Tachysphex dimidiatus (Panzer, 1809), restored from synonymy

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 : 75-80

Taxon classification Animalia Hymenoptera Crabronidae

Tachysphex dimidiatus (Panzer, 1809), restored from synonymy Figs 4, 16, 22, 24, 30, 56, 60, 64, 71, 83, 95, 107

Larra dimidiata Panzer, 1809 (Heft 106: pl. 13), ♀. Type material lost. Type was probably from Germany.

Type material.

Neotype: ♀, Germany: "Germany, BY, N of / Nürnberg, Tennenloher / Forst, 49,57'N 11.04 / leg. Schmid-Egger / 22.6.2008 by-te // Tachysphex / pompiliformis Panzer ♀ / det Schmid-Egger 2010 // ZSM / HYM 04855". Neotype in ZSM, present designation.

Additional material examined.

Austria: Kapfenstein env., Steirmark, 1 ♂, 12. vi. 1989, J. Tiefenthaler lgt., OLML; Lechaue, Forchbach 1 km W, Tirol, A-lech3, 1 ♂, 23. vi. 2006, Ch. Schmid-Egger lgt., ZSM HYM 04856; Lechufer, Unter-Pinswang, Reutte 6km NW, Tirol, A-lech1, 1 ♂, 23. vi. 2006, Ch. Schmid-Egger lgt., ZSM HYM 04857; Mönchgraben, Ebelsberg, Oberösterreich, 1 ♀, 22. viii. 1948, F. Koller lgt., ZSM; Czech Republic: Boh. centr., Cihelna v Bažantnici, Praha-Hloubětín, 1 ♂, 2 ♀♀, 7. vii. 1998, 1 ♂, 5 ♀♀, 17. viii. 1998, 5♂♂, 2 ♀♀, 22. vi. 1998, 7 ♂♂, 3 ♀♀, 2. viii. 1998, J. Straka lgt., JSPC; Divoká Šárka, Praha-Liboc, 1 ♀, 16. viii. 1998, 1 ♂, 10. vii. 1998, 1 ♂, 4. viii. 1998, J. Straka lgt., JSPC; Chvalské skály, Praha-H. Počernice, 1 ♀, 18. viii. 1998, J. Straka lgt., JSPC; Chvalský lom, Praha-H. Počernice, 1 ♀, 3. vi. 1998, 1 ♂, 1 ♀, 28. vi. 1998, 5 ♂♂, 1 ♀, 3. viii. 1998, J. Straka lgt., JSPC; Podbabské skály, Praha-Dejvice, 1 ♀, 5. vii. 2003, J. Straka lgt., JSPC; Radotínské údolí, Praha-Radotín, 1 ♀, 15. viii. 1998, J. Straka lgt., JSPC; Boh.mer., Chlum u Třeboně, lom Františkov, 1 ♂, 1 ♀, 29. vii. 2002, J. Halada lgt., JSPC; Boh.or., Bartoušov, sand quarry, 1 ♂, 28.-31. vii. 2015, J. Straka lgt., JSPC; Veská, Pardubice env., sand dune, 1 ♂, 1. vi. 2012, R. Tropek lgt., JSPC; Mor. mer., Mutěnice, 1 ♀, 12. viii. 1963, J. Strejček lgt., CSE; Velká Klajdovka NR, Brno-Líšeň, 3 ♂♂, 11. vi. 2014, M. Říha lgt., MRBC, JSPC; Mor. or., Krhová, clay quarry, natural reclamation, 1 ♀, 3.-5. viii. 2015, J. Straka lgt., CSE; Kurovice, lom, vápenec, přírodní rekultivace, 1 ♂, 3.-5. viii. 2015, J. Straka lgt., CSE; Rasová, sandstone quarry, 1 ♀, 4.-6. viii. 2015, J. Straka lgt., CSE; Žlutava, sandstone quarry, 1 ♀, 4.