Bio Bulletin 2(1): 128-136(2016) (Published by Research Trend, Website: www.biobulletin.com) ISSN NO. (Print): 2454-7913 ISSN NO. (Online): 2454-7921 Study of Paper wasps (Hymenoptera: Vespidae: Polistinae) of Bhutan Phurpa Dorji *, Wim Klein ** and Tshering Nidup * *School of Life Sciences, Sherubtse College, Royal University of Bhutan, Bhutan ** Honorary Research Associate, Naturalis Biodiversity Centre, 2300 RA Leiden, Netherlands (Corresponding author: Phurpa Dorji) (Published by Research Trend, Website: www.biobulletin.com) (Received 10 April 2016; Accepted 17 June 2016) ABSTRACT: A total of nine Polistinae species are documented of which eight are new records for Bhutan. Keywords : Polistinae, paper wasps, Gyrostoma , Polistella , Ropalidia , Bhutan. INTRODUCTION Nguyen & Saito (2007), Kumar & Sharma (2014, 2015), Kumar (2010), Nguyen et al. (2011), Subfamily Polistinae is commonly known as paper Nguyen, Kojima, Saito, & Carpenter (2006), Tan, wasps. Numerous taxonomic work has been done Achterberg, & Chen (2014), Tan, Achterberg, on Polistinae documenting about 221 species Duan & Chen (2014). The specimens were under Polistes genera (Tan, Achterberg, Duan, & deposited in Zoology Museum, Sherubtse College, Chen, 2014) and about 180 species under genus Kanglung, Bhutan. Ropalidia (Kojima, Lambert, Nguyen, & Saito, 2007) worldwide and also in Himalayan region. Taxonomic account However, Polistinae fauna of Bhutan has been Subfamily: Polistinae scarcely studied. Only one species, Polistes Genus: Polistes (Polistella) adustus Bingham 1897 was reported Subgenus: Gyrostoma & Polistella (Nguyen, Kojima, & Saito, 2011). In this paper 1. Polistes (Gyrostoma) tenebricosus sulcatus three species from subgenus Gyrostoma , two Smith (Fig. 1) species from subgenus Polistella and four species Diagnosis: Clypeus dorsolaterally extending from genus Ropalidia are documented; of which somewhat far beyond the anterior tentorial pits; eight species are new record for Bhutan. pronotal fovea present; pronotal carina lamellate MATERIAL AND METHODS ventrad to fovea; parastigma (prestigma) of forewing shorter than the ventral margin of Specimens were collected from different Districts pterostigma; metasoma uniformly reddish brown to in Bhutan during the year 2014–2016. Specimens dark brown; malar space of female shorter than were killed with Ethyl Acetate and observed under distance from inner edge of one antennal socket to stereoscopic microscope. Photographs were taken outer edge of other socket; dorsal episternal with Nikon D5100 with attached AF-S Micro Nikkor groove present while epicnemial carina absent; 40 mm macro lens. Measurements were taken Parastigma of fore wing shorter than the ventral with digital Vernier caliper nearest to 0.01 mm. margin of pterostigma. Measurement: ♀: 23.79 – Identifications were based on the keys and 25.7 mm; ♂: 28.77 mm. descriptions provided by Carpenter & Nguyen (2003), Das & Gupta (1989), Kojima, Lambert, Bio Bulletin (2016), Vol. 2(1): 128-136, Dorji, Klein and Nidup 128 Fig.1. Polistes (Gyrostoma) tenebricosus sulcatus: A & B -Dorsal and lateral view of male; C & D -Frontal view of male and female; E & F -Dorsal and lateral view of female. Bio Bulletin (2016), Vol. 2(1): 128-136, Dorji, Klein and Nidup 129 Materials examined: Pam, Tashigang collected by Phurpa Dorji & Wim