Parapiagetia alwathbaensis Schmid-Egger, 2022

Schmid-Egger, Christian & Harten, Antonius Van, 2022, Additions to the digger wasps (Hymenoptera, Spheciformes) of the United Arab Emirates with description of ten new species, Zootaxa 5219 (6), pp. 543-575 : 569-570

Parapiagetia alwathbaensis Schmid-Egger , sp. nov.

( Figs 98–103 )

Holotype. ♁ United Arab Emirates, 15.iv.2015 Abu Dhabi, Al Wathba Wetland Reserve , 24.248N, 54.742E, leg. A.S & AvH, in Malaise traps ( CSE) . Paratypes: Abu Dhabi, Al Wathba Wetland Reserve 1 ♁, 15.ii.2015. 4 ♁, 15.viii.2015. 1 ♁, 1 ♀, 15.vi.2015. 2 ♁, 3 ♀, 15.x.2015. 4 ♁, 4 ♀, 15.iii.2015. 1 ♁, 6 ♀, 15.xi.2015. 3 ♁, 6 ♀, 15.iv.2015. 10 ♁, 12 ♀, 15.v.2015, all collected by A.S & AvH, in Malaise traps ( CSE) .

Remarks. Parapiagetia alwathbaensis keys out with Parapiagetia mongolica in the key of Pulawski (1977). However, a detailed comparisation with the description in Pulawski (1977) and with true P. mongolica from Morocco shows some minor differences in morphology, and a distinctly different male genitalia. For that reason, the species is decribed here as new. P. mongolica is widely distributed in North Africa and Central Asia, and lacks in Arabian peninsula.

Diagnosis. Parapiagetia alwathbaensis is close to P. mongolica . Both species are mainly characterized by a short marginal cell (AT as long as AR). This character is also best suited for distinction from P. arabica . The females of both species are also characterized by two long medial teeth on clypeus, and a straigth lateral margin. The lateral margin bears a short tooth in P. arabica , and a long tooth in P. odontostoma (both species also with two long medial teeth). The female of Parapiagetia alwathbaensis differs from the similar P. mongolica by the pubescence of the face. It reaches ocellar region or vertex in P. alwathbaensis , and ends more or less in the middle between antennal base and midocellus in P. mongolica .

The male differs from P. mongolica mainly by the shape of the volsella which is as narrow as penis valve in P. alwathbaensis (lateral view), and twice as large as penis valve in P. mongolica . Also, the volsella is evenly curved downwards in P. alwathbaensis , and more or less straight in P. mongolica . Longest setae on ventral margin of the volsella are longer than the diameter of the volsella in P. spec. A from Oman, and much shorter and restricted to the medial part of the volsella in P. mongolica .

Description of male holotype. Body length 7.2 mm. Colour: Black with the following withish-yellowish: Mandible except apical third, apex of scape below, tegula (largely translucent), wing venation, apex of femora, tibiae, tarsi (tibiae with large brown band on front side). Wings transparent. Face towards ocelli and most parts of mesosoma covered with long, silvery pilosity, hiding integument below. Morphology: Mandible ventral margin with deep, U-shaped emargination. Apical clypeal margin with half round or sqare-like prolongation, as wide as distance between antennal sockets. AS 3 1.2× as long as apical width (ventral side), somewhat longer than AS IV. Remaining segments somewhat longer than wide, apical segment 1.5× as long as wide. Basal half of mesonotum with transverse striation, hidden under pubescence. Propodeal dorsum with seven distinct transverse ridges, continuing up to lateral surface. Mesopleuron with seven to eight vertical ridges, similar to those of propodeum, difficult to recognize under dense pilosity. Tergum I 2.7× as long as apical width. Pygidial plate of tergum VII finely microsculptured, with a few punctures, apically truncate, laterally with fine and sharp carina. Sternum VIII apically straight, with small lateral tooth. Genitalia, see diagnosis and fig. 103. AT of forewing 1.1× as long as AR.

Variation in males: Body length 6.5–9.0 mm. Ratio of AT/AR variable, 1.0–1.1, sometimes also different in left and right wing. Striation of mesonotum variable, covering whole mesonotum in some specimens, with longitudinal median impression in basal half.

Description of female paratypes: Body length 7.0– 8.5 mm. Colour: Black with the following withish-yellowish: Mandible medially, apex of scape below, tegula largely translucent), wing venation, apex of femora, tibiae, tarsi (tibiae with large brown band on front side). Wings transparent. Face towards ocelli and most parts of mesosoma covered with long, silvery pilosity, hiding integument beneath. Pygidial plate apically red. Morphology: Mandible ventral margin basally with large corner, medially notched. Clypeal free margin medially with two teeth, laterally next to teeth with small tooth-like point. Mesonotum shiny, finely punctured, puntures 1–2 diameters apart; medially in anterior half with furrow, basally with some denser punctation. Propodeal dorsum with seven or eight distinct transverse carinae. Anterior half of mesopleuron striate, posterior half punctate. Integument in most specimens hidden under dense, long pilositiy. Fore basitarsus with six pale spines, apical spine as long as foretarsomere II. AT of forewing approximately 1.1× as long as AR. Tergum I 2.1× as long as apical width. Pygidal plate smooth, with some indistinct microsculpture and a few scattered punctures.

Variation of female: A single female differs from remaining specimens by all red terga II and III, red base of tergum I and red parts on mid- and hindleg. Mid-sterna somewhat reddish.

Distribution. United Arab Emirates.

Etymology. The species is named after the type origin, Al Wathba Wetland Reserve near Abu Dhabi, a famous place with a high diversity in wasp species.

Figures

FIGURES 97–104. 97. Oxybelus sajae ♀ holotype, metanotum and mucron. 98–103. Parapiagetia alwathbaensis; 98. ♀ lateral view. 99. ♀ face. 100. ♀ forewing. 101. ♁ holotype, lateral view. 102. ♁ holotype, face. 103. ♁ holotype, genitalia, lateral view. 104. Parapiagetia arabica ♁ lateral view.