-6. viii. 2015, J. Straka lgt., JSPC; Bulgaria: Banitsa, 1 ♀, 31. vii. 2013, L. Toshkov lgt., IBER; Gorna Ribnitsa S, Maleshevska Planina, 1 ♂, 22. vi. 2007, T. Ljubomirov lgt., IBER; Gorno Kadiysko, Etropolska Planina, 4 ♂♂, 19. viii. 2008, T. Ljubomirov lgt. IBER; Gotsev Vruh W, Slavyanka Mts., 1 ♀, 2. ix. 2006, N. Simonov & M. L. Langourov lgt., IBER; Kameshtitsa reserve, 1 ♂, 30. vi. 2014, T. Ljubomirov lgt., IBER; Macedonia cotage W, Rila Mts., 1 ♂, IBER, CCDB-05716-H01; 1 ♂, CCDB-05716-H02, 1 ♂, CCDB-05716-H04, 28. viii. 2010, 1♂, 1 ♀, 31. vii. 2009, T. Ljubomirov lgt., IBER; Parangalitsa NW, Rila Mts., 2 ♀♀, 6. vii. 2007, 1 ♀, 27. viii. 2010, 1 ♂, 29. viii. 2010, 1 ♂, 12. vii. 2011, 1 ♂, 27. viii. 2011, 1 ♂, CCDB-05716-H10, 29. viii. 2011, 2 ♀♀, 18. vii. 2012, T. Ljubomirov lgt., IBER; Razdol, Maleshevska Planina, 6 ♂♂, 3 ♀♀, 27. vi. 2008, T. Ljubomirov lgt., IBER;Vodni Pad SE, 1 ♂, 18. viii. 2013, O. Todorov lgt., IBER; Vrah pek, Ilyov SE, Maleshevska Planina, 2 ♂♂, 1 ♀, 28. vi. 2008, T. Ljubomirov lgt., IBER; Chiša Kamenica, Pirin Mts., 4 ♂♂, 3 ♀♀, 11. viii. 2005, J. Straka lgt., JSPC; France: Valvignères, "Les Reynauds" Weinberge, 15 km SW Montélimar, 1 ♀, 18. vi. 2004, J. v. d. Smissen lgt., USMB; Germany: Breitbrunn/Ammersee, 1 ♂, 14. iv. 2005, Ch. Schmid-Egger lgt., CSE; Bretten, Diefenbach, Stromberg, Baden-Württemberg, S15, 1 ♂, 8. viii. 1990, Ch. Schmid-Egger lgt., CSE; Grafenau, 6km N, Bayern, Rie-1, 1 ♀, 23. vii. 2008, Ch. Schmid-Egger lgt., ZSM HYM 04854; Garmisch-Partenkirchen, Wiese E Vogelwarte, 1 ♀, 10. v. 2012, D. Doczkal lgt., ZSM, Lagerlechfeld 4 km NE, Bayern, 1 ♂, 5. viii. 2007, Ch. Schmid-Egger lgt., CSE; Mühltal, Starnberg, 1 ♂, 1♀, 6. vi. 1948, F. Stöcklein lgt., ZSM; Ochsenbach, Stromberg, Vaihingen/Enz, Baden-Württemberg, Ob5, 1 ♂, 8. viii. 1990, Ch. Schmid-Egger lgt., CSE; Starnberg, 1 ♂, 1 ♀, 16. vii. 1939, F. Stöcklein lgt., ZSM; Waldtruderinger Forst, Neuperlach, München, 1 ♂, 9. vi. 1998, J. Schuberth lgt., ZSM; Italy: Eita, Bormio 14 km SW, Valtellina, Lombardia prov.; 1 ♂, 9. vii. 2006, Ch. Schmid-Egger lgt., CSE; Lasa, Vinschgau 2 km N, Trentino-Alto Adige prov., 3 ♂♂, 8. vi. 2007, Ch. Schmid-Egger lgt., CSE; Lillaz, Valle d’Aosta, 14 km S Aosta, I-aoF, 1 ♂, 7. vii. 1995, Ch. Schmid-Egger lgt., CSE; Passo Gavia 3 km N, Bormio 13 km SE, Lombardia prov., 5 ♀♀, 27. vii. 2007, Ch. Schmid-Egger lgt., CSE; Pondel, Aosta 8 km SW, Valle