Prorops maya Honsberger, Lorenzo-Elarco & Magnacca 2024, sp. nov.
Creators: name: Honsberger, David N.
name: Magnacca, Karl N.
name: Lorenzo-Elarco, J. Hau'oli
name: Wright, Mark G.
Publisher: name: Zenodo
Year: 2024
Subjects: Biodiversity
Taxonomy
Animalia
Arthropoda
Insecta
Hymenoptera
Bethylidae
Prorops
Prorops maya

description: Prorops maya Honsberger, Lorenzo-Elarco & Magnacca sp. nov.
Figs 2, 3
Diagnosis.
Females can be distinguished from other described Prorops spp. by the dark colored head and metasoma contrasting with the orange mesosoma; snout apically bifid and with mesal sulcus; head including snout approximately 1.1 times as long as wide; fore wing with vein 2 r-rs + Rs distinct; metapectal-propodeal disc longer than wide in dorsal view, and with lateral carina. Males can be distinguished by the same set of characters except the coloration which is less pronounced than in the females, the head and metasoma brown and the mesosoma lighter yellow-brown.
Differential diagnosis.
Prorops maya females and males can be differentiated from the other species known from Hawai‘i, Prorops umiehu sp. nov., by the fore wing with vein 2 r-rs + Rs distinct (fore wing with 2 r-rs + Rs absent in P. umiehu); female head only slightly longer than wide (head substantially longer than wide in females of P. umiehu); metanotum continuous posterior to mesoscutellum in dorsal view (mesoscutellum covers metanotum medially in P. umiehu); mandible more narrow and bidentate (mandible wider and tridentate in P. umiehu); clypeus with dorsal and ventral margins more acutely rounded (clypeus dorsal margin more broadly rounded and ventral margin less curved in P. umiehu); metapectal-propodeal complex with lateral marginal carina (lateral marginal carina weaker or absent in P. umiehu); females by the more distinct coloration, with the mesosoma orange and the head and metasoma dark brown (head and mesosoma of similar reddish-brown color, sometimes mesosoma lighter but only slightly, in P. umiehu females).
Female (Figs 2 a – d, 3). Length range: 1.10–1.23 mm (n = 6), Holotype 1.23 mm
Head (Figs 2 b, c, 3 c, e). Frons, gena, vertex, and occiput dark brown and shiny with sparse setae. Very anterior of head, including snout, basal antennomeres, mandible, clypeus, and mouthparts lighter in color, often orange, of similar color to mesosoma. Frons and gena with lightly reticulate texture, density of reticulations increasing towards snout, snout itself with bumpy texture. Compound eye with short, sparse setae between ommatidia. Vertex incurved. Head with sides more or less parallel and only slightly outcurved, eye projecting slightly so widest part of head is across eyes. Snout bifid apically, but indistinctly in face view, ending in two lobes apically curved dorsally to form two small teeth; with dorsal median groove extending from where lobes meet to even with anterior of compound eye, sometimes continuing more weakly to approximately even with middle of eye. Torulus located ventral to lateral margins of snout at approximately half its length, visible in dorsal view. Clypeus in anterior view extending laterally past torulus, tapers laterad; medially with dorsal margin somewhat acutely arched against snout and torulus, ventral margin strongly incurved; overall appearing as handlebar mustache turned dorsad at its lateral corners. Antenna with scape curved ventrally and widened apically, its apical surface forming cavity. Pedicel slightly rounded subquadrate, with somewhat nodose basal section connected to dorsal portion of cavity at apex of scape. Ten flagellomeres, 1 st smallest and cone shaped, 2 nd through 9 th shaped like apically truncated spheres, and similar in size, shape, and structure. Terminal flagellomere ovate. Setae of similar length and density on all flagellomeres, less dense on scape and pedicel. Antenna yellow-orange to orange at least basally, apical flagellomeres darker. Mandible with two apical teeth; ventral tooth longer, two thick setae on mandible just dorsad of teeth. Anterior region of head, including snout, clypeus, and mandible, distinctly more densely setose than rest of head. Morphometrics (range, n = 3 for all measurements): LH: WH = 1.06–1.11; LH: LE = 2.65–2.78; LH: VOL = 2.51–2.58; LHBE: LHAE = 0.29–0.34; VOL: LE = 1.05–1.08; WF: LE = 1.60–1.70; LE: BEM = 5.70–7.42; WOT: OOL = 0.46–0.50; POL: AOL = 1.13–1.28; AOT = 70 ° – 75 °; LH \ S: WH = 0.89–0.93. Antennal ratio approximately Scape: Pedicel: F 1: F 2: F 3: F 4: F 5: F 6: F 7: F 8: F 9: F 10 = 3.3: 2.1: 1.0: 1.3: 1.3: 1.4: 1.4: 1.5: 1.6: 1.6: 1.6: 2.4.
