Sphex semifossulatus van der Vecht, 1973

Doerfel, Thorleif H. & Ohl, Michael, 2015, A revision of the Australian digger wasps in the genus Sphex (Hymenoptera, Sphecidae), ZooKeys 521, pp. 1-104 : 64

Taxon classification Animalia Hymenoptera Sphecidae

Sphex semifossulatus van der Vecht, 1973

Sphex argentifrons F. Smith, 1868: 248, ♀, actually ♂ (see van der Vecht 1973: 349), junior primary homonym of Sphex argentifrons Lepeletier de Saint Fargeau, 1845. Holotype or syntypes: ♀, Australia: Western Australia: Champion Bay, now Geraldton (BMNH). Presumed holotype examined.

Sphex semifossulatus van der Vecht, 1973: 349. Substitute name for Sphex argentifrons F. Smith.

Material examined.

Holotype (presumed). ♂, AUSTRALIA:WA: Champion Bay, now Geraldton (BMNH).

Diagnosis.

Males of Sphex semifossulatus (females are unknown) are unique among the Australian Sphex in having two lobes on the free clypeal margin that are conspicuously far apart (Fig. 40B). The distance between them is equal to almost half the length of flagellomere II. Of the other examined species, only the males of Sphex cognatus also have two lobes on the clypeus, but those are merely separated by a small notch.

Description.

Female: Unknown.

Male: Body length 23.2 mm. Body black, but the following are orange: base of mandible, center of free clypeal margin, tegula, metasoma, legs excluding coxae and distal part of hindtibia as well as claw teeth and distal half of claw. Forewing membrane with yellow tinge near base and slightly fuscous band at apex, hindwing membrane hyaline. Wing veins orange, darker near apex. Free clypeal margin with two lobes, distance between them more than half length of flagellomere II. Appressed pubescence and erect setae on clypeus and frons silvery-white. Clypeus with narrow medial glabrous stripe. Distance between hind- ocelli 1.2 × their shortest distance to compound eyes. Pubescence on collar and scutum silvery-golden, on the latter denser laterally and posteriorly. Scutellum convex, with distinct medial impression. Propodeal enclosure with silvery-golden pubescence, leaving sculpture mostly visible. Length of petiole 1.25 × length of flagellomere II. Tomentum dense on metasomal tergum I and II. Metasomal terga V and VI covered with silvery bristles. Metasomal sterna II–VII each with increasing amount of erect silvery setae laterally. Metasomal sternum VIII with few erect silvery setae, notched apically, its lateral margin straight, convex posteriorly.