Formosempria shanensis Malaise

Smith, David R., Pratt, Paul D. & Makinson, Jeff, 2014, Studies on the Asian sawflies of Formosempria Takeuchi (Hymenoptera, Tenthredinidae), with notes on the suitability of F. varipes Takeuchi as a biological control agent for skunk vine, Paederia foetida L. (Rubiaceae) in Florida, Journal of Hymenoptera Research 39, pp. 1-15 : 4

Formosempria shanensis Malaise

Figs 1 -5

Formosempria shanensis Malaise 1961: 249, fig. 8A,B,C (head front; antenna, sheath dorsal); Malaise 1963: figs 73, 131; Saini and Deep 1994: 48 (listed; first record from India); Saini 2006: 68, 152, figs 215-222 (India record; male described); Saini et al. 2006: 579 (listed).

Comments.

Malaise described this species from five females from "Burmese Southern Shan States (Taunggyi at 1500 m)". The syntypes are in NHR and were examined. The lectotype, here designated, is a female labeled "S. Shan States, Burma, 1500 m, Taunggyi, 1-VIII-22.IX.34 [ “22.IX” crossed out], Malaise", “TYPUS” [red], " Formosempria shanensis n. sp., R. Malaise det 1958", "NHRS-HEVA 000000834" with a lectotype label added. The other four females are paralectotypes with the same data but with the label “PARATYPUS” [in red]; three do not have dates crossed out and one has “1-VIII” crossed out.

The color and structure are very similar to F. varipes , but F. shanensis differs by its slightly larger size, the more truncate clypeus with more acute lateral corners (Fig. 4 , more rounded laterally in F. varipes , Fig. 8 ), and longer antennae (Fig. 1 ), being more than half the length of the body (thorax and abdomen) and about 2.2 × the head width. These differences seem significant to retain F. shanensis as a distinct species at present.

Saini and Deep (1994) and Saini (2006) recorded this species from five males from India: "Himachal Pradesh, Dalhousie, Kalatop, 2850 m, 29.6-30.6.1986". Saini (2006) mentioned these are the first known males of the genus, although Wei (in Wei and Nie 2003) described the male of F. metallica . Saini (2006) also included description of the female. These specimens have three-toothed hind claws and the genitalia figured are quite different from that of associated males of F. varipes . We have not seen specimens, but according to Saini’s (2006) description, we question that these are F. shanensis or even a member of Formosempria . Thus, the India record for Formosempria is doubtful.

Figures

Figures 1 - 2. Formosempria shanensis, lectotype. 1 Lateral 2 Dorsal.

Figures 3 - 5. Formosempria shanensis, lectotype. 3 Antenna 4 Head, front 5 Head, dorsal.

Figures 6 - 9. Formosempria varipes. 6 Lateral 7 Dorsal 8 Head, front 9 Head, dorsal.