Laelius firmipennis ( Cameron, 1905 )

Marques, Wilson J., Colombo, Wesley D. & Azevedo, Celso O., 2023, Insights into the systematics of Afrotropical Laelius (Hymenoptera, Bethylidae): combining molecular and morphological data to associate dimorphic species, Zoologischer Anzeiger 306, pp. 90-107 : 92-103

Laelius firmipennis ( Cameron, 1905)

Figs. 2A and B ; 3 A-3B; 5A-5B; 6A; 7A-7C; 8A

Prolaelius firmipennis Cameron, 1905: 253–254 (female, holotype from South Africa, lost); Kieffer, 1908: 9, 38; Kieffer, 1914: 284.

Laelius firmipennis : Barbosa and Azevedo, 2011: 258; Azevedo et al. (2018): 176; Colombo et al. (2022): Table S15.

Prolaelius glossinae Turner and Waterston, 1916: 133–135 , Figs. 1 and 2 (female, holotype from Malawi, BMNH). Syn. nov.

Laelius glossinae : Barbosa and Azevedo, 2011: 258; Azevedo et al. (2018): 176; Colombo et al. (2022): Table S15.

Redescription. Female. Body length 2.8–3.0 mm. Color. Head, mesosoma and metasoma black; antenna dark brown; wings hyaline; legs light brown to dark brown. Head. Head as long as wide; mandible with base narrower than apex, with five distal teeth, two ventral most larger; clypeus with median lobe subtrapezoidal, with minute median tooth; clypeal median carina complete, somewhat high and outcurved in profile; frons strongly coriaceous and smooth; frontal line present, sulcate; antennal pubescence dense and appressed; pedicel longer than flagellomere I, caliciform; eye glabrous, far from mandibular base; medioccipito-genal suture present; occipital carina complete; anterior ocellus posterior to supra-ocular line; vertex crest straight or nearly so.

Mesosoma. Dorsal pronotal area coriaceous, as long as wide medially; posterior pronotal sulcus weakly impressed, foveolate; notaulus absent; parapsidal signum present. Metapectal-propodeal disc with metapostnotal median carina complete, extending posteriorly; first metapostnotal lateral carina complete, converging posteriorly; second metapostnotal lateral carina absent; third metapostnotal lateral carina absent; metapostnotal-propodeal suture incomplete, straight; paraspiracular carina present. Wings. Macropterous, forewing with 2r-rs&Rs vein very reduced as stub; hind wing with three distal hamuli. Metasoma. Metasomal tergum I polished; other terga weakly coriaceous.

Male. Body length 2.5–2.7 mm. Color. Head, mesosoma and metasoma black; antenna dark brown; wings hyaline; legs brown. Head. Head as long as wide; mandible with base narrower than apex, with five distal teeth, two ventral most larger; clypeus with median lobe rounded, with minute median tooth; clypeal median carina complete, somewhat high and outcurved in profile; frons coriaceous and smooth; frontal line absent; antennal pubescence dense and appressed; pedicel shorter than flagellomere I, caliciform; eye glabrous, far from mandibular base; medioccipito-genal suture present; occipital carina complete; anterior ocellus posterior to supra-ocular line; vertex crest straight or nearly so. Mesosoma. Dorsal pronotal area coriaceous, as long as wide medially; posterior pronotal sulcus absent; notaulus absent; parapsidal signum present. Metapectal-propodeal disc with metapostnotal median carina incomplete posteriorly; first metapostnotal lateral carina incomplete posteriorly, straight; second metapostnotal lateral carina absent; third metapostnotal lateral carina absent; metapostnotal-propodeal suture incomplete, straight; paraspiracular carina present. Metasoma. Hypopygeal anterolateral apodeme shorter than spiculum, outcurved. Wings. Macropterous, forewing with 2r-rs&Rs vein very reduced as stub; hind wing with three distal hamuli. Genitalia. Harpe as long as gonostipes, apex rounded; cuspis wide, with apex posterior to aedeagal apex; digitus with apex bifid; aedeagus bottle-shaped.

Variations. The metapostnotal median carina of the metapectal-propodeal disc can be inconspicuous or fully absent in some males from South Africa, whereas it can be present, but incomplete in the males from Kenya.

Remarks. The females and the males of this species differ from all other congeners since the forewings have the 2r-rs&Rs vein very reduced, as a stub, which makes it easily distinguishable from other Afrotropical Laelius .

We are not able to find the holotype of Laelius firmipennis . It is supposed to be deposited at The Natural History Museum, UK, or in the Albany Museum, South Africa (Gordh and M´oczar, 1990). However, the curators of both museums confirmed the type is not deposited in their collections. Analyzing the original description of Laelius firmipennis by Cameron (1905) and the holotype of L. glossinae , we conclude that these species are morphologically similar, based mainly in the forewings with the 2r-rs&Rs vein very reduced, as a stub, the female metapectal-propodeal disc with the metapostnotal median carina complete and the first metapostnotal carina present. Thus, we are proposing Laelius glossinae as a junior synonym of Laelius firmipennis .

The male of this species is morphologically different from the male of L. pumbaai sp. nov. by having the forewings with 2r-rs&Rs vein very reduced, shorter than Rs&M vein, whereas L. pumbaai sp. nov. has the forewings with 2r-rs&Rs vein longer than Rs&M vein. The female of this species differs too from all other congeners, since the forewings have the 2r-rs&Rs vein very reduced, shorter than Rs&M vein, similar to the males.

The intraspecific genetic distance between males and females of L. firmipennis varied between 2% and 4%. The lower interspecific genetic distance of L. firmipennis was 16% in relation to L. pedatus ( Table 2).

