Taxonomic Review and Distribution of the Genus Vespula Thomson, 1869 (Hymenoptera: Vespidae: Vespinae) from Vietnam

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Taxonomic review and distribution of the genus Vespula Thomson, 1869 (Hymenoptera: Vespidae: Vespinae) from Vietnam

Article in Zootaxa · October 2019 DOI: 10.11646/zootaxa.4691.3.8

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Taxonomic review and distribution of the genus Vespula Thomson, 1869 (Hymenoptera: Vespidae: Vespinae) from Vietnam

LIEN THI PHUONG NGUYEN1,2,6, THUONG THI VU3, ANTHONY DAGLIO4 & BOGDAN WIŚNIOWSKI5 1Insect Ecology Department, Institute of Ecology and Biological Resources (IEBR), Vietnam Academy of Science and Technology, 18 Hoang Quoc Viet Road, Nghia Do, Cau Giay, Hanoi, Vietnam 2Graduate School of Science and Technology, Vietnam Academy of Science and Technology, 18 Hoang Quoc Viet Road, Nghia Do, Cau Giay, Hanoi, Vietnam 3Hanoi Pedagogical University 2, Nguyen Van Linh Str., Xuan Hoa, Phuc Yen, Vinh Phuc, Vietnam 4Independent researcher 5University of Rzeszów, Faculty of Biology and Agriculture, 1 Ćwiklińskiej St, 35-601 Rzeszów, Poland 6Corresponding author. E-mail: [email protected]

Abstract

A taxonomic review of the genus Vespula Thomson in Vietnam is reported. Three species are recorded: V. flaviceps (Smith, 1870), V. koreensis (Radoszkowski, 1887), and V. orbata (Buysson, 1902). Of these, V. flaviceps is newly recorded from Vietnam. Distribution records of all three species and an identification key to species based on morphological characters are presented. Vespula koreensis is distributed from high (Cao Bang, Vinh Phuc, Quang Tri) to lower areas (Thai Nguyen, Tuyen Quang, Lang Son, Bac Giang), while the other two species are distributed in high mountainous areas of the northern and central regions of Vietnam such as in Cao Bang, Lao Cai, Son La, Phu Tho, Vinh Phuc, Quang Tri and Quang Nam provinces.

Key words: Social Wasps, Yellow Jackets, Vespula, Taxonomy, Vietnam

Introduction

Vespula is a genus of the subfamily Vespinae (Hymenoptera: Vespidae), created by Thomson (1869) based on the type species Vespa austriaca Panzer (1799), by subsequent designation of Ashmead (1902). Vespula species are principally inhabitants of the temperate region, and in the subtropics most species occur in mountainous regions (Yamane et al., 1980; Matsuura and Yamane, 1990). The genus comprises 25 described species distributed world- wide with seven of these species distributed in South East Asia. In Vietnam, two species were recorded in previous studies (Nguyen & Carpenter, 2002; Nguyen et al., 2006; Nguyen & Kojima, 2013), namely V. orbata (Buysson 1902) and V. koreensis (Radoszkowski, 1887). In this paper, Vespula flaviceps Smith (1870) is reported for the first time in the country. Distribution records of all three species are presented.

Material and methods

The materials examined are deposited in the collections of the Institute of Ecology and Biological Resources (IEBR), Hanoi, Vietnam. Observations of morphological and color characters was made on the pinned and dried specimens under a Nikon SMZ 745 stereoscopic dissecting microscope. Terminology follows Archer (2012). Photographic images were made with a Nikon SMZ 800N, using Helicon Focus 7 software for stacking images; the plates were edited with Photoshop CS6. Collectors are abbreviated as follows: ISD-c, staff members of the Insect Systematic Department (IEBR); IED- c, staff members of the Insect Ecology Department.