Klienon (27.31139°N and 91.53694°E, Alt. 987m): 1 ♂ and 27.x.2015 near along the highway; Doksum, 2♀ collected by Phurpa Dorji & Win Klien on Trashi Yangtse (27.4395°Nand 91.5816°E, Alt. 22.x.2015 near the Pam village; Gyelpoishing, 864 m): 2♀ collected by Tshering Nidup & Phurpa Mongar (27.0066°N and 90.14°E, Alt. 565 m): 2 ♀ Dorji on 06.vi.2015 along the highway to Tashi collected by Tshering Nidup, Thinley Gyeltshen & Yangtse; Gyelpoishing, Mongar (27.0066°N and Phurpa Dorji on 17.vi.2015 near Dam area; Pinsa, 90.1400°E, Alt. 565 m): 1 ♀ collected by Tshering Wangdi Phodrang (27.23722°N and 90.05417°E, Nidup, Thinley Gyeltshen & Phurpa Dorji on Alt. 741m): 2 ♀ collected by Tshering Nidup & Wim 17.vi.2015 near Dam area; Ranglung, Tashigang Klien on 08.x.2015 along the highway; Pekashing, (27.5261°N and 89.8727°E, Alt. 893 m): 1 ♀ Chukha (26.83333°N and 89.45°E, Alt. 293 m): 5 ♀ collected by Tshering Nidup, Thinley Gyeltshen & collected by Tshering Nidup & Wim Klien on Phurpa Dorji on 17.vi.2015 near Lungten Zampa 08.x.2015 along the high way to Pasakha; bridge; Highway towards Trongsa (27.44861°N Kanglung, Tashigang (27.28722°N and and 90.45333°E, Alt.2398 m): 1 ♀ collected by 91.52167°E, Alt. 1823m): 2 ♀ collected by B. Sc. Phurpa Dorji & Tshewang Dendup; Bangtar, Life Science I semester students on 24.x.2015 in Samdrup Jongkhar (27.8977°N and 91.6852°E, and around Sherubtse College campus; Nangkor, Alt. 258 m): 1 ♀ collected by Tshering Nidup & Pema Gatshel (27.02111°N and 91.34583°E, Alt. Phurpa Dorji on 19.vii.2015 along the highway to 1434 m): 1 ♀ collected by Tshewang Dendup & Dewathang; Sarpang Tar, Sarpang (26.87056°N Tshering Nidup on 12.vii.2015 near by the village; and 90.265°E, Alt. 331m): 1 ♀ collected by Pangbang, Zhemgang (26.85288°N and Tshering Nidup and Wim Klien on 13.x.2015 in the 90.9739°E, Alt. 222m): 2 ♀ collected by Phurpa town; Tingtibi, Zhemgang (27.1425°N and Dorji, Thinley Gyeltshen & Tshering Nidup on 90.69194°E, Alt. 631m): 1 ♀ collected by Tshering 17.iv.2016 from Andalathang near Drengmey Chu Nidup and Wim Klien on 14.x.2015 in the village; and Mange Chu confluence; Autsho, Lhuentse Chenerey, Tashigang (27.31917°N and (27.43722°N and 91.17389°E, Alt. 863 m): 1 ♀ 91.33214°E, Alt. 758 m): 2 ♀ collected by Phurpa collected by Phurpa Dorji, Kinzang Chophel & Dorji, Thinley Gyeltshen & Tshering Nidup on Thinley Gyeltshen on 08.v.2016 near the river 10.iv.2016 from river bank; Autsho, Lhuentse bank. (27.43722°N and 91.17389°E, Alt. 863 m): 2 ♀ Distribution: Bhutan (Tashigang, Mongar, collected by Phurpa Dorji, Kinzang Chophel & Wangdi Phodrang, Chukha, Pema Gatshel, Thinley Gyeltshen on 08.v.2016 from river bank; Zhemgang, Lhuentse); China, India, Nepal, Gyelpoishing, Mongar (27.0066°N and 90.1400°E, Vietnam, Myanmar, Indonesia, Philippines (Das & Alt. 565 m): 1 ♀ collected by Phurpa Dorji, Kinzang Gupta, 1983; Tan, Achterberg, Duan, et al., 2014) Chophel & Thinley Gyeltshen on 08.v.2016 from Remarks: New record for Bhutan. Dam area; Fawan, Lhuentse (27.48556°N and 91.18278°E, Alt. 953 m): 2 ♀ collected by Phurpa 2. Polistes (Gyrostoma) olivaceus (De Geer, Dorji, Kinzang Chophel & Thinley Gyeltshen on 1773) (Fig. 2: A – D) 08.v.2016 near water fall. Diagnosis: Clypeus latero-dorsally extending Distribution: Bhutan (Punakha, Wangdi somewhat far beyond the anterior