Scrapter mpumalangensis sp. nov.

urn:lsid:zoobank.org:act: F020ECFB-9F0B-4C5D-9E73-D1751F185D30

Figs 33–35

Diagnosis

The female of S. mpumalangensis sp. nov. can be separated from that of all other species of this group by the following character combination: pronotal lobe dark (Fig. 33A); T3 anterior of premarginal line impunctate (Fig. 33E); propodeum basally carinate, apically smooth (Fig. 5D); shallow punctation on discs of T1–T3 (Fig. 33E). The male is characterized by fine and sparse (i = 2–3 d) punctation on discs of T1–T3 (Fig. 34D); ocelli behind posterior margin of compound eyes and the form of S7 (Fig. 35C).

Etymology

The name is derived from the South African province Mpumalanga where the type specimens were collected.

Type material (2 specimens)

Holotype

SOUTH AFRICA • ♂; Mpumalanga 7 km S of Graskop, along road to Sabie; 24°57′39″ S, 30°48′45″ E; 1300 m a.s.l.; 21 Mar. 2001; SAMC.

Paratype

SOUTH AFRICA • 1 ♀; same collection data as for holotype; 21 Mar. 2001; RCMK.

Description

Female

BODY LENGTH. 6.6 mm.

HEAD. Wider than long. Integument black, mandibles dark brownish to reddish. Face regularly and densely covered with light brownish hair. Ocelli on level of posterior margin of compound eyes. Clypeus medially with longitudinal depression, punctation coarse, apically sparse (i = 2–3 d), laterally dense (i = 1 d). Surface between punctures smooth and shiny (Fig. 33B). Malar area medially narrow, slightly curved. Antennal flagella ventrally yellow, dorsally black. Supraclypeal area at upper margin straight to slightly convex.

MESOSOMA. Integument black, pronotal lobe dark brown to black. Scutum relatively coarsely and irregularly punctate (i = 2–4 d); surface between punctures with very fine punctation (Fig. 33C). Metanotum about half as long as scutellum. Basolateral corners of the propodeum coarsely carinate, posterior and medial coriaceous (Fig. 33D). Scutum, scutellum, metanotum, mesepisternum and propodeum sparsely covered with short, brownish to greyish, erect hair.

WINGS. Yellowish-brown, stigma and wing venation brownish (Fig. 33A).

LEGS. Integument brownish, fore and mid tibia with yellow spot. Vestiture greyish-white, scopa greyish to brownish, partly black (Fig. 33A).

METASOMA. Integument brownish, marginal zones yellowish. Basolaterally on T2 hair patches of middle long, greyish erect hair (Fig. 33F). Greyish hair on anterior margin of T3–T4 fine and dense, towards posterior coarser and sparser. T3 anterior of premarginal line with hair band of middle long greyish hair across complete width. Prepygidial and pygidial fimbriae brownish. Discs of T1–T3 sparsely, and finely puncticulate. Surface between punctures matt (Fig. 33E).

Male

BODY LENGTH. 6.7 mm.

HEAD. Wider than long. Integument black, mandibles dark brownish to reddish. Face densely covered with long, white, erect hair. Ocelli behind posterior margin of compound eyes. Malar area medially narrow, slightly curved. Antennal flagella ventrally yellow, dorsally black.

MESOSOMA. Integument black. Scutum relatively regularly and densely (i = 1–2.5 d) punctate; surface between punctures with very fine punctation (Fig. 34B). Propodeum basolaterally carinate, medially and apically coriaceous (Fig. 34C). Scutum, scutellum, metanotum, mesepisternum and propodeum sparsely covered with long, brownish to greyish, erect hair.

WINGS. Yellowish-brown, stigma and wing venation brownish (Fig. 34A).

LEGS. Integument black, fore and mid tibia with long yellow spot, tarsi yellow. Vestiture greyish-white (Fig. 34A).

METASOMA. Integument brownish, marginal zone yellowish. Disc of T1 without hair (Fig. 35A), T2–T4 basally greyish, relatively sparse, short, erect hair band, covering fifth of terga; discs of T1–4 with middle long, greyish, erect hairs, more densely towards posterior. T2–T4 anterior of premarginal line with row of short, erect, greyish hair (Fig. 34D). Discs of T1–T4 completely regularly finely puncticulate. Surface between punctures matt (Fig. 34D).

TERMINALIA. Genitalia (Fig. 35B), S7 (Fig. 35C) and terminal plate of S8 (Fig. 35D) as illustrated.

Distribution

Only known from the type locality in the South African province Mpumalanga.

Floral hosts

Unknown.

Seasonal activity

March.