Three new species of Ropalidia Guerin (Hymenoptera: Vespidae) from southern India

Abstract

Three new species viz., Ropalidia (Anthreneida) bangalorica Lambert and Narendran sp. nov., R. (A.) indica Lambert and Narendran sp. nov. and R. (A.) rodialipa Lambert and Narendran sp. nov. are described in this paper from southern India. Comparison with related species are also provided. R. (A.) bangalorica Lambert and Narendran sp. nov. can be distinguished from other species in having second metasomal tergite not petiolate and propodeum without close fine striations. R. (A.) indica Lambert and Narendran sp. nov. differs from other species in having temple smaller than eye in profile, second metasomal tergite without yellow marking at base and mesosoma and metasoma reddish-brown. R. (A.) rodialipa Lambert and Narendran sp. nov. can be distinguished in the presence of following combination of characters: median line of median groove of propodeum not distinct, temple distinctly shorter than eye in profile, absence of yellow mark on interantennal space and metasomal petiole with apical yellow band. © Zoo Outreach Organisation.