Minagenia alticola Tsuneki, 1989

Decker, Brenna L., Pitts, James P., Yuan, David & Rodriguez, Juanita, 2020, Re-examination of Australian and Oriental species of Minagenia Banks, 1934 (Hymenoptera: Pompilidae), with a new record for the genus in Australia and a new species description, Zootaxa 4768 (3), pp. 383-394 : 392

Minagenia alticola Tsuneki, 1989

Minagenia alticola Tsuneki, 1989 . Japan Hymenopterists Association, v. 35, pg. 166–168.

Type examined. Holotype. ♂, Formosa, Chiayi-Hsien, Alishan, 27.vii.1966, K. Tsuneki. USNM ; Other material. 1♂. Taiwan, Taichung, Chingsan , 1100m 8.v.1989. J. Heppner & H. Wang. EMUS _802.

Remarks. Minagenia alticola represents a member of an undescribed genus that seems to be removed from Minagenia , perhaps, closer to Eopompilus Gussakovskij, 1932 , and will be described in a future paper when further genetic data is available. There are several other congeneric species that are undescribed.

This species can be separated from Minagenia based on the following combination of characters for the male: mandibles are slightly tucked under apical margin of clypeus in repose, creating space between mandibles and clypeus; the hind wing cu-a joins M+CuA exactly at the split of M and CuA; T7 is white; and the paramere has a curved basal spine projecting ventrally, unlike any other Minagenia known globally.

The generic placement of this species can be confused with the genera Eopompilus Gussakovskij, 1932 , Caliadurgus Pate, 1946 , and Priocnemis Schiødte, 1837 , yet has certain characters differing from each of the three genera. This genus can be separated from Eopompilus by having antennae with inconspicuously serrated flagellomeres (instead of deeply serrated flagellomeres), S6 is unmodified with setae of even length (instead of a highly modified S6 fringed with long setae), and the hind tibial groove does not extend the full length of the brush (instead of a full groove along the hind tibia).

This species can be separated from both Priocnemis and Caliadurgus by having the narrow SGP with a basal median keel, the paramere with a distinct long projecting horn, and the longer hind tibia spur the same length as the hind tibia. It can additionally be separated from Caliadurgus by the anal lobe being small and oval, and the lack of a distinct curved spine at the apex of the fore tibia. Because the morphological characters do not match known Asian genera, Minagenia alticola , a valid species, potentially belongs in a new genus.