A new species of the genus Onychopterocheilus Blüthgen, 1955 from the Altai Mountains, with the re-description and new records of the closely related O. kiritshenkoi (Kostylev, 1940) (Hymenoptera: Vespidae: Eumeninae).

Onychopterocheilus (Asiapterocheilus) proshchalykini Fateryga, sp. nov. is described from the Altai Republic (Russia). The new species is closely related to O. (A.) kiritshenkoi (Kostylev, 1940) but distinctly differs from it by the structure of the clypeus, the female vertex and scutellum, the male genitalia, as well as the coloration. In addition, O. proshchalykini has somewhat larger body size. Onychopterocheilus kiritshenkoi is re-described. Both species have the northernmost distribution among 13 currently recognized species of the Central Asian subgenus Asiapterocheilus. Onychopterocheilus chinensis Gusenleitner, 2005 is transferred to this subgenus from the nominotypical one. Onychopterocheilus kiritshenkoi is recorded from the Altai Republic for the first time; two new localities of this species from Mongolia are also reported. Females of O. kiritshenkoi were observed at flowers of two species of Fabaceae: Caragana bungei Ledeb. and Vicia costata Ledeb. The wasps acted as primary nectar robbers, i.e., they made holes in the calyx to access nectar with their relatively long proboscises.

The identity of Celonites montanus Mocsáry, 1906 (Hymenoptera: Vespidae: Masarinae) and its first record from Kazakhstan.

Celonites montanus Mocsáry, 1906, described from the Alai Range in Kyrgyzstan, is synonymized with C. kostylevi Panfilov, 1961, syn. nov. and C. haemorrhoidalis Gusenleitner, 2012, syn. nov. (both also described from Kyrgyzstan). The species is reported from Kazakhstan (Almaty Province) for the first time. It was collected at nototribic flowers of Lagochilus platyacanthus Rupr. (Lamiaceae). Trophic relationships between C. montanus and its forage plant are discussed.

To the knowledge of the solitary vespid wasps (Hymenoptera: Vespidae: Masarinae and Eumeninae s. l.) of Uzbekistan.

The knowledge of the solitary Vespidae of Uzbekistan is very poor and a preliminary list of species is provided. The list contains 105 species of 34 genera: seven species of three genera in the subfamily Masarinae, 96 species of 29 genera in Eumeninae s. str., one species in Raphiglossinae and one in Zethinae. Among them, eight genera and 27 species are reported from Uzbekistan for the first time; their label data and general distribution are reported. New synonymies are proposed: Leptochilus (Lionotulus Blüthgen, 1938) = L. (Neoleptochilus Blüthgen, 1961), syn. nov. = L. (Sarochilus Gusenleitner, 1970), syn. nov.; Leptochilus (Lionotulus) crassiceps (Kostylev, 1940) = L. (L.) flavicornis Giordani Soika, 1970, syn. nov.; Euodynerus (Pareuodynerus) cylindriventris (Kostylev, 1935) = E. (P.) distinctus (Kostylev, 1935), syn. nov.; Eustenancistrocerus (Eustenancistrocerus) askhabadensis (Radoszkowski, 1886) = E. (E.) jerichoensis (von Schulthess, 1928), syn. nov. = E. (E.) askhabadensis danticoides (Giordani Soika, 1943), syn. nov. = E. (E.) jerichoensis iconius Blüthgen, 1957, syn. nov. The synonymy of Eumenes (Eumenes) sareptanus André, 1884 with E. (E.) crimensis Blüthgen, 1938 is rejected. A nest of Stenodynerus chitgarensis Giordani Soika, 1970 is briefly described for the first time; it consisted of a constructed mud cell, with a turret-like entrance, attached to a subvertical surface of a stone. Bionomical observations on some other species are reported including prey records for three species, flower-visiting records for nine species, a sleeping aggregation of two species, and a Strepsiptera parasite of one species.

Foraging Behavior of Two Pollen Wasp Species of the Genus Celonites Latreille, 1802 (Hymenoptera: Vespidae: Masarinae), from the Altai Mountains.

