Tachysphex punctipleuris, Straka, Jakub, 2016

Straka, Jakub, 2016, Tachysphexaustriacus Kohl, 1892 and T. pompiliformis (Panzer, 1804) (Hymenoptera, Crabronidae) are a complex of fourteen species in Europe and Turkey, ZooKeys 577, pp. 63-123 : 99-102

Taxon classification Animalia Hymenoptera Crabronidae

Tachysphex punctipleuris sp. n. Figs 8, 21, 27, 49, 69, 76, 102

Type material.

Holotype: ♂, Italy: "Italy Lombardia Valtellina, / Grosio 600 m NN 46,29 N / 10,26 E leg Schmid- / Egger 09.07.2006 I-valH // ♂ Tachysphex / pompiliformis (Pz.) / C form - punctate / Jakub Straka det.2008". Holotype in ZSM. Paratypes: Austria: Innsbruck, 1 ♀, 20. vi. 1920, E. Clément lgt., ZSM; Bulgaria: Dolni Pasarel N, Lozenska Planina, 1 ♂, 10. viii. 2010, T. Ljubomirov lgt., IBER; Etropole W, Etropolska Planina, 1 ♂, 1. vii. 2010, T. Ljubomirov lgt., IBER, CCDB-05716-A12; Germany: Badberg, Kaiserstuhl, Baden-Württemberg, bad, 1 ♀, 16. vii. 2011, Ch. Schmid-Egger lgt., ZSM HYM 14828; Grissheim, Baden-Württemberg, gr, 1 ♂, 16. vii. 2011, ZSM HYM 14830; 1 ♂, 18. vii. 2012, Ch. Schmid-Egger lgt., ZSM HYM 17629; Hungary: Apaj env., 1 ♂, 20.-22. vii. 2015, D. Benda lgt. et coll., ZSM HYM 24760; Kesthely, 1 ♀, 23. v. 2014, A. Astapenková, J. Habermannová, J. Straka lgt., JSPC; Kunszentmiklos env., 2 ♀♀, 16. vii. 2013, J. Habermannová, J. Straka lgt., JSPC; Pákozd env., pasture steppe, 2 ♂♂, 10. vi. 2015, 2 ♂♂, 25. vi. 2015, M. Halada lgt., ZSM HYM 24756, 1 ♂, 3.-6. vi. 2015, D. Benda, J. Straka lgt., ZSM HYM 24758, JSPC, OLML; Velencei-tó env., 1 ♀, 4.-9. vi. 2013, D. Benda, P. Bogusch, J. Straka lgt., 1 ♂, 23. v. 2014, A. Astapenková, J. Habermannová, J. Straka lgt., 1 ♂, 3.-6. vi. 2015, D. Benda, J. Straka lgt., ZSM HYM 24759, JSPC; Italy: Grosio, Valtellina, Lombardia prov., 3 ♂♂, 1 ♀, 9. vii. 2006, Ch. Schmid-Egger lgt., CSE; Monte/Castel, Veneto prov., I-venA, 1 ♂, 17. vii. 2011, Ch. Schmid-Egger lgt., ZSM HYM 14831; Osis/Eyrs, Vinschgau, Trentino-Alto Adige prov., 1 ♂, 8. vi. 2007, Ch. Schmid-Egger lgt., CSE; Rivera, Lignano, 1 ♂, 3. vii. 2015, M. Kafka lgt., JSPC; Slovenia: Narin, 1 ♂, 6. vii. 2015, M. Kafka lgt., JSPC; Turkey: between Güvern and Çerkes, 1 ♂, 18. vi. 2006, E. Scheuchl lgt., CSE.

Additional material examined.

Bulgaria: Krushare E, 1 ♀, 6. vii. 2012, T. Ljubomirov lgt., IBER; Milanovo W, 1 ♂, 7. vii. 2015, T. Ljubomirov lgt., IBER; Dätzberg, Gellmersbach, Heilbronn, Baden-Württemberg, G2, 2 ♀♀, 20. vi. 1995, Ch. Schmid-Egger lgt., CSE; Keiserstuhl, Baden-Württemberg, 1 ♂, 19. viii. 1984, Ch. Schmid-Egger lgt., CSE; Italy: Eita 2 km N, Bormio 16 km SW, Valtellina, Lombardia prov., 1 ♂, 9. vii. 2006, Ch. Schmid-Egger lgt., CSE; Grosio, Valtellina, Lombardia prov., 1 ♂, 9. vii. 2006, Ch. Schmid-Egger lgt., CSE; Lago Rovine, Piemonte 26 km SW Cuneo, I-mari1, 1 ♂, 17. vi. 2009, Ch. Schmid-Egger lgt., CSE; San Benedetto Belbo, Province of Cuneo, 1 ♂, 15. vi. 2003, 1 ♂, 22. vii. 2008, 1 ♀, 25. viii. 2008, G. Pagliano lgt., ZSM; Sirino Mt., Basilicata prov., 1 ♂, 26. vi. 1998, M. Generani, P. L. Scaramozzino lgt., WSKC; Tartsch, Bolzano, 1 ♂, 28. vii. 1989, J. Tiefenthaler lgt., OLML; Terenten, Bolzano, 1 ♂, 1 ♀, 14.-28. ix. 1982, F. Parré lgt., OLML.

