Animal Biodiversity and Conservation 47.

1 (2024)
DOI: 10.32800/abc.2024.47.0033

Research paper

A new species of Dolichurus Latreille

(Hymenoptera, Apoidea, Ampulicidae)
from Brazil
R. G. Ferreira1* , V. M. Lopez2

Author affiliations:
1
Federal University of Triân- Abstract
gulo Mineiro, Brazil
2
University of São Paulo, A new species of Dolichurus Latreille (Hymenoptera, Apoidea, Ampulicidae) from
Brazil Brazil. Dolichurus sensei Ferreira and Lopez sp. nov. is described based on a
Corresponding author:
single female specimen from a Neotropical savanna fragment in São Carlos,
R. G. Ferreira: São Paulo, Brazil. We include images of the holotype and provide an additional
rhainer.ferreira@uftm.edu.br commentary on its coloration.
Handling Editor:
Juli Pujade Key words: Neotropical, Cockroach, Wasp, Ectobiidae, Parasitoid
Received: 08/11/2023
Cond. acceptance: 13/02/2024
Resumen
Final acceptance: 22/02/2024
Published: 20/03/2024
Una nueva especie de Dolichurus Latreille (Hymenoptera, Apoidea, Ampilicidae) en
el Brasil. La descripción de Dolichurus sensei Ferreira y Lopez sp. nov. se basa en
Cite: un único espécimen hembra recolectado en un fragmento de sabana neotropi-
Ferreira RG, Lopez VM, 2024.
A new species of Dolichurus
cal de São Carlos, en São Paulo (Brasil). Se incluyen imágenes del holotipo y se
Latreille (Hymenoptera, ofrecen comentarios adicionales sobre la coloración.
Apoidea, Ampulicidae) from
Brazil. Animal Biodiversity and Palabras clave: Neotropical, Cucaracha, Avispa, Ectobiidae, Parasitoide
Conservation 47.1, 33-37, DOI:
https://doi.org/10.32800/
abc.2024.47.0033 ZooBank LSID: http://zoobank.org/urn:lsid:zoobank.org:pub:76936620-3ECD-
47F1-98BA-820A2889BF06
© [2024] Copyright belongs
to the authors, who license
the journal Animal Biodiversity
and Conservation to publish the
paper under a Creative Com-
mons Attribution 4.0 License.

ISSN: 1578-665 X
eISSN: 2014-928 X

that hunt for their cockroach prey on the ground or on

Introduction
tree trunks, nesting in stems or crevices (Bohart and
Species of the subfamily Dolichurinae (Apoidea, Am- Mencke 1976). Here, we describe a hitherto unknown
pulicidae) are rather small cockroach hunting wasps. species of Dolichurus from Brazil.
Although these ampulicids are widespread worldwide,
they are rarely encountered in South America and have Material and methods
seldom been studied (Dode 1985, Ducke 1910, Kim-
sey 1993, Kohl 1893). In the Neotropical Region, two Fieldwork was conducted on December 1, 2018, in
genera occur: Paradolichurus Williams and Dolichurus a Neotropical savannah fragment located near the
Latreille, with only five species described: P. boharti Federal University of São Carlos (UFSCar) in the city
Kimsey (Costa Rica), P. obidensis maranhensis Ducke of São Carlos–SP (22° 00' 55'' S, 47° 53' 28'' W)
(Brazil), P. morelensis Williams (Brazil), D. laevis Smith (fig. 1). The wasp was observed on a sand road car-
(Amazon, Brazil) and D. cearensis Ducke (Maranhão and rying the paralyzed host towards the forest. This
Ceará, Brazil). According to Bohart and Menke (1976), region is situated at elevations ranging from 815 m to
D. cearensis and D. laevis are the only Dolichurus species 895 m and is characterized by a subtropical climate,
occurring in the Neotropics. Dolichurus is a cosmopolitan with dry seasons extending from April to September,
genus, mainly characterized by a raised U-shaped plate followed by a wet season from October to March
and platformlike extension of frons that overlaps the (Alvares et al 2013). The annual average temperature
antennal sockets and well-developed notauli (Bohart and is 19.6 °C, and the yearly average total precipitation
Mencke 1976). These wasps are typically swift runners is 1,495.1 mm. The university has approximately 26 %

33
Ferreira and Lopez Animal Biodiversity and Conservation 47.1 (2024)

A B

Fig. 1. A, B, habitat of Dolichurus sensei Ferreira and Lopez sp. nov. in São Carlos, Brazil. C, region near the collection site.

