Sphex decipiens Kohl, 1895

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 : 123-127

Sphex decipiens Kohl, 1895

Figs 28 , 100–101 , 112 (red)

Sphex decipiens Kohl, 1895: 65 , ♀, ♂ (syntypes: ♀, ♂, South Africa, former Cape Province, NHMW, examined).

Differential diagnosis

This species is very distinct from the other members of the g aullei group, as both sexes have the clypeus black except near the free clypeal margin ( Figs 28 , 101 ), the scutellum black, the appressed facial setae silvery and the erect propodeal setae black. Therefore, S. decipiens is more likely to be mistaken for a species of the umtalicus group or, especially in the case of male specimens, one of the meridionalis group. Still, sequence data show that it is closely related to S. jansei .

One of the most diagnostically useful characters present in both sexes of members of the umtalicus group is a densely pubescent scutellum. Species of the meridionalis - and gaullei groups only have very sparse vestiture on the scutellum. As mentioned in the introductory remarks, this can even be seen when most of the setae have been lost due to abrasion, as the scutellar impression will usually still show the original state. Additionally, members of S. decipiens ( Fig. 100 ) are distinguished from those of the meridionalis group by having the erect propodeal setae oriented anteriorly, as is the case for all species in the gaullei - and satanas groups. In members of the meridionalis - and umtalicus groups, the setae are more perpendicular and merely curved towards anterior ( Figs 3–4 ). As this can be difficult to see, though, it may be easier to rely on other characters like the singular narrow placoid present only on flagellomere V of the antenna in males of the meridionalis group, whereas males of S. decipiens have a placoid on flagellomere IV and on occasion also on parts of flagellomeres III and V.

Material examined

Syntypes SOUTH AFRICA • 1 ♂, 1 ♀; “ Capland ”; NHMW .

Other material

AFRICA • 1 ♀; Cap, Cafrerie ; 1865; MNHN • 1 ♂; same collection data as for preceding; MNHN .

ANGOLA • 1 ♂; Welwilsch leg.; BMNH. – Cunene Province • 1 ♂; Roçadas ; [16°45ʹ S, 14°59ʹ E]; 30 Mar. 1972; BMNH .

