Genus Pristepyris

Pristocera (Acrepyris) Kieffer, 1905

Neopristocera Yasumatsu, 1955

2018 - Azevedo et al. synonymize Acrepyris, formerly a subgenus containing all the species of Pristocera in the western hemisphere, with Pristepyris, which is considered a valid genus separate from Pristocera. "Recently, when we started a review of 'Acrepyris', we found clearly in part of the publication where the genus Acrepyris was proposed that Pristepyris name was already a valid name. Acrepyris was cited as new genus in Kieffer & Marshall on page 249, published on November 1st 1905, while Pristepyris was mentioned as a genus already known on page 246 published in the same set pages, referring the designation of Pristepyris name to the publication of Kieffer (1905). This indicates that Pristepyris, not Acrepyris, is the senior synonym for the genus conception."(1)

2014 - "treated in American sources, e.g.(2)(3) as a subgenus of Pristocera; according to(2), no other subgenera are represented in our area; however, Dr Lim have identified some of the posted images as Pristocera and some as Acrepyris, so we'll keep both pages as separate genera for the time being." =v=

Pristepyris Kieffer, 1905; Azevedo et al., 2018(1)

~8 spp. in our area

Usually < 15 mm in length.

Males: body size usually smaller than 15 mm; male hypopygium/subgenital plate not deeply divided into two lobes, posterior margin at most incurved; clypeus with median lobe clearly defined, varying shapes; dorsal pronotal area long, lateral and anterior margin almost same size, but always distinct; eyes without hairs; cuspis simple, not divided into arms; antennomeres gradually longer and narrower distally; aedeagus with three valvae (distinct for the family).(1)

Females: mesonotum short, transverse, much wider than long; mesopleuron, seen in dorsal view, quite large; body at most only weakly flattened; abdominal sternum II petiolar flap not expanded laterally; head less or as large as pronotal width and oval shaped; anterior portion of metapectal-propodeal complex much constricted.(1)

Worldwide except in Australia.

Parasitizes Coleoptera: Elateridae.

Females are flightless, ant-like creatures. --Richard Vernier

Pristocera does not occur in the western hemisphere. Members of that genus are usually larger (10-30 mm) and the male hypopygium/subgenital plate is deeply divided into two lobes.(1)

Evans, H. E. (1963). A revision of the genus Pristocera in the Americas (Hymenoptera, Bethylidae). Bulletin of the Museum of Comparative Zoology at Harvard College, Vol. 129: 241-290. (Biodiversity Heritage Library)