Vespula orbata ( Buysson, 1902 )

Nguyen, Lien Thi Phuong, Vu, Thuong Thi, Daglio, Anthony & Wiśniowski, Bogdan, 2019, Taxonomic review and distribution of the genus Vespula Thomson, 1869 (Hymenoptera: Vespidae: Vespinae) from Vietnam, Zootaxa 4691 (3), pp. 279-285 : 283-284

Vespula orbata ( Buysson, 1902)

( Fig.3 : a–f)

Vespa orbata du Buysson, 1902 , Bull. Soc. Entomol. Fr. 1902: 140, female - [ India] “Dardjiling” (lectotype Paris); also from Sikkim; China.

This species is distributed in India, Nepal, Myanmar, Laos, Vietnam and China ( Daglio, 2019). In Vietnam, up to this study, V. orbata has been only recorded in high mountainous areas in the northern and central regions such as Ha Giang and Quang Nam ( Nguyen & Carpenter 2002, Nguyen et al., 2006). Herein, we recorded the species from Lao Cai, Son La and Gia Lai regions.

Material examined: Lao Cai: 1 worker, Hoang Lien NP, Sa Pa, 2200 m a.s.l., 16. V.2015, Tru Vu Hoang; 2 workers, Lao Chai , Sa Pa, 1350 m a.s.l., 05.VII.2009, PH Pham ; 3 workers, Sin Chai , Sa Pa, 1800 m a.s.l., 08.VII.2009, PH Pham ; 1 worker, 1 male, Xeomity , Sa Pa, 1700 m a.s.l., 09.VII.2009, PH Pham ; 2 workers, Silver Water Fall, Sa Pa NP, 22°21.5’N, 103°46.5’E, 2000 m a.s.l., 20.VIII.2006, LTP Nguyen, F Saito & J Kojima; 2 workers, Silver Wa- ter Fall, Sa Pa NP, 22°21.5’N, 103°46.5’E, 2000 m a.s.l., 21.VIII.2006, LTP Nguyen, F Saito & J Kojima; 5 workers, 1 male, Y Ty, Bat Xat NR, 22°37’38.4’’N, 103°37’35.5’’E, 1847 m a.s.l., 08. V.2019, CQ Nguyen; 2 workers, Y Ty, Bat Xat NR, 22°39’19’’N, 103°37’27’’E, 1931 m a.s.l., 01.VIII.2019, LTP Nguyen, CQ Nguyen, NT Tran & UTP Tran; Son La: 1 worker, Long He , Thuan Chau, 1600 m a.s.l., 02. VI.2009, PH Pham; Quang Nam : 1 queen, Ngoc Linh NP, 1500 m a.s.l., 31.III.2004, HX Le; Gia Lai: 1 worker, Kon Chu Rang NR, Kbang , Son Lang, 20.IV.2017, LX Truong & TTT Vu .

Queen description. Body length: 15.1 mm; Forewing length: 14.4 mm. Propodeum rugose, with punctures between and interrupting the rugosity. Gena, mesoscutellum and metanotum with sparse and less strong punctures. First metasomal tergum raised basally with a depression behind this elevation. Body black, with following parts brown and yellow ( Fig. 3b ): head, except for the brown vertex, and area around ocelli black; pronotum; a band on metasomal tergum 2 (irregular shape); all tergum 3-6; all tarsi yellow. Mesoscutum except black apical margin, tegula, spots on metanotum and propodeum, metapleuron, coxae, femora and tibiae brown.

Biological notes. Scavenging habits were observed for this species. The wasps were scavenging in a rubbish dump for food. A specimen of Vespula orbata was observed eating an earthworm in Sa Pa, Lao Cai province (2000 m altitude) (see Fig. 4 ). The local people give them the name “meat eating wasps” because of their typical habit of feeding.

Figures

FIGURE 3. Vespula orbata. a. Queen, frontal view; b. Queen, habitus; c. Male head, frontal view; d. Male genitalia, dorsal view and apical margin of tergum 7. e. Parameral spine; f. Worker, habitus. Scale: 1mm.

FIGURE 4. Scavenging habit of Vespula orbata.