Sphex umtalicus Strand, 1916

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 : 72-80

Sphex umtalicus Strand, 1916

Figs 3–4 , 27 , 33 , 72, 77 (red)

Sphex umtalicus Strand, 1916: 105 , ♂.

Sphex nigripes var. pachyderma Strand, 1916: 106 , ♀. Syn. nov.

Chlorion haemorrhoidalis var. kobrowi Arnold, 1928: 367 , ♀ (holotype: ♀, South Africa, Gauteng, Johannesburg, TMP, not examined). Syn. nov.

Chlorion haemorrhoidalis var. basuto Arnold, 1947: 146 , sex not stated (holotype or syntypes: Lesotho, Berea District, Mamathes, SAM, not examined). Syn. nov.

Differential diagnosis

In most cases, specimens of S. umtalicus are easily identifiable within the species group through their black clypeus, uniformly black legs and fuscous wings with cyan-violet iridescence ( Fig. 72 ). However, we observed intraspecific variations in this species as well as in S. haemorrhoidalis that can cause confusion between the two of them. Females of S. haemorrhoidalis normally have the clypeus ferruginous ( Fig. 34 ), though it can also be black to a varying extent, sometimes almost completely. While the tibiae and part of the femora and tarsi are always ferruginous in female S. haemorrhoidalis ( Fig. 69 ) and S. victoria sp. nov. ( Fig. 73 ), a southern African population of S. umtalicus (previously described as var. basuto / kobrowi ) also has these areas ferruginous, as well as the lower part of the female clypeus. The best way to differentiate between these females is the color of the appressed clypeal and paraocular setae, which is always dark brown in S. umtalicus and can have a slight silvery shimmer on the paraocular area ( Fig. 33 ). The appressed clypeal setae of female S. haemorrhoidalis are inconspicuous, but the appressed lateroclypeal and paraocular setae have a ferruginous-golden shimmer ( Fig. 34 ).

Males of the southern African population of S. umtalicus are characterized by having the wings mostly hyaline and all tibiae ferruginous, whereas those of the other species in the group have only the hindtibia ferruginous. Like all males of the species, they have silvery appressed clypeal setae and uniformly black erect mesosomal setae.

Material examined

Holotype

ZIMBABWE – Manicaland • ♂; Umtali [now Mutare] ; A. Bodong leg.; DEI.

Other material

AFRICA • 1 ♀; “Afr. or. All. de”; MNHN • 1 ♀; “ East Africa ”; IRSN • 1 ♀; “ Eersteleng ”; BMNH • 3 ♂♂; “ Lake Kivu ”; R. Kandt leg.; ZMB • 1 ♂; “ Tanganyika ”; H.A. Lindeman leg.; BMNH • 1 ♀; German East Africa ; 1912; MNHN • 1 ♀; same collection data as for preceding; MNHN .

ANGOLA – Cuanza Sul Province • 1 ♀; Congulu ; [11°17ʹ03ʺ S, 15°45ʹ08ʺ E]; Apr. 1934; K. Jordan leg.; BMNH .

DEMOCRATIC REPUBLIC OF THE CONGO – Haut-Katanga • 1 ♀; Sakania ; [12°45ʹ S, 28°33ʹ36ʺ E]; 15 Mar. 1938; IRSN • 1 ♀; Sakania ( marais Lukabungu ); [12°45ʹ S, 28°34ʹ E]; 15 Mar. 1938; H.J. Brédo leg.; MRAC • 1 ♀; Tera ; [12°08ʹ S, 28°34ʹ E]; Feb. 1948; R. Mouchamps leg.; MRAC . – Haut-Lomami • 1 ♂; “ Upemba National Park, Kankunda ( rive dr. Lupiala )”; [8°30ʹ S, 26°30ʹ E]; alt. 1300 m; 13–27 Nov. 1947; G.F. de Witte leg.; IRSN • 1 ♂; Lemfu ; [5°17ʹ56ʺ S, 15°13ʹ21ʺ E]; May 1945; P.L. De Beir leg.; MRAC • 1 ♀; Thysville [ now Mbanza-Ngungu ]; 5°30ʹ S, 15°00ʹ E; 2 Jun. 1915; Lang and Chapin leg.; AMNH . – Kongo Central Province • 2 ♂♂; Mayumbe ; Nov. 1938; IRSN .

ETHIOPIA – Amhara Region • 1 ♂; Jowaha , N of Debra Sina; 7 Aug. 1946; K.M. Guichard leg.; BMNH .

