Laelius akares Barbosa & Azevedo 2009, sp. nov.
Creators: name: Barbosa, D. N.
name: Azevedo, C. O.
Publisher: name: Zenodo
Year: 2009
Subjects: Biodiversity
Taxonomy
Animalia
Arthropoda
Insecta
Hymenoptera
Bethylidae
Laelius
Laelius akares

description: Laelius akares Barbosa & Azevedo sp. nov.   
(Figs. 9–21)  
 Diagnosis of female. Mandible with five sharpened apical teeth, two lower wider than others. Clypeus with median lobe trapezoidal with apical margin truncate (Fig. 10). Propodeal disc with five carinae, median and inner discal carinae complete, second pair of discal carina incomplete, with longitudinal ridge between median and inner discal carinae, with longitudinal ridge between inner discal carina and second pair of discal carina (Fig. 11). Propodeal declivity with median carina. Stigma with one short and thick dorsal setae. Radial vein straight and 0.8x basal vein (Fig. 13).   
 Description of female. Holotype (Fig. 9). Body length 2.42 mm. LFW 1.39 mm.   
 Color. Palpi, trochanters, fore tibia and tarsi light castaneous; mandible, tegula, wing venation, mid femur, mid tibia and hind tibia castaneous; scape, pedicel, flagellum, coxae, fore femur, hind femur and metasoma dark castaneous; head and mesosoma dark castaneous nearly black; wings hyaline.   
 Head (Fig. 10). Mandible with five sharpened apical teeth, two lower ones wider than others, with two thick dorsal setae. Clypeus with median lobe trapezoidal apical margin truncate, longer than wide, with sharpened median teeth at apical margin. First five antennal segments in ratio of about 22:10:6:8:8. WH 1.0x LH. WF 1.11x HE. WF 0.56x WH. OOL 1.36x WOT. VOL 0.63x HE. Distance of posterior ocellus to vertex crest 1.6x DAO. Frons coriaceous, punctures sparse. Frontal angle of ocellar triangle right, ocelli small, ocellar triangle broad, distance between inner margin of posterior ocelli about 3.0x DAO. Temple divergent anterad. Vertex slightly convex, corner rounded, lateral setae long and strong.   
 Mesosoma. Pronotal disc coriaceous, trapezoidal, side slightly concave, punctures sparse, dorsal setae long and thick. Mesoscutum coriaceous, with long and thick setae between notaulus and parapsidal furrow. Notaulus conspicuous, incomplete, parallel. Parapsidal furrow shorter than notaulus, as conspicuous as notaulus, not reaching anterior margin of mesoscutum, parallel to each other. Scutellum coriaceous, with four pairs of thick setae. Propodeal disc 1.0x as long as wide, with five carinae; median carina complete; inner discal carinae complete; space between median and inner discal carinae with longitudinal ridge; second pair of discal carina incomplete; space between inner discal carina and second pair of discal carina with longitudinal ridge; sublateral carina absent; lateral carina present, followed by short striae; posterior carina complete (Fig. 11). Declivity of propodeum strigulate, median carina present. Mesopleuron with subtegular fovea; sub-alar fovea elongate and closed; anterior fovea opened; mesopleural fovea opened; lower fovea closed; posterior fovea closed; episternal furrow with inner margin not striate (Fig. 12).   
 Wings (Fig. 13). Tegula without setae. Subcostal vein in fore wing with eight dorsal setae; median vein with five; basal vein with two; anal vein with three and stigma with one dorsal setae. Radial vein straight, 0.81x as long as basal vein. Hind wing with three hamuli.   
 Metasoma. 2.04x longer than wide; tergum II as long as others; terga III–VI with transverse setae line on dorsal surface; metasoma with apex acute.   
 Diagnosis of male. Mandible with five sharpened apical teeth, two lower wider than others; with only one thick dorsal setae. Clypeus with median lobe trapezoidal with apical margin truncate (Fig. 15). Notaulus inconspicuous and straight. Parapsidal furrow shorter and narrower than notaulus. Propodeal disc with five carinae, median carina, inner discal carina and second pair of discal carina incomplete (Fig. 16). Propodeal declivity with median carina. Radial vein 1.22x longer than basal vein (Fig. 20).   
