Plesianthidium (Spinanthidium) neli (Brauns)

Eardley, Connal & Griswold, Terry, 2015, Taxonomic revision of Plesianthidium Cameron (Apoidea: Megachilidae: Anthidiini), an endemic southern African bee genus, Zootaxa 3973 (1), pp. 1-56 : 45-48

Plesianthidium (Spinanthidium) neli (Brauns)

( Figs 27–29 )

Anthidium neli Brauns, 1929: 139 –140 (holotype—‘♂ … von Herrn Reuben Nel, Stellenbosch, benannt. Das ♂ ist der Typus der Art’ (TMSA, examined) South Africa).

Dianthidium (Spinanthidium) neli: Mavromoustakis 1951: 977 .

Spinanthidium (Spinanthidium) neli: Pasteels 1969: 59 .

Plesianthidium (Spinanthidium) neli: Gess & Gess 2003: 192 –398.

Diagnosis. Plesianthidium neli can be distinguished from all Plesianthidium , except P. namaquaense by the combination of terga with orange distal bands and legs black ( Figs 27 a, c). Females differ from P. namaquaense in the typically smaller size, clypeus impunctate medially ( Fig. 27 b), scutum densely but not contiguously punctate and T5 with very narrow impunctate margin (approximately 1 puncture width). Males differ from P. namaquaense in the smaller body size, clypeus weakly impunctate medially, distance between lateral ocellus and preoccipital ridge shorter (1.5x ocellar diameters) and T5 with very narrow impunctate margin (approximately 1 puncture width). The structure of male T7 ( Figs 28 a, b) and S6–S8 ( Fig. 28 c–e) are somewhat diagnostic but not between P. neli and P. namaquaense .

Plesianthidium neli , P. namaquaense and P. ca l v i ni are very similar. They differ mostly in the colour of their legs and their relative size. Plesianthidium neli is smaller than P. namaquaense and has black legs. Small differences occur between the male terminalia of P. ne l i and P. calvini , but not between P. neli and P. namaquaense .

Description. Female. Lengths: face 2.7–3.1 mm; scutum 2.2–2.5 mm; forewing 6.3–7.2 mm; body 8.1–10.2 mm. Integument black, except tegula and distal margins of T1–T5 translucent orange ( Fig. 27 a). Pubescence white (including scopa), except for vertex and scutum orangish ( Figs 27 a, b); scopa whitish; metasomal terga without distal fasciae. Preoccipital ridge rounded; distance between lateral ocellus and preoccipital ridge 1.5x ocellar diameter; supraclypeus convex; clypeus gently convex, ventral region not modified, ventral edge crenulate, sparsely punctate, shiny between punctures; mandible with two distinct teeth and three small teeth; maxillary palpus 2-segmented; scutum densely but not contiguously punctate, shiny between punctures; tegula sparsely punctate medially; propodeum glabrous medioventrally; T2–T3 punctate distally; T6 not expanded laterally, without mediolongitudinal carina.

Male. Lengths: face 2.3–3.0 mm; scutum 1.9–2.6 mm; forewing 6.6–8.0 mm; body 7.4–9.5 mm. Integument black, except tegula and distal margins of T1–T5 translucent orange ( Fig. 27 c). Pubescence white, except for vertex and scutum orangish ( Figs 27 c, d); metasomal terga without distal fasciae. Preoccipital ridge rounded; distance between lateral ocellus and preoccipital ridge 1.5x ocellar diameter; supraclypeus distinctly convex; clypeus distinctly convex, densely punctate, but a little less dense medioventrally; mandible with three distinct teeth; maxillary palpus 2-segmented; scutum densely punctate medially, dull between punctures; tegula densely punctate; propodeum mostly punctate, impunctate medioventrally; hind trochanter without ventral spine; T6 without mediolongitudinal carina, with large posteromedially tubercle, with distinct lateral spines, without impunctate distal margin, without distal flange ( Fig. 28 a); T7 posterior edge tridentate moderately large lateral and median teeth, all spines narrow, median truncate, lateral pointed ( Figs 28 a, b); S4 without apicomedian comb; S5 posterior edge shallowly concave; S6 broadly convex ( Fig. 28 c); S7 disc short, with broad, rounded posterior concavity ( Fig. 28 d); S8 with disc long, strongly concave posterolaterally, truncate posteromedially, sides straight ( Fig. 28 e); gonostylus concave apicolaterally ( Fig. 28 f).

Distribution ( Fig. 29 ). This species is mostly known from Namaqualand. It also occurs in the fynbos and the cold bokkeveld, all in South Africa.