KENYA – Kilifi County • 1 ♂, 2 ♀♀; Rabai ; [3°55ʹ54ʺ N, 39°34ʹ13ʺ E]; Apr. 1928; V.G.L. van Someren leg.; BMNH . – Kwale County • 3 ♂♂; Funzi Island, near Funzi workshop; 4.57749° S, 39.43825° E; 4–10 Jul. 2012; ICIPE / NMK leg.; ICIPE • 1 ♀; Funzi Island, near Mliani; 4.53577° S, 39.46042° E; 6 Jul. 2012; ICIPE / NMK leg.; ICIPE • 1 ♀; Funzi Island , near swimming pool; 4.58463° S, 39.43916° E; 9 Jul. 2012; ICIPE/NMK leg.; ICIPE • 1 ♂; Shimba Hills ; 4°12.3ʹ S, 39°25ʹ E; 15 Dec. 2003; W.J. Pulawski leg.; CAS • 1 ♂; Shimba Hills (nr. Kwale); [4°16ʹ31ʺ S, 39°23ʹ45ʺ E]; 13 May 1979; R. Murphy leg.; BMNH • 1 ♂; Tiwi Beaches , ca 17 km S of Mombasa; 4°14.4ʹ S, 39°36.2ʹ E; 24–26 Jul. 1999; W.J. Pulawski and J.S. Schweikert leg.; CAS . – Makueni County • 1 ♂; Makueni, Ukamba ; [1°48ʹ S, 37°37ʹ E]; May 1947; V.G.L. van Someren leg.; BMNH . – Nairobi County • 1 ♀; near Nairobi, Vte. de Pongins et Cte de Lambertye ; [1°17ʹ S, 36°49ʹ E]; MNHN . – Taita-Taveta County • 4 ♀♀; Kasigau ; [3°49ʹ S, 38°40ʹ E]; Nov. 1938; BMNH • 1 ♀; near Voi, Taita Hills ; [3°23ʹ26ʺ S, 38°34ʹ37ʺ E]; 16–18 Nov. 1921; H.E. Box leg.; BMNH • 1 ♀; Voi ; [3°23ʹ26ʺ S, 38°34ʹ37ʺ E]; 23 Nov. 1997; M. Snižek leg.; OÖLM • 3 ♀♀; Wundanyi ; [3°23ʹ54ʺ S, 38°21ʹ37ʺ E]; 19–21 Nov. 1996; Mi. Halada leg.; OÖLM • 10 ♂♂, 1 ♀; same locality as for preceding; 5–10 Apr. 1997; Ma. Halada leg.; OÖLM • 3 ♂♂, 1 ♀; same collection data as for preceding but 18–22 Mar. 1997; OÖLM .

LESOTHO – Berea District • 1 ♀; Mamathes ; [29°08ʹ S, 27°51ʹ E]; 28 Dec. 1946; C.F. Jacot-Guillarmod leg.; BMNH • 1 ♂; same collection data as for preceding but 1 Jan. 1947; BMNH .

MALAWI • 1 ♀; NW shore of Lake Nyasa, between Florence Bay and Karonga; 30 Jun.–6 Jul. 1910; S.A. Neave leg.; BMNH. – Central Region • 1 ♀; 100 km S of Kasungu; [13°57ʹ37.2ʺ S, 33°28ʹ16.5ʺ E]; 29 Dec. 2001; J. Halada leg.; OÖLM • 1 ♀; Dedza, 85 km SE of Lilongwe; [14°20ʹ S, 34°20ʹ E]; 17–19 Dec. 2001; J. Halada leg.; OÖLM. – Northern Region • 1 ♀; Karonga; [9°56ʹ S, 33°56ʹ E]; 7–11 Jul. 1910; S.A. Neave leg.; BMNH. – Southern Region • 1 ♀; Mlanje ; [16°01ʹ53ʺ S, 35°30ʹ E]; 23 Jan. 1912; S.A. Neave leg.; BMNH • 2 ♂♂; same collection data as for preceding but 4 Dec. 1912; BMNH • 2 ♂♂; same collection data as for preceding but 6 Dec. 1912; BMNH • 1 ♀; same collection data as for preceding but 11 Dec. 1912; BMNH • 1 ♂; same collection data as for preceding but 12 Dec. 1912; BMNH • 3 ♂♂, 1 ♀; same collection data as for preceding but 14 Dec. 1912; BMNH • 1 ♂, 1 ♀; same collection data as for preceding but 23 Dec. 1912; BMNH • 1 ♂; same collection data as for preceding but 26 Dec. 1912; BMNH • 3 ♂♂, 2 ♀♀; same collection data as for preceding but 6 Jan. 1913; BMNH • 6 ♂♂, 1 ♀; same collection data as for preceding but 8 Jan. 1913; BMNH • 1 ♂, 2 ♀♀; same collection data as for preceding but 13 Jan. 1913; BMNH • 1 ♂; same collection data as for preceding but 14 Jan. 1913; BMNH • 2 ♂♂, 1 ♀; same collection data as for preceding but 15 Jan. 1913; BMNH • 1 ♂, 2 ♀♀; same collection data as for preceding but 17 Jan. 1913; BMNH • 1 ♂; same collection data as for preceding but 17 Jan. 1913; BMNH • 1 ♂; same collection data as for preceding but 21 Jan. 1913; BMNH • 3 ♂♂; same collection data as for preceding but 22 Jan. 1913; BMNH • 1 ♂; same collection data as for preceding but 24 Jan. 1913; BMNH • 1 ♂, 2 ♀♀; same collection data as for preceding but 27 Jan. 1913; BMNH • 1 ♀; same collection data as for preceding but 29 Jan. 1913; BMNH • 1 ♀; same collection data as for preceding but 1 Feb. 1913; BMNH • 2 ♂♂, 1 ♀; same collection data as for preceding but 4 Feb. 1913; BMNH • 1 ♂, 1 ♀; same collection data as for preceding but 6 Feb. 1913; BMNH • 1 ♂, 1 ♀; same collection data as for preceding but 8 Feb. 1913; BMNH • 1 ♀; same collection data as for preceding but 11 Feb. 1913; BMNH • 1 ♂, 1 ♀; same collection data as for preceding but 14 Feb. 1913; BMNH • 5 ♀♀; same collection data as for preceding but 17 Feb. 1913; BMNH • 1 ♀; same collection data as for preceding but 24 Feb. 1913; BMNH • 2 ♀♀; same collection data as for preceding but 27 Feb. 1913; BMNH • 2 ♂♂, 3 ♀♀; same collection data as for preceding but 3 Mar. 1913; BMNH • 2 ♂♂, 1 ♀; same collection data as for preceding but 5 Mar. 1913; BMNH • 1 ♀; same collection data as for preceding but 20 Mar. 1913; BMNH • 1 ♂, 2 ♀♀; same collection data as for preceding but 26 Mar. 1913; BMNH • 1 ♀; same collection data as for preceding but 17 Apr. 1913; BMNH • 1 ♀; same collection data as for preceding but 10 May 1913; BMNH • 2 ♀♀; same collection data as for preceding; BMNH • 3 ♂♂, 2 ♀♀; same collection data as for preceding but 6 Dec. 1913; BMNH • 1 ♂, 5 ♀♀; same collection data as for preceding but 21 Dec. 1913; BMNH • 1 ♀; same collection data as for preceding but 29 Dec. 1913; BMNH • 3 ♀♀; same collection data as for preceding but 20 Jan. 1914; BMNH • 2 ♂♂, 6 ♀♀; same collection data as for preceding but 27 Jan. 1914; BMNH • 1 ♂, 2 ♀♀; same collection data as for preceding but 10 Feb. 1914; BMNH • 2 ♂♂; same collection data as for preceding but 13 Feb. 1914; BMNH • 6 ♀♀; same collection data as for preceding but 16 Feb. 1914; BMNH • 6 ♂♂, 1 ♀; side of Mt Mlanje; [16°01ʹ53ʺ S, 35°30ʹ E]; 3 Dec. 1913; S.A. Neave leg.; BMNH • 2 ♂♂, 1 ♀; same collection data as for preceding but 11 Dec. 1913; BMNH • 1 ♀; side of Mt Mulanje; [16°01ʹ53ʺ S, 35°30ʹ E]; alt. 3000–4000 ft; 2 Dec. 1913; S.A. Neave leg.; MNHN • 5 ♀♀; SW of Lake Chilwa; [15°24ʹ01ʺ S, 35°34ʹ47ʺ E]; 9 Jan. 1914; S.A. Neave leg.; BMNH • 1 ♀; Zomba; [15°23ʹ09ʺ S, 35°19ʹ07ʺ E]; Nov. 1913; H.S. Stannus leg.; BMNH • 1 ♀; same collection data as for preceding but Dec. 1913; BMNH • 2 ♀♀; same collection data as for preceding but Jan. 1914; BMNH • 1 ♀; same locality as for preceding but Dec. 1896; BMNH • 1 ♀; Zomba Mt ; [15°17ʹ S, 35°17ʹ E]; alt. 5500 ft; 18 Feb. 1910; S.A. Neave leg.; BMNH .