Fig. 1. A, B., hábitat de Dolichurus sensei Ferreira y Lopez sp. nov. en São Carlos, Brasil. C, zona cercana al lugar de recolección.

of its land area (162.21 ha) defined as Legal Reserve Germany) under Helicon Remote 3.9.10.w software.
Areas, which include Permanent Preservation Areas Photographs were combined into single images using
totaling 61.77 ha. Helicon Focus 7.7.4 Pro (Helicon Soft Ltd, Kharkiv,
For a comparative analysis, we studied a picture Ukraine) stacking software.
of the female lectotype of D. laevis from the London The morphological terminology used here fol-
National History Museum (courtesy of David Notton, lows that of Bohart and Menke (1976) and cuticular
and the NHM 2014). We also studied a male syntype sculpturing nomenclature, Harris (1979). The terms
of D. cearensis from the Goeldi Museum of Pará. The and abbreviations used in the text are in accordance
male holotype of D. cearensis is lost, and the species with Anagha et al (2020) and are as follows: BL, body
is briefly described by Ducke (1910). We examined, length, measured from tip of head to apex of the
however, a female of this species, collected in Goiás metasoma; F, flagellomere, single article of flagellum;
state (Brazil), deposited at the Museum of Zoology in frontal platform, a median U-shaped platform-like
São Paulo, which was identified by Dr. Sérvio Túlio extension on the frons that overhangs the antennal
P. Amarante. The photographs were taken using ster- bases; IOD, interocular distance, distance between
eomicroscope Leica S9i (Leica Microsystems, Wetzlar, compound eyes measured medially; LOL, lateral ocel-

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Animal Biodiversity and Conservation 47.1 (2024) Ferreira and Lopez

1 mm

1 mm

Fig. 2. Dolichurus sensei Ferreira and Lopez sp. nov. holotype female: A, original specimen coloration; B, specimen coloration post-ethanol
preservation.

Fig. 2. Dolichurus sensei Ferreira y Lopez sp. nov., holotipo hembra: A, coloración original del espécimen; B, coloración del espécimen conservado
en etanol.

lar length, describes the distance between anterior Diagnosis

ocellus and posterior ocellus measured medially; OOL,
This species can be distinguished from D. laevis and
ocellocular length, refers to the distance between
D. cearensis by the following combination of charaters:
the compound eye and posterior ocellus measured
white spots at base of meso- and metacoxae, not pre-
medially; POL, posterior ocellar length, distance be-
sent in D. laevis and D. cearensis; bicolored metasoma: T1
tween posterior ocelli measured medially; T, tergum,
and T2 reddish, others segments black, while abdomen
pertains to the metasomal terga. The wasp and host
is black with the apical segment, and the margins of
were deposited in the Laboratory of Ecological Stud-
the other segments, narrowly rufo-piceous in D. laevis,
ies on Ethology and Evolution (LESTES) collection at
and entirely red in D. cearensis; clypeus with weak in-
the Federal University of Triângulo Mineiro (UFTM),
conspicuous rounded angle in middle third of length;
Uberaba, Brazil (voucher number: HYM-005/11).
frontal platform with upcurved margins and auricular
posterolaterally, sides sinuous, surface punctate and
Taxonomy concave medially, while there is no such curving in D.
laevis and D. cearensis, frontal platform with whitish
Dolichurus sensei sp. nov. Ferreira and Lopez, 2024 anterior margins in D. laevis.
ZooBank LSID: http://zoobank.org/urn:lsid:zoobank.
org:act:757AF490-C347-4C88-8A42-0751BA7CEC19 Description

Type material Female: BL 9 mm.

