3. Skorikovia elongata (Radoszkowski, 1885)

(Figs 9, 10, 16, 17, 35, 36, 44, 47)

Mutilla quinquefasciata (nec Olivier 1811): Radoszkowski 1877: 29, tab. 3, fig. 4, ♂ nec ♀ (Samarkand, 31.I.1869 — Uzbekistan, vicinities of Samarkand, 655 m).

Mutilla elongata Radoszkowski, 1885: 17, fig. 13, ♂, lectotype (designated by Lelej et al. 2022: 73), ♂, “Caucasus / MLOCK[osewitz] / 2 / elongata [handwritten] / Type / Coll. Radosz[owski] / Zool. Muz. Berlin / Paralectotype Mutilla elongata Radoszkowski 1885, B. Petersen des. 1988 / Smicromyrme elongata (Rad.), B. Petersen det. 1988 / elongata [handwritten] / Lectotypus Mutilla elongata Rad. Lelej design. 2011 / Skorikovia elongata (Rad.) Lelej det. 2011” [MNHU], examined; Radoszkowski 1893: 74, ♂ (Transcaspia); Dalla Torre 1897: 34, ♂; André 1899a: 19, ♂.

Mutilla turanica Morawitz, 1893: 392, ♂ nec ♀ (Turkestan [Tajikistan]).

Mutilla (Ephutomma) elongata: André 1899: 19, ♂ (Caucasus, Iran); 1901: 155, ♂ (Turkestan, Caucasus, Iran).

Mutilla (Ephutomma) elongata var. pura André, 1901: 155, ♂, syntypes: Turkestan. Junior subjective synonym of Skorikovia elongata according to Lelej 2002: 64.

Ephutomma elongata: André 1902c: 20, ♂; Bischoff 1920: 155, ♂.

Ephutomma elongata var. pura: André 1902c: 20, ♂;

Smicromyrme elongata (!): Lelej 1978: 81, ♂.

Smicromyrme ambiguus Skorikov, 1935: 315, ♀, lectotype (designated by Lelej 1985: 230): Tashkent [Uzbekistan], 10.V.1930, [V.V.] Gussakovskij [ZIN], examined. Junior subjective synonym of Skorikovia elongata according to Ovtchinnikov 2002: 95.

Smicromyrme (Eremotilla) ambiguus: Lelej 1985: 230, ♀

Smicromyrme (Eremotilla) baigacumus Skorikov, 1935: 314, ♀, holotype, Baigakum bei Dzhulek [Kazakhstan, Kyzylorda Region], 14.VI.1912, L. Wolmann [ZIN], examined. Junior subjective synonym of Smicromyrme ambiguus according to Lelej 1985: 230.

Smicromyrme (Eremotilla) gracilis Skorikov, 1935: 315, ♀, lectotype (designated by Lelej 1985: 230): Dzhulek, Syr-Darjinskaya oblast [Kazakhstan, Kyzylorda Region], 1.VII.1913, A. Gutbir [ZIN]. Junior subjective synonym of Smicromyrme ambiguus according to Lelej 1985: 230.

Smicromyrme (Eremotilla) kuznetzovi Skorikov, 1935: 315, ♀, lectotype (designated by Lelej 1985: 230): Khumsan [Uzbekistan, Tashkent Region], 6.VII.1922, N. Kuznetsov [Kuznetsov-Ugamskij] [ZIN], examined. Junior subjective synonym of Smicromyrme ambiguus accordimg to Lelej 1985: 230.

Smicromyrme persus Skorikov, 1935: 316, ♀, part.

Smicromyrme tekensis Skorikov, 1935: 317, ♀, part.

Smicromyrme (Nemka) elongatus: Lelej 1985: 243, ♂.

Skorikovia elongata: Ovtchinnikov 2002: 95, ♂, ♀; Lelej 2002: 64; Lelej & Yildirim 2009: 20; Lelej 2017: 155; Pagliano et al. 2020: 187.

Diagnosis. MALE. Ocelli large, diameter of anterior ocellus almost 2.0 × distance between anterior and lateral ocellus, POD:OOD 1.3–1.4. Mandible tridentate with large subventral tooth. Inner metacoxal carina without apical tooth. Posterior side of 2r-m cell thickened T2 disc with dense punctures. Volsellar cuspis wide, apically weakly curved inside. Basivolsella weakly widened, without lobe, cuspis more or less parallel to gonostyle. Body length 8.0–16.5 mm. FEMALE. T2 with one medial subbasal spot of pale setae, without lateral subbasal spot of pale setae visible above. Scutellar scale wide, half of propodeal width. Lateral and posterior propodeal faces separated by wavy carina without teeth. Pygidial area triangular-elongated, basally weakly curved and widened, lateral carina weakly widened apically; densely longitudinally striate, striae slightly divergent from median line. Body length 5.5–8.5 mm.

