Gauldiana minuta Khalaim & Ward 2018, sp. nov.

Gauldiana minuta Khalaim & Ward, sp. nov.

(Figs 18, 33, 101–103)

Comparison. Gauldiana minuta may be distinguished from others species of this genus by its short black antenna with only 13–14 flagellomeres (Fig. 101), and the short and strongly upcurved ovipositor (Fig. 103).

Description. Female. Small species. Body length 2.4 mm. Fore wing length 2.1 mm.

Head in dorsal view with gena somewhat shorter than eye width. Antennal flagellum distinctly clavate, with 13–14 flagellomeres (Fig. 101); subbasal flagellomeres 1.6–1.8× as long as broad, and subapical flagellomere square. Clypeus lenticular, apically truncated, smooth with upper margin finely granulate. Malar space short, 0.4– 0.5× as long as basal mandibular width.

Mesosoma with notaulus absent or as very fine wrinkle. Propodeum with transverse carina very weak, medially obliterated, basal part 0.8× as long as apical area, and apical area about 1.8× as long as maximally broad (Fig. 102). Propodeal spiracle separated from pleural carina by about 2.0× diameter of spiracle.

Fore wing (Fig. 18) with vein R1 not reaching apex of the wing. Vein 2m-cu weakly to distinctly postfurcal. Vein 2rs-m short and thick. Postnervulus intercepted near centre, its posterior abscissa pigmented or unpigmented. Hind wing with vein cu1&cu-a slightly reclivous.

Second tergite about as long as broad anteriorly. Ovipositor very slender, strongly upcurved in apical half (Fig. 103); sheath about as long as hind tibia.

Body brownish black to black. Clypeus, palpi, mandible (teeth blackish) and tegula yellow to brownish yellow. Pterostigma pale brown. Legs yellow, hind coxa dark brown to brownish black; hind tibia and all tarsi sometimes infuscate.

Male. Unknown.

Etymology. Named from the Latin minutus (small, minute) after its small size.

Material examined. Holotype. Female (NZAC), New Zealand, NN, Cobb Reservoir, edge of Nothofagus forest, Malaise trap, I.1981, A.R. Curtis, NZAC04036340.

Paratypes. NN: 4 ♀ (3 ♀—NZAC, 1 ♀—ZISP) Cobb Reservoir, edge of Nothofagus forest, Malaise trap, I.1981, A.R. Curtis. TK: 1 ♀ (NZAC) Egmont National Park, 1070–1220 m, Coriaria, Hebe and Cassinia, sweep, 20.II.1977, R.L. Hill. TO: 2 ♀ (NZAC, ZISP) N of Taupo, Aratiatia, ex Hebe stricta (Plantaginaceae), 17.II.1979, J.S. Dugdale. 1 ♀ (AMNZ) Tongariro National Park, Tawhai Falls, 960 m, 10.II.1999, J.W. Early & R.F. Gilbert. 2 ♀ (AMNZ) Chateau Road, Ruapehu, 3000 ft. (= 915 m), sweep, 27.III.1958, R.A. Cumber.

Distribution. North Island: TK, TO. South Island: NN.