Pristiphora (Lygaeonematus) saxesenii (HARTIG 1837)

Beneš, Karel, 2014, A new species of Pristiphora (Lygaeonematus) KONOW, 1890 on spruce from East Siberia (Hymenoptera, Tenthredinidae), Beiträge Zur Entomologie = Contributions to Entomology 64 (1), pp. 39-46 : 44

Pristiphora (Lygaeonematus) saxesenii (HARTIG 1837)

Types: In Hartig´s collection in ZSM München, there are 2 , 1  labelled Lygaeonematus saxesenii by Clément. The female labelled: „small red sheet with slant sides“; Sammlung Th. Hartig; Lygaeonematus saxeseni Htg.  E. Clément det.; Lectotype; Pristiphora saxeseni i (Htg.) , det. BeneŠ 1975 agrees well with Hartig´s original description and Konow´s concept of P. (L.) saxesenii and is hereby designated as a letotype. It was in good condition, with only right forewing nearly broken off and right hindwing damaged when studied in 1975. It is worthy of mention that sternite 6 and hypopygium overlap both lateral sides of apical tergites.

One female labelled „Type (red printed sheet, crossed out); Nematus saxesenii Th. Hartig det. (in Clément´s handwriting, name printed); Sammlung Th. Hartig (printed); saxeseni n. (old Hartig´s ornamental sheet with ventral side up); Pteronea (sic!) leucotrocha Htg. Conde det. (in Conde´s handwriting)“ actually belongs to Nematus leucotrochus HARTIG 1837 . As it is probable that Hartig wrongly labelled this specimen „ saxeseni n.“, as it does not correspond with Hartig´s original decription of saxesenii, Conde correctly identified it and probably stroke out the word „Type“. A single male could not be dissected and therefore has not been designated as paralectotype.

Differential diagnosis: From other species of the group it is characterized by pale mesepimeron and, with the exception of P. (L.) gerula and P. (L.) jacutica by smooth and shining epipygium and shape of the sheath. Females can be separated from P. (L.) gerula and P. (L.) jacutica on distinct serrulae and ctenidia of valvula 1, entirely pale mesepimeron and mostly pale abdomen with a row of median dark spots. Males are best characterized by the shape of penis valve.

Variability: Mesonotum of the female can be entirely black or with testaceous part of mesoscutum, on scutellum and around it; mesepimeron entirely pale or with sutures darkened, in darkest specimens also dorsal part of mesepisternum adjacent to epimeron brown; abdomen dorsally mostly pale with only small blackish median spots on tergites or mostly blackish with only lateral and narrow posterior margins pale. For differential diagnosis see comparison with gerula under this species.