taxonID	type	description	language	source
03EFCF0F5D4FFFB2FF5D2DA6FA42FF78.taxon	diagnosis	Diagnosis. The atrata species-group is here defined to include those members of the genus Belonogaster in which the posterior face of the propodeum is entirely finely shagreened and bare, with at most some punctures and setae on the margins (Figs 1 F, 2 H, 3 E, 4 H).	en	Selis, Marco, Longair, Robert W. (2025): New data on the genus Belonogaster de Saussure, with establishment of the atrata species-group (Hymenoptera: Vespidae: Polistinae). Zootaxa 5692 (2): 353-368, DOI: 10.11646/zootaxa.5692.2.8, URL: https://doi.org/10.11646/zootaxa.5692.2.8
03EFCF0F5D4CFFB3FF5D2F4FFBABFD86.taxon	description	(Figs 1 B – F)	en	Selis, Marco, Longair, Robert W. (2025): New data on the genus Belonogaster de Saussure, with establishment of the atrata species-group (Hymenoptera: Vespidae: Polistinae). Zootaxa 5692 (2): 353-368, DOI: 10.11646/zootaxa.5692.2.8, URL: https://doi.org/10.11646/zootaxa.5692.2.8
03EFCF0F5D4CFFB3FF5D2F4FFBABFD86.taxon	distribution	Distribution. Equatorial Guinea, Democratic Republic of Congo * (Fig. 1 A). Notes. Richards (1982) reported Cameroon as origin of the lectotype, but the type locality “ Uelleburg ” is in fact in Equatorial Guinea, close to the current city of Mbini (Pont 2013: 160). The examined female (Figs 1 B – F) presents some differences from the description provided by Richards (1982): sides of mesoscutum and pronotum with smaller punctures and interspaces densely micropunctate-reticulate, mesoscutum with short black setae and inconspicuous pale pubescence, pubescence of metasoma grayish, scutellum and metanotum red. These differences are here considered to be intraspecific variability, since the specimen coincides with the description in all other diagnostic characters, in particular the sculpture of the propodeum, the rest of the pattern, the vestiture of the femora and the brevity of the T 1 and of the petiole of the T 2.	en	Selis, Marco, Longair, Robert W. (2025): New data on the genus Belonogaster de Saussure, with establishment of the atrata species-group (Hymenoptera: Vespidae: Polistinae). Zootaxa 5692 (2): 353-368, DOI: 10.11646/zootaxa.5692.2.8, URL: https://doi.org/10.11646/zootaxa.5692.2.8
03EFCF0F5D4AFFB4FF5D2EE2FD0FFB5F.taxon	description	(Fig. 2)	en	Selis, Marco, Longair, Robert W. (2025): New data on the genus Belonogaster de Saussure, with establishment of the atrata species-group (Hymenoptera: Vespidae: Polistinae). Zootaxa 5692 (2): 353-368, DOI: 10.11646/zootaxa.5692.2.8, URL: https://doi.org/10.11646/zootaxa.5692.2.8
03EFCF0F5D4AFFB4FF5D2EE2FD0FFB5F.taxon	materials_examined	Material examined. IVORY COAST: Tai NP, IET Station, 5 ° 50 ’ N 7 ° 20 ’ 31 ” W, 19. II. 1997, leg. R. Longair, 1 ♂ (MSVI); Tai NP, IET Station, 5 ° 50 ’ N 7 ° 20 ’ 31 ” W, 23. II. 1997, leg. R. Longair, 1 ♀ (MSVI).	en	Selis, Marco, Longair, Robert W. (2025): New data on the genus Belonogaster de Saussure, with establishment of the atrata species-group (Hymenoptera: Vespidae: Polistinae). Zootaxa 5692 (2): 353-368, DOI: 10.11646/zootaxa.5692.2.8, URL: https://doi.org/10.11646/zootaxa.5692.2.8
03EFCF0F5D4AFFB4FF5D2EE2FD0FFB5F.taxon	description	Description of male (hitherto unknown). Habitus in Figs 2 A – B. Body length 17.5 mm; fore wing length 15.0 mm. Differing from female as follows: head (Fig. 2 C; head of female in Fig. 2 D) in frontal view as long as wide; inner eye margins more converging below, distance between them at vertex 1.15 × as long as distance at clypeus; clypeus smaller and more flattened in dorsal half, free apical part triangular, sharply pointed apically and largely exceeding lateral lobes, covered with sparse white pubescence and scattered black setae; antennal toruli much closer to inner eye margin than to clypeal margin; gena narrower, 0.75 × as wide as eye in lateral view; scape almost parallel-sided, 3.5 × as long as apically wide; F 1 slightly expanded apically, 3.7 × as long as wide, 1.8 × as long as F 2, about as long as F 2 + F 3; F 2 – F 9 becoming progressively shorter, but always longer than wide; F 10 longer than F 9, flattened, with straight ventral margin and curved dorsal margin, apex rounded; tyloids on F 3 – F 9, short ridges at base and apex on F 3, sharp ridges on whole length of F 4 – F 6, raised subtriangular lobes on F 7 – F 9 becoming progressively higher and sharper (Fig. 2 E); teguments more matte, on mesoscutum with several small punctures between large punctures; T 1 proportionally shorter and more expanded after spiracles, 6.5 × as long as maximum width; basal petiole of T 2 shorter, 2.4 × as long as wide (Fig. 2 F; petiole of female in Fig. 2 G); T 7 subtriangular and apically rounded; posterior margin of S 6 shallowly emarginated in the middle; S 7 trapezoidal with subtruncate apical margin, surface flattened with shallowly raised posterolateral corners. Genitalia in Fig. 2 I. Ferruginous-red; following parts suffused with yellow: lateral lobes and apex of clypeus, inner margin of malar space, inner eye margin up to lower margin of ocular sinus; head black from antennal insertions to occipital margin and on dorsal half of hypostoma, scape with an elongate dark spot above, flagellum darkened from apical half of F 1, last three flagellomeres less darkened than preceding ones, dorsolateral faces of pronotum becoming darker toward posterior corners, mesoscutum deep black, propodeum becoming progressively darker basally, irregular dark markings on mesepisternum, fore and mid tibia and hind leg darkened, tarsi deep black, metasoma darkened on apical margin of T 2 and whole T 3 – T 5.	en	Selis, Marco, Longair, Robert W. (2025): New data on the genus Belonogaster de Saussure, with establishment of the atrata species-group (Hymenoptera: Vespidae: Polistinae). Zootaxa 5692 (2): 353-368, DOI: 10.11646/zootaxa.5692.2.8, URL: https://doi.org/10.11646/zootaxa.5692.2.8