MOZAMBIQUE • 1 ♀; valley of Kola River, near E Mt Chiperone; 3Apr. 1913; S.A. Neave leg.; BMNH • 1 ♀; same collection data as for preceding but 6 Apr. 1913; BMNH • 2 ♀♀; same collection data as for preceding but 7 Apr. 1913; BMNH. – Manica Province • 1 ♀; 65 km W of Chimoio; [18°57ʹ51ʺ S, 32°50ʹ10.1ʺ E]; 10–11 Feb. 2003; J. Halada leg.; OÖLM • 1 ♀; Amatongas Forest ; [19°11ʹ S, 33°45ʹ E]; Feb. 1917; NRS • 1 ♀; near Andrada, Valee du Revoué ; [18°53ʹ42.6ʺ S, 32°51ʹ16.7ʺ E]; 1905; G. Vasse leg.; MNHN • 1 ♂; Vila Pery (now Chimoio ); [19°06ʹ59ʺ S, 33°29ʹ E]; 1928; P. Lesne leg.; MNHN. – Tete Province • 1 ♂; 65 km S of Vlóngné; 15°13ʹ S, 34°19ʹ E; 8 Feb. 2005; J. Halada leg.; OÖLM. – Zambezia Province • 2 ♂♂; Ruo Valley ; alt. 2000 ft; 1 Apr. 1913; S.A. Neave leg.; BMNH • 1 ♀; same collection data as for preceding; MNHN • 1 ♂; same collection data as for preceding but 14 Dec. 1913; BMNH .

NAMIBIA – Kunene Region • 1 ♀; 38 km NW of Outjo; [19°49ʹ53ʺ S, 15°55ʹ33ʺ E]; 6 Mar. 1990; W.J. Pulawski leg.; CAS . – Otjozondjupa Region • 1 ♀; Otavi ; [19°39ʹ S, 17°20ʹ E]; 2 Feb. 1993; M. Schwarz leg.; OÖLM .

