Pison pusillum Pulawski, 2018

Pulawski, Wojciech J., 2018, A Revision of the Wasp Genus Pison Jurine, 1808 of Australia and New Zealand, New Guinea, and the Pacific Islands (Hymenoptera: Crabronidae), Proceedings of the California Academy of Sciences 65, pp. 1-584 : 380-384

Pison pusillum Pulawski , species nova

Figures 922 -928.

NAME DERIVATION.– Pusillum is a Latin neuter adjective meaning small, minute; with reference to the small body size of this species.

RECOGNITION.– Pison pusillum is one of the smallest species of the genus (length 4.5-5.7 mm in female, 3.8-4.5 mm in male), with a black head (except the mandible), thorax, propodeum, gaster, and femora, with three submarginal cells, the second recurrent vein interstitial with the second intersubmarginal vein, and the setae appressed on tergum I. The female is characterized by the presence of an unsculptured, glabrous area on each side of the oral fossa, bordered by a row of erect setae (psammophore). It differs from similar species by the following combination: ocellocular distance less than hindocellar diameter, free margin of clypeal lamella roundly arcuate (width of lamella slightly less than distance that separates it from adjacent orbit), mandible simple apically (not tridentate), scutal setae appressed, mesopleural punctures almost compressed, and tergal setae silvery. Pison setiferum is similar, but unlike that species, the dorsal length of flagellomere I is 1.8 × apical width in P. pusillum (rather than 2.0-2.1), the setae of the upper frons are oriented ventrally (rather than dorsally), the mandible of many specimens is yellowish mesally (rather than dark reddish), and the tegula is larger, in many forewing positions fully covering the humeral plate (rather than not covering).

In the male, sternum VIII has the apical margin rounded, the flagellum cylindrical, without tyloids, the dorsal length of flagellomere I 1.3-1.5 × its apical width, the clypeal lamella acutely angulate (not concave on each side of the midpoint), the mandibular apex simple (not bidentate), the setae of the upper frons oriented ventrally, the propleuron densely punctate, the tegula relatively large, in many specimens completely covering the humeral plate, the sterna have no unusual structures (no transverse swelling or tooth, no glabrous preapical areas, sternum VIII without longitudinal sulcus), tergum VII and sternum VII have no erect setae apicolaterally, sternum II mesally (except near base) and sternum III mesally are aciculate, with punctures more than one diameter apart.

DESCRIPTION.– Frons dull, punctures less than one diameter apart, minute in female, well defined in male. Occipital carina not interrupted medioventrally, narrowly separated from hypostomal carina. Gena narrow in dorsal view. Labrum not emarginate. Anteromedian pronotal pit transversely elongate, about as long as 1.5 × midocellar diameter. Scutum minutely foveate along flange, without short longitudinal ridges adjacent to posterior margin; scutal punctures well defined ( Fig. 924 ); many punctures more than one diameter apart in Australian females (only some punctures more than one diameter apart in Australian males), but all punctures less than one diameter apart in Papuan females; interspaces unsculptured. Tegula enlarged, in many forewing positions fully covering humeral plate. Mesopleural punctures almost contiguous, largely concealed by vestiture. Postspiracular carina present, about half as long to as long as midocellar diameter. Metapleural sulcus costulate between dorsal and ventral metapleural pits. Propodeum with irregular longitudinal carina separating side from dorsum and posterior surface and extending from gastral socket area toward spiracle; dorsum obliquely ridged basally (ridges becoming evanescent in apical half), punctate between ridges; side and posterior surface ridged, punctate between ridges (ridges on side smaller than those on posterior surface). Hindcoxal dorsum with outer margin not carinate. Punctures of tergum I well defined, averaging about one diameter apart at center of horizontal part (before apical depression). Sternum II mesally (except near base) and sternum III mesally aciculate, with punctures more than one diameter apart (in male punctures varying from minute to conspicuous).

