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Photo#606167
Wasp - Pristepyris armiferus - female

Wasp - Pristepyris armiferus - Female
Pearl River County, Mississippi, USA
January 8, 2012
Size: 6.3mm
Found at base of live oak under loose bark;further id appreciated if possible,looks alot like Sclerodermus but the images
posted or only 2.5mm
Id by Dr Jongok Lim.

Images of this individual: tag all
Wasp - Pristepyris armiferus - female Wasp - Pristepyris armiferus - female

Moved tentatively
Moved from Pristocera.

Moved
Moved from Pseudisobrachium.

After examining the specimen, I don't think this is Pseudisobrachium. Pseudisobrachium females should have either tiny 1-faceted eyes or no eyes, while this one has fairly large, many-faceted eyes. Also, the proprodeum is not as constricted as in Pseudisobrachium.
Based on the shape of the propodeum, large body size, and distinctly spinose mid-tibiae, I believe this is a Pristocera. It matches fairly well with Evan's description of P. armifera, who mentions a color form resembling this specimen. However, he says the propodeum is distinctly shiny, while in this specimen it is distincly alutaceous, so this may be another species. Associations between the sexes in this family are inadequately known.

I have collected a number of Pristocera armifera (both male and female) here in Indiana. The two females I have from Indiana are, besides being slightly smaller, pretty much exactly the same in color and sculpture of propodeum. So I think this can be (tentatively) placed as P. armifera.

 
Looks right on!!
Thanks Brad.

Moved
Moved from Bethylidae.Moved as per email from jongok Lim.

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