Meteorus hirsutipes Huddleston 1980

Meteorus hirsutipes Huddleston

Fig. 21, 67, 99

Meteorus hirsutipes Huddleston, 1980:34. Holotype ♀ Finland: Valamo, Ladoga, NE. of monastery Hainwald 24.viii.1935 (Kerrich) (BMNH, London) examined.

Paratypes. Germany: 1 ♀ Bavaria, Schliersee, 28.vii.1958 (Townes) (CNC, Ottawa). Ireland: 1 ♀, Co. Wicklow, Deputy’s Pass, 7.viii.1932 (Stelfox) (USNM, Washington).

Diagnosis: Meteorus hirsutipes is an easily diagnosed species. It is a rather large species with an unusually wide face. The colour is black except for the prothorax and legs, which are testaceous. Above all, however, the species is characterized by the very long, sickle-shaped claws.

Studied material: ~ 20 specimens.

Description: Size about 4.5–6mm. Antennal articles 28–30, thin. Head strongly narrowed behind eyes, occiput concave. Ocelli small, OOL=3. Eyes protuberant, slightly convergent. Face about twice as broad as high, not strongly protuberant. Clypeus not strongly protuberant, as broad as face. Mandible very large, stout and not twisted. Precoxal sulcus deep, foveolate. Propodeum with strong longitudinal and transverse carinae. Petiolar tergum with longitudinal striae, joining to form a transverse rugose area; medial part of petiolar tergum anteriorly reticulate- rugose. Ovipositor 2.5 times length of petiolar tergum, straight. Hind coxa punctate or reticulate-punctate; tarsi with long setae, the longest of which at the apices of the tarsal segment are at least twice the maximum breadth of the segment. Tarsal claws simple, very long, sickle-shaped. Colour black, prothorax and legs testaceous.

Distribution: Western and Eastern Pelearctic. Country records: China; Croatia; Finland; Germany; Ireland; Japan; Norway; Switzerland; Sweden; United Kingdom.

Biology: We found 5 specimens within the SMTP and they were all caught in August in a mixed forest.