Sphex incomptus Gerstaecker, 1871

Dörfel, Thorleif H. & Ohl, Michael, 2022, The wasp genus Sphex in Sub-Saharan Africa (Hymenoptera: Sphecidae), European Journal of Taxonomy 796 (1), pp. 1-170 : 89-93

Sphex incomptus Gerstaecker, 1871

Figs 85, 91 (red)

Sphex incomptus Gerstaecker, 1871: 352 , ♂.

Chlorion nyanzae R. Turner, 1918: 358 , ♀, ♂. Synonymized with Chlorion incomptum by Arnold 1928: 368.

Differential diagnosis

The members of this species are recognizable through having the majority of the propodeal setae silvery ( Fig. 85 ). Excepting the unmistakable S. ahasverus , which possesses rich golden vestiture, the other females in the nigrohirtus group have predominantly black erect propodeal setae ( Figs 83–84 , 86 ). Males of S. pulawskii sp. nov. have some of the propodeal setae silvery, but are differentiated through their conspicuous purple wing iridescence ( Fig. 87 ).

Material examined

Holotype or syntype TANZANIA – Tanga Region • 1 ♂; Wanga ; [5°12ʹ S, 39°04ʹ E]; v. d. Deck leg.; ZMB .

Other material

AFRICA • 1 ♀; 26 Mar. 1912; C.A. Wiggins leg.; OUMNH .

ANGOLA • 1 ♀; Welwilsch leg.; BMNH. – Huíla Province • 1 ♀; 1886; Campana leg.; MNHN .

CAMEROON – Southwest Region • 1 ♀; Malende Mukuya , S of Kumba; [4°21ʹ25ʺ N, 9°25ʹ58ʺ E]; 17 May 2006; J. Oehlke leg.; coll. Jacobs.

DEMOCRATIC REPUBLIC OF THE CONGO • 2 ♀♀; “ Sankuru ”; 1910; Abrassart leg.; MRAC • 1 ♀; Lomami , Kabwe; Jul.–Aug. 1931; P. Quarré leg.; MRAC. – Bas-Uele • 1 ♀; Bambesa ; [3°28ʹ N, 25°43ʹ E]; 10 Oct. 1933; J.V. Leroy leg.; MRAC • 1 ♀; Poko ; 3°10ʹ N, 26°50ʹ E; Aug. 1913; Lang and Chapin leg.; AMNH. – Haut-Katanga • 1 ♀; Moera , primary forest ; [11°21ʹ47ʺ S, 26°42ʹ20ʺ E]; 1910; Grauer leg.; NHMW. – Ituri Province • 1 ♀; Bunia ; [1°34ʹ N, 30°15ʹ E]; 1938; P. Lefèvre leg.; MRAC • 1 ♀; same locality as for preceding; 1 Feb. 1934; J.V. Leroy leg.; MRAC. – Kasaï • 1 ♀; Ikeke ; [4°19ʹ S, 21°15ʹ E]; 8 May 1946; V. Lagae leg.; MRAC • 1 ♀; Ngombe ; [6°35ʹ S, 20°42ʹ E]; 16 Nov. 1921; H. Schouteden leg.; MRAC. – Kongo Central • 1 ♀; Mangembo ; [4°35ʹ04ʺ S, 14°16ʹ20ʺ E]; 1932; Zwolakowski leg.; MRAC • 1 ♂; Moanda ; [5°56ʹ S, 12°21ʹ E]; Nov. 1934; P. Henrard leg.; MRAC. – Mai-Ndombe Province • 1 ♀; Tua ; [3°38ʹ S, 16°38ʹ E]; 6 Jun. 1913; J. Maes leg.; MRAC. – Maniema • 1 ♂, 1 ♀; Lubutu ; [0°44ʹ S, 26°35ʹ E]; 22 Jan. 1915; J. Bequaert leg.; MRAC. – North Kivu • 1 ♀; Irangi , Luhoha River; [1°50ʹ S, 28°26ʹ E]; 10 Sep. 1957; CAS • 2 ♀♀; Parc National de Virungas , Oycha region; Apr.–May 1950; J. de Wilde leg.; MRAC • 1 ♀; Ukaika ; [0°30ʹ N, 29°00ʹ E]; Dec. 1910; Grauer leg.; NHMW. – Province of Équateur • 1 ♂; Eala ; [0°02ʹ30ʺ N, 18°20ʹ06ʺ E]; 6 Oct. 1931; H.J. Brédo leg.; MRAC • 1 ♂; same collection data as for preceding but 19 Oct. 1931; MRAC • 1 ♀; same collection data as for preceding but Nov. 1931; MRAC • 2 ♂♂; same collection data as for preceding but 22 Nov. 1931; MRAC • 1 ♂; same collection data as for preceding but Mar. 1932; MRAC • 1 ♂; same collection data as for preceding but May 1932; MRAC • 2 ♂♂; same locality as for preceding; Jun. 1932; A. Corbisier leg.; MRAC • 1 ♀; same collection data as for preceding but 7 Jul. 1932; MRAC • 1 ♂; same collection data as for preceding but Nov. 1932; MRAC • 1 ♀; same collection data as for preceding but Dec. 1932; MRAC • 1 ♂; same collection data as for preceding but 14 Mar. 1933; MRAC • 2 ♂♂, 1 ♀; same collection data as for preceding but Apr. 1933; MRAC • 1 ♀; same locality as for preceding; May 1935; J. Ghesquière leg.; MRAC. – Sankuru • 1 ♀; Kondue ; [4°58ʹ S, 23°16ʹ E]; Leonhard leg.; MRAC. – Tshopo • 1 ♀; Stanleyville [now Kisangani] ; 0°30ʹ N, 25°10ʹ E; 10 Apr. 1915; Lang and Chapin leg.; AMNH • 1 ♀; Stanleyville [now Kisangani] ; 0°30ʹ N, 25°10ʹ E; 11 Apr. 1915; Lang and Chapin leg.; AMNH. – Tshuapa • 1 ♀; Bokuma ; [0°06ʹ S, 18°41ʹ E]; Jul. 1952; R.P. Lootens leg.; MRAC .

