Corresponding author: Lien Thi Phuong Nguyen (
Academic editor: Thorleif Dörfel
Species of the potter wasp genus
Nguyen LTP, Nguyen AD, Tran NT, Nguyen MT, Engel MS (2023) The potter wasp genus
The potter wasp genus
Based on extensive material deposited in the
Specimens of
Male genitalia of
Anterior surface of pronotum without pits or foveae. Tegula not evenly rounded posteriorly, emarginate adjoining parategula and often shorter than latter; axillary fossa in dorsal view much narrower than long, slit-like. Metanotum flat, without tubercles. Propodeum without deep fossae, submarginal carina and valvula not protruding; propodeal dorsum raised shelf-like to same level with metanotum (but see some of the species herein that lack this feature). Mesofemur not emarginate basally. Forewing with prestigma > 1/2 length of pterostigma (as measured along posterior margin); third submarginal cell separated from apex of marginal cell by ~ 1/2 its length. Metasoma segment I sessile, ca. as wide as segment II; tergum I with tendency to form a transverse rim at junction of anterior-facing and dorsal-facing surfaces but without transverse carina.
Additionally, according to
Vietnam: 1♂, Son La, Muong La, Nam Pam, alt. 660 m, 25.vii.2009 [25 July 2009], Lien Thi Phuong Nguyen, Phong Huy Pham, J Kojima leg.; 1♀, Son La, Phu Yen, Quang Huy,
This species is recorded from Vietnam for the first time, but there is a color variation in the male clypeus: entirely black (Fig.
As in Fig.
Pakistan; India: Andaman & Nicobar Islands, Arunachal Pradesh, Assam, Chhattisgarh, Goa, Himachal Pradesh, Karnataka, Kerala, Meghalaya, Mizoram, Sikkim, Tamil Nadu, Tripura, Uttarakhand, Uttar Pradesh, West Bengal; Nepal; Bhutan; Myanmar; Thailand; Laos; Malaysia; Singapore; Indonesia: Sumatra, Java, Bali, Borneo, Sulawesi; Philippines: Mindanao; Vietnam (new record).
Taiwan. 1♀1♂, Shihtyutou Nantou Hsien, 10.x.1996 [10 October 1996]. C.C. Luo leg.; 1♂, Shihtyutou Nantou Hsien, 8.viii.1996 [8 August 1996] [
Although Giordani Soika (1986) recorded this species from Vietnam, we have been unable to examine any specimens from the country. Despite considerable sampling of the genus from throughout Vietnam and the large number of specimens examined, we have not identified any belonging to
China: Sichuan, Yunnan, Hong Kong, Guangdong, Guangxi, Guangzhou, Macao, Jiangxi, Shanghai, Henan, Fujian; Taiwan; ? Vietnam; ? Philippines: Mindanao.
Vietnam: 1♀, Ha Giang, Yen Minh, Yen Minh town,
Facial views of species of
India: Meghalaya, Sikkim; China: Yunnan; Vietnam: Ha Giang (*), Tuyen Quang, Son La (*), Hoa Binh (*).
Vietnam: 1♂, Cao Bang, Nguyen Binh, Thanh Cong,
In Vietnam, this species has two color variations of the metasomal segments: one variation is wholly black except for yellow marks at the lateral sides of tergum II, and the other is black with narrow orange bands at the apical margins of terga I and II. Among our material, the latter occurs only in one male, and in this male metasomal sternum II is slightly produced subbasally rather than more or less produced to become tubercules as in other males.
China: Guangxi, Sichuan, Guizhou, Yunnan; Laos; Vietnam: Cao Bang (*), Tuyen Quang, Yen Bai (*), Bac Kan (*), Vinh Phuc, Bac Giang (*), Phu Tho (*), Hoa Binh (*), Ninh Binh (*), Thanh Hoa (*), Thua Thien Hue (*), Gia Lai (*).
Vietnam: 1♂, Soc Trang, My Tu, My Phuoc,
This species has been recorded in Kien Giang, Vietnam by
Vietnam: Soc Trang (*), Kien Giang; Indonesia: Sumatra (including Bangka, Biliton, Pulau Sangijang, Sunda Straits), Java (including Karimunjawa, Bawean, Kangean), Kalimantan.