03EFCF0F5D4AFFB4FF5D2EE2FD0FFB5F.taxon	distribution	Distribution. Ivory Coast *, Nigeria (Fig. 1 A).	en	Selis, Marco, Longair, Robert W. (2025): New data on the genus Belonogaster de Saussure, with establishment of the atrata species-group (Hymenoptera: Vespidae: Polistinae). Zootaxa 5692 (2): 353-368, DOI: 10.11646/zootaxa.5692.2.8, URL: https://doi.org/10.11646/zootaxa.5692.2.8
03EFCF0F5D4AFFB4FF5D2B64FF38F8A2.taxon	description	(Fig. 3)	en	Selis, Marco, Longair, Robert W. (2025): New data on the genus Belonogaster de Saussure, with establishment of the atrata species-group (Hymenoptera: Vespidae: Polistinae). Zootaxa 5692 (2): 353-368, DOI: 10.11646/zootaxa.5692.2.8, URL: https://doi.org/10.11646/zootaxa.5692.2.8
03EFCF0F5D4AFFB4FF5D2B64FF38F8A2.taxon	materials_examined	Material examined. HOLOTYPE: ♀ labelled “ Holo - / type [round label with red border] // Uganda Prot. / Budongo Forest, / Unyoro. 3,400 ft. / 11 - 15 Dec. 1911 / S. A. Neave. // 1912 – 193. // Holo - / type [round label with red border] // Belonogaster / levior Richards / ♀ Type [handwritten] // NHMUK 010880633 [with QR code] ” (NHMUK). GABON: Ogoouè Ivindo, P. N. Ivindo, Ipassa, 0.51233 N 12.80255 E, 3 – 14. XII. 2013, leg. Carlo Massarone, 1 ♀ (MSVI).	en	Selis, Marco, Longair, Robert W. (2025): New data on the genus Belonogaster de Saussure, with establishment of the atrata species-group (Hymenoptera: Vespidae: Polistinae). Zootaxa 5692 (2): 353-368, DOI: 10.11646/zootaxa.5692.2.8, URL: https://doi.org/10.11646/zootaxa.5692.2.8
03EFCF0F5D4AFFB4FF5D2B64FF38F8A2.taxon	distribution	Distribution. Congo, Gabon *, Uganda (Fig. 1 A). Notes. Richards (1982) described this species based on three females from Uganda (holotype) and Congo, and a male from Liberia. Comparing Richards' description of the male with the available specimens and considering the distribution, it is evident that the male from Liberia is in fact Belonogaster velutina sp. nov., described below. The two species appear to be vicariants, with Belonogaster levior in Central Africa and B. velutina sp. nov. in West Africa.	en	Selis, Marco, Longair, Robert W. (2025): New data on the genus Belonogaster de Saussure, with establishment of the atrata species-group (Hymenoptera: Vespidae: Polistinae). Zootaxa 5692 (2): 353-368, DOI: 10.11646/zootaxa.5692.2.8, URL: https://doi.org/10.11646/zootaxa.5692.2.8
03EFCF0F5D4BFFB7FF5D2AA3FBEAFE16.taxon	description	(Fig. 4)	en	Selis, Marco, Longair, Robert W. (2025): New data on the genus Belonogaster de Saussure, with establishment of the atrata species-group (Hymenoptera: Vespidae: Polistinae). Zootaxa 5692 (2): 353-368, DOI: 10.11646/zootaxa.5692.2.8, URL: https://doi.org/10.11646/zootaxa.5692.2.8
03EFCF0F5D4BFFB7FF5D2AA3FBEAFE16.taxon	diagnosis	Diagnosis. The entirely shagreened and bare posterior face of propodeum places Belonogaster velutina sp. nov. in the atrata species-group, in which it comes close to Belonogaster levior due to mesosoma densely microsculpted with only scattered very fine punctures and lacking black erect setae. Belonogaster velutina sp. nov. is readily distinguished from B. levior by the following characters: disc of scutellum 1.8 × as wide as long and with indistinct median furrow (Fig. 4 H), scutellum and metanotum densely micropunctate with barely visible macropunctures (Fig. 4 H), basal pit of propodeum deep and narrow and well-impressed, basal petiole of T 2 longer (1.6 × as long as wide in male, 1.8 × in female; Figs 4 F – G), and mesosoma entirely ferruginous with indistinct dark markings on mesoscutum and pronotum (Figs 4 A – B).	en	Selis, Marco, Longair, Robert W. (2025): New data on the genus Belonogaster de Saussure, with establishment of the atrata species-group (Hymenoptera: Vespidae: Polistinae). Zootaxa 5692 (2): 353-368, DOI: 10.11646/zootaxa.5692.2.8, URL: https://doi.org/10.11646/zootaxa.5692.2.8
03EFCF0F5D4BFFB7FF5D2AA3FBEAFE16.taxon	materials_examined	Material examined. HOLOTYPE: ♂ labelled “ COTE D’IVOIRE: Tai NP / IET Station / 5 ° 50 ’ N 7 ° 20 ’ 31 ” W / 20. II. 1997 R. Longair // 85 // Belonogaster velutina / HOLOTYPUS ♂ / Det. Marco Selis [red label] ” (AMNH). PARATYPE: same locality as holotype, 21. II. 1997, 1 ♀ (MSVI).	en	Selis, Marco, Longair, Robert W. (2025): New data on the genus Belonogaster de Saussure, with establishment of the atrata species-group (Hymenoptera: Vespidae: Polistinae). Zootaxa 5692 (2): 353-368, DOI: 10.11646/zootaxa.5692.2.8, URL: https://doi.org/10.11646/zootaxa.5692.2.8
