Scrapter capensis ( FRIESE , 1909)

Kuhlmann, Michael, 2021, Taxonomic notes on the bee genus Scrapter LEPELETIER & SERVILLE, 1828, with a checklist to species (Hymenoptera, Anthophila, Colletidae), Linzer biologische Beiträge 53 (2), pp. 699-714 : 703

Scrapter capensis ( FRIESE, 1909)

Polyglossa capensis FRIESE, 1909: 124-125 , fig. 1. Lectotype ♁ [designated by EARDLEY 1996] (Steinkopf, South Africa) (ZMHB), examined.

Scrapter merescens COCKERELL, 1944: 405-406, Lectotype ♀ [designated here] ( Worcester , South Africa) ( NHML), examined. Syn. nov.

Scrapter merescens was described by COCKERELL (1944) based on seven females and was later synonymized with S. leonis COCKERELL by DAVIES & BROTHERS (2006). They examined a single female syntype labelled by Cockerell as " Scrapter merescens Ckll. TYPE". According to DALY & ELSE (1988) specimens bearing such a label should be regarded as holotypes or be chosen as lectotype when a description is based on multiple specimens.

Examination of all seven females showed that COCKERELL (1944) described S. merescens based on a mixed series of five females of S. leonis and two females of S. capensis (FRIESE) with one of the latter specimens labelled as "TYPE" by Cockerell. Apparently DAVIES & BROTHERS (2006) misidentified this specimen and hence erroneously synonymized S. merescens with S. leonis . To fix the identity of S. merescens and its synonymy with S. capensis I here designate a lectotype. The female is labelled as follows (top to bottom): ♀ Scrapter leonis Cockerell, Det. : G. Davies, 2005 / Syntype / (handwriting Cockerell): Scrapter merescens Ckll. TYPE / Worcester: Cape Province. Sept. 1928. / S. Africa. R.E. Turner. Brit. Mus. 1928 – 457. / B.M. TYPE HYM. 17a 2740 / NHMUK010576248 / LECTOTYPE ♀ Scrapter merescens Ckll., M. Kuhlmann det. 2019 / Scrapter capensis (Fr.) ♀, M. Kuhlmann det. 2019.