BLF7818; 4 males: Mahajanga Prov., Parc Natl. Tsingy de Bemaraha, 3.4 km 93° e Bekopaka, Tombeau Vazimba, 50m, 6-10/xi/2001, 19°8'31S, 44°49'41E, Fisher, Griswold et al., MT, in tropical dry forest, BLF4233; 3 males: Diego Suarez Prov., PN Montagne d’Ambre, 1125 m, 12°31'13S, 49°10'45E, 14-30/v/2001, R. Harin’Hala, MT, MA01-01D-11 (DAVIS, SAN FRANCISCO).
Methocha strigosa is one of three species, including Methocha nasiformis and Methocha flavipalpus with an acute to digitate medial clypeal projection as discussed under Methocha nasiformis. It can be distinguished from those species by the dark coloration and propodeum covered fine transverse ridges.
Male.
Body length. 6–11 mm.
Head. Clypeus forming obtuse angle medially (Fig. 15), apex linear or shallowly emarginate; antennal lobes well-developed, with narrow, deep notch between; frons with/without medial projection or lobe above antennal sockets; frons and vertex punctures separated by 1–4 puncture diameters; scapal ridge two-thirds length of scape; flagellomere I 1.8× as long as broad; flagellomere II 2.2× as long as broad; flagellomere III 2.2× as long as broad; flagellomeres III–X arcuate; flagellomere XI 5× as long as broad.
Mesosoma. Pronotal disk transversely striatiform anteriorly, evenly convex medially, shoulders evenly rounded, punctures separated by 0.5–2.0 puncture diameters; scutal punctures separated by 0.5–1.0 puncture diameter, becoming less dense medially; scutellum and mesopleuron highly polished, punctation 4–5 puncture diameters apart or more; propodeum covered with dense fine, transverse ridges, becoming U-shaped dorsally.
Metasoma. Terga highly polished, punctures tiny separated by 4–5 puncture diameters; sterna highly polished, with smooth subapical transverse groove, punctures anterior to groove 1 puncture diameter apart, posterior to groove 4–5 puncture diameters.
Genitalia (Fig. 30). Paramere breadth at medial angle 2.2–2.5× breadth at halfway point between apex and medial angle, paramere length versus breadth at submedial angle 4.6×.
Color. Black, with red to brown mandibles; legs black to dark brown becoming paler brown on tarsi in some specimens; palpi yellow; parategula black, without transparent margin; wing membrane untinted or slightly brown tinted.
Vestiture. Sparse erect, silvery.
Checklist of Methocha Species
1. Methocha arcuata sp. n. Distribution: Fianarantsoa Province.
2. Methocha arnoldi
3. Methocha cambonini (Saussure) 1891:259. (Methoca). Holotype female; Madagascar (GENEVA).
4. Methocha depressa sp. n. Distribution: Fianarantsoa Province.
5. Methocha flavipalpus sp. n. Distribution: Mahajanga, Toliara Provinces.
6. Methocha impunctata sp. n. Distribution: Toamasina Province.
7. Methocha lambertoni
8. Methocha nasiformis sp. n. Distribution: Fianarantsoa, Antsiranana Provinces.
9. Methocha robusta sp. n. Distribution: Fianarantsoa, Toamasina Provinces.
10. Methocha strigosa sp. n. Distribution: Antsiranana, Fianarantsoa, Mahajanga, Toamasina, Toliara, Diego Suarez Provinces.
This study was made possible by Brian Fisher and the staff of the California Academy of Sciences Entomology Department, the U. S. National Science Foundation and the staff of the Bohart Museum of Entomology.