Material examined. Type material. Holotype of L. glossinae , female, { Malawi} Nyasaland: Monkey Bay, Lake Nyasa , x.1915 (Dr. W. A. Lamborn), reard from pupa of Glossina morsitans (BMNH) . New material examined. South Africa. 1 female and 10 males, Northern Cape, Tswalu Kalahari Reserve , Site HER1 , 1035m, 27 ◦ 18.548′S 22 ◦ 13.364′E, 5 Dec 2015 – 11 Feb 2016, S. van Noort, Malaise trap, Gordonia Plains Shrubland, Acacia mellifera on red sand, Savanna Biome, TSW15- HER1 -M09, SAM-HYM-A050173 to A050183 ( SAMC); 2 males, Northern Cape, Tswalu Kalahari Reserve , Site BOS1, 1110m, 27 ◦ 18.163′S 22 ◦ 22.755′E, 5 Dec 2015 – 11 Feb 2016, S. van Noort, Malaise trap, Gordonia Duneveld, Acacia erioloba , Boscia red dune slack, Savanna Biome, TSW15-BOS1- M08, SAM-HYM-A050185 , A050186 ( SAMC); 3 males, Northern Cape, Tswalu Kalahari Reserve , Site BOS1, 1110m, 27 ◦ 18.163′S 22 ◦ 22.755′E, 24 October - 5 Dec 2015, S. van Noort, Malaise trap, Gordonia Duneveld, A. erioloba , Boscia red dune slack, Savanna Biome, TSW15-BOS1-M02, SAM-HYM-A043264 to A043266 ( SAMC); 9 males, Northern Cape, Tswalu Kalahari Reserve , Site BOS2, 1270m, 27 ◦ 18.449′S 22 ◦ 31.794′E, 25 October - 6 Dec 2015, S. van Noort, Malaise trap, Kathu Bushveld, Acacia , Boscia, Savanna Biome, TSW 15-BOS2-M03, SAM-HYM-A043249 to A043257 ( SAMC); 1 female and 11 males, Northern Cape, Tswalu Kalahari Reserve , Site BOS2, 1270m, 27 ◦ 18.449′S 22 ◦ 31.794′E, 6 Dec 2015 – 10 Feb 2016, S. van Noort, Malaise trap, Kathu Bushveld, Acacia , Boscia, Savanna Biome, TSW 15-BOS2-M06, SAM-HYM-A043268 to A043279 ( SAMC); 1 female and 5 males, Northern Cape, Tswalu Kalahari Reserve , site DED2, 1245m, 27 ◦ 17.339′S 22 ◦ 29.022′E, 23 October - 6 Dec 2015, S. van Noort, Malaise trap, Koranna-Langeberg Mountain Bushveld, A. erioloba, Euphoria on rocky hillside, Savanna Biome, TSW15-DED2-M04, SAM-HYM-A043259 to A043263, {one without code number} ( SAMC); 1 female and 31 males, Northern Cape, Tswalu Kalahari Reserve , site DED3, 1245m, 27 ◦ 17.130′S 22 ◦ 29.102′E, 6 Dec 2015 – 10 Feb 2016, S. van Noort, Malaise trap, Olifantshoek Plains Thornveld, Savanna Biome, TSW15-DED3-M07, SAM-HYM-A046194 to A046222, A046224 to A046226 ( SAMC); 2 females, Northern Cape, Tankwa National Park , Renoster River , 490m, 32 ◦ 14.704′S 20 ◦ 05.824′E, 10 July - 17 August 2014, S. van Noort, Malaise trap, Acacia karoo thicket, Tanqua Wash Riviere, Succulent Karoo, TKW14-ACA1-M04. SAM-HYM-A044837 , A044838 ( SAMC); 11 females, Northern Cape, Tankwa National Park , Renoster River , 490m, 32 ◦ 14.704′S 20 ◦ 05.824′E, 17 August - 9 September 2014, S. van Noort, Malaise trap, A. karoo thicket, Tanqua Wash Rivere, Succulent Karoo, TKW14-ACA1-M07, SAM-HYM-A044768 to A044778 ( SAMC); 10 females, Northern Cape, Tankwa National Park , Renoster River , 490m, 32 ◦ 14.704′S 20 ◦ 05.824′E, 9 September - 9 October 2014, S. van Noort, Malaise trap, A. karoo thicket, Tanqua Wash Riviere, Succulent Karoo, TKW14-ACA1-M09, SAM-HYM-A044793 to A044802 ( SAMC); 4 females, Northern Cape, Tankwa National Park , Renoster River , 490m, 32 ◦ 14.704′S 20 ◦ 05.824′E, 9 October - 5 November 2014, S. van Noort, Malaise trap, A. karoo thicket, Tanqua Wash Riviere, Succulent Karoo, TKW14-ACA1-M11, SAM-HYM-A044803 , A044804, A044811 and A044812 ( SAMC); 3 females and 1 male, Northern Cape, Tankwa National Park , Renoster River , 490m, 32 ◦ 14.704′S 20 ◦ 05.824′E, 5 Nov - 9 Dec 2014, S. van Noort, Malaise trap, A. karoo thicket, Tanqua Wash Riviere, Succulent Karoo, TKW14-ACA1-M13, SAM-HYM-A044752 , A044753, A044763, A044764 ( SAMC); 1 female 4 males, Northern Cape, Tankwa National Park , Renoster River , 490m, 32 ◦ 14.704′S 20 ◦ 05.824′E, 9 Dec 2014 – 10 Jan 2015, S. van Noort, Malaise trap, A. karoo thicket, Tanqua Wash Riviere, Succulent Karoo, TKW14-ACA1-M14, SAM-HYM-A044786 to A044789, SAM-HYM-A044792 ( SAMC); 1 female, Northern Cape, Tankwa National Park , Renoster River , 490m, 32 ◦ 14.704′S 20 ◦ 05.824′E, 10 Jan - 24 Feb 2015, S. van Noort, Malaise trap, A. karoo thicket, Tanqua Wash Riviere, Succulent Karoo, TKW14-ACA1-M16, SAM-HYM- A044291 ( SAMC); 1 female and 2 males, Northern Cape, Tankwa National Park , Renoster River , 490m, 32 ◦ 14.704′S 20 ◦ 05.824′E, 24 Feb - 4 May 2015, S. van Noort, Malaise trap, A. karoo thicket, Tanqua Wash Riviere, Succulent Karoo, TKW14-ACA1-M17, SAM-HYM-A044840 to A044842 ( SAMC); 1 male, W. Cape, West Coast Fossil Park , (4 km 290 ◦ E Langebaanweg) 32 ◦ 57.512′S 18 ◦ 06.728′E. 12-19 Feb 2003, S. van Noort, Malaise trap LW02- R7 -M168, Rehabilitated mine dump, {no code number} ( SAMC). Mozambique. 1 male, Sofala Province, Gorongosa National Park , Sand Forest site1, 35m, 18 ◦ 57.416′S 34 ◦ 20.411′E, 9–20 March 2017, S. van Noort & M. Buffington, Malaise trap, Sand Forest - Grassland edge, GOR17- FORS1 -M01, SAM-HYM-A043099 ( SAMC). Kenya. 1 male, Eastern Prov. Kiboko Sanctuary 2.20331 ◦ S, 37.71430 ◦ E, 925m Malaise trap, edge of indigenous forest, 22 SEP-6 OCT 2011, R. Copeland ( ICILPE); 4 males, Rift Valley Prov. , Nguruman , nr. Sampu River , 723m 1.90117 ◦ S, 36.05040 ◦ E, Malaise trap, nr. base of

Nguruman Escarpment 17–31 JUL 2011 R . Copeland ( ICILPE).

Tanzania. 1 female, Mkomazi Game Reserve, Ibaya Camp, 3.58S 37.48E, 25.xii.1995 - 29.i.1996, S. van Noort, Malaise trap, Acacia / Commiphora /Combretum bushland, SAM-HYM-P016043 ( SAMC); 5 females, Mkomazi Game Reserve, Ibaya Camp, 3.58S 37.48E, 29 Jan - 11 Mar 1996, S. van Noort, Malaise trap, Acacia / Commiphora /Combretum bushland, SAM-HYM-P018404, P018408, P018413 (2×), P018420 ( SAMC).

Distribution. Kenya, Malawi, Mozambique, South Africa and Tanzania ( Fig. 8A ).

Laelius pumbaai Marques, Colombo & Azevedo , sp. nov.

Figs. 2C and D ; 3 C-3D; 5C-5D; 6B–6C; 7D-7F; 8B.

Description. Male. Body length 3.0– 3.2 mm. Color. Head, mesosoma and metasoma black; wings hyaline; antennae and legs dark brown. Head. Head wider than long; mandible with base narrower than apex, with five distal teeth, equally sized; clypeus with median lobe rounded, with minute median tooth; clypeal median carina complete,

somewhat high and outcurved in profile; frons coriaceous and smooth; frontal line present, sulcate; antennal pubescence dense and appressed, pedicel longer than flagellomere I, caliciform; eye glabrous, far from mandibular base; medioccipito-genal suture present; occipital carina complete; anterior ocellus posterior to supra-ocular line; vertex crest straight or nearly so. Mesosoma. Dorsal pronotal area coriaceous, wider than long medially; posterior pronotal sulcus absent; notaulus absent; parapsidal signum present. Metapectal-propodeal disc with metapostnotal median carina incomplete posteriorly, not extending posteriorly; first metapostnotal lateral carina incomplete posteriorly, straight; second metapostnotal lateral carina absent; third metapostnotal lateral carina absent; metapostnotal-propodeal suture incomplete, converging posteriorly; paraspiracular carina absent. Wings. Macropterous, forewing with 2r-rs&Rs vein longer than Rs&M; hind wing with three distal hamuli; Metasoma. Hypopygeal anterolateral apodeme shorter than spiculum, straight. Genitalia. Harpe as long as gonostipes, apex rounded; cuspis wide, with apex posterior to aedeagal apex, digitus with apex simple; aedeagus subbottle-shaped.

