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The Neotropical social wasp genus Chartergus is reviewed and comparative diagnoses, images of type material, and an updated identification key for species are presented. To investigate the phylogenetic relationships within the genus, we used a combined dataset of morphological characters, nest architecture traits, and molecular data. The results revealed the following relationships among the Chartergus species: (C. globiventris + (C. artifex + C. metanotalis)).

Charterginus Fox, 1898 is a neotropical genus of swarm-founding social wasps consisting of six species. Despite its ecological significance, there are limited studies on various aspects of these wasps. To address this, this study aims to provide a comprehensive comparative diagnosis for all Charterginus species, accompanied by high-quality images of the type material. Moreover, a distribution map incorporating both previous and newly recorded occurrences is presented, shedding light on the geographical range of these species. Through these efforts, we aim to enhance the knowledge and facilitate future research on Charterginus, ultimately contributing to a better understanding of swarm-founding social wasps.

The genus Protopolybia Ducke was analyzed using a multilocus phylogenetic approach, which confirmed its monophyly. In contrast with the arrangements derived solely from morphological data, however, this analysis divides the genus into only two major clades. The study also presents divergence times for the origin and diversification of Protopolybia, which are related to possible vicariant events occurring in the Amazon biome.

A catalogue of Eumeninae occurring in Oceania is presented, the first in more than a century.

A taxonomic study on the Afrotropical species in the genus Anterhynchium de Saussure, 1863 is presented. Some subspecies are elevated to specific rank (Anterhynchium argenteopilosellum (Giordani Soika, 1937) stat. nov., A. bugandanum Giordani Soika, 1987 stat. nov., A. cariosum Giordani Soika, 1987 stat. nov., A. denticulatum (Mocsáry, 1903) stat. nov., A. sulphureomaculatum (von Schulthess, 1928) stat. nov.). New synonymies are proposed for Anterhynchium fallax (de Saussure, 1852) (=Rhynchium luctuosum Gerstäcker 1857 syn. nov.), Anterhynchium grandidieri (de Saussure, 1890) (= Epiodynerus grandidieri limbatulus Giordani Soika, 1991 syn. nov.), Anterhynchium grayi (de Saussure, 1855) (= Synagris inermis var. atrata Mocsáry, 1903 syn. nov.; = Rhynchium grayi var. sumptuosum Gribodo, 1895 syn. nov.), Anterhynchium mephisto (Gribodo, 1892) (= Anterhynchium beninum Gusenleitner, 2018 syn. nov.; = Odynerus rufoniger Bequaert, 1918 syn. nov.; = Synagris uncata Tullgren, 1904 syn. nov.); Anterhynchium synagroide (de Saussure, 1852) (=Rhynchium synagroides var. alpha von Schulthess, 1923 syn. nov.; Rhynchium synagroides var. beta von Schulthess, 1923 syn. nov.), Anterhynchium andreanum (de Saussure, 1890) (= Odynerus andreanus discolor Giordani Soika, 1941 syn. nov.); Anterhynchium synagroide gamma (von Schulthess, 1924) is considered as a doubtful synonym of A. argenteopilosellum syn. nov. The nominal subgenus is redefined and divided into the following species-groups: grayi species-group, mephisto species-group, osborni species-group and synagroide species-group. The Malagasy species are transferred from Epiodynerus Giordani Soika to the nominal subgenus but considered as incertae sedis in it. Odynerus natalensis de Saussure, 1855 and Anterhynchium uniforme Gusenleitner, 2012 are transferred to Antodynerus de Saussure, 1855 (Antodynerus natalensis comb. nov. and Antodynerus uniforme comb. nov.), Rhynchium histrionicum Gerstäcker, 1857 is transferred to Euodynerus Dalla Torre, 1904 (Euodynerus (Euodynerus) histrionicus comb. nov.), Rhynchium holomelas André, 1895 is transferred to Pseudagris de Saussure, 1863 (Pseudagris holomelas comb. nov.; = Rhynchium junodianum von Schulthess, 1899 syn. nov.; = Synagris aterrima Maidl, 1914 syn. nov.), Anterhynchium obscurum Gusenleitner, 2007 is transferred to Tricarinodynerus Giordani Soika, 1952 (Tricarinodynerus obscurus comb. nov.). Anterhynchium dahomeyicus Gusenleitner, 2018 is a junior synonym of Aethiopicodynerus punctiventris (Gusenleitner, 2002) syn. nov. Lectotypes for Odynerus andreanus de Saussure, 1890 and Rhynchium sulphureomaculatum von Schulthess, 1928 are designated. A key to the species is provided.

