Barycnellus cuvierensis Khalaim & Ward 2018, sp. nov.

Barycnellus cuvierensis Khalaim & Ward, sp. nov.

(Figs 14, 25, 65–68)

Comparison. Barycnemis cuvierensis is readily distinguished from other species of the genus by the head with genae short and weakly narrowed behind eyes in dorsal view (Fig. 67), ovipositor short and strongly upcurved (Fig. 68) and orange-brown antennae with 21–23 flagellomeres (Fig. 65).

Description. Female. Body length about 4.0 mm. Fore wing length 3.0 mm.

Head smooth and shining except for finely granulate, dull face. Head in lateral view about 1.2× as high (from lower margin of clypeus to top of head) as broad, with antennae inserted slightly below level of centre of head (Fig. 66); in dorsal view weakly narrowed behind eyes with long gena (Fig. 67). Clypeus with lower margin slightly truncated or concave. Malar space 0.65× as long as basal mandibular width. Flagellum thick, with 21–23 shortened flagellomeres (21 in holotype) (Fig. 65).

Mesosoma predominantly finely granulate and dull, mesoscutum smooth and shining centrally. Mesosoma slightly compressed laterally, with mesoscutum, in dorsal view, 0.8× as broad as head. Notaulus absent. Foveate groove distinct, long, 0.5 to 0.75 length of mesopleuron. Propodeum with wide mediodorsal furrow which is about half as long as apical area. Transverse carina very weak, often discernible only medially. Apical area broad.

Fore wing with vein R1 not reaching apex of the wing. Veins Rs and Rs+2 r meeting at obtuse angle. Vein 2mcu postfurcal. Vein Cu1b intercepted slightly below its centre. Legs robust, hind femur 3.8× as long as broad.

Metasoma cylindrical. First tergite with petiole weakly striate, postpetiole smooth and shining. Second tergite about 1.5× as long as broad anteriorly. Thyridial depression about 1.5× as long as broad. Ovipositor short, strongly upcurved and thin at apex, with deep dorsal subapical notch (Fig. 68); sheath 0.35× as long as hind tibia.

Head, mesosoma and first tergite brownish black to black. Palpi, mandible, lower 0.8 of clypeus and tegula yellow. Antennae orange-brown or brown. Pronotum peripherally and mesopleuron posteriorly reddish brown. Wings slightly infumate. Pterostigma brown. Fore and mid legs yellow; hind leg brownish with coxa blackish basally to yellow-brown apically, and femur yellowish at apex. Metasoma behind first tergite dark brown to black, ventrally yellow-brown.

Male. Unknown.

Molecular data. One specimen with partial CO1 sequence (NZAC04037094).

Etymology. From the type locality, Cuvier Island in northwest of New Zealand.

Remarks. This species (as “Bsp.cu”) is listed as “At Risk: Naturally Uncommon” on the New Zealand threatened species list (Ward et al. 2012).

Material examined. Holotype. Female (AMNZ), New Zealand, CL, Cuvier I., West Ridge Track, 160 m, 11– 18.XI.1999, J.W. Early & S.E. Thorpe, in forest, Malaise Trap, L8172, AMNZ71637.

Paratypes. CL: 2 ♀ (AMNZ, NZAC) same as holotype. 1 ♀ (AMNZ) Cuvier I., Main Ridge Track, 100 m, forest margin, Malaise trap L8166, 10–18.XI.1999, J.W. Early & S.E. Thorpe.

Distribution. North Island: CL.