03EFCF0F5D4BFFB7FF5D2AA3FBEAFE16.taxon	description	Description. Male holotype (Figs 4 A – B). Body length 16.0 mm; fore wing length 14.0 mm. Head (Fig. 4 C) slightly narrower than mesosoma excluding tegulae, 1.1 × as wide as high in anterior view, 2.15 × as wide as long in dorsal view. Inner eye margins almost parallel, distance between them at vertex equal to that at clypeus. Clypeus as long as wide, distinctly produced below, subtriangular with apex sharply pointed and exceeding lateral lobes of clypeus; clypeus almost evenly flattened in lateral view. Gena narrow, 0.65 × as wide as eye in lateral view; malar space slightly longer than diameter of antennal torulus. Ocelli arranged in equilateral triangle and close to each other; distance between posterior ocelli 0.8 × as long as their diameter and 0.4 × as long as ocellocular distance. Vertex 1.4 × as long as ocellocular distance. Antenna slender and curled apically; scape weakly enlarged medially, 3.2 × as long as apically wide; F 1 enlarged apically, 4 × as long as apically wide, 1.5 × as long as F 2, about as long as F 2 + F 3; F 2 – F 7 longer than wide and similar in shape, becoming progressively shorter; F 8 – F 9 as long as F 7 but thinner; F 10 elongate, 3 × as long as basally wide, dorsal margin curved, apically tapering in a rounded apex; tyloids present on F 2 – F 9, paired elongate ridges on F 2, ridges covering whole length and becoming progressively higher on F 3 – F 6, sharp ridges expanding apically on F 7 – F 9 (Fig. 4 E). Mesoscutum weakly convex, 1.1 × as long as wide, with barely visible median ridge in anterior third. Scutellum more convex than mesoscutum, with barely visible median longitudinal furrow on whole length, disc 1.7 × as wide as long (Fig. 4 H). Metanotum almost vertical, transversely convex and bearing a shallow median depression. Propodeum weakly and evenly convex, with a median barely indicated furrow in posterior half, anterior margin with a deep and elongate subtriangular pit. Apical segment of fore tarsus weakly dilated apically. T 1 5.6 × as long as maximum width; in dorsal view weakly and evenly widened from base almost to apex, with a shallow apical constriction, maximum width 1.6 × as wide as basal width; T 1 in lateral view curved at extreme base and then straight, strongly thickening apically, maximum height 1.9 × as high as basal height, dorsal margin distinctly curved posteriorly. T 2 evenly widening posteriorly after basal petiole, apical margin 4.3 × as wide as basal margin; basal petiole 1.6 × as long as wide (Fig. 4 F). Genitalia in Fig. 4 I. Clypeus and supraclypeal area weakly shiny, shallowly and irregularly shagreened with scattered very fine punctures. Frons matte, densely and shallowly micropunctate, with scattered shallow fine punctures; vertex and gena weakly shiny and sparsely punctate, punctures denser along eye margin and malar space. Scape shiny and micropunctate, with some barely visible punctures; flagellum matte and densely shagreened, F 10 shinier on outer face. Mesosoma except posterior face of propodeum matte and velvety due to very dense micropunctures, shallow and very sparse macropunctures visible on margins of pronotum, scutellum and metanotum, and on posterior margin of mesepisternum and metaepisternum; posterior face of propodeum finely and densely shagreened, with some fine punctures on anterior margin and fine rugosities around propodeal orifice, surface with a silky shine. T 1 similar to posterior face of propodeum, but shagreen shallower and less evident, some very fine punctures on posterior half; S 1 with shallow but distinct transverse striation, disappearing posteriorly. T 2 – T 7 finely and transversely shagreened, with fine and barely visible punctures starting from apex of T 2; T 6 – T 7 shinier than previous tergites. S 2 – S 6 similar to respective tergites but shinier and punctures mostly restricted to lateral margins; S 7 with very fine dense punctures. Most of head, mesosoma, legs, T 2 – T 7 and S 1 – S 7 with dense and very short pale pubescence with golden reflections, T 1 lacking pubescence but bearing some very short golden setae arising from the punctures, S 1 with long pale setae. Clypeus with whitish pubescence and scattered short black setae on whole surface. Short black setae on frons, vertex, hypostoma, proepisternum and fore coxa. Short but stout black setae arising between pubescence on metasoma starting from apex of T 2 and S 2, more numerous and evident on tergites than on sternites. Ferruginous-red; following parts pale yellow: longitudinal bands covering lateral thirds of clypeus and face up to ocular sinus, interantennal space, suffusion on base of mandible and inner margin of malar space, ventral face of scape, pedicel and base of F 1, anterior face of proepisternum, irregular markings on fore and mid coxae, anterior face of fore femur, anterior line on mid femur and mid and hind tibiae, basal and apical spots on hind femur; following parts dark red to black: head above level of antennal toruli, upper face of antenna except F 8 – F 10, elongate spots along posterior margin of pronotum, mesoscutum, middle of anterior margin of propodeum, spots at upper and lower margin of mesepisternum, apex of T 2 and S 2 and whole T 3 – T 6 and S 3 – S 6, hind