Contribution to the taxonomy, bionomics and distribution of the Palaearctic Celonites cyprius-group (Hymenoptera, Vespidae, Masarinae) with the description of two new species from the North Caucasus and East Anatolia

Celonites ivanovi sp. nov. is described as a new species from Dagestan where it has been recorded from dry habitats in a small area on the northern side of the Greater Caucasus. Celonites cagrii sp. nov. is described from Erzurum Province in east Turkey. As in other members of the C. cyprius -group, the females of both species were observed to visit flowers of Heliotropium (Boraginaceae). A morphological examination including the male genitalia of all species of the C. cyprius -group revealed that C. ivanovi sp. nov. and C. cagrii sp. nov. share the apomorphic characters of this group and are closely related to Celonites osseus Morawitz, 1888. Mean genetic distance between C. ivanovi sp. nov. and C. cagrii sp. nov. based on COI-5 sequences is 7.40%. The geographical distribution of all members of the C. cyprius -group is summarized and an illustrated key is provided for the identification of males and females of the species. A lectotype is designated for C. osseus .

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