Ammophila crassifemoralis (R. TURNER)

Dollfuss, Hermann, 2015, Revision of the wasp genus Ammophila KIRBY, 1798 (Hymenoptera: Apoidea: Sphecidae) of the Sub-Saharan Region of Africa, Linzer biologische Beiträge 47 (1), pp. 307-412 : 335-337

Ammophila crassifemoralis (R. TURNER) ( Figs 13 , 49 , 85 , 121 , 158 , 200 , 245, 287)

Sphex crassifemoralis R. TURNER 1919a: 48 , 3. Holotype: 3, Uganda: Mt. Elgon (BMNH), examined. Paratype: ♀, Central African Republic: Uamgebiet Bosum (ZMB), examined.

M a t e r i a l e x a m i n e d Holotype 3 (BMNH), Paratype: ♀, Central African Republic: Uamgebiet, Bosum, 11.-20.IV.1914, leg. Tessmann (ZMB).

R e c o g n i t i o n: Ammophila crassifemoralis has a forewing with two submarginal cells and the gastral apex is black, without a metallic shine. The pronotal collar is distinctly, transversely ridged, the mesothoracic venter is not produced anteriorly, the episternal sulcus ends at the level of scrobe, the arolia are present and the claws have no basal tooth. The supra- antennal lamellate projection is absent. Erect setae present only on head and prothorax. The female of A. crassifemoralis is similar to A. saussurei but differs in having a simple longitudinally ridged scutellum and metanotum and on the scutum a triangular patch of pale golden appressed setae anteriorly ( A. saussurei has a medially rised scutellum and metanotum (Fig. 530) and the scutum without triangular patch anteriorly). The female of A. namibiensis differs from A. crassifemoralis in having the pronotal collar finely, transversely striate ( Fig. 86 ) and the episternal sulcus extends to the anteroventral margin of the mesopleuron. The male of A. crassifemoralis shares with A. tuberculiscutis and A. saussurei the forewing with two submarginal cells, but differs in having the clypeal free margin truncate ( Fig. 158 ) and a simple scutellum and metanotum ( A. tuberculiscutis has the clypeus triangularly produced ( Fig. 155 ) and the scutellum and the metanotum are elevate medially to form an elongate tubercle, Fig. 529); A. saussurei has the clypeus elongate with a slight emargination medially ( Fig. 156 ) and an elevate metanotum (Fig. 530). The male of A. namibiensis differs from A. crassifemoralis in having the pronotal collar and the scutum finely, transversely striate (Figs 244, 286).

D e s c r i p t i o n: Forewing with two submarginal cells, gastral apex black, without metallic shine, pronotal collar and scutum transversely ridged and episternal sulcus ends at level of scrobe. Supra-antennal lamellate projection absent, mesothoracic venter not prominent anteriorly, arolia present and claws have no basal tooth. Erect setae on head and prothorax developed only ventrally.

♀ (hitherto unknown): 24 mm. Black, with following reddish-brown: mandible (except apex), clypeus medially, scape, pedicel, flagellomeres I and II, prothorax (except black stripe laterally), scutum laterally, tegula, legs (more or less darkened dorsally), petiole ventrally, tergum I laterally; terga II-V dark brown, sterna II-VI reddish-brown. Clypeus, frons, triangular patch on scutum anteriorly ( Fig. 121 ) and propodeum posterolaterally covered with pale golden appressed setae. Mesopleuron, metapleuron and propodeum laterally pruinose. Sparse erect setae present on clypeus, gena and prothorax, remainig body parts without erect setae. Wings dark brown. Clypeus slightly elongate with distinct median lobe ( Fig. 13 ), disk convex ( Fig. 49 ). Frons and vertex dull, impunctate. Pronotal collar shiny, distinctly transversely ridged, laterally rounded ( Figs 85 , 121 ). Scutum shiny and distinctly transversely ridged. Scutellum flat and longitudinally ridged, metanotum longitudinally ridged. Mesopleuron and propodeum laterally irregularly transversely rugose and coarsely punctate; metapleuron slightly obliquely striate. Flagellomere I:II=1.7; length of petiole = hindtarsomeres I+II.

3: 24 mm. Black with following reddish-brown: mandible (except apex), scape, pedicel, flagellomeres I-VI, pronotal collar laterally, pronotal lobe, patch an prosternum, scutum laterally, tegula, foreleg (except femur dorsally), midleg (except coxa, trochanter, femur dorsally and tibia ventrally), petiole (darkened dorsally), tergum I (black dorsally); hindleg dark reddish-brown. Clypeus, frons, scutum anteriorly, patch below pronotal lobe, band along mesopleural suture and propodeum posterolaterally covered with appressed pale-golden setae; remaining body parts slightly pruinose; erect setae on gena and pronotum anteriorly whitish. Clypeus elongate, free margin broadly truncate ( Fig. 158 ), clypeal disk flat on ventral half, slightly convex on dorsal half ( Fig. 200 ). Frons and vertex dull. Pronotal collar and scutum distinctly transversely ridged (Figs 245, 287). Scutellum and metanotum longitudinally ridged. Propodeal enclosure reticulate medially, obliquely rugose laterally. Mesopleuron, metapleuron and propodeum laterally transversely striate and deeply punctate between striae. Hindfemur stout and massive as compared with similar species. Flagellomere I:II = 1.6; length of petiole = hindtarsomeres I+II+ 0.6 × III. Genitalia not examined.

G e o g r a p h i c d i s t r i b u t i o n:CentralAfricanRepublic, Uganda.

Ammophila curvistriata CAMERON ( Figs 35 , 71 , 197 , 143 , 184 , 225 , 273 , 313 , 354 , 395 ,

Figures

Figs 11-15: clypeus of female.

Figs 47-64: clypeus of female in lateral view.

Figs 83-88: pronotal collar of female in lateral view.

Figs 119-124: pronotal collar of female in dorsal view.

Figs 155-160: male clypeus.

Figs 197-214: male clypeus in lateral view.

Figs 32-37: clypeus of female.

Figs 65-82: clypeus of female in lateral view.

Figs 136-143: pronotal collar of female in dorsal view.

Figs 179-184: male clypeus.

Figs 215-235: male clypeus in lateral view.

Figs 267-274: pronotal collar of male in lateral view.

Figs 307-317: pronotal collar of male in dorsal view.

Figs 352-366: male genitalia: gonostyle in lateral view.

Figs 395-406: male genitalia: penis valve in dorsal view.