tentorial pits; Phodrang, Trashi Yangtse, Mongar, Tashigang, pronotal carina lamellate ventrad to fovea; body Trongsa, Samdrup Jongkhar, Sarpang, generally yellow; dorsal episternal groove and Zhemgang, Lhuentse); Madagascar; Reunion; epicnemial carina both present; mesopleuron Mauritius; Tanzania; Seychelles; Chagos weakly and sparsely punctate medially; body Archipelago; Egypt; Oman; Iran; Afghanistan; always with black pattern and at least dorsal India; Sri Lanka; Nepal; Hongkong; Myanmar; sulcus of clypeus black. Measurement: ♀: 18.16 - Pjilippines; Vietnam; Laos; Cambodia; Thailand; 21.35 mm Malaysia; Singapore; Indonesia; Marianas; New Materials examined: Aman Resort, Punakha Caledonia; Fiji; Tonga; Samoa; Society Is; (27.6325°Nand 89.8152°E, Alt. 1254 m): 1 ♀ Tuamotu; Marquesas. (Carpenter, 1996; Das & collected by Tshering Nidup, Thinley Gyeltshen & Gupta, 1983) Phurpa Dorji on 15.v.2015 near along the Phochu Remarks: New record for Bhutan bank; Bajo Thango, Wangdi Phodrang (27.51528°N and 89.88722°E, Alt. 1218m): 2 ♀ Bio Bulletin (2016), Vol. 2(1): 128-136, Dorji, Klein and Nidup 130 Fig. 2. Polistes (Gyrostoma) olivaceus (light form): A & B - Lateral and frontal view; Polistes (Gyrostoma) olivaceus (Dark form): C & D - Lateral and Frontal view; Polistes (Gyrostoma) rothneyi : E & F - Lateral and frontal view. Bio Bulletin (2016), Vol. 2(1): 128-136, Dorji, Klein and Nidup 131 3. Polistes (Gyrostoma) rothneyi sikkimensis Distribution: Bhutan (Bumthang, Tashigang, van der Vecht (Fig. 2: E & F) Chukha, Thimphu, Tsirang); India; Nepal; China Diagnosis: Clypeus latero-dorsally extending (Das & Gupta, 1989; Nguyen et al., 2011) somewhat far beyond the anterior tentorial pits; 5. Polistes (Polistella) santoshae Das & Gupta pronotal carina lamellate ventrad to fovea; body 1989 (Fig. 3: C & D) black or dark brown with yellow pattern; Diagnosis: Gaster black with reddish-brown or mesopleuron strongly and densely punctate red bands; scutellum more or less raised, elevated medially; yellow apical part of first tergite parallel- from the level of mesoscutum; second gastral sided laterally; occipital carina in female complete, sternite angular at base, propodeum with sharp reaching the base of mandible. Measurement: lateral edges; propodeum shiny and with sharp ♀:16.5 – 22.2 mm. striations; postscutellum with a carina at base; Materials examined: Khaling, Tashigang Female second gastral tergite with a broad apical (27.2058°N and 91.6033°E, Alt. 2073 m): 1 ♀ band having a median incision. Measurement: ♀: collected by Tshering Nidup & Phurpa Dorji on 12.8 – 13 mm; ♂: 11.72 – 12.76 mm. 01.x.2015 in the village above the Khaling town; Materials examined : Kapatapsa, Wangdi Aman Resort, Punakha (27.6325°N and Phodrang (27.71083°N and 89.765°E, Alt. 1476 89.8152°E, Alt. 1254 m): 1 ♀ collected by Tshering m): 1 ♀ collected by Wim Klein & Phurpa Dorji on Nidup, Thinley Gyeltshen & Phurpa Dorji on 26.x.2015 around the village; Sithikhet & 15.v.2015 near along the Phochu bank; Autsho, Ninzoegang, Tsirang (27.00667°N and 90.14°E, Lhuentse (27.43722°N and 91.17389°E, Alt. 863 Alt. 1256 m): 1 ♀ collected by Tshering Nidup & m): 1 ♀ collected by Phurpa Dorji, Kinzang Wim Klien on 12.x.2015 along the farm road; Bajo Chophel & Thinley Gyeltshen on 08.v.2016 from Thango, Wangdi Phodrang (27.51528°N and river bank.