SOUTH AFRICA • 1 ♀; Pienaars River ; 1898; R. v. Jutrzencka leg.; TMP. – Eastern Cape • 1 ♀; Gonubie ; 32°55ʹ49.40ʺ S, 28°01ʹ5.41ʺ E; 21 Jan. 2013; C.P. Fielding leg.; ZMB • 1 ♂; Port St John, Pondoland ; [31°37ʹ22ʺ S, 29°32ʹ41ʺ E]; Nov. 1923; R.E. Turner leg.; BMNH • 1 ♂; same collection data as for preceding but Jan. 1924; BMNH • 1 ♀; same collection data as for preceding but 6–25 Feb. 1924; BMNH. – Gauteng • 1 ♀; Boukenhoutkloof ; 18 Dec. 1910; J.V. Niekerk leg.; TMP • 2 ♂♂; Pretoria ; [25°44ʹ46ʺ S, 28°11ʹ17ʺ E]; 21 Dec. 1926; W. Lingnau leg.; DEI • 1 ♀; same locality as for preceding; O. Ulbrich leg.; ZMB • 1 ♀; same locality as for preceding; W. Lingnau leg.; DEI • 2 ♂♂, 7 ♀♀; same locality as for preceding; W.L. Distant leg.; BMNH • 1 ♀; Pretoria City ; [25°43ʹ32ʺ S, 28°14ʹ38ʺ E]; 12 Feb. 2000; J. Halada leg.; OÖLM. – KwaZulu-Natal • 1 ♂; MNHN • 1 ♀; 10 miles W of Durban; [29°50ʹ08.5ʺ S, 30°51ʹ2.4ʺ E]; 4 Dec. 1966; J.G. Rozen and D.J. Brothers leg.; AMNH • 1 ♂; 20 km NE of Ixopo; 30°00ʹ S, 30°12ʹ E; 15 Jan. 2010; J. Halada leg.; OÖLM • 2 ♂♂, 2 ♀♀; 20 km S of Bergville; [28°54ʹ49.2ʺ S, 29°21ʹ10.7ʺ E]; 5 Feb. 2001; M. Snižek leg.; OÖLM • 4 ♂♂; 20 km S of Newcastle; [27°56ʹ09.7ʺ S, 29°58ʹ12ʺ E]; 28 Nov. 2002; Ma. Halada leg.; OÖLM • 6 ♂♂, 2 ♀♀; 20 km W of Port Shepstone; [30°46ʹ50.9ʺ S, 30°12ʹ38ʺ E]; 2 Feb. 2000; J. Halada leg.; OÖLM • 5 ♂♂; 20 km W of Vryheid; [27°46ʹ28.8ʺ S, 30°34ʹ19.7ʺ E]; 29 Nov. 2002; Ma. Halada leg.; OÖLM • 1 ♂, 2 ♀♀; 35 km N of Port Edward; 30°45ʹ S, 30°09ʹ E; 28 Dec. 2009; J. Halada leg.; OÖLM • 1 ♀; Drakensberge, Royal Natal National Park ; 28°43ʹ S, 28°53ʹ E; 9 Feb. 1994; F. Koch leg.; ZMB • 1 ♂; Durban ; [29°53ʹ S, 31°03ʹ E]; J. Bequaert leg.; MRAC • 1 ♂; same collection data as for preceding; AMNH • 1 ♀; same collection data as for preceding; BMNH • 1 ♀; Durban, Congella ; [29°53ʹ S, 31°03ʹ E]; 2 May 1908; G.F. Leigh leg.; TMP • 1 ♀; Estcourt ; [29°00ʹ S, 29°53ʹ E]; 5 Mar. 1963; H.N. Empey leg.; RMNH • 1 ♀; Hluhluwe Game Reserve ; 28°02ʹ S, 32°05ʹ E; 10 Feb. 1995; F. Koch leg.; ZMB • 1 ♀; same collection data as for preceding but 5 Dec. 1995; ZMB • 2 ♂♂, 9 ♀♀; Howick ; [29°28ʹ40ʺ S, 30°13ʹ50ʺ E]; 1904; J.P. Cregoe leg.; BMNH • 1 ♂, 1 ♀; Ingogo , N of Newcastle; [27°34ʹ40.8ʺ S, 29°54ʹ43.2ʺ E]; 28 Nov. 2002; Ma. Halada leg.; OÖLM • 1 ♂; Ithala Game Reserve ; 27°30ʹ S, 31°20ʹ E; 28–30 Jan. 1995; F. Koch leg.; THD-002-ZMB; GenBank CO1 gene: MW538571 ; GenBank EF-1α gene: MW558237 ; GenBank LWR gene: MW582277 ; ZMB • 1 ♂; same collection data as for preceding; ZMB • 1 ♂, 2 ♀♀; same collection data as for preceding but 19 Feb. 1997; ZMB • 2 ♂♂, 4 ♀♀; Ithala Game Reserve, Louwsburg ; [27°32ʹ48.14ʺ S, 31°18ʹ48.71ʺ E]; 10–23 Dec. 1993; F. Koch leg.; ZMB • 2 ♀♀; Ithala Game Reserve , sports ground ; 27°30ʹ S, 31°20ʹ E; 5 Apr. 2001; F. Koch leg.; ZMB • 1 ♀; Lake St Lucia, False Bay ; 27°58ʹ S, 32°23ʹ E; 5–15 Feb. 1992; A.J. Weaving leg.; AMG • 1 ♂, 4 ♀♀; Malvern ; [29°53ʹ06ʺ S, 30°55ʹ30ʺ E]; 1904; J.P. Cregoe leg.; BMNH • 1 ♂; Maputaland , SW of Manguzi; [27°00ʹ48.5ʺ S, 32°43ʹ24.1ʺ E]; 29 Jan. 2003; M. Snižek leg.; OÖLM • 2 ♂♂; Mkuze Game Reserve ; 27°40ʹ S, 32°19ʹ E; 22 Nov. 1999; F. Koch leg.; ZMB • 1 ♀; Ndumo Game Reserve ; 26°55ʹ S, 32°19ʹ E; 19 Nov. 1999; F. Koch leg.; ZMB • 1 ♀; Pinetown ; [29°49ʹ14ʺ S, 30°53ʹ12ʺ E]; 18 Mar. 1909; G.F. Leigh leg.; OUMNH • 1 ♂; Pongola ; [27°22ʹ41ʺ S, 31°37ʹ08ʺ E]; 10 May 1951; H.W. Bedford leg.; BMNH • 3 ♂♂, 3 ♀♀; St Lucia Park ( Charter’s Creek ); 28°12ʹ S, 32°25ʹ E; 7 Feb. 1995; F. Koch leg.; ZMB • 1 ♀; Stanger [now KwaDukuza]; [29°20ʹ S, 31°17ʹ30ʺ E]; 14 Mar. 1963; H.N. Empey leg.; RMNH • 8 ♂♂; Utrecht ; [27°39ʹ36ʺ S, 30°19ʹ48ʺ E]; 28 Nov. 2002; M. Snižek leg.; OÖLM • 1 ♀; Weenen ; [28°50ʹ57ʺ S, 30°04ʹ38ʺ E]; Jan.–Mar. 1927; H.P. Thomasset leg.; BMNH. – Limpopo • 1 ♂, 2 ♀♀; 35 km W of Hoedspruit; 24°23ʹ S, 30°40ʹ E; 19 Dec. 2009; J. Halada leg.; OÖLM • 1 ♂, 1 ♀; Lekgalameetse Nature Reserve ; 24°12ʹ S, 30°20ʹ E; 25–31 Mar. 2001; F. Koch leg.; ZMB • 1 ♀; Moorddrift ; [24°16ʹ5.8ʺ S, 28°57ʹ52.3ʺ E]; Oct. 1909; C.J. Swierstra leg.; TMP • 4 ♂♂, 3 ♀♀; N of Nylstroom [now Modimolle ]; 24°40ʹ S, 28°30ʹ E; 14 Jan. 2008; M. Halada leg.; OÖLM • 1 ♂; Thabazimbi ; [24°36ʹ S, 27°24ʹ E]; 21 Dec. 2008; M. Snižek leg.; OÖLM. – Mpumalanga • 1 ♂, 1 ♀; 20 km NW of Nelspruit [now Mbombela ]; [25°20ʹ09ʺ S, 30°49ʹ35.5ʺ E]; 26 Nov. 2003; J. Halada leg.; OÖLM • 1 ♀; 20 km SE of Nelspruit [now Mbombela ]; [25°36ʹ41.7ʺ S, 31°05ʹ35.3ʺ E]; 5–6 Jan. 2004; J. Halada leg.; OÖLM • 2 ♀♀; Barberton ; [25°47ʹ18ʺ S, 31°03ʹ11ʺ E]; P. Rendall leg.; BMNH • 1 ♀; Nwaswitshaka Camp, Kruger National Park ; [24°59ʹ45ʺ S, 31°35ʹ31ʺ E]; 21 Dec. 1994; C.L. Bellamy leg.; AMNH • 1 ♀; Waterval River ; 8 Jan. 1903; J. Breyer leg.; TMP. – North West • 1 ♂, 2 ♀♀; Rustenburg ; [25°40ʹ03ʺ S, 27°14ʹ31ʺ E]; BMNH • 1 ♂; Sun City ; 32°37ʹ S, 19°07ʹ E; 24 Jan. 2006; A.R. Davidson leg.; AMNH .

