Polybia platycephala Richards, 1951

Amorim, Danielle C. De A., Dos Santos Junior, José N. A., Carvalho- Filho, Fernando Da S., Silveira, Orlando T. & Carpenter, James M., 2024, Taxonomic study of wasp species in the Polybia (Myrapetra) occidentalis group morphologically related to P. scrobalis and P. flavifrons, with description of a new species (Hymenoptera, Vespidae, Polistinae), Zootaxa 5477 (5), pp. 537-562 : 550-551

Polybia platycephala Richards, 1951

( Figs 5 , 13 , 21 , 29 , 39 , 60, 61 )

Polybia occidentalis subsp. platycephala Richards, 1951: 43 , 50, 110, 115, 143, 149, 168; Holotype ♀, Guyana (NHM); examined.

Polybia (Myrapetra) platycephala : Richards 1978: 40, 41, 90; Silva & Silveira 2009: 320.

Diagnosis. FEMALE. Forewing with ca. 6.5 mm; occipital-genal margin very weak dorsolaterally and absent behind ocelli, weak laterally; pronotal carina indicated; prominence in front of the fovea moderately elevated; first metasomal segment well elongated, its length about as large as height of mesopleuron (LSI/HMP—1.0), and narrow at apex ( Fig. 21 ); ground color black, with variable patterns of yellow marks, mesosoma either with the conventional marks or (quite often) with scutellum, metanotum and propodeum nearly entirely yellow; distal marginal bands on tergum 1 and terga and sterna 2–6, most often rather narrow, never very wide; some specimens can be largely black with meso and metasomal marks poorly developed. Proportional ratios: LSI/HMP—1.0; LSI/WT1_AP—2.1; WT1_AP / BA—2.6. MALE. Occipital-genal margin oblitereted, almost absent; pronotal carina indicated; others aspects similar as the female.

Aedeagus with subangular lateral expansion; parameral spine and digitus surpassing the aedeagus ( Figs 60, 61 ).

