Identification key for the species of Epipona

The identification key presented here is a revision of Cooper’s (2002) key, to include only characters of females, which were also used in the phylogenetic analysis.

1 Propodeal concavity with transverse carinae or rugae reaching middle (Fig. 3); medial scutellar line shallowly impressed; metapleuron impunctate or with fine and sparse punctures on upper region; Tergum I with anterior third of pre-spiracular area flat above; Tergum II coriaceous, without obvious punctation or with shallow and very sparse punctation....................................... 2

1’ Propodeal concavity coarsely punctate, without transverse carinae or rugae present only at edge of lateral region, absent medially (Fig. 4); median scutellar line markedly depressed behind; metapleuron punctate ventrally; Tergum I with anterior third of pre-spiracular area convex above; Tergum II usually punctate...................................................................................................... 3

2 Vertex strongly excavated posteriorly (Fig. 9); propodeal punctation medium to dense, usually with conspicuous, impunctate anterodorsal area (Fig. 7) .... ........................................................................................ E. niger (Brèthes)

2’ Vertex only concave posteriorly (Fig. 10); propodeal punctation dense, punctate throughtout (Fig. 8) ........................................ E. guerini (de Saussure)

3 Tergum I with wide lateral projections anteriorly, with very dense, long hairs (Fig. 5); pronotum markedly projecting at humerus (Fig. 1); Tergum II with punctation evident.................................... E. quadrituberculata (Gribodo)

3’ Tergum I without lateral projections anteriorly, with sparse to medium hairs (Fig. 6); pronotum not or slightly projecting at humerus (Fig. 2); Tergum II with or without evident punctation ............................................................ 4

4 Tergum II shining or sometimes slightly coriaceous with numerous moderate punctures (Fig. 11) ........................................................... E. tatua (Cuvier)

4’ Tergum II opaque to slightly shining, coriaceous with punctures fine and sparse, sometimes not evident (Fig. 12)............................. E. media Cooper