Palmodes melanarius ( Mocsáry, 1883 )

Danilov, Yuriy N. & Byvaltsev, Alexander M., 2020, The digger wasps of the genus Palmodes Kohl, 1890 in Central Asia (Hymenoptera Sphecidae: Prionychini), Zootaxa 4803 (3), pp. 401-434 : 413-416

Palmodes melanarius ( Mocsáry, 1883)

( Figs 3a, 4a, 9, 10, 20)

Sphex melanarius Mocsáry, 1883:32 , ♂. Holotype, ♂, Georgia: Tiflis [now Tbilisi] (TMB), examined.— Kohl 1890:324; Dalla Torre 1897:432; Gussakovskij 1930:210; Roth 1963:146; Myartseva 1965:82; Kazenas 1969:21; 1972:110; 1978:43; Pulawski 1978:184.— As Palmodes melanarius: Myartseva 1972:83 ; Bohart & Menke 1976:127; Esenbekova & Kazenas 2000:8; Nazarova & Shomirsaidov 1997:23; Kazenas 1998:97; Nazarova 1998:39; Kazenas 2001:14; 2002:26; Shorenko 2003:96; Kazenas 2004:98; Shkuratov 2004:73; Nazarova 2005:93; Dollfuss 2008:1405; Danilov 2010:44; 2012:161; 2013:49; 2014b:514; Ebrahimi 2014:16; Kazenas 2014:131; Mokrousov & Gromenko 2015:126; Danilov 2017:214; Danilov & Mokrousov 2017:108; Jahantigh, Rakhshani, Mokhtari, & Ramroodi 2017:24; Pulawski 2019.

Sphex anatolicus Kohl, 1888:152 , ♀. Holotype, ♀, Turkey: Ephesus (NHMW), examined. Synonymized with Sphex melanarius by Gussakovskij 1930:210.— Kohl 1890:323; Dalla Torre 1897:414; Kokujev 1902:10.

Sphex picicornis F. Morawitz, 1890:571 , ♀. Holotype, ♀, Transcaspia, no specific locality (ZISP, possibly lost). Synonymized with Sphex anatolicus by Kohl 1890:324, synonymy confirmed in 1895:45.

Sphex pusillus Gussakovskij, 1930:209 , ♂. Holotype, ♂ “Копет-Даг, ФирЮЗа 15.V 928 В. Гуссаковский [cyrillic] // к. Гуссаковского [cyrillic] // Sphex ♂ pusillus m. sp. typicum. V. Gussakovskij det.” [ Turkmenistan: Firyuza, now Archabil] (ZISP), examined. New synonymy. — Roth 1963:147; Kazenas 1978:43; Danilov 2016:353.— As Palmodes pusillus: Myartseva 1972:84 ; Bohart & Menke 1976:127; Kazenas 2001:14; Dollfuss 2008:1407; Pulawski 2019.

Diagnosis. Unlike all other Palearctic species P. melanarius has the propodeal enclosure glabrous laterally in both sexes, triangular male S8, pale erect setae and well-defined appressed silvery setae (concealing integument) on the female mesosoma .

Description. Male ( Fig. 9b). Body length 11–20 mm. Head. Anterior clypeal margin moderately semicircular; middle lobe slightly emarginate; lateral lobe insignificantly defined ( Fig. 3a). Clypeus, subantennal sclerite and paraocular area with appressed, silvery setae, concealing integument ( Fig. 10d); erect setae pale to light brown. Frons, vertex, occiput and gena with fine, sparse, appressed, pale setae, not concealing integument; erect setae light brown to blackish. Mandible and palpi black. Mesosoma . Pronotum slightly shiny with appressed, goldish brown setae, not concealing integument. Scutum slightly shiny, transversely rugose anteriorly, longitudinally rugose posteromesally and obliquely rugose posterolaterally, with fine, appressed, goldish brown setae, not concealing integument anteriorly ( Fig. 10e); integument distinctly and coarsely rugose to indistinctly areolate or granularly-rugose. Mesopleuron slightly shiny, punctatorugose, with fine, inconspicuous, appressed, brownish setae ( Fig. 10f). Metapleuron and propodeum shiny, obliquely rugose. Propodeal enclosure shiny, transversely rugose, with fine, inconspicuous, brownish setae, glabrous laterally. Erect setae brownish to blackish. Wings moderately smoky, dark along apical margin; veins dark brown. Legs black, with black spines. Metasoma entirely black; S8 triangular ( Fig. 10g).

