A new genus and species of Aulacidae (Hymenoptera: Evanioidea) from mid-Cretaceous Burmese amber

The mid-Cretaceous amber from Kachin State of Myanmar provides a well-diversified fauna of aulacid wasps. Here we describe a new aulacid genus and species, Paleoaulacus minutus gen. et sp. nov. This discovery highlights the underestimated diversity of aulacid wasps in Burmese AlbianeCenomanian amber. Interestingly, Paleoaulacus minutus gen. et sp. nov. shares wing venation and body characters with the tribes Electrofoenini and Aulacini, challenging a clear placement. Future discoveries of additional specimens are necessary to precise its position or erect a new tribe to accommodate this peculiar genus. This fossil also shows a developed wing venation, similar to that of the extant genus Aulacus Jurine, 1807. (c) 2021 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.

Automated summary

The mid-Cretaceous amber from Kachin State of Myanmar reveals a new genus and species of aulacid wasps, highlighting the underestimated diversity of this group in the Burmese AlbianeCenomanian amber. The newly discovered genus shares characteristics with two known tribes, challenging its clear placement and suggesting the need for further research to determine its position or potentially establish a new tribe. This fossil also shows similarities in wing venation with an extant genus, Aulacus Jurine, 1807.