Microchelonus hofferi sp. n.

Female (Figs 1-3)

Head. In dorsal view rounded behind eyes, almost twice as broad as long (47 : 24), a little broader than mesosoma. In frontal view 1.1 times as broad as high. Ocelli small, not widely separated, POL = 1.3 times OOL. Temples as long as LO. Antennae with 16 segments, almost as long as head and mesonotum combined; scape 2.5-3 times as long as wide; 1st flagellar segment about 3 times as long as wide, apical segments 1.7-2 times as long as wide.

Mesosoma. In dorsal view almost as broad as carapace. In lateral view 1.7 times as long as high and almost as long as length of carapace

Wings. Radial cell in forewing twice size of radio-medial cell, its length along the metacarp 0.8 times of length of pterostigma. Second radial abscissa almost 1.3 times as longas first abscissa, 3 times shorter than third abscissa.

Legs. Hind femora 3-3.5 times as long as broad. Outer spur of hind tibiae longer than inner spur, almost reaching half of 1st metatarsal segment.

Metasoma. Carapace elongate-angustate, specifically narrowed laterally towards the apex, twice as long as maximum breadth. Ovipositor hidden.

Sculpture. Head behind eye and face finely transversely striate. Frons with fine concentrical sculpture. Clypeus largely faintly punctate and shining. Mesonotum rugose punctate. Scutum anteriorly granulate punctate, area before scutellum with some rugae. Scutellum largely not roughly sculptured, centrally shining. Propodcum granulate rugose with transversal carina, lateral tubercles small. Carapace granulate with clear longitudinal (more or less rectilinear) undulations spanning two-thirds its visible surface.

Colour. Body black. Labiomaxillary complex dark brown. Legs: fore coxae dark-brown, hind coxae black; fore femora brown with yellowish apices, hind femora dark-brown; fore tibiae yellowish, hind tibiae entirely brown; all tarsi brown. Forcwings slightly infuscate. Pterostigma, costal vein and and metacarpus brown, other vein brownish.

Body length: 2.8-3.1mm.

Male (Figs 4-7)

As in female, except as follows. Temples a little shorter than LO. Antennae with 18-19 segments, slightly longer than head and mesonotum combined, apical segments twice as long as wide. Second radial abscissa in forewing as long as first abscissa, 3.5 times shorter than third abscissa. Carapace elongate, not specifically narrowed laterally towards the apex as in females, twice or more as long as maximum breadth; apicoventrally almost not incurved. AMA oval and small, in rear view of posterior end about 0.25 of width of carapace. Body length: 2.5-3.0mm.

Variability. Body length in females varies: 2.8mm in holotype, 3.0mm and 3.1mm, respectively, in paratypes. Carapace twice maximum breadth or little longer. Colouring of fore femora may vary from brown with yellowish apex to brown with extended yellowish colour over its apex.
Body length in males varies: by 2.6mm in two paratypes; 2.5mm, 2.7mm, 2.8mm and 3.0mm in other paratypes.

Diagnostic. The species is defined by the shape of carapace in females (not in males).

Taxonomic affinity and comparison. By its head it resembles M. microphthalmicus (Wesm., 1838), but differs in smaller body length and head not widened behind eyes. By the shape of the carapace (except sculpture and colouring) in the female it agrees in some ways with M. arnoldii (Tobias, 1964).

Etymology. The species name refers to the collector, Dr Hoffer, a Czech entomologist.

Distribution. Czech Republic

Holotype: ♀, ČR, Moravia merid., Čejč u Hod., leg. Hoffer, vi.1940, [“orthopyge”, ♀ “sulcat.”]; Paratypes: 1 (♀),ČR, Moravia merid.,Čejč u Hod., leg. Hoffer, vi.1940, [“orthopyge”, ♀ 16 “sulcat.”]; 1 (♀), ČR, Moravia merid., Čejč u Hod. [“♀ 16”]; (3♂),ČR, Moravia merid., Čejč u Hod., leg. Hoffer, vi.1940, [“orthopyge”, ♂ “sulcat.”]; (1 ♂),ČR, Moravia merid., Čejč u Hod., leg. Hoffer, vi.1940, [“retusoid.”, 19♂ “sulcat.”]; (1 ♂), ČR, Moravia merid., Čejč, leg. Hoffer, v.1941, [“comunis”, ♂; (1 ♂),ČR, Moravia merid.,Čejč, leg. Hoffer, v.1941, [“micropht. ”, ♂].