Stenonartonia polybioides

Species-group of Stenonartonia polybioides

This is a quite homogeneous group in both structure and color pattern. Its five species are rather large, moderately elongate bodied, with a color pattern reminiscent of the social wasp Agelaia fulvofasciata (De Geer) and sharing the following features: Occipital carina interrupted behind the interocular space. Female vertex with specialized area thin, arc-like. Humeral angle not projecting. Tegula smooth at the middle. Axilla flattened, not or little (S. perdita) depressed posterolateraly, with its posterior tip translucent amber (except in S. perdita). Anterior axillary fossula small and exposed. Scutellum convex, hardly declivitous at side, where it forms a partly translucent amber lamellar projection over the opening of the axillary fossa. Opening of the axillary fossa rather dimple-like. Scutellar crest separated behind from scutellum by a sulcus. Metanotal ridge variable, from almost absent to very high. Epicnemial carina absent. Mesepisternal sulcus thin. Overall propodeal shape semi oval, without either a concavity nor a flattened posterior surface, and with a well defined medial channel bearing a complete medial carina. Sublateral propodeal surface abundantly striatopunctate to striate (striae very thin and obscured by macropunctation in S. guaraya). Lateral propodeal surface at most sparsely macropunctate. Apical propodeal lamella reduced and inseparably fused to the valvula. Metasomal segment 1 elongate sub conical to campanulate. T1 low and gently convex above in side view, without a medial carina along its anterior declivity and with a very low and obtuse though well marked transverse carina. S1 narrowly elongate to campanulate. T2 with pregradular area dull and gradulus shallow.