Hylaeus (Alfkenylaeus) SNELLING, 1985

Dathe, Holger H., 2015, Studies on the systematics and taxonomy of the genus Hylaeus F. (9) Supplement to the taxonomy and distribution of Afrotropical Hylaeus F. species (Hymenoptera: Anthophila, Colletidae), Beiträge Zur Entomologie = Contributions to Entomology 65 (1), pp. 9-26 : 12-13

Subgenus Hylaeus (Alfkenylaeus) SNELLING, 1985

Species included

H. acariphorus SNELLING, 1985

H. arnoldi ( FRIESE, 1913) stat. nov.

H. infulatus SNELLING, 1985

H. psaenythioides SNELLING, 1985

H. stictifrons ( COCKERELL, 1936)

= H. namaquensis COCKERELL, 1942 syn. nov. H. euphorbiae spec. nov.

Hylaeus (Alfkenylaeus) acariphorus SNELLING, 1985 Figures 1, 2 ; cover

SNELLING (1985: 14 ff.) described his new species based on a male (holotype) from Zimbabwe and a female from South Africa. He also mentioned two females with ferruginous T1 from Kenya, which he considered to be probably conspecific. This assumption can now be confirmed by new material from Kenya, Mozambique and Zimbabwe. The Kenyan specimens are slightly smaller and have the base of the metasoma reddish brown ( Figs 1, 2 ), but the principal characters agree. A special feature in both sexes is the rimmed triangular impression at the metasomal articulation, in which mites are usually to be found (see also cover picture) .

Distribution: South Africa, Zimbabwe ( EARDLEY & URBAN 2010: 26); new to Ethiopia, Kenya and Mozambique.

New records:

Ethiopia: Southern road to Elbere, 05°20'48"N 36°57'49"E, 559 m, 24.09.2012, 1 ♂ 1 ♀, on Indigofera, A. Pauly lg. – In coll. RBINS, HBRC .

Kenya: SE, Voi Safari Lodge env., Tsavo National Park East, 08.– 18.11.1996, 1 ♂; 22.11.– 02.12.1996, 14 ♂ 6 ♀; 23.03.– 04.04.1997, 1 ♂, all M. Halada lg.; 10.12.1999, 1 ♀, M. Snižek lg . – Kenya CEE, E of Garsen, W of Witu, 19.12.2009, 1 ♀; E of Mwingi, W of Nguni , 01.12.2010, 6 ♂ 6 ♀, M. Snižek lg – In coll. OLBL, SDEI .

Mozambique: CW, 30 km NW Catandica , 17°47'S 33°07'E, 930 m, 29.11.2005, 1 ♂ , 15 km S Guro 17°33'S 33°16'E, 800 m, 30.11.2005, 1 ♂ ; 40 km SW Chimoio , 19°23'S 33°11'E, 650 m, 16.12.2005, 1 ♀ ; all Kadlecová lg. – In coll. OLBL .

Figures

Figs 1–2: Hylaeus (Alfkenylaeus) acariphorus SNELLING, 1985.Male (left) and female of red variant; specimens from Kenya, Tsavo National Park East. – Scale 2 mm.