Lyricibracon jenningsi Ranjith, sp. nov.

Lyricibracon jenningsi Ranjith sp. nov.

(Figs 1–3)

Material examined. Holotype (DZUC), female, “ India, Kerala, Malappuram, Calicut University Botanical Garden, 27.iv–04.v.2016, Malaise Trap, ex. Ranjith, A.P. ”

Description. Holotype female—length 3.9 mm, antennae 3.7 mm, fore wing 3.3 mm, ovipositor 0.43 mm. Head. Antenna 34-segmented. Terminal flagellomere acuminate, 2.3× as long as wide. Medial flagellomere 1.5× as long as wide. Scape shorter ventrally than dorsally, anteriorly depressed (Fig. 2 B). First flagellomere 2.4× as long as wide, 1.2 and 1.4× as long as second and third flagellomeres respectively. Hypoclypeal depression dorsally bordered medially by a transverse carina (Figs 1 B, 2C). Clypeus clearly separated from face by a shallow transverse groove (Figs 1 B, 2C). Dorsal clypeal carina indistinct. Tentorial pit deep. Face rugose except posterior 1/3 transversely striate, setose with a medial longitudinal groove in anterior half (Fig. 2 C). Malar suture distinct. Eye glabrous. Height of clypeus: inter-tentorial distance: tentorio-ocular distance= 2.9: 6.6: 4. Height of eye: width of face: width of head= 7.5: 6.4: 14. POL: diameter of posterior ocellus: shortest distance between posterior ocellus and eye = 3.25: 3.5: 7.25. Frons with medial longitudinal groove, faintly transversely striate (Fig. 2 A). Vertex rugose with medial longitudinal groove behind posterior ocelli (Fig. 2 A).

Mesosoma. Mesosoma 1.3× as long as high. Mesoscutum setose, transversely striate (Fig. 1 C). Notauli distinct, complete (Fig. 1 C). Scutellar sulcus widely crenulated, divided by three carinae (Figs 1 C, D). Precoxal suture well developed. Mesopleuron coarsely rugose in posterior half, microreticulate medially, rest unevenly rugose (Fig. 2 D). Metapleuron rugose, faintly sculptured. Median area of metanotum with a complete medial longitudinal carina and a spine in lateral view (Figs 1 D, 2E). Propodeum granulate with medial longitudinal carina, setose anteriorly, glabrous posteriorly (Figs 1 C, D).

Wings. Fore wing 2.8× as long as wide. Second submarginal cell short (Fig. 1 F). Fore wing vein 1SR+M straight (Fig. 1 F). Vein 2SR+M transverse, 0.38× as long as r. Vein C+SC+R and 1SR forming an angle of 60°. Vein 1SR distinctly curved. Vein cu-a slightly postfurcal (Fig. 1 F). Length of vein SR1: 3-SR: r= 13: 4.4: 3.7. Length of vein m-cu: 2SR+M= 6: 2.4. Hind wing vein 2SC+R transverse. Length of hind wing vein 1r-m: SC+R1= 4.1: 12.5.

Legs. Length of fore femur: tibia: tarsus= 7.6: 8: 8.5. Length of hind femur: tibia: basitarsus= 10: 13.1: 6. Claws with pointed basal lobe (Fig. 3 D). Hind basitarsus 4.6× as long as wide.

Metasoma. Metasoma 1.2× as long as head and mesosoma combined. First metasomal tergite rugose with complete dorso-lateral carinae, which unite shortly in front of posterior margin and with a forked structure posteromedially. Metasomal tergites 3–6 coarsely rugose (Fig. 1 E). Second metasomal tergite without mid basal triangular area, coarsely rugose (Figs 1 E, 3B). Second metasomal suture crenulated (Fig. 3 B). Metasomal tergite 3–5 with transverse, crenulate, sub-posterior groove. Posterior margin of sixth metasomal tergite slightly emarginate medially and with a pair of lateral semicircular emarginations (Fig. 2 F). Postero-lateral corner of sixth metasomal tergite rounded (Fig. 3 C). Ovipositor sheath setose (Figs 2 F & 3C). Ovipositor shorter than metasoma without pre apical dorsal nodus and ventral serrations (Fig. 3 C).

Colour. Body yellow except following dark brown to black: eyes, ocellar area, occiput medially and posteriorly, mesopleuron posteriorly, mesoscutum laterally, scutellar lunules, lateral sides of scutellum, propodeum, metasomal tergites 3–5 anteriorly, metasomal tergite 6 antero-laterally, fore and mid tarsal segments basally, hind femur except apically, hind tibia except basally, hind tarsus, pterostigma, wing veins, and ovipositor sheath; face posteriorly, mandibles apically, and mesoscutum mid anteriorly light brown, and ovipositor reddish brown.

Male. Unknown.

Distribution. India (Kerala).

Host. Unknown.

Etymology. APR dedicates this species to Dr. John T. Jennings (Adelaide University, Australia) in appreciation for his support and encouragement.