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Issue: Vol. 8 No. 1: February 2025
Type: Article
Published: 2025-02-28
DOI: 10.11646/palaeoentomology.8.1.5
Page range: 29-35
Abstract views: 235
PDF downloaded: 40

A new genus of Encyrtidae (Hymenoptera: Chalcidoidea), the first known hymenopteran in amber from Lower Lusatia (Germany)

I.I. Schmalhausen Institute of Zoology, National Academy of Sciences of Ukraine, Kiev 01030 Ukraine
Rockville, Maryland, USA
I.I. Schmalhausen Institute of Zoology, National Academy of Sciences of Ukraine, Kiev 01030 Ukraine; Natural History Museum of Denmark, Universitetsparken 15, Copenhagen 2100, Denmark
Eocene Eridanos parasitic wasp key to fossil genera filum spinosum Hymenoptera Chalcidoidea Germany

Abstract

Waninka haikowielandi Simutnik gen. et sp. nov. is described and illustrated based on a female specimen from amber found in Lower Lusatia (Germany). This parasitic wasp is the first known record of a hymenopteran discovered in amber from Lower Lusatia and is believed to be from the late Eocene. The new genus is characterized by very long postmarginal and stigmal veins, the first funicular segment ring-like and conspicuously smaller than the second one, and the eye not reaching the occipital margin. The taxonomic position of the new genus is incertae sedis within the subfamily Encyrtinae. An updated key to the genera of late Eocene encyrtids of the subfamily Encyrtinae is provided. The “Baltic river” as the route of amber redeposition to Lower Lusatia is discussed.

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