NAMIBIA – Erongo Region • 1 ♀; 15 km E of Swakopmund; [22°38ʹ17.3ʺ S, 14°43ʹ59.9ʺ E]; 8 Feb. 1993; J. Gusenleitner leg.; OÖLM • 1 ♂; 20 km NW of Uis; 21°04ʹ S, 14°41ʹ E; 24 Mar. 2014; J. Halada leg.; OÖLM • 1 ♂, 1 ♀; 23 km N of Karibib; [21°44ʹ45ʺ S, 15°56ʹ56ʺ E]; 27 Feb. 1990; W.J. Pulawski leg.; CAS • 1 ♀; 55 km SW of Usakos; [22°31ʹ0.6ʺ S, 15°16ʹ31ʺ E]; 1 Mar. 1990; M. Schwarz leg.; OÖLM • 1 ♀; 65 km SW of Usakos; [22°31ʹ0.6ʺ S, 15°16ʹ31ʺ E]; 1 Mar. 1990; M. Schwarz leg.; OÖLM • 2 ♀♀; Otjikoko Sud Farm 33 mi. ENE of Omaruru; [21°10ʹ S, 16°22ʹ E]; 10–13 Feb. 1972; BMNH • 1 ♀; Phillips Ranch , 5 mi. N of Usakos; [21°55ʹ35ʺ S, 15°34ʹ37ʺ E]; 24 Oct. 1967; E.S. Ross and A.R. Stephen leg.; CAS . – Hardap Region • 1 ♀; 15 km S of Rehoboth; 23°28ʹ S, 17°07ʹ E; 20 Mar. 2014; J. Halada leg.; OÖLM • 2 ♂♂, 2 ♀♀; 23 km N of Rehoboth; [23°05ʹ08.4ʺ S, 17°06ʹ11.4ʺ E]; 15 Feb. 1990; M. Schwarz leg.; OÖLM • 1 ♀; 37–47 [km?] W of Maltahöhe; [24°52ʹ31.8ʺ S, 16°33ʹ31.8ʺ E]; 29 Mar. 1979; J.G. Rozen leg.; AMNH • 1 ♂; 49 km S of Rehoboth; [23°43ʹ57ʺ S, 17°16ʹ60ʺ E]; 14 Feb. 1990; W.J. Pulawski leg.; CAS • 5 ♂♂; 7 km N of Rehoboth; [23°13ʹ27.3ʺ S, 17°04ʹ42.1ʺ E]; 15 Feb. 1990; M. Schwarz leg.; OÖLM • 1 ♂; 73 km S of Mariental; [25°14ʹ38.3ʺ S, 17°56ʹ08.2ʺ E]; 13 Feb. 1990; M. Schwarz leg.; OÖLM • 1 ♂; 9 km N of Rehoboth; [23°12ʹ20ʺ S, 17°05ʹ17ʺ E]; 15 Feb. 1990; W.J. Pulawski leg.; CAS • 2 ♂♂; 9 km S of Rehoboth; [23°24ʹ52.8ʺ S, 17°04ʹ57.9ʺ E]; 16 Mar. 1990; M. Schwarz leg.; OÖLM • 1 ♂; Namib-Naukfluft National Park ; 24°15ʹ S, 16°14ʹ E; 31 Jan.–1 Feb. 2007; F. Koch leg.; ZMB . – Kavango West • 1 ♂; 100 km SW of Rundu; [18°35ʹ48ʺ S, 19°06ʹ58.3ʺ E]; 1 Feb. 1993; J. Gusenleitner leg.; OÖLM • 1 ♀; 80 km SW of Rundu; [18°28ʹ17.9ʺ S, 19°14ʹ1.9ʺ E]; 25 Jan. 1993; M. Schwarz leg.; OÖLM . – Khomas Region • 1 ♂; 18 km W of 1237/C26 junction; 23°09ʹ S, 16°42ʹ E; 11 Mar. 1999; F.W. and S.K. Gess leg.; AMG • 1 ♂; Regenstein 15 mi. SSW of Windhoek; [22°44ʹ01ʺ S, 17°02ʹ08ʺ E]; 7 Feb. 1972; BMNH • 2 ♀♀; same collection data as for preceding but 8 Feb. 1972; BMNH • 1 ♀; S of Okasewa; 22°34ʹ53ʺ S, 18°11ʹ15ʺ E; 12–17 Feb. 2010; J. Oehlke leg.; coll. Jacobs. – Kunene Region • 1 ♀; 15 km SE of Outjo; [20°11ʹ47.9ʺ S, 16°16ʹ01ʺ E]; 3 Mar. 1990; M. Schwarz leg.; OÖLM • 1 ♀; Otjitambi Farm 27 mi. ESE of Kamanjab; [19°49ʹ S, 15°10ʹ E]; 14 Feb. 1972; BMNH • 2 ♀♀; same collection data as for preceding but 13–15 Feb. 1972; BMNH . – Oshikoto Region • 2 ♀♀; 10 km SE of Tsumeb; [19°17ʹ31ʺ S, 17°48ʹ27.6ʺ E]; 8 Mar. 1990; M. Schwarz leg.; OÖLM • 2 ♂♂; same locality as for preceding; 8 Mar. 1990; W.J. Pulawski leg.; CAS . – Otjozondjupa Region • 1 ♂, 2 ♀♀; 15 km NW of Otjiwarongo; [20°19ʹ26.8ʺ S, 16°36ʹ36.5ʺ E]; 3 Mar. 1990; M. Schwarz leg.; OÖLM • 1 ♂; 23 km W of Okahandja; [21°55ʹ55.6ʺ S, 16°40ʹ19.6ʺ E]; 17 Feb. 1977; J.G. and B.L. Rozen leg.; AMNH • 1 ♂; 27 km S of Okahandja; [20°50ʹ18ʺ S, 16°14ʹ21.3ʺ E]; 18 Feb. 1990; M. Schwarz leg.; OÖLM • 5 ♂♂, 1 ♀; 3 km NE of Kalkfeld; [20°50ʹ18ʺ S, 16°14ʹ21.3ʺ E]; 2 Mar. 1990; M. Schwarz leg.; OÖLM • 1 ♂; 30 km NE of Grootfontein; [19°22ʹ19.4ʺ S, 18°18ʹ40.3ʺ E]; 9 Mar. 1990; M. Schwarz leg.; OÖLM • 1 ♂; 37 km N of Windhoek; [22°12ʹ16.1ʺ S, 17°00ʹ40ʺ E]; 18 Feb. 1990; M. Schwarz leg.; OÖLM • 1 ♂; 40 km W of Okahandja; [21°53ʹ54.9ʺ S, 16°30ʹ50.7ʺ E]; 3 Feb. 1993; M. Schwarz leg.; OÖLM • 1 ♀; 90 km NE of Grootfontein; [18°59ʹ50.5ʺ S, 18°44ʹ22.3ʺ E]; 16 Jan. 1993; J. Gusenleitner leg.; OÖLM • 1 ♂; Gondwana Canyon Park ; 20°30ʹ S, 17°14ʹ E; 21–25 Feb. 2008; F. Koch leg.; ZMB • 1 ♀; Okahandja ; [21°59ʹ S, 16°55ʹ E]; 19 Feb. 1990; M. Schwarz leg.; OÖLM • 1 ♂; Otavi ; [19°39ʹ S, 17°20ʹ E]; 2 Feb. 1993; M. Schwarz leg.; OÖLM • 1 ♂; Von Bach Dam, Okahandja ; [22°00ʹ49ʺ S, 16°57ʹ10ʺ E]; 26 Feb.–15 Mar. 2010; F. Koch leg.; ZMB • 1 ♂; Waterberg, Main Camp ; 20°30ʹ S, 17°14ʹ E; 2–10 Nov. 2007; F. Koch leg.; ZMB • 1 ♂; Waterberg, Okatijikona ; 20°24ʹ S, 17°24ʹ E; 27–28 Feb. 2010; F. Koch leg.; ZMB .