femur, all tibiae and tarsi. Wings hyaline with brownish suffusion along costal margin. Female paratype. Body length 18.0 mm; fore wing length 15.0 mm. Differing from male as follows: head (Fig. 4 D) 1.2 × as wide as high in anterior view, 2.35 × as wide as long in dorsal view; clypeus more convex and more produced below, 1.1 × as long as wide, apex more sharply pointed, bearing denser and deeper punctures, pubescence on basal two thirds and brownish, black setae longer and stouter; gena 0.95 × as wide as eye in lateral view; malar space longer, 1.35 × as long as diameter of antennal torulus; antenna proportionally shorter and stouter, scape 3.4 × as long as apically wide, F 1 3.3 × as long as wide and about as long as F 2 + F 3 + F 4, F 2 slightly longer than wide, F 3 subquadrate, F 4 – F 7 wider than long and becoming progressively shorter, F 8 subquadrate, F 9 bullet shaped and 1.3 × as long as basally wide; sculpture on mesosoma slightly coarser, macropunctures more numerous and marked, hair-like setae on lateral faces of pronotum; basal petiole of T 2 longer, 1.8 × as long as wide (Fig. 4 G); stout black setae on metasoma more numerous and longer, much more evident on sternites than on tergites. Same color pattern as male, but differing as follows: pale yellow markings absent, orange-yellow suffusions visible on mandibles, malar space and margins of clypeus; dark markings reduced on pronotum and absent on propodeum and mesepisternum, but scutellum with a pair of medial dark suffusions (Fig. 4 H); T 2 and tibiae darker.	en	Selis, Marco, Longair, Robert W. (2025): New data on the genus Belonogaster de Saussure, with establishment of the atrata species-group (Hymenoptera: Vespidae: Polistinae). Zootaxa 5692 (2): 353-368, DOI: 10.11646/zootaxa.5692.2.8, URL: https://doi.org/10.11646/zootaxa.5692.2.8
03EFCF0F5D4BFFB7FF5D2AA3FBEAFE16.taxon	distribution	Distribution. Liberia, Ivory Coast (Fig. 1 A).	en	Selis, Marco, Longair, Robert W. (2025): New data on the genus Belonogaster de Saussure, with establishment of the atrata species-group (Hymenoptera: Vespidae: Polistinae). Zootaxa 5692 (2): 353-368, DOI: 10.11646/zootaxa.5692.2.8, URL: https://doi.org/10.11646/zootaxa.5692.2.8
03EFCF0F5D4BFFB7FF5D2AA3FBEAFE16.taxon	etymology	Etymology. The species name comes from the Latin adjective velutinus, - a, - um (= velvety), in reference to the velvety and matte appearance of this species. Sex association. The association of the two sexes is strongly supported, as they were collected in the same place one day apart and share all the diagnostic characters of the species (see diagnosis).	en	Selis, Marco, Longair, Robert W. (2025): New data on the genus Belonogaster de Saussure, with establishment of the atrata species-group (Hymenoptera: Vespidae: Polistinae). Zootaxa 5692 (2): 353-368, DOI: 10.11646/zootaxa.5692.2.8, URL: https://doi.org/10.11646/zootaxa.5692.2.8
03EFCF0F5D46FFB8FF5D2EAAFCF4FDCE.taxon	materials_examined	Material examined. CAMEROON: prov. Sud, Dep. Ocean, ca. 48 km NE Kribi (small river, road N 7), 7. II. 1995, leg. E. Aistleitner, 1 ♂ (OLML). GUINEA: Monts Nimba, Lola, 7.6943 N 8.4018 W, 8. VII. 2004, leg. M. Halada, 1 ♂ 2 ♀ (OLML). IVORY COAST: Man, Mont Tonkoui, 1000 - 1200 m, 9. II. 1998, leg. Kassebeer & Hilger, 1 ♀ (MSVI).	en	Selis, Marco, Longair, Robert W. (2025): New data on the genus Belonogaster de Saussure, with establishment of the atrata species-group (Hymenoptera: Vespidae: Polistinae). Zootaxa 5692 (2): 353-368, DOI: 10.11646/zootaxa.5692.2.8, URL: https://doi.org/10.11646/zootaxa.5692.2.8
03EFCF0F5D46FFB8FF5D2EAAFCF4FDCE.taxon	distribution	Distribution. Guinea *, Sierra Leone, Liberia, Ivory Coast *, Ghana, Nigeria, Cameroon *, Bioko, Gabon, Democratic Republic of Congo, Congo, Rwanda, Burundi.	en	Selis, Marco, Longair, Robert W. (2025): New data on the genus Belonogaster de Saussure, with establishment of the atrata species-group (Hymenoptera: Vespidae: Polistinae). Zootaxa 5692 (2): 353-368, DOI: 10.11646/zootaxa.5692.2.8, URL: https://doi.org/10.11646/zootaxa.5692.2.8
03EFCF0F5D46FFB8FF5D2CD6FD66FBC7.taxon	materials_examined	Material examined. BENIN: 15 km SE of Save, 8 – 25. IV. 2000, leg. J. Halada, 3 ♀ (MSVI, OLML). CAMEROON: E of Big Babanki, 6.11667 N 10.26667 E, 1200 m, 10. III. 2008, leg. J. Horak, 1 ♀ (MSVI); Yaoundé, I. 1981, 1 ♀ (MSVI). TOGO: Kloto, Foret de Missahoe, X. 2020, 1 ♂ 1 ♀ (MSVI).	en	Selis, Marco, Longair, Robert W. (2025): New data on the genus Belonogaster de Saussure, with establishment of the atrata species-group (Hymenoptera: Vespidae: Polistinae). Zootaxa 5692 (2): 353-368, DOI: 10.11646/zootaxa.5692.2.8, URL: https://doi.org/10.11646/zootaxa.5692.2.8
03EFCF0F5D46FFB8FF5D2CD6FD66FBC7.taxon	distribution	Distribution. Senegal, Gambia, Guinea, Liberia, Ivory Coast, Ghana, Togo *, Benin *, Niger, Nigeria, Cameroon *, Bioko, Democratic Republic of Congo, Congo, Uganda, Rwanda, Kenya, Tanzania, Angola, Zambia, Malawi, Zimbabwe, Mozambique, South Africa.	en	Selis, Marco, Longair, Robert W. (2025): New data on the genus Belonogaster de Saussure, with establishment of the atrata species-group (Hymenoptera: Vespidae: Polistinae). Zootaxa 5692 (2): 353-368, DOI: 10.11646/zootaxa.5692.2.8, URL: https://doi.org/10.11646/zootaxa.5692.2.8