Examined material. BRAZIL: Acre, Porto Acre Humaita , 1♀ 15.vi–02.vii.1992 (Edmar, Gorayeb, Henriques, Pena) ( MPEG) ; Amapá, Amapari Tucano –2 , 2♀ 6–7.xi.1993, Malaise (N. Bittencourt), 1♀ 08– 10.xi.1993, Malaise (N. Bittencourt), 1♀ 08–10.xi.1993, Malaise (W. França), 3♀ 10–14.xi.1993, Malaise (W. França), 1♀ 12.ix.1993 (W. França), 1♀ 11–15.xi.1993, Malaise (F. F. Ramos), 5♀ 15.xi.1993 (F. F. Ramos), 2♀ 15.xi.1993 (J. Dias), 2♀ 15.xi.1993 (W. França) ( MPEG) , Laranjal do Jari, Terreno Particular , 00:47:01S, 52:29:05W , 3♀ 11.v.2001 (José Luís, J. Madson), Igarapé do Meio , 00:37:07S, 52:21:57W , 1♀ 24.v.2001 (Silveira, Chaves, Carmo), Serra do Navio , 1♀ 26– 27.x.1995, Armadilha luminosa, 10m, Serra da Canga , 00:55:443S, 51:54:435W , 2♀ 03.vi.2002 (J. Chaves, Z. Miranda), Ambiente de mata, 1♀ 03.ix.2003 (J. Madson, J. Chaves), Serra da Canga , 00:55: 44.3S, 51:54: 43.5W , 1♀ 31.v.2002 ( IEPA) ; Amazonas , Alvarães , 37♀ 17. vi.1994 (I.S. Gorayeb, O.T. Silveira), 1♀ 26– 31.i.1994, Armadilha suspensa, 1,6m (I. S. Gorayeb, O. T. Silveira), 5Km SW, Mata Terra Firme, 2♀ 20–23.ix.1993, Armadilha suspensa, 20m (I.S. Gorayeb, O.T. Silveira) ( MPEG) , Barcellos , 1♀ 13.vi.1905 (Ducke) ( MPEG) Benjamin Constant BR – 307 Km 5, 1♀ 18–21.iv.2019 (M. Oliveira, S. Lima) ; Carreiro Castanho, BR 319 Km 181, 4°12'48”S, 60°49'04”W , 1♀ 9–21.xi.2016 (J. A. Rafael, F. F. Xavier), BR 359, km–39, 03º43’59”S, 60º20’09”W, 06–07.xi.2010 (J. A. Rafael, D. M. Takiya, F. F. Xavier, F.M.J Holanda, D.M.M) ( INPA) , Humaitá 54 BIS , 1♀ 17–21.ix.1990, Armadilha suspensa (R. Constantino), Itacoatiara, AM–010, Km 215, 0302S 5850W, 1♀ 24.iv.1994 (F. J. Peralta), Lábrea, Ramal Apaerau Km 9, 07°19'10”S, 64°40'07”W, 1♀ vi.2006, Armadilha suspensa, 20m (F. F. Xavier) ( INPA) ; Manaus , Janauca , 1♀ 10.ii.1978 (W. L. Overal), 8♀ 14.ii.1978 (W. L. Overal) ( MPEG) ; Maraã, R. Japurá, Maguari , 1♀ 03– 07.x.1988 (J. Dias) ( MPEG) ; Tefé, Terra Firme , 3°25'19”S, 64°37'05”W, Malaise , 1♀ 01–13.viii.2016 (J. A. Rafael, D. M. M. Mendes, et al), 1♀ 05–17.ix.2016 (J. A. Rafael, D. M. M. Mendes, et al), 1♀ 20–31.xi.2016, Malaise (J. A. Rafael, D. M. M. Mendes), 1♀ 01–21.viii.2017 (D.M.M. Mendes, J.A. Oliveira, J.A. Rafael), ZF2, 2°35'21”S, 60°06'55”W, 1♀ 3–17.viii.2016, Malaise (F.F. Xavier, J.A. Rafael) ( INPA) ; Reserva Ducke , 26 Km NE Manaus, 1♀ 24.xi.1988, Armadilha suspensa (J. A. Ravael) ; Roraima, Caracaraí, Serra da Mocidade , 1°42'N, 61°47'W, 1♀ 25.i–06.ii.2016 (F.F. Xavier, M. Oliveira, T. Mahlmann) ( INPA) ; Pará, Altamira Rio Xingu , 3°31'23.1”S, 52°22'28.5”W, 17♀ 22.iii.2008, (J. Dias, S.S. Silva) ; Aveiro, Cataueré, Rio Mamuru , 03°24'30.4”S 56°24’16.5”W , 6♀ 24.ix.2009, Rede Entomológica (J. Pena, O.T. Silveira, S.S. Silva), Belém, Utinga, 10♀ 12.iv.1979 (W. França), Belém-Brasília, Km 90, F S Antonio, 1♀ 18.ii.1976 (M.F. Torres), Belterra, 