Liosphex trichopleurum Townes 1977
Creators: name: Lohrmann, Volker
name: Ohl, Michael
Publisher: name: Zenodo
Year: 2010
Subjects: Biodiversity
Taxonomy
Animalia
Arthropoda
Insecta
Hymenoptera
Rhopalosomatidae
Liosphex
Liosphex trichopleurum

description: Liosphex trichopleurum Townes, 1977
(Figs 7, 8, 13, 15, 59–61)
Liosphex trichopleurum Townes, 1977: 11, female. Holotype: Kolambugan, Mindanao, Philippines, C. F. Baker (USNM). Guidotti 1999: 49 –51, 72ff. (informal redescription with first record of the male, preliminary phylogeny of Rhopalosomatidae).
Holotype. Female. PHILIPPINES: Kolambugan, Mindanao, Philippines, C. F. Baker (USNM).
Other material. INDONESIA: Borneo, W. Kalimantan, Gunung Palung National Park, 15 June – 15 August 1991, DC Darling, Rosichon & Sutrisno, IIS 910115; Cabang Panti Research Station, rainforest, 100 m Granite – light gap, 1°15’S 110°05’E, Malaise trap pans (2 3, ROME); Borneo, E. Kalimantan, 38km N. Balikpapan, Samboja I. Darling, Rosichon & Sutrisno, 2–30 March 1992, Wanariset Research Station km 7. 60m, 1°2’S 117°2’E, heavy burnt forest 1983, Malaise trap (fine) head, Light gap. IIS 920116. (1 3, ROME); MALAYSIA: Sabah, Danum Valley Field C., 117°48’E 4°58’N, July – August 1986, E. Smith (2 3, BMNH); same data but, January – February 1987, M. Still (1 Ƥ, 1 3, BMNH); Se. Sabah, near Danum Valley Field C., WO, c 150m, Malaise trap 11, 14 – 20 March 1987, C. v. Achterberg (1 3, RMNH); same data, but WON1, Malaise trap 5, 20 June – 12 July, C. v. Achterberg & D. Kennedy (2 3, RMNH); same data, but 12 July – 2 August 1987, C. v. Achterberg & D. Kennedy (1 3, RMNH), same data, but 2–23 August 1987, C. v. Achterberg & D. Kennedy (5 3, RMNH); same data, but 23 August – 13 November [more likely: 13 September] 1987, C. v. Achterberg & D. Kennedy (7 3, RMNH; 2 3, LOHR); same data, but 13 September – 4 October 1987, C. v. Achterberg & D. Kennedy (1 Ƥ, 4 3, RMNH); same data, but 5–26 October 1987, C. v. Achterberg & D. Kennedy (3 3, RMNH).
Diagnosis. Liosphex trichopleurum is unique among all Liosphex in having meso- and metapleurum completely covered with dense setae (less dense around episternal scrobe, fig. 13). Additionally the males of this species are unique among all males of Liosphex in having plantulae on tarsomeres I–IV.
Description of the female. Head (Fig. 59): Maximum width in frontal view 1.7 mm [1.5–1.7 mm]. UID 1.05× [1.05×] LID. Flagellomeres long and slender (flagellomere II 4.9× [4.3–4.9×], flagellomere VII is [3.8×] as long as wide). Apical bristles present on flagellomeres I–V, longer bristle on flagellomere I 0.5× [0.5–0.6×] its length. OOD 2.2× [2.2×], IOD 1.4× [1.0–1.4×], MOD 1.0× [1.0×] LOD.
Mesosoma (Fig. 13): Length of mesosoma: 3.0 mm [2.6–3.0 mm]. The anterior margin of the pronotal flange is slightly concave (as in Fig. 20).
Wings (Figs 7–8): Maximum length of forewing: 8.1 mm [7.0– 8.1 mm], 2.7× as long as mesosoma. Forewing 1cu-a distad M by 0.5× [0.3–0.5×] its length. M-cu straight (Fig. 7) not curved at its base or sinuate as in New World species. 1Rs 1.9–2.25× as long as high, its basal angle smaller than 90° (Fig. 8). Rs of hindwing reclivous. Distal section of M reaching slightly behind insertion of r-m.
Legs: Forebasitarsus long and slender, its antennal cleaner 0.25× [0.25–0.3×] its length (Fig. 15).
Metasoma: Tergite I 1.9× [1.8–1.9×] as long as wide.
Color (as in Figs 60–61): Basically dark brown to black except the following. Scape, pedicel, sometimes basal flagellomeres on its ventral side, clypeus, mouthparts except teeth of mandibles, inner area of eye notch, gena, posterior section of pronotum, tegula, legs except tarsi and metasomal segments II–III stramineous.
Pilosity: Body, including legs, largely covered with dense setae. Setae slightly shorter on head, mesoscutum and scutellum, and lacking on following structures: occiput, ventrolateral side of pronotum, small area above the pit of mesepisternum and posteroventral half of hindfemur.
Description of the male. Head, mesosoma and metasoma as in female except the following:
Head: Maximum width in frontal view 1.0– 1.3 mm. UID 1.1–1.2× LID. Flagellomere II 3.2–4.0×, flagellomere VII 3.0–3.5× as long as wide. Apical bristles present on flagellomeres I–VII, longer bristle on flagellomere I 0.25–0.4× its length. IOD 1.2–1.6× LOD.
Mesosoma: Length of mesosoma: 1.6–2.1 mm. Plantulae present on tarsomeres I–IV.
Wings: Maximum length of forewing: 4.0– 5.1 mm, 2.5–2.6× as long as mesosoma.
Legs: Tarsomeres I–IV with plantulae.
Metasoma: Tergite I 1.4–1.7× as long as wide.
Color: Some specimens are more reddish brown with stramineous markings.
Life history. Almost nothing is known about the life history of Liosphex trichopleurum. Three females and 29 males are known, and these were collected at an altitude of 150 m and below. Two specimens are labelled as having been collected in rain forest whereas a third specimen was collected in a ‘heavy burnt forest’. The majority of specimens was collected between August and October with Malaise traps.
description: Published as part of Lohrmann, Volker & Ohl, Michael, 2010, World revision of the wasp genus Liosphex Townes, 1977 (Hymenoptera: Rhopalosomatidae), pp. 1-43 in Zootaxa 2384 on pages 30-31, DOI: 10.5281/zenodo.193731