Scrapter felicis, 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 : 94-99

Scrapter felicis sp. nov.

urn:lsid:zoobank.org:act:1855E852-61EA-4CAB-8F0E-FD2CD7C7B003

Figs 67–69

Diagnosis

The female of S. felicis sp. nov. can be separated from that of all other species of this group by the following character combination: T3 anterior of premarginal line with a row of points ( Fig. 67E ); disc of T2 basally finely and densely (i = 1 d) punctate, apically coarser, and sparse (i = 2–3 d) ( Fig. 67F ); propodeum partly rugulose-areolate ( Fig. 67D ); ocelli slightly in front of posterior margin of the compound eyes. The male is characterized by discs of T1–T4 basally more densely (i = 0.5 d) punctate than apically (i = 2 d) ( Fig. 68D ); propodeum rugulose-areolate ( Fig. 68C ); hairs and form of S7 ( Fig. 69C ).

Etymology

This species is named after its preferred host plant genus Felicia ( Asteraceae ).

Type material (93 specimens)

Holotype

SOUTH AFRICA • 1 ♀; W Cape, S of Skurfkop ; 32°03′26″ S, 18°40′27″ E; 400 m a.s.l.; 24 Sep. 2011; CE leg.; SANC.

Paratypes

SOUTH AFRICA • 1 ♀; 12 km NW of Nieuwoudtville, Farm Avontuur, Fynbos ; 31°16′18″ S, 19°02′55″ E; 770 m a.s.l.; 5 Sep. 2012; HE leg.; RCMK • 1 ♀; same collection data as for preceding; 24 Aug. 2012; MK leg.; RCMK • 1 ♀; same collection data as for preceding; 18 Aug. 2012; MK leg.; RCMK • 1 ♀; same collection data as for preceding; 4 Sep. 2011; HE leg.; RCMK • 1 ♀, 1 ♂; same collection data as for preceding; 16 Aug. 2011; MK leg.; RCMK • 1 ♀; same collection data as for preceding; 3 Sep. 2009; MK leg.; RCMK • 1 ♀; 20 km N of Nieuwoudtville, Vlei near Hellse Pad , Fynbos ; 31°10′34″ S, 19°01′09″ E; 810 m a.s.l.; 28 Sep. 2014; MK leg.; RCMK • 1 ♀; 20 km S of Nieuwoudtville, Farm Papkuilsfontein, Fynbos ; 31°33′16″ S, 19°08′31″ E; 680 m a.s.l.; 27 Aug. 2012; MK leg.; RCMK • 1 ♂; same collection data as for preceding; 15 Aug. 2010; MK leg.; RCMK • 1 ♀; same collection data as for preceding; 7 Sep. 2007; MK leg.; RCMK • 1 ♀; same collection data as for preceding; 9 Sep. 2007; MK leg.; RCMK • 1 ♀; same collection data as for preceding; 11 Aug. 2011; MK leg.; RCMK • 1 ♀; same collection data as for preceding; 9 Sep. 2007; KT leg.; RCMK • 1 ♀; Knersvlakte, path along Gemsbokrivier ; 31°26′40″ S, 18°56′26″ E; 195 m a.s.l.; 14 Sep. 2007; KT leg.; RCMK • 3 ♀♀; N. Cape, 15 km NW of Nieuwoudtville, Farm Engelsepunt, Fynbos ; 31°14′30″ S; 18°59′13″ E; 830 m a.s.l.; 10 Oct. 2006; MK leg.; RCMK • 1 ♀; same collection data as for preceding; 29 Sep. 2006; MK leg.; RCMK • 1 ♀; same collection data as for preceding; 14 Oct. 2006; MK leg.; RCMK • 2 ♀♀; N. Cape, Fynbos, 15 km NW of Nieuwoudtville, Farm Engelsepunt ; 31°14′31″ S, 18°59′08″ E; 830 m a.s.l.; 27 Aug. 2003; KT leg.; RCMK • 1 ♀; same collection data as for preceding; 7 Aug. 2003; KT