Female. Body length 3.5–3.7 mm. Color. Head, mesosoma and metasoma black; antennae brown; wings hyaline; legs light brown. Head. Head as long as wide; mandible with base narrower than apex, with five distal teeth, equally sized; clypeus with median lobe subtrapezoidal, with minute median tooth; clypeal median carina complete, somewhat high and outcurved in profile; frons coriaceous and smooth; frontal line present, sulcate; antennal pubescence dense appressed, pedicel longer than flagellomere I, caliciform; eye glabrous, far from mandibular base; medioccipito-genal suture present; occipital carina complete; anterior ocellus posterior to supra-ocular line; vertex crest straight or nearly so. Mesosoma. Dorsal pronotal area coriaceous, as long as wide medially; posterior pronotal sulcus weakly impressed, foveolate; notaulus absent; parapsidal signum absent; metapectal-propodeal disc with metapostnotal median carina complete, not extending posteriorly; first metapostnotal lateral carina absent; second metapostnotal lateral carina absent; third metapostnotal lateral carina absent; metapostnotal-propodeal suture absent; paraspiracular carina absent. Wings. Micropterous. Metasoma. Metasomal tergum I polished;

other terga weakly coriaceous.

Remarks. The males of this species are morphologically different from the males of L. firmipennis by having the forewings with 2r-rs&Rs vein longer than Rs&M vein, whereas this vein in L. firmipennis is very reduced, shorter than Rs&M vein. The female of this species differs from all other congeners, because the forewings are very reduced, representing the first record of microptery in Laelius .

The intraspecific genetic distance between males and females of L. pumbaai sp. nov. varied between 0% and 7%. The lower interspecific genetic distance of L. pumbaai sp. nov. was 14% in relation to L. sarabiae sp. nov. and L. scari sp. nov. ( Table 2).

Material examined. Holotype. South Africa, male, W. Cape, Cape Town, above Tokai Forest, Constantiaberge , above Donkerboskloof , 34 {◦}02S 18{◦}23.5{’}E, 460m, 13 June - 7 July 1995, S. van Noort, Mesic Mountain Fynbos, Prorops coronata dominated, Malaise trap, site 2. SAM-HYM-P013873 ( SAMC) . Allotype. South Africa, female, Western Cape, Banghoek Valley, Dwarsriviershoek Farm, 33 ◦ 56.824′S 18 ◦ 58.123′E, 400m, 11.xii.2015 - 26.i.2016, S. van Noort, Malaise trap, Mesic Mountain Fynbos, BH 12-FYN6-M33, SAM-HYM-A044745

( SAMC). Paratypes. South Africa . 3 males, Western Cape, Banghoek Valley, Dwarsriviershoek Farm , 33 ◦ 56.824′S 18 ◦ 58.123′E, 400m, 6 Jan - 19 Feb 2015, S. van Noort, Malaise trap, Mesic Mountain Fynbos, BH 12- FYN6-M25, SAM-HYM-A044735 to A044737 ( SAMC); 16 males, Western Cape, Banghoek Valley, Dwarsriviershoek Farm , 33 ◦ 56.824′S 18 ◦ 58.123′E, 400m, 19 Feb - 16 Mar 2015, S. van Noort, Malaise trap, Mesic Mountain Fynbos, BH 12-FYN6-M26, SAM-HYM-A044719 to A044734 ( SAMC); 47 males, Western Cape, Banghoek Valley, Dwarsriviershoek Farm , 33 ◦ 56.824′S 18 ◦ 58.123′E, 400m, 16 Mar - 21 Apr 2015, S. van Noort, Malaise trap, Mesic Mountain Fynbos, BH 12-FYN6-M27, SAM-HYM-A044650 to A044659, A044661 to A044669, A044671 to A044698 ( SAMC); 21 males, Western Cape, Banghoek Valley, Dwarsriviershoek Farm , 33 ◦ 56.824′S 18 ◦ 58.123′E, 400m, 21 Apr - 26 May 2015, S. van Noort, Malaise trap, Mesic Mountain Fynbos, BH 12-FYN6-M28, SAM-HYM-A043649 , SAM-HYM-A044699 to A044718 ( SAMC); 1 female and 7 males, Western Cape, Banghoek Valley, Dwarsriviershoek Farm , 33 ◦ 56.824′S 18 ◦ 58.123′E, 400m, 26 May - 24 June 2015, S. van Noort, Malaise trap, Mesic Mountain Fynbos, BH 12-FYN6-M29, SAM-HYM-A043305 to A043312 ( SAMC); 1 male, Western Cape, Banghoek Valley, Dwarsriviershoek Farm , 33 ◦ 56.824′S 18 ◦ 58.123′E, 400m, 11. xii.2015 - 26.i.2016, S. van Noort, Malaise trap, Mesic Mountain Fynbos, BH 12-FYN6-M33, SAM-HYM-A044746 ( SAMC) ; 1 male, West Cape, Walker Bay Nat. Res. 34 ◦ 27.41′S 19 ◦ 21.39′E, 17– 31.05.1997. M. tr. S. van Noort coll, SAM-HYM-P0024963 ( SAMC) ; 1 female and 1 male, Western Cape, Anysberg Nature Reserve, 5.8 km west of Vrede , 785m, 33 ◦ 28.658′S 20 ◦ 31.527′E, 23 February - 6 May 2015, S. van Noort, Malaise trap, Succulent Karoo, ANY14-SUC1-M06, SAM-HYM-A044893 , A044894 ( SAMC); 1 male, Western Cape, Gamkaberg Nature Reserve , 33 ◦ 43.663′S 21 ◦ 57.600′E, 940m, 19 Feb - 30 Mar 2010, S. van Noort, Malaise trap, Rooiberg Sandstone Fynbos, GB 09-FYN1-M34, SAM-HYM- A026879 ( SAMC) ; 1 female, W. Cape, Kogelberg Nature Reserve, 34 ◦ 16.481′S 19 ◦ 01.033′E, 16 Feb - 16 Mar 1999, S. van Noort, Yellow Pan trap, KO98–Y75, Mesic Mountain Fynbos, last burnt c. 1978, P037604 ( SAMC) ; 1 male, W. Cape, West Coast Fossil Park , (5.5 km 290 ◦ W Langebaanweg) 32 ◦ 57.402′S 18 ◦ 05.483′E. 11-18 Sept 2002, S. van Noort, Malaise trap LW02- R5 - M29, Rehabilitated mine dump ( SAMC) ; 1 male, W. Cape, West Coast Fossil Park , (5 km 290 ◦ E Langebaanweg) 32 ◦ 57.732′S 18 ◦ 05.985′E, 4–11 Sept 2002, S van Noort, Malaise trap LW02- R6 - M15, Rehabilitated mine dump ( SAMC) ; 1 male, W. Cape, Koeberg Nature Reserve, 33 ◦ 37.622′S 18 ◦ 24.259′E, 16 May - 13 June 1997, S van Noort, Malaise trap KO97-M02, West Coast Strandveld ( SAMC) ; 4 males, W. Cape, Koeberg Nature Reserve, 33 ◦ 37.622′S 18 ◦ 24.259′E, 11 July - 8 Aug 1997, S van Noort, Malaise trap KO97-M06, West Coast Strandveld ( SAMC) ; 1 male, W. Cape, Koeberg Nature Reserve, 33 ◦ 37.622′S 18 ◦ 24.259′E, 20 Feb - 20 Mar 1998, S van Noort, Malaise trap KO97-M24, West Coast Strandveld ( SAMC) ; 5 males, W. Cape, Koeberg Nature Reserve, 33 ◦ 37.622′S 18 ◦ 24.259′E, 17 April - 15 May 1998, S van Noort, Malaise trap KO97-M31, West Coast Strandveld ( SAMC) ; 4 males, W. Cape, Koeberg Nature Reserve, 33 ◦ 37.622′S 18 ◦ 24.259′E, 17 April - 15 May 1998, S van Noort, Malaise trap KO97- M33, West Coast Strandveld ( SAMC) ; 1 male, W. Cape, Cape of Good Hope Nat. Reserve, Da Gama Peak, 28–31 Mar 1995, 34 21S 18 29E, S van Noort, Old Mesic Mountain Fynbos , Malaise trap. SAM-HYM- A026887 ( SAMC) ; 1 male, W. Cape, Walker Bay Nature Reserve , 34 ◦ 27.414′S 19 ◦ 21.393′E, 21 Mar - 18 Apr 1998, S van Noort, Malaise trap WB97 - M25, South Coast Strandveld , 57 m altitude ( SAMC) ; 1 male, E. Cape, Februarie Farm, (39.9.2 km 268 ◦ W Kirkwood ) 33 ◦ 32.813′S 25 ◦ 03.091′E, 8–10 Feb 2001, S van Noort, Malaise trap, VB01- R2 N-M10, Valley Bushveld (non-trashed). SAM-HYM-A026866 ( SAMC) ; 2 males, E. Cape, Februarie Farm , (40.2 km 267 ◦ W Kirkwood) 33 ◦ 33.124′S 25 ◦ 03.043′E, 10–12 Feb 2001, S van Noort, Malaise trap, VB01- R1 TM21 , Valley Bushveld (goat trashed), SAM-HYM-A026876 , A026878 ( SAMC); 1 male, E. Cape, Februarie Farm , (40.2 km 267 ◦ W Kirkwood) 33 ◦ 33.124′S 25 ◦ 03.043′E, 12–14 Feb 2001, S van Noort, Malaise trap, VB01- R1 T-M22, Valley Bushveld (non-trashed), SAM-HYM-A026877 ( SAMC) ; 1 male, E. Cape, Februarie Farm , (39.9 km 268 ◦ W Kirkwood) 33 ◦ 32.813′S 25 ◦ 03.091′E, 10–12 Feb 2001, S van Noort, Malaise trap,VB01- R2 N-M24, Valley Bushveld (non-trashed), SAM-HYM- A026870 ( SAMC) ; 2 males, E. Cape, Februarie Farm , (40.2 km 267 ◦ W Kirkwood) 33 ◦ 33.124′S 25 ◦ 03.043′E, 12–14 Feb 2001, S van Noort, Malaise trap, VB01- R1 T-M35, Valley Bushveld (goat trashed), SAM-HYM-A026874 (2×) ( SAMC) ; 1 male, E. Cape, Februarie Farm , (39.9 km 268 ◦ W Kirkwood) 33 ◦ 32.813′S 25 ◦ 03.091′E, 12–14 Feb 2001, S van Noort, Malaise trap, VB01- R2 T-M37, Valley Bushveld (goat trashed), SAM-HYM-A026862 ( SAMC) ; 3 males, E. Cape, Februarie Farm , (40.2 km 267 ◦ W Kirkwood) 33 ◦ 33.124′S 25 ◦ 03.043′E, 14–16 Feb 2001, S van Noort, Malaise trap, VB01- R1 N-M54, Valley Bushveld (non-trashed), SAM-HYM-A026861 , A026875 (2×) ( SAMC); 1 male, Eastern Cape, Winterberg, The Hoek farm, 32 ◦ 21.260′S 26 ◦ 23.001′E, 1879m, 22 Feb

