Synanthedon vespiformis ( Linnaeus, 1761 ), 1999

Bąkowski, Marek, 2021, Morphology of pupae of Synanthedon codeti (Oberthür, 1881) and Synanthedon theryi Le Cerf, 1916 (Lepidoptera: Sesiidae), Zootaxa 4969 (1), pp. 175-182 : 178-181

Synanthedon vespiformis ( Linnaeus, 1761)

( Figs 11–14 )

10 pupal exuviae— 5 males, 5 females ( Germany, Poland, 1990–1992)

Length and width: 12.0–18.0 x 2.8–3.5 mm (mean: 15.0 x 3.2 mm).

Proboscis exceeds mesothoracic legs. Area of head projection blade short and fairly sharply rounded in dorsal view, its length slightly shorter than half of its width. Frons with extremely deep depressions distinctly wrinkled. Its central ridge ends distinctly prior to its rear angle and is enlarged at end, forming a T-shape mound. Longitudinal ridge enlarged and elevated in middle. Frontal setae situated approximately at level of lateral angles of frons in dorsal view ( Fig. 11 ). Plate of head projection blade short, not curved in lateral view. Dark margin narrow. Frons rises rather steeply from blade of its projection in lateral view. Lateral depression on head wide and rounded ventrocaudad ( Fig. 12 ). Distance between clypeal setae C1 2 approximately 3–4 × greater than distance between C1 2 and Cl 1. Labrum truncate for a greater distance and with straight sides. Postclypeus bears wide distinct projections ( Fig. 13 ). Cremaster relatively roundly pointed at end and approximately equal in length to anal suture in male, anal suture longer than cremaster in female. Spines on the 10 th abdominal segment robust, triangular, sharply pointed, their setae short ( Fig. 14 ). Spines of basal row on the 2 nd abdominal segment tiny, but with distinguishable point. Spines of caudal row approximately 3 × shorter than those of basal row on the 3 rd abdominal segment. Fourth abdominal segment bears 12–13 slender spines of basal row between setae D1. Crevices between them bow-like.

Diagnostic features. Frons with extremely deep depressions, robust rims, and strong wrinkles dorsally. Ventral edge of subdorsal furrow on mesonotum reaches about to 2/3 of dorsal ridge length and relatively robust. Fourth abdominal segment bears 12–13 slender spines of basal row between setae D1. Spines of caudal row approximately 3 × shorter than those of basal row on the 3 rd abdominal segment.

Host plants. Quercus spp. (primarily), occasionally or locally Fagus sylvatica L., Castanea sativa Mill (Fagaceae) , Populus spp. , Salix spp. (Salicaceae) , Prunus spp. (Rosaceae) , Juniperus spp. (Cupressaceae) , Ulmus spp. (Ulmaceae) , Loranthus europaeus L. ( Loranthaceae ) ( Laštůvka & Laštůvka 2001).

Distribution. Western Palaearctic: Central, Southern and Eastern Europe, middle East from Turkey to Iran ( Špatenka et al. 1999).

Different pupal morphology allows for identification of three closely related species, Synanthedon codeti , S. theryi , and S. vespiformis . Depression on the frons is extremely deep and with strong wrinkles dorsally in S. vespiformis . In the species used as comparative material the depression on the frons are shallow and with a few wrinkles in dorsal view. Ventral edge of subdorsal furrow on mesonotum is relatively robust in S. vespiformis and reaches about to 2/3 of dorsal ridge length, in S. codeti and S. theryi is significant shorter, and reaches about to 1/4 and 1/3 respectively. The compared species differs also in number of spines of basal row between setae D1 on the 4 th abdominal segments.

Figures

Figs 11–14. Morphology of Synanthedon vespiformis pupa: 11. Dorsal view of frons, 12. Lateral view of frons 13. Labrum and vicinity, 14. Ventral abdominal end (male). Scale bar—0.2 mm.