Podalonia alpina (KOHL)

Dollfuss, H., 2010, A Key to Wasps of the Genus Podalonia FERNALD 1927 (Hymenoptera: Apoidea: Sphecidae) of the Old World, Linzer biologische Beiträge 42 (2), pp. 1241-1291 : 1250-1251

Podalonia alpina (KOHL) Figs 48, 73, 107

Ammophila alpina KOHL 1888b: 729 ,,. Lectotype examined:, originally Austria: Tirol: between Franzenshöhe and Stilfserjochhöhe, now Italy: Alto Adige: Passo di Stelvio and Giorgo di Stelvio (NHMW), present designation.

Podalonia pseudocaucasia BALTHASAR 1957: 194,. Holotype, Afghanistan: Badakhshan Mts.: Shiva (NMPC). Holotype examined. New synonym.

R e c o g n i t i o n Podalonia alpina has a glabrous propodeal enclosure and no basal tooth on claws. This species is also characterized by a propodeal enclosure that is finely obliquely striate on anterior half and dull on posterior half (all dull in some specimens). Gaster reddish basally in most specimens, but occasionally all black.

Females of P. alpina resemble P. affinis , but differ in having a shorter petiole (petiole 0.6 as long as hindtarsomere I) and smaller body size.

The male of P. alpina is identified by the shape of penis valve (figs 48, 73 and 107). Also flagellomere I is nearly as long as II, and sternum VIII apically has erect black setae. In addition, males of P. alpina differ from P. minax by a clypeus that is short rather than elongate and acute, legs black and mesopleuron without appressed silver setae, microsculptured.

G e o g r a p h i c d i s t r i b u t i o n: Central Asia, Macedonia, Turkey, Alps, Spain, Morocco (Grand Atlas).

S p e c i m e n s e x a m i n e d 26, 36.