03EFCF0F5D46FFB8FF5D2ADCFEC7F9DA.taxon	materials_examined	Material examined. BENIN: Zangnanado, river Ouene, 15. IV. 2000, leg. J. Halada, 1 ♀ (MSVI). CENTRAL AFRICAN REPUBLIC: Ombella-Mpoko, 5 km E Damara, 400 m, 18 - 19. VII. 2011, leg. A. Kudrna Jr., 1 ♀ (MSVI).	en	Selis, Marco, Longair, Robert W. (2025): New data on the genus Belonogaster de Saussure, with establishment of the atrata species-group (Hymenoptera: Vespidae: Polistinae). Zootaxa 5692 (2): 353-368, DOI: 10.11646/zootaxa.5692.2.8, URL: https://doi.org/10.11646/zootaxa.5692.2.8
03EFCF0F5D46FFB8FF5D2ADCFEC7F9DA.taxon	distribution	Distribution. Benin *, Central African Republic *, Democratic Republic of Congo, Congo, Sudan. Notes. The specimen from Central African Republic differs from the description provided by Richards (1982) in the following aspects: area around ocelli darkened, mid and hind tarsi entirely black, S 2 with very suffused and barely visible subapical yellow spots, frons and vertex with short black setae, short black erect setae on mid and hind femur.	en	Selis, Marco, Longair, Robert W. (2025): New data on the genus Belonogaster de Saussure, with establishment of the atrata species-group (Hymenoptera: Vespidae: Polistinae). Zootaxa 5692 (2): 353-368, DOI: 10.11646/zootaxa.5692.2.8, URL: https://doi.org/10.11646/zootaxa.5692.2.8
03EFCF0F5D46FFB9FF5D28E2FD10FEFA.taxon	materials_examined	Material examined. BENIN: Cove, Zou river, 16. IV. 2000, leg. J. Halada, 1 ♀ (MSVI). ETHIOPIA: 20 km SE Konso, 5.25000 N 37.53333 E, 860 m, 11 – 13 + 18. V. 2015, leg. A. Kudrna jr., 1 ♀ (MSVI); 70 km S Jima, Chebera Churchura N. P., 7.03333 N 36.68333 E, 1100 - 1300 m, 7 – 8. V. 2015, leg. A. Kudrna jr., 1 ♀ (MSVI). TOGO: Kloto, Foret de Missahoe, X. 2020, 1 ♂ 6 ♀ (MSVI).	en	Selis, Marco, Longair, Robert W. (2025): New data on the genus Belonogaster de Saussure, with establishment of the atrata species-group (Hymenoptera: Vespidae: Polistinae). Zootaxa 5692 (2): 353-368, DOI: 10.11646/zootaxa.5692.2.8, URL: https://doi.org/10.11646/zootaxa.5692.2.8
03EFCF0F5D46FFB9FF5D28E2FD10FEFA.taxon	distribution	Distribution. Senegal, Guinea-Bissau, Guinea, Sierra Leone, Liberia, Ghana, Burkina Faso, Togo *, Benin *, Nigeria, Chad, Sudan, Cameroon, Bioko, Gabon, Central African Republic, Democratic Republic of Congo, Congo, Uganda, Rwanda, Burundi, Ethiopia *, Kenya, Tanzania (including Zanzibar), Angola, Zambia, Malawi, Zimbabwe, Mozambique, Botswana, South Africa, Swaziland.	en	Selis, Marco, Longair, Robert W. (2025): New data on the genus Belonogaster de Saussure, with establishment of the atrata species-group (Hymenoptera: Vespidae: Polistinae). Zootaxa 5692 (2): 353-368, DOI: 10.11646/zootaxa.5692.2.8, URL: https://doi.org/10.11646/zootaxa.5692.2.8
03EFCF0F5D47FFB9FF5D2FC3FC02FBB0.taxon	description	(Fig. 5)	en	Selis, Marco, Longair, Robert W. (2025): New data on the genus Belonogaster de Saussure, with establishment of the atrata species-group (Hymenoptera: Vespidae: Polistinae). Zootaxa 5692 (2): 353-368, DOI: 10.11646/zootaxa.5692.2.8, URL: https://doi.org/10.11646/zootaxa.5692.2.8
03EFCF0F5D47FFB9FF5D2FC3FC02FBB0.taxon	materials_examined	Material examined. CENTRAL AFRICAN REPUBLIC: Ombella-Mpoko, 75 km NNE Bangui, 26 – 29. IV. 2010, leg. A. Kudrna Jr., 1 ♀ (MSVI). IVORY COAST: Tai NP, IET Station, 5.83333 N 7.341944 W, 22. II. 1997, leg. R. Longair, 2 ♀ (CNC). TOGO: Kloto, Foret de Missahoe, X. 2020, 1 ♀ (MSVI).	en	Selis, Marco, Longair, Robert W. (2025): New data on the genus Belonogaster de Saussure, with establishment of the atrata species-group (Hymenoptera: Vespidae: Polistinae). Zootaxa 5692 (2): 353-368, DOI: 10.11646/zootaxa.5692.2.8, URL: https://doi.org/10.11646/zootaxa.5692.2.8
03EFCF0F5D47FFB9FF5D2FC3FC02FBB0.taxon	distribution	Distribution. Ivory Coast *, Togo *, Bioko, Central African Republic *, Democratic Republic of Congo, Uganda. Notes. The specimens from West Africa (Figs 5 A – B) show the same dark pattern described by Richards (1982), while the one from Central African Republic (Figs 5 C – D) shows a lighter ferruginous coloration with the following pale yellow markings: ventral quarter and suffused lateral margins of clypeus, most of mandibles, part of malar space and gena, inner eye margin up to bottom of ocular sinus, underside of scape, paired spots on middle of pronotum, inferior margin of pronotum, extreme sides of scutellum including axillae, metanotum including axillae, elongate spots on propodeum, propodeal valvula, most of proepisternum, irregular markings on posterior half of mesepisternum, inner margin of fore coxae, line on outer face of fore tibia, suffused narrow apical line on T 2. This paler pattern is similar to that described by Schulz (1906) for the holotype.	en	Selis, Marco, Longair, Robert W. (2025): New data on the genus Belonogaster de Saussure, with establishment of the atrata species-group (Hymenoptera: Vespidae: Polistinae). Zootaxa 5692 (2): 353-368, DOI: 10.11646/zootaxa.5692.2.8, URL: https://doi.org/10.11646/zootaxa.5692.2.8
