Leucospis signifera Boucek 1974

Leucospis signifera Bouček, 1974

(Fig. 20)

Leucospis signifera Bouček 1974a: 76 –77, fig. 77. Holotype ♀: Brazil, Santa Catarina, Nova Teutônia (BMNH); Perioto & Lara 2002: 1294–1295 (new locality to Brazil).

Diagnosis. Mesoscutum all dark metallic but scutellum extensively yellow except for narrow dark anterior margin extending along median line backwards; pronotum at most with posterior yellow band; POL about 1.2× OOL; inner margin of the eyes emarginate; clypeus apically bilobate, without a conspicuous median tooth; pronotum without premarginal carina; dorsellum convex, margin carinate, moderately pilose; propodeum pilose, median carina present, plicae absent; hind coxal depression uniformly punctate, with a conspicuous translucent lobe dorsolaterally; hind femur 2.2× as long as broad, teeth excluded; fore wing with apical fifth infuscate and apical process of stigmal vein about 1.25× as long as uncus; in female, tergite I with median ridge and diverging broad furrows; tergite VI without spiniform projection at posterior margin; ovipositor reaching dorsellum. Male gaster without yellow marks.

Distribution. Brazil (Minas Gerais, São Paulo, Santa Catarina), Paraguay, Argentina.

Comments. Leucospis signifera was previously recorded from Paraguay, Argentina and Brazil (states of Santa Catarina and São Paulo). This is its first record from the state of Minas Gerais, which represents the northern most record of this species (Figs 25, 26). Although the identification key differentiates L. signifera and L. opalescens, it is worth noting that only the females of the last species have tergite VI with a spiniform projection on the posterior margin.

Biology. Unknown.

Material examined. (4♀) Brazil, Minas Gerais, Paraopeba, Estação Florestal de Experimentação, 19°20'S, 44°20'W, 734m ‒ 750m, 14.x.1993, H.R. Pimenta leg. [UFMG‒IHY‒1305649, UFMG‒IHY‒1305650, UFMG‒ IHY‒1305652, UFMG‒IHY‒ 1305654].