leg.; RCMK • 1 ♀; same collection data as for preceding; 5 Aug. 2003; KT leg.; RCMK • 1 ♀; same collection data as for preceding; 7–29 Aug. 2003; KT leg.; RCMK • 10 ♀♀; same collection data as for preceding; 24 Sep. 2003; KT leg.; RCMK • 1 ♀; same collection data as for preceding; 6–7 Oct. 2003; KT leg.; RCMK • 7 ♀♀; same collection data as for preceding; 6 Oct. 2003; KT leg.; RCMK • 2 ♀♀; same collection data as for preceding; 28 Aug. 2003; KT leg.; RCMK • 6 ♀♀; same collection data as for preceding; 7 Oct. 2003; KT leg.; RCMK • 2 ♀♀; same collection data as for preceding; 13 Sep. 2003; KT leg.; RCMK • 2 ♀♀; same collection data as for preceding; 30 Aug. 2003; KT leg.; RCMK • 1 ♀; N. Cape, Nieuwoudtville, Glen Lyon , garden ; 31°24′03″ S, 19°08′34″ E; 700 m a.s.l.; 23 Aug. 2003; MK leg.; RCMK • 1 ♀; 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.; RCMK • 2 ♀♀; W Cape, Rietvlei ; 32°14′61″ S, 18°77′25″ E; 282 m a.s.l.; 22 Sep. 2011; LP leg.; RCMK • 1 ♀; N Cape Province, 24 km N of Eksteenfontein; 28°43′03″ S, 17°06′33″ E; 380 m a.s.l.; 9 Oct. 2008; CE leg.; SANC • 1 ♀; W Cape, S Skurfkop; 32°03′26″ S, 18°40′27″ E; 400 m a.s.l.; 24 Sep. 2011; CE leg.; SANC • 1 ♀; W Cape, Rietvlei; 32°08′46″ S, 18°46′21″ E; 300 m a.s.l.; 22 Sep. 2011; CE leg.; SANC • 1 ♀; SW Cape Province, 11 km N of Clan William ; 32°09′ S, 18°50′ E; 300 m a.s.l.; 21 Sep. 2011; CE leg.; SANC • 3 ♀♀; W Cape, Kunje Farm , 28 km SE of Citrusdal; 32°40′ S, 19°10′ E; 1100 m a.s.l.; 23 Sep. 2001; CE leg.; SANC • 1 ♀; Farm Liberty 50 km N of Ceres; 32°54′ S, 19°27′ E; 980 m a.s.l.; 27 Sep. 1990; CE leg.; SANC • 1 ♂; Matjesfontein ; 33°14′ S, 20°35′ E; 900 m a.s.l.; 16–21 Oct. 1928; RT leg.; NHML • 1 ♀; Ceres ; 33°21 S, 19°18′ E; 450 m a.s.l.; 27 Oct.–1 Nov. 1920; RT leg.; NHML • 2 ♀♀; same collection data as for preceding; Nov. 1920; RT leg.; NHML • 3 ♀♀; same collection data as for preceding; 1–12 Nov. 1924; RT leg.; NHML • 3 ♀♀; Montagu ; 33°47′ S, 20°07′ E; 220 m a.s.l.; 23–30 Sep 1924; RT leg.; NHML • 5 ♀♀; same collection data as for preceding; 1–21 Oct. 1924; RT leg.; SANC • 1 ♀; W Cape Province, Franschhoek ; 33°55′34″ S, 19°05′41″ E; 240 m a.s.l.; 23 Oct. 2008; CE leg. SANC • 10 ♀♀; 5 km S of Grabouw ; 34°18′ S, 19°01′ E; 560 m a.s.l.; 29 Sep. 2001; CE leg.; SANC • 1 ♀; Mossel Bay ; 34°10 S, 22°07′ E; Aug. 1932; RT leg.; NHML .

Description

Female

BODY LENGTH. 6.7–7 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 slightly in front of posterior margin of compound eyes. Clypeus medially with shallow longitudinal depression; punctation fine and sparse (i = 1–2.5 d); surface between punctures smooth and shiny ( Fig. 67B ). Malar area medially narrow, slightly curved. Antennal flagella ventrally yellow, dorsally black. Supraclypeal area at upper margin distinctly emarginated and edges slightly extended.