SOUTH AFRICA • 1 ♂; Cape Province, Huguenot ; Feb. 1932; BMNH. – Eastern Cape • 1 ♂; “ Resolution, Albany Distr. ”; 22 Dec. 1927; A. Walton leg.; TMP • 3 ♂♂, 1 ♀; 25 km N of Jansenville; 32°49ʹ S, 24°44ʹ E; 4 Jan. 2010; J. Halada leg.; OÖLM • 1 ♂, 1 ♀; 6 km S of Willowmore; 33°20ʹ S, 23°27ʹ E; 26 Jan. 1996; W.J. Pulawski leg.; CAS • 1 ♂; Algoa Bay ; [33°50ʹ S, 25°50ʹ E]; H. Brauns leg.; TMP • 1 ♀; Clifton Farm , 18 km NW of Grahamstown; 33°11ʹ S, 26°24ʹ E; 16 Jan. 1996; W.J. Pulawski leg.; CAS • 4 ♂♂, 1 ♀; Colonie du Cap, Steynsburg ; [31°17ʹ47ʺ S, 25°49ʹ22ʺ E]; 1914; R. Ellenberger leg.; MNHN • 1 ♂; Graaf-Reinet-Nieu-Bethesa ; [31°52ʹ S, 24°33ʹ E]; 28 Jan. 2001; M. Snižek leg.; OÖLM • 1 ♀; Grahamstown ; [33°18ʹ36ʺ S, 26°31ʹ36ʺ E]; 17 Jan. 1998; F. Schröder leg.; ZMB • 1 ♀; Olifantskop Pass , 30 km W of Grahamstown; [33°19ʹ07.68ʺ S, 25°56ʹ47.4ʺ E]; 25 Jan. 2000; J. Halada leg.; OÖLM • 1 ♂, 2 ♀♀; Somerset East ; [32°43ʹ18ʺ S, 25°35ʹ16ʺ E]; 8 Dec. 1930; R.E. Turner leg.; BMNH • 2 ♂♂; Vlakwater, Grahamstown ; 33°08ʹ33ʺ S, 26°18ʹ20ʺ E; 21 Nov. 1994; V. Mauss leg.; ZMB • 1 ♂; Warmbad , SW of Willowmore; [33°17ʹ S, 23°29ʹ E]; 14 Jan. 1998; F. Schröder leg.; THD-010- ZMB ; GenBank CO1 gene: MW538566 ; ZMB • 1 ♀; Willowmore ; [33°17ʹ S, 23°29ʹ E]; 1 Feb. 1903; H. Brauns leg.; BMNH • 1 ♀; same collection data as for preceding but 17 Feb. 1903; TMP • 1 ♀; same collection data as for preceding but 25 Feb. 1903; BMNH • 1 ♂; same collection data as for preceding but 6 Dec. 1906; TMP • 1 ♀; same collection data as for preceding but 20 Dec. 1911; TMP • 1 ♂; same collection data as for preceding but 10 Jan. 1912; BMNH • 1 ♀; same locality as for preceding; 1904; G. Kobrow leg.; TMP • 1 ♂; Zuurberg Area ; [33°21ʹ2.9ʺ S, 25°44ʹ44.3ʺ E]; 30 Nov. 1994; V. Mauss leg.; ZMB. – Free State • 1 ♂, 1 ♀; Orange River , 30 km N of Colesberg; [30°24ʹ33.3ʺ S, 25°06ʹ17.7ʺ E]; 25 Nov. 2002; M. Halada leg.; OÖLM • 1 ♀; Wepener ; [29°44ʹ S, 27°02ʹ E]; 18 Jan. 1965; H.N. Empey leg.; RMNH. – North West • 1 ♂, 2 ♀♀; 20 km W of Bothaville, Klerksdorp, Vaal River ; [26°57ʹ0.9ʺ S, 26°45ʹ44.4ʺ E]; 31 Jan. 2001; M. Snižek leg.; OÖLM. – Northern Cape • 1 ♀; Belmont ; [29°00ʹ S, 23°30ʹ E]; 22 Feb. 1934; J. Ogilvie leg.; BMNH • 1 ♂; Olifantshoek ; [27°56ʹ S, 22°44ʹ E]; 24 Mar. 1990; M. Schwarz leg.; OÖLM • 1 ♂; S Kalahari Desert, Van Zylsrus ; [26°52ʹ1.2ʺ S, 22°03ʹ E]; 15 Jan. 2001; M. Snižek leg.; OÖLM. – Western Cape • 1 ♂; 18 mi. SE of Touwsrivier; [33°27ʹ52.7ʺ S, 20°18ʹ52.4ʺ E]; 12 Nov. 1966; J.G. Rozen leg.; AMNH • 1 ♂; Barrydale ; [33°54ʹ29ʺ S, 20°43ʹ E]; 16 Dec. 2002; M. Snižek leg.; OÖLM • 1 ♂, 1 ♀; Bontebok National Park, Swellendam ; [34°04ʹ06.8ʺ S, 20°28ʹ06.6ʺ E]; 2–3 Jan. 1993; F. Koch leg.; ZMB • 1 ♀; same collection data as for preceding; THD-001-ZMB ; GenBank EF-1α gene: MW558235 ; GenBank LWR gene: MW582286 ; ZMB • 1 ♂; Cape Town , Kloof Nek ; [33°56ʹ13ʺ S, 18°23ʹ59ʺ E]; Jan. 1932; BMNH • 2 ♂♂; Ceres ; [33°22ʹ08ʺ S, 19°18ʹ39ʺ E]; Dec. 1920; R.E. Turner leg.; BMNH • 1 ♂; Kirstenbosch ; [33°58ʹ57ʺ S, 18°25ʹ49ʺ E]; 10 Nov. 1931; BMNH • 4 ♂♂; Klein-Karoo, Groot River, Langeberg ; [33°50ʹ S, 20°00ʹ E]; 24 Nov. 2002; Ma. Halada leg.; OÖLM • 1 ♂, 1 ♀; Matjesfontein ; [33°13ʹ51ʺ S, 20°35ʹ E]; 19–31 Dec. 1928; R.E. Turner leg.; BMNH • 1 ♀; Pakhuis Pass; Clanwilliam ; [32°10ʹ S, 18°52ʹ E]; 17 Jan. 2001; M. Snižek leg.; OÖLM • 1 ♀; Sea Point ; [33°55ʹ06ʺ S, 18°23ʹ22ʺ E]; Nov. 1931 – Jan. 1932; BMNH • 1 ♂; Wellington, Rooshoek ; [33°34ʹ11.8ʺ S, 19°04ʹ2.3ʺ E]; Dec. 1959; A.M. Verhoeff leg.; RMNH • 1 ♂; same collection data as for preceding but Jan. 1960; RMNH • 1 ♀; Worcester ; [33°38ʹ47ʺ S, 19°26ʹ54ʺ E]; Dec. 1933; R.E. Turner leg.; BMNH .

