Cecilia Waichert

Eocene and not Cretaceous Origin of Spider Wasps: Fossil Evidence from Amber

Spider wasps had long been proposed to originate in the Late Cretaceous based on the Burmese amber fossil Bryopompilus interfector. We performed a morphological examination of this fossil and determined that it does not belong to Pompilidae or any other described hymenopteran family. Instead, we place it in the new family Bryopompilidae. The oldest verifiable member of the Pompilidae is from Baltic amber, which suggests that the crown group of the family probably originated in the Eocene, not in the Late Cretaceous as previously proposed. The origin of spider wasps appears to be correlated with an increase in spider familial diversity in the Cenozoic. We also add two genera to the extinct pompilid fauna: Tainopompilus Rodriguez and Pitts gen. nov. and Paleogenia Waichert and Pitts gen. nov., and describe three new species of fossil spider wasps: Anoplius planeta Rodriguez and Pitts sp. nov., from Dominican amber (Burdigalian to Langhian); Paleogenia wahisi Waichert and Pitts sp. nov., from Baltic amber (Lutetian to Priabonian); and Tainopompilus argentum Rodriguez and Pitts sp. nov., from Dominican amber (Chattian to Langhian).

The Geological Record and Phylogeny of Spider Wasps (Hymenoptera: Pompilidae): A Revision of Fossil Species and Their Phylogenetic Placement

Accurate fossil identification has become increasingly relevant with the widespread use of phylogenetic divergence time estimation methods, which rely on fossil data to determine clade hard-minimum ages. Here we revise, diagnose and illustrate known spider wasp (Hymenoptera: Pompilidae) fossil species and place them within the latest Pompilidae phylogenetic hypothesis. Ceropalites infelix Cockerell, from the Florissant Fossil Beds (Priabonian), is no longer recognized as Pompilidae, but as Aulacidae. Agenioideus saxigenus (Cockerell) comb. nov., Deuteragenia wettweri (Statz) comb. nov., Caputelus scudderi (Cockerell, 1906) comb. nov., Pepsinites avitula (Cockerell, 1941) comb. nov., Pepsinites contentus (Theobald, 1937) comb. nov., Pepsinites florissantensis (Cockerell, 1906) comb. nov., Pepsinites laminarum (Rohwer, 1909) comb. nov., Pepsinites scelerosus (Meunier, 1919) comb. nov., Pepsinites cockerellae (Rohwer, 1909) comb. nov., Pompilinites coquandi (Theobald, 1937) comb. nov., Pompilinites depressus (Statz, 1936) comb. nov., Pompilites incertus (Theobald, 1937) comb. nov., Pompilites induratus (Heer, 1849) comb. nov., Pompilites fasciatus (Theobald, 1937) comb. nov., and Pompilites senex comb. nov. are new combinations. Twenty-three fossil species of spider wasps are now recognized in 13 genera. Four new genera are proposed: Caputelus Waichert & Pitts gen. nov., Pompilites Rodriguez gen. nov., Pompilinites Rodriguez & Waichert gen. nov., and Pepsinites Rodriguez & Waichert gen. nov., of which the three latter are collective-group names for fossils with taxonomic uncertainty. One species of fossil spider wasp is described: Deuteragenia catalunyia Rodriguez, Waichert & Pitts sp. nov., from the Bellver deposits in Catalonia, Spain. Five of the 23 known species can be used to determine hard-minimum age for calibrations of genera stem-groups (Agenioideus, Anoplius, Cryptocheilus, Deuteragenia, Priocnemis). The fossil belonging to the stem-group of the tribe Ageniellini (Chubutholites) is not recommended for calibration because of the high uncertainty in its age and taxonomy. The remaining taxa can be assigned to the lineage comprising Pompilinae + Pepsinae (12 species) or crown-group Pompilidae (four species).

Resurrection, revision and molecular phylogenetics of Eragenia Banks with implications for Ageniellini systematics (Hymenoptera: Pompilidae)

Priocnemella Banks is a small Neotropical genus within Ageniellini with remarkable morphological variation between species. Some species are small and variable in colour, whereas others are large with black integument and yellow wings. We conducted a phylogenetic analysis of Priocnemella based on the mitochondrial gene cytochrome oxidase I and the nuclear marker long‐wavelength rhodopsin. Our results indicated that Priocnemella is a paraphyletic genus. Based on molecular phylogenetic analyses, we discuss the taxonomic validity of Priocnemella, its implications and a new circumscription of genera of Ageniellini. Eragenia Banks is revalidated (stat. rev.) and applied to 16 species, eight of which are newly described: Eragenia bella Waichert & Pitts sp.n., E. carinata Waichert & Pitts sp.n., E. dentata Waichert & Pitts sp.n., E. oliva Waichert & Pitts sp.n., E. pseudomicans Waichert & Pitts sp.n., E. setosa Waichert & Pitts sp.n., E. rotunda Waichert & Pitts sp.n., E. villosa Waichert & Pitts sp.n., E. abdominalis (Smith), E. amabilis (Taschenberg), E. aureicornis (Smith), E. coerulipes (Smith), E. congrua (Fox), E. isolata (Banks), E. micans (Fabricius), and E. tabascoensis (Cameron). Priocnemella fairchildi (Banks), P. insignis (Banks), P. eurytheme Banks, P. hexagona (Fox) and P. hexagona omissa Banks maintain their generic status. Phanochilus Banks is considered a junior synonym of Priocnemella and the following species are newly placed within Priocnemella: P. fuscomarginata (Fox), P. gloriosa (Smith), P. nobilitata (Smith) and P. ornata (Banks). The following nomenclatural changes are proposed: Priocnemella rufothorax (Banks) is synonymized under Eragenia micans (Fabricius) (syn. n.); Priocnemella delila (Banks), Priocnemella bequaerti (Banks) and Priocnemella infelix (Banks) are junior synonyms of Eragenia aureicornis (Smith) (syn.n.) (comb.n). New combinations are proposed for Eragenia aureicornis (Smith) comb.n., Eragenia abdominalis (Smith) comb.n. and Eragenia coerulipes (Smith) comb.n. from Agenia; and Eragenia congrua (Fox) comb.n. from Salius. A neotype is designated for E. coerulipes and for E. tabascoensis. Divergence dates between species of Eragenia, ancestral areas and pattern of dispersal that shaped the current geographic distribution are discussed. The genus is about 9.8 Ma old, originating in Mesoamerica during the Miocene. Finally, newly described male genitalic characters are discussed and illustrated, and illustrated keys for males and females species of Eragenia are provided.

