Labena espinita 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 : 14-18

Labena espinita Gauld, 2000

Figures 27−29

Labena espinita Gauld, 2000:351 ; Khalaim & Ruiz-Cancino 2009:72 [record]; González-Moreno et al. 2015: 573 [taxonomy]; Yu et al. 2016 [database on flash-drive]; Fernandes et al. 2025 [online catalog]. Holotype ♀, Costa Rica (INBio) [original designation].

Material examined (2♀, 14♂). BRAZIL, Amazonas, Novo Aripuanã / Reserva Soka / Malaise , 17-25.VIII.1999 / J.F. Vidal & A.L. Henriques / leg. [collectors] (1♂, INPA) ; same, except Área Aberta 6–10.XII.1999, J.F. Vidal Leg. [collectors] (1♂, INPA) ; Carauari, / {Trap} Malaise , Terra Firme , VII.2005 / A. Henriques & Xavier Filho / leg. [collectors] (1♂, INPA) ; Maranhão, Caxias, / Res. [Reserve] Ecol. [Ecological] Inhamun / Arm. [Trap] Luminosa // 26-28.III.2009, A. / L. Costa & C.L.A. / Silva, cols. [collectors] (1♀, CZMA) ; Rio Janeiro, Guapimirim / PARNASO [Serra dos Órgãos National Park], Altitude : 133m / 22º31’55” S, 43º00’07” W / II.2015; Malaise pto. 1B / R.F. Monteiro e col. [collectors] (1♂, UFRJ) ; same, except Altitude : 540m, 22º28’36.5” S, 42º59’30.8” W, XII.2014; {Trap} Malaise pto.[point]4 B, R.F. Monteiro e col.[collectors] (1♂, UFRJ) ; Teresópolis / PARNASO [Serra dos Órgãos National Park] Altitude : 703m / 22º28’37.5” S, 42º59’45.1” W / I.2015; Malaise pto. 5B / R.F. Monteiro e col. [collectors] (1♂, INPA) same, except II.2015 (2♂, UFRJ) ; Rondônia, Itapuã do Oeste / Flona Jamari, Igarapé Preto / 09º11’16.0” S /{,} 62º56’57.0” W / Malaise , 09.X.2014, J.A, / Rafael, F.F, Xavier Fº, R.M. / Vieira, R.H. Aquino leg. [collectors] (1♂, INPA) ; Roraima, Alto Alegre, / Maracá 01-15.VI.2016, / Malaise grande, Projeto / Bionorte, J.A. Rafael e / equipe cols. [collectors] (2♂, INPA) ; same, except 15-31.III.2016, Malaise grande, Projeto Bionorte, J.A.Rafael e equipe e cols. [collectors] (1♂, INPA) ; São Paulo / {,} Luiz Antônio, / estação Ecológica de Jataí , / 21º36’45.5” S / {,} 47º49’06.7” W / Mata ciliar – Ligth trap 2. / 12.II.2008. R.I. R Lara (1♀, LRRP) ; same, except 21º36’47.4” S – 47º49’04.1” W, Light trap 1, 12.XI.2008 (1♀, LRRP) ; Gália, Estação Ecológica dos Caetetus, Trilha Z 1, 08-15.XI.2003, Malaise, J.F. Nunes col. [collectors] (1♀, 1♂ INPA); Descalvado, / Fazenda Itaúna – cerrado / 21º54’05” S / {,} 47º37’26” O / armadilha [trap] Malaise / {,}A1, / 15.XII.2005, / N.W. Perioto e eq. [team] cols. [collectors] (1♂, INPA) .

Diagnosis. This species can be distinguished from other Neotropical Labena species by a combination of the following characters: propodeum with a square area basalis, area superomedia clearly delineated anteriorly and posteriorly; area petiolaris not separated from the area dentipara and area postero-externa; mid tibia with a row of robust, flattened setae on the outer surface.

