Identification of Hymenoptera (wasps, bees, ants)

After https://doi.org/10.3897/zookeys.713.11335 I got lost in the pages.
For data on distribution in Russia, see https://www.zin.ru/journals/trudyzin/doc/vo...lskij-Lelej.pdf

Dear colleagues, please help us deal with this type of wasp as well.
By all indications, this is Polistes albellus. But both specimens (male and female) were caught on 30.08.2018 in the vicinity of the same village in the Buraevsky district of Bashkiria.
However, some experts believe that this species does not exist in Russia. Over the past 40 years, the concept of wasps (I mean Hymenoptera, vol. 3., 1978) has changed so much that you will not find the ends.
The collection was carried out in an open area bordering a broad-leaved forest.

I wonder by what "all signs" did you attribute this to Polistes albellus?
This species is quite widely represented in Russia, but it often appeared and still appears under the names P. biglumis or P. bischoffi, which are found mainly in the eastern Caucasus.
P. S. By the way, in your pictures I could only see the male P. nimpha.

"I wonder by what 'all signs' did you attribute this to Polistes albellus?
This species is quite widely represented in Russia, but it often appeared and still appears under the names P. biglumis or P. bischoffi, which we have mainly found in the eastern Caucasus.
P. S. By the way, in your pictures I could only see the male P. nimpha."

Sorry for the low-quality photos, which, indeed, do not show much. I post already high-quality ones that my colleague reshot for me.
As for the signs. Because I'm a complete layman in entomology, then do not judge strictly. Yes, and where is the mind to gain, if not among professionals. So.
As far as I know (if it hasn't been revised yet), the shape of the temples, at least in Polistes, is of diagnostic significance. If the male has P. they are narrowed, then, then it is not nimpha and not biglumis.
2) Since the whiskers are darkened to their full length, then, within the framework of my meager knowledge, I thought - is it Polistes albellus? I don't know who else to think about; I don't have enough knowledge.
Once again, I apologize if I annoy anyone with my dilettantism. I attach photos of two males (numbered 1 and 2) and a female.
I am extremely grateful for your help.

Pictures:

P._albellus_1_______________________30.08.2019.jpg — (670.13к)


P._albellus_2_______________________30.08.2019.jpg — (686.35к)


P._albellus_____________________30.08.2019.jpg — (641.55к)

"I wonder by what 'all signs' did you attribute this to Polistes albellus?
This species is quite widely represented in Russia, but it often appeared and still appears under the names P. biglumis or P. bischoffi, which we have mainly found in the eastern Caucasus.
P. S. By the way, in your pictures I could only see the male P. nimpha."

Sorry for the low-quality photos, which, indeed, do not show much. I post already high-quality ones that my colleague reshot for me.
As for the signs. Because I'm a complete layman in entomology, then do not judge strictly. Yes, and where is the mind to gain, if not among professionals. So.
As far as I know (if it hasn't been revised yet), the shape of the temples, at least in Polistes, is of diagnostic significance. If the male has P. they are narrowed, then, then it is not nimpha and not biglumis.
2) Since the whiskers are darkened to their full length, then, within the framework of my meager knowledge, I thought - is it Polistes albellus? I don't know who else to think about; I don't have enough knowledge.
Once again, I apologize if I annoy anyone with my dilettantism. I attach photos of two males (numbered 1 and 2) and a female.
I am extremely grateful for your help.

Well, from these pictures, you can already say that you were right - this is Polistes albellus.

Dear colleagues, please allow me to use your help again! From the same area where P. albellus individuals were captured (Bashkiria, Buraevsky district, Novobikmetovo village), and this wasp. I identified it as P. biglumis.
Displays the progress of the search for belonging to the type.
1) Female.
2) Mandibles without a roller; so not parasites.
3) There are no stripes on the sides; it means albellus or biglumis.
4) I couldn't see the scar on the mesopleura very well; it seems to be there, but it doesn't seem to be there.
5) But the entire length of the sawyere is not darkened.
While filming, the mustache (9112) fell off. Please help me figure it out.

