Sphex tomentosus Fabricius, 1787

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 : 50-56

Sphex tomentosus Fabricius, 1787

Figs 56 (red), 57, 60–61

Sphex tomentosus Fabricius, 1787: 274 (holotype: ♂, Sierra Leone, Pflug leg., ZMUC, not examined).

Sphex tuberculatus F. Smith, 1873: 291 , ♀. Junior primary homonym of Sphex tuberculatus de Villers, 1789 (now in Cerceris Latreille, 1802 ). Synonymized with Sphex tomentosus by van der Vecht 1961: 29.

Differential diagnosis

This species ( Fig. 57 ) can easily be distinguished from other members of the argentatus group through the uniformly rich golden facial setae present in both sexes. Males also possess a distinct edge on tergum VII ( Fig. 60 ) that is unique among all African Sphex , as well as conspicuously heart-shaped valvicepes ( Figs 60–61 ).

Material examined

AFRICA • 1 ♀; Jan. 1891; NRS • 2 ♀♀; Région des Lacs; Sagona leg.; MRAC .

ANGOLA – Cuanza Sul Province • 1 ♀; Congulu ; [11°17ʹ03ʺ S, 15°45ʹ08ʺ E]; Apr. 1934; K. Jordan leg.; BMNH . – Huambo Province • 1 ♂; Mt Lubiri , 6 mi. NW of Alto Hama; [12°09ʹ02ʺ S, 15°29ʹ35ʺ E]; 7 Mar. 1972; BMNH .

CAMEROON – Adamawa Region • 1 ♀; SE of Ngaoundéré, ranch ; [7°08ʹ N, 13°42ʹ E]; 9–12 May 2006; J. Oehlke leg.; coll. Jacobs. – East Province • 1 ♀; D’Ja Posten ; 3.15° N, 13.30° E; 15 May–1 Jul. 1936; F.G. Merfield leg.; BMNH . – Littoral Region • 2 ♀♀; Douala ; [4°03ʹ N, 9°41ʹ E]; v. Rothkirch leg.; DEI . – West Region • 2 ♀♀; Dschang ; [5°27ʹ N, 10°04ʹ E]; v. Rothkirch leg.; DEI .

CENTRAL AFRICAN REPUBLIC • 1 ♀; M. Boulard leg.; MNHN. – Ouham-Pendé • 1 ♀; Bozoum ; [6°19ʹ02ʺ N, 16°22ʹ42ʺ E]; 11–20 Apr. 1914; G. Tessmann leg.; ZMB • 1 ♀; same collection data as for preceding but 1–10 May 1914; ZMB .

