Chrysis.net Forum

This Elampus from north Portugal keys out as Elampus sanzii in Mingo 1994. The front angle of the mesopleuron curves round rather than having a sharp angle. However, I would like to have his ID confirmed if possible.

I'm not very familiar with the genus, I never seem to find it. Nor have I read (or been able to understand) Mingo's keys, but have you tried running it through the key in "Moczar 1964 Über die Notozus-Arten Ungarns"? (can send you it as a pdf if you want)
In short:
The metanotal projection should have parallel sided lateral edges as seen here
The apical plate of the last tergite almost heart shaped, the medial incision not reaching halfway up to the dorsal edge of the plate as the third picture here

Hi Ian,

it looks like a common Elampus spina sensu Linsenmaier (1959) and Moczar (1964).
Can you take other pictures? e.g. mesoscutum and apical plate on T3?

Cheers
Paolo

Hi Paolo

Here is the apical plate of T3. Not a very good picture unfortunately - I will try to get a better one. It is crescent-shaped and with a very, very shallow, wide notch. The notch is less than one quarter the height of the apical plate, more like a very flat "V" that tapers away almost to the corners of the plate.

Alex, are you able to forward a PDF of Moczar 1964 ? I do struggle with Mingo - I can't understand how it makes such a small genus so hard??!!

Metanotum dorsal view and apical plate with shape outlined

and Metanotal projection outlined

I think this is constrictus but confirmation very welcome.

Ian

Hi Ian,

I confirm my first impression ... male of Elampus spina (Lepeletier) sensu Linsenmaier and Moczar.
The shape of the head in lateral view, in the first picture, apical margin of T3 and metanotal spine are the same of S Spanish, S French and Italian specimens.

Cheers
Paolo

Hi Paolo

Great to have a definitive answer. Many thanks.

Ian