Celonites kozlovi Kostylev, 1935, and C. sibiricus Gusenleitner, 2007, coexist in semi-deserts of the Altai Mountains. The trophic relationships of these pollen wasp species to flowers are largely unknown. We observed the flower visits and behaviors of wasps on flowers; pollen-collecting structures of females were studied using SEM; the taxonomic position of these two species was ascertained with the barcoding sequence of the mitochondrial COI-5P gene. Celonites kozlovi and C. sibiricus form a clade together with C. hellenicus Gusenleitner, 1997, and C. iranus Gusenleitner, 2018, within the subgenus Eucelonites Richards, 1962. Celonites kozlovi is polylectic in the narrow sense, collecting pollen from flowers of plants belonging to five families (with the predomination of Asteraceae and Lamiaceae) using diverse methods for both pollen and nectar uptake. In addition, this species is a secondary nectar robber, which has not been observed in pollen wasps before. The generalistic foraging strategy of C. kozlovi is correlated with an unspecialized pollen-collecting apparatus on the fore-tarsi. In contrast, C. sibiricus is broadly oligolectic, predominantly collecting pollen from flowers of Lamiaceae. Its specialized foraging strategy is associated with apomorphic behavioral and morphological traits, particularly specialized pollen-collecting setae on the frons, which enable indirect pollen uptake using nototribic anthers. These adaptations in C. sibiricus evolved independently of similar specializations in the Celonites abbreviatus-complex. Celonites kozlovi is re-described, and males are described for the first time.

DNA barcoding confirms the validity of Anthidium melanopygum Friese, 1917 stat. nov. (Hymenoptera: Megachilidae) as a distinct species of Western Asia.

Heinrich Friese described Anthidium spiniventris [sic] from Palestine in 1899, and A. melanopygum as a variety of it from Turkey in 1917. While A. melanopygum was subsequently recognized as a subspecies of A. spiniventre, a morphological examination of new material of both taxa suggests that these taxa represent distinct species. This was also confirmed by genetic barcoding of the mitochondrial cytochrome c oxidase subunit 1 (COI) gene, which revealed the two taxa form distinct clades with an average genetic distance of 5.69%, while the genetic within-group distance of these two taxa was only 0.14% for A. melanopygum and 0% for A. spiniventre. Anthidium melanopygum has a wide distribution that extends from Greece and Bulgaria in the west across Turkey and Iran to Turkmenistan in the east. By contrast, A. spiniventre has a restricted, disjunct distribution with isolated populations in the southern Levant and Iran.

Corrections and additions to the catalogue of the bees (Hymenoptera, Anthophila) of Russia.

The present study is an update to the first catalogue of Russian bees published in 2017. For the Russian fauna, five recently described species are reported, as well as 45 species newly recorded since the first catalogue (including one invasive species), nine species overlooked in this previous Russian checklist, and 17 published synonymies. Original records are provided for nine species previously unknown to Russia and, as a taxonomic act, one species, Anthidiumovasi Warncke, 1980, syn. nov., is synonymised with Icteranthidiumfloripetum (Eversmann, 1852). Additionally, 14 species are excluded from the original catalogue and numerous other taxonomic changes and clarifications are included. The present work revises the total number of genera for Russia to 64 and the total number of species to 1,268.

Revision of the Pseudepipona herrichii-group of the eumenine wasps (Hymenoptera: Vespidae: Eumeninae) with the description of two new species from China and Russia.

The Pseudepipona herrichii-group includes species of the genus Pseudepipona de Saussure, 1856, subgenus Pseudepipona s. str., without long setae on the gena, the scutum, and the propleura, with the transverse carina of the propodeum forming laterally a tooth or at least a blunt angle, and with the preapical tooth of the male mandible of approximately equal width and length. Taxonomic revision of this group revealed the existence of six species: Pseudepipona aldrichi (Fox, 1892), stat. nov. (= P. herrichii mongolica Giordani Soika, 1970, syn. nov.), P. herrichii (de Saussure, 1856) (= P. herrichii afromontana Gusenleitner, 1977, syn. nov.), P. kozhevnikovi (Kostylev, 1927), P. tingjingliae Fateryga, sp. nov., P. tricarinata (Kokujev, 1913), and P. valentinae Fateryga, sp. nov. A complete diagnosis of the males and females of these species is provided, as is an identification key. Maps detailing the geographic distributions of each species are presented. The available data on their bionomics are also summarized.

Orobancheingens (Orobanchaceae) - a poorly known species of the Greater Caucasus: taxonomic problems, distribution, hosts and habitats.

Orobancheingens is an endemic species from the Caucasus, especially the Greater Caucasus, parasitising on large Apiaceae (usually Heracleum). This species was misclassified over the years and little was known about its range and habitats. Here, we clarify the typification, as well as provide notes about the taxonomy of this species. Additionally, we presented distribution, habit and host range of O.ingens and morphological features that distinguish it from similar species.

New records of solitary vespid wasps (Hymenoptera: Vespidae: Masarinae and Eumeninae s. l.) from the Nakhchivan Autonomous Republic of Azerbaijan.

