Epipompilus pulcherrimus ( Evans, 1955 )

Waichert, Cecilia, Rodriguez, Juanita, Von Dohlen, Carol D. & Pitts, James P., 2012, Spider wasps (Hymenoptera: Pompilidae) of the Dominican Republic, Zootaxa 3353 (1), pp. 1-47 : 6

Epipompilus pulcherrimus ( Evans, 1955)

( Figs 4A–B )

Aulocostethus pulcherrimus Evans, 1955 , Entomological News, vol. 66, p. 150 [Holotype: ♀, USA, Florida (USNM)].

Diagnosis. This species can be recognized by the following unique combination of characters: the integument is black and orange ( Figs 4A–B ); the pubescence on the body is long, white, and abundant; the antenna is inserted just dorsal to the clypeal margin, and the eye is pilose. Additionally, the female ( Fig. 4A ) has black integument with blue reflections on the head and mesosoma, while the integument is orange on the metasoma; the antenna is reddish brown; the clypeus is trapezoidal and flat; the pronotum has the collar not well differentiated from the disc; and the fore and hind wings are darkened. The male ( Fig. 4B ) has black integument with orange pronotum and mesonotum; the clypeus is trapezoidal, flat, and orange medially; the hind tibia has a whitish spot apically; the pilosity on the eye is present but very short; the wings are less darkened than for the female.

Material examined. DOMINICAN REPUBLIC: 1 ♂, Altagracia Prov [incia], Punta Cana , W of Biodiversity Center , Recently cleared forest edge, M[alaise] t[rap], SEL Hym Unit, 10.IX.2008, ( EMUS) ; 1 ♀, Punta Cana , Fruit Orchard nr Biodiv. Ctr., M [alaise] t[rap], 5–9.IX.2008 ( EMUS) .

Distribution. Bahamas, Cuba, Dominican Republic, and USA (Florida).

Host. Unknown.

Remarks. This species was first described based on females from Florida and Bahamas ( Evans 1955). Evans (1967) later described males collected in Malaise traps in Florida. This species was first recorded from the Caribbean ( Cuba) by Ferrer and Triana (2004). Although Snelling and Torres (2004) did not list this species as present in Puerto Rico, it likely occurs there given its presence both in Cuba and in Dominican Republic. This is the first record of E. pulcherrimus for the Dominican Republic.

Figures

FIGURE 4. A–B. Epipompilus pulcherrimus: habitus, lateral view: A. ♀; B. ♂. C–D. Ageniella bruesi: habitus, lateral view: C. ♂; D. ♀. E–F. Ageniella domingensis: habitus, lateral view: E. ♀; F.♂. G–H. Ageniella dowii: habitus, lateral view: G.♀. H. ♂. I. Ageniella violaceipes: habitus, lateral view, ♀. J. Ageniella ursula: habitus, lateral view, ♀.