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RESEARCH PRODUCT

A New Species of Palarus Latreille from Spain with a Comparative Study on Nesting Behavior and Larvae in the Genus (Hymenoptera: Sphecidae)

subject

description

Palarus almerienis n. sp. is described from Spain (including imago, larva, and nesting habits). P. confusus Turner, currently considered a subspecies of P. ambustus Klug, is raised to full species status. The most important differences among the three species involve sculpture of the mesopleuron. The geographical distribution of these three taxa is discussed. Females of P. almeriensis excavate unicellular nests and capture not only Hymenoptera (the usual prey of the genus), but also Diptera (Stratiomyiidae). They make temporary closures and store the prey in the gallery before transferring it to the cell, which they dig during provisioning. Several species of Diptera (Miltogramminae) are natural enemies of P. almeriensis and P. variegatus . The mature larva of P. variegatus (F.) is redescribed and additional information on nesting habits of this species is provided. Mature larvae of Palarus differ from remaining Larrinae in possessing bidentate mandibles, an elongated head, and lack digitiform lobes on the prothorax.