Tiphia gigantea Allen 1972

Tiphia gigantea Turner, 1911: 307

Turner described this species from 2 females in the Zoologische Museum der Humboldt-Universitat in East Berlin which he states were taken at Petropolis, Brazil, in August and October. These specimens were generously lent to me by Dr. Konigsmann of the Berlin Museum in August, 1970, and the following redescription prepared. I find that the smaller specimen bears the type label. When examined by me the date and locality label were missing. The specimen does bear a green label in common with the larger specimen, having the following information “Brasilien/ E. Ohaus S.V.” The second, much larger specimen was designated “cotype” by Turner. It was collected at Petropolis, Brazil, on October 10, 1898. Turner does not specify how many specimens were included in his type series. The context indicates there must have been at least two, and since the cotype has the October label, it is probably safe to assume that when Turner described the species, the type specimen had the date and locality label of August, Petropolis, Brazil. Although the type specimen is much smaller than the “cotype,” and differs in several minor characters, on the basis of the limited existing material I do not consider them different species. The “cotype” specimen has a broader areola, and the impunctate apex of the pygidium is crossed by about 17 parallel rugulae extending nearly to its apex. Its resemblance to the North American T. inornata series noted by Turner, is confined to its large size. Several South American species are known which are as large as the holotype of T. gigantea but have easily recognized structural differences. The fact that T. gigantea has a groove on the hind basitarsus and no transverse carina on tergum 1 restricts it to a small group. It differs from T. margareta in having no trace of a median callosity on sternum 2 and in possessing numerous longitudinal wrinkles on impunctate apex of the pygidium.

HOLOTYPE.—♀; Petropolis, Brazil (according to original description) (ZMB).

FEMALE.—Front with punctures on upper half irregularly distributed with plaques of first-degree density alternating with several interspaces about as wide as an ocellus. Antennal flagellum slender, first 3 joints 3.3 times as long as greatest width. Mandible without preapical cusp.

Dorsal pronotum with transverse carina well-developed except on median third; punctures small and generally separated by much more than their average diameter except for an arched band of contiguous ones across middle. Lateral pronotum with numerous small elongate punctures on upper half, and a narrow groove across disc. Scutum with notaulices and anteromedian groove barely connected. Mesopleuron on anterior aspect with small punctures separated in all directions by more than their average diameter, and with secondaries at least twice as numerous as primaries; subalar patch of dense micropunctures narrower than tegula. Legs black. Hind tibia not arched on upper margin, with perceptible carina on inner face. Hind basitarsus grooved. Forewing strongly infumated; stigma very small, separated by less than its length from basal vein.

Dorsal propodeum with areola almost rectangular, about 3 times as long as apical width. Lateral propodeum with rugulae coarse and widely spaced; lower part with very short, inconspicuous microsetae. Posterior aspect of propodeum without median carina. Tergum 1 without anterior transverse carina; preapical band not impressed, and consisting of an irregular row of small primary punctures, not impressed and coalesced in places. Sternum 2 without median callosity. Intermediate terga with conspicuous impunctate patches on each side of median line. Pygidium closely elongate punctate on basal half; apical half (in type) with several wrinkles close to punctate part, not shagreened.

Length 15.0 to 18.8 mm.

MALE.—Not known.

PARATYPE.—Petropolis, Brazil, 10–X–1898 (ZMB).