Pictures:

9086__Biglumis__________________.jpg — (290.65к)


9082__Biglumis_____________________.jpg — (151.27к)


9091__Biglumis____________________.jpg — (300.54к)


9096__Biglumis_____________________.jpg — (139.38к)


9101__Biglumis__________________.jpg — (297.53к)


9102__Biglumis__________________.jpg — (276.09к)


9108__Biglumis___________________.jpg — (327.76к)


9112_Biglumis_________________.jpg — (18.26к)

Dear colleagues, please allow me to use your help again! From the same area where P. albellus individuals were captured (Bashkiria, Buraevsky district, Novobikmetovo village), and this wasp. I identified it as P. biglumis.
Displays the progress of the search for belonging to the type.
1) Female.
2) Mandibles without a roller; so not parasites.
3) There are no stripes on the sides; it means albellus or biglumis.
4) I couldn't see the scar on the mesopleura very well; it seems to be there, but it doesn't seem to be there.
5) But the entire length of the sawyere is not darkened.
While filming, the mustache (9112) fell off. Please help me figure it out.

First, it is the male (antennae of 13 segments, abdomen of 7 segments).
Secondly, it is Polistes albellus (the male P. biglumis has a different shape of the platypus and strongly convex temples behind the eyes).

First, it is the male (antennae of 13 segments, abdomen of 7 segments).
Secondly, it is Polistes albellus (the male P. biglumis has a different shape of the platypus and strongly convex temples behind the eyes).

Thank you very much! That's what it means to be an amateur; you can't tell the difference between a male and a female! I saw 7 tergites; but I was confused by 6 sternites. In bumblebees, it happens that when you look from the top of the abdomen, the last sternite is visible. And this is a diagnostic sign. So I thought that if there are 6 sternites, then there are 6 tergites. It turns out that there may be a difference in their number ...
If this is albellus, then apparently there is more than one family of these wasps; because I collected them on the route, and not on the site. Although in this area there was the largest number of wasps (compared to other regions of Bashkiria - by an order of magnitude), but they did not occur often. In just 6.6 km of travel, I counted 60 os; that is, about a couple at 200 m. However, half of them were in one place (there I found their nests in trees, on the edge of the forest; 2-3 m above the ground). Therefore, it would be more accurate to say that the other wasps met, on average, a couple/ 400-500 m. 14 individuals were captured (1 hornet, 5 albellus, 5 nymphs; one-gallicus or chinensis (I don't know how to distinguish it) ; and the last two wasps have not yet been identified (but not nymphs).

First, it is the male (antennae of 13 segments, abdomen of 7 segments).
Secondly, it is Polistes albellus (the male P. biglumis has a different shape of the platypus and strongly convex temples behind the eyes).

Thank you very much! That's what it means to be an amateur; you can't tell the difference between a male and a female! I saw 7 tergites; but I was confused by 6 sternites. In bumblebees, it happens that when you look from the top of the abdomen, the last sternite is visible. And this is a diagnostic sign. So I thought that if there are 6 sternites, then there are 6 tergites. It turns out that there may be a difference in their number ...
If this is albellus, then apparently there is more than one family of these wasps; because I collected them on the route, and not on the site. Although in this area there was the largest number of wasps (compared to other regions of Bashkiria - by an order of magnitude), but they did not occur often. In just 6.6 km of travel, I counted 60 os; that is, about a couple at 200 m. However, half of them were in one place (there I found their nests in trees, on the edge of the forest; 2-3 m above the ground). Therefore, it would be more accurate to say that the other wasps met, on average, a couple/ 400-500 m. 14 individuals were captured (1 hornet, 5 albellus, 5 nymphs; one-gallicus or chinensis (I don't know how to distinguish it) ; and the last two wasps have not yet been identified (but not nymphs).

Take a closer look - 7 sternites are clearly visible in your images.
Post pictures of those you think are "P. gallicus" and "P. gallicus". chinensis". We'll see, although there are doubts, especially about the latter.
By the way, you can also add P. nimpha, let's see.

Dear mentors, I present to your court another attempt to define Polistes. Here is my reasoning:
1) male;
2) temples narrow, strongly converging;
3) whiskers are not darkened along the entire length.
Galicus or chinensis. How do these types differ? What should I pay attention to?

Pictures:

123841_P._gallicus________2.jpg — (319.67 k)


124154_P._gallicus_______3.jpg — (177.12к)


124805_P._gallicus__________2.jpg — (243.94 k)


124837_P._gallicus______________.jpg — (309.69к)


125133_P._gallicus___.jpg — (291.1к)

Please help me with the definition. Sevastopol, 16.03.2019.

