Tachysphex pompiliformis (Panzer, 1804)

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 : 94-98

Taxon classification Animalia Hymenoptera Crabronidae

Tachysphex pompiliformis (Panzer, 1804) Figs 9, 12, 20, 26, 35, 48, 52, 58, 68, 75, 85, 90, 101

Larra pompiliformis Panzer, 1804 (Heft 89: pl. 13), ♀.

Type material.

Holotype: ♀, no specific locality at the label, but probably from Germany. Holotype by monotypy. "Coll. Sturm [printed] // Stimmt / Larra / pompili - / formis / Panz. [handwriting, card with black frame] // 56 [printed, red card] // Larra / pompiliformis Panz. / Typus sec. Richards 1935 [handwriting] // Tachysphex ♀ / pompiliformis Pz. / J. de Beaumont / det. 1955 [handwriting on pre-printed card with name of determinator and year] // Typus Nr. / Zoologische / Staatsamlung / München. [printed, red card]". Holotype in ZSM, examined.

Additional material examined.

Austria: Seefeld NW, Niederösterreich, 1 ♂, 19. v. 2015, M. Halada lgt., OLML; Czech Republic: Boh. occ., Tušimice, ash coal deposit from power station, 3 ♂♂, 26. vi. 2010, 1 ♂, 31. vii. 2010, ZSM HYM24250, 3 ♀♀, 22. viii. 2010, ZSM HYM24580, R. Tropek lgt., JSPC,; Mor. mer., Boleradice 1 km NE, 1 ♂, 10. vii. 2014, M. Říha lgt., JSPC; Bratčice env., 1 ♂, 21. vi. 2012, M. Halada lgt., JSPC; Čejč, 1 ♂, viii. 1963, Z. Pádr lgt., OLML; Gotberg, Popice 1.5km NE, 1 ♂, 25. v. 2014, ZSM HYM24595, M. Říha lgt., JSPC; Havraníky env., NP Podyjí, 1 ♂, 18. v. 2015, M. Halada lgt., JSPC; Morkůvky 1km NE, 1 ♂, 8. vii. 2014, M. Říha lgt., JSPC; Bulgaria: Martisganitsa cotage W, 1 ♂, 24. viii. 2013, T. Ljubomirov lgt., IBER; Milanovo W, 1 ♂, 7. vii. 2015, T. Ljubomirov lgt., IBER; Razdol, Maleshevska Planina, 2 ♂♂, 27. vi. 2008, T. Ljubomirov lgt., IBER; Rezhantsi env., 1 ♀, 9. viii. 2011, N. Simov lgt., IBER; Slančev Brjag env., 1 ♀, 18. vi. 1977, Z. Pádr lgt., 1 ♂, 29. vii. 1968, M. Kocourek lgt., OLML; Staroplaninets cotage SW, Etropolska Planina, 1 ♀, 24. viii. 2006, 1 ♂, 1 ♀, 1. vii. 2010, T. Ljubomirov lgt., IBER; Staroseltsi env., Isskar valey, 2 ♂♂, 28. v. 2011, T. Ljubomirov lgt., IBER; Trubatch, Razgradski heights, 1 ♀, 22. viii. 1999, K. Ivanov lgt., JSPC; France: St. Thomé, Font Just, 12 km SW Montélimar, 1 ♀, 14. vi. 2001, J. v. d. Smissen lgt., USMB; Greece: Ag. Petros, Meg. Tourla, Oros