1♀ 12.xii.1999 (G.C. Venturieri), Benevides, Morelândia, 1♂ 29.vi.1988, Armadilha suspensa (F. F. Ramos), Benfica, 1♀ 5.iv.1979 (A. F. Ramos), 7♀ 05.iv.1979 (F. F. Ramos), 8♀ 05.iv.1979 (W. França); Bujaru , 8♀ 12.i.1978 (W. França), 7♀ 4.viii.1978 (S.A. Santos), Carajás, Dois–alfa, Serraria, 1♀ 15.iv.1983 (M.F. Torres), Est. Manganês, 1♀ 24.iv.1983 (M. F Torres), Gorotire, 1♀ 17.iv.1983 (D. A. Posey), 13♀ 18.iv.1983 (W.L. Overal), 10♀ 27.iv.1983 (D. A. Posey), Ipixuna, 02°50'17”S, 47°52'03”W, 1♀ 8–10.v.1994, Armadilha suspensa (J. Dias), Juruti, Vista Bela, Rio Mamuru , 9♀ 02.x.2009 (J. Pena, O.T. Silveira, S.S. Silva), Capiranga, Percurso 2, 8♀ 14.vi.2009 (K.A. Souza, L.A. Quaresma, S.S. Silva), Melgaço, Caxiuanã, 17♀ 24.iii.1998 (J. Pena, O. Silveira), 41♀ 25.iii.1998 (J. Pena, O. Silveira), 2♀ 30.iv.1999 (J. Dias, O. Silveira), Grade PPBio, Trilha G3, 19♀ 19.iii.2006 (J. Dias, S. S. Silva), 1♀ 20.iv.2006 (J. Dias, S. S. Silva), 14♀ Trilha M3, 05.viii.2006 (J. Dias, S.S. Silva), 1♀ 05.viii.2006, Malaise Armadilha n°8 (J. Dias, S. S. Silva), Monte dourado, 1♀ 28.v.1977 (C. Fonseca), Ourém, Faz. Gavião Real, 1♀ 28.x.1990, Armadilha suspensa (P. Tadeu); Santarém , Faz. Taperinha , 6♀ 16.vii.1977 (R. L. Jeanne), Paragominas, PA 70, Km 32, 1♀ 14–15.xi.1979 (W. França), Faz. Cachoeira do Rio Vermelho , 1♀ 15–18.i.1991, Malaise (P. Tadeu), Faz. Cachoeira do Rio Vermelho , 1♀ 18–21.i.1991, Armadilha suspensa (R. B. Neto), São Caetano de Odivelas , 1♀ 18.vi.1982 (P. Tadeu), São Francisco, 1♀ 02.vi.1979 (R.B. Neto), São Geraldo do Araguaia , Serra das Andorinhas , 119♀ 25.iv.2006 (R.L. Trindade), São João de Pirábas , Japerica , 7♀ 18–20.xii.1992, Armadilha suspensa (J. Dias), 9♀ 20–22.xii.1992, Armadilha suspensa (J. Dias), Serra Norte, Pedreira, 1♀ 20.vi.1985, 1♀ 26–29.vi.1985, Serraria, 2♀ 18. iv.1983 (M. F. Torres), 1♀ 16.iv.1983 (W. França), 5♀ 24–27.vi.1985, Armadilha malaise (F. F. Ramos), 1♀ 20– 23.vi.1986 (W. França), Pojuca, 1♀ 26.iv.1983 (M. F. Torres), 1♀ 14.xi.1983, Armadilha suspensa, 1♀ 28.vi.1984, Armadilha suspensa, 1♀ 20–24.vi.1985 (F. F. Ramos), N1– Canga, 1♀ 10–13.viii.1984, Armadilha suspensa, 3♀ 13–16.viii.1984, Armadilha suspensa, Igarapé Fofoca, 1♀ 10–13.ix.1985, Armadilha Suspensa (J. Dias), Caldeirão, 1♀ 16–20.i.1985 (F. F. Ramos), 3 Alfa, 1♀ 26.vi.1985 (J. Dias), Manganês, 1♀ 17.xi.1983, Armadilha Suspensa, Vitória do Xingu , Acampamento Eletronorte , 12♀ 12.ii.2008 (S.S. Silva), 1♂ 12.ii.2008 (S. S. Silva), Tiriós Alto Parú, 1♀ 1.ii.1968 (Machado Pereira), Vigia, 1♀ 28.v.1978 (P. Tadeu) ( MPEG) ; Maranhão, Alto Turiaçu, Aldeia Gurupiuna , 1♀ 19–22.ii.1990, Armadilha suspensa (H. Queiroz), 1♀ 26.ii–02.iii.1990 (Helder Queiroz) ( MPEG) ; Mato Grosso, Utiariti, Rio Papagaio , 2♀ 05.xi.1966 (Lenko, Pereira) ( MZSP) ; São Paulo, Osasco , 1♀ 09.xi.1956 (M. A. Vulcano and team) ( MZSP) .

