A new genus of Tetracampidae (Hymenoptera) from South Africa

Afrocampe gen. nov. is described for its only species, A. prinslooi gen. et sp. nov., from Eastern and Western Cape, South Africa. This new genus is recognized as a member of the subfamily Tetracampinae Förster, 1856 of Tetracampidae Förster, 1856 based on the possession of 5-segmented tarsi in females and 4-segmented tarsi in males, the short straight calcar, the mesoscutum with distinct notauli, the mesoscutellum with two pairs of setae, the reduced mesopleural suture and the short stigmal and long postmarginal veins of the fore wing. Afrocampe gen. nov. is characterized by a large mesosoma, a non-convex first gastral tergite, an evenly acute calcar, a 5-segmented antennal funicle, a head lacking occipital carina and facial grooves and a long fore wing with distinctly delimited speculum, a bare admarginal area with a distinct admarginal row of setae on the underside and with 3 setal tracks (hair rows) radiating from the apex of the stigmal vein. The combination of these characters suggests a special status of the new genus within the subfamily Tetracampinae. Moreover, Afrocampe gen. nov. bears some resemblance to the Australian tetracampine genus Niticampe Bouček, 1988. The position of the latter in Tetracampinae, as well as habitus features of the former, are discussed.