A revision of spider wasps of the genus Ctenostegus (Hymenoptera : Pompilidae)

Abstract

Ctenostegus Haupt is a genus of Pompilini which is confined to the Australian region. Aglochares Banks, described from New Caledonia, is a synonym (new synonymy). In recent years (e.g. in 'The Insects of Australia') these wasps have been placed in the genus Aporus, but this is an unrelated genus not represented in the Australian region. This study is based upon about 1450 specimens, the majority of them collected in Malaise traps. Nearly half of the 65 species here recognized appear to be confined to the Eyrean faunal province. Following a discussion of distribution patterns, the major structural features are discussed and a key is presented to the 10 species-groups recognized. Keys are also presented to the species of each group, and important structural features are illustrated. Six species are transferred to Ctenostegus from other genera; these are: hilli Turner, apatelus Kohl, immitis Turner, tenellus Turner, acer Turner, and vachali Banks. One species, anomalus Haupt, is placed in the synonymy of acer Turner. The following 56 species are described as new: in the cingulatus species-group: piranpa, koora, jariti, thoorka, wonka, wilcannia, albicans, coracinus; in the cinctus group: cinctus, adina, darlingtoni, wiru, albiceps, albomaculatus, buromi, kanka, temagog, amata; in the paradoxus group, paradoxus; in the corowa group, corowa; in the munta group, munta, turuga, ouyen, hirticulus, nullarbor, deceptus, meanjin, teren; in the gracilis group, gracilis, facetus, occidentalis, obscurus, spilotus; in the immitis group, murrumbidgee, brevispinosus; in the kula group, kula, gundi, earindi, iraga, weema, miaboolya, minya, chicha, wuruma, goobita; in the tenellus group, complanatus, aporoides, koonalda, monstrosus, woomba, binghi, edeowie; in the acer group, spectabilis. Three additional species, known from males only, cannot be placed to species-group; these are: gibbosus, innubus, and praecipuus.