REVISION OF LEUCOSPIDAE 61 



Leucospis latifrons Schletterer 

 (Text-fig. 58) 



Leucospis latifrons Schletterer, 1890 : 259-261, $. Holotype <$, Mexico: Temax, N. Yucatan 



(BMNH) [examined]. 

 Leucospis decorata Weld, 1922 : 24-25, $. Holotype $, Costa Rica: Juan Vinas (USNM). 



Syn. n. 



I studied the holotype of L. latifrons and had specimens identified as and compared 

 with the holotype of L. decorata by Dr Burks. The pale markings are yellow in 

 most specimens identified as decorata and whitish in the holotype of latifrons but 

 otherwise there is no difference. The closely related L. affinis Say shows a similar 

 variation. 



I have seen also most of the specimens identified as L. azteca by Schletterer. 

 They clearly belong to the same species as latifrons, which I find rather puzzling, 

 as Schletterer was an acute observer otherwise. He probably had this lot and 

 latifrons at different times and could not compare them properly, because he 

 compares L. latifrons with L. klugii, a very different species. 



L. latifrons is very similar to L. affinis from which it differs mainly by the unusual 

 pilosity of the hind coxa (Text-fig. 58) and in having the pale markings on the 

 thorax usually much more reduced, on the pronotum to a narrow line posteriorly 

 on the premarginal carina, with the sides always black. However, some small 

 males (of 5 mm) from Mexico may be difficult to place with certainty as the hairs 

 in the depression of the hind coxa are less conspicuous, although even then they 

 clearly converge towards the deepest median part of the depression where the 

 puncturation is much denser than on the streak just below and (especially) above. 

 In these males the penultimate tergite usually bears a narrow median whitish line, 

 whilst in affinis there is an oval spot instead; the gaster is more narrowed at base 

 than in L. affinis, with the first tergite distinctly elongate, usually about 1.2 times 

 as long as broad, whilst in L. affinis this tergite is at most as long as broad, 

 usually slightly transverse in the small specimens. 



Biology. Not yet known. 



Distribution. Mexico, Guatemala, Costa Rica, Colombia, Bolivia. 



Material examined. 



Type data given in synonymy. 



Mexico: No locality, 1862, 2 $ (Biart), vi. 1863, 1 $ (Sumichrast) (MNHN, Paris); 

 N. Leon, W. of El Cercado, 6.vi.i95i, 1$ (P. D. Hnrd) (BMNH); S. Luis Potosi, 

 5 mis W. of Xilitla, 800 m, 22.vii.1954, 1 <$ [Univ. Kans. Exp.) (DE, Davis); 

 Nayarit, Pichon, 5^.1956, 1 <$ (R. & K. Dreisbach) (EM, East Lansing); Jalisco, 

 Tequilla, 19.vii.1954, 1 $ (J. W. McSwain) (CIS, Berkeley); Guerrero, Xucumanatlan, 

 250 m, 1$, 4 ^ (H. H. Smith) (BMNH); State Vera Cruz, Orizaba, 1862, 2 $ (Biart) 

 (MNHN, Paris), 1871, 1$ (Bilimek) (NM, Vienna); Cordoba, 1$, i<$, 'azteca det. 

 Schletterer' (MHN, Geneva), vii. 1966, 2$, 5 ^ (Buckett & Gardiner) (MCZ, 

 Cambridge; BMNH); Yucatan, Chichen Itza, 6.^.1965, 1$ (0. W. Richards) 



