Polistes (Epicnemius) cinerascens de Saussure

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 : 323-324

Polistes (Epicnemius) cinerascens de Saussure

Paramere ( Fig. 25A ): (1) about three times longer than wide at the middle; (2) lateral groove deep; (3) parameral spine long (about 1/6 the total length of paramere), pointed apically with long and sparse bristles; (4) paramere lobe developed and widely rounded; (5) inferior portion of paramere narrow, about half the width at the middle portion. Aedeagus ( Fig. 25B, C ): slender; (1) apical portion with fine and serrated denticulation, extended 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 rounded apex; (4) lateral apodeme directed forward and shorter than the ventral process, (5) ventral process rounded and slightly expanded in apex; (6) inferior portion of aedeagus curved, in lateral view. Digitus ( Fig. 25D ): slender; (1) apical process developed, about twice longer than the digitus base and expanded at the apex, (2) apex rounded; (3) anteroventral lobe short and rounded apically; (4) punctation strong and forming a central band around the base of the digitus; (5) evanescent bristles. Cuspis ( Fig. 25E ): slender; (1) apex very pointed and tapering abruptly to the end; (2) long and dense bristles on the lateral margin, and short in the rest of cuspis; (3) punctation restricted on the lateral lobe; (4) lower part weakly developed and short bristles.

Remarks. Richards (1978: 553) commented “genitalia like those of P. pacificus but ventral teeth of aedeagus smaller, 24 in number”. Unfortunately, Richards did not draw the genitalia.

Figures

FIGURE 25. Male genitalia of Polistes (Epicnemius) cinerascens—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.