Polistes (Epicnemius) thoracicus Fox, 1898

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 : 330

Polistes (Epicnemius) thoracicus Fox

Paramere ( Fig. 32A ): (1) about three times longer than wide at the middle; (2) lateral groove very shallow; almost straight; (3) parameral spine very long (about 1/4 the total length of paramere), pointed apically with long and sparse bristles; (4) paramere lobe widely developed and rounded; (5) inferior portion of paramere narrow, about 2/ 3 the width at the middle portion. Aedeagus ( Fig. 32B, C ): slender; (1) apical portion with intermediate and serrated denticulation, extended from the apical portion to the end of median expansion, lateral margin straight; (2) penis valve weakly dilated and with a slight central entrance (about 1/2 of the total length of apical portion); (3) median expansion developed, rounded apex; (4) lateral apodeme directed forward, with a weak central projection and almost the same size than the ventral process, (5) ventral process rounded in apex; (6) inferior portion of aedeagus weakly curved, almost straight in lateral view. Digitus ( Fig. 32D ): slender; (1) apical process developed, about twice longer than base, (2) apex rounded; (3) anteroventral lobe short and rounded apically; (4) punctation very strong, forming a central band around all the base of the digitus; (5) evanescent bristles. Cuspis ( Fig. 32E ): slender; (1) apex pointed and tapering abruptly to the end; (2) long and sparse bristles, more on lateral margin; (3) punctation restricted on the lateral lobe; (4) lower part developed and more membranous, with short bristles.

Remarks. Richards (1978: 533, his Text-Fig. 149) described the genitalia more precisely than in other Polistes species, but still omitted the description of some structures. He characterized the genitalia as rather small and narrow, ventral teeth very small, 17–20 in number, parameral spine strongly emarginate, little widened medially, pubescence not very long and dense.

Figures

FIGURE 32. Male genitalia of Polistes (Epicnemius) thoracicus—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.