Tachysphex actites Pulawski ex Krombein & Pulawski 1994

Tachysphex actites Pulawski

NAME DERIVATION.—Aktites (here spelled actites) is a Greek word meaning shore or coast dweller, with reference to the habitat where the type series was collected.

DIAGNOSIS.—Tachysphex actites has a unique combination of setal patterns on the scutum and propodeal dorsum: most scutal setae are oriented posterad, but the midscutal setae are contrastingly oriented posterolaterad (as in Figure 109); on the propodeal dorsum, the median setae are oriented anterolaterad, whereas the lateral setae are oriented posterad (and join apicomesally in some specimens). In the other Tachysphex, no more than one of these patterns is present. The female has an unusually short foretarsal rake (Figure 188): apical spines of basitarsus 1.0–1.2 × apical width of basitarsus, shorter than tarsomere II. In the other species, including the Moroccan brevipecten de Beaumont (in which the rake is shortened), the apical spines are at least 1.6 × width of basitarsus and at least as long as foretarsomere II.

DESCRIPTION.—Scutal punctures well defined, some of them less than one diameter apart while others up to about two diameters apart. Mesopleural punctures well defined, less than one diameter apart anteriorly and more than that posteriorly. Episternal sulcus effaced or evanescent anteroventrally. Propodeal dorsum rugose, with short ridges basally in many specimens; side ridged. Hindcoxal dorsum: inner margin carinate basally, carina not expanded. Apical tarsomeres without spines on venter or lateral margins.

Setae of vertex, scutum, and midfemoral venter suberect, less than one midocellar diameter long; those adjacent to hypostomal carina suberect, about one midocellar diameter long; not obscuring integument on mesopleuron; most scutal setae oriented posterad, but midscutal setae contrastingly oriented posterolaterad of each side of midline; on propodeal dorsum, median setae oriented anterolaterad, lateral setae oriented posterad (joining apicomesally in some specimens).

Body black, mandible at most dark reddish mesally. Frontal vestiture silvery. Terga I–IV (I–III in many females) silvery fasciate apically. Wings slightly infumate, veins dark brown.

.—Clypeus (Figure 185): bevel shorter than basomedian area; lip arcuate, with two lateral incisions on each side, with rudimentary median notch in some specimens. Vertex width 1.1–1.3 × length. Dorsal length of flagellomere I 1.4 × apical width. Outer surface of foretibia with a few thin, inconspicuous bristles. Forebasitarsus with seven or eight rake spines (Figure 188); two apical spines 1.0–1.2 × basitarsus width, not exceeding apex of tarsomere II. Pygidial plate punctate, unsculptured between punctures. Length 7.0–8.0 mm.

.—Inner mandibular margin with tooth. Clypeus (Figure 186) with constriction between lip and bevel; bevel inconspicuous, nearly linear; lip markedly sinuate, with angulate corner; distance between corners 0.9 × distance between corner and orbit. Vertex width 1.1–1.3 × length. Dorsal length of flagellomere I about 1.25 × apical width, equal to 0.65–0.7 of II. Forefemoral notch moderately large, with finely setose bottom. Outer margin of forebasitarsus with no preapical spines. Venter of tarsomeres V without spines. Sterna densely, evenly punctate and setose. Volsella: Figure 187. Length 5.2–6.8 mm.

GEOGRAPHIC DISTRIBUTION.—Known from only one locality in Thailand.

RECORDS.—Holotype: , Thailand: RAYONG PROVINCE: Ko Samet Island, 5–7 May 1989, W.J. Pulawski (CAS).

Paratypes: Same data as holotype (1, 1, BMNH; 24, 18, CAS; 1, 1, USNM).