An illustrated atlas for male genitalia of the New World Polistes Latreille, 1802 (Vespidae: Polistinae) Author Somavilla, Alexandre Author Oliveira, Marcio Luiz Author Andena, Sergio Ricardo Author Carpenter, James Michael text Zootaxa 2018 2018-10-25 4504 3 301 344 journal article 28082 10.11646/zootaxa.4504.3.1 6462b796-ce0d-40ed-83ff-e69e9f290f8e 1175-5326 2606326 1B0BEDBC-9409-41D7-B752-81D9843BACAA Polistes ( Epicnemius ) billardieri Fabricius Paramere ( Fig. 24A ): (1) about three times longer than wide at the middle; (2) lateral groove deep; (3) parameral spine very robust and long (about 1/6 the total length of paramere), pointed apically with long and dense bristles; (4) paramere lobe developed and widely rounded; (5) inferior portion of paramere narrow, about half the width at the middle portion. Aedeagus ( Fig. 24B, C ): slender; (1) apical portion with fine and serrated denticulation, extended the apex of the apical portion to the median expansion, lateral margin straight; (2) penis valve weakly dilated and with a slight central entrance (about 1/3 of the total length of apical portion); (3) median expansion widely developed, rounded apex; (4) lateral apodeme directed forward and shorter than the ventral process, (5) ventral process rounded and expanded in apex; (6) inferior portion of aedeagus curved, in lateral view. Digitus ( Fig. 24D ): slender; (1) apical process developed, about twice longer than the digitus base, weakly expanded at the apex, (2) apex pointed; (3) anteroventral lobe short and rounded apically; (4) punctation larger on the side of the base; (5) short and sparse bristles. Cuspis ( Fig. 24E ): slender; (1) apex pointed and tapering abruptly to the end; (1) very long and dense bristles on cuspis; (3) punctation restricted on the lateral lobe; (4) lower part widely developed. Remarks. In Richards (1978: 538–540) , P. billardieri was divided into three subspecies ( Polistes billardieri billardieri , Polistes billardieri biglumoides Ducke and Polistes billardieri ruficornis de Saussure ). He commented (pp. 538–539) that the denticulation was “small, acute” with 23–26 teeth, distal expansion not large on aedeagus, cuspis with a large projection and digitus with hairs long and extending almost whole length which is different from our description. Unfortunately, Richards did not draw the genitalia.