Sceliphron curvatum (F. Smith, 1870)

Stetsun, Halyna, 2021, Superimposition of the sting morphological characters on the dendrogram of Apoidea with emphasis on Crabronidae s. str. (Insecta: Hymenoptera): first steps, Journal of Natural History 54 (31 - 32), pp. 1957-1972 : 1960

Sceliphron curvatum ( Figure 4 )

The lateral parts of tergite 9 are dorsally connected with the sclerotised bridge and do not bear membranous incisions ( Figure 4a,b ). The 2nd valvula is almost straight ( Figure 4d ). The lateral surface of the 1st valvula bears two transverse apical nicks ( Figure 4j ). Valvillus comprises two adjoined flaps ( Figure 4i ) No ventral process of the 1st valvula was found ( Figure 4h ). On the rostral process, a group of trichoid sensilla forms a row along the fusion line with the 2nd ramus ( Figure 4e ). The membrane divides the 3rd valvula into proximal and distal lobe ( Figure 4f ), and apex of the latter does not form a prominent apical cone ( Figure 4g ). The dorsal arm of furcula is very short ( Figure 4c ).

Figures

Figure 4. Sting parts of Sceliphron curvatum. (a) – lateral parts of tergite 9, dorsal view; (b) – lateral sclerite of tergite 9, medial view; (c) – furcula, lateral view; (d) – 2nd valvula, lateral view; (e) – the 2nd ramus, fused with the rostral process of the 2nd valvifer, laterofrontal view; (f) – the 3rd valvula, lateral view; (g) – apical cone-shaped process of the 3rd valvula, ventral view; (h) – the 1st valvula+1st ramus +1st valvifer, lateral view; (i)–valvillus, lateral view; (j) – the 1st and 2nd valvulae, lateroventral view. A, C, D – LM; B, E-J – SEM. Arrowheads indicate regions of interest. Scale bars: 200 µm in A and D; 100 µm – in B, F, H; 50 µm – in C; 20 µm – in E, G, I, J. l – lateral direction; p – posterior direction; v– ventral direction.