The pollen wasps (Hymenoptera: Vespidae: Masarinae) in Central Asia. Contribution II. Genus Celonites Latreille, 1802

Abstract

The present contribution continues the revision of the subfamily Masarinae in Central Asia and deals with the genus Celonites Latreille, 1802. This genus includes 14 species: C. biinterruptus Kostylev, 1940, C. crenulatus Morawitz, 1888, C. foveolatus Kostylev, 1935, C. hystrix Kostylev, 1940, C. kozlovi Kostylev, 1935, C. kurzenkoi Mauss, Fateryga & Carpenter, 2026, C. maussi Fateryga, sp. nov., C. mediasiaticus Fateryga, sp. nov., C. modestus Kostylev, 1935, C. montanus Mocsáry, 1906, C. octoannulatus (Kuznetzov, 1923), C. osseus Morawitz, 1888, C. sibiricus Gusenleitner, 2007, and C. tristiculus Kostylev, 1935.

Celonites hystrix is reported from Uzbekistan for the first time; C. octoannulatus is reported from Kyrgyzstan for the first time but the identification of the specimens from this country requires further confirmation. An identification key and maps detailing the geographic distribution of all species in Central Asia are presented. Male genitalia and sternum VII+VIII are illustrated for all species (except C. modestus, for which the male is unknown).

Taking into account the previously revised genera Masaris Fabricius, 1793 and Quartinia André, 1884, there are three genera and 28 species of pollen wasps in Central Asia; 25 of them are endemic to this region. The largest number of species of pollen wasps among Central Asian countries is known from Kazakhstan (12); there are 11 species in Uzbekistan, 10 species in Tajikistan, nine species in Turkmenistan, five species in Kyrgyzstan, three species in Mongolia, and just one species known from China (Gansu).

The biology of the Central Asian species of Masarinae is poorly investigated; nesting is completely unknown for any species occurring there. Any data on trophic relationships are known for 16 species, while just five of them are with rather well-studied flower-visiting behavior and forage preferences.