d’Aosta prov., 1 ♀, 4. viii. 1996, Ch. Schmid-Egger lgt., CSE; Tubre/Taufers, Vinschgau 1 km NE, Trentino-Alto Adige prov., 2 ♂♂, 1 ♀, 27. vii. 2007, Ch. Schmid-Egger lgt., CSE; Vetan, Aosta 9 km W, Valle d’Aosta prov., 1 ♂, 15. vi. 1996, P. Rosa lgt., CSE; Lanzada, Sondrio 11 km N, Lombardia, I-valD, 1 ♀, 9. vii. 2006, Ch. Schmid-Egger, ZSM HYM 11876; Partschins, Province of Bolzano - South Tyrol, 1 ♂, 20. vii. 1966, collector not indicated, ZSM; Sweden: Harghult, Ökna, 1 ♀, 25. v. 2009, Torrbacke lgt., NJHC; Persö, Eksjö, Småland env., 1 ♀, 7. vi. 2006, N. E. Johansson lgt., NJHC; Switzerland: Dräi, Centovalli, Tessin prov., 1 ♀, 22. viii. 2004, W. Schlaefle lgt., WSKC; Guarda, Engadin, Grisons prov., 1 ♂, 26. vii. 2007, W. Schlaefle lgt., WSKC; Chandolin/Siders, Wallis prov., 1 ♀, 18. vii. 1989, Perraudin lgt., CSE; La Punt, Engadin, Grisons prov., 1 ♂, 3 ♀♀, 25. vii. 2007, W. Schlaefle lgt., WSKC; La Punt, Engadin, Grisons prov., 3 ♂♂, 2 ♀♀, 21. vii. 2004, W. Schlaefle lgt., WSKC; Maggiadelta, 1 ♀, 15. vii. 2005, W. Schlaefle lgt., WSKC; Onsernonetal, 1 ♂, 1 ♀, 1. viii. 2003, W. Schlaefle lgt., WSKC. Specimens determined as Tachysphex dimidiatus aff.: Bulgaria: Kazanite E, Pirin Mts., 1 ♂, 31. viii. 2006, N. Simonov & M. L. Langourov lgt., IBER; Rozovo N, 1 ♂, 5. vii. 2012, T. Ljubomirov lgt., IBER; France: Col Chioula, Ax les Thermes, Pyrénées Mts., 1 ♀, 15. ix. 1987, Ch. Schmid-Egger lgt., CSE; Porte Puymorens, Pyrinees Mts., 1 ♀, 15. ix. 1987, Ch. Schmid-Egger lgt., CSE; Preste, Pic du Canigou, Pyrinees Mts., 3 ♀♀, 13. ix. 1987, Ch. Schmid-Egger lgt., CSE; Greece: Ano Trikala, Mt. Killini, Hellas 3 ♂♂, 30. v. 1995, 3 ♂♂, 23. vi. 1996, W. Arens lgt., WAPC; Meg. Tourla, Oros Parnon, Hellas, 1 ♂, 7. vii. 2007, W. Arens lgt., WAPC; Michas, Erymanthos, Achaea, 1 ♂, 23. vi. 1995, 3 ♂♂, 3 ♀♀, 10. vii. 1996, 3 ♂♂, 12. vi. 1997, 3 ♀♀, 27. vii. 1997, W. Arens lgt., WAPC; Oros Chelmos, Xerokambos, Hellas, 5 ♂♂, 3 ♀♀, 10. vi. 1997, W. Arens lgt., WAPC; Panahaikon Mts., Patras env., Achaea, 1 ♀, 4. vii. 2001, W. Arens lgt., WAPC; Panahaikon Mts., Patras env., Achaea, 1 ♂, 24. vi. 1995, 3 ♂♂, 1 ♀♀, 11. vii. 1996, W. Arens lgt., WAPC; Toriza-Prof. Ilias, Oros Taygetos, Hellas, 1 ♂, 8. vii. 1997, W. Arens lgt., WAPC; Morocco: Algou NE, 1 ♀, 22. v. 2013, T. Ljubomirov lgt., IBER; Spain: Ripoll 27km NE, Pirineos Orient, 2 ♂♂, 1. viii. 2011, J. Halada lgt., JSPC, ZSM HYM24312.

