Epeolus mikhailovi, Astafurova & Proshchalykin, 2021

Astafurova, Yulia V. & Proshchalykin, Maxim Yu., 2021, Review of the Epeolus tarsalis species group (Hymenoptera: Apidae, Epeolus Latreille, 1802), with description of a new species, Zootaxa 5006 (1), pp. 26-36 : 30-31

Epeolus mikhailovi sp. nov.

( Figs 12–18 )

Material examined. Holotype ♀, Kyrgyzstan, Toguz-bulak [ТогуЗ-булак, N42°40’14’’, E74°53’42’’], 3250 m, leg. A. Yakobson, 27.VI.1909 [ZISP] . Paratypes: 2 ♀, the same labels as in holotype [ZISP]; 1 ♀, Tajikistan, Vanch , Pamir Mts., 30.VIII.1943, leg. Schtakelberg [ZISP] ; 2 ♀, Tajikistan , W Pamir, 30 km N of Rushan, 3500 m, VII.2000, leg. Gurko [OLBL]; Tajikistan , 1 ♀, Jagnob [Yagnob River], Glasunov coll., 1892 [ZISP] .

Diagnosis. This species is closest to E. ladakhensis in having the uninterrupted basal transverse tomentum band on T1, laterally widely connected with the apical band and the mesepisternum with dense pubescence on the upper half. Like E. coreanus the new species has uninterrupted tomentum bands on T1–T4. The main differences between the new species and the females of E. tarsalis species group are outlined in the key (see below).

Description. Female. Total body length 6.5–8.5 mm (holotype – 7.5 mm) ( Figs 12, 13 ); forewing length (without tegula) 5.5–7.0 mm (holotype – 7.0 mm). Structure and sculpture. Head ( Fig. 14 ) transverse, ca 1.3 times as wide as long. Labrum ( Fig. 16 ) ca 1.8 times as wide as long, rounded laterally and flattened basally, apical margin slightly curved with small distinct medial tooth; sub-apically with two distinct teeth; integument shiny, with tiny and coarse punctures (10–30 μm). Clypeus shiny, flat, densely and finely punctate (10–15 μm / confluent– 0.5), along apical margin widely impunctate. Frons with well-developed frontal keel. Supraclypeal area between antennal sockets strongly elevated, enlarged laterally into lobes, but not covering insertion ( Fig. 15 ). Supraclypeal and paraocular areas finely punctate (15–20 μm), but frons much coarser punctate (30–40 μm / confluent–0.5). F1 ca 1.5 times as long as wide, remains flagellomeres ca 1.2 times as long as wide. Mesoscutum and mesoscutellum coarsely and densely (areolate) punctate (25–40 μm / confluent–0.5).Axilla with acute spine (free portion of axilla), not reaching posterior margin of mesoscutellum ( Fig. 18 ). Mesoscutellum with medial longitudinal impression; posterior margin slightly extending over propodeum. Mesepisternum areolate-punctate. Propodeal triangle dull, shagreened; rest of vertical part of propodeum shiny and smooth. Metasomal terga densely and finely punctate (10– 15 μm / 0.5–2), interspaces smooth and shiny; marginal zones semi-transparent under tomentum. Pseudopygidial area short, triangular. Pygidial plate trapezoidal, truncate on apex. Sterna densely punctate with punctures separated by less than a puncture diameter. S5 wide, straight as seen in lateral view. Processes on sides of S6 normal, with short projections. Coloration. Head mostly black, but mandible reddish with red-brown apex; labrum red-brown; apical part of scape, pedicel, and F1 reddish. Mesosoma mostly black; pronotal lobe, tegula, mesoscutellum, axilla (at least spine) and legs (except of partially brown femora) reddish; wings with brownish darkening, stigma and veins dark brown (except of reddish veins in basal part of wing). Tergal discs black, marginal zones yellowish. Sterna brownish with yellowish marginal zones ( Fig. 17 ). Pygidial plate red-brown. Pubescence. Labrum almost glabrous, with a few simple setae, on apical margin with row of straight setae. Paraocular area, clypeus on basal half, supraclypeal area, and gena with dense (obscuring integument) whitish tomentum. Frons with sparse short plumose and long simple setae. Ventral part of mesosoma, pronotum, upper half of mesepisternum, and metanotum laterally with whitish tomentum obscuring integument. Mesoscutum with tomentum peripherally; wide whitish and partially creamy paramedian bands without clear boundaries. Tergal marginal zones (on T1–T4) with uninterrupted light-yellowish tomentum bands; T1 with wide basal band connected with apical band laterally; tergal discs with brown adpressed dense (but not obscuring integument) pubescence. S2–S4 with white bands on marginal zones and sparser white and creamy tomentum on discs. Variation. One specimen (paratype: 30 km N Rushan) differs from the holotype by dark brown labrum, entirely black pronotal lobe, axilla and mesoscutellum.

Male. Unknown.

Etymology. The specific epithet is a patronym honoring Kirill G. Mikhailov (Moscow, Russia) on the occasion of his 60th birthday and in recognition of his many contributions to the study of spider diversity and publisher of scientific journals and many books on biology.

Distribution. Kyrgyzstan and Tajikistan.

Figures

FIGURES 12–13. Epeolus mikhailovi sp. nov., holotype, female: 12, 13—habitus, lateral view (12); dorsal view (13). Scale bars: 1.0 mm.

FIGURES 14–18. Epeolus mikhailovi sp. nov., holotype, female: 14–head, frontal view; 15—supraclypeal area, frontal, view, 16—labrum, dorsal view; 17—metasoma, ventral view; 18—mesosoma, dorsal view. Scale bars: 0.5 mm.