The wasp genus †Holopsenella in mid-Cretaceous Burmese amber (Hymenoptera: †Holopsenellidae stat. nov.)

Abstract

The wasp genus †Holopsenella, described originally from Lebanese amber, is recorded for the first time from mid-Cretaceous Burmese amber. We describe three new species, †H. antiqua sp. nov., †H. burmitica sp. nov., and †H. gothica sp. nov. In addition, we provide a key to the known species and illustrations of the new species. The study of the new inclusions led us to remove †Holopsenellinae from Bethylidae, in the Chrysidoidea. It is given family status, †Holopsenellidae stat. nov., and left as incertae sedis in the Aculeata s.str. The putative affinities of †Holopsenellidae within Aculeata s.str. are discussed. Discovery of †Holopsenella in mid-Cretaceous Burmese amber is in line with a Gondwana-origin hypothesis for the Burmese amber biota.