Key
to the New World Genera of Pepsinae
(modified from Banks 1946, Townes 1957, Evans 1973, Roig Alsina 1989,
and Wahis & Rojas 2003)
1.
Subgenital plate laterally compressed; 2 rs-m and 3 rs-m continuously
curved outward, similar in appearance; claws bifid ………..................................................................…………...
Minagenia Banks
- Subgenital plate not laterally compressed; 2 rs-m and 3 rs-m not
similar in appearance, usually one or both not continuously curved;
claws normally dentate (bifid in Anacyphonyx)....................................……….. 2
2. Tergite
1, in dorsal view, with the sides evenly convergent anteriorly or
slightly convex, in lateral view with a suture delimited a laterotergite;
male genitalia with parapenial lobe not decurved at apex ............………
3
- Tergite 1, in dorsal view, with the sides somewhat concave, giving
it a somewhat petiolates appearance, in lateral view without a suture
delimited a laterotergite; male genitalia with parapenial lobe slender,
decurved at apex……………………………....................................................................………..USA
(Couplet 28)
…………………………………............…………………Central
American & Neotropical (Couplet 31)
3.
Mandible with three teeth (including the apical point as a tooth);
dorsal edge of hind tibia smooth in both sexes; female with cardo
of each maxilla giving rise to a fascicle of long curved hairs..............
Dipogon Fox
- Mandible with two teeth (a large apical point plus a smaller subapical
internal point; in a few species of Chirodamus from the Australian
region there is a more or less distinct third tooth); dorsal edge
of hind tibia of female (and often of male) with a serrate row of
teeth; cardo of maxilla without a fascicle of long hairs in either
sex................................................................................................................................................
4
4. Second
recurrent vein meeting the second cubital cell at about its apical
0.1
(pi. 1, fig. 3); empodium about 0.75 as wide as the subapical width
of the last tarsal segment, its apical fringe of bristles containing
about 14 to 40 bristles; first discoidal cell occupied basally by
a distinct subcircular irregularity in the membrane; large or very
large species......…………………………Hemipepsis
Dahlbom
- Second recurrent vein meeting the second cubital cell at or basad
of its apical
0.25; empodium about 0.5 as wide as the subapical width of the last
tarsal segment, its apical fringe of bristles containing about 8 to
10 bristles; first discoidal cell not occupied basally by an irregularity
in the membrane, or if so the irregularity less distinct than in Hemipepsis............................................................ 6
5.
Marginal cell separated apically from the costal margin of the wing,
so that the lip of the cell is rounded; second cubital cell receiving
the second recurrent vein before its basal 0.33; large or very large
species…… ……............................................................................................................................…
Pepsis Fabricius
- Marginal cell apically adjacent to the costal margin of the wing,
so that the tip of the cell ia pointed or subtruncate; second cubital
cell receiving the second recurrent vein beyond its basal 0.4................................ ………......………………………………..........….……………
USA and Central American (Couplet 6)
………………………………………………............………………..……… Neotropical
(Couplet 11)
6.
Second intercubital vein quite straight; legs and antenna short and
stout, the second segment of flagellum in the Nearctic species 1.5
to 4.5 as long as wide; clypeus wide, short, and rather flat; brush
on inner side of hind tibia broadly continuous to the apex........................................................……Calopompilus
Ashmead
- Second intercubital vein usually more or less curved (straight in
Entypus and in some Cryptocheilus); legs and antenna longer and more
slender, the second segment of flagellum rarely less than 3.2 as long
as wide; clypeus longer and more convex; brush on inner side of hind
tibia often with a sub-apical constriction or interruption..............................................................................................................................................
7
7.
Cubital vein not quite reaching the wing margin and the nervellus
ending at or distad of the juncture of cubitella with discoidella;
clypeus very large................................................................. Priocnessus
Banks
- Cubital vein usually reaching the wing margin, or if not (e. g.,
some species of Priocnemis), then the nervellus ending distinctly
basad of the juncture of cubitella with discoidella...............................................
8
8. Under
side of last tarsal segment with two longitudinal rows of bristles;
second intercubital vein straight or evenly curved..........................................................................................................................................
9
- Under side of last tarsal segment without any preapical bristles
or with a very few that are not arranged in two regular longitudinal
rows; second inter-cubital vein rather straight anteriorly, but strongly
curved posteriorly..…………………………………………….................................………………………..
10
9.
Carina on mesosternum in front of each middle coxa angled medially
and at the angle usually produced as a tooth; nervellus ending beyond,
at, or just before the juncture of cubitella with discoidella.……………....... ..............................................………………………………………………………...
Entypus Dahlbom
- Carina on mesosternum in front of each middle coxa evenly curved;
nervellus ending distinctly before the juncture of cubitella with
discoidella................…...............………………………...
Cryptocheilus Panzer
10.
Anal lobe elliptical, the apical half of its hind margin evenly curved;
fore tibia of female without a single, unusually stout bristle on
its outer apical corner; nervulus beyond the basal vein by about 0.7
to 1.3 its length; pronotum of normal length.........................................................................................
