Sphex lanatus Mocsáry, 1883

Dörfel, Thorleif H. & Ohl, Michael, 2022, The wasp genus Sphex in Sub-Saharan Africa (Hymenoptera: Sphecidae), European Journal of Taxonomy 796 (1), pp. 1-170 : 43-47

Sphex lanatus Mocsáry, 1883

Figs 50, 55 (red)

? Sphex argentifer Walker, 1871: 19 , ♂ (holotype or syntype: ♂, Sudan, Red Sea, Akeek Island, destroyed). Synonymized with Sphex umbrosus by Kohl, 1890: 407.

Sphex lanatus Mocsáry, 1883: 34 , ♂ (holotype: ♂, South Africa, “Transvaal”, TMB, not examined).

Differential diagnosis

Within the argentatus group, S. lanatus is characterized through its entirely silvery vestiture. Females ( Fig. 50 ) can be distinguished from those of S. feijeni nom. nov. ( Fig. 43 ) through having the propodeal sculpture largely obscured by appressed setae, whereas the propodeal vestiture is more sparse in that species and leaves 7–10 distinct transversal ridges visible that are absent in S. lanatus . Females of S. erythrinus are distinguishable through their yellow-tinged wings ( Fig. 41 ).

Males of S. lanatus are recognizable by their longer and more slender petiole, the length of which is greater than 2.7 times its medial width. This coefficient is notably smaller than 2.4 in males of S. erythrinus ( Fig. 42 ) and S. feijeni nom. nov. ( Fig. 44 ). Furthermore, S. erythrinus and S. feijeni nom. nov. have the placoids covering at least flagellomeres III–V, whereas S. lanatus has only a single placoid on flagellomere V. Finally, S. rufinervis is similar ( Fig. 51 ), but its erect clypeal setae are partially or completely black in both sexes.

Material examined

AFRICA • 1 ♂; Feb. 1895; ZMB • 1 ♂; “ British SW Africa ”; ZMB • 1 ♀; “ SW Lake Albert, Buessa ”; 12 Aug. 1891; ZMB • 1 ♀; “ Tanganyika ”; 1936; H.A. Lindeman leg.; BMNH .

BOTSWANA • 1 ♂, 1 ♀; “ Kalahari desert , Sevorelela Kokot ”; Oct.–Nov. 1904; L. Schultze leg.; ZMB. – Ghanzi District • 1 ♀; 42 mi. W of Kalkfontein [Tsootsha]; [22°13ʹ48ʺ S, 20°12ʹ10ʺ E]; 11–12 Apr. 1972; BMNH • 1 ♂, 1 ♀; Mongalatsela ; 8 May 1924; J. Maurice leg.; BMNH .

BURKINA FASO – Centre-Ouest Region • 1 ♀; Pala ; [11°53ʹ55.1ʺ N, 2°19ʹ29.5ʺ W]; 3 Jun. 1968; J. Hamon leg.; MNHN • 1 ♀; same collection data as for preceding but 8 Jun. 1968; MNHN. – Hauts- Bassins Region • 1 ♀; Samandéni ; [11°27ʹ09ʺ N, 4°27ʹ27ʺ W]; 8 Jun. 1968; J. Hamon leg.; MNHN .

CAMEROON • 1 ♂; “ Neu-Kamerun ”; G. Tessmann leg.; ZMB. – Far North Region • 1 ♀; Lake Chad ; [12°53ʹ38.9ʺ N, 14°29ʹ19.4ʺ E]; 6–12 Aug. 1909; Riggenbach leg.; ZMB .