 Description of male. Allotype (Fig. 14). Body length 2.08 mm. LFW 1.31 mm.   
 Color. Pedicel, palpi, wing venation, trochanters, fore tibia, mid tibia and tarsi light castaneous; flagellum, tegula and hind tibia castaneous; scape, mandible, mid coxa, hind coxa and femora dark castaneous; head, mesosoma, fore coxa and metasoma dark castaneous nearly black; wings hyaline.   
 Head (Fig. 15). Mandible with five sharpened apical teeth, two lower wider than others, with one thick dorsal setae. Clypeus with median lobe trapezoidal apical margin truncate, longer than wide, with sharpened median teeth at apical margin. First five antennal segments in ratio of about 21:14:11:15:15. WH 0.91x LH. WF 1.45x HE. WF 0.78x WH. OOL 0.94x WOT. VOL 0.68x HE. Distance of posterior ocellus to vertex crest 1.0x DAO. Frons coriaceous, punctures sparse. Frontal angle of ocellar triangle obtuse, ocellus large, ocellar triangle compact, distance between inner margin of posterior ocelli about 3.0x DAO. Temple divergent anterad. Vertex slightly convex, corner rounded, lateral setae long and strong.   
 Mesosoma. Pronotal disc coriaceous, trapezoidal, side slightly concave, punctures sparse, dorsal setae long and thick. Mesoscutum coriaceous, with short and thick setae between notaulus and parapsidal furrow. Notaulus inconspicuous, incomplete, parallel. Parapsidal furrow shorter than notaulus, more conspicuous than notaulus, not reaching anterior margin of mesoscutum, parallel each other. Scutellum coriaceous, with four pairs of thick setae. Propodeal disc 1.13x as long as wide, with five carinae; median carina complete; inner discal carinae complete; space between median and inner discal carinae with ridge; second pair of discal carina complete; space between inner discal carina and second pair of discal carina with ridge; sublateral carina absent; lateral carina present, followed by short striae; posterior carina complete (Fig. 16). Declivity of propodeum strigulate, median carina present. Mesopleuron with subtegular fovea; sub-alar fovea elongate and closed; anterior fovea closed; mesopleural fovea opened; lower fovea opened; posterior fovea opened; episternal furrow with inner margin striate (Fig. 18).   
 Wings (Fig. 20). Tegula without setae. Subcostal vein in fore wing with ten dorsal setae; median vein with five; basal vein with two; anal vein with three and stigma with two dorsal setae. Radial vein slightly curved forward, 1.5x as long as basal vein. Hind wing with three hamuli.   
 Metasoma. 1.87x longer than wide; tergum II longer than others; terga III–VI with transverse setae line on dorsal surface; metasoma with apex acute.   
 Genitalia (Fig. 21-A). Aedeagus dorsal profile bottle-shaped; constriction between basal and apical region present; apical lobe separate.   