DEMOCRATIC REPUBLIC OF THE CONGO • 1 ♀; “ Kolo-Koilu-Madiata ”; Sep. 1913; R. Verschueren leg.; MRAC • 1 ♀; “ Kwango : Pangi ”; 17 Feb. 1939; Mevr. Bequaert leg.; MRAC • 1 ♀; “ Mulu sur Lua (Ubangi)”; 1931; Van Gils leg.; MRAC • 1 ♀; “ Sankuru ”; 1910; Abrassart leg.; MRAC • 1 ♀; Iringui [Kasai?]; Lindemans leg.; MRAC • 1 ♀; Katanga , Katampe; Jan. 1926; Ch. Seydel leg.; MRAC. – Bas- Uele • 1 ♀; Api ; [3°40ʹ N, 25°27ʹ E]; 29 Oct.1909; Laplume leg.; MRAC • 1 ♂; Bambesa ; [3°28ʹ N, 25°43ʹ E]; 15 Sep. 1933; H.J. Brédo leg.; MRAC • 1 ♀; same collection data as for preceding but Feb. 1934; MRAC • 2 ♂♂; same locality as for preceding; 6 Jul. 1937; J. Vrydagh leg.; MRAC • 3 ♂♂; same collection data as for preceding but 29 Aug. 1943; MRAC • 1 ♀; same collection data as for preceding but 1 Sep. 1943; MRAC • 1 ♂; same locality as for preceding; 9 May 1938; P. Henrard leg.; MRAC • 1 ♂; same collection data as for preceding but May 1938; MRAC • 1 ♀; Buta ; [2°48ʹ N, 24°47ʹ E]; 1932; R.F.J. Hutsebaut leg.; MRAC • 1 ♂, 21 ♀♀; Poko ; 3°10ʹ N, 26°50ʹ E; Aug. 1913; Lang and Chapin leg.; AMNH • 1 ♀; same locality as for preceding; [3°09ʹ N, 26°53ʹ E]; Floridon leg.; MRAC. – Haut- Katanga • 1 ♂, 1 ♀; Elisabethville [now Lubumbashi] ; [11°40ʹ S, 27°29ʹ E]; 16 Sep. 1932; de Loose leg.; MRAC • 2 ♂♂; same collection data as for preceding but Feb. 1933; MRAC • 1 ♀; same locality as for preceding; Jun. 1949; Ch. Seydel leg.; MRAC. – Haut-Lomami • 1 ♀; Kabongo ; [7°19ʹ S, 25°35ʹ E]; 5 Jan. 1953; Ch. Seydel leg.; MRAC • 1 ♀; Kaniama ; [7°31ʹ S, 24°11ʹ E]; 1931; R. Massart leg.; MRAC • 1 ♀; same collection data as for preceding but 1932; MRAC • 1 ♀; Kanonga (675 m), P.N.U. [Upemba National Park] ; [9°09ʹ S, 26°05ʹ E]; 14–23 Feb. 1949; G.F. de Witte leg.; MRAC • 2 ♀♀; Mato ; [8°01ʹ S, 24°55ʹ23ʺ E]; 8 Dec. 1912; Ch. Seydel leg.; MRAC. – Haut-Uele • 1 ♀; “P.N.G., Miss. H. De Saeger” [ Garamba National Park ]; [4°00ʹ N, 29°15ʹ E]; 10 Oct. 1951; H. De Saeger leg.; MRAC • 1 ♀; same collection data as for preceding but Nov. 1951; MRAC • 1 ♀; Bafwabaca ; 2°10ʹ N, 27°30ʹ E; Jan. 1910; Lang and Chapin leg.; AMNH • 1 ♀; Faradje ; 3°40ʹ N, 29°40ʹ E; Nov. 1912; Lang and Chapin leg.; AMNH • 1 ♀; Medje ; 2°25ʹ N, 27°15ʹ E; 19 Jul. 1910; Lang and Chapin leg.; AMNH • 4 ♂♂, 1 ♀; same collection data as for preceding but Sep. 1910; AMNH • 3 ♀♀; same collection data as for preceding but Jun. 1914; AMNH • 1 ♀; same collection data as for preceding but 9–15 Jul. 1910; AMNH • 1 ♀; Moto ; [2°54ʹ17ʺ N, 29°27ʹ22ʺ E]; 1920; L. Burgeon leg.; MRAC. – Ituri Province • 1 ♀; Adranga [Aturu?]; [2°54ʹ01ʺ N, 30°25ʹ14ʺ E]; 8 Aug. 1931; H.J. Brédo leg.; MRAC • 2 ♀♀; Lula (Kasai); [7°43ʹ51ʺ S, 22°51ʹ56ʺ E]; 1958; A.J. Jobaert leg.; MRAC • 1 ♀; Luluabourg [now Kananga] ; [5°53ʹ46ʺ S, 22°24ʹ59ʺ E]; Aug. 1956; M. Poll leg.; MRAC. – Kasaï-Oriental • 1 ♀; Lukenge ; [6°14ʹ S, 23°26ʹ E]; Fontainas leg.; MRAC. – Kinshasa • 1 ♀; Leopoldville [now Kinshasa] ; [4°19ʹ39ʺ S, 15°18ʹ48ʺ E]; 1911; Mouchet leg.; MRAC • 1 ♀; same collection data as for preceding; MRAC. – Kongo Central • 1 ♀; “ Mayumbe : Buende-Suindi ”; 15 May 1926; A. Collart leg.; MRAC • 1 ♀; Camp de Lukula ; [5°23ʹ S, 12°57ʹ E]; 1911; Daniel leg.; MRAC • 1 ♀; Kisantu ; [5°07ʹ29ʺ S, 15°04ʹ49ʺ E]; P. Regnier leg.; MRAC • 1 ♀; Lukunga ; [4°38ʹ40ʺ S, 13°47ʹ16ʺ E]; 28 Oct. 1968; P.M. Elsen leg.; MRAC • 4 ♀♀; Mayidi ; [5°11ʹ13ʺ S, 15°09ʹ17ʺ E]; 1942; R.P. Van Eyen leg.; MRAC • 1 ♀; Mayumbe ; [4°30ʹ S, 12°30ʹ E]; R. Verschueren leg.; MRAC. – Kwango • 1 ♀; Kasongo-Lunda ; [6°28ʹ42ʺ S, 16°49ʹ02ʺ E]; Mar. 1971; V. Van Haelst leg.; MRAC. – Kwilu Province • 1 ♀; Gingungi ; [5°24ʹ17ʺ S, 17°55ʹ17ʺ E]; 1931; MRAC • 1 ♀; Kikwit ; [5°02ʹ S, 18°49ʹ E]; Nov. 1920; P. Vanderijst leg.; MRAC • 1 ♀; Mwilambongo (Idiofa); [4°56ʹ36ʺ S, 19°48ʹ18ʺ E]; 1947; Soeur Imelda leg.; MRAC. – Lomami • 1 ♀; Kabinda ; [6°08ʹ S, 24°29ʹ E]; 1935; P. Henrard leg.; MRAC • 1 ♀; Kaniana ; [6°46ʹ23ʺ S, 23°50ʹ58ʺ E]; Jan. 1931; R. Massart leg.; MRAC. – Lualaba • 1 ♀; Bunkeya ; [10°24ʹ S, 26°58ʹ E]; Oct. 1907; S.A. Neave leg.; MRAC • 1 ♀; Kafakumba ; [9°40ʹ35.9ʺ S, 23°45ʹ40.3ʺ E]; DEI • 1 ♂, 6 ♀♀; Kapanga ; [8°21ʹ S, 22°34ʹ E]; Oct. 1932; F.G. Overlaet leg.; MRAC • 11 ♀♀; same collection data as for preceding but Nov. 1932; MRAC • 1 ♀; same collection data as for preceding but 3 Dec. 1932; MRAC • 2 ♀♀; same collection data as for preceding but 8 Dec. 1932; MRAC • 2 ♀♀; same collection data as for preceding but Jan. 1933; MRAC • 2 ♀♀; same collection data as for preceding but Feb. 1933; MRAC • 1 ♀; same collection data as for preceding but Oct. 1933; MRAC • 1 ♀; same collection data as for preceding but 1934; MRAC • 1 ♂; same collection data as for preceding but Feb. 1934; MRAC • 1 ♀; Lulua , Luashi; [10°55ʹ41ʺ S, 23°36ʹ28ʺ E]; 1935; F. Freyne leg.; MRAC • 1 ♀; same collection data as for preceding but 1936; MRAC • 1 ♀; Sandoa ; [9°41ʹ S, 22°53ʹ E]; 20 Mar. 1919; F.G. Overlaet leg.; MRAC. – Mongala Province • 1 ♀; Yambata ; [2°25ʹ44ʺ N, 21°57ʹ46ʺ E]; Feb.