EQUATORIAL GUINEA – Centro Sur • 2 ♂♂; Uelleburg ; [1°49ʹ N, 10°36ʹ E]; 1–14 Feb. 1907; G. Tessmann leg.; ZMB .

GABON – Estuaire Province • 1 ♂; Crystal Mountains, Muni ; [0°49ʹ45.6ʺ N, 10°08ʹ5.7ʺ E]; 15–31 Oct. 1969; A. Villiers leg.; MNHN • 1 ♀; Libreville ; [0°23ʹ24.36ʺ N, 9°27ʹ15.84ʺ E]; MNHN .

REPUBLIC OF THE CONGO – Brazzaville Department • 1 ♀; Djoumouna, Yaka-Yaka ; [4°22ʹ34ʺ S, 15°09ʹ36ʺ E]; 3 Feb. 1977; S. Kellner-Pillaut leg.; MNHN . – Kouilou Department • 1 ♀; Dimonika ; [4°11ʹ55.8ʺ S, 12°21ʹ19.7ʺ E]; Jan. 1964; A. Descarpentries and A.Villiers leg.; MNHN • 1♀; same locality as for preceding; 18 May 1977; J.-P. Grillot and C. Morin leg.; MNHN . – Lékoumou Department • 1 ♀; Ogooué River ; [2°26ʹ40.7ʺ S, 13°41ʹ29.4ʺ E]; 1911; F. Faure leg.; MNHN .