 Material examined. Females (35): Holotype. MADAGASCAR, Toliara Prov [ince], Sept Lacs, elev[ation] 80m, 23° 31' 42" S, 44° 9' 20" E, 8.III.2002, Calif [ornia] Acad [emy] of Sciences,: Frontier Project col., gallery forest, leaf litter extraction, MGF020, CASENT 2083216, CASC. Paratypes. MADAGASCAR, Antsiranana, 1 female, Rés [erve] Analamerana, 16.7 km, 123° Anivorano-Nord el[evation] 225 m, 3.XII.2004, 12° 48' 17" S, 49° 22' 26" E, California Acad [emy] of Sciences, B. L. Fisher col., Malaise trap, tropical dry forest, BLF11276[code], CASENT 2104201, CASC; Mahajanga Province, 2 female, Parc National de Baie de Baly, 12.4 km 337° NNW Soalala, elev[ation] 10m, 26–30.XI.2002, 16° 00' 36" S, 45° 15' 54" E, Fisher, Griswold et al. col., California Acad [emy] of Sciences, sifted litter - in tropical dry forest, BLF6812, CASENT 2111435 & CASENT 2111450, CASC; 1 female, Mahavavy River, 6.2 km 145° SE Mitsinjo, elev[ation] 20m, 1–5.XII.2002, 16° 03' 06 "S, 45° 54' 30" E, Fisher, Griswold et al. col., California Acad [emy] of Sciences, pitfall trap - in gallery forest, BLF6929[code], CASENT 2104181, CASC; 2 female, Mahavavy River, 6.2 km 145° SE Mitsinjo, elev[ation] 20m, 1–5.XII.2002, 16° 03' 06 "S, 45° 54' 30" E, Fisher, Griswold et al. col., California Acad [emy] of Sciences, sifted litter (leaf mold, rotten wood) - in gallery forest, BLF6932, CASENT 2104572 & CASENT 2104472, CASC; 1 female, Parc National de Namoroka, 17.8 km 329° WNW Vilanandro, elev[ation] 100m, 8–12.XI.2002, 16° 22' 36" S, 45° 19' 36" E, Fisher, Griswold et al. col., California Acad [emy] of Sciences, pitfall trap -in tropical dry forest, BLF6506, CASENT 2111665, CASC; 2 females, Parc National de Namoroka, 9.8 km 300° WNW Vilanandro, 4–8.XI.2002, 16° 28' 00" S, 45° 21' 00" E, Fisher, Griswold et al. col., California Acad of Sciences, sifted litter - tropical dry forest, elev[ation] 140m, BLF6446, CASENT 2104368 & CASENT 2104537, CASC; 1 female, Forêt de Tsimembo, 8.7 km 336° NNW Soatana, elev[ation] 20m, 21–25.XI.2001, 19° 1' 17" S, 44° 26' 26" E, Fisher, Griswold et al. col., California Acad [emy] of Sciences, Malaise trap in tropical dry forest, BLF4507[code], CASENT 2111583, CASC; 1 female, Parc National Tsingy de Bemaraha, 3.4 km 93° E, Bekopaka, Tombeau Vazimba, Elev [ation] 50m, 6–10.XI.2001, 19° 8' 31" S, 44° 49' 41" E, Fisher, Griswold et al. col., California Acad [emy] of Sciences, sifted litter, tropical dry forest, BLF4232[code], CASENT 2085676, CASC; Toliara Prov [ince], 1 female, Forêt de Kirindy, 15.5 km 64° ENE Marofandilia, elev[ation] 100m, 28.XI–3.XII.2001, 20° 2' 42" S, 44° 39' 44" E, Fisher, Griswold et al. col., California Acad [emy] of Sciences, Malaise trap - in tropical dry forest, BLF4601, CASENT 2112536, CASC; 1 female, Parc National de Kirindy Mite, 16.3 km 127° SE Belo sur Mer, elev[ation] 80m, 6–10.XII.2001, 20° 47' 43" S, 44° 8' 49" E, Fisher, Griswold et al. col., California Acad [emy] of Sciences, pitfall trap, tropical dry forest, BLF4725, CASENT 2089977, CASC; 7 females, Parc National de Kirindy Mite, 16.3 km 127° SE Belo sur Mer, elev[ation] 80m, 6–10.XII.2001, 20° 47' 43" S, 44° 8' 49" E, Fisher, Griswold et al. col., California Acad [emy] of Sciences, sifted litter (leaf mold, rotten wood) - in tropical dry forest, BLF4726, CASENT 2111608, CASENT 2111614, CASENT 2111622, CASENT 2111624 CASENT 2111606, CASENT 2111615 & CASENT 2111627, CASC; 1 female, Forêt de Tsinjoriaky 6.2 km 84° E Tsifota, elev[ation] 70m, 6–10.III.2002, 22° 48' 8" S 43° 25' 14" E, Fisher, Griswold et al. col., Calif [ornia] Acad [emy] of Sciences general collecting - spiny forest thicket, BLF5965, CASENT 2062883, CASC; 1 female, Lake Ranobe, el[evation] 30m, 23° 02' 23" S, 43° 36' 39" E, 17–21.II.2003, California Acad [emy] of Sciences, Frontier Wilderness Project col., sifted litter (leaf mold rotten wood) in spiny forest thicket, MGF061, CASENT 2103803, CASC; 1 female, Lake Ranobe, el[evation] 30m, 23° 02' 21" S, 43° 36' 42" E, 25–28.IV.2003, California Acad [emy] of Sciences, Frontier Wilderness Project col., sifted litter (leaf mold rotten wood) in spiny forest thicket, MGF064, CASENT 2111050, CASC; 1 female, Fiherenana, el[evation] 100m, 23° 10' 37" S, 43° 57' 39" E, 21–24.X.2002, California Acad [emy] of Sciences, Frontier Wilderness Project col., sifted litter (leaf mold, rotten wood), gallery forest, MGF040, CASENT 2083247, CASC; 1 female, Fiherenana, el[evation] 100m, 23° 10' 37" S, 43° 57' 39" E, 22–31.X.2002, California Acad [emy] of Sciences, Frontier Wilderness Project col., Malaise trap in gallery forest, MGF042, CASENT 2088093, CASC; 1 female, Manderano, elev[ation] 70m, 23° 31' 39" S 44° 5' 18" E, 23. VI –28.VII.2002, California Acad [emy] of Sciences Frontier Wilderness Project col., Malaise trap, edge of marsh, 5 m from road, gallery forest, MGF035, CASENT 2078928, CASC; 1 female, Sept Lacs, elev[ation] 120m. 23° 31' 15" S, 44° 9' 35" E, 21–26.VIII.2002, California Acad [emy] of Sciences, Frontier Wilderness Project col., Malaise trap, gallery forest, MGF038, CASENT 2083443, CASC; 1 female, Forêt de Mahavelo, Isantoria River, elev[ation] 110m, 24° 45' 30" S, 46° 9' 26" E, 28.I–1.II.2002, Fisher, Griswold et al. col., Calif [ornia] Acad [emy] of Sciences sifted litter (leaf mold, rotten wood) - spiny forest thicket, BLF5238, CASENT 2062593, CASC; 1 female, Parc Nat. d'Andohahela, Forêt d'Ambohibory, 1.7 km 61° ENE Tsimelahy, 36.1 km 308° NW Tolagnaro, 16–20.I.2002, 24° 55' 48" S, 46° 38' 44" E, Fisher, Griswold et al. col., California Acad [emy] of Sciences, sifted litter - tropical dry forest, elev[ation] 300m, BLF4984, CASENT 2111576, CASC; Province Fianarantsoa, 1 female, near Isalo, National Park, in dry wash east of Interpretive Center, 6–14.XII.2002, 22° 37.60’ S, 45° 21.49’ E, M. Irwin, R. Harin'Hala col., California Acad [emy] of Sciences, Malaise trap in open area, elev[ation] 885 m, MA-02-11B-49, CASENT 2113208, CASC; Fianarantsoa Province, 1 female, Parc National d'Isalo 9.1 km 354° N Ranohira, elev[ation] 725m, 27–31.I.2003, 22° 28' 54" S, 45° 27' 42" E, Fisher, Griswold et al. col., California Acad [emy] of Sciences, pitfall trap in gallery forest, BLF7306, CASENT 2088033, CASC; Tulear Province, 1 female, Mikea Forest, NW of Manombo, el[evation] 30 m, 17–28.I.2002, 22° 54.22’ S, 43° 28.53’ E, M. Irwin, R. Harin'Hala col., California Acad [emy] of Sciences, Malaise trap - in deciduous dry forest, MA-02-18A-11, CASENT 2113655, CASC; Tulear Province, 1 female, Andohahela Nat’l Park, Tsimelahy, Parcelle II, 24° 56.21’ S, 46° 37.60’ E, 22–29. VI.2003, California Acad [emy] of Sciences, M. Irwin, F. Parker, R. Harin’Hala col., el[evation] 180 m, Malaise trap in transitional forest, MA-02-20-30, CASENT 2112097, CASC; 2 females, Berenty Special Reserve, elev[ation] 85 m, 8 km NW Amboasary, 26.I–5.II.2003, 25° 00.40’ S, 46° 18.20’ E, California Acad [emy] of Sciences, M. Irwin, F. Parker, R. Harin’Hala col., Malaise trap, gallery forest, MA-02-22-14, CASENT 2112858 & CASENT 2112869, CASC. Males (109): MADAGASCAR, Mahajanga