Allophrys dictator Khalaim, sp. nov.

Allophrys dictator Khalaim, sp. nov.

Figs 21–25.

Comparison. Differs from other Afrotropical species of the genus by the short basal flagellomeres (Fig. 21), the propodeum strongly impressed along the midline (Fig. 23), and the yellow hind coxa (Fig. 23).

Description. Female. Body length almost 3.2 mm. Fore wing length 2.25 mm.

Mandible with upper tooth slightly longer than lower tooth (Fig. 22). Clypeus 3.0× as broad as long, smooth and shining in lower part, dull and sparsely punctate on upper 0.3. Malar space as long as basal width of mandible. Flagellum of antenna with second flagellomere 2.2× and subapical flagellomeres 1.3× as long as broad (Fig. 21). Face, frons and vertex distinctly granulate, dull; vertex also finely punctate. Temple very indistinctly punctate, with very shallow granulation, weakly shining. Occipital carina mediodorsally invisible.

Mesosoma granulate, dull; mesopleuron centrally with very indistinct punctures. Foveate groove in anterior half of mesopleuron, strongly oblique, not reaching prepectal carina anteriorly. Propodeum with basal area indistinct, widened anteriorly, impressed, rugulose, 0.32× as long as apical area (Fig. 23). Apical area strongly impressed along midline (Fig. 23).

Fore wing with second recurrent vein distinct. Brachial cell posteriorly open (posterior abscissa of postnervulus absent) (Fig. 24). Hind wing with nervellus slanted almost 50° from horizontal. Legs moderately slender; hind femur 3.9× as long as broad.

First tergite 4.0× as long as posteriorly broad, its upper margin in lateral view straight in basal 2/3 and rounded posteriorly. Second tergite 2.5× as long as anteriorly broad. Ovipositor sheath about as long as first tergite.

Head black; clypeus yellow-brown in lower half, palpi and mandible (teeth reddish black) yellow to brownish yellow. Antenna with scape and pedicel brownish yellow, flagellum pale brown basally to dark brown apically (Fig. 21). Mesosoma dark brown to black. Tegula brownish. Pterostigma brown. Legs yellow to brownish yellow, hind femur brownish. First metasomal segment dark brown. Metasoma behind first tergite brown ventrally to dark brown dorsally.

Male. Unknown.

Etymology. From the Latin dictator (dictator).

Material examined. Holotype female (SAMC), South Africa, Kwazulu-Natal, Coleford Natural Reserve, 18.6 km 212° SW of Underberg, S 29°57.393′, E 29°27.155′, moist upland grassland on sandstone, Malaise trap, 2– 5.XII.2001, coll. R. van Noort, SAM-HYM-P0024905.

Distribution. South Africa (Kwazulu-Natal).