A. V. Antropov

The wasps, bees and ants (Insecta: Vespida=Hymenoptera) from the Insect Limestone (Late Eocene) of the Isle of Wight, UK

The types and undescribed material of the hymenopteran fossils of the Insect Bed of the Bembridge Marls from the Isle of Wight (UK) are critically revised and studied. A total of 1460 fossils are recorded and attributed to 20 families: Gasteruptiidae s.l. (1); Proctotrupidae (3); Diapriidae (24); Cynipidae (7); Figitidae (6); Pteromalidae (1); Agaonidae (3); Scelionidae (12); Platygastridae (2); Ichneumonidae (32); Braconidae (75); Bethylidae (3); Crabronidae (2); Sphecidae (1); Apidae (2); Scoliidae (1); Tiphiidae (2); Vespidae (4); and Formicidae (1220). Described as new are 51 species, 13 genera, two tribes and two subfamilies. Minimum number of species recorded (either as described species or representing higher taxa with no described species in the assemblage) is 118. The composition of the hymenopteran assemblage is most similar to that of Baltic amber and indicative of a well forested territory, as well as of a humid, equable (aseasonal but not very hot) climate, more typically equable than in the Baltic amber source area, judging from the absence of Aphidiinae and scarcity of aphids.

Rovnoecus, a new genus of digger wasps (Hymenoptera, Crabronidae, Pemphredoninae) from the Rovno amber

A new fossil digger wasp Rovnoecus klesovicus gen. et sp. nov. (Hymenoptera, Crabronidae, Pemphredoninae, Pemphredonini) is described from the Upper Eocene Rovno amber. The genus Rovnoecus gen. nov. is characterized by an incomplete occipital carina, partly reduced second discoidal cell, and the presence of spines on all tibiae. Rovnoecus gen. nov. is most similar to the fossil genus Eoxyloecus Budrys, 1993 from the Baltic amber. The two genera form a monophyletic group that is a sister group to the group formed by the genera Passaloecus Shuckard, 1837 and Eopinoecus Budrys, 1993. This indirectly corroborates the hypothesis of the geographically different origin of the Rovno and Baltic ambers.

A catalogue of the Chrysididae (Insecta, Hymenoptera) types deposited in the Zoological Museum, Moscow Lomonosov State University, Russia.

A critical and annotated catalogue of 52 types of Chrysididae belonging to 32 species deposited in the Zoological Museum of Moscow Lomonosov State University is given. The lectotypes of Chrysis sabulosa Radoszkowski, 1877 and Ellampus (Philoctetes) fedtschenkoi Semenov, 1932 are designated. New synonyms are proposed for (valid name first): Omalus imbecillus (Mocsáry, 1889) = Ellampus kozhevnikovi Semenov, 1932, syn. nov., and Chrysis speciosa Radoszkowski, 1877 = C. fulvicornis Mocsáry, 1889, syn. nov. The status of Hedychridium erschovi (Radoszkowski, 1877), stat. resurr. is revalidated.

A new tribe of fossil digger wasps (Insecta: Hymenoptera, Crabronidae) from the Rovno amber, Eocene of Ukraine

A new tribe of digger wasps, Protomicroidini trib. nov. (Hymenoptera, Crabronidae), including a single known species Protomicroides sororius gen. et sp. nov. is described from the Upper Eocene Rovno amber, Ukraine. The new tribe combines features characteristic of several tribes of the Crabroninae and is a sister group of the extant tribe Oxybelini. The most distinctive characters of the new tribe include nonelongate propodeum with strongly developed lateral keel and enclosed dorsal area; semioval postscutellum with a lamellate border; absence of pygidial plate, psammophores, and digging tarsal rakes; and considerably reduced forewing venation.

Ammostigmus, a new genus of digger wasps of the subtribe Ammoplanina (Hymenoptera, Crabronidae) from southwestern India

A new pemphredonine genus, Ammostigmus (Hymenoptera, Crabronidae), is described from southwestern India. The new genus differs from the other genera of the subtribe Ammoplanina in the quadridentate apical margin of the clypeus, non-bilobed labrum, the presence of postspiracular carina and omaulus, and the absence of episternal sulcus. Phylogenetically the new genus is most closely related to the genus Protostigmus Turner, 1918.

A new genus of fossil digger wasps (Insecta: Hymenoptera, Crabronidae) from the Upper Eocene of Florissant, USA

A new digger wasp, Florimena impressa gen. et sp. nov. (Hymenoptera: Crabronidae, Pemphredoninae), from the Upper Eocene shales of Florissant (Colorado, United States) is described. It is distinguished from all known members of the subtribe Spilomenina by the convex frons and in regularly rounded propodeum without a distinct bend between the upper and posterior sides.

On the taxonomic state of a digger wasp of the tribe Crabronini (Hymenoptera, Crabronidae, Crabroninae) from the Dominican amber

Abstract“Lindenius paleomystax” described from the Miocene Dominican amber has been included into a separate digger wasp genus, Lindocerus gen. nov. (Crabronidae, Crabroninae, Crabronini), which is similar to the genus Crossocerus Lepeletier de Saint Fargeau et Brullé, 1835, but differs in the well-pronounced hypersternaulus.

Worker ants of Myrmica rubra(Hymenoptera, Formicidae) as an unusual prey of the digger wasp Crossocerus vagabundus (Hymenoptera, Crabronidae)

The digger wasp Crossocerus vagabundus (Panzer, 1798) (Hymenoptera, Crabronidae, Crabronini) hunting for workers of Myrmica rubra (Linnaeus, 1758) was recorded for the first time. Various dipterans, mostly crane flies (Tipulidae), were the only known prey for this species. The modes of wasp hunting for worker ants are described. The reasons for unusual choice of prey are discussed.

On the taxonomy of South African digger wasps of the tribe Oxybelini (Hymenoptera, Crabronidae)

Three South African species of digger wasps of the tribe Oxybelini, initially described in the genus Belomicrus A. Costa, B. (Nototis) bicornutus Arnold, B. (Nototis) crassus Arnold, and B. ferrieri Kohl, are considered to be members of the separate genera Nototis Arnold, 1927, Belarnoldus gen. n., and Belokohlus gen. n., respectively. The new species Nototis falcidens and the previously unknown male of N. bicornutus and female of B. crassus are described. The lectotype of B. ferrieri is designated.

A new species of digger wasps of the genus Belomicroides (Hymenoptera, Crabronidae, Oxybelini) from North Africa

The new species of digger wasps, Belomicroides rufus, is described from North Africa. The new species differs from the all members of the Belomicroides schmiedeknechtii species-group in the pale coloration and dense pubescence of the body.