The genus Eriastichus La Salle (Hymenoptera, Eulophidae, Tetrastichinae) in the Neotropical region, introducing 48 new species

Abstract

Our knowledge of the recently described genus Eriastichus La Salle is greatly enhanced with the addition of 48 new species: E. acribissp. nov., E. aphritissp. nov., E. cluridissp. nov., E. coelotissp. nov., E. colenissp. nov., E. copalensissp. nov., E. daptilissp. nov., E. decorissp. nov., E. denotatissp. nov., E. derilissp. nov., E. diadryssp. nov., E. dotaensissp. nov., E. drupissp. nov., E. ebulissp. nov., E. egrestissp. nov., E. eleagnissp. nov., E. ellipsissp. nov., E. eminissp. nov., E. facilissp. nov., E. fenestrissp. nov., E. follissp. nov., E. galeatissp. nov., E. geratissp. nov., E. glanissp. nov., E. hilarissp. nov., E. johnlasalleisp. nov., E. johnnoyesisp. nov., E. maniatissp. nov., E. nebulissp. nov., E. neonissp. nov., E. nexilissp. nov., E. novalissp. nov., E. nugalissp. nov., E. oasissp. nov., E. ononissp. nov., E. orestissp. nov., E. pallidopssp. nov., E. parabilissp. nov., E. renodissp. nov., E. rivalissp. nov., E. sannionissp. nov., E. scalarissp. nov., E. sodalissp. nov., E. taraxissp. nov., E. tendrilissp. nov., E. tonioazofeifaisp. nov., E. velaminissp. nov., and E. vestissp. nov. All species are known only from males, and all material is from Costa Rica. Females show little morphological variation and are not possible to separate to species or link to conspecific males at present. Apart from the diagnostic features for the genus presented in the original description, two new autapomorphies are introduced here: an inflated pleural membrane between Gt1-4 and Gs1-4, and tufts of pale and flattened setae laterally on Gt4-6. Both features are found on the gaster and are present in both sexes. The distribution of the genus is firmly established as predominantly neotropical. The biology remains unknown.