Material examined. (107 ♂, 71 ♀). Type material. Lectotype of Mutilla elongata Radoszkowski, ♂ [MNHU]. Paralectotype of Mutilla turanica Morawitz, 1♂, Turkestan [Tajikistan, Sughd Prov.], Seravschan River, Darch [Darg, 39°34'54"N, 68°98'14"E], 1892, [D.K.] Glasunov [ZIN]. Lectotype of Smicromyrme ambiguus Skorikov [ZIN]. Paralectotypes of S. ambiguus Skorikov: 1♀ with the same data as lectotype; 1♀, Turkestan, Sirdaryo Region, Khumsan [Uzbekistan, Tashkent Region], 16.VII.1922, [N.N.] Kuznetsov-[Ugamskij]; 2♀, Ketmen-Tebe [Kyrgyzstan, Jalal-Abad Region], Chychkan River, 6.VIII.1930, [L.V.] Bianchi; 2♀, Kumak, NW Bukhara [Uzbekistan, Bukhara Region, Quyi Qumoq], 11.VI.1929, [L.S.] Zimin; 1♀, Kuropatkino, Samarkandskaya Oblast [Uzbekistan, Jizakh Region, Lalmikor, 39°56'30"N 67°27'30"E], 20.VIII.1930, [V.V.] Gussakovskij; 1♀, “Zivar, Bukhara”, 2200 m [? Tajikistan], 3.VII.1929, [E.A.] Kuznetsova; 1♀, Vostochnaya Fergana, Kugartskaya dolina [Kyrgyzstan, Jalal-Abad Region, Kugart Valley], 5.IX.1921, [N.N.] Kuznetsov-[Ugamskij] [ZIN]. Holotype of S. baigacumus Skorikov [ZIN]. Lectotype of S. gracilis Skorikov [ZIN]. Paralectotypes of S. gracilis Skorikov: 1♀, Changir, NW Bukhara [Uzbekistan, Navoiy Region, 9 km SW Khatirchi [Yangirabod]], 6.V.1930, [L.S.] Zimin; 1♀, NW Bukhara, Yargak near Khatirchi [Uzbekistan, Navoiy Region, Yangirabod], 18.VI.1928, [L.S.] Zimin; 3♀, same place, 26.V.1928, 13.VIII.1928, and 23.VIII.1928, [L.S.] Zimin; 1♀, NW Bukhara, Saraj-Ljalin near Khatirchi [Uzbekistan, Navoiy Region, Yangirabod], 7.VIII.1928, [L.S.] Zimin [ZIN]. Lectotype of S. kusnetsovi Skorikov [ZIN]. Paralectotypes of S. kusnetsovi Skorikov: 1♀, Aktash [Uzbekistan, Samarkand Region], 2.VII.1922, [N.N.] Kuznetsov-[Ugamskij]; 1♀, Changir, Saravshan River [Uzbekistan], 20.VI.1930, [L.S.] Zimin [ZIN]. Paralectotype of S. persus Skorikov, 1♀, Katta-Kurgan [Uzbekistan, Samarqand Region], 14.VII.1931, [V.V.] Gussakovskij [ZIN]. Paralectotypes of S. tekensis Skorikov: 1♀, Kumak, NW Bukhara [Uzbekistan, Bukhara Region, Quyi Qumoq], 11.VI.1929, [L.S.] Zimin; 1♀, same place, 15.VII.1929, [L.S.] Zimin [ZIN]. Additional material. Kazakhstan: Almaty Region: 1907, 2♂, [V.N.] Shnitnikov [ZIN]; Charyn River, 12–16.VII.1965, 2♀, Litvinova [IBSS]; same place, 15.VII.1965, 1♀, Beklemishev [IBSS]; same place, 10–11.VII.1968, 2♀, A. Lelej [IBSS]; same place, on light, 11.VII.1968, 2♂, A. Lelej [IBSS]; Ketmen Ridge, Podgornoye, 1000 m, 4–7.VII.1968, 8♀, A. Lelej [IBSS]; vicinity of Almaty, 17.VIII.1956, 1♀, P. Lehr [IBSS]; same place, 30.VI, 2.VII.1968, 2♀, A. Lelej [IBSS]; same place, 29.VI.1969, 3♀, A. Lelej [IBSS]; same place, 16, 24.V, 14.VI.1970, 5♀, A. Lelej [IBSS]; same place, 13.VII.1972, 5♀, A. Lelej [IBSS]; 2 km SE Almaty, Alatau, 1300 m, 12.VIII.1972, 2♀, A. Lelej [IBSS]; Almaty, NE of Dzanashar, 9.IX.1972, 2♀, P. Lehr [IBSS]; Ili River, 80 km NW