Pseudepipona (Pseudepipona) kazenasi Kurzenko, 1974

Abasheev, R. Yu., 2019, First Record Of Pseudepipona Kazenasi Kurzenko, 1974 (Hymenoptera: Vespidae) From Mongolia, Far Eastern Entomologist 397, pp. 13-15 : 13-14

Pseudepipona (Pseudepipona) kazenasi Kurzenko, 1974

Figs 1–2

MATERIAL EXAMINED. Holotype, ♂ Kazakhstan: vicinity of Ayak-Kalkana, Ili River , 30.V 1971, leg. V.L. Кazenas . Paratype, ♂: ibid., 21.VI 1971, leg. V.L. Кazenas [ Federal Scientific Center of the East Asia Terrestrial Biodiversity of the Far East Branch of the Russian Academy of Sciences, Vladivostok, Russia]. Mongolia: South Gobi, 44°03′20″N 101°50′13″E, 21.VI 2018, 1 ♂, leg. R.Yu. Abasheev [ Dorji Banzarov Buryat State University].

DISTRIBUTION. Kazakhstan (southeastern part), Mongolia (South Gobi).

ECOLOGY. The specimen was collected on a saxaul branch [ Haloxylon ammodendron (C. A. Mey.) Bunge ex Fenzl ] with galls. It seemed that the wasp used these galls as a source of liquid which was probably used for nutrition. In the type locality of the species in the vicinity of Ayak-Kalkan ( Kazakhstan), saxaul thickets are also widespread. It can be assumed that this species has some interactions with this plant.

REMARKS. The species is known only by 3 specimens. Unlike similar species Pseudepipona sellata (Morawitz, 1885) , P. kazenasi has yellow but not orange coloration and weaker sculpture and punctation of the body. Hind tarsi are brown and first tarsal joint is slightly swollen. Wing apex is less fuscous. Scutum has a typical W-shaped yellow pattern ( Figs 1, 2 ). Female is unknown ( Kurzenko, 1974).

Figures

Figs 1, 2. Habitus of Pseudepipona kazenasi Kurzenko, male (Mongolia: South Gobi). 1 – lateral view; 2 – dorsal view.