9 April 2010, S. van Noort, Malaise trap, Amathole Mistbelt Grassland, WTB09-GRA1-M02. SAM-HYM-A 026884 ( SAMC).

Etymology. The epithet pumbaai refers to the character Pumbaa, a gluttonous warthog found in grassland, savanna, and woodland in sub- Saharan Africa, guardian and friend of Simba and Timon.

Distribution. South Africa ( Fig. 8B ).

Laelius sarabiae Marques, Colombo & Azevedo , sp. nov.

Figs. 2E ; 3E ; 5E ; 6D ; 8C .

Description. Female. Body length 3.0– 3.2 mm. Color. Head, mesosoma and metasoma black; antenna dark brown; forewings hyaline with distal light brown spot; legs dark brown to black. Head. Head as long as wide; mandible with base narrower than apex, with five distal teeth, two ventralmost larger; clypeus with median lobe subtrapezoidal, with minute median tooth, clypeal median carina complete, somewhat high and outcurved in profile; frons coriaceous and smooth; frontal line absent; antennal pubescence dense appressed, pedicel longer than flagellomere I, caliciform; eye glabrous, far from mandibular base; medioccipito-genal suture present; occipital carina complete; anterior ocellus posterior to supra-ocular line; vertex crest straight or nearly so.

Mesosoma. Dorsal pronotal area coriaceous, as long as wide medially; posterior pronotal sulcus absent; notaulus incomplete; parapsidal signum absent; metapectal-propodeal disc with metapostnotal median carina complete, extending posteriorly; first metapostnotal lateral carina complete, straight; second metapostnotal lateral carina absent; third metapostnotal lateral carina absent; metapostnotal-propodeal suture incomplete, as a stub; paraspiracular carina present. Wings. Macropterous, forewing with 2r-rs&Rs vein longer than Rs&M; hind wing with three distal hamuli. Metasoma. Metasomal tergum I polished; other terga weakly coriaceous.

Male. Unknown.

Variations. The metapectal-propodeal disc has a stria carina-like, which can be the first metapostnotal lateral carina in some specimens from Northern Cape and West Cape ( South Africa) and Kenya, as the holotype, whereas in some specimens from Eastern Cape ( South Africa) and Tanzania, this stria is absent .

The forewings have a distal light brown spot in some specimens from Northern Cape and West Cape ( South Africa), Kenya and Tanzania, as the holotype, whereas in few specimens from Eastern Cape ( South Africa), the forewings are evenly hyaline ( Fig. 6D ) .

Remarks. This species is morphologically similar to L. simbai sp. nov. by having the mandibles with five distal teeth, forewings with 2r-rs&Rs vein longer than Rs&M vein and the metapectal-propodeal disc with metapostnotal median carina complete. However, L. sarabiae sp. nov. has the forewings without two dark transverse bands, and the first metapostnotal lateral carina complete, whereas L. simbai sp. nov. has the forewings with two dark transverse bands, and the first metapostnotal lateral carina incomplete posteriorly.

The intraspecific genetic distance of L. sarabiae sp. nov. was not accessed, as only one specimen was sampled. The lower interspecific genetic distance of L. sarabiae sp. nov. was 14% in relation to L. pumbaai sp. nov. ( Table 2).

