Polistes (Epicnemius) billardieri Fabricius, 1804

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

Polistes (Epicnemius) billardieri Fabricius

Paramere ( Fig. 24A ): (1) about three times longer than wide at the middle; (2) lateral groove deep; (3) parameral spine very robust and 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. 24B, 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 widely developed, rounded apex; (4) lateral apodeme directed forward and shorter than the ventral process, (5) ventral process rounded and expanded in apex; (6) inferior portion of aedeagus curved, in lateral view. Digitus ( Fig. 24D ): slender; (1) apical process developed, about twice longer than the digitus base, weakly expanded at the apex, (2) apex pointed; (3) anteroventral lobe short and rounded apically; (4) punctation larger on the side of the base; (5) short and sparse bristles. Cuspis ( Fig. 24E ): slender; (1) apex pointed and tapering abruptly to the end; (1) very long and dense bristles on cuspis; (3) punctation restricted on the lateral lobe; (4) lower part widely developed.

Remarks. In Richards (1978: 538–540), P. billardieri was divided into three subspecies ( Polistes billardieri billardieri , Polistes billardieri biglumoides Ducke and Polistes billardieri ruficornis de Saussure ). He commented (pp. 538–539) that the denticulation was “small, acute” with 23–26 teeth, distal expansion not large on aedeagus, cuspis with a large projection and digitus with hairs long and extending almost whole length which is different from our description. Unfortunately, Richards did not draw the genitalia.

Figures

FIGURE 24. Male genitalia of Polistes (Epicnemius) billardieri—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.