Aphaniosoma egregium Ebejer, 1998

Fig. 29

Material examined

ISRAEL • 19 ♂♂, 17 ♀♀; Mikhmoret; 21 Sep. 1994; F. Kaplan and A. Freidberg leg.; SMNHTAU • 10 ♂♂, 7 ♀♀; same collection data as for preceding; Hofit leg.; SMNHTAU • 1 ♂; ‘ Enot Zuqim; 19 Mar. 1995; A. Freidberg leg.; SMNHTAU • 1 ♀; Nizzanim; 23 Mar. 1995; A. Freidberg leg.; SMNHTAU • 30 ♂♂, 8 ♀♀; ‘ Atlit; 28 Apr. 1996; A. Freidberg leg.; SMNHTAU .

Remarks

This small-bodied species is robust and relatively short winged. The head is proportionately large and broad compared to that of most congeners. The scutum (Fig. 29C) has black vittae appearing grey being obscured by yellow microtomentum. Many specimens have brown transverse bands only on the middle tergites. The large male hypopygium with distinctive yellow surstyli contrasting with the black shiny phallic complex is characteristic (Fig. 25B).

Distribution

Cyprus, Italy (including Sicily), Tunisia (Ebejer 1998, 2005, 2021a). New record for Israel.