Parnon, Hellas, 1 ♀, 14. vii. 2006, 2 ♂♂, 24. vi. 2013, W. Arens lgt., WAPC; Ano Trikala, Mt. Killini, Hellas, 8 ♂♂, 24. vi. 2008, W. Arens lgt., WAPC; Meg. Tourla, Oros Parnon, Hellas, 1 ♀, 13. vii. 2006, 5 ♂♂, 23. vi. 2013, W. Arens lgt., WAPC; Michas, Erymanthos, Achaea, 1 ♀, 23. vi. 1995, 1 ♀, 10. vii. 1996, W. Arens lgt., WAPC; Prof. Ilias, Oros Taygetos, Hellas, 2 ♂♂, 28. vi. 2013, ZSM HYM24579, W. Arens lgt., WAPC, JSPC; Stymphalia, Hellas, 1 ♀, 15. vi. 1995, W. Arens lgt., WAPC; Toriza- Prof. Ilias, Oros Taygetos, Hellas, 1 ♀, 11. vii. 2007, W. Arens lgt., WAPC; Hungary: Hegyshalom N, 2 ♂♂, 6. vi. 2015, M. Halada lgt., OLML; Kesthely env., lime stone, 1 ♂, 1 ♀, 23. v. 2014, A. Astapenková, J. Habermannová, J. Straka lgt., JSPC; Örkeny, puszta, 2 ♂♂, 27. vi. 2015, M. Halada lgt., JSC; Pákozd env., pasture stepe, 4 ♂♂, 10. vi. 2015, 2 ♂♂, 1 ♀, 25. vi. 2015, M. Halada lgt., JSPC; Italy: Coldrano, Vinschgau, Trentino-Alto Adige prov., 1 ♂, 8. vi. 2007, Ch. Schmid-Egger lgt., CSE; Lanzada, Sondrio 11 km N, Lombardia prov., 2 ♀♀, 9. vii. 2006, Ch. Schmid-Egger lgt., CSE; Lasa, Vinschgau 2 km N, Trentino-Alto Adige prov., 6 ♂♂, 3 ♀♀, 8. vi. 2007; Ch. Schmid-Egger lgt., CSE; Osis/Eyrs, Vinschgau, Trentino-Alto Adige prov., 4 ♂♂, 1 ♀, 8. vi. 2007, Ch. Schmid-Egger lgt., CSE; Pondel, Aosta 8 km SW, Valle d’Aosta prov., 3 ♂♂, 4. viii. 1996, P. Rosa lgt., CSE; Ponte in Valtellina, Sondrio 10 km E, Lombardia prov., 3 ♂♂, 9. vii. 2006, Ch. Schmid-Egger lgt., CSE; St. Pierre, Valle d’Aosta prov., 2 ♂♂, 1. viii. 1997, Ch. Schmid-Egger lgt., CSE; Tubre/Taufers, Vinschgau 1 km NE, Trentino-Alto Adige prov., 8 ♂♂, 2 ♀♀, 27. vii. 2007, Ch. Schmid-Egger lgt., CSE; Casali Santa Maria Maddalena N, 1 ♂, 22. vi. 2011, T. Ljubomirov lgt., IBER; Casali Santa Maria Maddalena NE, 6 ♂♂ 22. vi. 2011, T. Ljubomirov lgt., IBER, CCDB-12231-G09, CCDB-12230-A04, CCDB-12230-C01, CCDB-12232-B08, CCDB-12233-D06, CCDB-12233-F01; Ozein, 10km SW Aosta, I-aooz, 1 ♂, 19. viii. 1996, P. Rosa lgt., ZSM; Saint-Pierre, 16km W Aosta, Valle d’Aosta, I-aoB, 1 ♂, 8. vii. 1995, 1 ♀, 27. vi. 1996, Ch. Schmid-Egger lgt., CSE; Saint-Pierre, 6 km W Aosta, Valle d’Aosta, 2 ♂♂, 28. vi. 1999, J. v. d. Smissen lgt., USMB; Sarre, Aosta valey, 1 ♀, 1. viii. 2007, W. Schlaefle lgt., WSKC; Tartsch, Bolzano, 1 ♀, 28. vii. 