Pictures:

IMG_4879____________.jpg — (332.35к)

Please help me with the definition. Sevastopol, 16.03.2019.

Probably Andrena thoracica.

Dear mentors, I present to your court another attempt to define Polistes. Here is my reasoning:
1) male;
2) temples narrow, strongly converging;
3) whiskers are not darkened along the entire length.
Galicus or chinensis. How do these types differ? What should I pay attention to?

No, this is also a male P. albellus.
By the way, neither P. gallicus nor P. chinensis are found in your area at all.

Krasnodar Region, summer

Pictures:

P7168261.JPG — (293.75к)


P7168264.JPG — (279.6к)

Ciscaucasia, end of September

Pictures:

P9276232.jpg — (293.05к)

Another couple of bumblebees and a bee, Ciscaucasia, at least presumably

Pictures:

P6275237.JPG — (301.73к)


P6275245.JPG — (302.94к)


P6275255.JPG — (291.91к)

No, this is also a male P. albellus.
By the way, neither P. gallicus nor P. chinensis are found in your area at all.

I'm sorry to interrupt. Isn't darkening the mustache a diagnostic sign? Then what should I pay attention to?

I'm sorry to interrupt. Isn't darkening the mustache a diagnostic sign? Then what should I pay attention to?

Yes, this is one of the signs, but only in combination with others. By itself, it varies widely. In this case, the shape of the light stripes on the pronotum is more important. In P. gallicus, the transverse stripe of the pronotum roller is usually ovally expanded on the sides. At the same time, in P. chinensis, the light bands of the ridge and sides of the pronotum are narrow, but almost always connected in the form of a symmetrical Greek letter "pi". In addition, the light pattern of the abdominal segments in both P. gallicus and P. chinensis is significantly more developed.

Krasnodar Region, summer

Very similar to Andrena denticulata (Kirby, 1802).

Dear professionals, please help me deal with this OS. It seems that this is a hybrid of Dominula and Nimpha. Mustache without darkening, and the extreme sternite is black. If it is a nymph, then darkening of the whisker is not a diagnostic sign (even in combination with other signs). In this case, it plays the same role as a person's hair color. Or is it wrong?

Pictures:

9151_________P._dominulla____27.08.2018________.jpg — (318.01к)


9165_______P._dominulla____27.08.2018________.jpg — (298.03к)


9173_______P._dominulla____27.08.2018________.jpg — (289.92к)


9183_____P._dominulla____27.08.2018________.jpg — (288.8к)


9185______________P._dominulla____27.08.2018________.jpg — (291.94к)


9201____________P._dominulla____27.08.2018________.jpg — (296.41к)


9206_________P._dominulla____27.08.2018________.jpg — (307.32к)


9209__________P._dominulla____27.08.2018________.jpg — (306.11к)


171142____________Dominulla_27.08.2018________.jpg — (269.42к)


171204____________Dominulla_27.08.2018________.jpg — (325.99к)


171418_____Dominulla_27.08.2018________.jpg — (285.86к)

Dear professionals, please help me deal with this OS. It seems that this is a hybrid of Dominula and Nimpha. Mustache without darkening, and the extreme sternite is black. If it is a nymph, then darkening of the whisker is not a diagnostic sign (even in combination with other signs). In this case, it plays the same role as a person's hair color. Or is it wrong?

I forgot to specify it. that this specimen was obtained on 27.08.2018 in the village of Yumatovo, Ufa district of Bashkiria.

Dear professionals, please help me deal with this OS. It seems that this is a hybrid of Dominula and Nimpha. Mustache without darkening, and the extreme sternite is black. If it is a nymph, then darkening of the whisker is not a diagnostic sign (even in combination with other signs). In this case, it plays the same role as a person's hair color. Or is it wrong?

My God, what do you do with your phone?
All images show female P. dominula.
By the way, the" extreme " sternite in this specimen has a yellow spot, which is practically not found in P. nimpa. Look at Nos. 9173 and 9183 - it is clearly visible there.
Yes, hybrids of P. dominula and P. nimpa, as in other social wasps, are unknown and, most likely, impossible due to the different precopulatory behavior of males.