DEMOCRATIC REPUBLIC OF THE CONGO • 1 ♀; “ Tanganika ”; Hecq leg.; MRAC. – Bas-Uele • 1 ♀; Bambesa ; [3°28ʹ N, 25°43ʹ E]; 20 Sep. 1933; H.J. Brédo leg.; MRAC • 1 ♀; same locality as for preceding; 8 Jul. 1937; J. Vrydagh leg.; MRAC • 1 ♀; Tukpwo ; [4°25ʹ56ʺ N, 25°50ʹ50ʺ E]; Jul. 1937; J. Vrydagh leg.; MRAC • 1 ♀; same collection data as for preceding but Aug. 1937; MRAC. – Haut- Katanga • 1 ♀; Elisabethville [now Lubumbashi]; [11°40ʹ S, 27°29ʹ E]; 29 May 1949; C. Seydal leg.; USNM • 1 ♀; same collection data as for preceding but May 1949; MRAC. – Ituri Province • 1 ♂; Bunia ; [1°34ʹ N, 30°15ʹ E]; 15 Aug. 1934; J.V. Leroy leg.; MRAC • 1 ♀; Mahagi-Niarembe ; [2°14ʹ49ʺ N, 31°06ʹ41ʺ E]; 1935; Ch. Scops leg.; MRAC • 1 ♂; Mongbwalu ( Kilo ); [1°56ʹ40ʺ N, 30°02ʹ19ʺ E]; 1939 ; Scheitz leg.; MRAC. – Kasaï • 1 ♀; Tshikapa ; [6°24ʹ S, 20°48ʹ E]; Mar. 1939; Mevr. Bequaert leg.; MRAC • 1 ♂; same collection data as for preceding but Apr. 1939; MRAC. – Kasaï-Central • 1 ♂; Luluabourg [now Kananga]; [5°53ʹ46ʺ S, 22°24ʹ59ʺ E]; 18 May 1919; P. Callewaert leg.; MRAC • 1 ♂, 1 ♀; same collection data as for preceding; MRAC. – Kasaï-Oriental • 1 ♂, 1 ♀; Gandajika ; [6°45ʹ S, 23°57ʹ E]; 1956; P. de Francquen leg.; MRAC • 1 ♂; same locality as for preceding; Dec. 1925; Ch. Seydel leg.; MRAC • 1 ♂; same locality as for preceding; Ch. Seydel leg.; MRAC. – Kongo Central • 1 ♂; Boma ; 6°00ʹ S, 13°00ʹ E; 18 Jun. 1915; Lang and Chapin leg.; AMNH • 1 ♂; same collection data as for preceding but 19 Jun. 1915; AMNH • 1 ♀; Congo da Lemba ; [5°42ʹ S, 13°41ʹ60ʺ E]; 1912; R. Mayné leg.; MRAC • 1 ♀; Mayumbe ; [4°30ʹ S, 12°30ʹ E]; R. Verschueren leg.; MRAC. – Lomami • 1 ♀; Kabinda ; [6°08ʹ S, 24°29ʹ E]; Jan. 1926; Ch. Scops leg.; MRAC • 3 ♀♀; Kanda-Kanda ; [6°56ʹ S, 23°37ʹ E]; 10 Dec. 1925; Ch. Seydel leg.; MRAC • 1 ♀; Luputa ; [7°09ʹ42ʺ S, 23°42ʹ02ʺ E]; Jan. 1935; Bouvier leg.; MRAC. – Lualaba • 1 ♀; Kalinda ; [11°11ʹ28ʺ S, 22°18ʹ03ʺ E]; Jan. 1926; Ch. Seydel leg.; MRAC • 1 ♀; Kapanga ; [8°21ʹ S, 22°34ʹ E]; Dec. 1932; F.G. Overlaet leg.; MRAC • 1 ♀; same collection data as for preceding but Jan. 1933; MRAC • 1 ♂; Sandoa ; [9°41ʹ S, 22°53ʹ E]; 2 Feb. 1919; F.G. Overlaet leg.; MRAC • 1 ♀; same collection data as for preceding but 20 Mar. 1919 ; MRAC. – Maniema • 3 ♂♂; Nyangwe ; [4°13ʹ37ʺ S, 26°11ʹ E]; Apr.–May 1918; R. Mayné leg.; MRAC. – Nord- Ubangi • 1 ♂, 2 ♀♀; Bosobolo ; [4°11ʹ23ʺ N, 19°52ʹ59ʺ E]; 8–11 Jan. 1932; H.J. Brédo leg.; MRAC. – North Kivu • 1 ♂; Albert National Park: Kalinga (1082 m) à Bitshumbi; [0°50ʹ S, 29°20ʹ E]; 12 Nov. 1934; G.F. de Witte leg.; MRAC • 1 ♂; Vitschumbi , SW of Lake Edward; [0°41ʹ S, 29°23ʹ E]; 2 May 1901; ZMB. – Province of Équateur • 1 ♀; Coquilhatville [now Mbandaka]; [0°03ʹ N, 12°57ʹ E]; 10 May 1931; H.J. Brédo leg.; MRAC • 1 ♂, 3 ♀♀; Eala ; [0°02ʹ30ʺ N, 18°20ʹ06ʺ E]; 2 Oct. 1931; H.J. Brédo leg.; MRAC • 1 ♂, 1 ♀; same collection data as for preceding but 6 Oct. 1931; MRAC • 2 ♀♀; same collection data as for preceding but 22 Nov. 1931; MRAC • 2 ♂♂; same collection data as for preceding but Mar. 1932; MRAC • 1 ♂; same collection data as for preceding but May 1932; MRAC • 1 ♀; same locality as for preceding; May 1935; J. Ghesquière leg.; MRAC. – Sud-Ubangi • 1 ♂; Libenge ; [3°39ʹ11ʺ N, 18°38ʹ08ʺ E]; 10 Dec. 1931; H.J. Brédo leg.; MRAC • 1 ♂; same locality as for preceding; Apr. 1937; Leontowitch leg.; MRAC • 1 ♂, 3 ♀♀; Motenge-Boma ; [3°14ʹ N, 18°39ʹ E]; Dec. 1931; H.J. Brédo leg.; MRAC • 1 ♀; Terr. Libenge, MʹPaka ; [3°39ʹ N, 18°38ʹ E]; Jul.–Aug. 1959 ; M. Pecheur leg.; MRAC. – Tshuapa • 1 ♀; Bokuma ; [0°06ʹ S, 18°41ʹ E]; Jul. 1952; R.P. Lootens leg.; MRAC .