1989, J. Tiefenthaler lgt., OLML; Kyrgyzstan: Ak-Buura ravine, Osh 45km S, Alai Mts., Osh prov., 1 ♂, 14. vii. 2014, Oistein Berg lgt., JSPC, ZSM HYM23639; Issik-Kul lake ost., Teplokljitchenka rg., 3 ♂♂, 3 ♀♀, viii. 2001, V. Gurko lgt., JSPC; Kashkasu env., Ala-Archa, 1 ♂, 9. vii. 2002, V. Gurko lgt., JSPC; Tchon-Aryk, Kirghizskyi Mts., 1 ♂, 11. vii. 2001, V. Gurko lgt., JSPC; Portugal: Armamar, Viseu distr., P-arn, 1 ♂, 1. viii. 2001, Ch. Schmid-Egger lgt., CSE; Gerês, Braga distr., P-ger, 2 ♂, 31. vii. 2001, Ch. Schmid-Egger lgt., CSE; Slovakia: Štúrovo, 1♂, 28. vii. 1959, 1 ♂, 18. vi. 1960, 1 ♀, 2. viii. 1960, 1 ♂, 15. viii. 1961, 1 ♀, 16. vii. 1962, 2 ♂♂, 1 ♀, 27. vii. 1962, Z. Pádr lgt., OLML, 1 ♀, 29. vii. 2002, J. Habarta lgt., JSPC; Somotor, 1 ♀, vii. 1958, M. Kocourek lgt., OLML; Switzerland: Leuk, Wallis prov., 1 ♀, 12. viii. 2011, W. Schlaefle lgt., WSKC, Mergoscia, Tessin prov., 1 ♂, 15. vii. 2011, W. Schlaefle lgt., WSKC; Monte Comino, Tessin prov., 1 ♀, 15. vii. 2007, 1♂, 11. vii. 2012, W. Schlaefle lgt., WSKC; Zeneggen, Wallis prov., 1 ♂, 15. vii. 2010, W. Schlaefle lgt., WSKC; Turkey: Dortiol, Amánus Mts., 4 ♂♂, 10. vi. 2008, M. Škorpík lgt., JSPC; Erzurum E, Erzurum prov., 2 ♂, 6. vii. 2000, M. Halada lgt., OLML; Esendere, Hakkari prov., 1 ♀, 21. vii. 1988, Ch. Schmid-Egger lgt., CSE; Ihara valey, Adana prov., 1 ♂, 13. vi. 2008, M. Kafka lgt., JSPC; Kasnak Mesesi, Isparta, 1 ♀, 28. vi. 2007, 1 ♀, 30. vi. 2007, 1 ♀, 8. ix. 2007, A. Bayindir lgt., IBER, 1 ♂, 6. viii. 2008, T. Ljubomirov, A. Bayindir, IBER; Kengerlidüz, Hatay, 1 ♀, 21. vii. 2007, M. F. Gürbüz lgt., IBER; Mitisin, Osmaniye prov., 1 ♂, 6. viii. 2008, T. Ljubomirov lgt., IBER; Muradiye, Van prov., 1 ♀, 3. vii. 2000, M. Halada lgt., OLML; Pazaryolu, Kumaşkaya, Erzurum prov., 1 ♂, 25. vi. 2014, T. Ljubomirov lgt., IBER; Pozantı, Adana prov., 1 ♂, 6. vii. 1984, Hladil lgt., OLML; Refahye 15km W, Erzincan prov., 1 ♀, 7. vii. 2000, M. Halada lgt., OLML; Salihli 35 km SEE, Manisa prov., 1 ♂, 30. vi. 2006, M. Halada lgt., JSPC; Samson University campus, Samson prov., 1 ♂, 4. vii. 2014, J. Barták, Kubík lgt., JSPC; Tekederesi env., Erzurum vil., 15 km SW, 2 ♂♂, 2. vii. 2001, M. Fikáček, J. Hájek, J. Straka lgt., JSPC; Yüksekova, Hakkari prov., 1 ♀, 22. vii. 1988, Ch. Schmid-Egger lgt., CSE.