Bashkiria. This wasp is from the Ufa region, near the village of Zhukovo.
Captured on 25.08.2018. At first, it was defined by me as a nymph, because the edge of the platypus (with my vision) seems triangular; but the temples (again, in my opinion) are not convex. If the latter is taken as a starting point ,then (since the whiskers are darkened almost along the entire length) - this is again P. albellus. Or is it a nymph?

Pictures:

9216_Albellus____25.08.2018_______.jpg — (304.6к)


9221_Abellus___.jpg — (314.95к)


9222_Albellus____25.08.2018_______.jpg — (320.47к)


9223_Albellus_______25.08.2018_______.jpg — (309.77к)


9226_____Albellus____25.08.2018_______.jpg — (299.94к)


9227__________Albellus____25.08.2018_______.jpg — (296.73к)

Bashkiria. This wasp is from the Ufa region, near the village of Zhukovo.
Captured on 25.08.2018. At first, it was defined by me as a nymph, because the edge of the platypus (with my vision) seems triangular; but the temples (again, in my opinion) are not convex. If the latter is taken as a starting point ,then (since the whiskers are darkened almost along the entire length) - this is again P. albellus. Or is it a nymph?

This is a male P. nimpha:
- rather short (compare with your male P. albellus) platelet with lateral rollers
- deep longitudinal groove on the forehead (roller between the bases of the antennae)
- very LONG LAST segment of antennae
- black last sternite ventricle

My God, what do you do with your phone?
All images show female P. dominula.
By the way, the" extreme " sternite in this specimen has a yellow spot, which is practically not found in P. nimpa. Look at Nos. 9173 and 9183 - it is clearly visible there.
Yes, hybrids of P. dominula and P. nimpa, as in other social wasps, are unknown and, most likely, impossible due to the different precopulatory behavior of males.

I shoot a Nikon-D7100 with a long-focus lens. You can only adjust the sharpness of an object from afar. I take several pictures (from muddy to muddy) with the hope of catching the sharpness. Therefore, what happened is visible only on the computer. Close-up - the result of photographing the phone through binoculars. If we win the auction, I'll order a trinocular microscope or macro lens in a quarter.
Please be patient.

Ciscaucasia, end of September

Female Ammophila [Sphecidae].
It is more difficult to determine the exact species, but judging by the light head hairs and the lack of blue luster on the top of the abdomen, it is most similar to Ammophila campectris.

November (sunny day) Ciscaucasia: 1,2 is one, 3,4 is another

Pictures:

PB146896_1.JPG — (306.69к)


PB146904_2.JPG — (308.25к)


PB146594_3.JPG — (277.99к)


PB146591_4.JPG — (276.92к)

I shoot a Nikon-D7100 with a long-focus lens. You can only adjust the sharpness of an object from afar. I take several pictures (from muddy to muddy) with the hope of catching the sharpness. Therefore, what happened is visible only on the computer. Close-up - the result of photographing the phone through binoculars. If we win the auction, I'll order a trinocular microscope or macro lens in a quarter.
Please be patient.

And why long-focus? Telephoto lenses aren't really designed for close-ups. For this purpose, there are macro lenses that allow even without additional rings or converters to shoot at a scale of 1:1.
In particular, Nikon has a line of such lenses, of which the best, in my opinion, is the AF - S Micro-Nikkor 105mm f/2.8 G IF-ED VR. There is a scale, and low-dispersed lenses, and internal focusing, and even a stabilizer. True, it is also the most expensive. But you can also choose something from Sigma or Tamron.

And why long-focus? Telephoto lenses aren't really designed for close-ups. For this purpose, there are macro lenses that allow even without additional rings or converters to shoot at a scale of 1:1.
In particular, Nikon has a line of such lenses, of which the best, in my opinion, is the AF - S Micro-Nikkor 105mm f/2.8 G IF-ED VR. There is a scale, and low-dispersed lenses, and internal focusing, and even a stabilizer. True, it is also the most expensive. But you can also choose something from Sigma or Tamron.