Diagnosis.

Tachysphex punctipleuris sp. n. is difficult to distinguish from Tachysphex dimidiatus (Panzer), Tachysphex jokischianus (Panzer) and Tachysphex pompiliformis (Panzer). It is exceptionally variable in most characters, and no single character alone can distinguish this species from the similar species. It possesses the following combination of characters: ♀: Clypeus slightly convex, the most elevated point not well defined, located approximately at clypeal midlength. Clypeal bevel variable, reaching the clypeal base in some specimens but well separated from it in others. Clypeal lip in fresh specimens sinuate, with ill-defined emargination medially. Vertex setae short, uniformly semierect medially as well as laterally. Postocellar impression well developed, deep, an open widely Y-shaped, or the posterior margin of the impression sinuous. Head nearly round, with uniformly, densely punctate frons. Gena robust. Punctures of mesopleuron variable but distinct and well defined in some specimens. Dorsolateral cuticular projection of propodeal spiracle arcuate to semicircular and usually all dark. Propodeal side uniformly longitudinally ridged, except in small specimens. Punctures of central part of tergum IV and V ill defined, interspaces between the punctures large, distinct, slightly shiny to shiny. Pygidium wide and shiny in most specimens, similar to Tachysphex jokischianus (Panzer). ♂: Clypeus slightly convex. Clypeal bevel large, densely punctate, interspaces between punctures small, punctures less than one diameter apart. Vertex approximately as wide as long. Gena robust. Supraclypeal area flat, supraantennal tubercle slightly elevated ventromedially. Mesopleuron laterally and ventrally distinctly punctate (punctures distinct also on hypoepimeral area in some specimens), punctures well defined, interspaces between the punctures distinct, slightly shiny to shiny on most parts. Forefemoral notch small, inconspicuously carinated, anterior carina distinct, black to dark red in coloration. Terga sparsely micropunctate, with variable interspaces between punctures. Volsella light brown, dorsal process basally wider than volsellar corpus.

Description of female.

Body length: 6.4-9.2 mm.

Head. Clypeus distinctly convex, top at clypeal midlength; basomedian area relatively large, about two fifths of bevel in space, as densely, uniformly punctate as lateral section; bevel large, slightly convex, obtusely triangular, with sparse large punctures, reaching base of clypeus in some specimens, but distantly separated from it in others, shiny; lip slightly sinuate with small median emargination and with small, but well developed lateral incision with rectangular corner, lip separate from bevel by punctate groove, WML:LCL = 1.5-1.7, WCL:WML = 1.8. Supraclypeal area flat, densely and distinctly punctate, punctures ill-defined, interspaces between punctures shiny to slightly shiny. Supraantennal tubercle small, slightly elevated on inner side. Antenna relatively short, LA3:WA3 = 2.2-2.4, LA5:WA5 = 2.6-2.7. Frons uniformly punctate, punctures well defined, less than one diameter apart, interspaces variable in size; frontal median line distinct, narrow, well impressed. Vertex relatively uniformly punctate, punctures well defined, less than one diameter apart, interspaces between punctures relatively uniform in size, unsculptured, shiny. Vertex setae short, semierect everywhere, distinctly shorter than 1 × MOD; postocellar impression well developed, relatively deep, open widely Y-shaped to sinuous; vertex slightly to moderately wider than long; WV:LV = 1.2-1.6. Gena dorsally well developed.

Mesosoma. Scutum without distinct anterior impression; scutum and scutellum densely punctate, punctures well defined, half to one diameter apart, interspaces slightly microsculptured, shiny, setae about 1.0 × MOD. Mesopleuron variable, dis tinctly, densely punctate, punctures well developed, interspaces microsculptured, slightly shiny to dull; in some specimens mesopleuron with ill-defined punctures, or with indistinct punctures in posterior and dorsal part; hypoepimeral area dull, with distinct punctures, or coarsely microsculptured, or finely longitudinally ridged, dull; ventral part of mesopleuron with punctures well developed in most specimens, less than one diameter apart, interspaces shiny. Propodeal dorsum relatively finely, irregularly rugose, but with distinct longitudinal ridges in some specimens; propodeal side irregularly, incompletely longitudinally ridged, ridges well developed in large specimens, completely absent in some small specimens, dull; posteromedial margin of propodeal dorsum slightly elevated, slightly produced between marginal ridges, marginal ridges directed ventromedially toward groove on posterior side. Legs densely punctate, punctures small; forebasitarsal rake pale reddish to yellowish, with three apical spines, one preapical spine, and two additional spines. Wings slightly yellowish, veins brown.