Kapchagai, 13–14.VI.1980, 6♀, P. Lehr [IBSS]; North of Shonzhy, 20.VII.1968, 1♀, P. Lehr [IBSS]; Ili River, near Malaisary, 18.V.1982, 1♀, G. Nikolaev [IBSS]. Kyzylorda Region: Central Betpakdala, 10.VII.1960, 4♂, M. Malkovsky [IBSS]; Terekhtykumy, 15.VII.1980, 8♂, G. Nikolaev [IBSS]; Karaganda Region: 20 km W Balkhash city, 23.VII.1973, 1♂, V. Kazenas [IBSS]; Jambyl Region: Antonovka, 22.VIII.1972, 1♂, V. Kazenas [IBSS]; Muyunkum desert, 31.V.1969, 1♀, A. Lelej [IBSS]; Turkistan Region: Parkhara [Dzetysai], 16.IX.1957, 4♂, E. Luppova [IBSS]; Zhetysu, 1924, 1♂ [ZIN]. Aktobe Region: North of Lesser Barsuki desert, 13–20.VIII.1931, 2♂, E. Luppova [ZIN]; Atyrau Region: Lake Inder, 6–8.VII.1909, 8♂, B.P. Uvarov [ZIN]. Kyrgyzstan: Fergana valley, near Suzak, 13.VII.2000, 2♀, S. Ovtchinnikov [ZIN]; Issyk-Kul Valley, Karakol Lake, 23.VII.2000, 1♀, S. Ovtchinnikov [ZIN]; east end of Kyrgyz Range, Orto-Tokai water reserve, 21.VII.1997, 1♀, S. Ovtchinnikov [ZIN]; same place, 15.VIII.1998, 2♂, S. Ovtchinnikov [ZIN]; Fergana Range, East of Urumbash, 14.VII.2000, 1♀, S. Ovtchinnikov [ZIN]; Urumbash, 20 km W Kazaman, on light, 42º22ʹN 73º49ʹE, 14.VII.1999, 4♂, S. Ovtchinnikov [ZIN]; same place, 1600 m, 5.VIII.2004, 2♂, D. Milko [ZIN]; Susamyr Mts., Kokomeren River, Kyzyloy, on light, 31.VII.2000, 2♂, E. Rutian [ZIN]; same place, 41º43ʹN 74º08ʹE, on light, 16.VII.1994, 1♂, D. Milko [ZIN]; Alai Mts., Ok-Suu Ravine, on light, 39º31ʹN 71º40ʹE, 2500 m, 19.VIII.2006, 2♂, D. Milko [ZIN]; Alai, Zarkar Ravine, 9 km NW Aidarken, on light, 39º58ʹN 71º18ʹE, 1872 m, 12.VIII.2006, 1♂, D. Milko [ZIN]; Issyk-Kul valley, Terskei, Kadzhisai, 1650 m, on light, 5.VIII.2000, 2♂, E. Rutian [ZIN]; same place, on light, 1.VIII.2003, 2♂, D. Milko & V. Dubatolov [ZIN]; Issyk-Kul, Ak-Ulen, on light, 1700 m, 42º20ʹN 76º08ʹE, 12.VIII.2003, 1♂, D. Milko [ZIN]; Toguz-Toroo, Kendyk Ravine, on light, 18.VII.1997, 12♂, S. Ovtchinnikov [ZIN]. Talas River valley, 8 km NW Klyuchevka, 1.VIII.1983, 1♀, V. Kazenas [IBSS]. Uzbekistan: Chumgan, on light, 27.VIII.2007, 4♂, S. Ovtchinnikov [IBSS]. Iran: Semnan Prov., Elburs Mts., Sefi Kuh Mts., 50 km SWW Damghan, ca. 6 km NW Tuyh, 1900–2300 m, 36º04ʹN 53º49ʹE, 3.VII.2010, 1♂, A. Timokhov [IBSS]; Semnan Prov., Elburs Mts., ca. 60 km W Damghan, vic. Foulad Mahalleh, 2000–2300 m, 36º06ʹN 53º43ʹE, 4.VII.2010, 18♂, A. Timokhov [IBSS]; Semnan Prov., Elburs Mts., 8 km NW Shahmirzad, ca. 10 km SSW Chashm, 2230–2700 m, on light, 35º49ʹN 53º15ʹE, 6.VII.2010, 2♂, A. Timokhov [IBSS]; Golestan Prov., Gorgan, Almeh valley, 1600m, 19–20.VII.1985, 1♂ [IRIPP]. Azerbaijan: Elisavetpol [Ganja], without additional data, 2♂ [ZIN]; Azerbaijan: Disar [Bashkend] near Ordubad, 19–23.VII.1933, D. Znoiko, 4♂ [ZIN]. Armenia: Inaklyu, Alagez, 25.VII.1934, 2♂, M. Ryabov [ZIN]. Russia: СтАвропольскАЯ губернИЯ, мечеть Нур-МАгомет, 10.VII.1911, 5♂, B.P. Uvarov [ZIN].

