Polistes austroccidentalis van Achterberg & Neumeyer

Schmid-Egger, Christian, Achterberg, Kees van, Neumeyer, Rainer, Jerome Moriniere, & Schmidt, Stefan, 2017, Revision of the West Palaearctic Polistes Latreille, with the descriptions of two species an integrative approach using morphology and DNA barcodes (Hymenoptera, Vespidae), ZooKeys 713, pp. 53-112 : 78-83

Polistes austroccidentalis van Achterberg & Neumeyer sp. n. Figs 4, 25 32, 33 36, 37 45

Polistes semenowi auctt., nec Morawitz, 1889.

Type specimens.

Holotype, + (RMNH), Espana, Burgos, Las Macharras, 23.iv.1984, R. Leys. Paratypes: 1+ (RN0706), Algeria, Algiers, [unknown collector] (ETHZ); 1>, Sid bel Abbes [unknown collector] (MFNB); 1>, Blidah, Medeah, vii/viii.1884, Quedenfeld (MFNB); 2+, Andorra, St. Julia, 21.vi.1981 & 1.v.1985, P.J.L. Roche (RMNH); 1> (GBIFCH00281850), France, Alpes-Maritimes, Luceram, Peira-Cava, 1400 m, viii.1950, Matthey (MZL); 1+ (GBIFCH00281951), Bouches-du-Rhone, Eygalieres, 13.viii.1964, D. Petitpierre (MZL); 1> (GBIFCH00281950), Saint-Remy-de-Provence, 24.viii.1964, D. Petitpierre (MZL); 2+, Camargue, Salin de Badon, 26.v.1952, H. Engel (RMNH); 1+, id., but Astoin, 1.v.1981, R. Leys (RMNH); 1+ (GBIFCH00281955), Haute-Savoie, Pied du Saleve, 3. ix.1933, J. de Beaumont (MZL); 1+, Herault, Notre Dame de Londres, 8 km N of Les Matelles, 7.vii.1990, L. Blommers (RMNH); 1+, Landes, Linxe, 21-30.vi.1968, R.T. Simon Thomas (RMNH); 1+, Lot, Le Montat, 14-19.v.1986, A.D.J. Meeuse, on Euphorbia (RMNH); 1+, Lozere, St. Enimie, Le Buisson, near Quezac, along Tarn, 21-28.vi.1986, P. Thomas (RMNH); 1>, Vaucluse, Carpentras, 30-31.vii.1951, P.M.F. Verhoeff (RMNH); 1+, Vaucluse, Bedoin, 1.vi.1993, H. & J.E. Wiering (RMNH); 1+, id., but Rustrel, 300 m, 12.ix.1999 (RMNH); 1+, Pyrenees-Orientales, Banyuls-sur-Mer, 5-200 m, 12.vii.1965, R.T. Simon Thomas; 1+, Drome, Espenel, 25.vii.1979, V. Lefeber (RMNH); 1+, Montpellier/Lac du Salagou, 18.v.1986 & 1+, 1>, Narbonne plage, 11.ix.1987 & 1>, Alpes Maritimes, Tende, 1000 m NN, 12.vii.2009 & 1>, Pyrenees, Pic du Canigou, 1700 m, 13.ix.1987 & 1>, Sisteron/Serres, 6.ix.1997, C. Schmid-Egger (CSE); 16> 25+, Digne, 1957, Schewen, (ZSM), 1>, 3+, Champs de Bes, 1957, Schewen (ZSM) 1957; 1+, Camargue, 13.vi.1852, Forster (ZSM); 1> (RN0690), Italy, Tuscany, Passo della Cisa (Colle la Cisa), 19.viii.1949, A. Nadig (ETHZ); 1+, Aosta, 27.v.27, Bischoff (MFNB); 1+ (RN0704), Morocco, Fes-Meknes, Ifrane, 22-24.vii.1932, A. Nadig (ETHZ); 1> (RN0722), Taza, 24.vii.1931, A. Nadig (ETHZ); 2+ (RN0697, RN0699), 2> (RN0698, RN0723), Marrakesh-Safi, Asni, 10-14.vii.1932, A. Nadig (ETHZ); 1> (RN0705), Marrakesh, 6-18.vii.1932, A. Nadig (ETHZ); 2+ (RN0700, RN0701), 2> (RN0702, RN0703), Tanger-Tetouan-Al Hoceima, Tanger, 4.vii.1932, A. Nadig (ETHZ); 1>, Atlas moyenne, Azrou, 2.vii.1926, Landshut (MFNB); 1>, Aoulouz, 12.vi.2014 & 1>, Haut Atlas, Aguelmouss, 13.vi.2014, 2070 m & 1>, Haut Atlas, Tiz n Tichka, 28.ix.2016, C. Schmid-Egger (CSE); 1+, Portugal, C. Alentejo, Montfort, Vaiamonte, iii.2012, A. v. Harten (RMNH); 1+, Porto, (MFNB); 1+ (RN0721), Spain, Asturias,? 1898, [unknown collector] (ETHZ); 1+ (RN0695), Community of Madrid, El Escorial, R. Garcia Mercet (ETHZ); 1+ (RN0696), Rivas, J.M. Dusmet (ETHZ); 1+, Alicante, Benidorm, 28.iv.1993, V. Lefeber (RMNH); 3>, Granada, Sierra Nevada, near Albergue Universitario, 2500 2600 m, 16.vii.1953, C.A.W. Jeekel (RMNH); 1>, id., but km 24 road Granada-Pic. de Veleta, 1700 m, 19.vii.1953, (RMNH); 1>, Granada, Orgiva, 22.vii.1969, H. Overbeek (RMNH); 2>, Santander, Enterrias, 30.viii.-5.ix.1969, M.C. & G. Kruseman (RMNH); 1+, 1>, Teruel, Albarracin, 27.ix.1963, (RMNH); 1>, id., but 17.ix.1963 (RMNH); 1>, Lerida, Artesa de Segre, 41°54'N, 1°3'E, 30.vii.1969, C. v. Heijningen (RMNH); 1>, Malaga, Rincon de la Victoria, 6.vi.1967, M.J. & J.P. Duffels (RMNH); 1+ Tiermas, viii.1926, Dusmet; 1>,Villamartin, 30.vii.1950, Verhoeff; 1>, Valle de Ordesa, vii 1923, Seitz; 2+, Pena de Francia, Prov. Salamanca, Krichels dorf; 1+, Sta. Maria, Andalusia, vi.1993, Hering; 2+, Aranjuez, 27.v.1920, Dusmet (MFNB); 1>, San Fernando, 6.vi.1998, Kroupa (CSE); 1+, Estepona [near Malaga], 1.-11.iv.1985, H. Wolf (C. Saure); 1> (RN0713), Switzerland, Canton Valais, Erschmatt, Bawald, 13.vii.2003, A. Breitenstein (ETHZ); 1+ (GBIFCH00281987), Fully, Les Follateres, 11.vi.1932 & 1+ (GBIFCH 00281986), 19.vii.1935, P. Bovey (MZL); 1> (RN0710), 12.viii.1941, A. Nadig (ETHZ); 2> (RN0711, RN0712), 23.vii.-2.viii.1942, A. Nadig (ETHZ); 1+ (GBIFCH00281988), 13.v.1947, J. Aubert (MZL); 1> (RN0296), Gampel, Jeizibarg, 46°19 14.19"N, 07°43 53.53"E, 1090 m, rocky steppe, 10.viii.2013, R. Neumeyer (RN); 1> (GBIFCH00110807), Gampel, Jeizinen, 46°19 21.06"N, 07°43 50.81"E, 1200 m & 2> (GBIFCH00110810, GBIFCH00110811), 46°19 33.47"N, 07°44 02.57"E, 1330 m & 1> (GBIFCH00110809), 46°19 31.91"N, 07°43 36.85"E, 1430 m & 1> (GBIFCH00110808), 46°19 35.15"N, 07°43 36.86"E, 1480 m, 3.viii.2015, R. Wenger (RW); 1+ (GBIFCH00281992), Martigny, viii.1932 & 1+ (GBIFCH00281991), 29.viii.1933, R. Matthey (MZL); 2+ (GBIFCH00281989, GBIFCH00281993), 29.iv.1934 & 1+ (GBIFCH00281962), 28.iv.1935 & 1+ (GBIFCH00281990), 14.vi.1936, J. de Beaumont (MZL); 1> (RN0707), Morel, 19.viii.1916, [unknown collector] (ETHZ); 1+ (GBIFCH00281985), Sierre, 26.v.1931, J. de Beaumont (MZL); 2> (RN0708, RN0709), 23.vii.-2.viii.1942, A. Nadig (ETHZ); 1> (RN0689), Stalden,? 1893, [unknown collector] (ZMUZ); 1> (RN0714),? 1893, [unknown collector] (ETHZ).