An account on 35 species in the family Vespidae (subfamilies Masarinae, Eumeninae s. str., and Raphiglossinae) is presented. Genera Jugurtia de Saussure, 1854, Quartinia Andr, 1884, Brachypipona Gusenleitner, 1967, and Cyrtolabulus van der Vecht, 1969, as well as 17 species and one subspecies are new to Azerbaijan. Three additional species are new to the Nakhchivan Autonomous Republic; the records of nine species confirm previous doubtful reports from the territory of the autonomy. One species is excluded from the fauna of Azerbaijan. New synonymies are proposed: Antepipona orbitalis (Herrich-Schffer, 1839) = A. orbitalis ballioni (Morawitz, 1867), syn. nov.; A. varentzowi (Morawitz, 1895) = A. laevigata (Blthgen, 1951), syn. nov.; Euodynerus disconotatus (Lichtenstein, 1884) = E. disconotatus sulfuripes (Morawitz, 1885), syn. nov. = E. disconotatus laniensis Giordani Soika, 1979, syn. nov.; E. semisaecularis (von Dalla Torre, 1889) = E. semisaecularis macedonicus (Blthgen, 1951), syn. nov.; Gymnomerus laevipes (Shuckard, 1837) = G. laevipes scandinavus (de Saussure, 1856), syn. nov.; Odynerus albopictus de Saussure, 1856 = O. albopictus calcaratus (Morawitz, 1885), syn. nov. = O. albopictus kazakhstanicus Kurzenko, 1977, syn. nov. Hitherto unknown males of Brachyodynerus kusdasi Gusenleitner, 1967 and Brachypipona orientalis Gusenleitner, 2004 are described. The number of species of solitary Vespidae known from the Nakhchivan Autonomous Republic of Azerbaijan is increased to 91, with one additional subspecies which requires a revision. A preliminary list of these wasps of the whole Azerbaijan is presented; it contains 107 identified species and one additional subspecies.

First data on the bionomics of Leptochilus (Euleptochilus) limbiferus (Morawitz, 1867) (Hymenoptera: Vespidae: Eumeninae), with taxonomic notes and new records.

Nesting of Leptochilus limbiferus (Morawitz, 1867) was observed in the Krasnodar Territory, Russia. Twelve nests were studied; all of them were located in empty shells of a terrestrial snail species, Xeropicta derbentina (Krynicki). The building material used by the wasps was pellets of dry soil and gravel particles, as well as shell bits, and sometimes also tiny shells. Females hunted for caterpillars of a gelechiid moth Syncopacma coronillella (Treitschke) and two unidentified species. Imagoes of L. limbiferus were observed feeding on nectar at flowers of five plant species in five families. Males were also observed patrolling the nesting site and sleeping inside a shell of X. derbentina. Nests were invaded by ants and an anthracine fly. Nesting activity and structure of the nests and cocoons are described in detail. The species is univoltine; hibernation occurs at the prepupa stage. The present contribution is the first detailed report on the bionomics of the subgenus Euleptochilus Blüthgen, 1943. Nesting of Old World species of Leptochilus de Saussure, 1853 is discussed with special reference to use of gravel as building material in two phylogenetic lineages: Leptochilus and unrelated genus Alastor Lepeletier de Saint-Fargeau, 1841. The distribution of L. limbiferus is summarized; particularly, the species is reported from Montenegro and Azerbaijan for the first time. At the same time, its previous records from Armenia were found to be based on a misidentification of Leptochilus (Euleptochilus) duplicatus (Klug, 1835) (new for Armenia and the Caucasus as a whole). Leptochilus limbiferus anatolicus Blüthgen, 1955 and L. limbiferus achaeus Gusenleitner, 1970 are treated as synonyms of L. limbiferus s. str. (new synonymies). The lectotype of Odynerus limbiferus Morawitz, 1867 is designated. A key to subgenera of Leptochilus is provided.

Nesting biology and distribution of Stenancistrocerus (Paratropancistrocerus) obstrictus (Morawitz, 1895) (Hymenoptera: Vespidae: Eumeninae).

Nesting of Stenancistrocerus obstrictus was studied in the Republic of Dagestan, Russia. Ten nests were observed, six of them were dissected and their structure was studied. The nests were located in preexisting holes in a clayey cliff. Females searched for a place for the nest during more than a day. The holes with nests were 2.5-10.5 cm in length and 3-4 mm in diameter. Nest entrances were surmounted by laced earthen turrets curved downwards. The maximum length of a turret was 2 cm; the turrets had more laced structure at their distal ends while they became more solid towards the base. Nests consisted of a row of 3-10 cells separated by thin mud partitions. The cells were 5-9 mm in length. All lateral walls of the cells, as well as the vestibular cell were lined with a thin layer of mud. Females collected the building material outside the nests; they mixed clayey earth with regurgitated liquid and formed mud pellets used for the nest construction. Complete nests were sealed by final plugs; their turrets were dismantled by the females. The provision was tiny larvae of an unidentified curculionid beetle; several dozens of them were stored per cell. No parasites and associates were found in the nests. Reproductive success amounted to 92%. Adult feeding was recorded on flowers of Tamarix hohenackeri. The species is univoltine; hibernation occurs at the prepupa stage. Adult wasps are active from the end of May to the end of July. Nesting biology of the genus Stenancistrocerus and its phylogenetic position are discussed. Such a type of the nesting could be regarded as intermediate between nesting in various preexisting cavities and the excavation of burrows in an earthen substrate. The distribution of S. obstrictus is summarized; it includes Russia (Astrakhan Prov., Kalmykia, Stavropol Terr., Dagestan), Armenia, and Azerbaijan; the presence of the species in Eastern Europe is confirmed. The lectotype of Odynerus obstrictus Morawitz, 1895 is designated.