Setae silvery, appressed on frons, scutum, and tergum I, oriented ventrally on upper frons (between upper end of midfrontal carina and midocellus), completely concealing integument on clypeus in both sexes (except lamella); setae of lower gena straight (see below for details). Apical depressions of terga with silvery, setal fasciae.

Head, thorax, propodeum, femora, and gaster black; mandible varying from mostly black to black basally, yellowish mesally, ferruginous subapically, dark apically; flagellum varying from all black to yellowish brown. Tibiae and tarsi varying from black to ferruginous; hindtibial spurs whitish.

♀.– Upper interocular distance equal to 0.68-0.70 × lower interocular distance; ocellocular distance equal to 0.6-0.9 × hindocellar diameter, distance between hindocelli equal to 1.2 × hindocellar diameter; eye height equal to 0.98-1.00 × distance between eye notches. Free margin of clypeal lamella roundly arcuate, with obtuse lateral corner, distance between corners slightly less than distance between one corner and adjacent orbit ( Fig. 922 ). Dorsal length of flagellomere I 1.8 × apical width, of flagellomere IX 1.1-1.2 × apical width. Lower gena, mandibular posterior margin, propleural and forecoxal outer margins, and forefemoral venter with relatively short psammophores (longest setae of genal, mandibular, and forefemoral psammophores all about 0.5 × of greatest forefemoral width); lower gena impunctate and asetose between oral fossa and psammophores. Mandible: trimmal carina with small incision at about midlength. Length 4.5-5.3 mm, head width 1.5-1.8 mm in Australian specimens, 5.3-5.7 mm and 1.6-1.8 mm, respectively, in specimens from Papua New Guinea.

♂.– Upper interocular distance equal to 0.76-0.82 × lower interocular distance; ocellocular distance equal to 0.7-0.9 × hindocellar diameter, distance between hindocelli equal to 0.9-1.2 × hindocellar diameter; eye height equal to 0.96-0.98 × distance between eye notches. Free margin of clypeal lamella acutely angulate ( Fig. 923 ). Dorsal length of flagellomere I 1.3-1.5 × apical width, of flagellomere X 1.0 × apical width. Setae of lower gena varying from straight to sinuous, from nearly appressed to nearly erect, and from as long as to slightly longer than midocellar diameter. Sternum VIII punctate apically, its apical margin arcuate ( Fig. 925 ). Genitalia: Figs. 926, 927 . Length 3.8-6.0 mm; head width 1.2-1.8 mm.

GEOGRAPHIC DISTRIBUTION (Fig. 928).–

Northern Territory, Queensland, Western Australia, and southeastern Papua New Guinea.

RECORDS.– HOLOTYPE: ♀, AUSTRALIA: Northern Territory: Keep River National Park at

15°47ʹ49ʺS 129°06ʹ31ʺE, 3-6 June 2001, C. Lambkin, M.E. Irwin, and F.D. Parker ( ANIC) .

PARATYPES: AUSTRALIA: Northern Territory :

Caranbirini Waterhole 33 km SW Borroloola at

16°16ʹS 136°05ʹE, 22 Apr 1976, D.H. Colless (2 ♂,

ANIC); Gregory National Park at 15°36ʹ43ʺS

130°24ʹ08ʺE, 6-12 June 2001, M.E. Irwin, F.D.

Parker, and C. Lambkin (4 ♀, 5 ♂, CAS), at

15°58.3ʹS 130°29.3ʹE, T. Weir, K. Pullen, and

FIGURE 928. Collecting localities of Pison pusillum P. Bouchard (1 ♂, ANIC; 1 ♀, CAS), at 15°58ʹ17ʺS

Pulawski, sp. nov.