–Mar. 1914; De Giorgi leg.; MRAC. – Nord-Ubangi • 1 ♂; Abumombazi ; [3°41ʹ17ʺ N, 22°09ʹ14ʺ E]; 22 Feb. 1932; H.J. Brédo leg.; MRAC • 1 ♀; same collection data as for preceding but 23 Feb. 1932; MRAC • 1 ♀; same collection data as for preceding but 18–26 Feb. 1932; MRAC • 1 ♀; Bosobolo ; [4°11ʹ23ʺ N, 19°52ʹ59ʺ E]; 8–11 Jan. 1932; H.J. Brédo leg.; MRAC • 1 ♀; Karawa ; [3°19ʹ55ʺ N, 20°18ʹ03ʺ E]; 1936; Wallin leg.; MRAC. – North Kivu • 1 ♀; Beni ; [0°29ʹ N, 29°28ʹ E]; Jul. 1911; Borgerhoff leg.; MRAC • 1 ♀; same locality as for preceding; Feb. 1931; L. Lebrun leg.; MRAC • 1 ♀; Mulo ; [0°07ʹ39ʺ S, 29°16ʹ02ʺ E]; Apr. 1950; R.P. Celis leg.; MRAC • 1 ♀; Mutwanga , Semliki; [0°20ʹ18ʺ N, 29°44ʹ46ʺ E]; Jul. 1932; Van Hoof leg.; MRAC • 1 ♂, 1 ♀; W. Ruwenzori , Albert National Park ; [0°29ʹ19ʺ N, 29°50ʹ57ʺ E]; Mar.1937; Hackars leg.; MRAC.– Province of Équateur • 1 ♂; Coquilhatville [now Mbandaka]; [0°03ʹ N, 12°57ʹ E]; 1946; Ch. Scops leg.; MRAC • 1 ♀; same locality as for preceding; 10 May 1931; H.J. Brédo leg.; MRAC • 1 ♂; Eala ; [0°02ʹ30ʺ N, 18°20ʹ06ʺ E]; 2 Oct. 1931; H.J. Brédo leg.; MRAC • 1 ♀; same collection data as for preceding but 3 Oct. 1931; MRAC • 1 ♀; same collection data as for preceding but 7 Oct. 1931; MRAC • 1 ♀; same collection data as for preceding but 13 Oct. 1931; MRAC • 1 ♀; same collection data as for preceding but 20 Oct. 1931; MRAC • 1 ♀; same collection data as for preceding but Nov. 1931; MRAC • 1 ♀; same collection data as for preceding but 5 Nov. 1931; MRAC • 2 ♀♀; same collection data as for preceding but 14 Nov. 1931; MRAC • 1 ♀; same collection data as for preceding but 21 Nov. 1931; MRAC • 2 ♀♀; same collection data as for preceding but Mar. 1932; MRAC • 2 ♀♀; same collection data as for preceding but Apr. 1932; MRAC • 1 ♀; same collection data as for preceding but 22 Apr. 1932; MRAC • 1 ♀; same collection data as for preceding but May 1932; MRAC • 2 ♂♂, 3 ♀♀; same locality as for preceding; Jun. 1932; A. Corbisier leg.; MRAC • 1 ♀; same collection data as for preceding but 7 Jul. 1932; MRAC • 1 ♂, 1 ♀; same locality as for preceding; May 1935; J. Ghesquière leg.; MRAC • 1 ♀; same collection data as for preceding but Jul. 1936; MRAC • 1 ♀; same collection data as for preceding but Aug. 1936; MRAC • 1 ♀; same collection data as for preceding but Dec. 1936; MRAC • 1 ♀; Flandria ; [0°19ʹ14ʺ S, 19°05ʹ34ʺ E]; 23 Aug. 1930; R.P.G. Hulstaert leg.; MRAC • 1 ♀; same collection data as for preceding but 1935; MRAC • 1 ♀; Ikengé ; [0°06ʹ S, 18°46ʹ E]; 1 Apr. 1914; R. Mayné leg.; MRAC • 1 ♀; Lukolela ; [1°03ʹ37ʺ S, 17°10ʹ55ʺ E]; De Guide leg.; MRAC • 1 ♀; Nouvelle Anvers [now Makanza] ; 1°40ʹ N, 19°10ʹ E; 24–31 Jul. 1909; Lang and Chapin leg.; AMNH. – Sankuru • 4 ♀♀; Batempas ; [4°56ʹ S, 23°42ʹ E]; Jan. 1926; Ch. Seydel leg.; MRAC • 1 ♀; Komi ; [3°34ʹ S, 23°16ʹ E]; Apr. 1930; J. Ghesquière leg.; MRAC • 2 ♀♀; same collection data as for preceding but May 1930; MRAC • 1 ♀; same collection data as for preceding but Jul. 1930; MRAC • 1 ♀; Lonkala , forest; [4°37ʹ S, 23°13ʹ E]; Apr. 1925; J. Ghesquière leg.; MRAC • 1 ♀; Niengele ; Jan. 1926; Ch. Seydel leg.; MRAC. – Sud-Ubangi • 1 ♀; Binga ; [2°22ʹ N, 20°29ʹ E]; Jan.