Description

Female

SIZE. 20.4–23.9 mm.

COLOR. Black except for the following, which are ferruginous: basal half of mandible, free clypeal margin, occasionally antenna from scape up to flagellomere V and occasionally legs from distal half of femur onward. Wings uniformly fuscous, with 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 anteriorly. Clypeus with glabrous spot in lower center. Scutellum sparsely and finely pubescent.

STRUCTURE. Free clypeal margin simple, stepped medially. Clypeus without indentation or carina. Scutellum convex. Metanotum slightly raised, not notably bituberculate. 2 nd recurrent vein joins markedly proximal from interstitium between submarginal cells II and III. Propodeal enclosure without any notable ridges. Foretarsomere I 1.7–2.0 × length of antepenultimate spine. Petiole length 1.9–2.0× its medial width.

Male

SIZE. 16.6–20.5 mm.

COLOR. Black, except for ferruginous stripe in center of mandible.Wings fuscous, with 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 anteriorly. Lower part of clypeus glabrous. Scutellum densely and finely pubescent.

STRUCTURE. Free clypeal margin simple. Scutellum convex. Metanotum slightly raised, not notably 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 convex. Posterior margin of metasomal sternum VII simple, of metasomal sternum VIII very slightly concavely emarginate. Penis valvae without conspicuous modifications. Petiole length 1.9–2.2× its medial width. Flagellomere III with narrow placoid covering it to varying extent, flagellomere IV with narrow placoid nearly covering entire length, flagellomere V with placoid absent or narrow, covering it to varying extent.

Variation

In females, antennae and legs can be partially ferruginous, and males can have the lower clypeal area more or less ferruginous.

Distribution

Southern and southwestern Africa.

Figures

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 100–105. 100–101. Sphex decipiens Kohl, 1895. 102–103. S. pruinosus Germar, 1817. 104– 105. S. gaullei Berland, 1927. 100, 103, 105. Habitus of ♂. 101. Frontal view of ♀. 102, 104. Habitus of ♀.

Figs 106–112. 106–107. Sphex jansei Cameron, 1910. 108. S. schmideggeri sp. nov. 109. S. pseudosatanas sp. nov. 110–111. S. rufoclypeatus sp. nov. 106, 108–110. Habitus of ♀. 107, 111. Habitus of ♂. 112. Geographic distribution of S. decipiens Kohl, 1895 (red), S. pruinosus Germar, 1817 (blue), S. gaullei Berland, 1927 (yellow), S. jansei (purple) and S. schmideggeri sp. nov. (green).

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, ♀.