Associated plants. Anchusa capensis , Aspalathus spinescens , Aspalathus uniflora , Hermannia marginata , Homeria miniata , Lebeckia sericea , Melolobium candicans, Prenia pallens, Papilionaceae and Fabaceae .

Material examined. Type material. Anthidium neli Brauns , male holotype: ‘Capland Stellenbosch 8 Oct. 1924 Dr. H. Brauns, Anthidium neli ♂ Type Brauns, Type? HYM0591, Anthidium neli Brauns ♂’, in TMSA.

Additional material. South Africa. Kliphoogte, 29.0656S 17.4019E, 2011. ix.14, L. Packer (1♀PC 15277 H11); Eksteenfontein, 28.8260S 17.2403E, 2008. x.10, C.D. Eardley, (1♂ SANC 19211); Eksteenfontein, W, 28.8241S 17.2330E, 2012. ix.14, C.D. Eardley, (1♂ SANC 19304); Eksteenfontein, 24 km SE, 28.9816S 17.3728E, 2008. x.9, T.L. Griswold, on Fabaceae sp. (1♂ BLCU 751622); Concordia, 29.5 km N, 29.2881S 7.9913E, 2007. ix.13, T.L. Griswold (1♂ BLCU 722797); Goegap Nature Reserve, 1985. ix.7, M. Struck (2♀ SANC 08048); Goegap Nature Reserve, 29.38S 17.59E, 1988. x.10–12, F.W. Gess (2♂ AMGC 2891, 2892); Goegap Nature Reserve (near Kraaiwater), 29.37S 18.0E, 1994. x.3–4, 1997. ix.29–x.12, F.W. Gess (2♂ 2♂ AMGC 2893, 2895, 2896, 2897); Goegap Nature Res. (hills), 29.38S 17.59E, 1992. ix.8–10, F.W. Gess (3♀ AMGC 2908, 2909, 2910); Kamieskroon, 1930. ix.1 (2♀ SAMC 006920); Kamiesberg Pass, 30.2000S 17.9833E, 1987. ix.11, 2012. ix.15, C.D. Eardley (95♀ 5♂ SANC 0 4033, 0 4040, 19312, 19310, BLCU 724939, 724941); Kamiesberg Pass, 4 km ENE Kamieskroon, 30.11S 17.59E, 1992. ix.12, F.W. Gess (1♂ AMGC 2911); Kamiesberg Pass, 30.1881S 17.9917E, 2011. ix.26, L. Packer (1♂ PC 15281 H2); Bakleikraal, Kamieskroon, 30.13S 18.03E, 1994. x.9–11, F.W. Gess (1♂ AMGC 2912); Kamiesberg and Sors Sors, between, 30.10S 18.01E, 1997. x.9, F.W. Gess (1♂ AMGC 2913); Trawal, 7 km SSE, 31.9418S 18.6207E, 2007. ix.21, T.L. Griswold (1♂ BLCU 723007); Leliefontein, 9 km N, 30.2529S 18.0512E, 2008. x.16, T.L. Griswold (1♂ BLCU 751837); Witwater, 1 km W, 30.3904S 18.1797E, 2008. x.16, T.L. Griswold (1♂ BLCU 751848); De Kruis, 3 km W, 30.3845S 18.1012E, 2007. ix.17, T.L. Griswold (1♂ BLCU 722167); Garies, 24 km SE, 30.5528S 18.139E, 2007. ix.17, T.L. Griswold (1♂ BLCU 722280); Nieuwoudtville, Wildflower Reserve East, 31.3665S 19.1478E, 2002. ix.16, M. Kuhlmann (1♂ BLCU 501783); Nieuwoudtville, 7 km W, 31.3766S 19.0193E, 2002. x.9, F.D. Parker M.E. Irwin (1♀ BLCU 24943); Papkuilsfontein, 15 km S Nieuwoudtville, 31.546S 19.15783E, 2002. x.9, F.D. Parker M.E. Irwin (2♀ BLCU 724942, 724945); Nieuwoudtville Caravan Park, 31.22S 19.07E, 1990. ix.26–30, F.W. Gess (1♂ AMGC 2898); Vanrhynsdorp, 24 km SE, waterfall, 31.7826S 18.8954E, 2007. ix.19, T.L. Griswold, on Fabaceae sp. (3♂ BLCU 722436, 722437, 722442); Nieuwoudtville Flower Reserve, 31.22.18S 19.08.58 E, 2006.ix–x, 2002.ix, 2003. ix.11,.2007, ix.17, 2010. viii.14–28, M. Kuhlmann K. Timmermann (37♀ 30♂ KC); Leliefontein, 30.23169S 18.1626E, 2002. x.9, 