212 z. bouCek 



same time, three new species and the previously known Leucospis nyassica 

 Enderlein. Habu (1962 : 170) regards Micrapion as a subgenus of Leucospis 

 Fabricius. 



Callismicra, described by Kieffer in the Chalcidinae (present Chalcididae) , proved 

 rather surprisingly to be a synonym of Micrapion; see under M. flavocinctum below 

 (p. 221). 



The main features of Micrapion may be summarized as follows. 



Body non-metallic (as in all African Leucospidae), relatively slender. Occipital carina 

 absent or weakly indicated between lateral ocelli. POL always more than twice OOL. Frontal 

 protuberances forming low transverse ridge below vertex level, interrupted by scrobes, in 

 lateral view often appearing tooth-like. Eyes very large, usually all pubescent (exception: 

 M. richardsi) ; inner orbit with shallow emargination. In facial view distinct angle between 

 outer outline of eye and straight gena. Lower face weakly convex in vertical direction, but 

 rather strongly convex transversely; mouth margin nearly straight, with lower depressed 

 margin of clypeus slightly produced, more or less arcuate. Gena posteriorly slightly receding 

 to strong raised hypostomal carina. Mandibles weak, convex, apically thin, externally 

 pubescent, lower margin strongly curved at apex towards two small short teeth. Both maxillary 

 and labial palpi well developed. Antennae rather strong; scapus stout and short, at most 

 about twice as long as broad; pedicel always shorter than first flagellar segment which is 

 narrowed in basal third. 



Pronotum without distinct cross-carinae; lateral edge of collar rather sharp. Mesoscutum 

 convex, anteriorly with broad depressions in place of notaular furrows. Dorsellum not toothed. 

 Propodeum with median carina and plicae distinct, median part slightly produced caudad. 

 Hind coxa with weak dorsal tooth, dorsal edge always punctured and rather broad ; impunctate 

 parts of depression usually transversely striate. Hind femur with basal tooth the strongest, 

 situated near middle of ventral edge; hind tibia with apex slightly oblique, not spine-like, 

 both spurs distinct though outer spur not distinctly longer than inner one; hind claws strongly 

 curved (Text-fig. 269). Wings as in Leucospis Fabricius (Text-fig. 264). 



Gaster in both sexes strongly clavate, rather narrow in basal third or half. In 9- fourth 

 tergite with obtuse median keel finely grooved on top, hind margin more or less strongly 

 angulate, produced towards anterior end of ovipositorial furrow on fifth tergite; this furrow 

 more or less declivous (sometimes subvertical), together with relatively short sheaths; epi- 

 pygium fused with sixth tergite. In £ first tergite narrow, long; second tergite dorsally between 

 epipleural carinae about as long as broad or distinctly elongate (Text-fig. 271); carapace 

 posteriorly often rather abruptly declivous, truncate in lateral view, often concave; exposed 

 parts of sternites laterally keeled, ventral surface usually concave. 



The present knowledge of the species (especially in males) is not yet sufficient 

 enough to allow a subdivision into the species-groups, although probably species 

 with relatively longer ovipositor may be separated from the species with shorter 

 ovipositor. The latter would, however, include M. steffani sp. n., which seems to 

 represent a 'species sola', differing in several characters, including the relatively 

 short second tergite in the male. 



Biological data suggest that the species are parasites of solitary bees of the genus 

 Ceratina Latreille (including Pithitis Illiger). The Micrapion species are known 

 only from the Ethiopian region, including Madagascar. 



Key to the species of MICRAPION 



1 Broad part of gaster and scutellum with smooth interspaces about half as broad 

 as punctures ; mesoscutum with two central yellow spots ; hind coxa at base below 



