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Discovery of the Female Plumarius (Hymenoptera, Plumariidae)

1966; Cambridge Entomological Club; Volume: 73; Issue: 4 Linguagem: Inglês

10.1155/1966/31937

1687-7438

Howard E. Evans,

Hymenoptera taxonomy and phylogeny

The family Plumariidae has long been a puzzle to hymenop- telists.It is represented by two.poorly known genera" Plumarius, which ranges throughout arid and semiarid regions from Ecuador to Chile and Argentina, and Myrmecopterina, known from semi- arid situations in South Africa.The two.genera are very similar; both are of generally pale coloration and possess large eyes and ocelli, not unlike other nocturnal Aculeata such as certain Mutil- lidae and Tiphiidae.Both genera have been known for many years from males only, and nothing whatever is known of their biology.They are commonly placed in the superfamily Scolioidea, although their strange antennae and wings, unusual development of the front of the head, long legs, lack of constriction between the first two.metasomal segments, and other unusual features leave one wondering if this is, in fact, the correct taxonomic assignment for this family.Many years ago my former professor, J. C. Bradley (I92a), remarked regarding Plumarius that "any one who will discover and make known the female and her habits will cover himself with well merited distinction...The ;emale will undoubtedly yield important evidence of the correct systematic position for the genus."The dis- tinction of discovery belongs to Drs.E. S. Ross and E. I. Schlinger, who collected two females in Peru and sent them to me as Bethy- lidae.After much study, I am convinced they can be nothing other than females of the genus Pl.umarius.The distinction of elucidating their habits remains to be claimed.