Taxonomic study on potter wasps (Hymenoptera: Vespidae: Eumeninae) of Malakand, Pakistan

The present study was done in district Malakand, Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, Pakistan. This study was conducted to record the biodiversity of subfamily Eumeninae indistrict Malakand. The specimens were collected from diverse localities of Malakand through active search with the use of hand net. The captured specimens were then killed by spraying insecticides in the hand nets. The killed specimens were transferred to bottles having 95% ethanol, cyanide and ethyl acetate. The specimens were then placed in freezer for 1 or 2 days to prevent any fungal contamination. The entomological pins were used for the pining of dead specimens. The dried wasps were labeled and transferred to insect boxes having naphthalene balls as a preservative. The dried wasps were then observed and identified up to species and subspecies level with the help of pervious published literature. A total of 7species (Delta dimidiatipenne, Antodynerus limbatus, Rhynchium carnaticum, Allorhynchium argentatum, Katamenes dimidiatus, Antepipona sibilans and Antepipona deflenda), 3 subspecies (Delta pyriformepyriforme, Delta esuriensesuriens and Antodynerousflavesens flavesens) under 6 genera (Delta, Antodynerus, Rhynchium, Allorhynchium, Katamene and Antepipona) of the subfamily Eumeninaeare reported. These taxaare recorded for the first time from district Malakand, Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, Pakistan.


Introduction
The subfamily Eumeninae is the largest and diverse subfamily of the family Vespidae. It contains 3,773 species under 205 genera. The wasps belonging to this subfamily arepresent throughout the world [1]. The Eumeninae is the primary lineage of the family Vespidae. The members of Eumeninae are generally named as "potter wasps". It is more abundant and varied group having many species as compared to other subfamilies of the Vespidae. They are the common predators in most ecosystems [2]. They are called potter wasps because members of genus Eumenes and other similar genera made their nest from mud [3]. Eumeninae wasps are classified in 3 tribes which are Zethini, Odynerini, and Eumenini [4]. Potter wasps are solitary wasps some species show primitive social behavior. Larvae of Eumeninae wasps are predators of many insect larvae while the adult of this subfamily feed on nectar. Eumeninae is economically very important because they are the predators of many pests. These wasps are also called mason wasps [5]. Size of the adult is about 2mm to 28mm. Some species have Petiolate metasoma but most wasps are not Petiolate. Parategula present on mesoscutum, tarsal claws are bifid, hind coxa has longitudinal carina on dorsal side and three sub marginal cells present in forewing [6]. They cannot form colony and have no labour division. The female of solitary wasps capture the insect, paralyze their prey (insect) by stinging and bring itto their nests. Each cell in the nests of potter wasps is filled by one insect (single). The wasps lay eggs in these prey filled cells and seal them. Solitary waspsconstruct their nest from clay and mud.Spider waspsare the largest wasps among Potter wasps [7]. Some solitary wasps are burrowers in soil or wood while some species of the genera Calligaster and Zethus construct nests from plant materials [8]. The wasps of this subfamily used different methods for nest construction. One female (single female) starts the nest construction from different materials used mud or clay sometimes used vegetable and plant materials. On the basis of nests locations (habitats) Eumeninae wasps are of three types, i.e. renters, excavators and builders. Most species of this group are provisioners [9].

Materials and Methods Study area
District Malakand is located among 34-22' to 34-41' north latitudes and 71-37' to 72-14' east longitudes. It is attached to district Swat by a series of hills on the east-north. It is connected to Mohmand Agency and Bajawar Agency through a range of mountains on the west and to district Dir Lower on north. It is also linked to district Bunir on east, district Charsada on south to west and district Mardan on south to east. Total area of thedistrict is about 952 km 2 (District Census Report, 1998).

Specimens' collection
The specimenswere collected from diverse localities of Malakand through active search with the use of the hand net. The specimens were caught from both plan area (public parks, old and new buildings, flowering plants, agronomic crops,gardens, fruit markets, vegetable markets, fields, and other vegetation) and mountains (grasses, springs water, damp area, water stream, small, and large trees) of the Malakand. The captured specimens were then killed by spraying insecticides (Black Cobra) in the hand nets.

Preservation of the specimens
The killed specimens were transferred to bottles having 95% ethanol, cyanide and ethyl acetate. The specimens were then placed in freezer for 1 or 2 days to prevent any fungal contamination. The entomological pins were used for the pining of dead specimens. The dried wasps (specimens) were labeled and transferred to insect boxes. Naphthalene balls were present in each insect box as a preservative. Microscopy Specimens were observed through Stereomicroscope (Nikon Japan) to record taxonomically important structures. Photography Pictures of the specimens were captured through Canon camera.

Measurements
The measurements of the complete body (body length), and body parts of the specimens were done through Digital Calliper.

Body measurements
The female body length is 10.5-12.2 mm and the length of female fore wing is 9-9.5mm while the length of male is 11 mm and the fore wing length of male is 8.8 mm. Distribution Pakistan, Bangladesh and India (Fig. 4)

Body measurements
Length of the female is 15-15.8 mm and the length of the fore wing of female is 10.2-11 mm. The length of the male body is 12 mm and the fore wing length is 9.7 mm.

Distribution
Pakistan, India, China, Nepal, Myanmmar, Thailand and Laos (Fig. 5)  The length of the body is 16.8 mm and the length of the fore wing is 13 mm.

Body measurements
The length of the female is 7.5 mm and fore wing is 6 mm. The length of the male is 7 mm and fore wing length is 5.8 mm.