Matskási István (szerk.): A Magyar Természettudományi Múzeum évkönyve 88. (Budapest 1996)

Argaman, Q.: Generic synopsis of Scoliidae (Hymenoptera, Scolioidea)

the rest of the family. For that reason, he maintained only Scoliinae and Proscoliinae. Further discoveries (DAY et al. 1981) pointed to similar results for the classification. Afterwards, RASNITSYN (1993) described a new fossil subfamily, Archaeoscoliinae, based on Archaeoscolia senilis, from the late Early Cretaceous period. Beginning with the first classification of the Scoliidae, by GUÉRIN-MENEVILLE (1839), all consecutive authors dealing with this task (SAUSSURE 1863, SAUSSURE & SICHEL 1864, COSTA 1858, BINGHAM 1897, ASHMEAD 1903, SCHROTTKY 1910, MICHA 1927, BETREM 1928-72), have based their system on the characteristics of the wing venation. Only cautious trials were attempted for the use of other morphological features, such as the tubercle of mesopleuron (BETREM 1928, BRADLEY 1928a, KROMBE1N 1963). Besides, BETREM (1935) in his species-concept, was heavily influenced by the studies of RENSCH. All these works (cf. RENSCH 1933, 1934) are very important for a biologist, emphasizing continuity in a character-release and evolution. Almost all living organisms may be arranged in a firmly related species-realms (the "Artenkreis" of RENSCH, of BETREM 1935 and of BETREM & BRADLEY 1964: 440). These realms share overlapping features at the frontiers of their systematic separation. I have investigated this problem in some detail (NAGY 1968, 1969, 1978). Hence, I now contend that an entomologist must have access to a taxonomic system with a steadfast limits and a concise nomenclature. Nevertheless, BETREM (1972) identified the common (and otherwise independent) Hungarian species as Trielis (Heterelis, Heterelis) quinquecincta quinquecincta FABRICIUS, 1793 forma geogr. abdominalis SPINOLA, 1806. This perplex nomenclature was motivated by his recognition of the categories: genus, subgenus, section, species-group, super-species, species, subspecies and the local form. Is such a terminology adequate for general biology, collegiate zoology, comprehensive ecology, and theoretical or applied entomology? Cumbersome nominalistics disturbed the classification of the family Scoliidae for the last fifty years. Analogously, BETREM & BRADLEY (1964) regard haemorrhoidalis FABRICIUS, 1787, described from Hungary, to be a subspecies of flavifrons FABRICIUS, 1775, described from Spain. Both were placed in Regiscolia, a subgenus of Megascolia. In the classification proposed below, none of them are placed in Regiscolia. These are not even considered congeneric. Further, Regiscolia belongs to a different tribe than Megascolia. Both the classification and nomenclature advanced herewith are drastically different from those proposed by early students. Previous, accidental or tendentious, misinterpretations of genera are reconsidered where possible. The case of Sphex maculata DRURY, 1773 was discussed by numerous authors (BRADLEY 1928c). As stated by MICHA (1927), it was originally described from Morea (Greece). The name was rejected in order to conserve another name, haemorrhoidalis (BETREM 1963). None of the authors achieved the goal of comparing the species distributed in Peloponnesos (maculata) with that species they proposed to save (haemorrhoidalis). In reality, maculata is not identical with haemorrhoidalis; each of these belongs into a different genus. The purpose of the present work, that began in 1964, is to elaborate a concise, and if possible, a workable key for the genera of Scoliidae. It was facilitated through the study of the scoliids in the Zoological Department of the Hungarian Natural History Museum, Budapest, in four consecutive visits. During this study numerous new and prevalently strong apomorphous character states were discovered. These enabled me to conclude that