Mischocyttarus phthisicus (Fabricius)

Genaro, Julio A., 2011, Vespidae (Insecta: Hymenoptera) of Puerto Rico, West Indies, Insecta Mundi 2011 (202), pp. 1-35 : 16-17

Mischocyttarus phthisicus (Fabricius)

( Fig. 49 )

Vespa phthisica Fabricius, 1793: 281 � “America” (UZMC).

Polistes phthisica ; Fabricius 1804: 278.

Polybia indeterminabilis de Saussure, 1854: 201 (in division My) � “Amérique du Sud. Ile Sainte�Lucie” (lectotype female MNHN). � Ducke 1913: 331 (syn. of M. phthisicus (Fabricius)) . � Richards 1978: 316 (designation of lectotype).

Polybia phthisica ; Dewitz 1881: 199 (Portorico). � Gundlach 1887: 158. � Ashmead, 1900: 311. � Wolcott 1924: 41 .

? Polybia fulvofasciatus ; Ashmead 1900: 311. Misidentification.

Polybia mexicana ; Ashmead 1900: 311. Misidentification.

Megacanthopus indeterminabilis ; Ducke 1910: 540. � Wolcott 1924: 41 ; 1936: 568.

Mischocyttarus phthisicus ; Ducke 1913: 331. � Bequaert 1933: 116 (key), 139. � Wolcott 1936: 568 . � Be� atty 1944: 171 (St. Croix). � Wolcott 1951: 864 . � Miskimen and Bond 1970: 110. � Snelling 1992: 13 (Guana), 14 (Mona). � Torres and Snelling 1992: 93 (Mona). � Snelling 2005: 289 (Guana).

Mischocyttarus indeterminabilis ; Overal 1978: 10.

This species is widespread in the Antilles, and is known from Florida, and there are dubious records from Central and South America. Wolcott (1951) mentioned caterpillar prey in Puerto Rico, but little has been published on the biology of this species.

TRIBE POLISTINI

Figures

Figures 45-50. Images from life of vespid wasps from Greater Puerto Rico. 45) Pachodynerus atratus gathering mud up for nest construction on a path, Culebra Island. 46) Pachodynerus tibialis involved in the same activity, Mona Island. 47) Zeta abdominale with a mud ball ready for transportation to the nest, Puerto Rico. 48) Zethus rufinodus, Puerto Rico. 49) Mischocyttarus phthisicus on the nest, Puerto Rico. 50) Polistes crinitus on the nest, Mona Island.