Female ( Fig. 9 c–d). Body length 16–27 mm. Head. Middle clypeal lobe moderately longer and broader than lateral one; lateral emargination distinctly defined ( Fig. 4a). Clypeus, subantennal sclerite, frons and paraocular area with appressed, silvery or goldish setae ( Fig. 10a). Vertex, occiput and gena with fine, sparse, appressed, silvery or goldish setae, not concealing integument. Erect setae pale. Mandible reddish in basal half, black apically. Palpi black. Mesosoma . Pronotum, pronotal lobe and scutum with appressed, silvery or goldish setae, concealing integument ( Fig. 10b). Mesopleuron dull, finely, transversely rugose, with appressed, silvery or goldish setae, moderately concealing integument ( Fig. 10c). Metapleuron and propodeum shiny, obliquely rugose with fine, appressed, silvery or goldish setae posterolaterally, not concealing integument. Propodeal enclosure shiny, finely, transversely rugose with fine, inconspicuous, pale setae, glabrous laterally. Erect setae pale, sparse and fine. Wings slightly smoky, dark along apical margin; veins light brown; costal vein dark brown. Legs black, with black spines. Metasoma entirely red except black petiole; entirely black in melanistic specimens.

Justification of new synonymy. The holotype of Sphex pusillus Gussakovskij, 1930 ( Fig. 20), differs from typical P. melanarius (Mocsáry) only by a more defined transverse rugosity of the scutum, and a smaller size. As these features readily fit the limits of variation of P. melanarius (Mocsáry) , we synonymize the two names.