Remarks.

Konstantin Samartsev (ZISP) kindly provided photos of the female lectotype of P. semenowi Morawitz, 1889, from Copet-dag. Their examination showed unambiguously that the specimen is conspecific with P. sulcifer (Zimmermann, 1930). This requires the species P. semenowi of authors to be described as a new species: P. austroccidentalis van Achterberg & Neumeyer, sp. n.

Diagnosis.

Large and relatively bright species with robust mandible and wide, yellow malar space (Figs 29, 31, 35, 36), entirely yellow flagellum, black mesosternum and change in sculpture between mesepisternum and epicnemium rather abrupt (epicnemial ridge distinct) in both sexes. Outer face of mandible with distinct depression between a wide dorsal ridge and a much narrower ventral one; dorsal ridge of mandible convex and distinctly elevated above middle of mandible. Female clypeus mainly black, basally yellow (Fig. 29); mesoscutum with pair of yellow spots (Figs 26, 33); hind coxa black; yellow area along inner eye margin usually connected with yellow bar above antennal sockets (Fig. 29); hypopygium with yellow tip; basal half of mandible gradually curved in dorsal view and convex; clypeus abruptly depressed ventrally. Male with mandible mainly yellow, except for its more or less darkened margins (Figs 44, 45); mandibular depression rather short and occupying less than half of outer face of mandible, and dorsal ridge wide; clypeus medially entirely yellow, face and frons yellow (Fig. 42); temple (or gena) in dorsal view convex (Fig. 43). See also comments of P. semenowi for recognising the species.

