Vespa binghami du Buysson, 1905

Vespa binghami du Buysson, 1905 View in CoL

Description.

Head (Fig. 10 View Figure 10 ): CW / MW = 1.56–1.68 (n = 10, mean 1.63). Cranium with moderate, irregular rugo-reticulation. Antenna positioned well behind the dorsal margin of the clypeus (Fig. 10 D View Figure 10 ), with a diameter of 0.1 mm and a thin but heavily sclerotized rim (Fig. 10 C View Figure 10 ). Temporal band (Fig. 10 C, D, G View Figure 10 ) relatively broad, with its ventral half wider than the dorsal half; edges heavily margined; inner part with heavy ferruginous pigmentation, except for the ventral one-third portion, which is nearly transparent. Paired suprafrontal marks well defined (Fig. 10 D View Figure 10 ); dotted patches on the frons faint; region around the frontal suture with 12 or 14 setae. Clypeus width larger than the minimum distance between the antennae. Clypeus as shown in Fig. 10 C, D View Figure 10 ; main disc with dorsal margin convex, with lateral arms straight, and dorsolateral corner roundly angulate; lateral margin straight and lacking pigmented spots, except in the tentorial pit; ventral margin shallowly convex; main disc moderately high, with a CLI of 1.5–2.5; main disc with approximately 85 setae; ventral section strongly transverse, with dorsal and ventral margins nearly parallel. Labrum (Fig. 10 E View Figure 10 , left) with numerous sensory bristles widely distributed across its surface. Palate (Fig. 10 E View Figure 10 , right) without a median patch; sclerotized patch relatively poorly developed; conical papillae dense in the proximal half of the sclerotized patch and sparser distally; spicules distributed in the medioventral part of the palate (Fig. 10 B, E View Figure 10 ). Mandible heavily sclerotized in the apical two-fifth portion (Fig. 10 C View Figure 10 ), with numerous pits on the outer surface (Fig. 10 A View Figure 10 ). Mandibular teeth (Fig. 10 F View Figure 10 ) all smooth with relatively sharp apices; teeth I and II significantly more projected than IIIa and IIIb; tooth I as large as II; tooth IIIb slightly more produced than IIIa; teeth I and II separated at an angle of 50 ° – 60 °, II and IIIa at 60 ° – 70 °, and IIIa and IIIb at 90 ° – 140 °; tooth I triangular and raised basally; bifurcation point between teeth II and IIIa deeper than the other bifurcation points. Maxilla with approximately 25 setae. Prelabium with 25‒35 setae.

Body (thorax and abdomen): Body 29.8–31.4 mm in length (n = 10, mean 30.6 mm) and 12 mm in width; integument with evenly distributed setae; sparse and short spicules near the rim of spiracles 1 and 10. Spiracles shallow; generally uniform in size, except for spiracles 1, 2, and 10, which are slightly smaller; largest spiracle 0.35 mm in diameter; inner wall of spiracle with dense, long atrial processes; collar processes thick; spiracular rim 0.04 mm in thickness.

Remarks.

As in V. ducalis , mandibular teeth I and II are strongly developed. The temporal band, antennal rim, and mandible are more heavily pigmented compared to those in other species.

Specimens examined.

South Korea • 10 mature larvae; Gyeongsangbuk-do, Andong-si, Namhu-myeon ; 36°52'99"N, 128°67'48"E; 2 Sept. 2022; Choi .