Labena polemica Gauld, 2000

Marinho, Luana S. & Fernandes, Daniell R. R., 2025, Taxonomy of Labena Cresson, 1864 (Hymenoptera: Ichneumonidae: Labeninae) from Brazil, with description of two new species, Zootaxa 5660 (1), pp. 1-52 : 24

Labena polemica Gauld, 2000

Figs. 35−36

Labena polemica Gauld, 2000: 355 ; Yu et al. 2016 [database on flash-drive]. Holotype ♀ Costa Rica (NHM) [original designation].

Material examined (1♀). BRAZIL, Rio de Janeiro, Teresópolis / PARNASO [Serra dos Órgãos National Park] Altitude : 957m / 22º27’29” S, 42º59’11.4” W / I.2015: Malaise pto. 7B / R.F. Monteiro e col. [collectors] (1♀, UFRJ) .

Diagnosis. This species can be distinguished from other Neotropical Labena species by a combination of the following characters: propodeum with large and almost regular hexagonal area superomedia, posterior transverse carina incomplete centrally; median tibiae with isolated and inconspicuous setae on the outer surface.

Remarks. Additional characters from the material examined from the states of Rio de Janeiro ( Brazil). Body length 18.5 mm, except ovipositor. Overall coloration yellow-orange ( Figs. 35A–D ). Head ( Figs. 35B–C ). Without transverse black stripe between the occipital carina and occiput; transverse black stripe on the posterior ocelli, extending to the side of the frons. Antenna with 49 flagellomeres, measuring 17.2 mm, with cylindrical apex; flagellum black, flagellomeres I and II completely black. Mandible bidentate with a striate base, the upper tooth larger than the lower tooth; mandible basal width 0.37 mm. Malar space width 0.11 mm. Ocellus diameter 0.87 mm; distance between anterior and posterior ocellus 0.11 mm; shortest distance between posterior ocellus and compound eye 0.28 mm; distance between posterior ocelli 0.25 mm. Compound eye length 2.34 mm. Frons slightly convex, finely punctate with fine, sparse setae, width 1.29 mm. Face very striate, width 1.33 mm. Wing. Fore wing length 14.9−16.5 mm, hyaline with a light brown spot at apex; areolet shorter than the length of distal abscissa of M, with 3rs-m slightly longer than 2rs-m. Hind wing length 12.20 mm. Mesosoma ( Fig. 35E ). Mesoscutum without black border, with three longitudinal light brown bands. Pronotum without epomia, with upper posterior part punctate and with sparse setae. Propleuron punctate and with dense setae. Scuto-scutellar groove yellow-orange, shallow, smooth. Scutellum slightly convex, punctate with dense setae, completely yellow-orange. Metanotum (postscutellum) completely yellow-orange. Propodeum anterior part without a black transverse band; area basalis rectangular, wider than long completely yellow-orange; area externa longer than wide, without spot; area dentipara without spot, confluent with area postero-externa; area postero-externa without spot; area petiolaris not delineated by the lateromedian longitudinal carina, with upper part yellow-orange; area superomedia longer than wide, with anterior transverse carina very delineated, posterior transverse carina very weak, almost absent; lateral longitudinal carina complete. Fore legs with one tibial spur, tarsomeres with fringe of apical setae; mid legs with medially dilated tibia, with one tibial spur and scattered thin setae on the outer surface; hind legs thin, not medially dilated, with darker tibia and tarsomeres, with two tibial spurs. Metasoma. Tergite I 1.54 mm in length, basal width 0.52 mm and apical width 1.09 mm; tergite II 1.54 mm in length, basal width 1.16 mm and apical width 1.74 mm; tergite III 1.23 mm in length, basal width 1.83 mm and apical width 2.13 mm. Metasoma yellow-orange with tergite I yellow-orange, without central spot; tergite II completely yellow-orange. Ovipositor laterally compressed, apex slightly tapered; upper valve with smooth pre-apical teeth and smooth transverse striae at the apex; lower valve with transverse striae at the apex.

Distribution. Costa Rica, Brazil ** (Rio de Janeiro *) ( Fig. 36 ). (Gauld 2000; Yu et al. 2016).

Discussion. Labena polemica is morphologically similar to L. morda in that both have scutellum somewhat flattened; area superomedia more or less defined, generally subquadrate. However, it differs in L. polemica differs from L. morda in having propodeum with large and almost regular hexagonal area superomedia; posterior transverse carina incomplete centrally; hind coxa elongated and robust and, not marked in black on the inside. In contrast, in L. morda has propodeum with area superomedia delineated anteriorly, small and square; posterior transverse carina complete centrally; hind coxa more elongated and slender, marked in black on the inside. This species belongs to the gloriosa species-group.

Figures

FIGURE 35. A–F. Female of Labena polemica Gauld, 2000. A. Habitus, lateral view. B. Head, dorsal view. C. Head, front view. D. Habitus, dorsal view. E. Propodeum, dorsal view. F. Apex of ovipositor, lateral view.

FIGURE 36. Distribution of Labena polemica Gauld, 2000 (yellow star= type locality, blue triangle= previous records, red circle= new records).