Polistes (Aphanilopterus) simillimus Zikán, 1951

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 : 318-319

Polistes (Aphanilopterus) simillimus Zikán

Paramere ( Fig. 19A ): (1) about three times longer than wide at the middle; (2) lateral groove deep; (3) parameral spine medium (about 1/7 the total length of paramere), pointed apically with long and dense bristles; (4) paramere lobe developed and pointed; (5) inferior portion of paramere narrow, about half the width at the middle portion. Aedeagus ( Fig. 19B, C ): slender; (1) apical portion with fine and serrated denticulation, extended on the apical portion to the end of 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 widely developed, rounded apex; (4) lateral apodeme directed forward and shorter than the ventral process, (5) ventral process rounded; (6) inferior portion of aedeagus weakly curved, almost straight in lateral view. Digitus ( Fig. 19D ): slender; (1) apical process developed, about twice longer than the digitus base, slightly dilated in apex, (2) apex rounded; (3) anteroventral lobe short and rounded apically; (4) punctation strong, forming a central band around the base of the digitus; (5) evanescent bristles. Cuspis ( Fig. 19E ): slender; (1) apex pointed and tapering abruptly to the end; (2) long and dense bristles; (3) punctation reduced and restricted on the lateral lobe; (4) lower part developed and more membranous with short bristles.

Remarks. Richards (1978: 500) did not describe the male genitalia of this species. He commented only “ventral teeth of aedeagus perhaps a little longer” than in P. versicolor .

Figures

FIGURE 19. Male genitalia of Polistes (Aphanilopterus) simillimus—A= paramere, lateral view; B= aedeagus, ventral view; C= aedeagus, lateral view; D= digitus, lateral view; E= cuspis, lateral view. Scale bar = 1.0 mm.