Nomada kobrowi BRAUNS , 1912

Kuhlmann, Michael, 2023, The South African species of the bee genus Nomada SCOPOLI, 1770 (Hymenoptera, Apidae), Linzer biologische Beiträge 55 (1), pp. 155-186 : 157-161

Nomada kobrowi BRAUNS, 1912 sp.rev. ( Figs 1-22 )

Nomada kobrowi BRAUNS, 1912: 68-69 . Holotype ♁ ( Vereeniging , South Africa) (DNMNH), examined.

Nomada eximia EARDLEY & SCHWARZ, 1991: 26-27 . Holotype ♁ (Machadodorp, South Africa) (Coll. Schwarz, Ansfelden, Austria). Paratype ♁ (SANC) examined. Syn. nov.

A d d i t i o n a l m a t e r i a l e x a m i n e d:(1specimen).SouthAfrica: 1♀,Cottesmere (15.7 km 224° SW Underberg), Yell. Pan, moist upland grassland on dolerite, livestock grazed, 29°55´20´´S 29°25´38´´E, 2.-8.xii.2001, leg. S. van Noort, SANC-Pretoria database No. HYMA11122 (SANC).

BRAUNS (1912) described N. kobrowi based on a male and directly compared it with N. gigas . According to his careful and detailed descriptions, males of both species differ considerably in colour patterns and morphology, thus, clearly represent separate species. Examination of the holotype of N. kobrowi confirmed this, so the species status of N. kobrowi is here restored. Examination of type material of N. eximia revealed that this species is conspecific with N. kobrowi and, consequently, is synonymised here. In particular with respect to the conspicuous differences in coloration of the two taxa it is surprising that EARDLEY & SCHWARZ (1991: 19) synonymized both based on the justification that: „The holotype of N. kobrowi was found to be an unusually pale coloured specimen of N. gigas and is, therefore, here synonymized with the latter".

The hitherto unknown female of N. kobrowi is here described for the first time. The characteristic male was described in detail by BRAUNS (1912) and as N. eximia by EARDLEY & SCHWARZ (1991). Thus, to facilitate the identification only images are provided without repeating the description.

D i a g n o s i s: The female of N. kobrowi is immediately recognizable by its unique coloration: Scutellum entirely reddish-brown ( Fig. 5 ), T2-3 laterally each with a pair of yellowish-white spots ( Figs 2, 6 ). Pseudopygidial area of T5 equipped with dense rows of white scale hairs ( Fig. 10 ).

D e s c r i p t i o n

F e m a l e: Body-length: 6.7 mm (Habitus: Figs 1-2 ). Head: Head black, reddish-brown are: antenna (except last three flagellar segments darker), lower margin of the clypeus, lower margin of the malar area, mandible (tip black) ( Fig. 3 ), labrum ( Fig. 9 ). Head broader than long. First flagellar segment longer than second (ratio 1: 0.77) ( Fig. 7 ), following flagellar segments slightly longer than wide. Supraclypleal area with longitudinal keel raised with highest point slightly below the base of the antenna. Clypeus in lateral view slightly convex, punctation becoming finer towards the middle, between punctures smooth and shiny ( Fig. 8 ). Labrum transversely oval in shape, slightly medio-longitudinally raised, apically with three symmetrically arranged teeth, surface finely punctate, smooth and shiny between punctures ( Fig. 9 ). Mesosoma: Integument black, reddish-brown are: pronotum, pronotal lobe, two broad but diffusely delineated longitudinal stripes on the scutum (brighter in the middle) ( Fig. 4 ), tegula, axilla, scutellum, metanotum ( Fig. 5 ). Scutum and propodeum finely punctate, shiny and smooth between punctures; scutellum and metanotum finely punctate, matt; scutellum medially depressed and laterally with distinct swelling. Wings: Wing venation yellowishbrown, membrane hyaline yellow. Legs: Front leg predominantly reddish-brown, mid legs with black coxa and trochanter reddish-brown with black maculation, hind legs to the middle of the femur black, otherwise reddish-brown. Hind tibia apically with four short straight reddish-brown spines, outer spine slightly thinner. Metasoma: Integument black; reddish-brown are T1-2 and T5, the posterior half of T3 and the posterior third of T4, T2-3 laterally each with a pair of yellowish-white spots ( Fig. 6 ). S1-6 completely reddish-brown. Punctation of T1 more scattered than on following terga, punctures are about as far apart as their diameter, following terga densely punctate, punctation of T2-5 successively coarser, marginal zones of T1-4 smooth and impunctate. Pseudopygidial area with dense rows of white scale hairs, pygidial plate broad and flat triangular, very finely punctate ( Fig. 10 ).

G e n e r a l d i s t r i b u t i o n: Only known from two localities in northeastern South Africa.

H o s t: Unknown.

R e m a r k s: Males and female are assumed to belong to the same species based on their characteristic colour pattern although they were not collected together. The male holotype of N. eximia was published to be in Coll. Schwarz, Ansfelden ( Austria) (EARDLEY & SCHWARZ 1991) but could not be located there. Instead, the single paratype (SANC) was examined that was collected together with the holotype.

Figures

Figs 1-6: Nomada kobrowi BRAUNS, 1912, ♀ (1) dorsal view; (2) lateral view; (3) head; (4) scutum; (5) propodeum; (6) metasoma.

Figs 7-10: Nomada kobrowi BRAUNS, 1912, ♀ (7) first and second flagellar segments; (8) clypeus; (9) labrum; (10) pseudopygidial area and pygidial plate.

Figs 11-16: Nomada kobrowi BRAUNS, 1912, ♁ (11) dorsal view; (12) head; (13) scutum; (14) propodeum; (15) metasoma; (16) pygidial plate.

Figs 17-22: Nomada kobrowi BRAUNS, 1912, ♁ (17) first and second flagellar segments; (18) labrum; (19) front tarsus; (20) metasomal sternum S7; (21) genitalia dorsal; (22) gonostylus lateral.