New records of eumenine wasps (Hymenoptera: Vespidae: Eumeninae) from Russia with description of a new species of Leptochilus de Saussure, 1853.

New additions to the knowledge of the subfamily Eumeninae in Russia are provided. Leptochilus (Lionotulus) leleji Fateryga, sp. nov. is described from Altai Republic. Males of Ancistrocerus hangaicus Kurzenko, 1977 and Jucancistrocerus (Eremodynerus) minutepunctatus Giordani Soika, 1970 are described for the first time; the latter species is transferred from the nominotypical subgenus to the subgenus Eremodynerus Blüthgen, 1939. The genus Tachyancistrocerus Giordani Soika, 1952 and six species of eumenine wasps are reported from Russia for the first time: Discoelius pictus Kostylev, 1940a, Euodynerus (Euodynerus) curictensis Blüthgen, 1940, E. (E.) hellenicus Blüthgen, 1942, E. (E.) rufinus Blüthgen, 1942, Eustenancistrocerus (Eustenancistrocerus) jerichoensis (von Schulthess, 1928), and Tachyancistrocerus schmidti (Kokujev, 1913); E. hellenicus is also reported from Georgia and Azerbaijan. New regional records for nine species are reported. Three species are excluded from the fauna of Russia: Eustenancistrocerus (Eustenancistrocerus) tegularis (Morawitz, 1885), Odynerus (Odynerus) tristis (Blüthgen, 1939), and Stenodynerus aequisculptus (Kostylev, 1940b). The known fauna of Russia now numbers 34 genera and 162 species of eumenine wasps.

Nesting biology of Paragymnomerus signaticollis tauricus (Kostylev, 1940 (Hymenoptera: Vespidae: Eumeninae).

Nesting of a rare eumenine wasp, Paragymnomerus signaticollis tauricus, was observed in the Crimea. Females of this species inhabit untilled steppes and nest in clay loam soil. The nests are vertical burrows 55-120 mm deep and 7-9 mm wide, surmounted by more or less curved turrets that open sideways. The nests contain 1-4 cells and have either linear or branched structure. The cells are of the same width as the other parts of nest burrow and are 13-23 mm long. The species is univoltine; prepupae hibernate in the cocoon for one or two years. Females hunt for sawfly larvae of the genus Megalodontes; 3-5 larvae are stored per nest cell. Adult females feed on these same larvae. Males search for females at their hunting and nesting sites and feed on flowers of Teucrium spp. A cuckoo wasp tentatively identified as Chrysis valesiana is a cleptoparasite on P. signaticollis tauricus. Nesting activity of the female wasps is described. The differences between the nesting biology of P. signaticollis tauricus and P. spiricornis are discussed. The distribution of P. signaticollis tauricus in East Europe is confirmed.

Nesting biology of Paravespa rex (von Schulthess 1924) (Hymenoptera: Vespidae: Eumeninae) in the Crimea, Ukraine.

Paravespa rex is the only species of the wasp genus Paravespa that occurs in Europe. Females of this species nest in clay loam soil of proluvial terraces and deluvial aprons of badlands. The nests are vertical burrows 10-12 cm deep, surmounted by turrets of two distinct architectural forms: funnel-shaped and curved. The nests contain 1-3 vertical cells (mean-1.9) not different from the other parts of nest burrow. An egg is laid onto the bottom of the cell without attaching; it stands vertically via the moist adhesive surface of the bottom and then with the help of the position of the first prey, which is laid around the egg. The species is univoltine; prepupae hibernate in the cocoon for one or several years. Females hunt for caterpillars of two species of the noctuid genus Heliotis; 3-7 caterpillars (mean-3.7) are stored per cell. Adult feeding is recorded on flowers of Thymus tauricus. Males look for females at their water-collecting sites. Only a third of the cells are successful; the other ones are damaged by rain and the gold wasp, Chrysis valesiana, parasitizing in the nests. Nest-building and hunting activity of the species is described with the duration of certain nesting acts. Nesting biology of Paravespa species, rarity of P. rex, turret function, egg position, and measures for species conservation are discussed.