–Mar. 1932; H.J. Brédo leg.; MRAC. – Tanganyika • 2 ♀♀; “ Lukuga r. Njemba ”; [5°40ʹ S, 27°55ʹ E]; Nov. 1917 – Jan. 1918; Pons leg.; MRAC • 1 ♀; Nyunzu ; [5°57ʹ S, 28°01ʹ E]; Jan.–Feb. 1934; H. De Saeger leg.; MRAC • 1 ♀; Vallée Lukuga ; [5°39ʹ31ʺ S, 26°54ʹ53ʺ E]; Nov. 1931; Schwetz leg.; MRAC. – Tshopo • 1 ♀; Avakubi ; 1°20ʹ N, 27°31ʹ E; 4–8 Oct. 1909; Lang and Chapin leg.; AMNH • 1 ♀; same collection data as for preceding but 12 Oct. 1909; AMNH • 1 ♀; Basoko ; [1°13ʹ N, 23°36ʹ E]; 1927; H.J. Brédo leg.; MRAC • 1 ♀; Basoko , Jaebeo [?]; Apr. 1949; P.L.G. Benoit leg.; MRAC • 1 ♀; Stanleyville [now Kisangani] ; 0°30ʹ N, 25°10ʹ E; 5 Sep. 1909; Lang and Chapin leg.; AMNH • 1 ♀; same collection data as for preceding but Mar. 1915; AMNH • 2 ♀♀; same collection data as for preceding but Apr. 1915; AMNH • 1 ♂; same collection data as for preceding but 4 Apr. 1915; AMNH • 1 ♀; same collection data as for preceding but 13 Apr. 1915; AMNH • 1 ♀; same collection data as for preceding but May 1915; AMNH • 1 ♀; Stanleyville [now Kisangani] ; [0°30ʹ55ʺ N, 25°11ʹ27ʺ E]; Apr. 1915; J. Bequaert leg.; MRAC • 1 ♀; same locality as for preceding; 20 Feb. 1928; A. Collart leg.; MRAC • 1 ♂; same collection data as for preceding but Sep. 1928; MRAC • 1 ♂; same collection data as for preceding but 6–9 Sep. 1928; MRAC • 2 ♂♂; same collection data as for preceding but 10–13 Sep. 1928; MRAC • 1 ♀; same locality as for preceding; 10 Feb. 1932; J. Vrydagh leg.; MRAC • 1 ♀; same collection data as for preceding but Jun. 1932; MRAC • 1 ♂; same collection data as for preceding but 26 Jul. 1932; MRAC • 1 ♀; same locality as for preceding; Mar. 1926; J. Ghesquière leg.; MRAC • 1 ♀; Yangambi ; [0°46ʹ N, 24°27ʹ E]; 17 Jun. 1948; P.L.G. Benoit leg.; MRAC • 1 ♀; same locality as for preceding; May 1960; J. Decelle leg.; MRAC. – Tshuapa • 1 ♀; Bokuma ; [0°06ʹ S, 18°41ʹ E]; 1952; R.P. Lootens leg.; MRAC • 1 ♀; same collection data as for preceding but Mar. 1952; MRAC • 1 ♀; same collection data as for preceding but Jun. 1952; MRAC • 4 ♀♀; same collection data as for preceding but Jul. 1952; MRAC • 1 ♂, 1 ♀; same collection data as for preceding but 1953; MRAC • 1 ♀; same collection data as for preceding but Mar. 1954; MRAC • 1 ♀; Bokungu ; [0°41ʹ S, 22°19ʹ E]; 1949; M. Dupuis leg.; MRAC • 2 ♀♀; Ikela ; [1°11ʹ S, 23°16ʹ E]; 1955; R.P. Lootens leg.; MRAC • 1 ♀; Moma ; [1°05ʹ S, 23°23ʹ E]; Jun. 1925; J. Ghesquière leg.; MRAC .