2003. ix.11–25, 2003. x.6, C. Mayer (7♀KC); Witwater, 30.2319S 18 135239E, 2003. ix.23, C. Mayer (1♀KC); Remhoogte, 30.2351S 18.16536E, M. Kuhlmann K. Timmermann (1♀KC); Engelspunt, near, 31.14.08S 18.58.23E, 2003. viii.30, 2003. ix.13–24, 2006. x.17, K. Timmermann (3♀ 6♂ KC); Bloemfontein, 31.73696S 19.13531E, 2005. x.13, M. Kuhlmann (2♀KC); Papkuilsfontein farm, 20km S Nieuwoudtville, 31.33.16S 19.08.31 E, 2010. viii.15, M. Kuhlmann (1♀KC); Avontuur farm, 12 km NW Nieuwoudtville, 31.16.18S 19.02.55 E, 2010. ix.14, M. Kuhlmann (1♀KC); Ouberg Pass, 27 km SE Vanrhynsdorp, 31.48.07S 18.56.00E, 2010. ix.8, M. Kuhlmann (1♀KC); Calvinia, 30 km N, 31.12.09 S 19.50.04E, M. Kulhmann (1♀KC); Algeria 10 km W Clanwilliam Road, 1987. ix.4, C.D. Eardley (2♀ SANC 04041); Klein Alexandershoek, Clanwilliam District, 32.20S 18.46E, 1987. x.8–13, 1988. x.6, F.W. Gess (1♀ 6♂ AMGC 2877, 2878, 2879, 2880, 2881, 2882, 2884); Pakhuis Pass, 32.1506S 19.0094E, 2001. ix.8, W.J. Pulawski (1♀ BLCU 843430); Pakhuis Pass, 1961. ix.1 (1♀ SAMC 006921); Clanwilliam Dam, Clanwilliam 5 km W, 32.11S 18.53E, 1988. x.3–7, F.W. Gess (1♂ AMGC 2889); Ysterfontein, 11 km W Clanwilliam Graafwater road, 32.10S 18.47E, 1990. x.2–8, F.W. Gess (1♀ 5♂ AMGC 2899, 2900, 2901, 2902, 2905, 2906); Paleisheuwel, 6–9 km N, Clanwilliam road, 32.24S 18.44E, 1987. x.13, F.W. Gess (1♂ AMGC 2890); Piekenierskloof, Paleisheuwel, 32.37S 18.57E, 1990. x.6, F.W. Gess (1♂ AMGC 2904); 18.5 km S Clanwilliam, Klawer road, 32.2S 18.50E, 1990. x.9, F.W. Gess (1♂ AMGC 2907); Graafwater road, 32.10S 18.50E, 1988. x.5–6, F.W. Gess (1♂ AMGC 2887); Die Berg, near, 32.2097S 18.7475E, 2005. ix.20, C.D. Eardley (2♂ SANC 12205, 19295); Skurfkop, near, 32.0666S 18.7166E, 2007. ix.21, C.D. Eardley (1♂ SANC 19306); Skurfkop, 0,7 km N station, 1978. x.25, V. Whitehead (1♂ SAMC 006915); Het Kruis, 1947. x.1 (1♀ 2♂ SAMC 006916); Cold Bokkeveld, Ceres District, 1934. x.15–30, Versfeld (1♀ SAMC 006922); Rooikloof farm, Sutherland district, 32.26S 20.39E, 2009. x.20, F.W. Gess (1♂ AMGC 14555); Clanwilliam, 25 km NW on Skurfkop Road, 32.0558S 18.6724E, 2007. ix.21, T. Griswold (2♀ 7♂ BLCU 722969, 722951, 722953, 722955, 722959, 722960, 722966, 722967, 722969); Welgemoed, near 20 km S Worcester, 33.7318S 19.444E, 2002. x.7, F.D. Parker M.E. Irwin (1♀ 1♂ BLCU 724944, 724940); Worcester Karoo Garden, 33.61611S 19.45083E, H.V. Daly (1f#, 1♂ CAS); Stellenbosch, 1926. x.10–21, H. Brauns (2♀ 17♂ TMSA); Stellenbosch, 1926. x.1–8, H. Brauns (1♀ SAMC 004421); Moordenaars Karoo, Swanepoel, 1952. x.1 (2♂ SAMC 006917).

Figures

FIGURE 27. Plesianthidium (Spinanthidium) neli (Brauns). a – b. Female. a. Habitus. b. Face. c – d. Male. c. Habitus. d. Face.

FIGURE 28. Plesianthidium (Spinanthidium) neli (Brauns), male. a. T 6 – T 7. b. T 7. c. S 6. d. S 7. e. S 8. f. Genitalia.

FIGURE 29. Known distribution of Plesianthidium (Spinanthidium) neli (Brauns).