Heinrichiellus vedani Ranjith 2025, sp. nov.

Heinrichiellus vedani Ranjith sp. nov. Material examined. Holotype: • female, India: Karnataka, Chamarajanagar, Biligiri Rangaswamy Temple Tiger Reserve, scrub jungle, 12.0141.4'N, 77.0655.1'E, 4.x–17.xi.2005, Malaise trap, coll. D. R. Priyadarsanan (ZSIK: ZSI/WGRC/I.R.-INV.29361). Paratypes: • 2 females and 2 males with same data as holotype (ZSIK). Holotype. ♀, body length 6.0 mm, fore wing length 4.5 mm. Description of female. Head. Head 1.1 × as wide as high in anterior view, 1.9 × as wide as long in dorsal view (Fig. 7 B, C); ocellar-ocular length (OOL) / postero-ocellar length (POL) = 0.7. Frons slightly convex above each antennal socket (Fig. 7 C); frons granulate without small and distinct tubercle between antennal sockets (Fig. 7 C); antennal sockets large and protruding anteriorly in dorsal view (Fig. 7 C); face 1.2 × as wide as high, minutely punctate associated with oblique striations medially forming ‘ V’ - shaped area (Fig. 7 B); inner margins of compound eyes slightly diverging ventrally (Fig. 7 B); clypeus strongly convex and transverse, 2.2 × as wide as high, with medially concave apical margin (Fig. 7 B); anterior tentorial pits large (Fig. 7 B); labrum very wide, 0.5 × as wide as clypeus, with straight apical margin, protruding from under clypeus (Fig. 7 B). Mandible slender, 2.1 × as long as wide at base, gradually narrowed from base to apex, with indistinct lower tooth (Fig. 7 B, F). Malar space granulate, 1.9 × as wide as base of mandible (Fig. 7 D, E). Occipital carina complete, joining hypostomal carina above base of mandible (Fig. 5 D); dorso-median part of occipital carina evenly arched (Fig. 7 C). Maxillary palp long, reaching epicnemial carina; fifth segment 4.0 × as long as mandible base. Dorsal length of eye 3.7 × as long as temple. Antenna with 36 antennomeres. Flagellum bristle-shaped, very long and slender (Fig. 7 A); apical flagellomere conical; first flagellomere 5.5 × as long as apical width and 1.4 × as long as second one. Mesosoma. Mesosoma 1.6 × as long as high. Collar of pronotum long (Fig. 8 A, B). Pronotum indistinctly strigose on smooth surface laterally (Figs 7 D, 8 A). Mesoscutum strongly convex (Fig. 8 A), with notaulus nearly absent, only impressed in the form of longitudinal strigose sculpture (Fig. 8 B); surface of mesoscutum granulate with scattered punctures except longitudinally strigose postero-median portion (Fig. 8 B). Epicnemial carina complete (Fig. 8 A); subtegular ridge sharp (Fig. 8 A); impression below speculum moderately deep (Fig. 8 A); sternaulus distinct, crenulate, sharp, almost reaching base of mid coxa (Fig. 8 A); posterior transverse carina of mesosternum absent; surface of mesopleuron obliquely strigose, smooth anteriorly, speculum slightly polished (Fig. 8 A). Scutellum highly elevated above metanotum, with crenulate lateral carina reaching apex and dorsal surface almost flat (Fig. 8 B); hind margin of metanotum with a triangular projection on each side of metanotum (Fig. 8 C, D). Juxtacoxal carina distinct, complete (Fig. 8 A). Propodeum in profile with area basalis flat and evenly slanted from base of area superomedia; area basalis not defined by carinae (Fig. 8 C); regular carinae of propodeum complete (Fig. 8 C, D); area superomedia hexagonal, 0.8 × as long as wide, posterior margin concave (Fig. 8 C); apex of area dentipara with strongly developed, moderately long and sharp apophysis, almost perpendicular to surface of propodeum, apophysis almost straight (Fig. 8 A); surface of propodeum mostly transversely strigose (Fig. 8 C); area petiolaris distinct laterally, transversely strigose (Fig. 8 C). Propodeal spiracle 1.5 × as long as wide. Legs. Legs very slender and long (Fig. 