130°29ʹ17ʺE, 24 May – 4 June 2001, T. Weir,

K. Pullen, and P. Bouchard (2 ♂, ANIC; 1 ♀, CAS), at 16°00ʹ31ʺS 130°38ʹ49ʺE, 16-18 June 2001, M. E. Irwin and F.D. Parker (1 ♀, CAS) , at 16°02.4ʹS 130°27.3ʹE, 6-12 June 2001, M.E. Irwin, F.D. Parker, and C. Lambkin (1 ♂, CAS) , at 16°03ʹ44ʺS 130°27ʹ04ʺE, 24 May – 4 June 2001, T. Weir, K. Pullen, and P. Bouchard (2 ♀, ANIC; 1 ♂, CAS), at 16°03.7ʹS 130°27.1ʹE, 6-12 June 2001, M.E. Irwin, F.D. Parker, and C. Lambkin (2 ♀, ANIC; 1 ♂, CAS), at 16°06ʹ42ʺS 130°25ʹ23ʺE, 24 May – 5 June 2001, T. Weir, K. Pullen, and P. Bouchard (1 ♀, ANIC) , at 16°06.6ʹS 130°25.7ʹE, 4-12 June 2001, M.E. Irwin, F.D. Parker, and C. Lambkin (3 ♀, 3 ♂, ANIC; 9 ♀, 1 ♂, CAS), at 16°06.8ʹS 130°25.4ʹE, 19-24 May 2001, T. Weir, K. Pullen, and P. Bouchard (1 ♂, CAS) , at 16°07ʹ55ʺS 130°26ʹ11ʺE, M.E. Irwin, F.D. Parker, and C. Lambkin, 12-15 June 2001 (2 ♂, ANIC) , 13-15 June 2001 (1 ♀, CAS) and 16-18 June 2001 (1 ♂, CAS) , at 16°10ʹ49ʺS 130°25ʹ51ʺE, M.E. Irwin, F.D. Parker, and C. Lambkin, 12 June 2001 (2 ♂, ANIC) and 16-28 June 2001 (1 ♂, ANIC; 2 ♀, CAS), at 16°12ʹ47ʺS 130°25ʹ11ʺE, 5-12 June 2001, M.E. Irwin, F.D. Parker, and C. Lambkin (1 ♀, ANIC; 2 ♂, CAS) ; 65 km S Kalkarindji at 17°55.9ʹS 130°49.7ʹE, 11-17 June 2001, M.E. Irwin, F.D. Parker, and C. Lambkin (1 ♀, 1 ♂, CAS) ; Keep River National Park : same data as holotype (4 ♀, ANIC; 1 ♂, CAS), at 15°45ʹ30ʺS 129°06ʹ28ʺE, 6-9 June 2001, M.E. Irwin, F.D. Parker, and C. Lambkin (1 ♂, ANIC; 1 ♂, CAS), at 15°47ʹ49ʺS 129°06ʹ31ʺE, 8-10 June 2001, C. Lambkin, F.D. Parker, and M.E. Irwin (2 ♂, CAS) , at 15°54ʹ55ʺS 129°04ʹ11ʺE, 31 May – 3 June 2001, T. Weir, K. Pullen, and P. Bouchard (2 ♀, 2 ♂, CAS) , and M.E. Irwin, F.D. Parker, and C. Lambkin , 1-3 June 2001 (1 ♂, CAS) and 6-9 June 2001 (1 ♀, 1 ♂, CAS) , at 15°57ʹ06ʺS 129°01ʹ50ʺE, 6-8 June 2001, M.E. Irwin, F.D. Parker, and C. Lambkin (1 ♂, CAS) , at 15°57ʹ33ʺS 129°01ʹ44ʺE, 3-8 June 2001, M.E. Irwin, F.D. Parker, and C. Lambkin (1 ♂, ANIC; 1 ♂, CAS), at 15°57ʹ55ʺS 129°01ʹ52ʺE, 3-8 June 2001, M.E. Irwin, F.D. Parker, and C. Lambkin (1 ♂, CAS) , and at 16°03ʹ01ʺS 130°24ʹ07ʺE, 5-13 June 2001, M.E. Irwin, F.D. Parker, and C. Lambkin (1 ♀, CAS) ; 27 km S Mount Breaden at 24°53ʹS 133°12ʹE, 22 Sept 1978, J.C. Cardale (1 ♀, ANIC) ; Victoria Highway 38.5 km SW Timber Creek at 15°42ʹ40ʺS 130°07ʹ48ʺE, M.E. Irwin, F.D. Parker, and