KENYA – Kwale County • 1 ♀; Kwali Forest , 20 mi. W of Mombasa; [4°00ʹ34ʺ S, 39°18ʹ18ʺ E]; 1 Jun. 1948; M. Steele leg.; BMNH .

MALI – Gao Region • 1 ♂; 50 km S of Gao; [15°47ʹ17ʺ N, 0°01ʹ48ʺ W]; Dec. 1977; G. Popov leg.; BMNH . – Mopti Region • 1 ♂; 10 km S of Mopti; [14°22ʹ11.4ʺ N, 4°08ʹ56.3ʺ W]; 8 Aug. 1991; M. Schwarz leg.; OÖLM • 1 ♀; 70 km SW of Mopti; [14°04ʹ45.2ʺ N, 4°41ʹ3.3ʺ W]; 21 Aug. 1991; M. Schwarz leg.; OÖLM . – Ségou Region • 1 ♂; Molodo ; [14°14ʹ15ʺ N, 6°01ʹ12ʺ W]; 17 Jul. 1968; J. Hamon leg.; MNHN .

MOZAMBIQUE – Maputo Province • 1 ♀; Maputo Bay ; [25°59ʹ S, 32°42ʹ E]; R. Monteiro leg.; ZMB .

NAMIBIA • 1 ♀; “ German SW Africa ”; 1901; Lübbert leg.; ZMB. – Hardap Region • 1 ♂; 23 km N of Rehoboth; [23°05ʹ08.4ʺ S, 17°06ʹ11.4ʺ E]; 17 Feb. 1990; M. Schwarz leg.; OÖLM • 1 ♂; 71 km E of Stampriet; 24°09ʹ S, 19°00ʹ E; 27 Mar. 2000 ; F.W. and S.K. Gess leg.; AMG. – Kavango East • 2 ♀♀; Kaudom-Camp ; 18°31ʹ S, 20°43ʹ E; 22–25 Feb. 1992; F. Koch leg.; ZMB • 2 ♂♂; 100 km SW of Rundu; [18°35ʹ48ʺ S, 19°06ʹ58.3ʺ E]; 1 Feb. 1993 ; M. Schwarz leg.; OÖLM. – Khomas Region • 1 ♂; 40 km W of Witvlei; [22°21ʹ29.7ʺ S, 18°05ʹ52ʺ E]; 16 Feb. 1990; M. Schwarz leg.; OÖLM • 1 ♂, 1 ♀; S of Okasewa; 22°34ʹ53ʺ S, 18°11ʹ15ʺ E; 12–17 Feb. 2010; J. Oehlke leg.; coll. Jacobs . – Oshikoto Region • 2 ♂♂; ca 15 km from Oshivelo to Ondangwa; [18°31ʹ S, 17°05ʹ E]; 7 Apr. 1996; D.W. and G.T. Gess leg.; AMG • 2 ♀♀; Namutoni, Etosha National Park ; 18°48ʹ S, 16°56ʹ E; 27 Feb. 1994; F. Koch leg.; THD-005-ZMB ; GenBank EF-1α gene: MW558243 ; GenBank LWR gene: MW582281 ; ZMB. – Otjozondjupa Region • 1 ♂, 1 ♀; 15 km NW of Otjiwarongo; [20°19ʹ26.8ʺ S, 16°36ʹ36.5ʺ E]; 3 Mar. 1990; M. Schwarz leg.; OÖLM • 1 ♀; 15–20 km NW of Otjiwarongo; [20°23ʹ02ʺ S, 16°28ʹ54ʺ E]; 3 Mar. 1990; W.J. Pulawski leg.; CAS .

NIGER – Dosso Region • 2 ♂♂; 100 mi. SE of Niamey; [12°32ʹ N, 3°15ʹ38.5ʺ E]; 25 Oct. 1975; G. Popov leg.; BMNH . – Tillabéri Region • 1 ♂; Liboré ; [13°24ʹ12ʺ N, 2°11ʹ31ʺ E]; 2 Dec. 1984; J. Hamon leg.; MNHN .

NIGERIA – Kaduna State • 1 ♂, 1 ♀; Samaru ; [11°09ʹ39ʺ N, 7°38ʹ44ʺ E]; 25 Jul. 1970; Ward leg.; BMNH .

REPUBLIC OF CÔTE D’IVOIRE – Vallée du Bandama District • 1 ♀; Bouaké ; [7°41ʹ N, 5°01ʹ W]; Jul. 1977; P.M. Elsen leg.; MRAC .

REPUBLIC OF THE CONGO – Pool Department • 1 ♀; Inoni ; [3°04ʹ5.8ʺ S, 15°38ʹ10.8ʺ E]; 15 Nov. 1976; G. Onore leg.; MNHN • 1 ♂; Kintelé ; [4°09ʹ S, 15°20ʹ32ʺ E]; Jan. 1978; C. Morin leg.; MNHN • 1 ♀; same collection data as for preceding but 3 Apr. 1978; MNHN • 1 ♂; same locality as for preceding; Mar. 1978; G. Onore leg.; MNHN .