Mesosoma (Figs 2 a, d, 3 d). Mesosoma bright orange, contrasting with brown head and metasoma. Pronotum shiny and with light reticulate texture posterior to pronotal flange; pronotal flange conspicuous, shiny with faintly coriaceous texture; other thoracic nota and metapectal-propodeal complex smooth and shiny with only very light reticulate texture, difficult to see except under high magnification and with the right lighting, anteromesoscutum and posterior region of metapectal-propodeal disc especially smooth and glassy. Pronotum with sparse setae, longer setae at posterior margin. Anteromesoscutum with scattered short mesal pointing setae; mesoscutellum with pair of short setae on its lateral margin approximately even with posterior margin of axillae, another pair of longer mesally pointing setae at its posterior; axillae with sparse, short setae; tegula with few setae, denser than on surrounding sclerites; metanotum with pair of setae near its posterior margin, approximately in line with lateral margin of mesoscutellum; metapectal-propodeal disc without setae, declivity with few setae just mesal of lateral carina. Transscutal suture such that posterior margin of anteromesoscutum is slightly outcurved. Anterior boundary of anteromesoscutum somewhat visible under translucent pronotum. Mesosoma relatively flat along dorsomedian line. Notaulus somewhat visible as dark streak but does not manifest on cuticle surface. Parapsidal signum present but very light. Metanotum continuous and visible posterior to mesoscutellum, thin and slightly elevated medially, wider laterally. Length of mesoscutellum approximately 2.5 times length of metanotum on medial line. Mesopleuron projects from side of mesosoma, flattened subcylindrical in shape, though tapering slightly near connection with mesocoxa, and with few setae only on its ventral side. Mesopleural pit somewhat centrally located. Metapectal-propodeal disc approximately 1.2 times as long as wide; flat medially, vaguely outcurved towards lateral edges mesal of lateral marginal carina; lateral marginal carina often distinct but somewhat weak in some individuals, becoming less distinct on declivity before reaching petiole; shape of declivity subtriangular when viewed perpendicular to its surface. Lateral surface of metapectal-propodeal complex flat or slightly convex, inclined past vertical.
Legs (Fig. 3 f – h). Legs of similar color to rest of mesosoma, sometimes a bit lighter. All tibiae with scythe shaped apical spur with comb-like setae on inner edge. Mesotibia with apical spines more numerous and stronger than in pro- and metatibiae, and with additional row of strong spines over its length on side opposite tibial spur; pro- and metatibia lacking this row of spines. First tarsomere longest in each leg, most notably so in pro- and metalegs where it is only slightly shorter than 2 nd through 4 th tarsomeres combined. 2 nd through 4 th tarsomeres subequal in length in proleg, sequentially decrease in length in meso- and metaleg. Length of 5 th tarsomere not including claw subequal to combined length of 2 nd and 3 rd tarsomeres in proleg, and subequal to 2 nd segment alone in meso- and metalegs.
Fore wing (Fig. 3 a). Sc + R vein, prestigmal abcissa of radial 1, pterostigma, and 2 r-rs + Rs vein strong. Rs + M, M + Cu, and A veins lightly indicated. Sc + R vein with three setae. 2 r-rs + Rs vein extending from pterostigma to approximately 0.7 × full length of wing. Prestigmal abcissa of radial 1 inset from wing margin, pterostigma borders margin. Prestigmal flexion line present as hyaline stripe separating prestigmal abcissa of radial 1 and pterostigma; thickness of hyaline stripe and shape of prestigmal abcissa of radial 1 and pterostigma somewhat variable among individuals, though prestigmal abcissa of radial 1 usually longer than pterostigma and neither wider than approximately twice width of basal part of 2 r-rs + Rs vein. Wing membrane subhyaline, with the following additional flexion lines visible as hyaline stripes. Cubital flexion line emerges just posterior to where indications of M + Cu and A veins meet, bounded by small setae and pointing towards middle of retinaculum, fading before reaching wing margin. Longer, somewhat wavy median flexion line emerges just posterior of prestigmal abcissa of radial 1, generally pointing apicad of trailing edge of wing and reaching approximately even with end of 2 r-rs + Rs vein, also marked by trail of short setae. Wing membrane posterior and basal to median flexion line with few setae other than those bounding cubital flexion line and indications of Rs + M, M + Cu, and A veins in basal region of wing. Small hyaline spot projects into wing membrane on its posterior margin just apical of retinaculum. Marginal setae present from prestigmal abcissa of radial 1 around to apex of retinaculum. Hind wing (Fig. 3 b). Wing membrane subhyaline with short setae of approximately equal length and density over its surface. Marginal setae short on leading edge, longest around apical margin and on apical half of trailing edge where their length is about half maximum width of wing, gradually decreasing basad towards basal trailing margin. Leading edge with slight projection culminating in dark spot with three hamuli at about half wing length.
