Blacus (Ganychorus) signiferoides, Lu & Chai & Achterberg & Tang & Chen, 2025

Lu, Qian-Yu, Chai, Hong-Fei, Achterberg, Cornelis Van, Tang, Pu & Chen, Xue-Xin, 2025, The first review of the subgenus Ganychorus Haliday, 1835 (Hymenoptera, Braconidae, Brachistinae) in China, Zootaxa 5575 (2), pp. 201-250 : 241-243

Blacus (Ganychorus) signiferoides sp. nov.

( Figs 35–36 )

Material examined. Holotype: ♀, China, Taiwan, Xue Mtn , 10.IV.2011, No. 201301316 ( ZJUH) . Paratypes: 4♀♀, China, Taiwan, Xue Mtn , 10.IV.2011, No. 201301317; 10.II.2011, No. 201301332; 10.VI.2011, No. 201301640; 30.IX.2010, No. 201301859 ; 1♀, China, Yunnan, Bao Mtn, Lujiangba, Gaoligong Mtn Nature Park , 10.V.2009, Wang Manman, No. 200904529 ; 1♀, Guangdong, Fuyuan, Nanling , 8.V.2004, Xu Zaifu, No. 20049405 ( ZJUH) .

Diagnosis. The new species is similar to B. (G.) signifer van Achterberg, 1988 because it has the ♀ -antenna with 19 antennomeres, precoxal sulcus narrow and crenulate medially, middle tarsal claws only setose, first discal cell acute anteriorly, second tergite smooth, propodeal tubercles present, and propodeum without areola, but differs by having smooth notauli posteriorly (crenulate in B. (G.) signifier ; Fig. 34E ), propodeum smooth and shiny (reticulate-rugose medially), frons of ♀ rather densely setose anteriorly (sparsely setose anteriorly), almost all antennomeres of ♀ brown (13 th –17 th antennomeres, apex of pedicellus and annellus yellowish brown), length of first tergite 1.9–2.1 × its apical width (1.6 ×), fore claws simple (with dark brown bristles), length of hind tibia 12.4 × its width (9.8 ×).

This new species is also similar to B. (G.) tuberculifer van Achterberg, 1988 , but differs by having propodeum posteriorly smooth between carinae (reticulate posteriorly in B. (G.) tuberculifer ), length of first metasomal tergite narrowed subbasally and widened apically (gradually widened apically), several apical antennomeres more slender and filamentary (more robust and moniliform), length of penultimate antennomere 2.6 × longer than its width (1.6 ×), and hind femur yellow (half apical hind femur dark brown).

Description. Female. Length of body 2.0 mm, length of fore wing 2.25 mm.

Head. Antennomeres 19 and bristly setose ( Fig. 36C ); length of first flagellomere 1.8 × length of second flagellomere; length of first, second and penultimate flagellomere 5.3, 3.0 and 1.6 × their width, respectively; length of maxillary palp 0.9 × height of head; occipital carina complete; frons smooth and densely setose, frontal suture present; OOL: OD: POL = 9: 3: 4; length of eye in dorsal view equal to length of temple; face granulate; malar suture present, length of malar space 1.6 × basal width of mandible.

Mesosoma. Length of mesosoma 1.4 × its height; side of pronotum largely smooth; precoxal sulcus narrow and crenulate medially ( Fig. 36D ); notauli narrow and rugose posteriorly ( Fig. 36E ); mesoscutal lobes densely setose; scutellum smooth, strongly protruding dorsally; propodeal tubercles present; surface of propodeum smooth and shiny, medial area absent ( Fig. 36F ).

Wings. Fore wing: first discal cell acute anteriorly; 1-CU1: 2-CU1 = 7: 16 ( Fig. 36H ).

Legs. Hind coxa with a distinct carina dorsally; length of femur, tibia and basitarsus of hind leg 6.0, 12.4 and 8.8 × their width, respectively; all claws simple.

Metasoma. Length of first tergite 1.9 × its apical width, rugose, narrowed subbasally and widened apically ( Fig. 36G ); second tergite smooth; length of ovipositor sheath 0.17 × length of fore wing.

Colour. Rather dark brown; pedicel, first flagellomere, palpi, mandible and all legs yellow; remainder of antennomeres brown; metasoma (except first tergite) brown; wing membrane subhyaline.

Variation. Hind tibia yellow to infuscated; length of first tergite 1.9–2.1 × its apical width; body yellowish brown to dark brown.

Male. Unknown.

Biology. Unknown.

Distribution. China ( Taiwan, Guangdong, Yunnan).

Etymology. The specific name refers to the similarity of this species with B. (G.) signifer ; “- oides ” is Latin for likeness.

Figures

FIGURE 34. Ganychorus signifer van Achterberg, 1988.A. head, dorsal aspect; B. head, anterior aspect; C. antenna; D. mesosoma, lateral aspect; E. mesosoma, dorsal aspect; F. propodeum, dorsal aspect; G. metasoma, dorsal aspect; H. wings; I. hind leg, ovipositor and ovipositor sheath; J. fore claw (left) and middle claw (right).

FIGURE 35. Ganychorus signiferoides sp. nov. (body, lateral aspect).

FIGURE 36. Ganychorus signiferoides sp. nov. A. head, dorsal aspect; B. head, anterior aspect; C. antenna; D. mesosoma, lateral aspect; E. mesosoma, dorsal aspect; F. propodeum, dorsal aspect; G. metasoma, dorsal aspect; H. wings; I. hind leg; J. fore claw (left) and middle claw (right); K. ovipositor and ovipositor sheath.