A catalogue of the social wasps occurring in Australia is presented. New synonymies include Vespa cohabitatrix Curtiss, 1938 (= Polistes olivaceus (DeGeer, 1773)) and Vespula vulgaris vetus Eck, 1999 (= Vespula vulgaris (Linnaeus, 1758)).

A cladistic analysis of the genus Synagris is performed to assess the taxonomic status and limits of its subgenera, examining external morphology and male genitalia. The subgenera S. (Rhynchagris) and S. (Pseudagris) are raised to generic rank (Rhynchagris stat. nov. and Pseudagris stat. nov.), with the former as senior synonym of Pteromenes Giordani Soika syn. nov.; the subgenus S. (Hypagris) stat. res. is no longer a synonym of S. (Paragris); while S. (Synagris) is monophyletic and retains its status as subgenus. Replacement name due to homonymy is proposed for Synagris cornuta maculata Bequaert, 1918 (Synagris cornuta maculatoides nom. nov.).

An account of the Antonio Giordani Soika Eumeninae collection housed at the Natural History Museum of Venice Giancarlo Ligabue is presented, following its recent reorganization. A list of identified species, with the count of specimens, is provided, as well as details on type specimens. With over 21,000 identified specimens and 2,756 type specimens from all zoogeographical regions, the collection covers over 60% of the worlds Eumeninae species. Several incongruities emerged during the verification of type specimens. A brief history of the collection is presented, with comments on Giordani Soikas activity.

A catalogue of Eumeninae occurring in Australia is presented. The genus Lissodynerus Giordani Soika is synonymized with Pararrhynchium de Saussure. Species placed in the genus Pseudepipona de Saussure, by Giordani Soika and Borsato are transferred to Euodynerus Dalla Torre, and species placed in the genus Syneuodynerus Blüthgen, by Giordani Soika are transferred to Stenodyneriellus Giordani Soika. New combinations are Anterhynchium decoratum (de Saussure), A. tamarinum inviolatum (Giordani Soika), Australodynerus flavoniger (Giordani Soika), Deuterodiscoelius confusus (Giordani Soika), D. ephippium (de Saussure), D. insignis (de Saussure), D. spinosus (de Saussure), Euodynerus aborigenus (Borsato), E. alaris (de Saussure), E. angulatus alexandriae (Giordani Soika), E. angulatus angulatus (de Saussure), E. aspra (Giordani Soika), E. clypalaris (Giordani Soika), E. flavus (Giordani Soika), E. pallidus (Giordani Soika), E. succinctus purgatus(Giordani Soika), E. succinctus succinctus (de Saussure), Pararrhynchium desaussurei (Borsato), P. kurandensis (Giordani Soika), Pseudalastor aurantiacus (Borsato), P. pecularis (Borsato), Stenodyneriellus aurantiacus (Giordani Soika), S. aurantiopilosella (Giordani Soika), S. cylindrellus (Giordani Soika), S. longebispinosa (Giordani Soika) and S. occidentatus (Giordani Soika). Revised combinations are Australodynerus yanchepensis nigrithorax Giordani Soika and A. yanchepensis yanchepensis Giordani Soika, which are returned to that genus. Other new synonymies are Anterhynchium tamarinum septentrionale Giordani Soika = Anterhynchium tamarinum tamarinum (de Saussure), Ischnocoelia robusta analis Giordani Soika = I. robusta robusta (Meade-Waldo), Pseudabispa bicolor flavescentula (Giordani Soika) = P bicolor bicolor (de Saussure), Pseudalastor tridentatus septentrionalis Giordani Soika = P. tridentatus tridentatus Giordani Soika and Rhynchium australense Perkins = R. magnificum Smith.