Metasoma (Figs 2 a, d, 3 d). Petiole and metasoma dark brown to black, in distinct contrast with orange mesosoma. First tergite constricted anteriorly to form distinct petiole, segment as a whole somewhat wider than long; constricted petiolar region of subequal length and width, with fine bumpy texture and shallow median dorsal groove extending its length. Remainder of metasoma shiny dark brown to black with smooth texture and sparse setae over most of its length. Very few setae present dorsally in anterior half; setae steadily increase in density in posterior third both dorsally and laterally, ring of setae present at apex of metasoma where sting emerges. In dorsal view, petiole and 2 nd metasomal segment subequal in length on median line, 3 rd and 4 th also subequal but shorter than 1 st and 2 nd. Metasoma widest near posterior margin of 4 th segment. Sting often visible projecting slightly from apex of abdomen in dried or alcohol preserved specimens.
Male (Fig. 2 e – h). Length range: 0.75–0.97 mm (n = 2), Allotype 0.97 mm. As in female but with the following differences. Coloration dull, head and metasoma brown, mesosoma yellowish brown. 2 nd through 9 th antennal flagellomeres of more cylindrical shape, longer than wide, and antenna overall longer than in female relative to body size. Morphometrics of head similar to that of female, but with eye larger and more bulging relative to face than female; exact ratios could not be obtained because faces of the two known specimens were somewhat collapsed. Genitalia: See Fig. 3 i. Small relative to body size. Genital capsule narrow, gonostipites and harpes combined about twice as long as wide; harpe elongate, about 2 / 3 as long as gonostipes, broadly rounded distally. Penis valvae much shorter than volsella, mostly concealed in ventral view.
Materials examined.
Holotype (Fig. 2 a – d): ♀; Hawaiian Islands, O‘ahu, Mānoa Valley; 21.3288°N, 157.7930°W, 154 m; 12.ii.2020; ex Hypothenemus eruditus tunnel in Trema orientalis branch; D. Honsberger (UHIM).
Allotype (Fig. 2 e – h): ♂; same data as holotype; (UHIM).
Paratypes: 7 ♀, 1 ♂; all with same data as holotype (2 ♀ UHIM, 1 individual with wings removed; 3 ♀, 1 ♂ BPBM; 2 ♀ CNC).
Etymology.
This beautiful wasp is named after Maya Honsberger, a wonderful and beautiful human being. It has also been elusive for us to find, all individuals found on only one occasion, as with Maya, for whom it is also rare to find as wonderful a wife as her. The name is to be treated as a noun in apposition.
For the Hawaiian common name, mai‘apala (lit., ripe banana) was selected. Mai‘a (general term for banana) is similar in sound and spelling to the species name maya and also one of the favorite foods of Maya Honsberger, combined with the similarity of the yellow and brown coloration of the wasp to a ripe (pala) banana.
Known distribution.
This species is known from the island of O‘ahu in Hawai‘i, where it is likely adventive. Based on its limited abundance and distribution, it is probably a recent arrival.
Known hosts.
Hypothenemus eruditus (Coleoptera: Scolytinae); see Biology section.
description: Published as part of Honsberger, David N., Magnacca, Karl N., Lorenzo-Elarco, J. Hau'oli & Wright, Mark G., 2024, Life history of two new species of Prorops (Hymenoptera, Bethylidae) ectoparasitic on adult Hypothenemus eruditus beetles (Curculionidae, Scolytinae) in Hawai'i, pp. 1221-1256 in Journal of Hymenoptera Research 97 on pages 1221-1256, DOI: 10.3897/jhr.97.138113