Color: head, mesosoma, palpi, mandibles, clypeus,
Holotype female, deposited at the LESTES collection at antennae black, femora, tibiae, and tarsi black, except
UFTM with the following labels: "Brazil, São Paulo, São for white spots at base of the clypeus, pronotal tuber-
Carlos, Cerrado UFSCar (22° 0' 55'' S, 47° 53' 28'' W), cle, meso and metacoxae and tegula blackish brown
01-xii-2018, Guillermo-Ferreira, R. col." (white label); (fig. 2A); T1 and T2 red, T3–T5 black (fig. 2A); wings
"Holotype Dolichurus sensei Ferreira and Lopez sp. clear hyaline with veins black (fig. 2A).
nov." (red label). No additional specimens were found Head: rounded in frontal view, with pale setae,
despite extensive search attempts. thicker on internal eye margins; vertex slightly arched

35
Ferreira and Lopez Animal Biodiversity and Conservation 47.1 (2024)

A B

0.5 mm 0.5 mm

C D

0.5 mm 0.5 mm

E F

0.5 mm 0.5 mm

Fig. 3. Dolichurus sensei Ferreira and Lopez sp. nov., holotype female: A, upper half of the head, front view; B, head, frontal view; C, mesosoma,
except the propodeum; D, propodeum; E, mesosoma, lateral view; F, metasoma, dorsal view.

Fig. 3. Dolichurus sensei Ferreira y Lopez sp. nov., holotipo hembra: A, vista frontal de la mitad superior de la cabeza; B, vista frontal de la cabeza;
C, mesosoma excepto el propodeo; D, propodeo; E, vista lateral del mesosoma; F, vista dorsal del metasoma.

above eyes (fig. 3A); head 1.66× IOD; occiput with long as long with upcurved margins and auricular postero-
sparse white setae; POL 1.4× LOL and 0.85× OOL; cly- laterally, sides sinuous, surface punctate and concave
peus with inconspicuous rounded angle in middle third, medially; F1 0.75× combined length of F2 and F3.
apical margin with carina, with sparse pilosity and two Mesosoma: in dorsal view (fig. 3C), pronotal collar
pale lateral spots at base (fig. 3B); frons reticulate (fig. anteriorly marginate and centrally depressed, central
3B), vertex and occiput polished with white setae on region smooth, impunctate, unsculptured, polished, and
dorsal view, vertex with scattered setigerous punctures asetose, with some transverse rugulae, dorsally with
laterally (fig. 3A), with inner eye margins almost parallel scattered setaceous punctures, elevated dorso-lateral
except emarginate at middle; frontal platform as broad tubercle with two white spots, lateral pronotal surface

36
Animal Biodiversity and Conservation 47.1 (2024) Ferreira and Lopez

smooth, with scattered fine punctures; scutum and species by the base of the metasoma being red and
scutellum with scattered setaceous punctures; meso- the apex black, with white markings on legs. It is
pleuron shiny and markedly more setose than scutum, noteworthy that only a male syntype of D. cearensis
sternaulus absent; metanotum with regular longitudinal exists, and comparison with this species was limited
carinae, covered with pale setae, sparse medially; prop- to non-type material.
odeal enclosure subrectangular, rugulose anteriorly and When collected, the wasp exhibited distinct colora-
medially, strigated posteriorly, with two lateral bands of tion. The head, mesosoma, antennae, clypeus, legs, and
pale setae converging posteriorly (fig. 3D); lateral surface wing venation were predominantly black, while T1 and
of propodeum strigated longitudinally (fig. 3E); meso- and T2 presented a red-ferruginous hue, and T3-T6 were
metacoxa with large lateral white spots anterolaterally. black (fig. 2A). However, due to the specimen's stor-
Metasoma: T1 and T2 entirely asetose, smooth and age in absolute ethanol from 2018 to 2023, certain
polished, T3–T5 covered with fine pale setae, denser color changes have occurred. Currently, the antennae,
laterally, with tiny punctures dorsomedially (fig. 3F). clypeus, legs, wing venation, and metasoma have lost
Male: unknown. natural colors. Parts that were previously black have
transitioned to a reddish-orange tone, while T1 and
Distribution T2, previously red-ferruginous, have lightened to a
Known only from the type locality in São Carlos-SP, pale orange (fig. 32B). These alterations in coloration
Brazil are attributed to the preservation method.