Province, 3 males, Forét Ambohimanga, 26.1 km, 314° Mampikony, elev[ation] 250 m, 13.XII.2004, 15° 57 '46" S, 47° 26' 17" E, California Acad [emy] of Sciences,. B. L. Fisher col., Malaise trap, tropical dry forest, BLF11670[code], CASENT 2103832, CASENT 2103969 & CASENT 2103736, CASC; 20 males, Mahavavy River, 6.2 km 145° SE Mitsinjo, elev[ation] 20m, 1–5.XII.2002, 16° 03' 06 "S, 45° 54' 30" E, Fisher, Griswold et al. col., California Acad [emy] of Sciences, Malaise trap in gallery forest, BLF6930[code], CASENT 2083517, CASENT 2083533, CASENT 2083534, CASENT 2083535, CASENT 2083536, CASENT 2083542, CASENT 2083546, CASENT 2083547, CASENT 2083500, CASENT 2083503, CASENT 2083505, CASENT 2083512, CASENT 2083513, CASENT 2083515, CASENT 2083532, CASENT 2083541, CASENT 2083545, CASENT 2083531, CASENT 2083502 & CASENT 2083537, CASC; 5 males, Parc National de Namoroka, 17.8 km 329° WNW Vilanandro, elev[ation] 100m, 8–12.XI.2002, 16° 22' 36" S 45° 19' 36" E, Fisher, Griswold et al. col., California Acad [emy] of Sciences Malaise trap, tropical dry forest, BLF6508[code], CASENT 2062538, CASENT 2062515, CASENT 2062575, CASENT 2062557 & CASENT 2062539, CASC; 3 male, Parc National de Namoroka, 16.9 km 317° NW Vilanandro elev[ation] 100m, 12–16.XI.2002, 16° 24' 24" S 45° 18' 36" E, Fisher, Griswold et al. col., California Acad [emy] of Sciences Malaise trap- tropical dry forest, BLF6581[code], CASENT 2103364, CASENT 2103237 & CASENT 2103659, CASC; Mahajanga, 1 male, Forét Ambohimanga, 26.1 km, 314° Mampikony, elev[ation] 250 m, 13.XII.2004, 15° 57 '46" S, 47° 26' 17" E, California Acad [emy] of Sciences, B. L.Fisher col., Malaise trap, tropical dry forest, BLF11670[code], CASENT 2103926, CASC; Majunga, 5 male, Ampijoroa National Park 160 km N of Maevatanana on RN 04 elev[ation] 43 m, 17–24.VIII.2003, 16° 19.16’ S 46° 48.80’ E, California Acad [emy] of Sciences M. Irwin, R. Harin'Hala col., Malaise trap - in deciduous forest, MA-25-11[code], CASENT 2112303, CASENT 2112235, CASENT 2103278, CASENT 2111828 & CASENT 2103639, CASC; 4 male, Ampijoroa National Park 160 km N of Maevatanana on RN 04 elev[ation] 43 m, 24–31.VIII.2003, 16° 19.16’ S 46° 48.80’ E, California Acad [emy] of Sciences, M. Irwin, R. Harin'Hala col., Malaise trap - in deciduous forest, MA-25-12[code], CASENT 2113760, CASENT 2111026, CASENT 2113098 & CASENT 2111038, CASC; 6 males, Ampijoroa National Park, 160 km N of Maevatanana on RN 04, elev[ation] 43 m, 7–14.IX.2003, 16° 19.16’ S, 46° 48.80’ E, California Acad [emy] of Sciences, M. Irwin, R. Harin'Hala col., Malaise trap - in deciduous forest, MA-25-14[code], CASENT 2113238, CASENT 2113284, CASENT 2113760, CASENT 2113106, CASENT 2113140 & CASENT 2113058, CASC; 5 males, Ampijoroa National Park, 160 km N of Maevatanana on RN 04, elev[ation] 43 m, 14–22.IX.2003, 16° 19.16’ S, 46° 48.80’ E, California Acad [emy] of Sciences, M. Irwin, R. Harin'Hala col., Malaise trap - in deciduous forest, MA-25-15[code], CASENT 2111720, CASENT 2112225, CASENT 2111726, CASENT 2111960 & CASENT 2112118 CASC; 8 males, Ampijoroa National Park, 160 km N of Maevatanana on RN 04, elev[ation] 43 m, 22–28.IX.2003, 16° 19.16’ S, 46° 48.80’ E, California Acad [emy] of Sciences, M. Irwin, R. Harin'Hala col., Malaise trap - in deciduous forest, MA-25-16[code], CASENT 2104514, CASENT 2104439, CASENT 2104944, CASENT 2104371, CASENT 2104992 CASENT 2104619, CASENT 2104529 & CASENT 2104445, CASC; 14 male, Ampijoroa National Park 160 km N of Maevatanana on RN 04 elev[ation] 43 m, 28.IX.