Diagnosis.

Tachysphex pompiliformis (Panzer) is difficult to distinguish from Tachysphex dimidiatus (Panzer), Tachysphex jokischianus (Panzer) and Tachysphex punctipleuris sp. n. It is exceptionally variable in most characters and no single character alone can differentiate it from morphologically similar species. This species is generally darker and more coarsely punctate than similar species. The metasoma is densely micropunctate, including apical depressions. The mesopleuron is coarsely sculptured, rugose, or coarsely punctate, and the hypoepimeral area has more or less distinct longitudinal ridges. In males, sternum II is often dark red to partly black, but tergum II is red; however, specimens with red metasomal segments I-III also occur. The terga are darker than in other species in some females, but this occurs less often. The forefemoral notch of the male is dark in most specimens. The gena is robust. The following combination of additional characters is also characteristic of this species: ♀: The clypeus is slightly convex, and the most elevated point is not well defined but located at about the clypeal midlength. The vertex setae are short and uniformly semierect both medially and laterally. The dorsolateral cuticular projection of the propodeal spiracle is arcuate to semicircular and usually dark. The propodeal dorsum and side are longitudinally ridged; the dorsum is coarsely sculptured, but the ridges are indistinct in some specimens. The forebasitarsal rake is reddish in fresh individuals, with two, well separated apical spines and one additional preapical spine. The wings are often but not always dark. ♂: The clypeus is coarsely punctate, the interspaces between the punctures large, approximately one diameter apart. The forefemoral notch is markedly carinated on the anterior and posterior margin. The volsella is dark, the dorsal process narrow, about as wide as the volsellar corpus basally.

Description of male.

Body length: 5.3-7.8 mm.

Head. Mandibular inner margin with one rectangular tooth and distinct furrow next to tooth distally. Clypeus convex, slightly elevated and steeply declining ventrally, top in apical third or in midlength; basomedian area large, sparsely punctate, more sparsely punctate medially than laterally in some specimens; bevel convex, conspicuously decreasing toward clypeal lip, variable in size, shiny with several larger punctures; lip distinctly sinuate, conspicuously produced medially in most specimens, with distinct lateral corner, lip separated from bevel by variable groove; WML:LCL = 1.2-1.3, WCL:WML = 2.3-2.4. Supraclypeal area slightly concave, distinctly punctate, punctures ill-defined, interspaces microsculptured, dull. Supraantennal tubercle small, but distinctly elevated on inner side, shiny. Antenna relatively short, LA3:WA3 = 1.5-1.6, LA5:WA5 = 1.9-2.1. Frons uniformly punctate, punctures well defined, less than one diameter apart, interspaces variable in size; frontal median line distinct, narrow, finely impressed. Vertex punctate, punctures relatively large, well defined, less than half to two diameters apart, interspaces slightly microsculptured, slightly shiny to dull. Vertex setae short, semierect medially, but nearly erect close to inner eye margin, less than 1 × MOD, postocellar impression distinct, shallow, sparsely punctate, punctures relatively large, open, widely V to Y-shaped; vertex slightly to moderately wider than long; WV:LV = 1.1-1.5. Gena dorsally well developed.

Mesosoma. Scutum without distinct anterior impression; scutum and scutellum densely punctate, punctures well defined, most punctures less than half diameter apart, interspaces distinct, microsculptured, slightly shiny to dull, setae about 1.0 × MOD or less. Mesopleuron rugose to densely punctate, most punctures in ventral half well defined, interspaces coarsely microsculptured to rugose, slightly shiny to dull; hypoepimeral area coarsely rugose, without distinct punctures, with distinct longitudinal ridges in most specimens, dull; ventral part of mesopleuron with punctures large, well defined (ill defined in small specimens), interspaces finely microsculptured, slightly shiny. Propodeal dorsum coarsely sculptured, longitudinally ridged, irregularly ridged, or areolate; side longitudinally ridged, ridges well developed, interspaces microsculptured, dull; posteromedial margin of dorsum slightly elevated or not elevated, marginal ridges fine, variably sinuous, horizontal, with ventromedially directed medially. Legs densely punctate, punctures small; forefemoral notch small, but relatively deep, semicircular, shorter than distance that separates it from forefemoral base, proximal margin relatively sharp, elevated over distal margin, central part of notch slightly elevated, anterior and posterior margins lined by faint ledge, notch surface without distinct setae, coarsely microsculptured, dull. Wings moderately infumate, but relatively pale in some specimens, veins brown.

Metasoma. Silvery apical faciae of terga I-III faintly developed, often absent. Apical depressions of all terga shallow, densely micropunctate, nearly as densely as more anterior parts. Terga I-III densely and distinctly micropunctate, punctures ill defined, interspaces microsculptured, slightly shiny; sculpture of terga IV-VII coarser than on previous terga, also punctation denser. Sterna uniformly punctate nearly like terga.