Etymology References
The specific name 'sensei' is of Japanese origin and Alvares CA, Stape JL, Sentelhas PC, Gonçalves JDM, Sparovek
serves as an honorable title to express respect and G, 2013. Köppen’s climate classification map for Brazil. Me-
teorologische zeitschrift 226, 711-728. DOI: 10.1127/0941-
reverence for a teacher or master. This name was chosen 2948/2013/0507
as a tribute to all the black belt instructors of Brazilian Anagha S, Kumar PG, Sureshan PM, 2020. Additions to the knowledge
Jiu Jitsu, especially Alexandre Oliveira, Frederico Sousa of the genus Dolichurus Latreille (Hymenoptera: Ampulicidae) from
India with the description of two new species. Zootaxa 4821,
Hirose, Leonardo Moura Amado, and Thiago Massaiti,
121-134. DOI: 10.11646/zootaxa.4821.1.6
who are not only exceptional educators in the realm Bohart RM, Menke AS, 1976. Sphecid wasps of the world: a generic
of jiu-jitsu but also exemplify the essence of the black revision. University of California Press, Berkeley, Los Angeles,
belt. In naming this species 'sensei', we pay homage to London.
Dode M, 1985. Nota sobre Dolichurus laevis Smith en el Museo
their dedication and expertise, symbolizing the guiding Británico (Hym. Ampulicidae). Revista de la Sociedad Entomológica
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Ducke A, 1910. Contribution à la connaissance de la Faune hymé-
Host noptérologique du Nord-Est du Brésil. III. Hyménoptères récoltés
dans l'Etat de Ceara en 1909 et suppléments aux deux listes
Aglaopteryx sp. Hebard (Blattaria, Ectobiidae, Pseudo- antérieures. Revue d’Entomologie Caen 28(3-5), 78-122, https://
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Harris RA, 1979. A glossary of surface sculpturing. Occasional Papers
in Entomology 28, 1-31. DOI: 10.5281/zenodo.26215
Discussion Kimsey LS, 1993. Review of the sphecid genus Paradolichurus, and
description of a new species (Hymenoptera, Sphecidae). Journal
The species here described has white markings on of the Kansas Entomological Society 66(2), 245-249, https://www.
jstor.org/stable/25085440
the clypeus and no occipital carina, traits that differ Kohl FF, 1893. Ueber Ampulex Jur. (s.1.) und die damit enger ver-
the New World species from those of the Old World wandten Hymenopteren-Gattungen. Annalen des Naturhistorischen
(Bohart and Mencke 1976). Most Dolichurus females Museums in Wien 8(häft 3/4), 455-516.
Natural History Museum of London, 2014. Dataset: Collection speci-
exhibit a black metasoma with the apex red, while mens. Resource: Specimens. Natural History Museum Data Portal.
in some it is all black or all red (Bohart and Mencke Available online at: https://data.nhm.ac.uk/ [Accessed on 07 Nov
1976). Dolichurus sensei sp. nov. differs from other 2023]. DOI: 10.5519/0002965

Acknowledgements
We thank David Notton (Natural History Museum, London) and Alvaro Doria Dos Santos (University of São Paulo) for the pictures of
Dolichurus laevis and D. cearensis, respectively. We also thank Dr. Sonia Fraga (Rio de Janeiro National Museum) for identifying the cockroach.

Conflicts of interest
No conflicts declared

Funding
Vinicius M. Lopez is grateful to the National Council for Scientific and Technological Development (CNPq) for financial support proc.
142299/2020-0. Rhainer Guillermo Ferrerira thanks CNPq for a productivity grant 312847/2022-0.

Complete affiliations
Rhainer Guillermo Ferreira, LESTES Lab, Centre of Entomology and Experimental Biology, Federal University of Triângulo Mineiro, Uberaba,
MG, Brazil
Vinicius M. Lopez, Graduate program in Entomology, University of São Paulo, Ribeirão Preto, SP, Brazil.

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