Accepted by K. Williams: 26 Aug. 2019; published: 31 Oct. 2019 279 Results

Key to species of the genus Vespula Thomson, 1869 from Vietnam

Queens

1. First metasomal tergum raised basally with depression behind this elevation; occipital carina reaching base of mandible; metanotum with punctures; propodeum rugose...... 2 - First metasomal tergum not raised basally and without depression; occipital carina not extending to base of mandible; metanotum almost smooth, without punctures; propodeum almost smooth with some small sparse punctures, not coarsely rugose...... Vespula flaviceps (Smith, 1870. 2. Punctures on mesoscutum dense, with inter-puncture distance equal to puncture diameter, denser on lateral margins; punctures on gena, mesoscutellum and metanotum dense and strong; propodeum coarsely rugose throughout, without punctures...... Vespula koreensis (Radoszkowski, 1887) - Punctures on mesoscutum less dense, with inter-puncture distance greater than puncture diameter; punctures on gena, mesoscutellum and metanotum sparser and weaker; propodeum less coarsely rugose, with punctures between and interrupting rugae Vespula orbata (Buysson, 1902)

Workers and males This key is applicable to both workers and males unless the sex is specified.

1. First metasomal tergum raised basally with depression behind this elevation; occipital carina reaching base of mandible; propodeum rugose. Male genitalia with apex of aedeagus boat-shaped (Fig. 2d, 3d)...... 2 - First metasomal tergum not raised basally and without depression; occipital carina not continuous to the base of the mandible; propodeum not coarsely rugose. Male genitalia with apex of aedeagus spoon-shaped (Fig. 1d) ...... Vespula flaviceps (Smith, 1870) 2. Female: punctures on mesoscutum dense, with inter-puncture distance equal to puncture diameter, denser on lateral margins; propodeum rugose, with punctures between the rugae. Male: propodeum rugose, with some punctures; genitalia with dorsal terminal process almost absent (Fig. 2d); parameral spine gradually narrowing to an apical point (Fig. 2e)...... Vespula koreensis (Radoszkowski, 1887) - Female: punctures on mesoscutum less dense, with inter-puncture distance greater than puncture diameter; propodeum not rugose, only punctate. Male: propodeum punctate, lacking rugae; genitalia with dorsal terminal process semi-circular in shape (Fig. 3d); parameral spine abruptly narrowing to an apical point (Fig. 3e)...... Vespula orbata (Buysson, 1902)

Vespula flaviceps (Smith, 1870) (Fig. 1: a–e)

Vespa flaviceps Smith, 1870, in Horne and Smith, Trans. Zool. Soc. Lond. 7 (3): 174, 191, pl. XXI figs. 10-11, female - “Binsur, Kumaon, North-west Provinces of India” (London).

This species is widely distributed from Pakistan in the west, through Indochina, to Amami Island of Ryukyus, Amur, Primor’ye and Sakhalin Island of Russia in the East (Daglio, 2019). In Vietnam, this species is newly recorded from high mountainous areas in Cao Bang and Lao Cai provinces in the northern part of the country. Material examined: Cao Bang: 1 worker, Phia Oac foot-hill, Thanh Cong, Nguyen Binh, 1200 m a.s.l., LTP Nguyen, 10.VIII.2012, ISD-c; Lao Cai: 1 worker, 1 male, Xeomity, Sa Pa, 1700 m a.s.l., 09.VII.2009, PH Pham; 3 queens, 4 workers, Y Ty, Bat Xat NR, 22°39’19’’N, 103°37’27’’E, 1931 m a.s.l., 01.VIII.2019, LTP Nguyen, CQ Nguyen, NT Tran & UTP Tran. Queen description: Body length: 12.6–12.8 mm; Forewing length: 12.0–12.2 mm. Occipital carina do not ex- tend to the base of mandible. First metasomal tergum not raised basally and without a depression. Propodeum almost smooth with some small and sparse punctures. Gena, mesoscutellum and metanotum with dense and strong punctures. Body black, with following part yellow: clypeus except margin at base black, mandible except margin at base and teeth black, ocular sinus, frons (Fig. 1a), gena, narrow band on dorsal margin of pronotum; spot on upper part of mesepisternum; spot on tegula; narrow band at base of mesoscutellum (absent in the middle), at apical margin of metanotum (absent in the middle), and at apical margin of metasomal tergum 1–2, two spots on propodeum; thick band at apical margin of tergum 3–5, and tergum 6 largely (Fig. 1b), lower part and upper part posteriorly of all femora, all tibiae and tarsi.

