Published February 6, 2026
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Description of two new species of the mid-Cretaceous genus † Tichostephanus Engel (Hymenoptera, Gasteruptiidae)
Authors/Creators
- 1. College of Forestry, Beijing Forestry University, Beijing, China
- 2. College of Life Sciences, Northwest University, Xi'an, China
Description
The genus †Tichostephanus comprises unique apocritan hymenopterans characterized by distinct fore wing venation, featuring a very large submarginal cell, and a "bottle brush"-like sensilla on the ovipositor sheath. Recently, the genus has been transferred from Stephanidae to Gasteruptiidae (Evanioidea). In this study, two new species, †Tichostephanus qinshubao sp. nov. and †Tichostephanus yuchijingde sp. nov., are described and illustrated based on specimens from mid-Cretaceous Burmese amber. The new species are distinguished from previously described taxa by the length-to-width ratio of the pterostigma; the degree of curvature of vein 1Cu; the shape of the first subdiscal cell; and the presence or absence of transverse striae on the middle part of the pronotum. A key to all five known species of the genus is provided.
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Additional details
References
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