Material examined ( Fig. 9a). CHINA. Xinjiang: Yining , [43°55′N, 81°19′E], 20.V.1913, (1 ♀, ZISP) . IN- DIA. Jammu and Kashmir: Jammu , [32°44′N, 75°51′E], 17–19.VI.1910, Trubetskoj, (1 ♀, ZISP) . IRAN. Sistan and Baluchestan: Iranshahr , [27°12′N, 60°41′E], 21.V.1955, D. Steinberg, (1 ♂, ZISP) . KAZAKHSTAN. Aktobe Province: Yrgyz , [48°37′N, 61°16′E], 11.VI.1928, V. Popov, (3 ♂, 1 ♀, ZISP) ; Bayganin District, Aktolagay mountain range [47°40’N, 55°09’E], 27.VI.2008, A. Ivanov (3 ♂, PCKF) ; Almaty Province: Kokpek , [43°27′N, 78°40′E], 18.VII.1948, G. Bej-Bienko, (1 ♂, ZISP) ; Atyrau Province: Inder District, Lake Inder , [48°28′N, 51°54′E], 5.VI.1907, D. Borodin, (1 ♂, ZISP) ; Kyzylorda Province: near Kyzylorda , [44°47′N, 65°45′E], 8.VI.2015, K. Fadeev, (2 ♂, PCKF) ; Shieli District, Baygekum , [44°18′N, 66°28′E], 15.V.1908, L. Wollman, (1 ♂, ZISP) ; Mangistau Province: Karakiya District , 30 km S of Akkuduk, [42°42′N, 54°06′E], 15.V.2011, A. Ivanov, (2 ♂, PCKF) ; South Kazakhstan Province: Shardara District, Arnasay [41°1′N, 68°0′E], 10–20.V.1903, G. Jakobson, (3 ♂, 1 ♀, ZISP) ; Shardara District, Shardara [41°15′N, 67°58′E], 5.VI.1982, V. Kazenas, (1 ♀, ZISP) ; West Kazakhstan Province: Akzhaik District, Shabdarzhap , [48°44′N, 51°49′E], 19.VI.1951, D. Steinberg, (1 ♀, ZISP) ; 3.VII.1951, V. Tobias, (1 ♂, ZISP) ; Zhambyl Province: Korday , [43°2′N, 74°42′E], (2 ♂, ZMMU) ; Moiynkum District, Balkhash Lake , [45°25′N, 73°40′E], 10.VI.1952, M. Baitenov, (1 ♀, SZMN) . KYRGYZSTAN. Chui Province: Moskva District, near Telek , [43°06’N, 74°03’E], 5.VIII.1999, D. Milko, (1 ♀, SZMN) . TAJIKISTAN. Region of Republican Subordination: Hisor , [38°31′N, 68°32′E], 6.VII.1935, V. Gussakovskij, (1 ♂, ZISP) ; Khatlon Province: Qabodiyon , [37°24′N, 68°11′E], 7–24.VII.1934, V. Gussakovskij, (6 ♂, 1 ♀, ZISP) ; Ayvadj , [36°59′N, 68°2′E], 18.VI.1936, V. Gussakovskij, (1 ♀, ZISP) ; 29.VII.1934, V. Gussakovskij, (1 ♀, ZISP) ; Khuroson District, kishlak Toshbulok [38°14’N, 68°43’E], 1–4.VI.2016, Yu. Danilov, (5 ♂, 2 ♀, SZMN) . TURKMENISTAN. no specific locality, E. Konig, (1 ♀, ZISP) ; Ashgabat, [37°57′N, 58°23′E], 28.V.1902, K.O. Angher, (1 ♂, 2 ♀, ZISP) ; 20.IV.1902, K.O. Angher, (1 ♀, ZISP) ; 2.IV.1902, K.O. Angher, (1 ♀, ZISP) ; 12.IV.1902, K.O. Angher, (1 ♂, 1 ♀, ZISP) ; 13.VI.1915, (1 ♀, ZISP) ; 17.VII.1915, (1 ♂, ZISP) ; 14.VII.1902, K.O. Angher, (1 ♂, ZISP) ; 25.IV.1919, M. Ry- abov, (1 ♂, ZISP) ; Ashgabat, Archabil , [37°54′N, 58°5′E], 15–17.V.1928, V. Gussakovskij, (2 ♂, ZISP) ; Ashgabat, Archabil , [37°54′N, 58°5′E], 15.V.1928, V. Gussakovskij, (1 ♂, holotype of pusillus , ZISP) ; Ahal Province: Anau , [37°53′N, 58°32′E], (1 ♀, ZISP) ; Bagyr , [37°58′N, 58°13′E], 25.V.1928, V. Gussakovskij, (1 ♂, ZISP) ; Komarovs- kiy, [37°45′N, 58°32′E], 22–25.VI.1928, V. Gussakovskij, (15 ♂, 9 ♀, ZISP) ; Balkan Province: Ahcha-Kujma near Bereket , [39°21′N, 55°10′E], 7.VII.1934, V. Popov, (1 ♀, ZISP) ; Cherkezli , [39°21′N, 56°15′E], 22.V.1953, D. Steinberg, (1 ♂, 1 ♀, ZISP) ; 24.V.1953, Odintsova, (1 ♀, ZISP) ; Dehistan , [38°16′N, 54°37′E], 14.V.1952, Ilji- chev, (1 ♂, ZISP) ; Garrygala , [38°26′N, 56°17′E], 5.VIII.1934, V. Popov, (3 ♀, ZISP) ; near Garrygala , [38°31′N, 56°25′E], 7.VII.1953, E. Arens, (1 ♂, ZISP) ; station Pereval near Bereket , [39°24′N, 55°00′E], 29.V.1902, K.O. Angher, (1 ♀, ZISP) ; Sunt-Hasardag Nature Reserve, Sunt mount, [38°31′N, 56°21′E], 21–24.VI.1953, Ponomare- va, (1 ♂, 1 ♀, ZISP) ; 21.VI.1953, Odintsova, (1 ♂, ZISP) ; 8.VII.1953, E. Arens, (1 ♂, ZISP) ; Uly Balkan, [39°40′N, 54°33′E], 16.VI.1934, V. Popov, (1 ♀, ZISP) ; 5.VI.1953, Odintsova, (1 ♂, 2 ♀, ZISP) ; Mary Province: Imam-Baba Station , [36°45′N, 62°29′E], (1 ♂, 3 ♀, ZMMU) ; 12–14.V.1912, Kozhanchikov, (1 ♂, ZISP) ; Mary Region, no specific locality, K.O. Angher, (1 ♀, ZISP) ; Sary-Yazi , [36°27′N, 62°37′E], 1.V.1904, Arris, (1 ♀, ZISP) ; X.1913, Bil’kewitch, (1 ♀, ZISP) ; Tashkepri , [36°16′N, 62°39′E], 6–17.VI.1954, V. Tobias, (4 ♂, 1 ♀, ZISP) ; 15.V.1954, V. Tobias, (1 ♀, ZISP) ; Ýolöten , [37°18′N, 62°21′E], IX.1926, Kizeritskij, (1 ♀, ZISP) . UZBEKISTAN. Surxondaryo Province: Termiz District, Aktepa [37°24′N, 67°25′E], 6.V.2015, M. Mokrousov, M. Proshchalykin, K. Samartsev, (2 ♂, PCMM) ; Termiz District, Uchkhizil , [37°20′N, 67°14′E], 7.V.2015, M. Mokrousov, M. Proshchalykin, (4 ♂, PCMM) ; Jizzakh Province: Gallaorol District, Lalmikor , [39°56′N, 67°27′E], 20.VIII.1930, V. Gussakovskij, (1 ♂, 1 ♀, ZISP) ; Navoiy Province: Kyzyl Kum desert, no specific locality, 10.V.1903, N.N. Ivanov, (1 ♂, ZISP) ; Uch- kuduk, [42°9′N, 63°33′E], 9.VI.1926, Prinada, (1 ♂, ZISP) ; Qashqadaryo Province: Nishon District, Tallimarjon , [38°17′N, 65°33′E], 12.V.2015, M. Mokrousov, M. Proshchalykin, K. Samartsev, (5 ♂, 1 ♀, PCMM) .

Distribution. Portugal, Spain, Greece, Morocco, Algeria, Libya, Russia (Saratov Province, Rostov Province, Volgograd Province, Kalmyk Republic, Astrakhan Province, Chechen Republic, Dagestan Republic, Crimea Republic), Georgia, Azerbaijan, Turkey, Syria, Iraq, Iran (Sistan and Baluchestan), Turkmenistan, Tajikistan, Uzbekistan, Kyrgyzstan, Kazakhstan, * China (Xinjiang), * India (Jammu and Kashmir).