Parancistrocerus vicinus Giordani Soika,, 1994

P. Girish Kumar, J. M. Carpenter & P. M. Sureshan, 2016, A taxonomic review of the genus Parancistrocerus Bequaert (Hymenoptera: Vespidae: Eumeninae) from the Indian subcontinent with the description of three new species, Halteres 7 (1), pp. 36-156 : 152-154

12. Parancistrocerus vicinus Giordani Soika, 1994

(Figs. 34-42)

Parancistrocerus vicinus Giordani Soika, 1994: 159 (key), 194, Holotype female, “India: Maharashtra, Matheran” (BMNH).

Diagnosis: Female (Fig. 34): Dorsal face of propodeum fused at midline of metanotum, not forming horizontal area behind midline of metanotum (Fig. 38); T2 with almost regular apical yellow band, about 2 irregular rows of punctures at median area of yellow band (Fig. 39); punctures on T2 larger; T1 with narrow apical yellow band, about 2-3 irregular rows of punctures at yellow band; clypeus (Fig. 36) longer, strongly emarginate at apex, with less acute apical teeth; clypeus with punctures of average thickness, interspaces about equal to punctures; vertical anterior face of T1 distinctly shorter than dorsal horizontal face; S2 convex at base, very weakly depressed after; T2 not reflexed at apex, with apical margin normal, not prolonged in middle.

Colour description: Body black with yellow and brown ferruginous markings. Yellow markings: spot at base of mandibles; broad band at base and apex of clypeus; stain on frons above interantennal space; ocular sinus; mark on tempora; lower side of scape; wide band on dorsal surface of pronotum, interrupted medially; speck on top of mesepisternum; tegula (except median brown area); parategula; metanotum; apical mark on fore and mid femora; mark on all tibiae (sometimes absent in hind tibiae); almost regular apical bands on T1, T2 & S2. Brown ferruginous markings: lower face of funicles; mandibles and tegulae (excluding yellow portions); all tarsi. Wings almost hyaline, fore wing with subapical fuscous cloud.

Length (H+M+T1+T2): 6-7 mm.

Male (hitherto unknown) (Fig. 40): Clypeus more emarginate at apex than that of female (Fig. 41); apical antennal article pointed at apex and almost reaching to base of 11th article in curved position (Fig. 42). Colour similar to that of female except yellow marks on clypeus more extensive; yellow stain on front, above interantennal space, extended to base of clypeus. Length (H+M+T1+T2): 6 mm.

Material examined: INDIA: Kerala, Kozhikode Dist., Kottooli wetland, 2♀, 15.v.2008, Coll. P.M. Sureshan & Party, ZSIK Regd. Nos. ZSI/WGRS/I.R-INV.6960 & 6961; Calicut town, 2♀, 23.ii.2012, Coll. K.P. Mohammed Shareef, ZSIK Regd. Nos. ZSI/WGRS/I.R-INV.6962 & 6963; Vayalada, 1♀ & 1³, 21.ix.2012, Coll. K.P. Mohammed Shareef, ZSIK Regd. Nos. ZSI/WGRS/I.R- INV.6964 & 6965; Malabar Wildlife Sanctuary, Poozhithodu, Thalipara, 1♀, 18.iv.2013, Coll. P. Girish Kumar, ZSIK Regd. No. ZSI/WGRS/I.R-INV.6966; Nanminda, 1♀, 4.vi.2014, Coll. P. Girish Kumar, ZSIK Regd. No. ZSI/WGRS/I.R- INV.6967; Malabar Wildlife Sanctuary, Kakkayam, 1♀, 23.ii.2016, Coll. P. Girish Kumar, ZSIK Regd. No. ZSI/WGRS/I.R- INV.6968; Wayanad Dist., Sulthan Batheri, 1♀, 22.v.2012, Coll. Lambert Kishore, ZSIK Regd. No. ZSI/WGRS/I.R-INV.6969; Thirunelli, Brahmagiri shola forest, 1♀, 16.ii.2016, Coll. P. Girish Kumar, ZSIK Regd. No. ZSI/WGRS/I.R-INV.6970.

Distribution: India: Kerala (new record), Maharashtra.