Thank you for your recommendations. I'm an ornithologist. That's why I bought a photo gun. To deal with invertebrates forced the need. There are only two zoologists left in Bashkiria's universities; one is an entomologist (65 years old), a lepidopterologist, and the other is a herpetologist (but also engaged in entomology). Experts studied hymenoptera in Bashkiria more than 30 years ago.
So I had to collect butterflies, ants, bumblebees and wasps while studying the avifauna. I started collecting dragonflies, but I couldn't. There is neither the strength nor the time for more. Many thanks to A. P. Sadchikov (MSU), who helps with consultations on aquatic invertebrates. For bumblebees, I turn to A. M. Byvaltsev in Novosibirsk. But he's extremely busy. Because of this, the material collected in 2018. sent to it, still not processed. And he's still in Mongolia!
But what to do!? So "from the world by thread" and learn the animal world of Bashkiria.
I'll buy a macro lens as soon as I get the money.

Is it possible to identify the Formica ant species from these photos ?? South of the Penza region, the edge of an oak forest on the root bank of the river (southern exposure) beginning of July.

This post was edited by Penzyak - 21.03.2019 09: 48

Pictures:

IMG_1202_________________________________.jpg — (295.41к)


IMG_1199_________________________.jpg — (293.43к)

Take a closer look - 7 sternites are clearly visible in your images.
Post pictures of those you think are "P. gallicus" and "P. gallicus". chinensis". We'll see, although there are doubts, especially about the latter.
By the way, you can also add P. nimpha, let's see.

Please allow me to use this invitation. I present photos (according to my understanding) of nymphs. This female was captured on 30.08.2018 in the vicinity of Novobikmetovo village, Buraevsky district of Bashkiria. Did I make a mistake in the definition?
1) The mandibles are slightly concave in the middle of No. 102902, but the roller is not visible (on the rest).
2) P. albellus and biglumis disappear, because the stripes on the back are pronounced.
3) The mandibles are black, the lower legs of the paws without black spots; hence, not riparius. and not chinensis
4) There is a yellow spot on the cheek. So either dominula or nimpha.
5) The sawyere is darkened. Hence-nimpha. Unless, of course, I made a mistake in point 1.

Pictures:

181820_nimpha______.jpg — (300.61к)


181840_nimpha______.jpg — (294.66к)


102902_nimpha______.jpg — (292.1к)


9234_nimpha_30.08.2018______________.jpg — (290.74к)


9237_nimpha_______30.08.2018______________.jpg — (284.51к)


9245_nimpha_______30.08.2018______________.jpg — (284.64к)


9248_nimpha_______30.08.2018______________.jpg — (309.16к)


9253_nimpha_______30.08.2018______________.jpg — (212.99к)


9254_nimpha_________30.08.2018______________.jpg — (301.69к)


9263_nimpha_________30.08.2018______________.jpg — (114.73к)


9274_nimpha_______30.08.2018______________.jpg — (291.16к)


9278_nimpha_______30.08.2018______________.jpg — (320.83к)

Thank you for your recommendations. I'm an ornithologist. That's why I bought a photo gun. To deal with invertebrates forced the need. There are only two zoologists left in Bashkiria's universities; one is an entomologist (65 years old), a lepidopterologist, and the other is a herpetologist (but also engaged in entomology). Experts studied hymenoptera in Bashkiria more than 30 years ago.
So I had to collect butterflies, ants, bumblebees and wasps while studying the avifauna. I started collecting dragonflies, but I couldn't. There is neither the strength nor the time for more. Many thanks to A. P. Sadchikov (MSU), who helps with consultations on aquatic invertebrates. For bumblebees, I turn to A. M. Byvaltsev in Novosibirsk. But he's extremely busy. Because of this, the material collected in 2018. sent to it, still not processed. And he's still in Mongolia!
But what to do!? So "from the world by thread" and learn the animal world of Bashkiria.
I'll buy a macro lens as soon as I get the money.

There are also macro rings. If the telephoto lens is sharp enough, then it will be enough for the first time. Especially to shoot from a tripod in the laboratory. They are inexpensive, and the increase can be achieved by any

There are also macro rings. If the telephoto lens is sharp enough, then it will be enough for the first time. Especially to shoot from a tripod in the laboratory. They are inexpensive, and any increase can be achieved

This is a misconception. Imagine that you need to have a scale of 1:1, and you have a 300 mm telephoto speaker. In this case, you will need 300 mm long sheathing rings! Will it be convenient for you to work with such an aggregate? I'm not even talking about losses in light output and other characteristics.

November (sunny day) Ciscaucasia: 1,2 is one, 3,4 is another

I would assume they are males of Andrena schencki Morawitz, 1866.