This species can be distinguished from other species in the genus by the following combination of characters: head transverse, much wider than high, vertex of female with a small cephalic fovea bearing a tuft of setae medio-dorsally; occipital carina weakly widened laterally; inner compound eye margins strongly convergent ventrally, in facial view 1.3× further apart from each other at vertex than at clypeus; clypeus in frontal view almost as wide as high, apical margin shallowly emarginate medially, forming blunt tooth on each side, distance between teeth > 1/2 width of clypeus between inner compound eye margins; mesoscutum almost as long as wide between tegulae; propodeal dorsum raised shelf-like to same level with metanotum; SVII of male with a raised flat area basally, apical margin of flat area V-shaped. Digitus with two lobes at apex, a dark brown short one and an orange-yellow lance lobe with short hairs; penis valves slightly shorter than the basal apodeme, in profile apical part strongly produced into two lobes, the above lobe round, and larger, the below lobe much smaller and sharper.
Central Vietnam.
The specific epithet is from the Latin participle
The new species is similar to
1♂, Cao Bang, Ha Lang, 24.vii.2015 [24 July 2015], Tuan Van Nguyen leg.; 1♀, Cao Bang, Nguyen Binh, Tran Hung Dao forest,
This species can be distinguished from other species in the genus by the following character combination: head of female in facial view transverse, 1.2× as wide as high; vertex of female produced behind ocelli, with small cephalic foveae situated next to each other and each bearing a tuft of setae; clypeus in frontal view slightly wider than high, apical margin shallowly emarginate medially, forming blunt tooth on each side, distance between teeth slightly > 1/3 width of clypeus between inner compound eye margins; mesoscutum slightly shorter than wide; propodeal dorsum raised shelf-like to same level with metanotum, concavity deep and wide, margined by a crest, posterior surface clearly separated from dorsal and lateral surfaces by a curved rim, rim strongly produced behind metanotum to form serrate teeth; SVII of male with raised flat area basally, apical margin of raised flat area wide; volsella with long setae at the top.
North and central Vietnam.
The specific epithet is from Old Latin
This new species is similar to
This species can be distinguished from congeners by the following character combination: vertex of female with a small cephalic fovea bearing a tuft of setae medio-dorsally; occipital carina weakly widen laterally; inner compound eye margins strongly convergent ventrally, in anterior view 1.2× as further apart from each other at vertex as at clypeus; clypeus with apical flattened half well defined, in facial view wider than high; mesoscutum almost as long as wide between tegulae; propodeal dorsum raised shelf-like to same level with metanotum, concavity shallow and narrow; SVII of male with a raised flat area basally, apical margin of raised flat area pointed medially. In male genitalia, digitus extend to apex to form two lobes, a short black lobe smooth laterally, and a transparent wide lobe with dense long setae and several short and thicker setae; penis valves with several setae at basal one-third; proximal part of penis valves in profile with an apical part strongly produced into two large lobes.
North, Central, and Highland of Vietnam.
