Polistes (Epicnemius) cinerascens de Saussure

Somavilla, Alexandre, Oliveira, Marcio Luiz, Andena, Sergio Ricardo & Carpenter, James Michael, 2018, An illustrated atlas for male genitalia of the New World Polistes Latreille, 1802 (Vespidae: Polistinae), Zootaxa 4504 (3), pp. 301-344 : 323-324

Polistes (Epicnemius) cinerascens de Saussure

Paramere ( Fig. 25A): (1) about three times longer than wide at the middle; (2) lateral groove deep; (3) parameral spine long (about 1/6 the total length of paramere), pointed apically with long and sparse bristles; (4) paramere lobe developed and widely rounded; (5) inferior portion of paramere narrow, about half the width at the middle portion. Aedeagus ( Fig. 25B, C): slender; (1) apical portion with fine and serrated denticulation, extended the apex of the apical portion to the median expansion, lateral margin straight; (2) penis valve weakly dilated and with a slight central entrance (about 1/3 of the total length of apical portion); (3) median expansion developed and rounded apex; (4) lateral apodeme directed forward and shorter than the ventral process, (5) ventral process rounded and slightly expanded in apex; (6) inferior portion of aedeagus curved, in lateral view. Digitus ( Fig. 25D): slender; (1) apical process developed, about twice longer than the digitus base and expanded at the apex, (2) apex rounded; (3) anteroventral lobe short and rounded apically; (4) punctation strong and forming a central band around the base of the digitus; (5) evanescent bristles. Cuspis ( Fig. 25E): slender; (1) apex very pointed and tapering abruptly to the end; (2) long and dense bristles on the lateral margin, and short in the rest of cuspis; (3) punctation restricted on the lateral lobe; (4) lower part weakly developed and short bristles.

Remarks. Richards (1978: 553) commented “genitalia like those of P. pacificus but ventral teeth of aedeagus smaller, 24 in number”. Unfortunately, Richards did not draw the genitalia.