This is a misconception. Imagine that you need to have a scale of 1:1, and you have a 300 mm telephoto speaker. In this case, you will need 300 mm long sheathing rings! Will it be convenient for you to work with such an aggregate? I'm not even talking about losses in light output and other characteristics.

This is a misconception. It all depends on the MDF. A couple of rings might be enough. Quality is lost, but uncritical

This is a misconception. It all depends on the MDF. A couple of rings might be enough. The quality is lost, but not critical

Unfortunately, this is NOT a misconception. Pairs of rings, you say. Well, calculate what scale you will get, even if you put a couple of the longest ones (in total, you will get no more than 80 mm) with a 300 mm TV box (even if 200 mm, although for an ornithologist this is not quite a TV box)?
And no MDF will help, because even with the most optimistic option, it will be at least 1 m. For example, my 400 mm has 0.98 m, but the maximum that I can shoot is a butterfly the size of a hive, and even then on a scale of 1:4. At the same time, you can simply forget about the FLU - it's nothing. What can we say about wasps?

Unfortunately, this is NOT a misconception. Pairs of rings, you say. Well, calculate what scale you will get, even if you put a couple of the longest ones (in total, you will get no more than 80 mm) with a 300 mm TV box (even if 200 mm, although for an ornithologist this is not quite a TV box)?
And no MDF will help, because even with the most optimistic option, it will be at least 1 m. For example, my 400 mm has 0.98 m, but the maximum that I can shoot is a butterfly the size of a hive, and even then on a scale of 1:4. At the same time, you can simply forget about the FLU - it's nothing. What can we say about wasps?

You should try it. Maybe a person will have enough. Although, I agree, the TV channel is not the best solution. You can try manual helios or industriars (they cost a penny, and you can find them for free if you use your friends to make fun). I looked here, on G-44-2 a standard set of rings (50 mm) gives a scale of 1 : 1, and on industriar-61 and even more(on MDF). For technical needs at home, it may well be enough. The quality is not very good, but it is enough to see the details and use them for identification. In the field, of course, without a stub problem

Late September-October, Ciscaucasia Large(about 2 cm)

Pictures:

P9292110.JPG — (291.58к)


P9292137.JPG — (296.17к)


PA093206.JPG — (299.16к)

Late September-October, Ciscaucasia Large(about 2 cm)

Female Podalonia hirsuta

You should try it. Maybe a person will have enough. Although, I agree, the TV channel is not the best solution. You can try manual helios or industriars (they cost a penny, and you can find them for free if you use your friends to make fun). I looked here, on G-44-2 a standard set of rings (50 mm) gives a scale of 1 : 1, and on industriar-61 and even more(on MDF). For technical needs at home, it may well be enough. The quality is not very good, but it is enough to see the details and use them for identification. In the field, of course, it is problematic without a stub

Here on the forum in the "Equipment" section there was an intensive discussion of different options - http://molbiol.ru/forums/index.php?showtopic=441348. Mostly it concerned all sorts of "budget" strays. I've been away from these experiments for a long time. I can only say that Industriar or Wave is good, but Helios is not good.
But I've learned for a long time that in order to get a good picture, you need to use exactly what is designed for this purpose. And above all, lenses. For landscapes - wide angles, for small animals-birds - TV cameras, for small things-macro. In the latter case, when shooting a special trifle, I turn off not only the stabilizer, but also the AF on my "fancy" L-weave, shooting in the manual and focusing with the "body".

Here on the forum in the "Equipment" section there was an intensive discussion of different options - http://molbiol.ru/forums/index.php?showtopic=441348. Mostly it concerned all sorts of "budget" strays. I've been away from these experiments for a long time. I can only say that Industriar or Wave is good, but Helios is not good.
But I've learned for a long time that in order to get a good picture, you need to use exactly what is designed for this purpose. And above all, lenses. For landscapes - wide angles, for small animals-birds - TV cameras, for small things-macro. In the latter case, when shooting a special trifle, I turn off not only the stabilizer, but also the AF on my "fancy" L-weave, shooting in the manual and focusing with the "body".

Thanks for the definition. I shoot on Olympus, there is a beautiful matrix stub. No way without it. Naturally, it is better to have the best, but I myself, when I really wanted to, shot both on the kit and on the manual with koltsami