Coloration. Apical part of mandible red; terga I and II dark red, base of tergum II dark red in some specimens; apex of sternum I and base of sternum II dark red, infrequently specimens with three red metasomal segments also occur; distal tarsomeres dark red on ventral side; forefemoral notch black in most specimens, but dark red in a few. Tegulae reddish or brown translucent. Apical parts of all terga slightly translucent. Remaining body parts all black.

Description of female (holotype).

Body length: 7.8 mm.

Head. Clypeus distinctly convex, top at clypeal midlength; basomedian area relatively large, more sparsely punctate and punctures larger than on lateral section, interspaces between punctures basolaterally small, but getting sparser in mesoventral direction, interspaces well developed, but punctures mostly less than one diameter apart; bevel large, distinctly convex, as long as basomedian area both laterally and medially, not triangular, with sparse large punctures, not reaching base of clypeus, shiny; lip slightly arcuate, with lateral incision, separate from bevel by punctate groove, WML:LCL = 1.6, WCL:WML = 1.8. Supraclypeal area flat, distinctly punctate, punctures ill-defined, interspaces between punctures shiny to slightly shiny. Supraanten nal tubercle slightly elevated on inner side. Antenna relatively short. Frons uniformly punctate, punctures well defined, about half diameter apart or less, interspaces slightly variable in size; frontal median line distinct, narrow, finely impressed. Vertex punctate, punctures well defined, less than half to one diameter apart, laterally sparser than medially, interspaces microsculptured, dull. Vertex setae short semierect, slightly longer laterally than medially, about 0.5 × MOD; postocellar impression distinct, shallow, V-shaped; vertex slightly wider than long; WV:LV = 1.3. Gena dorsally well developed.

Mesosoma. Scutum without distinct anterior impression; scutum and scutellum densely punctate, punctures well defined, less than half to one diameter apart, microsculptured, slightly shiny, setae about 1.0 × MOD or less. Mesopleuron coarsely microsculptured to finely rugose anteriorly, with indistinct punctures anteriorly; hypoepimeral area irregularly microsculptured to finely rugose, without punctures; ventral part of mesopleuron with punctures ill defined, less than one diameter apart, interspaces small, slightly shiny. Propodeal dorsum finely irregularly longitudinally ridged, interspaces rugose; propodeal side irregularly, but distinctly longitudinally ridged, ridges inconspicuous basally, interspaces microsculptured, dull; posteromedial margin of dorsum slightly elevated, marginal ridges directed ventromedially toward groove on posterior side. Legs densely punctate, punctures small; forebasitarsal rake reddish, with two apical spines, one preapical, and two additional ones. Wings slightly infumate, veins brown.

Metasoma. Terga I-III with silvery apical fasciae inconspicuously developed. Apical depressions of all terga shallow, with distinct micropunctures, on terga I-II evanescent in microsculpture. Terga I-III densely, finely micropunctate, punctures ill defined but distinct, interspaces microsculptured, slightly shiny; sculpture of tergum III-V distinctly coarser than on previous terga, also punctures slightly denser. Pygidium sparsely punctate, punctures ill defined, interspaces microsculptured, dull. 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 mandible, 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.

Variation of females: Body length: 6.7-9.3 mm. WV:LV = 1.3-1.4. Antenna, LA3:WA3 = 2.2-2.4, LA5:WA5 = 2.6-2.7. Very variable in coloration and sculpture. The holotype female is among the specimens with the finest sculpture. The mesopleuron is coarsely punctate to coarsely rugose; the hypoepimeral area is longitudinaly ridged, but also coarsely and uniformly rugose in some specimens. The propodeal dorsum is longitudinaly ridged, but also coarsely and uniformly rugose in some specimens (usually the hypoepimeral area and the propodeal dorsum with a comparable sculpture). The abdominal segments I-III equally red or dark red, but also two, or just one tergite red, and then sterna darker than terga.

Geographic distribution.

Austria, Czech Republic, Bulgaria, Germany, France, Greece, Hungary, Italy, Kyrgyzstan, Portugal, Slovakia, Switzerland and Turkey.