New records of spider wasps (Hymenoptera, Pompilidae) from Colombia.

Abstract New records of genera and species of spider wasps (Hymenoptera: Pompilidae) from Colombia are provided. Agenioideus, Cryptocheilus, Evagetes, Mystacagenia, and Xerochares are newly recorded genera from Colombia. Nineteen species are first recorded from Colombia: Aimatocare vitrea (Fox); Ageniella azteca (Cameron); Ageniella curtipinus (Cameron); Ageniella fallax (Arlé); Ageniella hirsuta Banks; Ageniella pilifrons (Cameron); Ageniella pretiosa Banks; Ageniella sanguinolenta (Smith); Ageniella zeteki (Banks); Agenioideus birkmanni (Banks); Aporus (Aporus) cuzco Evans; Aporus (Cosmiaporus) diverticulus (Fox); Aporus (Notoplaniceps) canescens Smith; Euplaniceps exilis (Banks); Euplaniceps herbertii (Fox); Irenangelus clarus Evans; Mystacagenia bellula Evans; Phanochilus nobilitatus (Smith) and Xerochares expulsus Schulz. The following species and genera have their occurence ranges expanded for South America: Ageniella azteca (Cameron); Ageniella zeteki (Banks); Agenioideus birkmanni (Banks); and Xerochares expulsus Schulz; Cryptocheilus Panzer; and Xerochares Evans.

Two new species of Abernessia Arlé (Pompilidae, Ctenocerinae)

Abstract Two new species are added to the rare pompilid genus Abernessia Arlé. Abernessia capixaba sp. n. and A. giga sp. n. are described and illustrated. This is the first record of the genus from the states of Espírito Santo and Minas Gerais, Brazil. The genus now contains four species. A brief discussion of generic characters, illustrations, and a key to the known species of Abernessia are provided.

Observations on the nesting behaviour of the spider wasp Eragenia congrua (Hymenoptera: Pompilidae), with the first record of the host

We describe, for the first time, the nesting behaviour of an Eragenia spider wasp, Eragenia congrua, based on field observations in the Brazilian Amazon. This species was observed nesting in holes at the base of the trunk of a Jacaranda copaia tree and provisioning nests with both amputated and non-amputated species of undetermined Corinna sp. (Corinnidae) spiders. The spiders are carried forward and grasped at the base of the chelicerae. Nesting is gregarious with females nesting in the same small area on successive days.

More new records of spider wasps from Colombia (Hymenoptera, Pompilidae)

Abstract Aporinellus Banks, Austrochares Banks and Dicranoplius Haupt are new generic records for Colombia, as well as the species Dipogon ariel Banks, Evagetes peruana Banks, and Euplaniceps notabilis (Smith). Five new combinations are formally endorsed: Aimatocare argentinica (Banks), comb. n.; Aimatocare longula (Banks), comb. n.; Aimatocare imitator (Evans), comb. n.; Aimatocare impensa (Evans), comb. n.; Aimatocare vitrea (Fox), comb. n. Although these names have been used in Pompilidae, no formal nomenclatural act had been proposed. The presence of Chirodamus paramicola Roig-Alsina, previously reported with uncertainty, is confirmed. Finally, a new combination for Euplaniceps notabilis (Smith), comb. n. is proposed based on molecular phylogenetics and morphological data. The Colombian fauna of Pompilidae sums up to 38 genera and approximately 150 species.

Range extension of Plumarius brasiliensis Penteado-Dias and Scatolini, 2003 (Hymenoptera: Plumariidae) in Northeastern Brazil

Plumarius brasiliensis is only known from the type locality, the State of Rio Grande do Norte, Brazil. We expand its distribution 1,193 km south of the type locality, in the states of Bahia and Ceara, Brazil. This species is possibly restricted to the dry areas of Northeastern Brazil.

Addition to the Distributional Record of Ageniella (Neotumagenia) amazonica Fernández, 1998 (Hymenoptera: Pompilidae) and Establishment of a Neotype

Ageniella is a diverse and poorly studied genus in Ageniellini (Pompilidae: Pepsinae). It is composed of nine subgenera with four being endemic to the Neotropical region. Herein, the second record in the literature for the subgenus Neotumagenia is documented, the distribution range is extended, and a neotype is established. This is the first record of this subgenus in Brazil.