7 A); all legs longer than fore wing. Hind femur and tibia 4.0, 7.0 × as long as maximum width respectively; ratio of length of tibiae fore: mid: hind = 1.0: 1.3: 2.7. Wings. Fore wing 4.5 mm long; areolet 1.3 × as wide as long, 1.4 × as high as 3 rs-m, 0.7 × as high as 2 m-cu, pentagonal and sides narrowing anteriorly (Fig. 9 B); 1 cu-a opposite M & RS (Fig. 9 B); ramulus absent (Fig. 9 B). Hind wing with cu-a one-fourth as long as first abscissa of CU. Metasoma. Metasoma mostly coriaceous (Figs 8 E, F, 9 A). First tergite in profile almost straight, slightly bent downward at base of postpetiole (Fig. 8 E), smooth anteriorly, irregularly sculptured between latero-median carinae, coriaceous posteriorly; in dorsal view 4.5 × as long as wide at base (Fig. 8 F); petiole very long, rounded in cross-section, of approximately equal width and height (Fig. 8 E, F); in dorsal view petiole distinctly broadened posteriorly; latero-median carina present only on anterior portion of postpetiole (Fig. 8 F). Second tergite in dorsal view 1.8 × as long as wide anteriorly, distinctly rugose-punctate (Fig. 9 A). Gastrocoelus slightly impressed, in form of longitudinal groove (Fig. 9 A). Thyridium oval, distant from base of second tergite by 0.3 × its length (Fig. 9 A). Tergites 3–4 minutely punctate, 4–6 smooth with laterotergites separated by distinct creases (Fig. 9 A). Sternites 2–5 laterally sclerotized and middle part not sclerotized (Fig. 8 E). Hypopygium with apical margin rounded and longitudinally folded in middle. Ovipositor sheath with apex blunt, protruding beyond apex of metasoma (Fig. 8 E). Colour. Body mostly yellow except for following: flagellomeres 2–6 (proximal half), 14–34, face except laterally, clypeus except basal half, frons anteriorly, ocellar area, vertex and occiput, temple, pronotum except laterally, propleuron, mesoscutum, metanotum, mesopleuron, wing venation, anterior half of second metasomal tergite, metasomal tergites 3–4, metasomal tergite 5 anteriorly dark brown to black, telotarsi, mid tarsus, hind femur and tibia distally, ovipositor sheath brown. Male. Similar to female except: body length 6.9 mm, antenna with 35 antennomeres, face yellow except medio-longitudinally, clypeus completely yellow, frons medially black, mesopleuron with yellow patch posteriorly, area superomedia wider than long, second metasomal tergite completely yellow, flagellomeres 1–11, 15–33, brown, 12–14 yellow. Gonostyle narrow, ‘ finger-like’. Variation. One female paratype with wider longitudinal yellowish patch on face laterally and clypeus completely yellow. Distribution. Oriental region (India). Etymology. APR dedicates this species in honor of Vedan (Hirandas Murali), a contemporary singer from Kerala whose work transcends musical boundaries and resonates across political and cultural divides. Vedan‘s music is noted for its capacity to inspire reflection, unity, and dialogue among individuals of differing political and cultural views, offering a sonic space where contrasting ideologies can intersect through shared emotional and aesthetic experience. This name pays tribute to the artist’s unique role in fostering connection and empathy in an increasingly polarized world. Comparative diagnosis. The new species is morphologically closer to H. brevispinus sp. nov., based on the shape of the area superomedia and colour of the frons. Apart from the differences cited in the identification key, H. vedani sp. nov. differs from H. brevispinus sp. nov. by the following: clypeus yellow in ventral half (dark brown in H. brevispinus sp. nov.), malar space 1.9 × as long as basal width of mandible (1.1 × in H. brevispinus sp. nov.) and first tergite 4.5 × as long as anterior width (5.1 × in H. brevispinus sp. nov.).