TANZANIA • 1 ♀; Tabora-Kigoma; Stamper leg.; MRAC. – Dar es Salaam Region • 1 ♀; Dar es Salaam; [6°48ʹ S, 39°17ʹ E]; 1896; H. Mayer leg.; IRSN. – Katavi Region • 1 ♂, 1 ♀; 30 km NNW of Mpanda; 5°54ʹ S, 30°56ʹ E; 30 Dec. 2006; M. Kadlecová leg.; OÖLM. – Kigoma Region • 1 ♂; 25 km SSE of Kasulu; 4°44ʹ S, 30°11ʹ E; 28 Dec. 2006; J. Halada leg.; OÖLM. – Kilimanjaro Region • 1 ♀; Kilimanjaro, Obstgarten-Steppe ; [3°05ʹ5.9ʺ S, 37°20ʹ38.5ʺ E]; 24 Mar. 1905; Y. Sjöstedt leg.; BMNH. – Lindi Region • 3 ♀♀; Lindi; [9°59ʹ49ʺ S, 39°42ʹ59ʺ E]; F. Fülleborn leg.; ZMB. – Mbeya Region • 1 ♀; Langenburg [now Tukuyu ]; [9°15ʹ S, 33°39ʹ E]; end of Feb.–beginning of Mar. 1898; F. Fülleborn leg.; ZMB • 1 ♂; same collection data as for preceding but 3 Sep–3 Oct. 1898; ZMB • 1 ♂; Manow ; [9°15ʹ S, 33°48ʹ E]; MNHN • 1 ♂; Mbeya city; [8°54ʹ S, 33°27ʹ E]; 5 Jan. 2007; J. Halada leg.; OÖLM. – Mjini Magharibi Region • 2 ♀♀; Zanzibar; [6°08ʹ S, 39°20ʹ E]; 1872–1874; Hildebrandt leg.; ZMB • 1 ♀; same locality as for preceding; Dec. 1932; A. Seyrig leg.; MNHN . – Rukwa Region • 2 ♀♀; Msamwia, S of Ufipa, S Tanganyika; [8°25ʹ S, 31°50ʹ E]; 10–12 Feb. 1909; Fromm leg.; ZMB. – Ruvuma Region • 1 ♀, lectotype of Sphex nigripes var. pachyderma Strand, 1916 (designated by Oehlke & Wudowenz 1973: 424); Kigonsera, Konow; DEI. – Singida Region • 1 ♂; 20 mi. SW of Itigi; [5°53ʹ32ʺ S, 34°16ʹ02ʺ E]; 28 Jan. 1970; M.E. Irwin and E.S. Ross leg.; CAS. – Songwe Region • 1 ♂; 70 km NW of Tunduma; 8°58ʹ S, 32°25ʹ E; 2 Jan. 2007; J. Halada leg.; OÖLM. – Tanga Region • 1 ♀; “ Mnoa ”; F. Fischer leg.; ZMB • 1 ♀; Tanga; [5°04ʹ08ʺ S, 39°05ʹ55ʺ E]; 16 Dec. 1917; W.A. Lamborn leg.; OUMNH. – Unguja North Region • 1 ♂; Nungwi , Zanzibar; [5°43ʹ33.6ʺ S, 39°17ʹ45.6ʺ E]; 18 Jun. 1985; G.G.M. Schulten leg.; RMNH.

