Revision of Pseudofoenus Kieffer (Hymenoptera : Gasteruptiidae), a Hyptiogastrine wasp genus endemic to New Zealand

Abstract

The endemic New Zealand genus Pseudofoenus Kieffer is revised and removed from synonymy with Hyptiogaster Kieffer. Two species are recognised in females by the form of the hind tarsi, and in males by differences in the genitalia. However, no morphological characters have been found to associate the sexes, nor has distributional information been useful in this regard. Pseudofoenus crassipes (Smith) and P. unguiculatus (Westwood) are redescribed for females only, while P. nocticolor Kieffer and P. pedunculatus (Schletterer) are described on the basis of males. P. ungicularis (Smith) is synonymised with P. unguiculatus (Westwood). The taxonomic history, monophyly and biology of the genus are discussed, as are nomenclatural problems resulting from damaged types and an inability to associate the sexes.