Vespa basalis Smith, 1852

Smith-Pardo, Allan H., Carpenter, James M. & Kimsey, Lynn, 2020, The Diversity of Hornets in the Genus Vespa (Hymenoptera: Vespidae; Vespinae), Their Importance and Interceptions in the United States, Insect Systematics and Diversity 4 (3), No. 2, pp. 1-27 : 8-9

Vespa basalis Smith

Figs. 13a and 17

Vespa basalis Smith, 1852: 46 . Holotype female; Nepal: ‘ Nepaul’ (LONDON-NHM).

Vespa obliterata Smith, 1852: 47 . Holotype female; ‘ Northern India’ (LONDON-NHM).

Vespa basilis Dover, 1929: 48 . Misspelling of Vespa basalis Smith, 1852 .

Distribution. Pakistan; India, Nepal, China, Taiwan, Myanmar, Thailand, Laos, Vietnam, Indonesia: Sumatra.

Discussion. Vespa basalis occurs in forested regions between 500 m and 1,500 m ( Archer 1999). Nests are built on tree branches, in shrubs, on buildings, in rock crevices, and even in the ground. The mostly dark brown to black metasoma is one of the more distinctive features of V. basalis .

Figures

Figs. 13 and 14. Vespa morphology. (a, b) Dorsal view of scutum. (c, d) Lateral view of pronotal lobe. (e, f) Lateral view of anterior pronotal carina. (a) V. basalis. (b) V. ducalis. (c) V. vivax. (d) V. velutina. Fig. 14. V. affinis coloration. (a) Lateral view. (b) Dorsal view. (c) Front view of face.

Figs. 17 and 18. Vespa color forms. (a) Lateral view. (b) Dorsal view. (c) Front view of face. Fig. 17. V. basalis. Fig. 18. V. bellicosa.