03EFCF0F5D44FFBAFF5D2EE2FB17FECA.taxon	materials_examined	Material examined. IVORY COAST: Lamto Tropical Ecology Station, 6. V. 1988, leg. R. Longair, 1 ♀ (CNC). Distribution. Sierra Leone, Ivory Coast *, Gabon, Democratic Republic of Congo, Uganda.	en	Selis, Marco, Longair, Robert W. (2025): New data on the genus Belonogaster de Saussure, with establishment of the atrata species-group (Hymenoptera: Vespidae: Polistinae). Zootaxa 5692 (2): 353-368, DOI: 10.11646/zootaxa.5692.2.8, URL: https://doi.org/10.11646/zootaxa.5692.2.8
03EFCF0F5D44FFBAFF5D2FE9FAA2FC9B.taxon	materials_examined	Material examined. BENIN: Save env., 5.0352 N 2.4891 E, 16. VI. 2001, leg. F. Kantner, 1 ♂ 1 ♀ (OLML); 15 km SE of Save, 8 – 25. IV. 2000, leg. J. Halada, 1 ♂ (MSVI). GUINEA: Monts Nimba, Lola, 7.69433 N 8.40183 W, 8. VII. 2004, leg. M. Halada, 2 ♀ (MSVI, OLML); NW Guinea, Hadina Salmbandi, 11.9275 N 11.8975 W, 11. VII. 2004, leg. M. Halada, 1 ♀ (OLML). TOGO: Kloto, Foret de Missahoe, X. 2020, 2 ♀ (MSVI).	en	Selis, Marco, Longair, Robert W. (2025): New data on the genus Belonogaster de Saussure, with establishment of the atrata species-group (Hymenoptera: Vespidae: Polistinae). Zootaxa 5692 (2): 353-368, DOI: 10.11646/zootaxa.5692.2.8, URL: https://doi.org/10.11646/zootaxa.5692.2.8
03EFCF0F5D44FFBAFF5D2FE9FAA2FC9B.taxon	distribution	Distribution. Sierra Leone, Guinea-Bissau, Guinea *, Liberia, Ivory Coast, Ghana, Togo *, Benin *, Nigeria.	en	Selis, Marco, Longair, Robert W. (2025): New data on the genus Belonogaster de Saussure, with establishment of the atrata species-group (Hymenoptera: Vespidae: Polistinae). Zootaxa 5692 (2): 353-368, DOI: 10.11646/zootaxa.5692.2.8, URL: https://doi.org/10.11646/zootaxa.5692.2.8
03EFCF0F5D44FFBAFF5D2D3EFA8AF86B.taxon	description	(Fig. 6)	en	Selis, Marco, Longair, Robert W. (2025): New data on the genus Belonogaster de Saussure, with establishment of the atrata species-group (Hymenoptera: Vespidae: Polistinae). Zootaxa 5692 (2): 353-368, DOI: 10.11646/zootaxa.5692.2.8, URL: https://doi.org/10.11646/zootaxa.5692.2.8
03EFCF0F5D44FFBAFF5D2D3EFA8AF86B.taxon	materials_examined	Material examined. CAMEROON: E of Big Babanki, 6.11666 N 10.26666 E, 1200 m, 10. III. 2008, leg. J. Horak, 1 ♂ 1 ♀ (MSVI, OLML). CENTRAL AFRICAN REPUBLIC: Lobaye, 20 km NNE of Mbaiki, 400 m, 3 – 4. V. 2010, leg. A. Kudrna jr., 1 ♀ (MSVI); Ombella-Mpoko, 75 km NNE of Bangui, 26 – 29. IV. 2010, leg. A. Kudrna jr., 1 ♀ (MSVI). GABON: Ogouuè Ivindo, P. N. Ivindo, Ipassa, 0.512333 12.802556, 3 – 14. XII. 2013, leg. Carlo Massarone, 1 ♀ (MSVI); Ogouuè Ivindo, P. N. Ivindo, Ipassa, 0.512333 12.802556, 10. XII. 2014, leg. Maurizio Pavesi, 1 ♂ (MSVI).	en	Selis, Marco, Longair, Robert W. (2025): New data on the genus Belonogaster de Saussure, with establishment of the atrata species-group (Hymenoptera: Vespidae: Polistinae). Zootaxa 5692 (2): 353-368, DOI: 10.11646/zootaxa.5692.2.8, URL: https://doi.org/10.11646/zootaxa.5692.2.8
03EFCF0F5D44FFBAFF5D2D3EFA8AF86B.taxon	description	Description of male (hitherto unknown). Habitus in Figs 6 A – B. Body length 18.0 mm; fore wing length 17.5 mm. Differing from female as follows: head (Fig. 6 C) as long as wide in frontal view; inner eye margins less converging below, subparallel; clypeus similar in shape but less convex and with shorter free apical part, apical margin sharply pointed apically and largely exceeding lateral lobes, covered with short silvery pubescence on lateral and basal thirds and very short scattered black setae arising from fine punctures; antennal toruli much closer to inner eye margin than to clypeal margin; gena slightly wider ventrally, 0.75 × as wide as eye; scape slightly enlarged apically, 3.7 × as long as apically wide; F 1 nearly parallel-sided, 4 × as long as wide, 1.8 × as long as F 2, about as long as F 2 + F 3; F 2 – F 9 longer than wide, becoming progressively shorter; F 10 longer than F 9, slightly concave on outer face, evenly curved and slightly expanded apically, apex rounded; tyloids on F 3 – F 9, barely visible tubercles on F 3, dull ridges increasing in height on F 4 – F 6, basally low and apically high ridges on F 7 – F 9 (Fig. 6 D); T 1 proportionally narrower and more parallel-sided, 6.8 × as long as maximum width; basal petiole of T 2 longer, 2.8 × as long as wide; T 7 subtriangular with rounded apex; posterior margin of S 6 emarginated in the middle; S 7 trapezoidal with subtruncate apical margin, surface flattened in the middle. Genitalia in Fig. 6 E. Black; following parts red: median third of face, mandibles, most of gena and hypostoma, anterior margin of pronotum, extreme sides of scutellum and metanotum, mesosternum, ventral margin of metaepisternum, T 1 and basal petiole of T 2, most of femora and fore tibia; following parts pale yellow: longitudinal bands covering lateral thirds of face up to ocular sinus and meeting on apical margin of clypeus, interantennal spot, median half of mandible, ventral face of scape; flagellum orange, darkened on upper face of F 1 – F 7, with intensity of black decreasing on apical flagellomeres, F 8 – F 10 entirely orange.	en	Selis, Marco, Longair, Robert W. (2025): New data on the genus Belonogaster de Saussure, with establishment of the atrata species-group (Hymenoptera: Vespidae: Polistinae). Zootaxa 5692 (2): 353-368, DOI: 10.11646/zootaxa.5692.2.8, URL: https://doi.org/10.11646/zootaxa.5692.2.8
