Polistes (Epicnemius) subsericeus de Saussure, 1854

Somavilla, Alexandre, Oliveira, Marcio Luiz, Andena, Sergio Ricardo & Carpenter, James Michael, 2018, An illustrated atlas for male genitalia of the New World Polistes Latreille, 1802 (Vespidae: Polistinae), Zootaxa 4504 (3), pp. 301-344 : 328

Polistes (Epicnemius) subsericeus de Saussure

Paramere ( Fig. 30A ): (1) about three times longer than wide at the middle; (2) lateral groove deep; (3) parameral spine medium (about 1/7 the total length of paramere), pointed apically with long and dense bristles; (4) paramere lobe weakly developed and rounded; (5) inferior portion of paramere narrow, about 2/3 the width at the middle portion. Aedeagus ( Fig. 30B, C ): slender; (1) apical portion with fine and serrated denticulation, extended only in apical portion, lateral margin straight; (2) penis valve weakly dilated and with a slightly central entrance (about 1/3 of the total length of apical portion); (3) median expansion weakly developed, pointed apex; (4) lateral apodeme directed forward and shorter than the ventral process, (5) ventral process rounded in apex and compressed in the base; (6) inferior portion of aedeagus weakly curved, almost straight in lateral view. Digitus ( Fig. 30D ): slender; (1) apical process developed, about twice longer than the digitus base, narrowing gradually to the apex, (2) apex weakly rounded; (3) anteroventral lobe short and weakly pointed apically; (4) punctation very weak in the base; (5) evanescent bristles. Cuspis ( Fig. 30E ): slender; (1) apex pointed and tapering abruptly to the end; (2) long and dense bristles; (3) punctation reduced and restricted on the lateral lobe; (4) lower part developed and more membranous.

Remarks. Richards’ (1978: 536) comments are about the aedeagus with ventral teeth small, black, acute, 18 in number and digitus narrow with numerous long hairs. Unfortunately, Richards did not draw the genitalia.

Figures

FIGURE 30. Male genitalia of Polistes (Epicnemius) subsericeus—A= paramere, lateral view; B= aedeagus, ventral view; C= aedeagus, lateral view; D= digitus, lateral view; E= cuspis, lateral view. Scale bar = 1.0 mm.