Material examined. Holotype. South Africa, female, W. Cape. West Coast Fossil Park, (4 km 280 ◦ E Langebaanweg) 32 ◦ 57.817′S 18 ◦ 06.837′E, 2–9 Oct 2002, S van Noort, Malaise trap LW02-R8-M85, Rehabilitated mine dump ( SAMC). Paratypes. South Africa. 1 female, E. Cape, Mannetjie Farm, (31.9 km 262 ◦ W Kirkwood) 33 ◦ 32.724′S 25 ◦ 08.795′E, 8–10 Feb 2001, S van Noort, Malaise trap, VB01- R 3N-M12, Valley Bushveld (non-trashed). SAM-HYM-A 026867 ( SAMC); 1 female, E. Cape, Mannetjie Farm, (31.9 km 262 ◦ W Kirkwood) 33 ◦ 32.724′S 25 ◦ 08.795′E, 10–12 Feb 2001, S van Noort, Malaise trap, VB01- R 3 TM 27, Valley Bushveld (goat trashed), SAM-HYM-A 026872 ( SAMC); 1 female, E. Cape, Mannetjie Farm, (31.9 km 262 ◦ W Kirkwood) 33 ◦ 32.724′S 25 ◦ 08.795′E, 10–12 Feb 2001, S van Noort, Malaise trap, VB01- R 3N-M28, Valley Bushveld (non-trashed), SAM-HYM-A 026859 ( SAMC); 1 female, E. Cape, Mannetjie Farm, (31.9 km 262 ◦ W Kirkwood) 33 ◦ 32.724′S 25 ◦ 08.795′E, 14–16 Feb 2001, S van Noort, Malaise trap, VB01- R 3N-M49, Valley Bushveld (goat trashed), SAM-HYM- A026858 ( SAMC); 1 female, Eastern Cape, Asante Sana Game Reserve, 32 ◦ 15.841′S 24 ◦ 57.091′E, 1345m, 6.x.2010 - 17.i.2011, S. van Noort, Malaise trap, Camdeboo Escarpment Thicket, ASA09-BUS1-M17 ( SAMC); 1 female, E. Cape, Marais Hoop farm, (25.6 km 254 ◦ W Kirkwood) 33 ◦ 32.635′S 25 ◦ 13.678′E, 14–16 Feb 2001, S van Noort, Malaise trap, VB01- R 4N-M52, Valley Bushveld (non-trashed), SAM-HYM- A026857 ( SAMC); 2 females, E. Cape, Marais Hoop farm, (25.6 km 254 ◦ W Kirkwood) 33 ◦ 32.635′S 25 ◦ 13.678′E, 14–16 Feb 2001, S van Noort, Malaise trap, VB01- R 4N-M52, Valley Bushveld (non-trashed), 2x SAM-HYM-A 026856 ( SAMC); 1 female, E. Cape, Februarie Farm, (39.9 km 268 ◦ W Kirkwood) 33 ◦ 32.813′S 25 ◦ 03.091′E, 10–12 Feb 2001, S van Noort, Malaise trap, VB01- R 2T-M23, Valley Bushveld (goat trashed), SAM-HYM-A 026865 ( SAMC); 3 females, E. Cape, Februarie Farm, (40.2 km 267 ◦ W Kirkwood) 33 ◦ 33.124′S 25 ◦ 03.043′E, 10–12 Feb 2001, S van Noort, Malaise trap, VB01- R 1T-M21, Valley Bushveld, (goat trashed), SAM-HYM-A 026873, A026876, A026878 ( SAMC); 2 females, E. Cape, Februarie Farm, (40.2 km 267 ◦ W Kirkwood) 33 ◦ 33.124′S 25 ◦ 03.043′E, 10–12 Feb 2001, S van Noort, Malaise trap, VB01- R 1N-M22, Valley Bushveld (non-trashed), SAM-HYM-A 026877, A026886 ( SAMC); 1 female, E. Cape, Februarie Farm, (40.2 km 267 ◦ W Kirkwood) 33 ◦ 33.124′S 25 ◦ 03.043′E, 12–14 Feb 2001, S van Noort, Malaise trap,VB01- R 1 TM 35, Valley Bushveld (goat trashed), SAM-HYM-A 026874 ( SAMC); 1 female, E. Cape, Schilpad Laagte Farm, (14.7 km 229 ◦ SW Kirkwood) 33 ◦ 31.104′S 25 ◦ 22.353′E, 7–9 Feb 2001, S van Noort, Malaise trap, VB01-A2T-M01, Valley Bushveld (goat trashed), SAM-HYM-A 026860 ( SAMC); 1 female, E. Cape, Schilpad Laagte Farm, (15.4 km 226 ◦ SW Kirkwood) 33 ◦ 31.653′S 25 ◦ 22.620′E, 9–11 Feb 2001, S van Noort, Malaise trap, VB01-A1T-M17, Valley Bushveld (goat trashed), SAM-HYM-A 026863 ( SAMC); 2 females, N. Cape, Glen Lyon farm, Sheep’ s Leg Site (4.62 km 153 ◦ SSE Nieuwoudtville) 31 ◦ 24.359′S 19 ◦ 08.895′E, Natural Renosterveld on tillite, 11–14 October 2000, S van Noort, Malaise trap NW00-TN2-M20, SAM-HYM-P0024522 (2 ×) ( SAMC); 1 female, N. Cape, Oorlogskloof farm, Wide Gate 2 Site (8.24 km 158 ◦ SSE Nieuwoudtville) 31 ◦ 25.970′S 19 ◦ 10.224′E, Wheat field on dolerite, 9–12 October 2000, S van Noort, Malaise trap NW00-DA3-M05, SAM-HYMP0024525 ( SAMC); 1 female, N. Cape, Oorlogskloof farm, Beacon Site (6.65 km 158 ◦ SSE Nieuwoudtville) 31 ◦ 25.307′S 19 ◦ 09.590′E, Natural veg. on dolerite, 15–18 October 2000, S van Noort, Malaise trap, NW00- DN4-M42, SAM-HYM-A 026864 ( SAMC); 1 female, Northern Cape, Tankwa National Park, Renoster River, 490m, 32 ◦ 14.704′S 20 ◦ 05.824′E, 17 August - 9 September 2014, S. van Noort, Malaise trap, A. karoo thicket, Tanqua Wash Riviere, Succulent Karoo, TKW14-ACA1-M07, SAM-HYM-A 044779 ( SAMC); 1 female, Northern Cape, Tankwa National Park, Renoster River, 490m, 32 ◦ 14.704′S 20 ◦ 05.824′E, 9 October - 5 November 2014, S. van Noort, Malaise trap, A. karoo thicket, Tanqua Wash Riviere, Succulent Karoo, TKW14-ACA1-M11, SAM-HYM- A044810 ( SAMC); 1 female, Northern Cape, Tswalu Kalahari Reserve, Site BOS2, 1270m, 27 ◦ 18.449′S 22 ◦ 31.794′E, 25 October - 6 December 2015, S. van Noort, Malaise trap, Kathu Bushveld, Acacia , Boscia, Savanna Biome, TSW 15-BOS2-M03, SAM-HYM-A 043248 ( SAMC); 1 female, W. Cape, Anyskop Farm, (5.5 km 290 ◦ W Langebaanweg) 32 ◦ 57.301′S 18 ◦ 05.283′E, 4–11 Sept 2002, S van Noort, Malaise trap LW02-N8-M14, Sand Plain Fynbos ( SAMC); 1 female, BW01–B1-M06, W. Cape, Bleakhouse farm, Site B1, 32 ◦ 14.18′S 22 ◦ 55.38′E, 21 Apr 2001, S van Noort & HG Robertson Nama Karoo on dolerite soils, MALAISE TRAP, SAM-HYM-A 026869 ( SAMC); 1 female, BW01–B2-M09, South Africa, W. Cape, Bleakhouse farm, Site B2, 32 ◦ 15.08′S, 22 ◦ 54.96′E, 22 Apr 2001, S van Noort & HG Robertson Nama Karoo on dolerite soils, MALAISE TRAP, SAM-HYM-A 026871 ( SAMC); 1 female, BW01-E4-M03, W. Cape, Elandsfontein farm, Site E4, 32 ◦ 17.69′S 23 ◦ 00.57′E, 21 Apr 2001, S van Noort & HG Robertson Nama Karoo on dolerite soils, MALAISE TRAP, SAM-HYM-A 026868 ( SAMC); 1 female, Western Cape, Grootvadersbosch Nature Reserve, 33 ◦ 58.888′S 20 ◦ 48.885′E, 454m, 29. iii-23.vii.2010, S. van Noort, Malaise trap, South Langeberg Sandstone Fynbos, GVB10-FYN1-M04, SAM-HYM-P038149 ( SAMC); 1 female, W. Cape. West Coast Fossil Park, (5.5 km 290 ◦ W Langebaanweg) 32 ◦ 57.402′S 18 ◦ 05.438′E, 23–30 Oct 2002, S van Noort, Malaise trap LW02- R 5-M131, Rehabilitated mine dump ( SAMC); 1 female, W. Cape, West Coast Fossil Park, (4 km 290 ◦ E Langebaanweg) 32 ◦ 57.512′S 18 ◦ 06.728′E, 2–9 Oct 2002, S van Noort, Malaise trap LW02- R 7-M84, Rehabilitated mine dump ( SAMC), A214; 1 female, W. Cape, West Coast Fossil Park, (4 km 280 ◦ E Langebaanweg) 32 ◦ 57.817′S 18 ◦ 06.837′E, 18–25 Sept 2002, S van Noort, Malaise trap LW02- R 8- M51, Rehabilitated mine dump ( SAMC). Mozambique. 1 female, Sofala Province, Gorongosa National Park, Sand Forest site1, 35m, 18 ◦ 57.416′S 34 ◦ 20.411′E, 9–20 March 2017, S. van Noort & M. Buffington, Malaise trap, Sand Forest - Grassland edge, GOR17- FORS 1-M01, SAM-HYM-A 043098 ( SAMC). Kenya. 1 female, Coast Prov. Taita Hills, Mwatate area, 3.48444 ◦ S, 38.33251 ◦ E, 1011m Malaise trap, below Bura Bluff, riverine forest; 24 JAN-7 FEB 2012, R. Copeland ( ICILPE).

