The first record of the genus Phytodietus Gravenhorst, 1829 (Hymenoptera: Ichneumonidae: Tryphoninae) in Papua New Guinea, with description of a new species

Abstract The genus Phytodietus Gravenhorst, 1829 is recorded from Papua New Guinea for the first time, based on a newly described species, P. (P.) guineus sp. nov. An identification key to the Australasian Phytodietus species is provided. http://zoobank.org/urn:lsid:zoobank.org:pub:D23507BB-F353-4CDE-AB12-2B1DBD4B5F2B


Materials and methods
The holotype of the new species is deposited in the Natural History Museum (BMNH) collection in London (curator Gavin Broad).
Photographs and measurements were taken using an opto-digital microscope DSX110 in the Laboratory of Insect Evolutionary Biology and Ecology (University of Bialystok).
Morphological terminology and nomenclature of wing venation follow those of Gauld et al. (1997 Etymology. The species is named after the second part of the name of the island of New Guinea, where the holotype was collected. Diagnosis. The new species differs from other representatives of the genus Phytodietus by the combination of the following features: (1) temple behind the eye strongly narrowed, sloping in a straight line; (2) wings brown infumate; (3) epomia distinct; (4) first metasomal tergite long, but finely and evenly tapered from apex to spiracle, from spiracle to base with very fine constriction; (5) propodeum with fine transverse wrinkles in the middle, short lateral crests and rather distinct apophysis.
Head (Figure 1(a-c)). Face 0.66 times as long as wide, polished and smooth, medially finely convex, covered with weak and moderate dense punctures. Clypeus smooth and polished, with distinct transverse bend -its basal part convex, apical one trapezoidal and strong inclined; apical margin truncate with weak, rather wide notch in the centre. Upper tooth of mandible longer than lower one. Malar space 0.65 times as long as basal width of mandible. Occipital carina almost complete, its lower end terminates near hypostomal carina. Temple behind the eye strongly narrowed, sloping in a straight line. Antenna with 43 flagellomeres; first to fourth flagellomeres unspecialised.
Mesosoma (Figure 1(d-e)) in general polished, with short and sparse setae. Pronotum smooth; epomia distinct. Mesoscutum 1.03 times as long as wide, smooth. Notauli strongly impressed, present anteriorly and extending back to level of tegulae. Mesopleuron polished and smooth, indistinctly punctate; speculum as remainder of mesopleuron. Epicnemial carina complete and distinct. Metapleuron smooth with very fine punctures; submetapleural carina complete, expanded anteriorly into a distinct lobe. Propodeum polished, with fine transverse wrinkles in the middle, with short lateral crests and rather distinct apophysis.
Wings (Figure 1(f)). Fore wing length 8.9 mm with marginal cell 0.25 times as long as wide; areolet closed (3rs-m present); distance between 2rs-m and 2m-cu 1.07 times length of 2rs-m; M distinct; cu-a fine inclivious, distinctly postfurcal to R&M. Hind wing length 7.6 mm with all veins complete; first abscissa of Cu1 distinctly longer than cu-a and joining cu-a at an angle.
Legs (Figure 1(g)). Hind femur 4.46 times as long as wide. Hind tibia with relatively strong bristles. Lateral spur of hind tibia 0.43 times as long as first metatarsus. Hind fifth tarsomere 0.41 times as long as third.
Metasoma (Figure 1(h-i)). Tergites polished, with very short, moderately dense pubescence. First tergite 1.88 times as long as posteriorly wide; finely and evenly tapered from apex to spiracle, from spiracle to base with very fine constriction; median basal pit deep; median dorsal carinae present only proximally; dorsolateral edge rounded from apex to base, at the apical part weakly angled. Second tergite 1.12 times as long as anteriorly wide and 0.73 times as long as posteriorly wide. Ovipositor 1.7 times as long as hind tibia, with the apical teeth; ovipositor sheath densely pubescent.
Colour (Figures 1 and 2). Head, with exception of brown apical part of mandible, yellow. Antenna with scape and pedicel yellow with dorsolateral black stripe; flagellum black. Mesosoma dark yellow. Wings brown infumate, pterostigma dark brown. First and middle legs dark yellow with exception of middle tarsus dorsally (third to fifth tarsomeres) blackish. Hind leg: coxa dark yellow, trochanter, trochanterus and femur dorsally orange, ventro-laterally blackish, tibia and tarsus brownish, here and there dark orange. First metasomal tergite tricolour: base dark yellow, middle (above spiracle) mostly black, apex pale whitish (wide band); second and next tergites black with apical whitish band (band slightly broader laterally). First and second sternites and pleura of metasoma whitish, third and next sternites black and whitish. Ovipositor sheath black.

Disclosure statement
No potential conflict of interest was reported by the author.

Funding
This study was financed by the Polish Ministry of Science and Higher Education of Poland under subsidy for maintaining the research potential of the Faculty of Biology, University of Bialystok.