UGANDA – Eastern Region • 1 ♂; between Jinja and Busia or Mbwago’s E Busora (Some Forest); [0°15ʹ44ʺ N, 33°35ʹ17ʺ E]; 28 Jul.–1 Aug. 1911; S.A. Neave leg.; BMNH • 1 ♂; Mt Kokanjero , SW of Elgon; [1°07ʹ48ʺ N, 34°33ʹ E]; 7–9 Aug. 1911; S.A. Neave leg.; BMNH .

ZAMBIA • 1 ♀; “ Mpika – Fort Jameson ”; Jan. 1908; S.A. Neave leg.; MRAC • 1 ♀; Chingola–Solwezi Road ; 2 Dec. 2004; M. Snižek leg.; OÖLM. – Central Province • 2 ♂♂; 100 km NE of Kapiri Mposhi; [13°36ʹ29.5ʺ S, 29°31ʹ49.3ʺ E]; 4–7 Dec. 2002; J. Halada leg.; OÖLM • 1 ♂; 60 km NW of Kapiri Mposhi; [13°32ʹ08.4ʺ S, 28°18ʹ42.6ʺ E]; 8 Dec. 2002; J. Halada leg.; OÖLM • 1 ♂; 70 km NE of Kapiri Mposhi; [13°41ʹ S, 29°18ʹ E]; 21 Nov. 2005; M. Snižek leg.; OÖLM • 1 ♀; Broken Hill [now Kabwe]; [14°26ʹ48ʺ S, 28°26ʹ47ʺ E]; 27 Feb. 1910; Silverlock leg.; BMNH. – Copperbelt Province • 1 ♀; 45 km SE of Kitwe; [13°08ʹ36.7ʺ S, 28°32ʹ54.4ʺ E]; 12–15 Jan. 2003; J. Halada leg.; OÖLM • 3 ♂♂, 1 ♀; 50 km W of Chingola; [12°25ʹ06.3ʺ S, 27°23ʹ50.9ʺ E]; 9–11 Dec. 2002; J. Halada leg.; OÖLM • 2 ♀♀; same collection data as for preceding but 1–2 Jan. 2003; OÖLM • 1 ♂; 80 km W of Chingola; [12°30ʹ33.2ʺ S, 27°06ʹ11.2ʺ E]; 12 Dec. 2002; F. Kantner leg.; OÖLM • 1 ♂; Tanga Farm , 35 km W of Chingola; [12°32ʹ27.7ʺ S, 27°31ʹ59.4ʺ E]; 6 Nov. 2005; M. Snižek leg.; OÖLM. – Eastern Province • 1 ♂; “ Mid. Luangwa Valley ”; alt. 1700 ft; 26 Feb. 1908; S.A. Neave leg.; OUMNH • 2 ♂♂, 1 ♀; same collection data as for preceding but 27 Feb. 1908; OUMNH • 4 ♀♀; “ On road Ft. Jameson to Lundazi ”; 7–14 Jun. 1910; S.A. Neave leg.; BMNH • 1 ♀; “ Up. Luangwa Valley ”; alt. 1800–2000 ft; 30 Mar. 1908; S.A. Neave leg.; OUMNH • 2 ♀♀; same collection data as for preceding but 31 Mar. 1908; OUMNH • 1 ♂; same collection data as for preceding but 1 Apr. 1908; OUMNH • 1 ♀; 6 km E of Sinda; 14°12ʹ S, 31°49ʹ E; 5 Mar. 1998; W.J. Pulawski leg.; CAS • 1 ♀; Petauke ; [14°14ʹ28ʺ S, 31°19ʹ11ʺ E]; 2 Feb. 1905; S.A. Neave leg.; OUMNH. – Lusaka Province • 3 ♀♀; 25 km E of Lusaka; 15°21ʹ S, 28°30ʹ E; 3 Mar. 1995; W.J. Pulawski leg.; CAS. – Muchinga Province • 2 ♀♀; “ Mid. Chambezi Valley, Chinsali distr. ”; alt. 4000 ft; 25 Apr. 1908; S.A. Neave leg.; OUMNH • 1 ♀; same collection data as for preceding but 27 Apr. 1908; OUMNH • 1 ♀; same collection data as for preceding but 29 Apr. 1908; OUMNH • 1 ♀; Chinsali and neighbourhood ; [10°32ʹ29ʺ S, 32°04ʹ53ʺ E]; alt. 4300 ft; 9 Apr. 1908; S.A. Neave leg.; OUMNH. – Northern Province • 1 ♀; “ L. Chambezi V. ; Kasama distr. ”; alt. 3900 ft; 10 May 1908; S.A. Neave leg.; OUMNH • 1 ♀; 5 mi. S of Senga Hill; [9°26ʹ44ʺ S, 31°13ʹ21ʺ E]; 1 Feb. 1970; M.E. Irwin and E.S. Ross leg.; CAS • 1 ♂; Abercorn [now Mbala]; [8°50ʹ S, 31°28ʹ E]; 23 Dec. 1950; F.O. Albrecht leg.; BMNH • 1 ♂; same collection data as for preceding but 10 Jan. 1951; BMNH. – Southern Province • 1 ♂; 10 km SW of Choma; [16°51ʹ57ʺ S, 26°54ʹ06.3ʺ E]; 18 Dec. 2002; J. Halada leg.; OÖLM • 1 ♀; 100 km NE of Livingstone; [17°06ʹ21.1ʺ S, 26°24ʹ21ʺ E]; 26 Dec. 2002; J. Halada leg.; OÖLM • 1 ♀; 30 km SE of Choma; [16°54ʹ09.4ʺ S, 27°15ʹ54.8ʺ E]; 27 Dec. 2002; J. Halada leg.; OÖLM .