A taxonomic revision of the Protopolybia chartergoides species-group was undertaken. Protopolybia isthmensis (Richards) stat. nov. is elevated to the level of species. The male genitalia of P. chartergoides (Gribodo), P. fuscata (Fox), and P. pallidibalteatus (Cameron) are illustrated and described. New collection records and new identification keys are presented for the species groups of Protopolybia, and the species within the P. chartergoides species-group.

This study presents a checklist of the vespid wasps (Hymenoptera: Vespidae) of India. A total of 288 species belonging to 60 genera and 5 subfamilies of Vespidae are known to occur within the political boundaries of India. A complete list of species, comprising valid scientific names, synonyms, geographical distribution within and outside India, along with references, is provided. One new synonymy is proposed.

An updated checklist of the Arabian species of Vespidae is provided here. The list includes 163 identified species in 49 genera and four subfamilies: Eumeninae (41 genera, 130 species), Masarinae (4 genera, 14 species), Polistinae (3 genera, 17 species) and Vespinae (1 genus, 2 species). Distributions, both on the Peninsula and extra-limital, are provided for each species and subspecies; 53 species (33%) are endemic to the Arabian Peninsula, as are 15 subspecies. A new combination is proposed: Knemodynerus sauditus (Giordani Soika, 1989) comb. nov., transferred from Trachyodynerus Giordani Soika, 1989.

A taxonomic revision of the Protopolybia picteti-emortualis species-group now demonstrates that this group is possibly the largest in Protopolybia, comprising 15 species: P. eldinaris sp. nov.; P. djaneteae sp. nov.; P. cameranii (Zavattari 1906) = P. bella (Von Ihering 1903) syn. nov.; P. fulvotincta stat. rev.; P. biguttata, P. nitida, P. alvarengai, P. iheringi, P. perfulvula, P. steinbachi, P. wheeleri, P. rotundata, P. picteti, P. emortualis and P. duckei. Male and female genitalia are illustrated for P. biguttata Bequaert, P. bella, P. nitida, P. fulvotincta and P. picteti. New collection records and a new identification key are presented for this species-group.

The genus Gastrodynerus is here revised based on external morphology and male genitalia. Bohart (1984) proposed Gastrodynerus as a new genus with three species: G. vanduzeei (Bohart 1948), G. searsi Bohart, 1984, and G. stangei Bohart, 1984. Later, Rodriguez-Palafox (1996) added G. tacubayae (de Saussure, 1857). Herein, we describe four new species from Central America and South America: G. guatemalensis sp. nov.; G. barretti sp. nov.; G. aimara sp. nov. and G. yungaensis sp. nov. After this taxonomic revision, the Gastrodynerus includes eight species widely distributed in the New World. An identification key is provided for all of the species.

Eight new species, namely Parancistrocerus latitergus sp. nov. (China), P. lamnulus sp. nov. (China), P. laticlypeus sp. nov. (Thailand), P. prominens sp. nov. (Thailand), P. guangxiensis sp. nov. (China), P. discarinatus sp. nov. (Thailand), P. abyssicavus sp. nov. (Thailand), and P. similiandrocles sp. nov. (China) are described and illustrated. Parancistrocerus samarensis (von Schulthess, 1934) and P. incorruptus incorruptus Giordani Soika, 1972, are newly recorded from China and Thailand, respectively. An updated key to the Oriental species of the genus Parancistrocerus is also given.

The genus Orientalicesa has six species, and all of them have been recorded in the Oriental region (including Indonesia, Malaysia, Phillippines, Laos, China). In this paper, the genus Orientalicesa is newly recorded from Vietnam, represented by one species O. confasciatus Tan and Carpenter. This species was mistakenly redescribed as Stenodyneriellus rangpocus Kumar, Carpenter Kishore, 2017. A new synonym of O. confasciatus is proposed, and that species is a new record for India.

The male genitalia of 58 species of the New World Polistes are described: 29 of Polistes (Aphanilopterus), 12 of Polistes (Epicnemius), 13 of Polistes (Fuscopolistes), one of Polistes (Onerarius) and three of Polistes (Palisotius). Comments and remarks are also provided.

