Tiphia alpha Allen 1972

Tiphia (Tiphia) alpha

T. alpha resembles T. gamma in having a denticle on the fifth sternum, no carina on tergum 1, and no enlarged punctures on the intermediate terga. It differs in having numerous secondary punctures on the anterior mesopleuron, a much shorter areola, and a carinate inner face of the tibia. There are other minor differences.

HOLOTYPE.—♂; “Bello Horizonte,” Brazil (M. Gerais) 1–XI–1919 (CU).

MALE.—Front with punctures of close first-degree density on lower third and along inner eye, of third-degree elsewhere with 1 or 2 interspaces as wide as an ocellus. Head width 2.4 times least distance between eyes (2 measured were 2.3, 2.4). Cheek narrower than antennal fossa. Mandible without preapical cusp.

Dorsal pronotum with complete, high transverse carina; bordering sulcus crossed by numerous short, buttressing ridges; punctures largely of third-degree density. Lateral pronotum without groove on middle disc. Mesopleuron with greater part of anterior slope having small, widely separated primary punctures, and much more numerous secondaries. Legs somewhat reddish on inner surfaces and at joints. Hind tibia on inner face strongly carinate. Tegula not shagreened; with shallow groove on apical margin continued a short distance about outer apical angle. Forewing with membrane almost hyaline; radial cell much exceeding second cubital cell in lateral extension. Sectors of second cubital cell in terms of inner sector (itob) are 10:25:18:17.

Dorsal propodeum with area bordering areola only faintly sculptured; areola keystone-shaped, its length 2 times, and its base only slightly wider than, apical width. Tergum 1 without anterior transverse carina; preapical band abruptly impressed on anterior border and consisting of single row of coarse punctures which are much compressed laterally. Intermediate terga of medium-sized punctures none of which are conspicuously enlarged. Sternum 5 with small, appressed lateral denticle.

Length 6.8 to 7.3 mm.

FEMALE.—Unknown.

PARATYPE.—1; same data as holotype. (CU).