ERITREA • 1 ♀; DEI .

GABON – Ogooué-Maritime Province • 1 ♀; 100 km S of Libreville, Bassin de la Bilagore ; [0°30ʹ24.3ʺ S, 9°30ʹ48ʺ E]; 1938; M. Dumez leg.; MNHN .

GHANA – Eastern Region • 1 ♀; Aburi; [5°50ʹ52ʺ N, 0°10ʹ28ʺ W]; W.H. Patterson leg.; BMNH . – Savannah Region • 1 ♂; Yapi [Yapei] ; [9°09ʹ08ʺ N, 1°08ʹ52ʺ W]; 1916; J.J. Simpson leg.; BMNH .

KENYA – Kilifi County • 1 ♀; Gedi Ruins, Malindi ; 3°17ʹ S, 40°02ʹ E; 8–12 Nov. 1989; A.J. Weaving leg.; AMG • 1 ♀; Rabai ; [3°55ʹ54ʺ N, 39°34ʹ13ʺ E]; Jun. 1928; V.G.L. van Someren leg.; BMNH . – Kwale County • 1 ♀; Diani Beach ; [4°16ʹ47ʺ S, 39°35ʹ40ʺ E]; Dec. 1951; N.L.H. Krauss leg.; BMNH . – Taita-Taveta County • 1 ♀; Voi River ; [3°23ʹ26ʺ S, 38°34ʹ37ʺ E]; 14 Apr. 2007; M. Halada leg.; OÖLM .

MALAWI – Central Region • 1 ♂; Nkhotakota; [12°56ʹ S, 34°18ʹ E]; 2 Jan. 2002; J. Halada leg.; OÖLM . – Southern Region • 1 ♀; Mlanje ; [16°01ʹ53ʺ S, 35°30ʹ E]; 19 May 1913; S.A. Neave leg.; BMNH .

MALI – Koulikoro Region • 1 ♂; Kati 25 km N of Bamako; [12°44ʹ48ʺ N, 8°04ʹ17ʺ W]; 28 Jul. 1991; M. Schwarz leg.; OÖLM .

MOZAMBIQUE – Maputo City • 1 ♂; Maputo ; [25°58ʹ S, 32°35ʹ E]; 12 Feb. 1994; G.G.M. Schulten leg.; RMNH . – Sofala Province • 1 ♀; Beira ; [19°50ʹ S, 34°51ʹ E]; 1 Aug. 1903; P. Krantz leg.; TMP .

NIGERIA – Osun State • 1 ♀; Ile-Ife ; [7°28ʹ56ʺ N, 4°33ʹ37ʺ E]; 25 Jan. 1974; J.T. Medler leg.; BMNH . – Oyo State • 1 ♂; Ibadan ; [7°22ʹ39ʺ N, 3°54ʹ21ʺ E]; “ii/ vii/47 ”; J.T. Medler leg.; BMNH .

REPUBLIC OF CÔTE D’IVOIRE – Lagunes District • 1 ♀; Lamto Ecological Research Station ; [6°13ʹ29.5ʺ N, 5°02ʹ4.8ʺ W]; 15–30 Mar. 1994; C. Girard leg.; MNHN .

REPUBLIC OF THE CONGO – Brazzaville Department • 1 ♀; Brazzaville ; [4°16ʹ04ʺ S, 15°17ʹ31ʺ E]; 21 Mar. 1966; MNHN . – Plateaux Department • 1 ♀; Batéké, MʹPo ; [2°00ʹ43.8ʺ S, 16°18ʹ30.7ʺ E]; 10– 14 Jan. 1977; S. Kellner-Pillaut leg.; MNHN . – Pool Department • 1 ♀; Kintelé ; [4°09ʹ S, 15°20ʹ32ʺ E]; 11 May 1978; G. Onore leg.; MNHN • 1 ♀; Mbé ; [3°18ʹ13.68ʺ S, 15°53ʹ51ʺ E]; 27 Apr. 1973; C. Morin leg.; MNHN • 1 ♀; Voka ; [4°40ʹ16ʺ S, 14°40ʹ25ʺ E]; 11 Nov. 1976; G. Onore leg.; MNHN .

SÃO TOMÉ AND PRÍNCIPE • 1 ♂, 2 ♀♀; Ile San Thomé ; [0°20ʹ11ʺ N, 6°43ʹ38ʺ E]; 14 Sep. 1924; H. De Saeger leg.; MRAC • 1 ♀; same collection data as for preceding but 19 Sep. 1924; MRAC • 1 ♀; same collection data as for preceding but 1932; MRAC • 2 ♂♂, 5 ♀♀; same collection data as for preceding; MRAC • 1 ♂; same locality as for preceding; 1919–1921; H.J. Snell leg.; BMNH .