Priocnemis Schiødte
- Anal lobe subtriangular, the apical half of its hind margin rather
straight; fore tibia of female with a single, very stout, blunt, spinelike
bristle at its outer apical corner; nervulus at the basal vein or
beyond it by less than 0.3 its length; pronotum quite short............................................................…………….
Caliadurgus Pate
11. Internal
brush of the posterior tibia wide and continuous to the apex of the
tibia......……..........……. 11
- Internal brush of the posterior tibia thin and interrupted prior
to the apex of the tibia.......…..........……. 25
12.
Females….…………………………………………………………………..........……………..
13
- Males……….....……………………………………………………………………..........……….
19
Females
13. Hind tibia without teeth, the dorsal edge with short spines or
smooth. Sixth tergum with fine and sparse pubescence, as with the
other terga; with several strong and long scattered setae; the apical
flange smooth. Sixth sternum compressed and keeled. Fore femora swollen.
Malar space well developed............................ .................................................................................................................................Chirodamus
Haliday
- Hind tibia with one or two dorsal rows of teeth. Sixth tergum strongly
setose. Sixth sternum and malar space various; Fore femora normal.........................................................................................................14
14. Last tarsal segments without ventral spines....…………………………........……….……………..
15
- Last tarsal segments usually with ventral spines....................................................................................
16
15. Head transverse, wider than its length and with raised vertex.
Eyes with anterior margin emarginated, appearing kidney-shaped. Eyes
convergent ventrally....................................…… Plagicurgus Roig Alsina
- Head rounded. Eyes with anterior margin slightly emarginated, not
appearing kidney-shaped. Eyes not convergent below.........................................................................................................
Herbstellus Wahis
16.
Genicular lobes of hind femora with simple edges. Sixth tergum with
apical flange narrow and smooth............................................................................................................................
Adirostes Banks
- Hind femora with truncate genicular lobes. Sixth tergum with apical
flange wide and transversely striated.................................................................................................................................................
17
17. Last tarsal segments with ventral spines irregularly arranged.
Galea short, glossa rounded. Hairy species, at least with long hairs
on the femora, pleura and propodeal sides......................Pompilocalus Roig Alsina
- Last tarsal segments with ventral spines in two lateral rows. Galea
long, glossa bifid........................…. 18
18. Front narrow, the eyes more or less convergent on the vertex.
Flagellar segments more than twice as long as wide. Without a mesepisternal
tubercle. Claws always toothed ..................Aimatocare Roig Alsina
- Front wide, polished and shiny in several species. Flagellar segments
short and thick, segments 5-12 never more than twice as long as wide.
Mesepisternum with a lower tubercle. Claws cleft or toothed...................... ................................................................................................................................
Anacyphonyx Banks
Males
(Males of Adirostes are unknown)
19. Head transverse, 1.3-1.4 times wider than long; vertex raised,
well above level of top of eyes. Eyes kidney-shaped. Claws of middle
legs bifid. Transverse groove of second sternite present. Parameres
of the genitalia with a row of pegs..................................................................................
Plagicurgus Roig Alsina
- Head generally rounded; sometimes slightly wider than long or longer
than wide................................... 20
20. Claws of middle legs toothed or bifid..……………………………...………..............…………… 21
- Claws of middle legs lacking an internal tooth......…………….............……...……...
Herbstellus Wahis
21. Claws
of middle legs always toothed; hind claws toothed or sometimes modified........................….. 22
- Claws of middle legs always bifid; hind claws bifid, sometimes modified............................................... 23
22. Transverse groove of second sternite absent. Malar space well
developed, 0.25-1.2 times as long as basal width of mandible. Mesosternal
carina between middle coxae with two central laminar projections.
Widest part of gaster at the apex of first segment...................... Chirodamus
Haliday
-Transverse groove of second sternite present. Malar space narrow,
at most 0.10 times as long as basal width of mandible. Mesosternal
carina between middle coxae evenly rounded. Widest part of gaster:
at the middle or apical 2/3 of second segment...............................Calopompilus
Ashmead
23. Transverse groove of second sternite present. Galea short, glossa
rounded. Hairy species, scapes and propodeum always with long hairs.
Thorax and gaster never with extensive yellow maculations. Parameres
of the genitalia with a row of pegs..............................Pompilocalus
Roig Alsina
- Transverse groove of second sternite absent. Galea elongated, glossa
bifid. Less hairy species. Some species with extensive yellow maculations
on the thorax and gaster....................……….
24
24. Propodeum with humped posterolateral angles. Maxillary palpi with
segment 4 as long as segments 5 and 6 together. Parameres hairy ...............................................
Anacyphonyx Banks
- Propodeum gently rounded. Maxillary palpi with segments 4, 5 and
6 of similar length. Parameres with a row of pegs.................................................................................
Aimatocare Roig Alsina
25.
Mesosternal carina with posterior directed projections. Female: Second
metasomal sternite with a pair of tubercles more or less developed..............…………….…….…
Entypus Dahlbom
- Mesosternal carina lacking posterior directed projections. Female:
Second metasomal sternite lacking a pair of tubercles.……………………………………………………………...……
26
26.
