Tachysphex pompiliformis

(Panzer, 1804)

Tachysphex pompiliformis is a small digger wasp in the Crabronidae. The was taxonomically redefined in 2016 when Straka demonstrated that the name had been misapplied to at least 14 similar species in Europe and Turkey. Four former synonyms were restored to species status: T. austriacus, T. dimidiatus, T. jokischianus, and T. nigripennis. As a result of this revision, the precise distribution and biological details of the true T. pompiliformis remain uncertain pending review of voucher specimens. The species belongs to the pompiliformis species-group, the most species-rich group within Tachysphex in Iran.

2017 07 08 Tachysphex cf pompiliformis2 by Slimguy. Used under a CC BY 4.0 license.

SaundersHymenopteraAculeataPlate11 by Edward Saunders. Used under a Public domain license.

2017 07 08 Tachysphex cf pompiliformis by Slimguy. Used under a CC BY 4.0 license.

Pronunciation

How to pronounce Tachysphex pompiliformis: /ˌtæ.kɪˈsfɛks ˌpɒm.pɪ.lɪˈfɔː.mɪs/

These audio files are automatically generated. While they are not always 100% accurate, they are a good starting point.

Identification

Definitive identification of T. pompiliformis requires examination of morphological characters that distinguish it from the 14 similar now recognized in the pompiliformis complex. The 2016 revision by Straka separated these cryptic species based on detailed morphological analysis; field identification is not reliably possible without knowledge and reference to .

Images

Distribution

Confirmed records from Austria, Bulgaria, Czech Republic, France, Germany, Greece, Hungary, Italy, Kyrgyzstan, Portugal, Slovakia, Switzerland, and Turkey. Records from Azerbaijan (Nakhchivan Autonomous Republic) and Iran exist, though the 2016 taxonomic revision suggests that specimens identified as T. pompiliformis from many locations may represent other in the complex. GBIF records indicate broader reported distribution including Africa, Europe, North America, and Southern Asia, but these require verification against the revised species concept.

Similar Taxa

Tachysphex austriacusFormerly synonymized with T. pompiliformis; restored to status in 2016 revision
Tachysphex dimidiatusFormerly synonymized with T. pompiliformis; restored to status in 2016 revision
Tachysphex jokischianusFormerly synonymized with T. pompiliformis; restored to status in 2016 revision
Tachysphex nigripennisFormerly synonymized with T. pompiliformis; restored to status in 2016 revision
TachysphexOther in the pompiliformis complex (approximately 10 additional unnamed or status-uncertain species) are morphologically similar and were formerly confused under the name T. pompiliformis

Misconceptions

Prior to 2016, T. pompiliformis was widely considered a common and variable across Europe and adjacent regions. The 2016 revision demonstrated that this concept encompassed multiple cryptic species, meaning much published biological information attributed to T. pompiliformis may apply to other species in the complex.

More Details

Taxonomic History

The was originally described by Panzer in 1804. Straka (2016) redefined the species limits, recognizing that the name had been misapplied to at least 14 very similar species. Of 16 former synonyms, four were restored to species status and the remainder left as uncertain.

Research Needs

A rigorous review of existing museum specimens is needed to clarify the true distribution and of T. pompiliformis sensu stricto. Most published biological data for this require re-evaluation to determine which species in the complex they actually represent.