Pseudepipona (Pseudepipona) falsa (Kostylev, 1927), stat. resurr.

(Figs 5A–J, 10J–M)

Odynerus falsus Kostylev, 1927: 80, fig. 5, ♂ (type locality: “Ak-Tash-Gebirge (in Umgebung von Tashkent)” [Uzbekistan]); lectotype (designated here), ♂, ZMMU.

Diagnosis. Body with yellow pattern, legs predominantly yellow (Fig. 5A, F); apical margin of female clypeus approximately as wide as distance between antennal sockets, hardly emarginate (Fig. 5B); male F11 very robust, apically truncate, with a submedian tyloid on ventral side (Fig. 5J); antero-lateral angles of pronotum in dorsal view from strongly rectangular to rather blunt (Fig. 5C, D); scutellum and metanotum with yellow bands (Fig. 5A, F); punctation on T2 very coarse and relatively sparse, interspaces exceeding diameter of a puncture (Fig. 5E); paramere moderately broad (Fig. 10J); ventral lobe of aedeagus moderately triangular (Fig. 10M). The species shows variability not only in the shape of the antero-lateral angles of the pronotum but also in the presence of the median expansion of the aedeagus (Fig. 10K, L).

Material examined. LECTOTYPE (DESIGNATED HERE): ♂, labeled “[golden disc] // ТаШКент [Tashkent] / 27.VI. / Ак-Таш [Ak-Tash] / 1922. / Н. КУЗнецов [N. Kuznetsov] // Odynerus / falsus G Kost. / Det G Kostylev // ТИп [Type] Pseudepipona / falsa Kost = / = lativentris Sss ♂ / 1941, 24.VI [Kostylev’s signature] // Lectotypus ♂ / Odynerus falsus / Kostylev, 1927 / des. Fateryga, 2024 [red label]” [ZMMU] (Fig. 5G). The lectotype is designated in accordance with Art. 74.7.3 of ICZN (1999), for the purpose of nomenclature stability and correct application of the name P. falsa, previously confused with P. beckeri (cf. van der Vecht & Fischer 1972). PARALECTOTYPES: Uzbekistan, Tashkent, Ak-Tash, 9.VII.1923, 1 ♂, leg. A. Zhelokhovtsev [ZMMU]; ibid., 29.V.1925, 1 ♂, leg. E. Smirnov [ZMMU]; ibid., 18.VI.1925, 1 ♂, leg. E. Smirnov [ZMMU]. ADDITIONAL MATERIAL: IRAN: Razawi-Khorasan, Binaluth Mount, 20 km SW Shandiz, 36.2626°N, 59.1206°E, 2534 m, 16.VII.2022, 1 ♂, leg. C. Schmid-Egger [CSE]. TURKMENISTAN: Badkhyz Reserve, Kyzyldzhar, 30.IX.1978, 1 ♀, leg. A. Lelej [FSCV]; Kerki Province, Charshang, 11.X.1931, 1 ♀, leg. A. Ushinskiy [ZMMU]; Kiltitschinar, 1 ♂, leg. E. König [ZISP]; Kopetdag Range, Chuli Canyon, 35 km W Asghabad, 7.X.1978, 1 ♂, leg. A. Lelej [FSCV]; ibid., 8.X.1978, 1 ♀, leg. A. Lelej [FSCV]; Kopetdag, Aydere Canyon, 15.VI.1976, 1 ♀, leg. N. Kurzenko [FSCV]; Kopetdag, Kara-Kala, 27.IV.1970, 2 ♂, leg. L. Zimina [ZMMU]. TAJIKISTAN: 35 km N Stalinabad, Kvak, 2000 m, 8.VI.1937, 1 ♂, leg. V. Gussakovskij [ZISP]; ibid., 20.VI.1937, 1 ♂, leg. V. Gussakovskij [ZISP]; ibid., 22.IX.1937, 1 ♀, leg. V. Gussakovskij [ZISP]; Gafilabad, upper reaches of Lyuchob River, 13.VIII.1940, 1 ♀, leg. V. Gussakovskij [ZISP]; Hisar, 28.V.1939, 1 ♂, leg. A. Romanov [ZMMU]; Kondara Canyon, Varzoba River valley, 6.IX.1946, 1 ♂, leg. V. Popov [ZISP]; ibid., 13.IX.1946, 1 ♂, leg. V. Popov [ZISP]; Kondara, 1100 m, Varzoba, 13.IX.1937, 1 ♀, 1 ♂, leg. V. Gussakovskij [ZISP]; Ost-Buchara, Tschitschantan, 1898, 1 ♂, leg. Hauser [MSNVE]; Peter I Range, 7 km SW Tajikabad, Merazyon, 1800 m, 14.VIII.2003, 1 ♂, leg. O. Pak [TUZ]; Stalinabad [Dushambe], 27.V.1934, 1 ♀, leg. V. Gussakovskij [ZISP]; ibid., 29.V.1934, 1 ♀, 1 ♂, leg. V. Gussakovskij [ZISP]; ibid., 30.V.1934, 1 ♂, leg. V. Gussakovskij [ZISP]; ibid., 31.V.1934, 2 ♀, leg. V. Gussakovskij [ZISP]; ibid., 1.VI.1934, 1 ♀, leg. V. Gussakovskij [ZISP]; Tavildara District, Dehi-Colon near Tavildara, 38°39′N, 70°31′E, 24–27.V.2016, 1 ♀, leg. Yu. Danilov, A. Barkalov, V. Zinchenko [ISEN]. UZBEKISTAN: Aman-Kutan, N from Kitab, 11.VII.1939, 1 ♀, leg. G. Kostylev [ZMMU]; Angren District, 2 km NE Yangiobod, 41°08′00″N, 70°06′58″E, 23.IX.2022, 1 ♀, leg. M. Proshchalykin [CAFK]; Charki, 3 ♂, leg. Glazunow [ZISP]; Golodnaya Step Station, 5.V.1903, 1 ♂, leg. G. Jakobson [ZISP]; Kammashi, 24.V.1930, 1 ♂, leg. A. Rodd [ZISP]; Kurama Range, 60 km NE Angren, 24.VII.1971, 1 ♂, leg. N. Kurzenko [FSCV]; Qashqadaryo Region, Yakkabog’ District, Suvlisay, 38.849°N, 67.0929°E, 24.IX.2017, 1 ♀, leg. M. Mokrousov [MSVI]; Sirdaryo Region, Ilich, 7.V.1973, 1 ♀, leg. Saparbekov [IZTU]; Surxondaryo Region, Boysun District, 5 km N Derbent, 1 km N Charvak, 38.259933°N, 67.0262°E, 10.V.2015, 1 ♀, leg. M. Mokrousov, M. Proshchalykin, K. Samartsev [CAFK]; ibid., 10.V.2015, 1 ♂, leg. M. Mokrousov, M. Proshchalykin, K. Samartsev [MSVI]; Surxondaryo Region, Boysun District, Charvak, 38.2483883°N, 67.030350°E, 10.V.2015, 2 ♀, 2 ♂, leg. M. Mokrousov, M. Proshchalykin, K. Samartsev [CAFK]; Surxondaryo Region, Dehqonobod District, 10 km NW Atkamar, 38.33445°N, 66.3124°E, 11.V.2015, 1 ♂, leg. M. Mokrousov, M. Proshchalykin, K. Samartsev [CAFK]; Tashkent, 7.V.1930, 2 ♂, leg. V. Gussakovskij [ZISP]; ibid., 11.V.1930, 1 ♂, leg. V. Gussakovskij [ZISP]; ibid., 28.V.1930, 1 ♂, leg. V. Gussakovskij [ZISP]; Tashkent, Ak-Tash, 25.VI.1925, 1 ♀ [ZMMU]; ibid., 1925, 3 ♀, leg. E. Smirnov [ZMMU]; Vicinity of Dekhkanabad, 18.IX.1972, 1 ♂, leg. V. Kazenas [FSCV]; Vrevskaya Station, 16.V.1932, 1 ♂, leg. Veltishchev [ZISP]; Yakkabog, W Gyssar, Kaltakol, 2.VII.1997, 1 ♀, leg. V. Gromenko [MSVI]. KYRGYZSTAN: 8 km NW Dzahal-Abad, Kapa-Kiyanyr, 4.V.1997, 1 ♂, leg. V. Gromenko [MSVI]; Chon-Aryk (Mount Boz-Peldek) near Bishkek, 42°47′06″N, 74°34′37″E, 1080 m, 29.VII.2000, 1 ♀, leg. G. Anufriyev, D. Potanin [CAFK]; Nothern Alai, upper reaches of Gulcha River, 3 km below mouth of Katta-Karakol River, 2500 m, 13.VII.2000, 1 ♂, leg. V. Dubatolov [ISEN]; ibid., 16.VII.2000, 1 ♀, leg. V. Dubatolov [ISEN]; Talas Alatau, Karabus Place, 26.VII.1973, 1 ♂, leg. Yu. Tarbinskiy [FSCV]; Tien Shan, Boom Canyon, 