TANZANIA – Kagera Region • 1 ♀, paratype of Chlorion nyanzae R. Turner, 1918 ; Bukoba ; [1°19ʹ54ʺ S, 31°48ʹ44ʺ E]; 9–11 Jun. 1912; C.C. Gowdey leg.; BMNH . – Mjini Magharibi Region • 1 ♂, 1 ♀; Kizimbani ; [9°03ʹ42.5ʺ S, 39°19ʹ3.1ʺ E]; 15 Jun. 1985; G.G.M. Schulten leg.; RMNH • 1 ♂; Zanzibar; [6°08ʹ S, 39°20ʹ E]; Hildebrandt leg.; NHMW • 2 ♂♂; same collection data as for preceding; ZMB • 1 ♀; same locality as for preceding; Raffray leg.; NHMW . – Unguja South Region • 1 ♂; Zanzibar, Jambiani ; [6°19ʹ S, 39°33ʹ E]; 23 Mar. 1993; K.M. Guichard leg.; BMNH • 2 ♂♂; Zanzibar, Mzingani Forest ; [6°10ʹ S, 39°18ʹ E]; 28 Mar. 1993; K.M. Guichard leg.; BMNH .

UGANDA – Central Region • 1 ♀; “ Entebbe, Forest within 4 mi. of Kitabi Hill ”; Jan.–Feb. 1913; C.A. Wiggins leg.; OUMNH • 1 ♂; Entebbe ; [0°03ʹ N, 32°27ʹ36ʺ E]; Aug. 1911; C.C. Gowdey leg.; BMNH • 1 ♀; same collection data as for preceding but 14–25 May 1912; BMNH • 1 ♀; same collection data as for preceding but 1–4 Jun. 1912; BMNH • 5 ♀♀; same collection data as for preceding but Aug. 1912; BMNH • 1 ♀; same collection data as for preceding but Oct. 1912; BMNH • 1 ♀; same locality as for preceding; 12–20 Jan. 1912; S.A. Neave leg.; BMNH • 1 ♂, holotype of Chlorion nyanzae R. Turner, 1918 ; same collection data as for preceding; BMNH • 1 ♀; Mabira ; [0°29ʹ03ʺ N, 32°59ʹ05ʺ E]; 15 Sep. 1910; C.C. Gowdey leg.; BMNH • 1 ♀; Northern Buddu ; [0°25ʹ S, 31°40ʹ E]; 16–18 Sep. 1911; S.A. Neave leg.; BMNH • 1 ♂; NW Lake Victoria, Kerenge Island ; [0°03ʹ49ʺ N, 33°00ʹ14ʺ E]; 26 Jan. 1919; G.D. Hale Carpenter leg.; OUMNH • 1 ♂; Tero Forest ; [0°50ʹ S, 31°40ʹ E]; Jul. 1912; C.C. Gowdey leg.; BMNH • 2 ♂♂; Tero Forest , SE of Buddo; [0°50ʹ S, 31°40ʹ E]; 26–30 Sep. 1911; S.A. Neave leg.; BMNH . – Western Region • 1 ♀; Kabarole Kibale Forest National Park, Kanyawara (MUBFS) ; 0°33ʹ N, 30°21ʹ E; 23 Aug. 1997; C. Häuser leg.; ZMB • 1 ♂; Kichwamba, Ankole ; [0°13ʹ08.2ʺ S, 30°05ʹ50.3ʺ E]; 1–5 May 1968; P.J. Spangler leg.; USNM • 1 ♀; near Rwera, SW of Hoima; [1°02ʹ25ʺ S, 30°18ʹ47ʺ E]; 30 Nov. 2001; M. Snižek leg.; OÖLM .

ZIMBABWE – Mashonaland Central • 1 ♂; Mavhuradonha Saf., 15 km SE of Muzarabani; [16°33ʹ33ʺ S, 31°14ʹ22.8ʺ E]; 17 Dec. 1998; J. Halada leg.; THD-035-OOLM ; GenBank LWR gene: MW582292 ; OÖLM .

Description

Female

SIZE. 23.7–25.7 mm.

COLOR. Black except for basal half of mandible and free clypeal margin, which are ferruginous.

FOREWING. Slightly fuscous, with violet iridescence. Basal half of hindwing hyaline, apical margin slightly infuscate.

VESTITURE. Appressed setae on clypeus, paraocular area, collar and propodeal enclosure silvery, on scutum laterally silvery, otherwise black. Erect setae on clypeus and paraocular area black, on collar silvery intermixed with black ones, on scutum black intermixed with silvery ones, on propodeal enclosure silvery. Erect propodeal setae oriented posteriorly. Lower center of clypeus glabrous. Scutellum densely and coarsely pubescent.

