Polistes (Epicnemius) deceptor Schulz, 1905

Somavilla, Alexandre, Oliveira, Marcio Luiz, Andena, Sergio Ricardo & Carpenter, James Michael, 2018, An illustrated atlas for male genitalia of the New World Polistes Latreille, 1802 (Vespidae: Polistinae), Zootaxa 4504 (3), pp. 301-344 : 325

Polistes (Epicnemius) deceptor Schulz

Paramere ( Fig. 26A ): (1) about three times longer than wide at the middle; (2) lateral groove deep; (3) parameral spine very long (about 1/5 the total length of paramere), pointed apically with very long and dense bristles; (4) paramere lobe developed and widely rounded; (5) inferior portion of paramere narrow, about half the width at the middle portion. Aedeagus ( Fig. 26B, C ): slender; (1) apical portion with fine and serrated denticulation, extended from the apex of the apical portion to the median expansion, lateral margin straight; (2) penis valve weakly dilated and with a slight central entrance (about 1/3 of the total length of apical portion); (3) median expansion widely developed and rounded apex; (4) lateral apodeme directed forward and almost the same size as the ventral process, (5) ventral process rounded in apex; (6) inferior portion of aedeagus weakly curved, almost straight in lateral view. Digitus ( Fig. 26D ): slender; (1) apical process developed, about twice longer than the digitus base and strongly expanded at the apex, (2) apex rounded, apical process strongly curved for the side; (3) anteroventral lobe short and rounded apically; (4) punctation larger on the side of the base; (5) evanescent bristles. Cuspis ( Fig. 26E ): slender; (1) apex pointed and tapering abruptly to the end; (2) long and sparse bristles on cuspis, more on the lateral margin; (3) punctation restricted on the lateral lobe; (4) lower part weakly developed, with short bristles.

Remarks. Richards (1978: 543) commented about the denticulation as “ventral teeth very small, acute, 20 in number” on the aedeagus, cuspis “with a small but strongly angular projection” and digitus with hairs short but quite numerous. Unfortunately, Richards did not draw the genitalia.

Figures

FIGURE 26. Male genitalia of Polistes (Epicnemius) deceptor—A= paramere, lateral view; B= aedeagus, ventral view; C= aedeagus, lateral view; D= digitus, lateral view; E= cuspis, lateral view. Scale bar = 1.0 mm.