Metasoma. Terga I-III with silvery apical fasciae. Apical depressions of terga shallow, with micropunctures evanescent in microsculpture. Terga I-III sparsely, finely micropunctate, punctures ill defined, interspaces microsculptured, shiny to slightly shiny; sculpture of tergum IV-V slightly coarser than on previous terga, punctures slightly denser. Pygidium sparsely punctate, punctures ill defined, interspaces microsculptured, slightly shiny. Central part of sternum II with several large punctures, interspaces microsculptured, shiny; lateral part slightly shiny, densely micropunctate; remaining sterna with uniform sculpture similar to that of sternum II, but more or less reduced laterally.

Coloration. Central part of mandibles, three distal tarsomeres, terga and sterna I-III red. Tegulae brown translucent. Apical parts of terga I-III slightly translucent. Remaining body parts all black.

Description of male (holotype).

Body length: 6.7 mm.

Head. Clypeus slightly convex, uniformly curved, top at clypeal midlength; basomedian area large, densely punctate; bevel small, slightly convex, shiny, with several large punctures; lip conspicuously arcuate, well developed medially, with small lateral corner, lip separated from bevel by distinct groove with large punctures; WML:LCL = 1.1, WCL:WML = 2.4. Supraclypeal area flat, distinctly punctate, interspaces between punctures shiny. Supraantennal tubercle small slightly elevated on inner side. Frons uniformly, finely punctate, punctures well defined, one to less than half diameter apart, interspaces variable in size; frontal median line distinct, narrow and finely impressed. Vertex punctate, punctures well defined, less than half to one diameter apart, interspaces unsculptured, shiny. Vertex setae short, semierect, less than 1 × MOD; postocellar impression well developed, relatively deep, open, widely Y-shaped; vertex moderately wider than long; WV:LV = 1.5. Gena dorsally well developed.

Mesosoma. Scutum without distinct anterior impression; scutum and scutellum densely, relatively finely punctate, punctures well defined, most punctures less than one diameter apart, interspaces distinct, unsculptured, shiny, setae about 1.0 × MOD or less. Mesopleuron distinctly punctate throughout, most punctures well defined, interspaces finely microsculptured, slightly shiny; also hypoepimeral area densely punctate, interspaces microsculptured; ventral part of mesopleuron with punctures well defined, interspaces shiny. Propodeal dorsum coarsely sculptured, ridged and areolate; propodeal side longitudinally ridged, ridges well developed, microsculptured, dull; posteromedial margin of propodeal dorsum inconspicuously elevated, marginal ridges directed ventromedially toward groove on posterior side. Legs densely punctate, punctures small; forefemoral notch relatively shallow, small, shorter than distance that separates it from forefemoral base, central part of notch slightly elevated, anterior margin lined by faint ledge, posterior margin lined by shiny, nearly glabrous area, notch surface without distinct setae, microsculptured, dull. Wings slightly infumate, veins brown.

Metasoma. Terga I-III with silvery apical faciae. Apical depressions of terga shallow, micropunctate. Terga I-III sparsely, distinctly micropunctate, punctures ill defined, interspaces microsculptured, shiny; sculpture of tergum IV-VII coarser than on previous terga, punctures slightly denser. Sterna uniformly punctate nearly like terga.

Coloration. Apical part of mandibles, tegulae, terga and sterna I-III red; distal tarsomeres and forefemoral notch in center dark reddish. Apical parts of terga and tegula translucent. Remaining body parts all black.

Variation of males: Mandibular inner margin with one distinct rectangular tooth and distinct furrow next to the tooth distally. Antenna relatively short, LA3:WA3 = 1.5-1.6, LA5:WA5 = 1.9-2.1. Volsella light brown, ventral setae pointing in various directions; dorsal process slightly wider than corpus in most specimens. Sculpture of mesopleuron very variable, densely to sparsely punctate, punctures mostly well defined, but indistinct in some specimens. Propodeum coarsely to finely sculptured, with or without longitudinal ridges. Forefemoral notch often black.

Geographic distribution.

Austria, Bulgaria, Germany, Hungary, Italy, Slovenia and Turkey.

Name derivation.

The species is named after its punctate mesopleuron in most males.