– 5.X.2003, 16° 19.16’ S 46° 48.80’ E, California Acad [emy] of Sciences M. Irwin, R. Harin'Hala col., Malaise trap - in deciduous forest, MA-25-17[code], CASENT 2104120, CASENT 2103759, CASENT 2104119, CASENT 2103807, CASENT 2103755, CASENT 2104071, CASENT 2104075, CASENT 2104124, CASENT 2103853, CASENT 2104274, CASENT 2104271, CASENT 2104069, CASENT 210412 & CASENT 2104174, CASC; 5 males, Ampijoroa National Park, 160 km N of Maevatanana on RN 04, elev[ation] 43 m, 28.IX–5.X.2003, 16° 19.16’ S, 46° 48.80’ E, California Acad [emy] of Sciences, M. Irwin, R. Harin'Hala col., Malaise trap - in deciduous forest, MA-25-17[code], CASENT 2104274, CASENT 2104271, CASENT 2104069, CASENT 210412 & CASENT 2104174, CASC; 3 males, Ampijoroa National Park, 160 km N of Maevatanana on RN 04, elev[ation] 43 m, 12–19.X.2003, 16° 19.16’ S, 46° 48.80’ E, California Acad [emy] of Sciences, M. Irwin, R. Harin'Hala col., Malaise trap - in deciduous forest, MA-25-19[code], CASENT 2112167, CASENT 2112190 & CASENT 2111987, CASC; 1 male, Ampijoroa National Park, 160 km N of Maevatanana on RN 04, elev[ation] 43 m, 19–26.X.2003, 16° 19.16’ S, 46° 48.80’ E, California Acad [emy] of Sciences, M. Irwin, R. Harin'Hala col., Malaise trap - in deciduous forest, MA-25-20[code], CASENT 2104294, CASC; 1 male, Ampijoroa National Park 160 km N of Maevatanana on RN 04 elev[ation] 43 m, 9–20.XI.2003, 16° 19.16’ S, 46° 48.80’ E, California Acad [emy] of Sciences M. Irwin, R. Harin'Hala col., Malaise trap - in deciduous forest, MA-25-23, CASENT 2116537, CASC; 1 male, Ampijoroa National Park, 160 km N of Maevatanana on RN 04, elev[ation] 43 m, 8–17.XII.2003, 16° 19.16’ S, 46° 48.80’ E, California Acad [emy] of Sciences, M. Irwin, R. Harin'Hala col., Malaise trap - in deciduous forest, MA-25-26[code], CASENT 2104949 & CASENT 2104488, CASC; Toliara Prov [ince], 2 males, Forêt de Kirindy, 15.5 km 64°, ENE Marofandilia, elev[ation] 100m, 28.XI–3.XII.2001, 20° 2' 42" S, 44° 39' 44" E, Fisher, Griswold et al. col., California Acad [emy] of Sciences, Malaise trap - in tropical dry forest, BLF4601[code], CASENT 2089915 & CASENT 2112516, CASC; 1 male, Parc National de Kirindy Mite, 16.3 km 127° SE Belo sur Mer elev[ation] 80m, 6–10.XII.2001, 20° 47' 43" S 44° 8' 49" E, Fisher, Griswold et al. col., California Acad [emy] of Sciences Malaise trap - in tropical dry forest, BLF4730[code], CASENT 2111394, CASC; 1 male, Fiherenana, el[evation] 100m, 23° 10' 37" S, 43° 57' 39" E, 22–28.X.2002, California Acad [emy] of Sciences, Frontier Wilderness Project col., Malaise trap in gallery forest, MGF041 [code], CASENT 2083387, CASC; Province Fianarantsoa, 1 male, near Isalo National Park, in dry wash, east of Interpretive Center, 7–15.IV.2002, 22° 37.60’ S, 45° 21.49’ E, M. Irwin, R. Harin'Hala col., California Acad [emy] of Sciences, Malaise trap in open area, elev[ation] 885 m, MA-02-11B-23[code], CASENT 2112104, CASC; Toliara Prov [ince], 5 male, Forêt de Kirindy, 15.5 km 64° ENE Marofandilia, elev[ation] 100m, 28.XI.