14.VI.1974, 1 ♀, leg. Pek [FSCV]. KAZAKHSTAN. Almaty and Jetisu provinces: 25 km W Alma-Ata, 12.VI.1979, 1 ♀, leg. N. Kurzenko [FSCV]; 3 km NW Kokpek, 43.4657°N, 78.6448°E, 19.V.2024, 1 ♂, leg. A. Fateryga [CAFK]; 6 km NNW Kokpek, 43.5017°N, 78.6225°E, 19.V.2024, 2 ♂, leg. A. Fateryga [CAFK]; Altyn-Emel National Park, Shylbyr, 43.9582°N, 78.1869°E, 5.V.2024, 1 ♀, leg. A. Fateryga [CAFK]; Charyn National Park, 18 km SWW Chundzha, 43.5028°N, 79.2134°E, 12.V.2024, 1 ♂, leg. A. Fateryga [CAFK]; N foothills of Zhetykol Range, 29.VII.1971, 2 ♀, leg. N. Kurzenko [FSCV]; Trans-Ili Alatau, Bolshoy Dalan Canyon, 2.VI.1971, 1 ♀, leg. N. Kurzenko [FSCV]; ibid., 19.VI.1971, 1 ♀, leg. N. Kurzenko [FSCV]; Trans-Ili Alatau, Bolshoye Almatynskoye Canyon, 21.VI.1974, 1 ♀, leg. V. Kazenas [FSCV]; Trans-Ili Alatau, upper reaches of Malaya Almatinka River, 18.VII.1938, 1 ♀, leg. G. Kostylev [ZMMU]; ibid., 25.VII.1938, 1 ♀, leg. G. Kostylev [ZMMU]; Trans-Ili Alatau, vicinity of Alma-Ata, 6.VII.1974, 1 ♀, leg. V. Kazenas [FSCV]; ibid., 6.VI.1979, 1 ♀, leg. N. Kurzenko [FSCV]. East Kazakhstan Province: Vicinity of Teskesen, 7.VI.1979, 1 ♀, leg. V. Kazenas [FSCV]. Jambyl Province: 50 km W Jambyl, 12.V.1977, 1 ♀, leg. V. Kazenas [FSCV]; Karatau Range, 10 km W Biylikul, 13.V.1977, 1 ♀, 1 ♂, leg. V. Kazenas [FSCV]; Karatau Range, Kuyuk Pass, 26.VII.1971, 1 ♂, leg. N. Kurzenko [FSCV]; Karatau, near Biylikul Lake, 27.VII.1971, 2 ♀, leg. N. Kurzenko [FSCV]; Southern vicinity of Muyunkum, Tatty, 19.VIII.1972, 1 ♂, leg. V. Kazenas [FSCV]. Kyzylorda Province: SW slope of Karatau, Dzhan-Kurgan Canyon, Uch-Ayra, 29.VII.1910, 1 ♂, leg. A. Trizna [ZISP]. Turkestan Province: 30 km NNW Belyye Vody, 26.V.1981, 2 ♀, leg. V. Kazenas [FSCV]; Boroldaytau Range, 30 km NW Vannovka, 24.V.1975, 1 ♀, leg. V. Kazenas [FSCV]; Vicinity of Turkestan, 5.VI.1911, 1 ♂, leg. A. Trizna [ZISP].

Distribution. Iran, Turkmenistan, Tajikistan, Uzbekistan, Kyrgyzstan, Kazakhstan (Fig. 11).

Remarks. Blüthgen (1938: 279) listed this species as a synonym of Euodynerus (Pseudepipona) lativentris, while later he supposed that it might be conspecific with P. beckeri, without mentioning their conspecifity with P. lativentris (Blüthgen 1951: 185). Following Blüthgen, van der Vecht & Fischer (1972: 83) listed O. falsus as a synonym of P. beckeri but with a question. Fateryga et al. (2023: 441) preliminary treated O. falsus within P. lativentris but not P. beckeri. Pseudepipona falsa is considered here a separate species, not a synonym of either P. beckeri or P. lativentris, due to a very distinct morphology of male F11 (a different shape and presence of a tyloid) and a strongly different punctation of the metasoma, especially in the female sex. The report of this species from Crimea by Kostylev (1928: 405) was based on a misidentification of P. beckeri (cf. Fateryga 2018).