SOUTH AFRICA – Eastern Cape • 1 ♂; Mountain Zebra Park ; 32°15ʹ S, 25°27ʹ E; 12–16 Feb. 1988; A.J. Weaving leg.; AMG . – Free State • 2 ♂♂; Bothaville ; [27°23ʹ S, 26°37ʹ E]; 25 Feb. 1899; H. Brauns leg.; TMP • 1 ♂; same collection data as for preceding; TMP • 1 ♂; same collection data as for preceding but 10 Mar. 1899; TMP . – Gauteng • 1 ♂; Johannesburg ; [26°12ʹ16ʺ S, 28°02ʹ44ʺ E]; G. Kobrow leg.; ZMB • 1 ♀; Sterkfontein ; [25°58ʹ36ʺ S, 27°44ʹ27ʺ E]; 1900; H.P. Thomasset leg.; BMNH . – Limpopo • 1 ♀; Plat River, Waterberg District ; [24°53ʹ16.3ʺ S, 28°15ʹ35.6ʺ E]; 11 Jan. 1903; R. v. Jutrzencka leg.; TMP • 1 ♂; Waterberg District ; 1898–1899; R. v. Jutrzencka leg.; TMP . – North West • 2 ♂♂, 1 ♀; Mamagalieskraal ; [25°32ʹ S, 27°49ʹ E]; 31 Mar. 1926; W. Lingnau leg.; DEI . – Northern Cape • 1 ♂; Auob-Nossob Junction ; [26°26ʹ5.31ʺ S, 20°37ʹ33.59ʺ E]; Apr. 1933; G. van Son leg.; TMP • 2 ♂♂; Kalahari Gemsbok National Park , Nossob R bed, 11 km NNE of Tweerivieren; [26°24ʹ S, 20°40ʹ E]; 8–11 Mar.1990; F.W.and S.K.Gess leg.; AMG • 4♂♂, 3 ♀♀; Olifantshoek ;[27°56ʹ S, 22°44ʹ E]; 24 Mar. 1990; M. Schwarz leg.; OÖLM • 1 ♂; S of Kalahari Desert, Van Zylsrus ; [26°52ʹ1.2ʺ S, 22°03ʹ E]; 15 Jan. 2001; M. Snižek leg.; THD-021-OOLM ; GenBank CO1 gene: MW538579 ; OÖLM • 8 ♂♂, 1 ♀; same collection data as for preceding; OÖLM .

TANZANIA – Kagera Region • 1 ♂, 2 ♀♀; Bukoba ; [1°19ʹ54ʺ S, 31°48ʹ44ʺ E]; 9–11 Jun. 1912; C.C. Gowdey leg.; BMNH .

TOGO – Savanes • 1 ♀; “Tapuog” [Dapaong?] ; [10°52ʹ N, 0°12ʹ E]; Aug. 1901; Thierry leg.; ZMB • 1 ♀; Sansanné-Mango ; [10°21ʹ20ʺ N, 0°28ʹ32ʺ E]; Thierry leg.; ZMB .

UGANDA – Central Region • 1 ♀; Buddu , NW shores of Victoria Nyanza; [0°25ʹ S, 31°40ʹ E]; 12–15 Sep. 1911; S.A. Neave leg.; BMNH • 1 ♀; Entebbe ; [0°03ʹ N, 32°27ʹ36ʺ E]; 6–10 May 1912; C.C. Gowdey leg.; BMNH • 2 ♀♀; same collection data as for preceding but Aug. 1912; BMNH • 1 ♂; Kampala; [0°18ʹ58ʺ N, 32°34ʹ55ʺ E]; 17 Apr. 1913; C.C. Gowdey leg.; BMNH • 1 ♀; Msozi ; [0°51ʹ S, 31°42ʹ E]; Feb. 1903; D. Radcliffe leg.; BMNH . – Western Region • 2 ♂♂, 1 ♀; valley of Kafu River, Unyoro ; alt. 3400 ft; 23–28 Dec. 1911; S.A. Neave leg.; BMNH .

ZAMBIA – Lusaka Province • 1 ♀; 25 km E of Lusaka; 15°21ʹ S, 28°30ʹ E; 3 Mar. 1995; W.J. Pulawski leg.; CAS . – Northern Province • 1 ♂; “L. Chambezi V. , Kasama distr. ”; alt. 3900 ft; 4–6 May 1908; S.A. Neave leg.; OUMNH .