Distribution. Russia: Stavropol Krai; Azerbaijan, Armenia, Kazakhstan (except Northern), Kyrgyzstan, Uzbekistan, Tajikistan, Turkmenistan, and Iran.

Natural history. Observations of females were made at the foot of the northern slope of the Ketmen Ridge (Tien Shan Mts., Kazakhstan, Almaty region, Kyrgyzsai (Podgornoye), 43°19'44''N 79°28'42''E, 1000 m), 4–7 July 1968. Females of Skorikovia elongata were found in plain areas with rare plants of Sophora sp. and Artemisia sp. In the first half of the day the females moved to the east, in the afternoon—to the west. The average speed of the female during the movement was about 2 m /min. During the observation (1 hour), the position of the female changed by 22 m. During movement, vibration of the female's antennae was fast. Sometimes the female visited the top of Sophora plants. The entrance of the ground-nesting host or the ground near the entrance was examined particularly carefully by the female, who returned to the host nest several times. During this process, the vibration of the female's antennae became slower. In case of danger, a wasp would crawl into a crack in the soil, under pieces of dry stems, and remain immobile for one to two minutes. During the night, the wasps climbed under pieces of old dry stems, lumps of soil.

Like many mutillids, the females of Skorikovia elongata are thermophilic and stenothermic. As a result, their activity is periodic: in the first and second halves of the day. According to my observations in the south of Kazakhstan, on sunny days females of the mutillid are usually more active in the second half of the day, as a result of the rapid heating of the soil in the morning and its slow cooling in the evening. On cloudy days the activity of mutillid females changes. According to Nonveiller (1960, 1963), mutillid females on the Balkan Peninsula were active from seven to nine hours in the morning and from 16 to 18 hours in the evening at soil temperatures ranging from 28–30º to 40–42°C.

Remarks. Of two specimens identified by Radoszkowski as Mutilla quinquefasciata in the collection of A.P. Fedtschenko [ZMMU] (Radoszkowski 1877), the female belongs to Myrmilla (Eurygnathilla) ephutommatina Skorikov, 1927, and the male to Skorikovia elongata (Radoszkowski, 1885).

Mlokosievich (Ludwik Aleksander Młokosiewicz, Mlokosevitz, Mlokosewitz) collected the specimens in Georgia, Dagestan, Azerbaijan, North Persia (Elburz Mountains), Greater Ararat (1889, currently in Turkey). Many new taxa were described by O.I. Radoszkowski based on his material but only in few cases definite points were recorded: Anthophora mlokosewitzii Radoszkowski, 1884 (Dzurmut-czaj [Dzhurmut River, Dagestan]); Anthophora rugosa Radoszkowski, 1884 (Demavend [North Iran, Elburz Mountains]); Bombus wolkonskii Radoszkowski, 1888 (Dagestan, Salty [Salta, Dagestan]); “grand Ararat, between Sardar-Abadu [Sardarapat, Armavir] and Sarabandy, 13000', 20–21.VIII.1889 ” [Turkey, Greater Ararat, almost 4000 m] (Radoszkowski 1890). The specimens collected in North Persia (Elburz Mountains, 1878–1879) have the printed label “ Persia ” and handwritten label “Demavend”; specimens collected in Greater Ararat (1889) have the printed label “Ararat”, while most of the specimens collected in 1867–1889 in Georgia, Dagestan, and Azerbaijan were labelled by printed label “Caucasus”.

A long series of males of Skorikovia elongata has been collected from Kyrgyzstan (Ovtchinnikov 2002) and south-eastern Kazakhstan. In these areas the genus Skorikovia is represented by only one species. The female of S. ambigua may eventually be recognized as the opposite sex of this species, based on their co-occurrence in these areas. There is no direct evidence (pair collected in copula) to support this relationship.