Diagnosis.

Tachysphex dimidiatus (Panzer) is difficult to distinguish from Tachysphex jokischianus (Panzer), Tachysphex pompiliformis (Panzer) and Tachysphex punctipleuris sp. n. It is variable in most characters, and not a single character consistently differentiates it from the other species. It has the following combination of characters: ♀: The clypeus is markedly convex, the most elevated point is located between the clypeal midlength and the basal third. The clypeal bevel is distinctly triangular, it reaches the base of the clypeus in the middle, and separates the basomedian area into two parts; when the base of the clypeus is punctate, the punctures are larger and the distances between them are distinctly larger than on the lateral side of the basomedian area. The clypeal lip is arcuate or straight, without the medial anterior emargination even in fresh specimens. The vertex setae are semierect medially and nearly erect and slightly shorter than the MOD close to inner eye margin. The head is transversally oval in front view, with irregularly punctate frons. The gena is robust. The dorsolateral cuticular projection of the propodeal spiracle is slightly arcuate to nearly straight, with the apex reddish transparent. The posteromedial margin of the propodeal dorsum is elevated and produced between the marginal ridges, the marginal ridges directed ventromedially toward the groove on the posterior surface. The propodeal side is longitudinally ridged; ridges anteriorly inconspicuous or absent. The propodeal dorsum often has inconspicuous, irregular longitudinal ridges. The punctures of the mesopleuron are exceptionally variable but usually small and inconspicuous. The terga are sparsely punctate, the punctures are ill defined. Apical depressions of tergum V densely microsculptured with micropunctures, densely punctate latereally. The pygidium is of usual size and distinctly microsculptured in most specimens. ♂: The clypeus is convex, conspicuously elevated in the basal half, continuously declining apically, the top at the clypeal midlength or in the basal half of the clypeus. The clypeal bevel is well developed, shiny. The gena is robust. The supraclypeal area is flat, the supraantennal tubercles are connected, slightly elevated ventromedially. The mesopleuron is distinctly punctate laterally and ventrally, the punctures are ill defined. When the interspaces between the punctures are distinct, then they are microsculptured, slightly shiny to dull. The forefemoral notch is relatively shallow, as long as the distance that separates it from the forefemoral base, central part slightly elevated and lined by a ledge on the anterior as well as the posterior margin. The propodeal side is variable but without basal ridges in most specimens. The posteromedial margin of the propodeal dorsum is elevated and produced between marginal ridges, which are directed ventromedially toward the groove on the posterior surface. The terga are sparsely micropunctate with variable interspaces between punctures.

Description of male.

Body length: 5.0-8.0 mm.

Head. Mandibular inner margin with one rectangular tooth and distinct furrow next to tooth distally. Labrum flat. Clypeus convex, conspicuously elevated in basal half and continuously declining apically, top at clypeal midlength or in basal half of clypeus; basomedian area large, densely punctate, sparsely punctate medially in some specimens; bevel slightly convex to nearly flat, variable in size, shiny with several larger punctures; lip slightly arcuate, short, with small lateral incisions, lip separated from bevel by variable fine groove; WML:LCL = 1.3-1.5, WCL:WML = 2.2-2.3. Supraclypeal area flat, distinctly punctate, interspaces between punctures shiny to dull. Supraantennal tubercle small, slightly elevated on inner side. 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 well defined, less than half to one diameter apart, interspaces slightly microsculptured, shiny to slightly shiny. Vertex setae short, semierect medially, but nearly erect close to inner eye margin, less than 1 × MOD, postocellar impression distinct, shallow, open widely, V to Y-shaped; vertex moderately wider than long; WV:LV = 1.5-1.6. Gena dorsally well developed.

Mesosoma. Scutum without distinct anterior impression; scutum and scutellum densely punctate, punctures well defined, most punctures less than one diameter apart, interspaces distinct, unsculptured, shiny, setae about 1.0 × MOD. Mesopleuron coarsely microsculptured, with or without distinct punctures; hypoepimeral area irregularly microsculptured, impunctate; ventral part of mesopleuron with punctures ill defined, but deep in some specimens, less than one diameter apart, interspaces shiny. Propodeal dorsum relatively finely, irregularly rugose, with irregular longitudinal ridges basally in some specimens; propodeal side irregularly longitudinally ridged, ridges variable, usually faint, or absent basally, microsculptured, dull; posteromedial margin of propodeal dorsum elevated and produced between marginal ridges, marginal ridges directed ventromedially toward groove on posterior surface. Legs densely punctate, punctures small; forefemoral notch relatively shallow, as long as distance that separates it from forefemoral base to proximal margin of notch, central part slightly elevated and lined by ledge on anterior as well as posterior margin, surface without distinct setae, microsculptured, dull. Wings slightly infumate with brown veins.

