Genus Rhynchium Spinola

Rhynchium Spinola 1806: 84, genus, emendation of Rygchium validated by Opinion 747 (no. 1688 of Official List of Generic Names in Zoology).

Type species: Rygchium [!] europaeum Spinola 1806 [= Vespa oculata Fabricius 1781], by monotypy (no. 2095 of Official List of Specific Names in Zoology).

Rygchium Spinola 1806: 84, genus. Incorrect original spelling of Rhynchium Spinola, placed on Official Index of Rejected and Invalid Generic Names in Zoology (as no. 1768) by Opinion 747.

Rhynchium Billberg 1820: 109 . Emendation of Rychium [!] Spinola; validated and placed on Official List of Generic Names in Zoology (as no. 1688) by Opinion 747.

Rychium [!] Billberg 1820: 109 . Placed on Official Index of Rejected and Invalid Generic Names in Zoology (as no. 1769) by Opinion 747.

Rynchium Sturm 1829: 12 . Unjustified emendation of Rhynchium Spinola, placed on Official Index of Rejected and Invalid Generic Names in Zoology (as no. 1770) by Opinion 747.

Rhygchium [!] de Saussure 1853: xxxi, 276. Placed on Official Index of Rejected and Invalid Generic Names in Zoology (as no. 1771) by Opinion 747.

Eurrhynchium Dalla Torre 1904: 33, name for division II of Rhynchium Spinola in de Saussure 1852: 105 .

Type species: Vespa oculata Fabricius 1781, by subsequent designation of van der Vecht & Carpenter 1990: 23.

Taxonomy: de Saussure 1863: 242 (Index; Rhynchuium [!]).—van der Vecht 1963b: 234 (proposed emendation).— ICZN 1965, Opinion 747: 186 (validation of emendation).— Willink 1982: 195 (Rygohium [!]).— Cardale 1985: 203–205 (cat. Australian species).

Distribution: Widespread in the Old World, from the Afrotropics to Oceania; most diverse in the Oriental Region.

Ethology: One Australian species, R. mirabile (as R. rothi), has been reported to build mud cells on a substrate; elsewhere the nests are in pre-existing cavities; prey: caterpillars.