Metapolybia richardsi Andena 2024, sp. nov.

Metapolybia richardsi Andena sp. nov. Figs 10, 11, 12 Diagnosis. Very similar to M. fraudator, except its scutum narrower, the lateral pronotal carina not effaced on ventral corner, metapleural-propodeal furrow vanishing and the evanescent weak yellow markings overall; pretegular carina like in M. fraudator. Description. Female. Size: 8.3 mm. Length of fore wing: 5.0 mm Color: Black species with yellow markings as follows: spots on inner orbits and tip of clypeus; Tergum I with weak yellow band; Sternites II – III with weak yellow bands; terga III – VI, without yellow bands. Mandibles, antennal articles and scape blackish / brownish. Wings hyaline, venation brown. Head: (1) clypeus 1.3 times wider than longer, punctures shallow, scattered, separated by more than 2.0 diameters; bristles extending all the way down, not forming a polished rim; (2) internantennal prominence raised, subacute, with a marked medial furrow; (3) frons and vertex covered with yellowish pubescence; punctures small, distinct, separated by 1–1.5 diameters, becoming sparser on vertex; (4) gena 0.7 wider than width of the eyes, strongly narrowing to mandibular condyle; punctures very small, scattered, pubescence very reduced; (5) tempora narrowing to vertex; (6) posterior region of the head excavated, strongly emarginated behind. Mesosoma: (1) lateral pronotal carina raised, acute; pronotum with shallow and scattered punctures; (2) humeri produced in front of tegula, subacute; (3) pretegular carina acute on upper region, curved, not interrupted, not prominent; (4) scutum as long as wide, punctures small, shallow, scattered; (5) mesopleuron with shallow punctures separated by more than 2.0 diameters; (6) scutellum with small, though distinct punctures, separated by 1.0 diameter, slightly concave posteriorly, medial line raised anteriorly, vanishing posteriorly; (7) metanotum strongly concave with scattered punctures; (8) metapleuron with few scattered punctures, upper plated 1.3 times longer than wide; (9) propodeum with shallow scattered punctures with moderate long and sparse hairs on posterior region; (10) propodeal concavity broad, moderately deep, weakly developed anteriorly, striation distinct, extending laterally; (11) prestigma as long as wide, tip truncate. Metasoma: (1) first metasomal tergum filiform, widening little after the prominent spiracles; prominent (2) tergum II 1.2 times wider than longer, coriaceous, punctures distinct on posterior fifth; (3) terga III – VI densely punctured. Male. Unknown. Nest. Unknown. Distribution. Ecuador: Pastaza. Holotype. Ecuador • 1 female; Pastaza, Jibaria, Shurupe; 7 Nov. 1987; Mike Huybensz; AMNH. Etymology. The specific name honors O. W. Richards for his contribution of the knowledge of the social wasps.