Remarks. Additional characters from the material examined from the states of Amazonas, Maranhão, Rio de Janeiro, Rondônia, Roraima, São Paulo ( Brazil). Body length 8.8–15.8 mm, except ovipositor. Overall coloration is yellow-orange ( Figs. 27A–D ; 28A–D ). Head ( Figs. 27B–C ; 28B–C ). Transverse black band between the occipital carina and occiput; transverse black band on ocelli, extending to the side of frons. Antenna with 38 flagellomeres, measuring 7.7−12.4 mm, with cylindrical apex; flagellum black, flagellomeres XVII–XXVII pale yellow, flagellomeres XXXVIII yellow-orange. Mandible bidentate with striate base, the upper tooth larger than the lower tooth; mandible basal width 0.18−0.34 mm. Malar space width 0.14 mm. Ocellus diameter 0.43 mm; distance between anterior and posterior ocellus 0.09 mm; shortest distance between posterior ocellus and compound eye 0.21 mm; distance between posterior ocelli 0.19 mm. Compound eye length 1.68 mm. Face slightly convex, not punctate, without fine, sparse setae, width 0.92 mm. Face not very striate, width 0.72 mm. Wing. Fore wing length 11.7 mm, hyaline with a light brown spot at apex; areolet wider than the length of distal abscissa of M, with 3rs-m distinctly smaller than 2rs-m. Hind wing length 8.35 mm. Mesosoma. Mesoscutum without black border, with three longitudinal black bands. Pronotum without epomia, without the upper posterior part punctate, and with sparse setae. Propleuron punctate and with sparse setae. Scuto-scutellar groove black, shallow, smooth. Scutellum flat, punctate with sparse setae, pale yellow without black posterior part. Metanotum (postscutellum) without black posterior part. Propodeum anterior part without black transverse band; area basalis square, wider than long, completely orangish-yellow; area externa as wider as long, without black diagonal spot; area dentipara without spot, confluent with area posteroexterna; area posteroexterna with dark brown spot; area petiolaris not obliterated by lateromedian longitudinal carina, no black upper part; area superomedia wider than long, anterior transverse carina and posterior transverse carina very outlined; lateral longitudinal carina complete. Fore legs with one tibial spur, tarsomeres with fringe of apical setae; mid legs with medially dilated tibiae, with two tibial spurs and slender setae, aligned on the outer surface; hind legs slender, not medially dilated, with the pale yellow tibia and tarsomeres, with two tibial spurs. Metasoma ( Figs. 27E – 28E ). Tergite I 1.97 mm in length, basal width 0.36 mm and apical width 0.73 mm; tergite II measuring 1.38 mm in length, basal width 0.76 mm and apical width 1.05 mm; tergite III 1.35 mm in length, basal width 1.05 mm and apical width 1.25 mm. Metasoma dark brown with tergite I dark brown and basal and apical spots pale yellow; tergite II dark brown with a pale yellow base. Ovipositor laterally compressed, apex not tapering; upper valve with sparse teeth and marked pre-apical transverse striae; lower valve with marked proximal teeth.

Distribution. Mexico, Costa Rica, Brazil (Roraima *, Amazonas*, Rondônia *, Maranhão *, Bahia, Rio de Janeiro * and São Paulo *) ( Fig. 29 ) (Gauld 2000; Khalaim & Ruiz-Cancino 2009; Yu et al. 2016; Fernandes et al. 2025)

Discussion. Labena espinita is morphologically similar to the other species of the genus in having mesoscutum smooth to punctuate; propodeum generally with well-defined areas; spiracle elliptical and elongate; metasomal insertion above the insertions of the hind coxa; fore tibia of the female is inflated; fore wing with pentagonal areole and metasoma is quite long. However, it differs from the other species in that it has a propodeum with an area basalis square, area superomedia clearly delineated anteriorly and posteriorly; area petiolaris, area dentipara and area postero-externa confluents; mid tibia with a row of robust, flattened setae on the outer surface.

Figures

FIGURE 27. A–F. Female of Labena espinita 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 28. A–F. Male of Labena espinita Gauld, 2000. A. Habitus, lateral view. B. Head, dorsal view. C. Head, front view. D. Habitus, dorsal view. E. Propodeum, dorsal view.

FIGURE 29. Distribution of Labena espinita Gauld, 2000 (yellow star= type locality, blue triangle= previous records, red circle= new records).