The Oriental species of Allorhynchium van der Vecht, 1963 (Hymenoptera: Vespidae: Eumeninae) are keyed for the first time and their distribution is summarised, with special reference to China and Vietnam. Archancistrocerus Giordani Soika, 1986, is synonymized with Allorhynchium van der Vecht (syn. nov.). Allorhynchium diffinis (Giordani Soika, 1986) is a new combination and A. quadrimaculatum Gusenleitner, 1997, is recorded from Vietnam for the first time.

A taxonomic review of the P. sedula species-group is presented. New diagnostic characters are described and all species redescribed. The male genitalia of P. sedula (de Saussure) and P. weyrauchi Bequaert are described and drawn. New collection records and a new identification key for the species-group are given.

A new species of Eumeninae, Stenodynerus punjabensis Qasim, Carpenter et Rafi, is described from Pakistan. A key to the Stenodynerus species of Pakistan is also included.

This study provides the first annotated check list of the Vespidae of Pakistan. It is based on the National Insect Museum collection and various studies in Pakistan. Among 105 identified taxa, 77 species and 28 subspecies are recorded in the four subfamilies Eumeninae, Masarinae, Polistinae and Vespinae. Three new records for the fauna of Pakistan are added, namely Anterhynchium mellyi, Antepipona ovalis and Eumenes coronatus coronatus. Among the total, 12 species/subspecies are endemic to Pakistan, namely Ancistrocerus pakistanus, Antepipona luteipes, Antodynerus flavescens karachiensis, Celonites nursei, Cyrtolabulus karachiensis, Eustenancistrocerus (Parastenancistrocerus) baluchistanensis, Katamenes dimidiatus watsoni, Knemodynerus lahorensis, Leptochilus (Neoleptochilus) hina, Leptochilus (Neoleptochilus) mirificus, Leptochilus (Neoleptochilus) umerolatus and Tachyancistrocerus pakistanus. Antepipona varentzowi (Morawitz, 1896) and Polistes rothneyi quatei van der Vecht, 1968 were incorrectly reported from Pakistan.

Discoelius vasukii Pannure & Carpenter, sp. nov. is described and illustrated from Tamil Nadu, India.        Discoelius Latreille, 1809 is a small genus of solitary wasp with ten species and one subspecies described, of which D. aurantiacus Nguyen, D. emeishanensus Zhou & Li, D. esakii Yasumatsu, D. longinodus Yamane, D. nigriclypeus Zhou & Li, D. turneri (Meade-Waldo), D. wangi Yamane and D. zonalis (Panzer) are recorded from Oriental Region (Zhou et al. 2013; Nguyen 2016). Only a single species, D. turneri described from Shillong (Meghalaya) (Meade-Waldo, 1910) and later recorded from Sikkim (Giordani Soika 1960) has been previously known from India. In this study, we describe a new species of Discoelius from India based on a single female specimen collected at Valparai (Tamil Nadu), India.

The family Vespidae is represented in India by four subfamilies: Vespinae, Polistinae, Stenogastrinae, and Eumeninae. The subfamily Eumeninae is the most species rich among the Vespidae. The potter wasps of south India are reviewed for the first time to comprise 31 valid genera. The genera Discoelius Latreille, 1809, Coeleumenes van der Vecht, 1963, Euodynerus Dalla torre, 1904, and Pseudonortonia Giordani Soika, 1936 are newly reported from south India. Diagnoses and a key to south Indian eumenine genera are given. A total of 72 species and subspecies are listed, 15 of them are newly reported from Karnataka and two species from Kerala.

A review of 20 Indian species of the genus Antepipona de Saussure with a key to species and subspecies is provided. A new synonymy is proposed for Antepipona biguttata (Fabricius, 1787) =A. excelsa keralensis Lambert, 2004, syn. nov. The parasitic association of Strepsiptera is reported for the first time in the genus Antepipona. Antepipona rufescens (Smith, 1857) is newly recorded from India and A. ovalis (de Saussure, 1853) from Bangladesh. The reported distributions of ten species within India are enlarged.

Recently a new species of bombyliid fly, Marleyimyia xylocopae, was described by Marshall & Evenhuis (2015) based on two photographs taken during fieldwork in the Republic of South Africa. This species has no preserved holotype. The paper generated some buzz, especially among dipterists, because in most cases photographs taken in the field provide insufficient information for properly diagnosing and documenting species of Diptera.