– 3.XII.2001, 20° 2' 42" S 44° 39' 44" E, Fisher, Griswold et al. col., California Acad [emy] of Sciences Malaise trap - in tropical dry forest, BLF4601[code], CASENT 2089896, CASENT 2089901, CASENT 2112560, CASENT 2089880 & CASENT 2089887, CASC; 1 male, Prov [ince] Fiherenana, el[evation] 100m, 23° 10' 37" S 43° 57' 39" E, 22–28.X.2002, California Acad [emy] of Sciences Frontier Wilderness Project col., Malaise trap in gallery forest, MGF041 [code], CASENT 2083401 CASC; 1 male, Fiherenana, elev[ation] 50m, 23° 13' 17" S, 43° 52' 52" E, 17.XI.2002, California Acad [emy] of Sciences, Frontier Wilderness Project col., sifted litter (leaf mold, rotten wood), gallery forest, MGF046 [code], CASENT 2111280, CASC; 1 male, Fiherenana, elev[ation] 50m, 23° 14' 07" S, 43° 52' 15" E, 16.X.–16.XI.2002, California Acad [emy] of Sciences, Frontier Wilderness Project col., Malaise trap in degraded gallery forest, MGF047 [code], CASENT 2089474, CASC; 1 male, Manderano, elev[ation] 70m, 23° 31' 39" S 44° 5' 18" E, 23. VI.– 27.VII.2002, California Acad [emy] of Sciences Frontier Wilderness Project col., Malaise trap, edge of marsh, 5 m from road, gallery forest, MGF036 [code], CASENT 2083433, CASC; 1 male, Parc National d'Andohahela, Forêt de Manantalinjo 33.6 km 63° ENE Amboasary, 7.6 km 99° E Hazofotsy, 12–16.I.2002, 24° 49' 1" S, 46° 36' 36" E, Fisher, Griswold et al. col., California Acad [emy] of Sciences, Malaise trap in spiny forest thicket, elev[ation] 150m, BLF4811[code], CASENT 2112440, CASC; 1 male, Parc Nat [ional] d'Andohahela, Forêt d'Ambohibory, 1.7 km 61° ENE Tsimelahy, 36.1 km 308° NW Tolagnaro, 16–20.I.2002, 24° 55' 48" S 46° 38' 44" E, Fisher, Griswold et al. col., California Acad [emy] of Sciences sifted litter - in tropical dry forest, elev[ation] 300m, BLF4916[code], CASENT 2111357, CASC; Tulear Province, 1 male, Beza Mahafaly Reserve, Parcelle I near research station, 25.XII.2001 – 2.I.2002, 23° 41.19’ S, 44° 35.46’ E, California Acad [emy] of Sciences, R. Harin’Hala col., Malaise trap in dry deciduous forest, elev[ation] 165 m, MA-02-14A-08[code], CASENT 2078891, CASC; 1 male, Andohahela Nat’l Park, Ihazofotsy Parcelle III, 24° 49.85’ S, 46° 32.17’ E, 21–29. VI.2003, California Acad [emy] of Sciences, M. Irwin, F. Parker, R. Harin’Hala col., elev[ation] 80 m, Malaise trap - in dry spiny forest, MA-02-21-23[code], CASENT 2113500, CASC; 2 male, Andohahela Nat’l Park, Tsimelahy, Parcelle II, 24° 56.21’ S, 46° 37.60’ E, 12–23.II.2004, California Acad [emy] of Sciences, M. Irwin, F. Parker, R. Harin’Hala col., el[evation] 180 m, Malaise trap in transitional forest, MA-02-20- 54[code], CASENT 2112252 & CASENT 2111701, CASC; 1 male, Berenty Special Reserve, elev[ation] 85 m, 8 km NW Amboasary, 30.XI–7.XII.2002, 25° 00.40’ S, 46° 18.20’ E, California Acad [emy] of Sciences, M. Irwin, F. Parker, R. Harin’Hala col., Malaise trap gallery forest, MA-02-22-07[code], CASENT 2103185, CASC; 2 male, Berenty Special Reserve, elev[ation] 85 m, 8 km NW Amboasary, 26.I.– 5.II.2003, 25° 00.40’ S 46° 18.20’ E, California Acad [emy] of Sciences M. Irwin, F. Parker, R. Harin’Hala col. Malaise trap gallery forest, MA-02-22-14[code], CASENT 2112896 & CASENT 2112814, CASC; 1 male, Berenty Special Reserve, elev[ation] 85 m, 8 km NW Amboasary, 15–25.II.2003, 25° 00.40’ S 46° 18.20’ E, California Acad [emy] of Sciences M. Irwin, F. Parker, R. Harin’Hala col., Malaise trap gallery forest, MA-02-22- 16[code], CASENT 2113145, CASC; 1 male, Berenty Special Reserve, elev[ation] 85 m, 8 km NW Amboasary, 7–17.III.2003, 25° 00.40’ S 46° 18.20’ E, California Acad [emy] of Sciences M. Irwin, F. Parker, R. Harin’Hala col., Malaise trap gallery forest, MA-02-22-18[code], CASENT 2116948, CASC.   