Tanzania. 1 female, Mkomazi Game Reserve, Ibaya Camp, 3.58S 37.48E, 5–14 April 1996, S. van Noort, Malaise trap, Acacia / Commiphora /Combretum, SAM-HYM-P017702 ( SAMC); 1 female, Mkomazi Game Res., Ibaya 3 ◦ 58′S 37 ◦ 48′E 6 May 1996 HG Robertson, ex Winkler bag leaf litter from beneath large fig tree in lowland open woodland, SAM-HYM-P018800 ( SAMC); 1 female, Tarangire NP, VII/94 36 ◦ 10′E, 3 ◦ 50′S D. Grimaldi, coll. ( AMNH).

Etymology. The epithet sarabiae refers to the character Sarabi, the queen of Pride Rock and mother of Simba.

Distribution. Kenya, Mozambique, South Africa and Tanzania ( Fig. 8C ).

Laelius scari Marques, Colombo & Azevedo , sp. nov.

Figs. 2F ; 3F ; 4A ; 5 F-5G; 6E; 7G-7H; 8D.

Description. Female. Body length 4.0– 4.2 mm. Color. Head, mesosoma and metasoma black; antennae brown; wings fuscous; legs light brown to dark brown. Head. Head as long as wide; mandible with base narrower than apex, with five distal teeth, two ventral most larger; clypeus with median lobe subtrapezoidal, with minute median tooth, clypeal median carina complete, somewhat high and outcurved in profile; frons strongly coriaceous and smooth; frontal line present, sulcate; antennal pubescence dense appressed, pedicel longer than flagellomere I, caliciform; eye glabrous, far from mandibular base; medioccipito-genal suture present; occipital carina complete; anterior ocellus posterior to supra-ocular line; vertex crest straight or nearly so. Mesosoma. Dorsal pronotal area coriaceous, wider than long medially; posterior pronotal sulcus weakly impressed, foveolate; notaulus absent; parapsidal signum present. Metapectal-propodeal disc with metapostnotal median carina complete, extending posteriorly; first metapostnotal lateral carina complete, converging posteriorly; second metapostnotal lateral carina absent; third metapostnotal lateral carina absent; metapostnotal-propodeal suture incomplete, straight; paraspiracular carina present. Wings. Macropterous, forewing with 2r-rs&Rs slightly shorter than Rs&M, hind wing with three distal hamuli. Metasoma. Metasomal tergum I and II polished, other terga weakly coriaceous.

Male. Body length 2.4–2.6 mm. Color. Head, mesosoma and metasoma black; antennae brown; wings hyaline; legs light brown to dark brown. Head. Head as long as wide; mandible with base narrower than apex, with three distal teeth, equally sized; clypeus with median lobe subtrapezoidal, with minute median tooth, clypeal median carina complete, somewhat high and out curved in profile; frons strongly coriaceous and smooth, frontal line present, sulcate; antennal pubescence dense appressed, pedicel longer than flagellomere I, caliciform; eye glabrous, far from mandibular base; medioccipito-genal suture present; occipital carina complete; anterior ocellus posterior to supra-ocular line; vertex crest straight or nearly so. Mesosoma. Dorsal pronotal area coriaceous, wider than long medially; posterior pronotal sulcus weakly impressed, foveolate; notaulus present; parapsidal signum present. Metapectal-propodeal disc with metapostnotal median carina complete, extending posteriorly; first metapostnotal lateral carina complete, converging posteriorly; second metapostnotal lateral carina complete, converging posteriorly; third metapostnotal lateral carina absent; metapostnotal-propodeal suture incomplete, straight; paraspiracular carina present. Wings. Macropterous, forewing with 2r-rs&Rs vein as long as Rs&M, hind wing with three distal hamuli. Metasoma. Metasomal tergum I and II polished, other terga weakly coriaceous.

Genitalia. Harpe longer than gonostipes, apex rounded; cuspis wide, with apex anterior to aedeagal apex, digitus with apex simple; aedeagus subbottle-shaped.

Remarks. This species differs from all other congeners by having the 2r-rs&Rs vein of the forewings as long as Rs&M ( Fig. 6E ), which makes it easily distinguishable from other Afrotropical Laelius . This condition was used to propose the conspecific male–female association.

Material examined. Holotype. Kenya, female, Eastern Prov. base of Ukasi Hill 613m, 0.82103 ◦ S 38.54443 ◦ E, Malaise trap, Acacia / Commiphora savanna, 6–11 JAN 2012, R. Copeland ( NMKE); Allotype. Kenya, male, Eastern Prov., Ngaia Forest Bottom of forest, 0.32442 ◦ N 38.05038 ◦ E, 1057 m, Malaise trap inside indigenous forest 15–29 oct 2011, R. Copeland ( NMKE); Paratypes. Kenya. 2 females, Eastern Prov. base of Ukasi Hill, 613m, 0.82103 ◦ S 38.54443 ◦ E, Malaise trap, Acacia / Commiphora savanna, 5–11 DEC 2012, R. Copeland, 1 female with code IBOL 14635BethF1 ( ICILPE); 1 female, Coast Prov. Boni Forest area, 30m, 1.85551 ◦ S, 40.69889 ◦ E, nr. Bodhei Village, 2m Malaise trap, mixed grass-/woodland, 6–18 JUN 2013, J. Bukhebi & R. Copeland ( ICILPE).

Etymology. The epithet scari refers to the character Scar, an evil lion, enemy of Simba and Mufasa and allied of hyenas.

Distribution. Kenya ( Fig. 8D ).

Laelius simbai Marques, Colombo & Azevedo , sp. nov.

Figs. 2G ; 4B ; 5H ; 6F ; 9A .

Description. Female. Body length 4.0– 4.2 mm. Color. Head, mesosoma and metasoma black; antennae dark brown; wings hyaline, forewings with two dark transverse bands; legs brown to light brown.

Head. Head as long as wide; mandible with base narrower than apex, with five distal teeth, two ventral most larger; clypeus with median lobe subtrapezoidal, with minute median tooth, clypeal median carina complete, somewhat high and outcurved in profile; frons strongly coriaceous and smooth; frontal line present; antennal pubescence dense appressed, pedicel longer than flagellomere I, caliciform; eye glabrous, far from mandibular base; medioccipito-genal suture present; occipital carina complete; anterior ocellus posterior to supra-ocular line; vertex crest straight or nearly so. Mesosoma. Dorsal pronotal area coriaceous, longer than wide medially; posterior pronotal sulcus weakly impressed; notaulus absent; parapsidal signum present; metapectal-propodeal disc with metapostnotal median carina complete, extending posteriorly; first metapostnotal lateral carina incomplete posteriorly, converging posteriorly; second metapostnotal lateral carina absent; third metapostnotal lateral carina absent; metapostnotal-propodeal suture incomplete, straight; paraspiracular carina present. Wings. Macropterous, forewings with 2r-rs&Rs vein longer than Rs&M; hind wing with three distal hamuli. Metasoma. Metasomal tergum I polished; other terga weakly coriaceous.