ZIMBABWE – Bulawayo • 1 ♀; Bulawayo ; [20°09ʹ S, 28°35ʹ E]; Dec. 1903; G.A.K. Marshall leg.; BMNH . – Harare Province • 1 ♂; Salisbury [now Harare], Hillside ; [17°50ʹ15ʺ S, 31°04ʹ54ʺ E]; Mar. 1926; H.S. Leeson leg.; BMNH . – Manicaland • 1 ♂; Umtali [now Mutare] ; [18°58ʹ S, 32°38ʹ E]; A. Bodong leg.; DEI . – Matabeleland North • 1 ♂; Victoria Falls ; 17°56ʹ S, 25°50ʹ E; 28–31 Mar. 1998; W.J. Pulawski leg.; CAS • 1 ♀; De Beer’s Ranch , Shangani ; [19°47ʹ S, 29°22ʹ E]; May 1932; BMNH .

Description

Female

SIZE. 21.2–33.3 mm.

COLOR. Black except for the following, which are dark ferruginous: basal half of mandible and legs from trochanter onward, especially femur and tibia of mid- and hindlegs. Cellular wing area hyaline, base of fore- and hindwing infuscate, apical margin of forewing fuscous.

VESTITURE. Appressed and erect setae on clypeus, paraocular area, collar, scutum and propodeal enclosure silvery. Erect propodeal setae crimped, oriented anteriorly. Clypeus without glabrous stripe. Scutellum densely and finely pubescent.

STRUCTURE. Free clypeal margin simple, not stepped medially. Clypeus without indentation or carina. Scutellum convex. Metanotum raised, notably bituberculate. 2 nd recurrent vein joins markedly proximal from interstitium between submarginal cells II and III. Propodeal enclosure without any notable ridges. Foretarsomere I 2.7–2.8× length of antepenultimate spine. Petiole length 2.3–2.5 × its medial width.

Male

SIZE. 17.6–23.8 mm.

COLOR. Black except for the following, which are dark ferruginous: stripe in center of mandible, hindtibia and often part of hindfemur. Cellular wing area hyaline, base of fore- and hindwing infuscate, forewing with fuscous spot beyond marginal cell.

VESTITURE. Appressed setae on clypeus, paraocular area, collar, scutum and propodeal enclosure silvery. Erect setae on clypeus and paraocular area silvery intermixed with black ones, exclusively silvery on collar, scutum and propodeal enclosure. Erect propodeal setae crimped, oriented anteriorly. Clypeus without glabrous stripe. Scutellum densely and finely pubescent.

STRUCTURE. Free clypeal margin simple. Scutellum convex. Metanotum raised, notably bituberculate. 2 nd recurrent vein joins markedly proximal from interstitium between submarginal cells II and III. Posterior margin of metasomal tergum VII convex. Posterior margin of metasomal sternum VII simple, of metasomal sternum VIII very slightly concavely emarginate. Penis valvae without conspicuos modifications. Petiole length 2.8–3.0× its medial width. Flagellomere V with narrow placoid covering its proximal two-thirds.

Variation

Unknown.

Distribution

Widepsread in Africa.

Figures

Figs 49–56. 49. Sphex fumicatus Christ, 1791, habitus of ♀. 50. S. lanatus Mocsáry, 1883, habitus of ♀. 51. S. rufinervis Pérez, 1895, habitus of ♂. 52. S. taschenbergi Magretti, 1884, habitus of ♀. 53. S. fumicatus, frontal view of ♀. 54. S. taschenbergi, frontal view of ♀. 55. Geographic distribution of S. lanatus (red), S. rufinervis (blue) and S. taschenbergi (yellow). 56. Geographic distribution of S. tomentosus Fabricius, 1787 (red) and S. torridus F. Smith, 1873 (blue).

Figs 41–48. 41–42, 45. Sphex erythrinus (Guiglia, 1939). 43–44, 46. Sphex feijeni nom. nov. 41, 43. Habitus of ♀. 42, 44. Habitus of ♂. 45–46. Male genitalia. 47. Geographic distribution of S. cinerascens Dahlbom, 1843 (red), S. paulinierii Guérin-Méneville, 1843 (blue),S. erythrinus (yellow) and S. feijeni nom. nov. (purple). 48. Geographic distribution of S. fumicatus Christ, 1791.