280 · Zootaxa 4691 (3) © 2019 Magnolia Press NGUYEN ET AL. Biological notes. The queens were observed flying close to the ground surface in late July, 2019, probably look- ing for a nesting site. According to local people, the colonies reach their full size (about 40 cm diameter of four to five layers) in February of the next year.

FIGURE 1. Vespula flaviceps. a. Queen, frontal view; b. Queen, habitus; c. Male head, frontal view; d. Male genitalia and apical margin of tergum7; e. Worker, habitus. Scale: 1mm

Vespula koreensis (Radoszkowski, 1887) (Fig. 2: a–g)

Vespa koreensis Radoszkowski, 1887, Horae Soc. Entomol. Ross. 21: 432, male, female - “Korée” (lectotype female London). Vespula koreensis is known to occur from india in the west to korea, siberia, Amur and Primor’ye of Russia in the east (Daglio, 2019). In Vietnam, this species has two color forms: one is brighter with more yellow and brown (Fig. 2c), and the other is darker with less yellow (Fig. 2d). The species has been recorded by Nguyen et al. (2006), and is also recorded from Cao Bang, Lang Son, Vinh Phuc, Bac Giang and Quang Tri in this study.

Material examined: Cao Bang: 1 queen, Thang Hen Lake, Quoc Toan, Tra Linh, 28.IV.2015, LTP Nguyen; 6 workers, Thanh Cong, Nguyen Binh, 22°32’37’’N, 105°52’10.4’’E, 7.VIII.2012, J Kojima, H Nugroho & IED-c; 3 workers, Thanh Cong, Nguyen Binh, 22°32’29.7’’N, 105°52’51.7’’E, 8.VIII.2012, J Kojima, H Nugroho & IED-c; Thai Nguyen: 1 worker, Than Xa, Vo Nhai, 14.X.2014, ISD-c; Tuyen Quang: 1 male, I.2018, Malaise trap, DL Khuat; Lang Son: 10 workers, Na Sen, Hoang Dong, 21°51’42’’N, 106°43’54’’E, 31.X.2014, DD Nguyen, LTP Nguyen & MP Nguyen; Phu Tho: 1 worker, Xuan Son NP, 600 m a.s.l., 13.VI.2004, LTP Nguyen; 1 worker, Ha Hoa, 9.V.2019, TT Vu; Vinh Phuc: 1 worker, Tam Dao, 900-1200 m a.s.l., 30.VII-3.VIII.2012, DT Tran; Bac Giang: 1 worker, Dong Bay, An Lac, Son Dong, 16.V.2013, DD Tran; 1 worker, Khe Ro, Son Dong, 17.V.2013, DD Tran; 4 workers, Khe Ro, An Lac, Son Dong, 21°20’27.2’’N, 106°58’07’’E, 11.VIII.2012, J Kojima, H Nugroho & IED-c; 5 work-

VESPULA FROM VIETNAM Zootaxa 4691 (3) © 2019 Magnolia Press · 281 ers, Dong Bay, An Lac, Son Dong, 21°20’42.8’’N, 106°56’31.1’’E, 12.VIII.2012, J Kojima, H Nugroho & IED-c; Quang Tri: 1 worker, Sa Mu Pass, Huong Phung, Huong Hoa, 900-1000 m a.s.l., 6.VI.2006, ISD-c. Queen description: Body length: 16 mm; Forewing length: 15.2 mm. Propodeum very coarsely rugose over all its surface and without punctures. Gena, mesoscutellum and metanotum with dense and strong punctures. First metasomal tergum raised basally with a depression behind this elevation. Body black, with following part yellow: clypeus except margins black, mandible except base and teeth black, ocular sinus, a large mark on frons (Fig. 2a), gena, thick band on metasomal tergum 3-6 (Fig. 2b), upper part of fore tibia, all tarsi.