Male. Unknown.

Remarks. This species is morphologically similar to L. sarabiae sp. nov. by having the mandibles with five distal teeth, forewings with 2r-rs&Rs vein longer than Rs&M vein and the metapectal-propodeal disc with metapostnotal median carina complete. However, L. simbai sp. nov. has the forewings with two dark transverse bands and the first metapostnotal lateral carina incomplete posteriorly, whereas L. sarabiae sp. nov. has the forewings without two dark transverse bands and the first metapostnotal lateral carina complete.

The intraspecific genetic distance between females of L. simbai sp. nov. was 3%. The lower interspecific genetic distance of L. simbai sp. nov. was 14% in relation to Laelius sp. ( Table 2).

Material examined. Holotype. South Africa, female, Western Cape, Anysberg Nature Reserve, 5.8 km west of Vrede , 785m, 33 ◦ 28.658′S 20 ◦ 31.572′E, 8 January - 23 February 2015, S. van Noort, Malaise trap, Succulent Karoo. ANY14-SUC1-M05, SAM-HYM-A044859 ( SAMC).

Paratypes. South Africa. 2 females, W. Cape, Koeberg Nature Reserve, 33 ◦ 37.622′S 18 ◦ 24.259′E, 20 Mar - 17 April 1998, S van Noort, Malaise trap KO97-M28, West Coast Strandveld ( SAMC) ; 1 female, Western Cape, Anysberg Nature Reserve , 2 km ESE of Vrede, 725m, 33 ◦ 28.242′S 20 ◦ 36.630′E, 7 Dec 2014 – 8 Jan 2015, S. van Noort, yellow pan trap, Succulent Karoo, ANY14SUC2–Y21, SAM-HYM-A044869 ( SAMC) ; 1 female, Western Cape, Banghoek Valley, Dwarsriviershoek Farm , 33 ◦ 56.232′S 18 ◦ 57.711′E, 410m, 14 April - 2 June 2014, S. van Noort, Yellow pan trap, Mesic Mountain Fynbos, BH 12–FYN3–Y70, SAM-HYM- A044741( SAMC) ; 1 female, Western Cape, Banghoek Valley, Dwarsriviershoek Farm , 33 ◦ 56.824′S 18 ◦ 58.123′E, 400m, 16 Mar - 21 Apr 2015, S. van Noort, Malaise trap, Mesic Mountain Fynbos, BH 12-FYN6- M27, SAM-HYM-A044670 ( SAMC) ; 1 female, Western Cape, Gamkaberg Nature Reserve , 33 ◦ 39.570′S 21 ◦ 53.957′E, 328m, 5–23 May 2009, S. van Noort, Malaise trap, Gamka Thicket GB 09-SUC3-M08, SAM-HYM A026885 ( SAMC) ; 1 female, Western Cape, Gamkaberg Nature Reserve , 33 ◦ 39.941′S 21 ◦ 53.505′E, 315m, 19 Feb - 30 Mar 2010, S. van Noort, Malaise trap, Gamka Thicket GB 09-SUC1-M31, SAM-HYM-A022378 ( SAMC) ; 1 female, Western Cape, Gamkaberg Nature Reserve , 33 ◦ 39.504′S 21 ◦ 53.947′E, 322m, 19 Feb - 30 Mar 2010, S. van Noort, Malaise trap, Gamka Thicket GB 09-SUC4-M32, SAM-HYM-A026883 ( SAMC) ; 1 female, Western Cape, Gamkaberg Nature Reserve , 33 ◦ 39.941′S 21 ◦ 53.505′E, 315m, 30 Mar - 24 July 2010, S. van Noort, Malaise trap, Gamka Thicket GB 09-SUC1-M36, SAM-HYM-A022379 ( SAMC) ; 1 female, Western Cape, Gamkaberg Nature Reserve , 33 ◦ 39.570′S 21 ◦ 53.957′E, 328m, 30 Mar - 24 July 2010, S. van Noort, Malaise trap, Gamka Thicket GB 09-SUC3-M37, SAM-HYM-A026882 ( SAMC) ; 1 female, W. Cape, Langberg Farm , (3 km 270 ◦ W Langebaanweg) 32 ◦ 58.461′S 18 ◦ 07.344′E, 2–9 July 2003, S van Noort, Malaise trap, LW02-N2-M207, Sand Plain Fynbos ( SAMC) ; 1 female, Eastern Cape, Asante Sana Game Reserve, 32 ◦ 16.762′S 24 ◦ 57.309′E, 1186m, 23 Feb - 7 April 2010, S. van Noort, Malaise trap, Southern Karoo Riviere , ASA09-WOO1-M06, SAM-HYM A026880 ( SAMC) .

Etymology. The epithet simbai refers to the character Simba, a lion who was destined to rule the Pride Lands from Africa, as king.

Distribution. South Africa and Tanzania ( Fig. 9A ).

Laelius timoni Marques, Colombo & Azevedo , sp. nov.

Figs. 2H ; 4C ; 5I ; 6G ; 9B .

Description. Female. Body length 3.9–4.1 mm. Color. Head, mesosoma and metasoma black; antennae brown; wings hyaline; legs light brown. Head. Head as long as wide; mandible with base narrower than apex, with five distal teeth, two ventral most larger; clypeus with median lobe subtrapezoidal, with minute median tooth, clypeal median carina complete, somewhat high and outcurved in profile; frons coriaceous and smooth; frontal line present, sulcate; antennal pubescence dense appressed, pedicel longer than flagellomere I, caliciform; eye glabrous, far from mandibular base; medioccipito-genal suture present; occipital carina complete; anterior ocellus posterior to supra-ocular line; vertex crest straight or nearly so. Mesosoma. Dorsal pronotal area coriaceous, longer than wide medially; posterior pronotal sulcus weakly impressed, foveolate; notaulus absent; parapsidal signum present; metapectal-propodeal disc with metapostnotal median carina complete, not extending posteriorly; first metapostnotal lateral carina complete, straight; second metapostnotal lateral carina absent; third metapostnotal lateral carina absent; metapostnotal-propodeal suture incomplete, straight; paraspiracular carina present. Wings. Brachypterous, forewings with 2r-rs&Rs vein absent.

Male. Unknown.

Remarks: This species differs from all other congeners, because it is the only brachypterous species in the Afrotropical Laelius .

The intraspecific and interspecific genetic distances of L. timoni sp. nov. was not accessed, because this species is only known by the holotype, and was not molecularly sampled.

Material examined. Holotype. South Africa, female, Western Cape, Gamkaberg Nature Reserve , 33 ◦ 43.745′S 21 ◦ 56.972′E, 1000m, 19 Feb - 30 Mar 2010, S. van Noort, Yellow pan trap, Renosterveld, GB 09-REN1- Y48. SAM-HYM-A026881 ( SAMC).

Etymology. The epithet timoni refers to the character Timon, a small mongoose found in southern Africa, guardian and friend of Simba and Pumbaa.

Distribution. South Africa ( Fig. 9B ).

Laelius zirae Marques, Colombo & Azevedo , sp. nov.

Figs. 2I ; 4D ; 5J ; 6H ; 9C .