STRUCTURE. Free clypeal margin with broad, shovel-like process medially, not stepped above. Clypeus with slight indentation in lower center and longitudinal carina above. Scutellum convex. Metanotum not raised, not bituberculate. 2 nd recurrent vein joins markedly proximal from interstitium between

submarginal cells II and III. Propodeal enclosure without any notable ridges. Foretarsomere I 2.8–3.0× length of antepenultimate spine. Petiole length 1.7–2.3 × its medial width.

Male

SIZE. 20.5 mm.

COLOR. Black except for ferruinous stripe in center of mandible. Forewing slightly fuscous, with violet iridescence. Basal half of hindwing hyaline, apical margin slightly infuscate.

VESTITURE. Appressed setae on clypeus, paraocular area, collar and propodeal enclosure silvery, on scutum laterally silvery, otherwise black. Erect setae on clypeus, paraocular area and scutum black intermixed with silvery ones, on collar silvery intermixed with black ones and on propodeal enclosure silvery. Erect propodeal setae oriented posteriorly. Lower center of clypeus glabrous. Scutellum densely and coarsely pubescent. Metasomal sterna II–VI with increasingly dense fringes of black setae.

STRUCTURE. Free clypeal margin simple. Scutellum convex. Metanotum not raised, not bituberculate. 2 nd recurrent vein joins markedly proximal from interstitium between submarginal cells II and III. Propodeal enclosure without any notable ridges. Posterior margin of metasomal tergum VII gently notched. Posterior margin of metasomal sternum VII simple, of metasomal sternum VIII concavely emarginate. Penis valvae without conspicuous modifications. Petiole length 2.2–2.9 × its medial width. Flagellomere V with narrow placoid covering its proximal four-fifths and tapering distally.

Variation

Unknown.

Distribution

Central to eastern Africa.

Remarks

There seems to have been some confusion regarding the differentiation between this taxon and the closely related S. nigrohirtus , which we were able to clear up through the study of their types. When Kohl (1895) compared them with each other, he correctly stated that one of the few differences between the males of both species is the color of the clypeal and thoracical setae. In S. incomptus , the black erect setae on the clypeus, scutum, scutellum and metanotum are intermixed with silvery ones, while the erect setae on the collar and propodeum are exclusively silvery. In contrast, S. nigrohirtus has the erect setae in these areas almost uniformly black. Even though Arnold was apparently aware of this fact and mentioned it in the redescriptions of both species (1928), he nevertheless assigned several specimens with uniformly black vestiture to S. incomptus without actually citing any characters to disassociate them from S. nigrohirtus . Later, Leclercq (1955) would continue this path with his establishment of the subspecies S. incomptus anonymus for specimens with only black pilosity. Our study of the types showed that they are actually members of S. nigrohirtus . Subsequently, specimens of S. nigrohirtus were prone to be misidentified as belonging to S. incomptus , which is evident in the material examined by Dollfuss (2008), where most of the locality records given for S. incomptus in reality correspond to S. nigrohirtus .

Figures

Figs 85–92. 85–86. Habitus of ♀. 87–90. habitus of ♂. 85. Sphex incomptus Gerstaecker, 1871. 86– 87. S. pulawskii sp. nov. 88. S. abbotti abbotti W. Fox, 1891. 89. S. abbotti nivarius subsp. nov. 90. S. bohemanni Dahlbom, 1845. 91. Geographic distribution of S. incomptus (red) and S. pulawskii sp. nov. (blue). 92. Geographic distribution of S. a. abbotti (red), S. a. nivarius subsp. nov. (blue), S. abyssinicus (Arnold, 1928) (yellow) and S. bohemanni (purple).

Figs 79–84. 79–80. Apical third of penis valvae in ♂♂ of Sphex camerunicus Strand, 1916. 81–82. Apical third of penis valvae in ♂ of S. nigrohirtus Kohl, 1895. 79, 81. Dorsal view. 80, 82. Lateral view. 83. S. camerunicus, habitus of ♀. 84. S. nigrohirtus, habitus of ♀.