The "Stenopolistes" species-group of the subgenus Polistella Ashmead, 1904 comprising in Vietnam by six species. Polistes adsimilis Nguyen & Carpenter sp. nov. is described and figured. Polistes khasianus Cameron, 1900 is confirmed to occur in Vietnam, P. pallidus Gusenleitner, 2011 is newly recorded from Vietnam. A key to Vietnamese species is provided. The nest of P. khasianus is described.

A first phylogenetic hypothesis is proposed for Protopolybia Ducke, 1905 based on cladistic analysis of 31 species. New evidence in support of monophyly of the genus is presented. A revision of the Protopolybia exigua species-group is also presented. Protopolybia diligens (Smith, 1857), stat. resurr. is revalidated. Four new species are described: P. collombiana Santos, Silveira & Carpenter, sp. nov., P. clypeata Santos, Silveira & Carpenter, sp. nov., P. similis Santos, Silveira & Carpenter, sp. nov., and P. potiguara Santos, Silveira & Carpenter, sp. nov. Protopolybia holoxantha (Ducke, 1904) and P. rubrithorax Bequaert, 1944 are redescribed. New synonymy is proposed for P. bituberculata Silveira & Carpenter, 1995 =Polybia nana Cameron, 1912 (nom. praeocc., nec de Saussure 1863), syn. nov. New records and description of the male genitalia are provided for some of the species of the P. exigua species-group.

Six genera and nine species of Eumeninae (Eumenes punctatus de Saussure, E. papillarius (Christ), Delta dimidiatipenne (de Saussure), D. p. pyriforme (Fabricius), D. esuriens (Fabricius), Rhynchium brunneum (Fabricius), Anterhynchium abdominale (Illiger), Antepipona sibilans (Cameron), Allorhynchium argentatum (Fabricius)) , two genera and six species of Polistinae (Polistes wattii (Cameron), P. olivaceus (De Geer), P. rothneyi carletoni van der Vecht, P. indicus Stolfa), Ropalidia brevita Das & Gupta, R. cyathiformis (Fabricius), and one genus and four species of Vespinae (Vespa basalis Smith, V, orientalis Linnaeus, V, tropica (Linnaeus), V. velutina Lepeletier de Saint Fargeau) are recorded from Pothwar region. Eumenes punctatus and E. papillarius are newly recorded from Pakistan. An illustrated keys to subfamilies, genera and species are given.

The genus Paraleptomenes Giordani Soika, 1970 is reviewed for the Indian subcontinent. A new species Paraleptomenes darugiriensis Kumar, Carpenter & Sharma, sp. nov. is described. The male of P. rufoniger Giordani Soika, 1994 is described for the first time. The distribution records of P. humbertianus (de Saussure, 1867), P. miniatus mephitis (Cameron, 1901), P. miniatus miniatus (de Saussure, 1855), and P. rufoniger Giordani Soika, 1994 in the Indian states are augmented. A key to species of the Indian subcontinent and a world checklist of species are provided.

The new vespid genus and species Palaeopolistes jattioti gen. et. sp. nov. is described from the Late Eocene of Monteils (Gard, France). The new taxon has clear features of the Polistinae but its tribal assignment is uncertain.

The genus Antodynerus de Saussure, 1855 is reviewed from the Indian subcontinent. Three species with one additional subspecies are present, namely Antodynerus flavescens flavescens (Fabricius, 1775), A. f. karachiensis Giordani Soika, 1970, A. limbatus (de Saussure, 1852), and A. punctatipennis (de Saussure, 1853). The parasitic association of strepsipteran insects and the symbiotic association of mites are reported for the first time in the genus Antodynerus. The distribution of A. f. flavescens (Fabricius) and A. limbatus (de Saussure) in the Indian states is augmented. The latter species is newly recorded from China (Tibet). A key to species of the Indian subcontinent is provided.

Cely and Sarmiento (2011) took issue with the cladistic analysis of relationships among species of the genus Synoeca by Andena et al. (2009a), and presented a reanalysis. They claimed that intraspecific variation in the genus is meaningful, and proper consideration yields a conclusion different from that of Andena et al. Both their critique and reanalysis are vitiated by numerous errors, as is shown in the present paper.