The specific epithet is the Latin adjective
This new species is closely similar to
This new species is also similar to
A key is provided here to the 21 recognized Oriental species in the genus
The characters are taken from the descriptions and figures of
Because there are some species described based only on the male (such as
1 | Propodeal dorsum below level of metanotum; metasomal punctures strong |
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– | Propodeal dorsum raised shelf-like to same level with metanotum; metasomal punctures weaker |
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2 | Metasomal segment I with anterior vertical surface clearly separable from posterior horizontal part by a distinct transverse rim; apical margin of clypeus deeply emarginate, emargination almost half-oval shaped |
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– | Metasomal segment I with anterior vertical surface smoothly arching to posterior horizontal part, without a transverse rim (except in |
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3 | Puncture of TI basally sparse; clypeus with exceptionally coarse punctures, interspaces between punctures smooth and strongly raised to form reticulation |
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– | Puncture of TI basally denser; clypeus vermiculate-reticulate |
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4 | Mesoscutum longer than wide in dorsal view ( |
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– | Mesoscutum wider than long in dorsal view |
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5 | Puncture of TII fine and moderately dense, with interspaces between punctures equal to puncture diameter; SII strongly convex at basal half |
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– | Puncture of TII coarser and denser, with interspaces between punctures less than puncture diameter; SII gradually convex at basal half |
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6 | Metasomal segment I with anterior vertical surface clearly separable from posterior horizontal part by a distinct transverse rim; occipital carina greatly widened laterally |
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— | Metasomal segment I with anterior vertical surface arching smoothly to posterior horizontal part, without a transverse rim; occipital carina not widened laterally |
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7 | Pronotal carina forming at most a bluntly rounded angle at shoulders; TI finely punctate dorso-apically |
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— | Pronotal carina forming an orthogonal or even sharp, slightly acute angle at shoulders; TI coarsely punctate dorsally |
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8 | Occipital carina strongly widened laterally (Fig. |
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– | Occipital carina weakly widened or narrow laterally; propodeum without a rim separating dorsal and posterior surfaces |
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9 | Body with coarse punctures; pronotum in dorsal view strongly swollen laterally |
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– | Body with less coarse punctures; pronotum in dorsal view slightly swollen laterally |
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10 | Tomentum and pubescence brownish yellow; scapus and pedicellus, all femora and tibiae, and two large spots on propodeum reddish brown |
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– | Tomentum and pubescence silver; scapus and pedicellus, all femora and tibiae, and propodeum black |
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11 | Abdomen with rather fine punctures |
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– | Abdomen with strong punctures |
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12 | Wings with diffuse fuscous area apically; apical margins of metasomal segments II–VI covered with fusco-ferruginous pubescence |
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– | Wings without diffuse fuscous area apically; apical margins of metasomal segments II–VI covered with silver pubescence |
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13 | Head transverse, much wider than high; apical margin of clypeus with emargination wide, much > 1/3 width of clypeus between inner compound eye margins |
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– | Head subcircular, slightly wider than high, apical margin of clypeus ~ 1/3 width of clypeus between inner compound eye margins |
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14 | Punctures on TI and II strong; posterior face of propodeum with shallow concave |
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– | Punctures on TI and II weaker; posterior face of propodeum with deeper concave |
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15 | Posterior half of TI and basal half of TII at most sparsely punctulate |
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– | Posterior half of TI and basal half of TII with stronger and denser punctures |
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16 | Clypeus with narrow V-shaped or circular emargination at apical margin and broad teeth laterally |
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– | Clypeus broadly emarginate with narrow teeth laterally |
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17 | Clypeus truncate apically or nearly so |
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— | Clypeus with emargination of apical margin trapezoidal, producing two rather sharp teeth laterally (Fig. |
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18 | Vertex with two large cephalic foveae, each bearing a tuft of setae; TI ~ 1.5× wider than long; depressed area on SII wide; lateral teeth of propodeum not prominent |
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– | Vertex without cephalic fovea; TI shorter, ~ 1.75× wider than long; depressed area on SII narrower; lateral teeth of propodeum prominent |
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1 | Propodeal dorsum below level of metanotum; metasomal punctures strong; SVII with two to three tubercules or a pair of flat lobe-shaped protuberances sub-basally |
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– | Propodeal dorsum raised shelf-like to same level with metanotum; metasomal punctures weaker; SVII flat or with raised area basally |
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2 | Metasomal segment I with anterior vertical surface clearly separable from posterior horizontal part by a distinct transverse rim; apical margin of clypeus deeply emarginate, emargination almost half-oval shaped; SVII with three tubercules basally |
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– | Metasomal segment I with anterior vertical surface smoothly arching to posterior horizontal part, without a transverse rim (except in |
