Polistes (Aphanilopterus) instabilis de Saussure, 1853

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 : 313

Polistes (Aphanilopterus) instabilis de Saussure

Paramere: (1) about three times longer than wide at the middle; (2) lateral groove shallow; (3) parameral spine long (about 1/6 the total length of paramere), pointed apically with long and dense bristles; (4) paramere lobe developed and pointed; (5) inferior portion of paramere narrow, about half the width at the middle portion. Aedeagus: slender, (1) apical portion with fine denticulation, extended only on the apical portion, lateral margin straight; (2) penis valve widely dilated and with a slight central entrance (less than 1/3 of the total length of apical portion); (3) median expansion widely developed, rounded apex; (4) lateral apodeme directed forward, with a weak central projection and shorter than the ventral process, (5) ventral process rounded and slightly dilated in apex; (6) inferior portion of aedeagus weakly curved, almost straight, in lateral view. Digitus: slender; (1) apical process developed, about 1.5 times longer than the digitus base, slightly dilated in 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: slender; (1) apex pointed and tapering abruptly to the end; (2) long and dense bristles; (3) punctation restricted on the lateral lobe; (4) lower part weakly developed.

Remarks. Richards (1978: 509–510) did not describe the male genitalia of this species. He only depicted the digitus in his Figure 141, which matches our description.