Lipolexis longipetiolata S. Kim & H. Kim, 2025

Kim, Sangjin, Sohn, JuHyeong & Kim, Hyojoong, 2025, Three new species and a new record of the genus Lipolexis (Hymenoptera, Braconidae, Aphidiinae) from South Korea, ZooKeys 1245, pp. 323-342 : 323-342

Lipolexis longipetiolata S. Kim & H. Kim sp. nov.

Figs 4 A – M , 6 G

Type material.

Holotype: South Korea • ♀; 434, Buun-ri , Sannae-myeon, Namwon-si, Jeonbuk-do; 35°23'N, 127°34'E; 09 Jun. 2022; leg. S. Kim; GenBank: PV 165863 ( Ap 220054 ) . Paratype: South Korea • 1 ♀; 1549, Chusan-ri , Ongnyong-myeon, Gwangyang-si, Jeollanam-do; 35°01.8'N, 126°36'E; 24 Sep. – 08 Oct. 2019 by malaise trap; leg. S. Kim; GenBank: PV 165862 ( AP 23020 ) • 1 ♀; 716, Donggang-ro , Yeongwol-eup, Yeongwol-gun, Gangwon-do; 37°13.9'N, 128°30'E; 04 – 23 Jun. 2014 by malaise trap; leg. S. Kim; GenBank: PV 165861 ( Ap 23008 ) .

Diagnosis.

In some morphological characters (number of antennal segments, maxillary and labial palpomeres, central dorsal carinae of petiole), Lipolexis longipetiolata sp. nov. is similar to other three gracilis group species, L. peregrina , L. takadai , and L. pakistanica . However, it clearly differs from them in having elongated petiole (petiole length / width ratio = 3.4–3.6, while 3.1–3.3 in L. peregrina , 2.8 in L. takadai , and 2.7 in L. pakistanica ), elongated F 1 than L. peregrina (length / width ratio = 4.3, while 3.1–3.8 in L. peregrina ), stouter tibia (length / maximum width ratio = 8.9, while 11.0 in L. peregrina ), and smaller ocellus (OOL / posterior ocellus diameter ratio = 5.0, while 3.0 in L. peregrina ).

Description.

Female. Length of body about 2.1 mm (Fig. 4 A ). Length of forewing 1.2 mm (Fig. 4 J ).

Head. Width of head 1.4 × its maximum length in dorsal aspect; occipital carina gently concave; head 1.3 × wider that mesosoma, with sparse long setae; eye 1.5 × as long as temple in dorsal aspect; OOL 5.0 × as long as posterior ocellus diameter; ratio of OOL: AOL: POL = 29: 10: 10 (Fig. 4 G ). Eyes oval, sparsely setose; face with sparse long setae; width / height ratio = 1.1; tentorial index = 0.4; clypeus oval with 8 long setae; malar space 0.2 × as long as longitudinal eye diameter (Fig. 4 D ). Antenna 12 - segmented; F 1 equal or longer than F 2 (1.0–1.1); F 1 and F 2 4.3 × and 3.8–4.2 × as long as their width at the middle, respectively; F 1 and F 2 with two longitudinal placodes respectively (Fig. 4 B, C ). Maxillary palp with three palpomeres, labial palp with one palpomere.

Mesosoma. Mesoscutum with notaulices on anterolateral margin, effaced dorsally (Figs 4 E , 6 G ). Dorsal surface smooth, with two rows of six long setae along the dorsolateral part of mesoscutum; scutellum nearly triangular, with three long setae on each (Fig. 4 E ). The precoxal sulcus is weakly impressed on the anterior part of the mesopleuron (Fig. 6 G ). Propodeum areolated, areola length / width ratio = 1.1 (Fig. 4 F ). Pterostigma 2.6–3.0 × as long as width; pterostigma 0.8 × as long as vein R 1 (= metacarpus); r and RS vein extended (Fig. 4 J ).

Leg. Hind femur length / width ratio = 4.5; hind tibia length / width ratio = 8.6; hind femur: hind tibia: hind tarsus = 1: 1.5: 1.8 (Fig. 4 M, L ).

Metasoma. Petiole long and slender, wide at base, slightly narrowing towards the apex. 3.4–3.6 × as long as wide at spiracles; distinctly prominent central carinae, situated along the dorsal surface of the petiole, start at the anterior part and bifurcate near spiracles; dorsolateral part of petiole posterior of spiracles concave on each side (Fig. 4 H, I ). Ovipositor sheath slender and long, wide at base, curved downwards; ratio of ovipositor sheath width / length = 3.5–4.0 at base and 8.3–8.4 at tip (Fig. 4 K ).

Colour. Antenna brown; scape and pedicel pale brown, F 1 pale brown at least basal 1 / 3 partly yellowish brown, gradually pale brown to apex. Head and face dark brown, clypeus with mouthparts pale brown. Mesosoma dark brown and metasoma brown; mesoscutum dark brown; petiole pale brown. Legs pale brown with dark apices.

Distribution.

South Korea.

Etymology.

Lipolexis longipetiolata sp. nov. derived from the Latin words longus (meaning long) and petioles (meaning petiole), referring to its distinctly elongated petiole.

Figures

Figure 4. Lipolexis longipetiolata sp. nov. A. Habitus; B. Antenna; C. F 1 and F 2; D. Head; E. Mesoscutum; F. Propodeum; G. Dorsal aspect of head; H. Dorsal aspect of petiole; I. Lateral aspect of petiole; J. Forewing; K. Ovipositor; L. Hind femur and tibia; M. Hind tarsus.

Figure 6. Lateral aspect of mesosoma. A. Lipolexis depressiceps sp. nov.; B. L. sulcata sp. nov.; C. L. longipetiolata sp. nov.; D. L. peregrina.