ZIMBABWE • 1 ♂; “ Murntree ”; 21 Jan. 1912; G. Arnold leg.; BMNH • 1 ♀; Victoria Falls ; Feb. 1935; NRS. – Harare Province • 1 ♀; near Harare; [17°49ʹ45ʺ S, 31°03ʹ08ʺ E]; 20 Jan. 1998; Ma. Halada leg.; OÖLM • 1 ♀; Salisbury [now Harare]; [17°49ʹ45ʺ S, 31°03ʹ08ʺ E]; Apr. 1899; G.A.K. Marshall leg.; BMNH • 2 ♂♂, 1 ♀; same collection data as for preceding but Jan. 1900; BMNH • 1 ♀; same collection data as for preceding but 13 Dec. 1902; OUMNH • 3 ♀♀; same locality as for preceding; A. Watsham leg.; BMNH. – Mashonaland Central • 1 ♀; 10 mi. E of Pakasa [ Bakasa ]; [16°25ʹ39ʺ S, 30°50ʹ32ʺ E]; 28 Jan. 1911; Silverlock leg.; BMNH • 5 ♂♂; Mavhuradonha Saf. , 15 km SE of Muzarabani; [16°33ʹ33ʺ S, 31°14ʹ22.8ʺ E]; 17 Dec. 1998; J. Halada leg.; OÖLM. – Mashonaland East • 2 ♀♀; Chishawasha, near Salisbury [now Harare]; [17°46ʹ14ʺ S, 31°15ʹ11ʺ E]; Mar. 1978; A. Watsham leg.; BMNH • 1 ♀; same collection data as for preceding but Dec. 1978; BMNH • 1 ♀; same collection data as for preceding but Feb. 1979; BMNH • 1 ♂; same collection data as for preceding but Dec. 1981; BMNH. – Mashonaland West • 2 ♂♂, 1 ♀; Lion and Cheetah Park 24 km W of Harare; 17°50ʹ S, 30°49ʹ E; 17–18 Dec. 1995; W.J. Pulawski leg.; CAS. – Midlands • 1 ♀; Selukwe [now Shurugwi]; [19°40ʹ S, 30°00ʹ E]; 1911; A. Ellenberger leg.; MNHN .

Description

Female

SIZE. 22.1–25.8 mm.

COLOR. Black except for basal half of mandible, which is ferruginous. Wings fuscous, with cyan-violet iridescence.

VESTITURE. Appressed setae on clypeus black, on paraocular area silvery with brown luster, on collar, scutum and propodeal enclosure black. Erect setae on clypeus, paraocular area, collar, scutum and propodeal enclosure black. Erect propodeal setae oriented perpendicularly, slightly curved towards anterior. Central and lower part of clypeus glabrous. Scutellum densely and coarsely pubescent.

STRUCTURE. Free clypeal margin medially with broad, notched tooth, stepped above. Clypeus without indentation or carina. Scutellum convex. Metanotum slightly raised, not notably bituberculate. 2 nd recurrent vein joins at interstitium between submarginal cells II and III. Propodeal enclosure without

any notable ridges. Foretarsomere I 2.7–3.6 × length of antepenultimate spine. Petiole length 1.9–2.5 × its medial width.

Male

SIZE. 19.6–24.3 mm.

COLOR. Black, except for ferruginous stripe in center of mandible. Wings fuscous, with cyan-violet iridescence.

VESTITURE. Appressed setae on clypeus and paraocular area silvery, on collar, scutum and propodeal enclosure black. Erect setae on clypeus, paraocular area, collar, scutum and propodeal enclosure black. Erect propodeal setae oriented perpendicularly, slightly curved towards anterior. Lower center of clypeus glabrous. Scutellum densely and coarsely pubescent.

STRUCTURE. Free clypeal margin medially with tooth emerging from inner side. Scutellum convex. Metanotum slightly raised, not notably bituberculate. 2 nd recurrent vein joins interstitium between submarginal cells II and III or slightly proximally. Propodeal enclosure without any notable ridges. Posterior margin of metasomal tergum VII convex. Posterior margin of metasomal sternum VII simple, of metasomal sternum VIII triangular. Petiole length 2.0–2.8× its medial width. Flagellomere V and often VI with moderately broad placoid covering their entire length and tapering toward base and apex.

Variation

Specimens from Lesotho and Gauteng Province ( var. basuto / kobrowi ) can vary as follows:

Female

COLOR. Black except for the following, which are ferruginous: basal half of mandible, lower part of clypeus, scape, pedicel, fore and midlegs from apical half of femur, hindleg from femur onward, excluding apical half of claw, and apical metasomal segment. Wings fuscous, with violet luster.

VESTITURE. Appressed setae on clypeus brassy-ferruginous, on paraocular area silvery, on collar, scutum and propodeal enclosure black. Erect setae on clypeus ferruginous near free margin, black otherwise, on paraocular area, collar, scutum and propodeal enclosure black. Erect propodeal setae oriented perpendicularly, slightly curved towards anterior. Lower center of clypeus glabrous. Scutellum densely and coarsely pubescent.