C. Lambkin, 6-13 June 2001 (2 ♂, ANIC; 2 ♀, CAS), 13-19 June 2001 (1 ♀, CAS) , and 15-19 June 2001 (2 ♀, ANIC) ; Victoria Highway 109 km WSW Timber Creek at 15°56ʹ11ʺS 129°35ʹ22ʺE, 6-13 June 2001, M.E. Irwin, F.D. Parker, and C. Lambkin (3 ♀, 2 ♂, CAS) ; same locality, M.E. Irwin and F.D. Parker , 13-16 June 2001 (1 ♂, CAS) and 15-19 June 2001 (2 ♂, CAS) . Queensland: Batavia Downs at 12°40ˈS 142°39ˈE, 22 June – 23 Aug 1992, P. Zborowski and J.C. Cardale (1 ♂, ANIC) ; 4 km NE Batavia Downs at 12°39ʹS 142°42ʹE, 22 Aug – 16 Sept 1992, P. Zborowski and L. Miller (3 ♀, ANIC) , 24 Oct – 23 Nov 1992, P. Zborowski and A. Calder (2 ♀, ANIC) , and 11 Dec 1992 – 17 Jan 1993, P. Zborowski (1 ♀, ANIC) ; 5 km S Batavia Downs at 12°41ʹS 142°41ʹE, 23 Aug – 16 Sept 1992, P. Zborowski and L. Miller (1 ♀, ANIC) and 16 Sept – 24 Oct 1992, P. Zborowski and T. Weir (2 ♀, ANIC) ; 7 km S Batavia Downs at 12°42ʹS 142°42ʹE, 22 June – 23 Aug 1992, P. Zborowski and J.C. Cardale (2 ♀, ANIC) ; 3 km W Batavia Downs at 12°40ʹS 142°39ʹE, 18 June - 22 July 1992, P. Zborowski and E.S. Nielsen (2 ♂, ANIC) ; Holts Creek 8 km N Musselbrook Camp at 18°33ʹS 138°11ʹE, 10-20 May 1995, I.D. Naumann (1 ♀, ANIC) ; Lawn Hill (now Boodjamulla) National Park 10 km ESE Musselbrook at 18°38ʹ13ʺS 138°12ʹ29ʺE, 13 May 1995, G. Daniels and M.A. Schneider (1 ♀, ANIC) ; Lawn Hill (now Boodjamulla) National Park 24 km ESE Musselbrook at 18°40ʹ15ʺS 138°22ʹ15ʺE, 12 May 1995, G. Daniels and M.A. Schneider (1 ♀, ANIC) ; Musselbrook Camp at 18°36ʹS 138°08ʹE, 8-21 May 1995, I.D. Naumann (1 ♂, ANIC) . Western Australia: Carson escarpment at 14°49ʹS 126°49ʹE (1 ♂, ANIC) ; 10 km NW Kununurra at 15º46ʹS 128º38ʹE, 8 May 1983, I.D. Naumann and J.C. Cardale (1 ♀, ANIC) ; Lennard River crossing at 17°23ʹS 24°44ʹE, 14-28 July 1988, T.F. Houston (2 ♂, WAM) ; Nanutarra – Wittenoom road at 22°26ʹ36ʺS 117°48ʹ23ʺE, 22-27 Sept 2005, CVA [= Conservation Volunteers Australia] (2 ♂, AMS) .

PAPUA NEW GUINEA: Central Province: Lake Iaraguma 20 km NW Port Moresby, 21 June 1988, W.J. Pulawski (2 ♀, CAS) .

Figures

FIGURES 922-927. Pison pusillum Pulawski, sp. nov. (922) Female clypeus and mandibles; (923) Male clypeus and mandibles; (924) Female tegula and adjacent scutum; male: (925) Sternum VIII (ventral surface); (926) Genitalia in dorsal view; (927) Genitalia in lateral view.