03EFCF0F5D44FFBAFF5D2D3EFA8AF86B.taxon	distribution	Distribution. Cameroon *, Gabon *, Central African Republic *, Uganda, Kenya. Notes. The examined females differ from the original description (Richards 1982) in having variably developed suffused red markings along the anterior margin of the pronotum and on the scutellum and the metanotum, the fore and the mid femora red, denser black setae on the propodeum, the femora with black setae on lower surface.	en	Selis, Marco, Longair, Robert W. (2025): New data on the genus Belonogaster de Saussure, with establishment of the atrata species-group (Hymenoptera: Vespidae: Polistinae). Zootaxa 5692 (2): 353-368, DOI: 10.11646/zootaxa.5692.2.8, URL: https://doi.org/10.11646/zootaxa.5692.2.8
03EFCF0F5D45FFBBFF5D2A9FFDD0F9FE.taxon	materials_examined	Material examined. BURUNDI: Bujumbura, Kirombwe, 3.395833 S 29.399417 E, 1148 m, 27. I. 2011, leg. M. Mei, P. Cerretti, D. Whitmore, 1 ♂ (MSVI). MOZAMBIQUE: Bilene, 25.272 S 33.279 E, 20 m, 1 – 13. XII. 2015, leg. M. Uliana, 1 ♀ (MSVI).	en	Selis, Marco, Longair, Robert W. (2025): New data on the genus Belonogaster de Saussure, with establishment of the atrata species-group (Hymenoptera: Vespidae: Polistinae). Zootaxa 5692 (2): 353-368, DOI: 10.11646/zootaxa.5692.2.8, URL: https://doi.org/10.11646/zootaxa.5692.2.8
03EFCF0F5D45FFBBFF5D2A9FFDD0F9FE.taxon	distribution	Distribution. Burundi *, Kenya, Tanzania, Zambia, Malawi, Mozambique *, South Africa. Notes. The male from Burundi shows considerably reduced yellow markings on legs, visible on fore and mid coxa and base of mid femur only.	en	Selis, Marco, Longair, Robert W. (2025): New data on the genus Belonogaster de Saussure, with establishment of the atrata species-group (Hymenoptera: Vespidae: Polistinae). Zootaxa 5692 (2): 353-368, DOI: 10.11646/zootaxa.5692.2.8, URL: https://doi.org/10.11646/zootaxa.5692.2.8
03EFCF0F5D45FFBCFF5D28C6FDA3FC8A.taxon	description	(Fig. 7)	en	Selis, Marco, Longair, Robert W. (2025): New data on the genus Belonogaster de Saussure, with establishment of the atrata species-group (Hymenoptera: Vespidae: Polistinae). Zootaxa 5692 (2): 353-368, DOI: 10.11646/zootaxa.5692.2.8, URL: https://doi.org/10.11646/zootaxa.5692.2.8
03EFCF0F5D45FFBCFF5D28C6FDA3FC8A.taxon	materials_examined	Material examined. IVORY COAST: Tai NP, IET Station, 5.83333 N 7.34194 W, 15. II. 1997, leg. R. Longair, 1 ♂ (MSVI).	en	Selis, Marco, Longair, Robert W. (2025): New data on the genus Belonogaster de Saussure, with establishment of the atrata species-group (Hymenoptera: Vespidae: Polistinae). Zootaxa 5692 (2): 353-368, DOI: 10.11646/zootaxa.5692.2.8, URL: https://doi.org/10.11646/zootaxa.5692.2.8
03EFCF0F5D45FFBCFF5D28C6FDA3FC8A.taxon	distribution	Distribution. Ivory Coast *, Nigeria. Notes. This is the second known specimen of this species (Figs 7 A – B). It mostly agrees with the original description (Richards 1982: 60) but differs in some morphological characters: clypeus entirely covered with a combination of long and dense silvery and very few fine black setae (Fig. 7 C), F 2 – F 4 with linear tyloids, F 5 – F 8 with linear tyloids expanded at base and apex in two protuberances, F 9 with a linear thick tyloid ending in a point, F 10 with a blunt ridge on basal half (Fig. 7 D), mesosoma without erect black setae, pronotum, mesoscutum and posterior face of propodeum with dense very shallow punctures. Moreover, it shows slightly different yellow markings: mandibles, whole face up to upper margin of ocular sinus, malar space, ventral half of gena and of hypostoma, ventral face of scape and pedicel, F 10, paired elongate spots on anterior face of pronotum, ventral half of lateral faces of pronotum, axillae of scutellum, axillae and anterior margin of metanotum, subrectangular spots on lower half of propodeum, proepisternum, irregular markings on mesepisternum and mesosternum, part of dorsal plate of metaepisternum, anterior face of fore and mid coxae, upper face of fore tibia and tarsi, lateroventral face of mid and hind femur and tibia. Given the peculiarity of the species and the concordance of most diagnostic characters, the differences listed above are regarded as intraspecific variation. Genitalia see Fig. 7 F. A remarkable character of this species, not noted by Richards (1982) in the original description, is the strongly flattened fore femur. A flattening of the fore femur is present to varying degrees in most males of Belonogaster, with some species (e. g. B. turbulenta Kohl) in which it is very marked, however in B. nitida the flattening is clearly more pronounced and gives a ribbon-like appearance to the femur, which has two perfectly flat faces that are conspicuously separated on sides (Fig. 7 E).	en	Selis, Marco, Longair, Robert W. (2025): New data on the genus Belonogaster de Saussure, with establishment of the atrata species-group (Hymenoptera: Vespidae: Polistinae). Zootaxa 5692 (2): 353-368, DOI: 10.11646/zootaxa.5692.2.8, URL: https://doi.org/10.11646/zootaxa.5692.2.8