FIGURE 2. Vespula koreensis. a. Queen, frontal view; b. Queen, habitus; c. Male head, frontal view; d. Male genitalia, dorsal view and apical margin of tergum 7; e. Parameral spine; f. Worker, habitus, bright form; g. Worker, habitus, darker form. Scale: 1mm.

Vespa orbata du Buysson, 1902, Bull. Soc. Entomol. Fr. 1902: 140, female - [India] “Dardjiling” (lectotype Paris); also from Sikkim; China.

This species is distributed in India, Nepal, Myanmar, Laos, Vietnam and China (Daglio, 2019). In Vietnam, up to this study, V. orbata has been only recorded in high mountainous areas in the northern and central regions such as Ha Giang and Quang Nam (Nguyen & Carpenter 2002, Nguyen et al., 2006). Herein, we recorded the species from Lao Cai, Son La and Gia Lai regions. Material examined: Lao Cai: 1 worker, Hoang Lien NP, Sa Pa, 2200 m a.s.l., 16.V.2015, Tru Vu Hoang; 2 workers, Lao Chai, Sa Pa, 1350 m a.s.l., 05.VII.2009, PH Pham; 3 workers, Sin Chai, Sa Pa, 1800 m a.s.l., 08.VII.2009, PH Pham; 1 worker, 1 male, Xeomity, Sa Pa, 1700 m a.s.l., 09.VII.2009, PH Pham; 2 workers, Silver Water Fall, Sa Pa NP, 22°21.5’N, 103°46.5’E, 2000 m a.s.l., 20.VIII.2006, LTP Nguyen, F Saito & J Kojima; 2 workers, Silver Wa- ter Fall, Sa Pa NP, 22°21.5’N, 103°46.5’E, 2000 m a.s.l., 21.VIII.2006, LTP Nguyen, F Saito & J Kojima; 5 workers, 1 male, Y Ty, Bat Xat NR, 22°37’38.4’’N, 103°37’35.5’’E, 1847 m a.s.l., 08.V.2019, CQ Nguyen; 2 workers, Y Ty, Bat Xat NR, 22°39’19’’N, 103°37’27’’E, 1931 m a.s.l., 01.VIII.2019, LTP Nguyen, CQ Nguyen, NT Tran & UTP Tran; Son La: 1 worker, Long He, Thuan Chau, 1600 m a.s.l., 02.VI.2009, PH Pham; Quang Nam: 1 queen, Ngoc Linh NP, 1500 m a.s.l., 31.III.2004, HX Le; Gia Lai: 1 worker, Kon Chu Rang NR, Kbang, Son Lang, 20.IV.2017, LX Truong & TTT Vu. Queen description. Body length: 15.1 mm; Forewing length: 14.4 mm. Propodeum rugose, with punctures between and interrupting the rugosity. Gena, mesoscutellum and metanotum with sparse and less strong punctures. First metasomal tergum raised basally with a depression behind this elevation. Body black, with following parts brown and yellow (Fig. 3b): head, except for the brown vertex, and area around ocelli black; pronotum; a band on metasomal tergum 2 (irregular shape); all tergum 3-6; all tarsi yellow. Mesoscutum except black apical margin, tegula, spots on metanotum and propodeum, metapleuron, coxae, femora and tibiae brown.

FIGURE 3. Vespula orbata. a. Queen, frontal view; b. Queen, habitus; c. Male head, frontal view; d. Male genitalia, dorsal view and apical margin of tergum 7. e. Parameral spine; f. Worker, habitus. Scale: 1mm.