Distribution. Peru; Guyana; Suriname; French Guiana; Brazil: Acre *, Amapá, Amazonas*, Maranhão *, Mato Grosso, Pará, São Paulo *.

Remarks. Polybia platycephala was described as subspecies of P. occidentalis by Richards (1951), based on 63 females (holotype and paratypes) from Guyana. Later, Richards (1978) recognized it as a distinct species and described a subspecies, P. p. sylvestris, based on a female holotype from Brazil (Mato Grosso) and 425 paratypes from many nine Brazilian states (AC, AM, AP, GO, MT, PA, RJ, MG, SP) encompassing Amazonia, Central and Southeastern Brazil, and Peru.

The holotype of P. p. platycephala from Guyana was examined in the NHM by O. T. Silveira. It corresponds to the form commonly found in Amazonia. As mentioned in the diagnosis, the color pattern is quite variable in P. platycephala , and it is common to find specimens with the scutellum, metanotum and propodeum yellow, much as in some other species of the group, namely P. dimorpha and P. surinama .

The holotype of P. p. sylvestris from Mato Grosso was lost in the 2018 fire of MNRJ. Paratypes at the NHM, from the same locality as the holotype, were examined by O. T. Silveira and they have the same combination of features found in the holotype of typical P. p. platycephala . However, one of the paratypes had the occipital-genal margin further reduced above, and the area corresponding to pronotal carina had no clear indication of it, this latter condition being reminiscent of P. occidentalis . In this paratype, the first metasomal tergum was as elongate as that of typical P. p. platycephala . However, in the Brazilian museums we have also seen paratypes of P. p. sylvestris (or simply specimens identified by Richards) from several different locations that clearly do not correspond to the form of Mato Grosso (type locality), and that constitute a rather heterogeneous assemblage of forms. For example, one paratype from Rio de Janeiro, Itatiaya (MZSP; 2840), is actually P. hecuba . So, more study is required of paratypes of sylvestris (especially those with collecting data similar to the holotype) before deciding on the use of this name. In this work, we decided to present a diagnosis for the female of the nominotypical Guyanan-Amazonian form, as well as collection data for specimens that we could unambiguously identify as P. p. platycephala .

Figures

FIGURES 1–8. Head, frontal view (females). 1. P. belemensis. 2. P. dimorpha. 3. P. hecuba. 4. P. parvulina. 5. P. platycephala. 6. P. rosalinae sp. nov. 7. P. scrobalis. 8. P. surinama.

FIGURES 9–16. Habitus, lateral view (females). 9. P. belemensis. 10. P. dimorpha. 11. P. hecuba. 12. P. parvulina. 13. P. platycephala. 14. P. rosalinae sp. nov.15. P. scrobalis. 16. P. surinama.

FIGURES 17–24. Habitus, dorsal view (females). 17. P. belemensis. 18. P. dimorpha. 19. P. hecuba. 20. P. parvulina. 21. P. platycephala. 22. P. rosalinae sp. nov. 23. P. scrobalis. 24. P. surinama.

FIGURES 25–32. Head and pronotum, diagonal view (females). 25. P. belemensis. 26. P. dimorpha. 27. P. hecuba. 28. P. parvulina. 29. P. platycephala. 30. P. rosalinae sp. nov. 31. P. scrobalis. 32. P. surinama.

FIGURES 37–42. 37–41. Head, frontal view (male). 37. P. belemensis. 38. P. parvulina. 39. P. platycephala. 40. P. scrobalis. 41. P. surinama. 42. Nest of P. rosalinae sp. nov.

FIGURES 56–63. Male genitalia. 56–57. P. belemensis. 58–59. P. parvulina. 60–61. P. platycephala. 62–63. P. surinama. 56, 58, 60, 62. Frontal view. 57, 59, 61, 63. Lateral view.