 Distribution. Madagascar.   
 Etymology. The specific epithet akares, from Greek, refers to the short length of radial vein in the fore wing.   
 Variation. Female: body length 2.39–2.42 mm; LFW 1.38–1.40 mm; clypeus with apical margin slightly angulate, apical vertex slightly rounded, and median carina slightly broader than others in dorsal view; length of notaulus much shorter than holotype; mesopleuron with ridge weakly marked between lower and posterior fovea, pit of mesopleural fovea slightly smaller than holotype. Male: body length 2.07–2.10 mm; LFW 1.29–1.31 mm; clypeus with trapezoidal and subtrapezoidal shapes, apical margin slightly angulate, apical vertex slightly rounded; length of notaulus much shorter than holotype; propodeal disc with median carina incomplete, or without longitudinal ridge between median carina and inner discal carina, or without longitudinal ridge between inner discal carina and second pair of discal carina (Fig. 17); mesopleuron with anterior fovea opened; episternal furrow with inner margin not striate (Fig. 19); fore wing with median vein with four setae, radial vein 1.50–1.53x as long as basal vein; genitalia with aedeagus slightly constricted between basal and apical region, apical lobe narrow, touching each other and with apex rounded (Fig. 21-B), apical lobe touching each other with inner side of apex straight (Fig. 21-C), apex of apical lobe rounded, slightly constriction on basal region (Fig. 21-D).   
 Remarks. After we compared this species with all other species of Laelius, we concluded that this species is similar to L. yokohamensis Terayama Japan and L. femoralis Forster from Germany by having the eyes large, the propodeal disc with five carinae, the median and inner discal carina complete, the presence of longitudinal ridge between median and inner discal carinae and the presence of longitudinal ridge between inner and second pair of discal carinae. These are the only species that have these characters. However, L. akares has the ocellar triangle with right frontal angle, the sublateral carinae absent and the posterior margin of stigma truncate, whereas L. yokohamensis and L. femoralis have the ocellar triangle with obtuse frontal angle, the sublateral carinae present and the posterior margin of stigma convex.   
 This species is also similar to the widespread L. pedatus Say by having the posterior margin of stigma truncate. However, L. akares has the eyes large and the longitudinal ridges on propodeal disc, whereas L. pedatus has the eyes small and the longitudinal ridges on propodeal disc are absent.
description: Published as part of Barbosa, D. N. & Azevedo, C. O., 2009, Laelius Ashmead (Hymenoptera, Bethylidae) from Madagascar, with description of two new species, pp. 1-14 in Zootaxa 2170 (1) on pages 5-13, DOI: 10.11646/zootaxa.2170.1.1, http://zenodo.org/record/5323114