A phylogenetic approach to the Neotropical social wasp genus Leipomeles Möbius, 1856 (Vespidae: Epiponini), with a new identification key Author Somavilla, Alexandre Author Vieira, Gabriel Santos Author Andena, Sérgio Ricardo Author Noll, Fernando Barbosa Author Carpenter, James M. text American Museum Novitates 2023 2023-12-19 2023 4006 1 12 https://bioone.org/journals/american-museum-novitates/volume-2023/issue-4006/4006.1/A-Phylogenetic-Approach-to-the-Neotropical-Social-Wasp-Genus-Leipomeles/10.1206/4006.1.full journal article 10.1206/4006.1 0003-0082 10777857 KEY TO THE SPECIES Of LEIPOMELES MÖBIUS Adapted from Richards, 1978 1. Smooth and shining, less punctured (fig. 1B, D); first metasomal segment about twice as long as wide; hind wing with Cu1 shorter than Cu-a............................................2 1′. Darker, more punctured—colors dark brown to black (fig. 1A, C); first metasomal segment slightly longer than wide; hind wing with Cu1 as long as Cu-a....................................3 FIGURE 3. Nests of Leipomeles from AMNH nest database. A. Leipomeles dorsata (Fabricius, 1804) . B. Leipomeles spilogaster (Cameron, 1912) . 2. Pronotal carina stronger and straighter; clypeus a little wider than long (fig. 2D); coloration blackish and creamy white (fig. 1A); head with substantial blackish marking............................................................................... L. spilogaster (Cameron, 1912) 2′. Pronotal carina weak, more recurved laterally; clypeus a little longer than wide (fig. 2B); coloration yellow-brown and yellow or whitish-yellow (fig. 1B); head hardly with darker color........................................................................ L. dorsata (Fabricius, 1804) 3. Head and mesosoma very indistinctly punctured (figs. 1A, 2A); clypeus rounded below; POL: OOL = 2: 3; metanotum with a slight dorsal area; propodeum yellow marked (fig. 1A).................................................................. L. albogrisea ( Richards, 1978 ) 3′. Head and mesosoma more shining, more distinctly punctured (fig. 1C, 2C); clypeus angled below; POL: OOL = 1: 2.5; metanotum without dorsal area; propodeum black (fig. 1C)............................................................................. L. pusilla ( Ducke, 1904 )