Gelastagathis grisselli Sharkey

Sharkey, Michael J. & Chapman, Eric G., 2015, The Nearctic genera of Agathidinae (Hymenoptera: Braconidae) with a phylogenetic analysis, illustrated generic key, and the description of three new genera, Zootaxa 4000 (1), pp. 49-72 : 60

Gelastagathis grisselli Sharkey NEW SPECIES

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Description ♂. Length. 4.3 mm. Color: Testaceous except for terminal metasomal segments black, antenna melanic, wings infuscate, darker areas of metasoma of on terga 1-4 of holotype appear to be artifacts of preservation. They are absent in the paratype and the paratype also differs in the propodeum being darkened as in G. frosti . Head: in frontal view 1.4 x wider than high (measured from top to apex of clypeus). Antennal flagellum with 21 flagellomeres in paratype (broken after 15th flagellomere in holotype). Mesosoma: Notaulus complete, smooth anteriorly, weakly pitted posteriorly. Hind tibia with 4 apical pegs. Propodeum smooth laterally, weakly rugose medially with two irregular weak longitudinal carinae defining a medial region. Metasoma: First median tergite smooth, lacking striae. Second median tergite lacking a curved transverse groove.

Material examined. Holotype ♂: USA, Texas, 6mi. S. Alpine, Brewster Co., Aug. 30, 1971, [collected on] Haploppus gracilus, EE Grissell and RF Denno. Approximately 30° 21’N, 103° 39’W and 1366 m. elevation. ( USNM). Paratype ♂, USA, Texas, Hall Co., 3mi. W. Estilline, April 3, 1979, RJ. McGinley, approximately 34° 32’N, 100° 26’W and 560 m. elevation. ( USNM).

Etymology. Named after E. Eric Grissell, one of the collectors of the type specimen, and inspired by the fact that his grand sense of humor is fitting with the generic name.

Figures

FIGURE 3. Gelastagathis grisselli holotype ♂. a. lateral habitus. b. dorsal habitus. c. wings, arrow shows nebulous Cub vein. d. head, anterior view, arrows show ventral margin of clypeus and mandible. e. head, dorsal view, arrow shows expanded temple. f. propodeum and first metasomal median tergite (T 1), arrow shows T 1.