Dolichovespula arctica (Rohwer)

Kimsey, Lynn S. & Carpenter, James M., 2012, The Vespinae of North America (Vespidae, Hymenoptera), Journal of Hymenoptera Research 28, pp. 37-65 : 42-43

Dolichovespula arctica (Rohwer) Figs 31 50, 55

Vespa borealis Lewis 1897:171 (key), 174 [misidentification]. Syntypes (PHILADELPHIA).

Vespula arctica Rohwer 1916:642 (key; in subgenus Dolichovespula ). Replacement name for Vespa borealis sensu Lewis.

Distribution.

It occurs as far south as California, Arizona and Georgia in North America. Pale markings can be yellow or whitish in Dolichovespula arctica .

Biology.

This species is an obligatory social parasite of Dolichovespula arenaria ( Wheeler and Taylor 1921) and Dolichovespula alpicola ( Wagner 1978). The name is a replacement for a misidentification of Vespa borealis Kirby by Lewis (1897),and probably needs to be split from Dolichovespula adulterina (du Buysson), a Palearctic species that has different host species ( Dolichovespula saxonica and Dolichovespula norwegica ; see Dvořák 2007).

Figures

Figures 26 - 37. Dorsal view of worker metasoma.

Figures 48 - 53. Lateral view of genital capsule in Dolichovespula (Dolichovespula) 54 - 58 Ventral view of genital capsule.