Description. Female. Body length 3.0– 3.2 mm. Color. Head, mesosoma and metasoma black; antenna dark brown; wings hyaline; legs dark brown to black. Head. Head wider than long; mandible with base narrower than apex, with four distal teeth, two ventralmost larger; clypeus with median lobe subtrapezoidal, with large median tooth, clypeal median carina complete, somewhat high and out curved in profile; frons strongly coriaceous and smooth; frontal line absent; antennal pubescence dense appressed, pedicel longer than flagellomere I, caliciform; eye glabrous, far from mandibular base; medioccipito-genal suture present; occipital carina complete; anterior ocellus anterior to supra-ocular line; vertex crest straight or nearly so. Mesosoma. Dorsal pronotal area coriaceous, wider than long medially; posterior pronotal sulcus weakly impressed; notaulus absent; parapsidal signum present; metapectal-propodeal disc with metapostnotal median carina complete, not extending posteriorly; first metapostnotal lateral carina complete posteriorly, straight; second metapostnotal lateral carina absent; third metapostnotal lateral carina absent; metapostnotal-propodeal suture incomplete, straight; paraspiracular carina present.

Wings. Macropterous; forewings with 2rs&Rs vein longer than Rs&M; hind wing with three distal hamuli. Metasoma. Metasomal tergum I polished; other terga weakly coriaceous.

Male. Unknown.

Variations. The first metapostnotal lateral carina of the metapectal-propodeal disc is complete in some specimens from Western Cape ( South Africa), as holotype, whereas another specimen from Eastern Cape ( South Africa) has the first metapostnotal lateral carina incomplete.

Remarks. This species is morphologically similar to L. sarabiae sp. nov. and L. simbai sp. nov. by having the forewings with 2r-rs&Rs vein longer than Rs&M vein and the metapectal-propodeal disc with metapostnotal median carina complete. However, L. zirae sp. nov. has the mandibles with four distal teeth, the eyes are remarkably large, occupying at least 0.75× side of head and the dorsal pronotal area is wider than long medially, whereas L. sarabiae sp. nov. and L. simbai sp. nov. has the mandibles with five distal teeth and the eyes are mid-sized, occupying at most 0.6× side of head. Additionally, the dorsal pronotal area is as long as wide in L. sarabiae sp. nov. and longer than wide in L. simbai sp. nov.

The intraspecific and interspecific genetic distances of L. zirae sp. nov. was not accessed, because no specimen was molecularly sampled.

Material examined. Holotype. South Africa, female, Northern Cape, Tswalu Kalahari Reserve, Site BOS1, 1110m, 27 ◦ 18.163′S 22 ◦ 22.755′E, 24 October - 5 Dec 2015, S. van Noort, Malaise trap, Gordonia Duneveld, A. erioloba , Boscia red dune slack, Savanna Biome, TSW15-BOS1-M02, SAM-HYM-A 043267 ( SAMC). Paratypes. South Africa. 1 female, Northern Cape, Tswalu Kalahari Reserve, Site DED3, 1245m, 27 ◦ 17.130′S 22 ◦ 29.102′E, 6 Dec - 10 Feb 2016, S. van Noort, Malaise trap, Olifantshoek Plains Thornveld, Savanna Biome, TSW15- DED3-M07, SAM-HYM-A 046223 ( SAMC). Central African Republic. 1 female, Prefecture Sangha-Mba´er´e, Parc National de Dzanga Ndoki, Mab´ea Bai, 21.4 km 53 ◦ NE Bayanga, 3 ◦ 02.01′N 16 ◦ 24.57′E, 510m, 7–8. v.2001, S. van Noort, Malaise trap, CAR 01-M71, Lowland Rainforest, marsh clearing ( SAMC). Mozambique. 1 female, Sofala Province, Gorongosa National Park, Miombo woodland site1, 35m, 18 ◦ 56.671′S 34 ◦ 22.861′E 10-20 March 2017, S. van Noort & M. Buffington, Malaise trap, Open Miombo Woodland, GOR17- MIOM 1-M04, SAM-HYM- A043206 ( SAMC). Kenya. 2 females, Coast Prov. Taita Hills, Mwatate area, 3.48444 ◦ S, 38.33251 ◦ E, 1011m. Malaise trap, below Bura Bluff, riverine forest; 7–21 SEP 2011, R. Copeland ( ICILPE); 1 female, Rift Valley Prov., Nguruman, nr. Sampu River, 723m, 1.90117 ◦ S, 36.05040 ◦ E, Malaise trap, nr. base of Nguruman Escarpment 3–17 JUL 2011, R. Copeland ( ICILPE); 1 female, Coast Prov. Mrima Hill Forest, 212m, 4.48576 ◦ S, 39.25845 ◦ E, Malaise trap, indigenous forest edge, 5–19 SEP 2011, R. Copeland ( ICILPE); 1 female, Eastern Prov. Kiboko Sanctuary, 2.20331 ◦ S, 37.71430 ◦ E, 925 m, Malaise trap. edge of indigenous forest 1–15 OCT 2011, R. Copeland ( ICILPE).

Etymology. The epithet zirae refers to the character Zira, an evil female lion and the leader of the Outsiders.

Distribution. Central African Republic, Kenya, Mozambique and South Africa ( Fig. 9C ).

Figures

Fig. 2. Habitus, lateral view. (A) Laelius firmipennis, female. (B) Laelius firmipennis, male. (C) Laelius pumbaai sp. nov., male. (D) Laelius pumbaai sp. nov., female. (E) Laelius sarabiae sp. nov., female. (F) Laelius scari sp. nov., female. (G) Laelius simbai sp. nov., female. (H) Laelius timoni sp. nov., female. (I) Laelius zirae sp. nov., Scale bars = 0.2 mm.

Fig. 3. Head, dorsal view. (A) Laelius firmipennis, female. (B) Laelius firmipennis, male. (C) Laelius pumbaai sp. nov., male. (D) Laelius pumbaai sp. nov., female. (E) Laelius sarabiae sp. nov., female. (F) Laelius scari sp. nov., female. Scale bars = 0.2 mm.

Fig. 1. ML tree based on the COI sequence dataset. Ultrafast bootstrap values are given below the nodes. Tips are labeled with specimen ID. Black branches represent species outside the Afrotropical region, while red branches represent species in the Afrotropical region.

Fig. 8. Distribution of Laelius species in the Afrotropical region (A) L. firmipennis. (B) L. pumbaai. (C) L. sarabiae. (D) L. scari. Sources: NMKE, RESOLVE Ecoregions, RQIS and SAMC.

Fig. 5. Mesosoma, dorsal view (A) Laelius firmipennis, female. (B) Laelius firmipennis, male. (C) Laelius pumbaai sp. nov., male. (D) Laelius pumbaai sp. nov., female. (E) Laelius sarabiae sp. nov., female. (F) Laelius scari sp. nov., female. (G) Laelius scari sp. nov., male. (H) Laelius simbai sp. nov., female. (I) Laelius timoni sp. nov., female. (J) Laelius zirae sp. nov., female. Scale bars (A-D, F and H-J) = 0.2 mm. Scale bars (E and G) = 0.5 mm.

Fig. 6. Forewings, dorsal view (A) Laelius firmipennis, female. (B) Laelius pumbaai sp. nov., male. (C) Laelius pumbaai sp. nov., female. (D) Laelius sarabiae sp. nov., female. (E) Laelius scari sp. nov., female. (F) Laelius simbai sp. nov., female. (G) Laelius timoni sp. nov., female. (H) Laelius zirae sp. nov., female. Scale bars (A, D and E) = 0.5 mm. Scale bars (B, C, F, G and H) = 0.2 mm.

Fig. 4. Head, dorsal view. (A) Laelius scari sp. nov., male. (B) Laelius simbai sp. nov., female. (C) Laelius timoni sp. nov., female. (D) Laelius zirae sp. nov., female. Scale bars (A) = 0.25 mm. Scale bars (B–D) = 0.2 mm.

Fig. 9. Distribution of Laelius species in the Afrotropical region (A) L. simbai. (B) L. timoni. (C) L. zirai. Sources: NMKE, RESOLVE Ecoregions, RQIS and SAMC.