Sphecodes fumipennis Smith, 1853

Sphecodes fumipennis Smith, 1853: 36, ♀ (holotype: ♀, N. India, coll. J.S. Baly, NHMUK).

Material examined.

Sichuan: Wenchuan Xian, Mujiangping (31.4830N, 103.5965E), 1200 m, 2.VIII.1983, (1 ♀), leg. Xue-Zhong Zhang [IZCAS]; Yanyuan Xian, Jinhe (27.4282N, 101.5154E), 1250 m, 30.VI.1984, (3 ♂), leg. Jian-Guo Fan [IZCAS]. Yunnan: Jinping Xian, Shuangjinqiao (39.7439N, 116.5753E), 900-1200 m, 28.V.1956, (2 ♂), leg. D. Panfilov; 27.V.1956, (1 ♀, 3 ♂), leg. Chuan-Long Li [ZISP]; Zhongdian, Xiaqiaotou (22.7556N, 120.3110E), 1800 m, 6.VIII.1984, (1 ♀, 3 ♂), leg. Jian-Guo Fan [IZCAS].

Published records.

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Variation.

The female exhibits variation in the degree of punctation on the marginal zones of T1, ranging from with denser punctures separated by 1-5 puncture diameters (typical form) to almost impunctate with a few tiny punctures (1 ♀, Sichuan, Mujiangping). Specimens from China have fewer hind wing hamuli (9-11 versus 11-12 in other studied specimens from India and Southeast Asia). Interesting specimens of a black form were collected in montane Yunnan (1 ♀, 3 ♂; Zhongdian, Xiaqiaotou, 1800 m). Unlike the typical form with red colourised T1-T4, these individuals have entirely black metasomas. Similar variation in coloration was also studied by us (unpublished data) in other Sphecodes species ( S. monilicornis (Kirby, 1802), S. nippon Meyer, 1922, S. intermedius Blüthgen, 1923, S. olivieri Lepeletier de Saint-Fargeau, 1825, S. pectoralis Morawitz, 1876, S. pinguiculus Pérez, 1903).

Distribution.

*China (Sichuan, Yunnan); Laos, Myanmar, India (Sikkim).