MESOSOMA. Integument black, pronotal lobe dark brownish-black. Scutum coarsely and irregularly punctate, medially sparse (i = 1–2 d), laterally dense (i = 0.3 d); surface between punctures smooth and shiny ( Fig. 67C ). Metanotum about half as long as scutellum. Propodeum basolaterally broadly, coarsely carinate, apically and medially areolate ( Fig. 67D ). Scutum, scutellum, metanotum, mesepisternum and propodeum sparsely covered with short, brownish to greyish, erect hair.

WINGS. Yellowish-brown, stigma and wing venation brownish ( Fig. 67A ).

LEGS. Integument brownish, fore tibia with yellow spot. Vestiture greyish-white, scopa greyish to brownish, partly black ( Fig. 67A ).

METASOMA. Integument brownish, marginal zones yellowish-brown shimmering. Basolaterally on T2–T4 hair patches of sparse, greyish-white, erect hair; T3 basally with hair band; T3 anterior of premarginal line at least laterally row of hairs; T4 completely haired, anteriorly more densely than apically; prepygidial and pygidial fimbriae dark brownish to black ( Fig. 67E ). Disc of T1 irregularly (i = 1–4 d) and finely punctate, posterior margin more densely (i = 1 d); on T2–T3 basal and apical margins more densely (i = 1 d) punctate than disc (i = 2–3 d); surface between punctures smooth and shiny ( Fig. 67E–F ).

Male

BODY LENGTH. 7.3 mm.

HEAD. Wider than long. Integument black, mandibles dark brownish to reddish. Face densely covered with long, white, erect hair. Ocelli in line with posterior margin of compound eyes. Malar area medially narrow, slightly curved. Antennal flagella ventrally yellow, dorsally black.

MESOSOMA. Integument brownish-black. Scutum densely (I <1 d) punctate; surface between punctures smooth and shiny ( Fig. 68B ). Propodeum completely rugulose-areolate ( Fig. 68C ). Scutum, scutellum, metanotum, mesepisternum and propodeum sparsely covered with long, brownish to greyish, erect hair.

WINGS. Yellowish-brown, stigma and wing venation brownish ( Fig. 68A ).

LEGS. Integument brownish, fore and mid tibia with yellow spot. Vestiture greyish-white ( Fig. 68A ).

METASOMA. Integument brownish, marginal zone yellowish-brown. Disc of T1 without hair ( Fig. 69A ), T2–T4 basally greyish, dense, short, erect hair band, covering third of tergum T3–T4; anterior of premarginal line at laterally with row of short, erect, greyish hair ( Fig. 68D ). Discs of T1–T4 basally more densely (i = 0.5 d) and finely punctate than apically (i = 2–3 d); medially more densely than laterally; T1–T4 anterior of premarginal line with row of points; surface between punctures smooth and shiny ( Figs 68D , 69A ).

TERMINALIA. Genitalia ( Fig. 69B ), S7 ( Fig. 69C ) and terminal plate of S8 ( Fig. 69D ) as illustrated.

Distribution

With one exception (Knersvlakte, Succulent Karoo) only known from the Fynbos biome between Rietvlei in the south and the wider Nieuwoudtville area (Bokkeveld Plateau) in the north.

Floral hosts

Found on Felicia sp. and Senecio sp. ( Asteraceae ).

Seasonal activity

August–October.

Figures

Fig. 67. Scrapter felicis sp. nov., paratype, ♀. A. Lateral view. B. Head (dorsal view). C. Scutum and scutellum (dorsal view). D. Metanotum and propodeum (dorsal view). E. Metasoma (dorsal view). F. Terga 1–2 (dorsal view).

Fig. 68. Scrapter felicis sp. nov., paratype, ♂. A. Lateral view. B. Scutum and scutellum (dorsal view). C. Metanotum and propodeum (dorsal view). D. Metasoma (dorsal view).

Fig. 69. Scrapter felicis sp. nov., paratype, ♂. A. Terga 1–2 (dorsal view). B. Genitalia (dorsal view). C. Sternum 7. D. Sternum 8.