Ammophila deserticola TSUNEKI

Dollfuss, H., 2013, Revision of the Wasps Genus Ammophila KIRBY 1798 (Hymenoptera Apoidea Sphecidae) of the Palearctic Region and India, Linzer biologische Beiträge 45 (1), pp. 383-564 : 423-424

Ammophila deserticola TSUNEKI

Ammophila deserticola TSUNEKI 1971: 169 , 3, ♀. Holotype: 3, Mongolia: Bulgan Aymag: Somon

Abzaga (TMB), examined. M a t e r i a l e x a m i n e d: 16♀♀, 4333 (OÖLM), 233 (ZMHU), 1♀ (NHMW).

R e c o g n i t i o n: Ammophila deserticola has a submarginal cell III petiolate, the supra-antennal lamellate projection distinctly developed and the propodeal enclosure glabrous. The female of A. sarekandana is similar and shares with A. deserticola a well developed supra-antennal lamellate projection but differs in having the scutum with distinct transverse striae and the mesopleuron without a patch of appressed silvery setae ( A. deserticola has a dull scutum, transversely microstriate and a small patch of appressed silvery setae on the mesopleuron). The female of A. pubescens differs from A. deserticola in lacking the supra-antennal lamellate projection, in having the petiole ventrally with long erect setae and the propodeal enclosure distinctly micropunctate between oblique striae ( A. deserticola has the propodeal enclosure obliquely striate and more or less shiny and the petiole ventrally without erect setae). The female of A. campestris differs from A. deserticola in lacking the supra-antennal lamellate projections, and in having light brown erect setae on the head. The male of A. sarekandana shares with A. deserticola a well developed supra-antennal lamellate projection, but differs in having the scutum anteriorly coarsely and nearly densely punctate, and the mesopleuron coarsely punctato-rugose ( A. deserticola has the scutum dull and finely transversely microstriate and a dull and punctate mesopleuron). The male of A. pubescens differs from A. deserticola in having terga I and II with a dorsal black stripe, the supra-antennal lamellate projection absent and in most specimens the petiole ventrally with erect setae ( A. deserticola has the tergum II all red). The male of A. campestris differs from A. deserticola in having the supra-antennal lamellate projection absent and the propodeal enclosure obliquely striate and in most specimens shiny ( A. deserticola has a dull propodeal enclosure).

D e s c r i p t i o n: Submarginal cell III petiolate, gastral apex black, without metallic shine, supra-antennal lamellate projection distinctly developed, mesothoracic venter not prominent anteriorly, episternal sulcus extending to anteroventral margin of pleuron, arolia well defined and claws without basal tooth, propodeal enclosure glabrous.

♀: 14.5-16.5 mm. Black except tergum I (except basal part), gastral segment II and basal part of III red. Small patch on mesopleuron along mesopleural suture and propodeum posterolaterally covered with appressed silvery setae. Head and prothorax covered with black erect setae, on other areas silvery-white. Clypeus slightly elongate, with distinct median lobe and more or less developed lateral teeth, disk convex. Pronotal collar dull or slightly shiny and sparsely punctate, scutum dull, transversely microstriate and sparsely punctate, scutellum longitudinally striate and punctate. Mesopleuron dull and distinctly punctate (punctures 1-2 diameters apart), metapleuron and propodeum laterally obliquely punctato-rugose. Propodeal enclosure obliquely striate and more or less shiny. Flagellomere I: II=1.5-1.6; length of petiole = hindtarsomeres I+0.3×II.

3: 13-16.5 mm. Black except tergum I (basally darkened), gastral segments II and segment III basally. Clypeus, frons, small patch on mesopleuron near mesopleural suture and propodeum posterolaterally covered with fine appressed silvery setae; head and propleuron covered with brown erect setae, remaning areas with white ones. Clypeus elongate and slightly emarginate medially, disk nearly flat. Pronotal collar sparsely punctate, scutum dull and finely transversely microstriate, scutellum longitudinally ridged. Propodeal enclosure dull and obliquely striate, mesopleuron dull and punctate (punctures 1-2 diameters apart), metapleuron and propodeum laterally obliquely punctato-rugose. Sterna VII and VIII covered with brown appressed setae; genitalia as in A. campestris . Flagellomere I: II=1.4-1.6; length of petiole = hindtarsomeres I+0.5×II to I+0.75×II.

G e o g r a p h i c a l d i s t r i b u t i o n: China, Mongolia, Kyrgyzstan.