STRUCTURE. Free clypeal margin medially with broad, notched tooth, stepped above. Clypeus with indistinct indentation in lower center, without carina. Scutellum convex. Metanotum raised, not notably bituberculate. 2 nd recurrent vein joins slightly proximal from interstitium between submarginal cells II and III. Propodeal enclosure without any notable ridges. Foretarsomere I 2.8–2.9 × length of antepenultimate spine. Petiole length 1.70–1.83 × its medial width.

Male

COLOR. Black except for the following, which are ferruginous: basal half of mandible, femora apically, tibiae, and mid- and hindtarsomeres I–III. Wings hyaline, with yellowish tinge, apical margin of forewing infuscate.

VESTITURE. Appressed setae on clypeus and paraocular area silvery, on collar and scutum black, on propodeal enclosure brownish-gray. Erect setae on clypeus, paraocular area, collar, scutum and propodeal enclosure black. Erect propodeal setae oriented perpendicularly, slightly curved towards anterior. Lower center of clypeus glabrous. Scutellum densely and coarsely pubescent.

STRUCTURE. Free clypeal margin medially with tooth emerging from inner side. Scutellum convex. Metanotum slightly raised, not notably bituberculate. 2 nd recurrent vein nearly joins interstitium between submarginal cells II and III. Propodeal enclosure without any notable ridges. Posterior margin of metasomal tergum VII convex. Posterior margin of metasomal sternum VII simple, of metasomal sternum VIII triangular. Petiole length 1.5–1.6 × its medial width. Flagellomere V with moderately broad placoid covering its proximal four-fifths.

Distribution

Eastern, southeastern and southwestern Africa.

Remarks

As van der Vecht (1961) correctly stated, the name Sphex haemorrhoidalis Fabricius, 1781 , which Arnold (1928) used for black-legged specimens, is in fact linked to a red-legged taxon from western Africa. Other authors like Leclercq (1955, 1961), Berland (1956) and Dollfuss (2008) have based their identifications on Arnold’s mistake, and therefore many locality records and previous synonymizations were erroneous.

Although we were unable to examine the types of S. kobrowi (despite our request, it was apparently not included in the loan from TMP) or S. basuto , we nonetheless feel that our opinion on their synonymy is justified. First and foremost, we did study specimens which matched the descriptions and were most likely from the same collecting series as the types of both taxa, as they shared their locality, time frame and presumed collector. Labels indicated that Arnold had examined some of them as well. Secondly, we would have proposed to synonymize S. basuto with S. kobrowi even without additional evidence beyond their original descriptions. Judging from Arnold’s diagnosis, both resemble each other very much and are only distinguished through S. basuto having “thinner” propodeal pubescence and a slightly different interocular distance as well as flagellomere length. The measurements for the varieties of S. haemorrhoidalis in Arnold (1947) all seem quite dubious, especially in the case of S. basuto and S. kobrowi , with differences in length of less than 4% being used to differentiate between them. In addition, the actual numbers given are virtually useless for identifications without material for comparison, as they are highly dependent on the angle from which the measurements are taken and the how the boundaries between areas are perceived, yet these details are nowhere mentioned.

Though distinct in coloration and with a slightly different ratio of petiole length to width, S. kobrowi appears to be genetically identical to S. umtalicus . A comparison of parts of the CO1 sequences of specimens conforming to both taxa showed their complete congruence.

Figures

Figs 1–6. 1–3. Dorsal view of propodeal setae in different orientation. 4. Lateral view of thoracic dorsum. 5–6. Lateral view of scutellum and metanotum. 1. Sphex pseudopraedator sp. nov., ♀. 2. S. jansei Cameron, 1910, ♂. 3–4. S. umtalicus Strand, 1916, ♀. 5. S. rufoclypeatus sp. nov., ♀. 6. S. gaullei Berland, 1927, ♀.

Figs 25–32. 25–26. Ventral and lateral view of sternum VIII and genitalia in male of Sphex abyssinicus (Arnold, 1928). 27–28. Frontal view of free clypeal margin in males. 29–32. Dorsal view of fore- and hindwing in males and females of thegaullei group. 27. S. umtalicus Strand, 1916. 28. S. decipiens Kohl, 1895. 29. S. jansei Cameron, 1910, ♀. 30. S. jansei, ♂. 31. S. gaullei Berland, 1927, ♀. 32. S. gaullei, ♂.

Figs 33–40. 33–37. Frontal view of faces in females of the umtalicus and meridionalis group. 33. Sphex umtalicus Strand, 1916. 34. S. haemorrhoidalis Fabricius, 1781. 35. S. victoria sp. nov. 36. S. meridionalis (Arnold, 1947).37. S. nefrens sp. nov.38. S. cinerascens Dahlbom, 1843 habitus of ♂. 39–40. S. paulinierii Guérin-Méneville, 1843, ♂. 39. Habitus. 40. Mesosomal side (anterior = left).

Figs 72–78. 72. Sphex umtalicus Strand, 1916. 73–74. S. victoria sp. nov. 75–76. S. ahasverus Kohl, 1890, male genitalia. 72–73. Habitus of ♀. 74. Habitus of ♂. 75. Dorsal view. 76. Lateral view. 77. Geographic distribution of S. umtalicus (red) and S. ahasverus (blue). 78. Geographic distribution of S. camerunicus Strand, 1916 (red) and S. nigrohirtus Kohl, 1895 (blue).

Figs 63–71. 63, 67. Sphex caeruleanus Drury, 1773. 64–65, 68. S. mweruensis (Arnold, 1947). 66. S. hades sp. nov. 69–70. S. haemorrhoidalis Fabricius, 1781. 63–64, 69. Habitus of ♀. 65–66, 70. Habitus of ♂. 67–68. Frontal view of ♀. 71. Geographic distribution of S. haemorrhoidalis (red) and S. victoria sp. nov. (blue).