Polistes (Fuscopolistes) metricus Say, 1831

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 : 335-336

Polistes (Fuscopolistes) metricus Say

Paramere ( Fig. 36A ): (1) about two and half times longer than wide at the middle; (2) lateral groove deep; (3) parameral spine medium (about 1/6 the total length of paramere), pointed apically with short and dense bristles, mainly on spine base; (4) paramere lobe weakly developed and rounded; (5) inferior portion of paramere wide, about 0,8 the width at the middle portion. Aedeagus ( Fig. 36B, C ): robust; (1) apical portion with prominent denticulation, with small teeth intercalated among the large teeth, extended to the penis valve to the end of median expansion, lateral margin curved; (2) penis valve dilated and with a strong central entrance, bilobed (about 1/3 of the total length of apical portion); (3) median expansion developed and pointed apex; (4) lateral apodeme directed forward and shorter than the ventral process, (5) ventral process very rounded; (6) inferior portion of aedeagus curved, in lateral view; (7) ventral teeth in two more or less distinct rows, teeth of outer row broader but all long, about 30 in number. Digitus ( Fig. 36D ): robust; (1) apical process very reduced; (3) anteroventral lobe long and pointed apically; (4) punctation strong, over the entire digitus base; (5) short and dense bristles, mainly on lateral margin. Cuspis ( Fig. 36E ): robust, triangular-shape; (1) apex weakly pointed and tapering gradually to the end; (2) short and sparse bristles on cuspis; (3) punctation restricted on the lateral lobe; (4) lower part developed and more membranous aspect, with short bristles.

Remarks. Richards (1978: 461) commented about the genitalia: “with aedeagus broad, ventral teeth in two more or less distinct rows, teeth of outer row broader but all long, about 30 in all; digitus with basal portion very large, inside view broad to posterior end, distal process very short”. Buck et al. (2012) presented illustrations of the paramere ( Fig. 18 ), digitus ( Fig. 26 ) and aedeagus (Figs. 43, 51, 59), which match our description.

Figures

FIGURE 18. Male genitalia of Polistes (Aphanilopterus) ridleyi—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.

FIGURE 26. Male genitalia of Polistes (Epicnemius) deceptor—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.

FIGURE 36. Male genitalia of Polistes (Fuscopolistes) metricus—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.