03EFCF0F5D43FFBDFF5D2EE2FD95FDC3.taxon	materials_examined	Material examined. GUINEA: Monts Nimba, Lola, 7.6943 N 8.4018 W, 8. VII. 2004, leg. M. Halada, 2 ♀ (OLML). IVORY COAST: Man, Zogoualé, Casscades Mont la Dent, 7.41666 N 7.56666 W, 15. II. 1998, leg. Kassebeer & Hilger, 1 ♀ (MSVI); Tai NP, IET Station, 5.83333 N 7.341944 E, 18. II. 1997, leg. R. Longair, 1 ♀ (CNC). ZAMBIA: Lumangwe Falls, 5 – 7. XII. 2018, leg. S. Prepsl, 1 ♀ (MSVI).	en	Selis, Marco, Longair, Robert W. (2025): New data on the genus Belonogaster de Saussure, with establishment of the atrata species-group (Hymenoptera: Vespidae: Polistinae). Zootaxa 5692 (2): 353-368, DOI: 10.11646/zootaxa.5692.2.8, URL: https://doi.org/10.11646/zootaxa.5692.2.8
03EFCF0F5D43FFBDFF5D2EE2FD95FDC3.taxon	distribution	Distribution. Guinea *, Sierra Leone, Ivory Coast *, Ghana, Cameroon, Democratic Republic of Congo, Uganda, Kenya, Tanzania, Zambia *, Malawi, South Africa. Notes. The examined specimen from Zambia differs from the description provided by Richards (1982) in having the upper third of head, whole mesosoma (except extreme sides of scutellum and apical depression of propodeum) and legs, and most of T 2 and S 2 black.	en	Selis, Marco, Longair, Robert W. (2025): New data on the genus Belonogaster de Saussure, with establishment of the atrata species-group (Hymenoptera: Vespidae: Polistinae). Zootaxa 5692 (2): 353-368, DOI: 10.11646/zootaxa.5692.2.8, URL: https://doi.org/10.11646/zootaxa.5692.2.8
03EFCF0F5D43FFBEFF5D2CD8FB31FC3B.taxon	description	(Fig. 8)	en	Selis, Marco, Longair, Robert W. (2025): New data on the genus Belonogaster de Saussure, with establishment of the atrata species-group (Hymenoptera: Vespidae: Polistinae). Zootaxa 5692 (2): 353-368, DOI: 10.11646/zootaxa.5692.2.8, URL: https://doi.org/10.11646/zootaxa.5692.2.8
03EFCF0F5D43FFBEFF5D2CD8FB31FC3B.taxon	materials_examined	Material examined. GABON: Ogouuè Ivindo, P. N. Ivindo, Ipassa, 0.512333 12.802556, 3 – 14. XII. 2013, leg. Carlo Massarone, 2 ♀ (MSVI); Parc national des Monts de Cristal, Kinguélé, 0.440278 10.273889, 230 m, 19 – 30. XI. 2019, leg. Daniele Sechi, 1 ♂ 3 ♀ (1 ♂ MSVI; 3 ♀ DSCI).	en	Selis, Marco, Longair, Robert W. (2025): New data on the genus Belonogaster de Saussure, with establishment of the atrata species-group (Hymenoptera: Vespidae: Polistinae). Zootaxa 5692 (2): 353-368, DOI: 10.11646/zootaxa.5692.2.8, URL: https://doi.org/10.11646/zootaxa.5692.2.8
03EFCF0F5D43FFBEFF5D2CD8FB31FC3B.taxon	description	Description of male (hitherto unknown). Habitus in Figs 8 A – B. Body length 17.0 mm; fore wing length 15.5 mm. Differing from female as follows: head (Fig. 8 C) in frontal view 0.8 × as long as wide; inner eye margin weakly converging below; clypeus less convex and with much shorter free apical part, apical margin widely subtriangular with broadly rounded apex, shortly exceeding lateral lobes; face entirely covered by dense golden setae, longer on clypeus; antennal toruli much closer to inner eye margin than to clypeal margin; gena slightly wider ventrally, 0.4 × as wide as eye in lateral view; scape slightly enlarged in the middle, 4.8 × as long as apically wide; F 1 nearly parallel-sided, 4.7 × as long as wide, 1.85 × as long as F 2, 0.9 × as long as F 2 + F 3; F 2 – F 7 longer than wide and becoming progressively shorter and thicker; F 8 – F 9 much narrower and longer than F 7; F 10 longer than F 9, slightly concave on lateral face, evenly curved and slightly expanding in basal fourth, then parallel-sided, apex obliquely truncate; tyloids on all flagellomeres, irregular fine carina on whole length of F 1 – F 2, stronger carina on whole length of F 3 – F 5, strong carina absent basally and becoming higher apically on F 6 – F 9, thin carina on whole length of F 10 except extreme base (Fig. 8 D); T 1 proportionally narrower and less expanded behind spiracles, 6.2 × as long as maximum width; basal petiole of T 2 shorter, 1.9 × as long as wide; T 7 with subtruncate apex; S 7 with subtruncate apical margin and medially flattened; longer hind tarsi. Genitalia in Fig. 8 E. Ferruginous-orange; following parts darkened to black: inner margin of mandible, vertex, basal petiole of T 2, hind tarsi; following parts pale yellow: outer face of mandible, broad ventral margin of clypeus, suffused narrow line along inner margin of eye not reaching ocular sinus.	en	Selis, Marco, Longair, Robert W. (2025): New data on the genus Belonogaster de Saussure, with establishment of the atrata species-group (Hymenoptera: Vespidae: Polistinae). Zootaxa 5692 (2): 353-368, DOI: 10.11646/zootaxa.5692.2.8, URL: https://doi.org/10.11646/zootaxa.5692.2.8
03EFCF0F5D43FFBEFF5D2CD8FB31FC3B.taxon	distribution	Distribution. Sierra Leone, Gabon *, Democratic Republic of Congo, Congo. Notes. The examined specimens, all from Gabon, show a certain variability in vestiture and sculpture: while some females completely agree with the description provided by Richards (1982), the other females and the male show more punctures on the head and the mesosoma and longer darker setae on the whole body. All female specimens show many dark bristles arising between the pubescence on the metasoma starting from T 2 and S 2.	en	Selis, Marco, Longair, Robert W. (2025): New data on the genus Belonogaster de Saussure, with establishment of the atrata species-group (Hymenoptera: Vespidae: Polistinae). Zootaxa 5692 (2): 353-368, DOI: 10.11646/zootaxa.5692.2.8, URL: https://doi.org/10.11646/zootaxa.5692.2.8