Description.

FEMALE. Holotype, body length 15.8 mm; fore wing length 11.6 mm.

For colour pattern, see figures.

Head. Mandible very stout and 1.5 times as long as wide (Figs 35, 36) and with a large depression on its outer face; basal half of mandible gradually curved in dorsal view and convex; dorsal ridge of mandible wide, smoothly convex without sharp edges and distinctly elevated above depression; ventral lobe of clypeus acute and step-like lowered; fine pubescence of clypeus conspicuous and comparatively long ventrally (Figs 29, 31); malar space 1.8 times POL; ocelli in equilateral triangle (Fig. 30).

Mesosoma. Posterior half of pronotum obliquely rugose and with short pubescence, only medio-anteriorly with longer setae; epicnemial ridge distinct and abruptly separating rugulose mesepisternum from smoothly sculptured epicnemium; propodeum coarsely transversely striate (Figs 25, 26). Fore wing distinctly infuscate anteriorly (Fig. 32), pterostigma and veins brown.

Variation. Body length 13.0 17.1 mm; fore wing length 10.1 12.7 mm. Mandible either black (Europe) or partially yellowish (NW Africa), if with a yellowish or brownish area then that area always smaller than yellow area on malar space. Vertex often with pair of tiny yellow spots behind lateral ocelli. Third antennal segment often with tiny basal dark brown spot, about 5% of specimens have the yellow posterior stripes of the pronotum connected to the transverse yellow band. Tergite II with paired anterolateral yellow spots absent (NW Africa) or present (Europe). Hypopygium usually with yellow tip, but sometimes apical half or nearly entirely yellow, or entirely blackish and only dark brown apically.

MALE. Body length 11.6 17.1 mm; fore wing length 9.6 11.7 mm. For colour pattern, see figures. Similar to female, differs as follows:

Head. Mandible except for darkened margins yellow (Figs 44, 45). Clypeus yellow, and laterally distinctly convex, sub-antennal depressions continued onto clypeus (Fig. 44). Malar space yellow and 1.4 times as long as POL. Temples in dorsal view convex (Fig. 43). Face and anterior half of frons yellow, at most a tiny black spot on interantennal prominence and frequently also a narrow vertical black dash originating from upper margin of each torulus. Vertex often with pair of small yellow dots behind lateral ocelli, remainder of head black. Antenna brownish yellow, but scapus and pedicellus dorsally as black as a spot on third antennal segment (Figs 37, 42). Apical antennal segment 2.2 times as long as wide (Fig. 41).

Mesosoma. Mesoscutum with paired medium-sized yellow spots, sometimes reduced to tiny dots or absent (Figs 37, 39). Dorsal yellow spot of mesopleuron large but rarely minute, often only apex of femora yellowish.

Metasoma. Pair of spots of tergite I either connected to terminal band or well separated (Fig. 37). Sternites II-VI with continuous yellow terminal bands (Fig. 40), sometimes briefly interrupted on sternite VI. Hypopygium black with brown margin (Fig. 40).

Distribution.

Specimens from Algeria, Andorra, France, Italy, Morocco, Portugal, Spain, and Switzerland have been examined, indicating that the species is confined to NW Africa and SW Europe with an extension to Central Europe, and is replaced by Polistes semenowi Morawitz further east. In Switzerland, P. austroccidentalis occurs only in the SW part (Valais and one record in the Jura Mountains), whereas P. semenowi occupies mainly the SE part (Ticino and southern Grison valleys, except for two records from the canton of Valais).

Biology.

According to Cervo (2006), P. austroccidentalis is an obligate social parasite, normally of P. dominula , but occasionally also of P. nimpha . Corresponding to its ubiquitous, euryoecious main host ( P. dominula ), P. austroccidentalis can be found in a wide variety of open and semi-open habitats, but up to now it apparently avoids the northern part of its host s range. The altitudinal records (n= 20) for P. austroccidentalis range from near sea level (Carpentras, France) to 2600 m in Spain (Sierra Nevada, Andalusia) and 2150 m in Morocco. The seasonal records (n = 67) range from March (Vaiamonte, Portugal) to 21 September in Switzerland (Ausserberg, VS) or 28. September in Morocco (males only), but most individuals were observed from May to August, at least in Switzerland (CSCF in litt.). There, the earliest record for males is 12 July (Erschmatt, VS), the latest for females 29 August (Martigny, VS).

Genetic data.

Specimens from south-central Europe and Morocco only showed a small genetic distance.

Etymology.

The name is a combination of the Latin adjectives australis (southern) and occidentalis (western), because of its southwestern distribution in Europe.