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3 | Recurved FXI almost reaching back to basal margin of FIX; apex of penis valve rounded in frontal view ( |
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– | Recurved FXI shorter, with apex not reaching back to basal margin of FIX; apex of penis valve not rounded in frontal view ( |
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4 | Mesoscutum longer than wide in dorsal view; recurved FXI short, with apex reaching midlength of FIX ( |
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– | Mesoscutum wider than long in dorsal view; recurved FXI of male longer, with apex reaching back to basal margin of FIX |
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5 | SVII with apical margin of raised area mediobasally emarginate ( |
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– | SVII with two tubercules or flat lobe-shaped protuberances subbasally |
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6 | Metasomal segment I with anterior vertical surface clearly separable from posterior horizontal part by a distinct transverse rim; occipital carina greatly widened laterally; SVII with two triangular tubercules sub-basally |
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– | Metasomal segment I with anterior vertical surface arching smoothly to posterior horizontal part, without a transverse rim; occipital carina not widened laterally; SVII with a pair of flat lobe-shaped protuberances subbasally |
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7 | Clypeus with a tuberculate projection at subapical margin ( |
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– | Clypeus without tuberculate projection |
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8 | Pronotal carina forming at most a bluntly rounded angle at shoulders; TI finely punctate dorso-apically |
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– | Pronotal carina forming an orthogonal or even sharp, slightly acute angle at shoulders; TI coarsely punctate dorsally |
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9 | Occipital carina strongly widened laterally; posterior surface of propodeum deeply concave, shiny, clearly separated from dorsal and lateral surfaces by a curved rim, rim produced behind metanotum to form serrate teeth |
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– | Occipital carina weakly widened or narrow laterally; propodeum without a rim separating dorsal and posterior surfaces |
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10 | Body with coarse punctures; pronotum in dorsal view strongly swollen laterally; volsella without long setae at the top |
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– | Body with less coarse punctures; pronotum in dorsal view slightly swollen laterally; volsella with long setae at the top (Fig. |
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11 | Tomentum and pubescence brownish yellow; SVII with subbasal area flat |
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– | Tomentum and pubescence silver; SVII with subbasal area partly raised |
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12 | Abdomen with rather fine punctures |
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– | Abdomen with strong punctures |
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13 | Wings with diffuse fuscous area apically; apical margins of metasomal segments II–VII covered with fusco-ferruginous pubescence |
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– | Wings without diffuse fuscous area apically; apical margins of metasomal segments II–VII covered with silver pubescence |
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14 | Head transverse, much wider than high; apical margin of clypeus with emargination wide, much > 1/3 width of clypeus between inner compound eye margins; SVII with apical margin of raised flat area V-shaped (Fig. |
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– | Head subcircular, slightly wider than high; apical margin of clypeus ~ 1/3 width of clypeus between inner compound eye margins; SVII with apical margin of raised flat area pointed medially (Fig. |
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15 | SVII with apical margin of raised flat area wide medially; digitus and penis valves without short and thick setae (Fig. |
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– | SVII with apical margin of raised flat area pointed medially (Fig. |
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16 | Posterior half of TI and basal half of TII at most sparsely punctulate |
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– | Posterior half of TI and basal half of TII with stronger and denser punctures |
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17 | Clypeus shallowly emarginate medio-apically; vertex with narrow, transverse, slightly raised impunctate area posterior to ocelli |
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– | Clypeus different shape; vertex without raised impunctate area posterior to ocelli |
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18 | Clypeus with narrow V-shaped or circular emargination at apical margin and broad teeth laterally |
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– | Clypeus broadly emarginate with narrow teeth laterally |
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19 | Clypeus truncate apically or nearly so |
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– | Clypeus with emargination of apical margin trapezoidal, producing two rather sharp teeth laterally (Fig. |
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20 | TI ~ 1.5× wider than long; depressed area on SII wide; lateral teeth of propodeum not prominent |
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– | TI shorter, ~ 1.75× wider than long; depressed area on SII narrower; lateral teeth of propodeum prominent |
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We are deeply grateful to Seiki Yamane (Kagoshima, Japan) for the loan of specimens of
No conflict of interest was declared.
No ethical statement was reported.
This work was supported by the Vietnam Academy of Science and Technology under project NCXS01.04/23-25.
Conceptualization, LTPN, MSE; methodology, LTPN, ADN; identification, LTPN; material input, NTT, MTN; figure preparation, LTPN, ADN, NTT, MTN; writing-original draft preparation, LTPN; writing-review and editing, LTPN, MSE, ADN; funding acquisition, LTPN, ADN. All authors have read and agreed to the published version of the manuscript.
Lien Thi Phuong Nguyen
Anh D. Nguyen
Ngat Thi Tran
Manh Thanh Nguyen
Michael S. Engel
All of the data that support the findings of this study are available in the main text or Supplementary Information.