中国科学院南京地质古生物研究所机构知识库

Simple Summary The Bethylidae, dubbed "flat wasps" because of the general aspect of their bodies, are important components of past and present entomofauna. Currently comprising 3000 species, the Bethylidae are also very diverse in the fossil record. In this study, we present the first Cretaceous record of the Epyrinae, named Hukawngepyris setosus, from the rich mid-Cretaceous (ca. 100 Ma) Myanmar amber. The newly proposed binomial name is a reference to the Hukawng Valley, where the specimen was collected, and to the conspicuous setation of the species. Describing this fossil adds valuable insights to our understanding of Cretaceous Bethylidae, as it represents the oldest record of the second largest subfamily, which was very common during the Cenozoic. This hints at the need for further exploration of various Cretaceous deposits to enhance our understanding of their past distribution and early occurrences.Abstract The Epyrinae are the second largest subfamily of Bethylidae and the most diverse in the fossil record. However, although six of the nine bethylid subfamilies are known during the Cretaceous (either as compression or amber fossils), the Epyrinae were hitherto unknown before the lower Eocene. In this contribution, we report the discovery of the oldest member of this group, based on a female specimen from the early Cenomanian amber of Kachin, Myanmar. We describe and illustrate a new genus and species, Hukawngepyris setosus gen. et sp. nov. The new genus is compared with the other epyrine genera and characterized by a unique combination of characters not known in the subfamily. Hukawngepyris setosus gen. et sp. nov. is especially unique in the configuration of the forewing venation, with a complete 2r-rs&Rs vein, curved towards the anterior wing margin, and the presence of three proximal and three distal hamuli. The key to the genera of Epyrinae is accommodated to include the newly erected genus.