VESPULA FROM VIETNAM Zootaxa 4691 (3) © 2019 Magnolia Press · 283 Biological notes. Scavenging habits were observed for this species. The wasps were scavenging in a rubbish dump for food. A specimen of Vespula orbata was observed eating an earthworm in Sa Pa, Lao Cai province (2000 m altitude) (see Fig. 4). The local people give them the name “meat eating wasps” because of their typical habit of feeding.

FIGURE 4. Scavenging habit of Vespula orbata.

Acknowledgements

The present study was supported by the grant from the Vietnam Academy of Science and Technology (QTPL 01.02/19-20) and the grant from the Science and Technology of Hanoi Pedagogical University 2 (C.2018-18-09).

References

Archer, M.E. (2012) Vespine Wasps of the World: Behaviour, Ecology & Taxonomy of the Vespinae. Monograph Series 4. SIRI Scientific Press, Manchester, 352 pp. Ashmead, W.H. (1902) Classification of the fossorial, predaceous and parasitic wasps, or the superfamily Vespoidea. Canadian Entomologist, 34, 163–166. https://doi.org/10.4039/Ent34163-7 Buysson, R. du (1902) Descriptions de trois gupes nouvelles (Hyménopt.). Bulletin de la Société entomologique de France 1902, 140–141. Daglio, A. (2019) On the Taxonomy and distribution of the subfamily Vespinae. Lambert Academic Publishing, Saarbrücken, 50 pp. Matsuura, M. & Yamane, Sk. (1990) Biology of the Vespine wasps. Springer Verlag, Berlin, New York, 323 pp.

284 · Zootaxa 4691 (3) © 2019 Magnolia Press NGUYEN ET AL. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-642-75230-8 Nguyen, L.T.P. & Carpenter, J.M. (2002) Vespidae of Vietnam (Insecta: Hymenoptera) (1). Vespinae. Journal of the New York Entomological Society, 110, 199–211. https://doi.org/10.1664/0028-7199(2002)110[0199:VOVIHV]2.0.CO;2 Nguyen, L.T.P., Saito, F., Kojima, J. & Carpenter, J.M. (2006) Vespidae of Vietnam (Insecta: Hymenoptera) 2. Taxonomic notes on Vespinae. Zoological Science, 23, 95–104. https://doi.org/10.2108/zsj.23.95 Nguyen, L.T.P. & Kojima, J. (2013) Distribution of social wasps in Vietnam (Hymenoptera; Vespidae). Tap Chi Sinh Hoc, 35 (3), 16–25. https://doi.org/10.15625/0866-7160/v35n3se.3832 Panzer, G.W.F. (1799) Faunae insectorum Germanicae initia oder Deutschlands Insekten. Sechster Jahrgang. Felsecker, Nürn- berg, LXI–LXXII Heft. XIV pp., 288 pls. Radoszkowski, M.O. (1887) Hyménoptères de Korée. Horae Societatis Entomologicae Rossicae, 21, 428–436. Horne, C. & Smith, F. (1870) Notes on the habits of some hymenopterous insects from the north-west provinces of India. With an appendix, containing descriptions of some new species of Apidae and Vespidae collected by Mr. Horne: by Frederick Smith, of the British Museum. Transactions of the Zoological Society of London, 7, 161–196, pls. 19–22. https://doi.org/10.5962/bhl.title.56718 Thomson, C.G. (1869) Öfversigt af Sveriges Vespariae. Opuscula Entomologica, 1, 78–82. https://doi.org/10.5962/bhl.title.8248 Yamane, Sk., Wagner, R.E. & Yamane, S. (1980) A tentative revision of the subgenus Paravespula of eastern Asia (Hymenop- tera: Vespidae). Insecta Matsumurana, New Series, 19, 1–46.

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