Metasoma. Terga I-III with silvery apical faciae. Apical depressions of all terga shallow, micropunctate. Terga I-III sparsely, finely micropunctate, punctures evanescent in microsculpture, slightly shiny; sculpture of tergum IV-VII coarser, than on previous terga, also punctation slightly denser. Sterna uniformly punctate nearly like terga. Volsella light brown, ventral setae pointing in various directions; dorsal process slightly wider than corpus in most specimens.

Coloration. Apical part of mandibles, tarsi, forefemoral notch, tegulae, terga and sterna I, II, and partly or all tergum III red. Apical parts of all terga and tegula translucent. Remaining body parts all black. Forefemoral notch very rarely black in specimens from high altitude mountains.

Description of female

(neotype). Body length: 7.4 mm.

Head. Clypeus distinctly convex, top at clypeal midlength; basomedian area relatively large, densely punctate as lateral section; bevel large, distinctly convex, triangular, with sparse, large punctures, reaching base of clypeus, shiny; lip slightly arcuate, with lateral incisions, separate from bevel by punctate groove, WML:LCL = 1.7, WCL:WML = 1.8. Supraclypeal area flat, distinctly punctate, but shape of punctures ill defined, interspaces between punctures shiny to slightly shiny. Supraantennal tubercle small, slightly elevated on inner side. Frons uniformly punctate, punctures well defined, less than one diameter apart, interspaces variable in size; frontal median line distinct, narrow, well impressed. Vertex punctate, punctures well defined, less than half to one diameter apart, interspaces unsculptured, shiny. Vertex setae short, semierect medially, nearly erect close to inner eye margin, distinctly shorter than 1 × MOD; postocellar impression distinct, shallow, open, widely Y-shaped; vertex moderately wider than long; WV:LV = 1.5. Gena dorsally well developed.

Mesosoma. Scutum without distinct anterior impression; scutum and scutellum densely punctate, punctures well defined, half to one diameter apart, interspaces slightly microsculptured, shiny, setae about 1.0 × MOD. Mesopleuron coarsely microsculptured, without distinct punctures; hypoepimeral area irregularly microsculptured, impunctate; ventral part of mesopleuron with punctures ill defined, less than one diameter apart, interspaces shiny. Propodeal dorsum relatively finely, irregularly rugose, with few incomplete irregular, longitudinal ridges; propodeal side irregularly and incompletely longitudinally ridged, ridges absent basally, microsculptured, dull; posteromedial margin of propodeal dorsum elevated and slightly produced between marginal ridges which are directed ventromedially toward groove on posterior surface. Legs densely punctate, punctures small; forebasitarsal rake reddish, with three apical spines, one preapical spine, and two additional spines. Wings slightly infumate with brown veins.

Metasoma. Terga I-III with silvery apical fasciae. Apical depressions of all terga shallow, with micropunctures evanescent in microsculpture. Terga I-III sparsely and finely micropunctate, punctures ill defined, interspaces microsculptured, shiny to slightly shiny; sculpture of tergum IV-V slightly coarser than on previous terga, also slightly more densely punctate. Pygidium sparsely punctate, punctures ill defined, interspaces microsculptured, slightly shiny. Central part of sternum II with several larger punctures, interspaces microsculptured, shiny; lateral part slightly shiny, densely micropunctate; remaining sterna with uniform sculpture similar to that on sternum II, but sculpture more or less reduced laterally.

Coloration. Central part of mandibles, 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. Extremely variable in most of characters. The clypeus is typically conspicuously elevated basally, with the top in the basal third; the bevel can be well separated from the clypeal base in some specimens, althouth infrequently. Vertex wider than long in large specimen and slightly wider than long in small specimens, WV:LV = 1.2-1.5. Antenna short, LA3:WA3 = 2.2-2.4, LA5:WA5 = 2.6-2.7.

Geographic distribution.

Austria, Czech Republic, Bulgaria, France, Germany, Italy, Sweden and Switzerland. Specimens from mountains of Greece, Morocco and Spain probably also belong to this species.