Volucella nigricans Coquillett (Figs. 3A–I, 5I–L)

Volucella nigricans Coquillett, 1898: 324 (Type­locality: Japan; Holotype Male, USNM); Matsumura, 1916: 209 (redescription); Shiraki, 1930: 216 (redescription); Matsumura, 1931: 357 (redescription); Sack, 1931: 246 (redescription); Zimina, 1961: 145 (in Palaearctic key); Shiraki, 1968: 215 (redescription); Okuno, 1970: 269 (biology); Kim, 1971: 863 (redescription); Knutson et al., 1975: 336 (in Oriental catalog); Ôhara, 1985a: 210 (in Japanese larval key); Ôhara, 1985b: 379 (biology); Peck, 1988: 130 (in Palaearctic catalog); Ôhara, 1989: 789 (in Japanese checklist); Huang et al., 1996: 202 (in Chinese key); Han et Choi, 2001: 125 (in Korean checklist).

Diagnosis

This species closely resembles V. pellucens, but can be readily distinguished by having much smaller pale areas on tergite 2 (Figs. 5I, K vs. 5M, O).

Material examined

Holotype, Male, JAPAN: with the following labels: Japan Mitsukuri; [red] Type No. 3994, U.S.N.M.; Volucella nigricans Coq. (USNM) . CHINA: TienMuShan, VI.1937, E. Suenson, ALMelander Collection, 1961, 1♀ (USNM ENT 00033033). KOREA: Chungcheongbuk­do: 20♂, 9♀; Gyeongsangbuk­do: 8♂, 1♀; Gyeonggi­do: 3♂, 1♀; Gyeongsangnam­do: 1♀; Gangwon­do: 61♂, 19♀ (YSUW). JAPAN: Unzen 2200 Feet Shimabara Peninsula, 3.VII.1934, 1♂ (ZMH); ditto, 7.VIII.1935, 1♀ (ZMH); Yunokikawachi, Matsuura City, Nagasaki Pref. 9.VI.1971, Y. Ikezaki, 1♂ (USNM ENT 00033032).

Distribution

China, Korea, Japan, and Taiwan.

Biology

This species is associated with Vespula flaviceps lewisii (Cameron) in immature stages (Okuno, 1970; Ôhara, 1985a, b).