Scrapter caeruleus, Mack & Kuhlmann, 2023

Mack, Anne & Kuhlmann, Michael, 2023, Revision of the nitidus species group of the bee genus Scrapter Lepeletier & Serville, 1828 (Hymenoptera: Apoidea), European Journal of Taxonomy 912, pp. 1-119 : 17-20

Scrapter caeruleus sp. nov.

urn:lsid:zoobank.org:act:C6DA50AF-A9B6-430D-ADD3-CB428B3BCB7B

Figs 11–12

Diagnosis

The female of S. caeruleus sp. nov. can be separated from that of all other species of this group by the following character combination: T3 anterior of premarginal line impunctate ( Fig. 12C); discs of T1–T4 almost impunctate ( Fig. 12C); basal part of propodeum coriaceous, posterior part smooth ( Fig. 12B); body oily-bluish shimmering ( Fig. 11B). The male is unknown.

Etymology

Named after its unique oily-bluish shine of the integument.

Type material (1 specimen)

Holotype

SOUTH AFRICA • ♀; Ouberg Pass , 27 km SE of Vanrhynsdorp, Fynbos; 31°48′07″ S, 18°55′00″ E; 380 m a.s.l.; 24 Sep. 2014; MK leg.; SAMC.

Description

Female

BODY LENGTH. 6.3 mm.

HEAD. Wider than long. Integument black, mandibles dark brownish to reddish. Face irregularly and sparsely covered with brownish hair, more densely around basis of antennae. Ocelli in front of posterior margin of compound eyes ( Fig. 11D). Clypeus flat; punctation regular, fine, and dense (i = 1–1.5 d); surface between punctures smooth and shiny ( Fig. 11C). Malar area medially narrow, slightly curved. Antennal flagella ventrally yellow, dorsally black. Supraclypeal area at upper margin slightly emarginated and edges slightly extended.

MESOSOMA. Integument black, pronotal lobe black. Scutum coarsely and irregularly punctate, laterally dense (i = 1–1.5 d), medially sparse (i = 1–4 d) ( Fig. 12A). Metanotum about half as long as scutellum. Propodeum basolaterally with very short and fine carinae, basal margin coriaceous, posterior part smooth and shiny ( Fig. 12B). Scutum, scutellum, metanotum, mesepisternum and propodeum sparsely covered with short, brownish to greyish, erect hair.

WINGS. Yellowish-brown, stigma and wing venation brownish ( Fig. 11A–B).

LEGS. Integument brownish, fore tibia with yellow spot. Vestiture greyish-white, scopa greyish to brownish ( Fig. 11A–B).

METASOMA. Integument black, marginal zones yellowish-brown. Basolaterally on T2–T3 hair patches of short, greyish, erect hair; T2–T3 anterior of premarginal line at least laterally row of hairs; prepygidial and pygidial fimbriae brownish ( Fig. 12C). Discs of T1–T4 almost impunctate. Surface smooth and shiny, oily-bluish shimmering ( Fig. 12C–D).

Male

Unknown.

Distribution

Only known from the type locality.

Floral hosts

Unknown.

Seasonal activity

September.