Tiphiidae wasps of Madagascar (Hymenoptera, Tiphiidae) Author Kimsey, Lynn S. Bohart Museum of Entomology, Department of Entomology, One Shields Ave., University of California, Davis 95616, USA lskimsey@ucdavis.edu text Journal of Hymenoptera Research 2011 2011-09-28 22 45 68 http://dx.doi.org/10.3897/jhr.22.1142 journal article http://dx.doi.org/10.3897/jhr.22.1142 1314-2607-22-45 74EBB28B6B1A4390B4D8A17BC5130AFF EE0E00246F5E3971DE7D01159B5DFD06 574753 Genus Meria Illiger Fig. 5 Meria Illiger 1807 :194. Type species: Tiphia tripunctata Rossi 1790 . Monobasic. Discussion. This is a widespread genus found throughout the Palearctic and Afrotropical Regions. Meria species are sexually dimorphic, as are members of the genera Mesa and Myzinella . Males are elongate and slender with straight, cylindrical antennae. Females are heavy-bodied, with coiled antennae. Males also have the distinctive hook-like apical metasomal sternum (uncus) found in other myzinines. Meria males can be distinguished from Mesa and Myzinella by the short, broad metasomal sternum I and petiolate forewing submarginal cell. Hosts are unknown. Key to species of Meria (males)

1	Scape with densely pitted band on upper surface extending to apex; volsella with strong processes on inner surface	Meria luteipes Bartalucci
-	Scape without densely pitted band on upper surface extending to apex; volsella without processes on inner surface	2
2	Anterior margin of scutum thickened, elevated; metasoma strongly constricted between segments	Meria gradilis Bartalucci
-	Anterior margin of scutum not thickened or elevated; metasoma not strongly constricted between segments	Meria vonizongo Krombein

Checklist of Meria species 1. Meria gradilis Bartalucci 2005 :1087. Holotype male; Madagascar: Toliara, Toliara-Sakaraha Flusstal, 9 km vor Sakaraha (VIENNA). Distribution: Toliara Prov. 2. Meria luteipes Bartalucci 2005 :1086. Holotype male; Madagascar: Toliara, Toliara-Sakaraha Flusstal, 9 km vor Sakaraha (VIENNA). Distribution: Toliara Prov. 3. Meria vonizongo Krombein 1949 :57. Holotype male; Madagascar: Tananarive (ITHACA). Distribution: Fianarantsoa and Toliara Provinces.