Vespa analis parallela André, 1884

Description.

Head (Fig. 6): CW / MW = 1.62–1.84 (n = 30, mean 1.71). Cranium with moderate, irregular rugo-reticulation. Antenna positioned well behind the level of the dorsal margin of the clypeus (Fig. 6 C, D), with a diameter of 0.08 mm, rim thin yet strongly sclerotized. Temporal band (Fig. 6 C, D, G) generally distinct, with relatively weakly defined edges and margins, except for the strongly margined and depressed dorsal edge; inner part moderately ferruginous-pigmented, except in the dorsal and ventral one-third portions; ventral edge positioned at the same level or slightly lower than the dorsal margin of the antenna. Dotted patches on the frons faint; region around the frontal suture and frons with setae in variable numbers. Paired suprafrontal marks relatively weak (Fig. 6 D). Clypeus (Fig. 6 C, D) with a maximum width similar to or slightly less than the minimum distance between the antennae; dorsal margin of the main disc shallowly convex; dorsolateral corner bluntly angulate; lateral margins slightly curved, diverging ventrad, and widest at the level of the interior mandibular articulation, lacking sclerotized pigmented spots, except in the tentorial pits; main disc not very high, with a CLI of 1.5–2; main disc with approximately 80 setae; ventral section distinctly transverse. Labrum (Fig. 6 B, E, left), extensively covered with sensory bristles. Palate (Fig. E, right) with tiny median patch absent or present (width × height ≤ 0.02 × 0.02 mm) (Fig. 6 E); sclerotized patch short and mostly faint, with a few conical papillae (up to 4) in the proximal area. Conical papillae aligned in line along the ventral margin; spicules widely and sparsely distributed in the medioventral area and along the lateral margin dorsally (Fig. 6 B). Mandible (Fig. 6 A, F) strongly sclerotized only in the extreme apical region, with numerous pits across the surface. Mandibular teeth smooth, sclerotized, and not strongly pronounced, with blunt apices (Fig. 6 F); teeth I and II more produced than III; with tooth I slightly more produced than tooth II, with a significantly wider base; tooth IIIa less produced than IIIb; teeth I and II separated at an angle of 60 ° – 80 °, II and IIIa at 50 ° – 80 °, and IIIa and IIIb at 75 ° – 105 °; dorsal margin of tooth II slightly convex; bifurcation point between teeth II and IIIa relatively shallow, often shallower than other bifurcation points. Maxillar with approximately 25 setae (Sometimes lower than 15 setae). Prementeum with approximately 25 setae.

Body (thorax and abdomen): Body 22–27 mm in length (n = 30, mean 23.6 mm) and 10–11 mm in width (mean 10.7 mm); third, fourth, and fifth integuments with dense setae; spicules near spiracle 1 sparse and short. Largest spiracle 0.4 mm in diameter and shallow; approximately 0.7 times the size ratio of spiracles 1, 2, and 10, with sparse processes under 0.0025 mm in length on the inner edge; spiracular rim 0.04 mm in thickness with smaller and more sparse spicules on spiracles 1, 2, and 10.

Remarks.

Similar to V. velutina nigrithorax and V. simillima simillima, this species has a relatively narrow clypeus, with a width comparable to or less than the minimum distance between the antennae, and lackse. However, unlike V. velutina and V. simillima, this species has abundant pits on the outer surface of the mandible.

Specimens examined.

South Korea • 10 mature larvae; Gangwon-do, Gapyeong-gun; 37 ° 50 ' 45 N, 127°30'44"E; 14 Sept. 2021; Choi • 10 mature larvae; Gyeongsangbuk-do, Gunwi-gun; 36°15'42"N, 128°30'36"E; 15 Sept. 2021; Choi and Ma • 5 mature larvae; Chungcheongbuk-do, Sejong-si; 36°33'39"N, 127°14'46"E; 19 July 2022; Choi and Ma • 7 mature larvae; Gyeongsangbuk-do, Seongju-gun; 36°00'18"N, 128°14'15"E; 5 Aug. 2022; Ma • 3 mature larvae; Daegu; 35°54'16"N, 128°42'46"E; 18 Oct. 2022; Ma • 10 Mature larvae; Gyeongsangnam-do, Goseong-si; 34°59'07"N, 128°08'34"E; 25 July 2023; Choi and Kim • 20 mature larvae; Daegu; 35°52'08"N, 128°31'35"E; 27 July 2023; Choi and Kim • 10 mature larvae; Gyeongsangbuk-do, Andong-si; 36°32'58"N, 128°48'11"E; 18 Aug. 2023; Choi and Kim • 15 mature larvae; Gyeongsangbuk-do, Pohang-si; 36°04'10"N, 129°09'44"E; 22 Aug. 2023; Choi and Ma • 20 mature larvae; Jeollabuk-do, Jeongeup-si; 35°34'45"N, 126°54'09"E; 17 Oct. 2024; Kim and Ma .