Polistes (Epicnemius) melanosoma 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 : 325-326

Polistes (Epicnemius) melanosoma de Saussure

Paramere ( Fig. 27A ): (1) about three times longer than wide at the middle; (2) lateral groove shallow; (3) parameral spine long (about 1/6 the total length of paramere), pointed apically with long and dense bristles; (4) paramere lobe developed and widely rounded; (5) inferior portion of paramere narrow, about half the width at the middle portion. Aedeagus ( Fig. 27B, C ): slender; (1) apical portion with fine and serrated denticulation, extended from the apex of the apical portion to the median expansion, lateral margin straight; (2) penis valve weakly dilated and with a slight central entrance (about 1/3 of the total length of apical portion); (3) median expansion developed and weakly pointed apex; (4) lateral apodeme directed forward and almost the same size than the ventral process, (5) ventral process rounded and slightly expanded in apex; 6) inferior portion of aedeagus weakly curved, almost straight in lateral view. Digitus ( Fig. 27D ): slender; (1) apical process developed, about twice longer than the digitus base, and strongly expanded at the apex and weakly compressed in the base, (2) apex rounded; (3) anteroventral lobe short and rounded apically; (4) punctation larger on the side of the base; (5) evanescent bristles. Cuspis ( Fig. 27E ): slender; (1) apex pointed and tapering abruptly to the end; (2) long and dense bristles on cuspis; (3) punctation restricted on the lateral lobe; (4) lower part with short bristles.

Remarks. Richards (1978: 545) commented about the genitalia, characterizing the denticulation on the aedeagus as “acute, about 20 in number”; and “digitus like that of P. billardieri but distal process narrower in side view”. Unfortunately, Richards did not draw the genitalia.

Figures

FIGURE 27. Male genitalia of Polistes (Epicnemius) melanosoma—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.