Revisiting the genus Priocnemella (Hymenoptera: Pompilidae): a long-overdue taxonomic update

Abstract

Pompilidae are a group of wasps popularly known as spider hunters due to their behavior of capturing spiders for the development of their larvae. Many of the Neotropical genera lack extensive studies and taxonomic keys, for instance Priocnemella Banks. This genus has recently undergone changes in taxonomic composition following a revision of Eragenia Banks, a morphologically and phylogenetically related genus. Eragenia has received some species transferred from Priocnemella, while Phanochilus Banks was synonymized with Priocnemella. Despite the proposed changes, the group has never been revised taxonomically. Species identification is hampered by the lack of updated keys and illustrations. This study aims to review the genus Priocnemella, examining external morphology of both sexes and male genitalia morphology. Priocnemella aurata (Fox, 1897) has its status revalidated; Priocnemella hexagona omissa Banks, 1946 and Priocnemella eurytheme (Banks, 1944) are synonymized with P. hexagona (Fox, 1897) new syn.; and Priocnemella dimidiaticornis (Spinola, 1851) is discussed, with its male described and illustrated for the first time. Ten species of Priocnemella are recognized: Priocnemis fairchildi (Banks, 1925), Priocnemella fuscomarginata (Fox, 1897), Priocnemella hexagona (Banks, 1925), Priocnemella gloriosa (Smith, 1873), Priocnemella aurata (Fox, 1897) status rev., Priocnemella aurodecorata (Cameron, 1912), Priocnemella nobilitata (Smith, 1866), Priocnemella ornata (Banks, 1946); Priocnemella insignis (Banks, 1946), and Priocnemella dimidiaticornis (Spinola, 1851). Our results underscore the critical need for further taxonomic studies to enhance our understanding of biodiversity.