Vespula squamosa (Drury)

Kimsey, Lynn S. & Carpenter, James M., 2012, The Vespinae of North America (Vespidae, Hymenoptera), Journal of Hymenoptera Research 28, pp. 37-65 : 47-48

Vespula squamosa (Drury) Figs 25 45 70 77

Vespa squamosus Drury 1773: Index to vol. I [pl. XLIII fig. 7 in Vol. 1]. Holotype female; New York (destroy ed?).

Vespa lineata Fabricius 1775:365. Type unknown; "in America".

Sphex conchacea Christ 1791:259, pl. 25 fig. 5. Type ?; “Neuiork” (destroyed).

Vespa cuneata Fabricius 1804:258. Type?; “Carolina” (COPENHAGEN).

Vespa cruciata Lepeletier 1836:514. Unjustified emendation of Vespa cuneata Fabricius 1804.

Vespa bistriata McFarland 1888:298. Holotype female; "North America" (PHILADELPHIA) Nec Vespa bistriata Fabricius 1804.

Vespa macfarlandi Lewis 1897:180. Replacement name for Vespa bistriata McFarland.

Vespula squamosa var. (or subsp.) michoacana Bequaert 1941:249. Holotype female; Mexico: Michoacan, Tancitaro (CAMBRIDGE).

Distribution.

This is an eastern species, occurring east of the 100th meridian and south to Honduras.

Biology.

It is a facultative social parasite of Vespula maculifrons . The two striped scutum is a distinctive feature of both Vespula squamosa and Vespula sulphurea . Queens of squamosa are quite different in color from workers and males, with their extensive orange-brown coloration, particularly on the metasoma.

Figures

Figures 14 - 25. Front view of face, antennae removed. Vpl. = Vespula.

Figures 38 - 47. Dorsal view of worker metasoma.

Figures 59 - 71. Lateral view of genital capsule in Vespula (Vpl). Abbreviations: ae = aedeagus p = paramere.

Figures 72 - 84. Ventral view of genital capsule in Vespula (Vpl). Abbreviations: A. = dorsal view of paramere ae = aedeagus p = paramere v = volsella Vpl. = Vespula.