Posterior margin of the pronotum vertical. Distal tarsal segment lacks
ventral spines. Dorsum of propodeum inclined......…………………………………………..………….
Caliadurgus Pate
- Posterior margin of the pronotum curved. Distal tarsal segment with
irregularly arranged ventral spines. Dorsum of propodeum horizontal...............…………………………..………………
27
27.
Mentum with a set of very long thick curved setae anteriorly directed.… Sphictostethus Kohl
- Mentum without a set of very long thick curved setae anteriorly
directed.... Priocnemis Schiødte
Males
and Females
Nearctic (Ageniellini)
28. First tergite with a fine lateral crease that separates off the
epipleuron; propodeum without long erect hairs; mentum of female with
a brush of about 20 long stout bristles which are not divided into
right and left groups; under-side of last tarsal segment of female
with preapical bristles.................... ..............................................................................................……………... Phanagenia Banks
First tergite without a lateral crease; propodeum with or without
long erect hairs; mentum of female with either slender hairs, or with
stout bristles that are divided basally into right and left group....
29
29.
Propodeum with long erect hairs; female with a bare pygidial area
and with some strong bristles arising from the mentum; male subgenital
plate rather large, with a high, sharp, longitudinal ridge .......................................................................................................................
Auplopus Spinola
Propodeum usually without long erect hairs; female without a pygidial
area and with only slender hairs arising from the mentum; male subgenital
plate smaller, or its longitudinal ridge (when present) lower and
more blunt...................................………….……………………………………..
30
30.
Apex of front tibia on the hind side without a conspicuously larger
or re-curved spinelike bristle; clypeus without a trough-like impression
paralleling its lateroapical margin............................
..........................................................................................................................Ageniella Banks
Apex of front tibia on the hind side surmounted by a conspicuously
larger and recurved spinelike bristle (best developed in the female);
clypeus with a troughlike impression paralleling its lateroapical
margin………….....…………………………………..………Priocnemella
Banks
Neotropical Female Ageniellini
31. Females.……………………………………………………………………..………… 32
- Males.………………………………………………………………………………...….. 38
32. Apex
of front tibia on outer side with a strongly differentiated, curved,
hook-like spine; clypeus large, extending well beneath bottoms of
eyes..........................................................................
33
Apex of front tibia without a strong, curved spine that is well differentiated
from the other spines..... .............................................................................................................................................. 34
33.
Last segment of middle and hind tarsi spined beneath; lower part of
mesopleuron with a projection; clypeus strongly emarginate..........................................................
Phanochilus Banks
Last segment of all tarsi smooth beneath; mesopleurum without a prominence;
clypeus truncate....... ...................................................................................................................
Priocnemella Banks
34.
Pronotum with collar not much below level of disk, separated from
anterodorsal projection by short concave face, posterior margin broadly
angulate; T1 with suture separating epipleurum; anal vein of hind
wing strongly recurved; Female: malar space at least half as long
as width of mandibles at their base; transverse groove on S2 not in
extreme anterior position; occipital carina extending towards ocelli
in a short loop; pygidium differentiated, nearly bare…….…
Atopagenia Wasbauer
Without above combination of characters…………………………………..…..………….…35
35.
Mandibles with a basal tuft of long, pale setae which cover much of
the mandibles; malar space at least half as long as width of mandibles
at their base................................. Mystacagenia Evans
Mandibles without such modification, simple and with scattered setae;
malar space less than half as long as width of mandibles at their
base, often nearly absent.....................................................
36
36.
Apical tergite covered with bristles and without a differentiated
pygidial area; mentum with or without a few thin setae scattered along
its length................................................ Ageniella
Banks
Apical tergite with a median area which is devoid of setae and more
or less smooth, often polished; mentum with a group of stout setae
arising near the base and directed forward.…................…. 37
37. Malar
space about one third as long as width of mandibles at their base;
temples prominent, nearly as wide as eyes; tooth of claws quite close
to outer ray (males macrocephalic)…………...... ................................................................................................................
Dimorphagenia Evans
Malar space small or absent, mandibles and lower eye margins nearly
in contact; temples narrow, receding; tooth of claws well separated
from outer ray...................................... Auplopus
Spinola
Neotropical
Male Ageniellini
(Males of Mystacagenia unknown)
38. Macrocephalic ..................................................................................
Dimorphagenia Evans
- Head size normal …………………………………………………………………...….….
39
39.
Pronotum with collar not much below level of disk, separated from
anterodorsal projection by short concave face, posterior margin broadly
angulate…...………...….… Atopagenia
Wasbauer
Without above combination of characters…………………………...……………………..… 40
40.
Clypeus strongly emarginated, appearing bidentate...................................
Phanochilus Banks
- Clypeus not strongly emarginated, truncate to weakly emarginated.…………....……...…….
41
41.
Carina separates propodeum laterally from metapleuron.…………...…….
Auplopus Spinola
- Lacking carina that separates propodeum laterally from metapleuron.……....……...………..
42
42.
Clypeus large and broad, greatly overhanging mandibles………….……
Priocnemella Banks
- Clypeus normal, not greatly overhanging mandibles……………......………....
Ageniella Banks