Vespa dybowskii Andre 1884

Vespa dybowskii André, 1884 Description. Head (Fig. 7): CW / MW = 1.55–1.75 (n = 30, mean 1.64). Cranium nearly circular in frontal view (Fig. 7 B, C), with moderate irregular rugo-reticulation; rugo-reticulation absent in the ventral area of the cranium between the lateral margin of the clypeus and the outer margin of the cranium. Antenna positioned well behind the level of the dorsal margin of the clypeus (Fig. 7 C), measuring 0.06–0.07 mm in diameter (Fig. 7 B, C), with a heavily sclerotized rim. Paired suprafrontal marks well defined; dotted patches on the frons faint; area around the frontal suture with fewer than 10 widely distributed setae, with fewer than 10 setae on the frons. Temporal band (Fig. 7 B, C, E) with heavily margined dorsal and ventral edges, with other parts exhibiting vaguely defined margins; inner region with moderate ferruginous pigmentation throughout; ventral edge positioned above the dorsal margin of the antenna (Fig. 7 C). Clypeus as depicted in Fig. 7 B, C; main disc with dorsal margin weakly convex, dorsolateral corner weakly angled, and lateral margin slightly curved and lacking pigmented spots, except in the tentorial pits; main disc not very high, with a CLI of 1.5–2; main disc with approximately 60 setae; ventral section with anterior margin shallowly concave medially. Labrum (Fig. 7 D, left) with sensory bristles concentrated in the median half. Palate as shown in Fig. 7 B, C, D (right); median patch and sclerotized patch absent; conical papillae densely distributed ventrally and evenly dispersed; largest conical papilla measuring 0.025 mm in diameter at the base; most spicules located on the medioventral region. Mandible (Fig. 6 B, F) with the apical half heavily sclerotized; outer surface without pits but with a few bumps (Fig. 7 A). Mandibular teeth I and II distinctly projected compared with tooth III; tooth I as large as II, and IIIa as large as IIIb; teeth I and II separated at an angle of 50 ° – 80 °, II and IIIa at 50 ° – 80 °, and IIIa and IIIb at 70 ° – 105 °; all teeth slick and relatively sharp at the apex, except for tooth II, which often has a faintly bifid dorsal margin; bifurcation point between teeth II and IIIa slightly deeper than other bifurcation points. Maxilla with approximately 20 setae. Prelabium with sparse setae. Body (thorax and abdomen): Body 20–22 mm in length (n = 30, mean 21 mm) and 10–13 mm in width (mean 11.4 mm); integument with sparse setae. Spiracles shallow; generally uniform in size, except for spiracles 1, 2, and 10, which are slightly smaller; largest spiracle 0.3 mm in diameter, with a spiracular rim thickness of 0.025 mm, bearing dense processes. Remarks. This species is distinguished by an entirely weakly pigmented temporal band and by having conical papillae and spicules confined to a narrow ventral zone on the palate. Specimens examined. South Korea • 5 mature larvae; Jeollanam-do, Suncheon-si; 34°59'48"N, 127°24'54"E; 18 Aug. 2022; Choi and Ma • 9 mature larvae; Jeollanam-do, Gwangyang-si; 35°01'08"N, 127°39'28"E; 14 Oct. 2022; Choi and Ma • 11 mature larvae; Chungcheongbuk-do, Cheongju-si; 36°41'55"N, 127°39'19"E; 6 Sept. 2023; Choi and Kim • 20 mature larvae; Gyeongsangbuk-do, Andong-si; 36°38'01"N, 128°38'36"E; 01 Sept. 2023; Choi and Kim • 10 mature larvae; Gyeongsangbuk-do, Yeongyang-gun; 36°36'15"N, 129°04'31"E; 08 Sept. 2023; Choi et al. • 10 mature larvae; Gyeongsangbuk-do, Yeongyang-gun; 36°41'20"N, 129°08'48"E; 08 Sept. 2023; Choi et al. • 5 mature larvae; Gangwon-do, Bonghwa-gun; 36°58'35"N, 128°47'04"E; 19 Oct. 2022; Choi and Kim • 10 mature larvae; Gyeongsangbuk-do, Yeongyang-gun; 36°38'49"N, 129°09'24"E; 12 Sept. 2023; Kim.