SIERRA LEONE • 1 ♀, holotype or syntype of Sphex tuberculatus F. Smith, 1873 ; BMNH • 1 ♀; Bumbumbo ; 15 Aug. 1912; J.J. Simpson leg.; BMNH. – Western Area • 1 ♀; Freetown ; [8°29ʹ04ʺ N, 13°14ʹ04ʺ W]; E.E. Austen leg.; BMNH .

SOUTH AFRICA – Eastern Cape • 1 ♂; Sundays River ; 25 Feb. 1901; O’Neil leg.; TMP. – KwaZulu- Natal • 1 ♀; Fanies Island ; 28°06ʹ S, 32°26ʹ E; AMG • 1 ♀; Lake St Lucia, False Bay ; 27°58ʹ S, 32°23ʹ E; 27 Jan.–2 Feb. 1993; A.J. Weaving leg.; AMG • 1 ♀; Lake St Lucia, Fanies Island ; 28°06ʹ S, 32°26ʹ E; 4–5 Mar. 1987; A.J. Weaving leg.; AMG . – Limpopo • 1 ♀; Lekgalameetse Nature Reserve ; 24°11ʹ S, 30°21ʹ E; 30 Oct.–3 Nov 2010; F. Koch leg.; THD-006-ZMB ; GenBank CO1 gene: MW538551 ; GenBank EF-1α gene: MW558239 ; GenBank LWR gene: MW582284 ; ZMB • 1 ♀; Sikororo [Ga- Sekororo]; [24°12ʹ27.6ʺ S, 30°24ʹ33.3ʺ E]; Jul. 1922; G.P.F. v. Dam leg.; TMP .

TANZANIA – Kagera Region • 1 ♂; Bukoba ; [1°19ʹ54ʺ S, 31°48ʹ44ʺ E]; 9–11 Jun. 1912; C.C. Gowdey leg.; BMNH . – Kilimanjaro Region • 1 ♂; Kilimanjaro; [3°04ʹ33ʺ S, 37°21ʹ12ʺ E]; Y. Sjöstedt leg.; NRS . – Pwani Region • 1 ♀; 15 km W of Kibiti; 7°47ʹ S, 38°49ʹ E; 15 Jan. 2007; J. Halada leg.; OÖLM . – Shinyanga Region • 2 ♂♂; 100 km NWW of Kahama ; 3°25ʹ S, 31°47ʹ E; 24 Dec. 2006; J. Halada leg.; OÖLM .

UGANDA – Central Region • 1 ♂; Entebbe ; [0°03ʹ N, 32°27ʹ36ʺ E]; 2 Apr. 1910; BMNH • 1 ♂; same locality as for preceding; 15–22 Jun. 1912; C.C. Gowdey leg.; BMNH .

ZAMBIA – North-Western Province • 2 ♂♂, 3 ♀♀; 150 km S of Mwinilunga; 13°11ʹ S, 24°14ʹ E; 18 Oct. 2008; M. Halada leg.; OÖLM .

Description

Female

SIZE. 23.9–28.8 mm.

COLOR. Black except for the following, which are ferruginous: hindcoxa ventrally, hindtrochanter ventrally, hindfemur and proximal four-fifths of hindtibia. Cellular wing area hyaline, forewing with slightly fuscous spot beyond marginal cell.

VESTITURE. Appressed and erect setae on clypeus and paraocular area golden, on collar and scutum brownish-golden. Appressed setae on propodeal enclosure silvery, erect setae silvery-golden. Erect propodeal setae crimped, oriented posteriorly. Clypeus without glabrous stripe. Scutellum densely and finely pubescent.

STRUCTURE. Free clypeal margin with broad, shovel-like process medially, not stepped above. Clypeus without indentation and carina. Scutellum convex. Metanotum raised, 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 2.1–2.6 × length of antepenultimate spine. Petiole length 3.4–3.6× its medial width.

Male

SIZE. 21.8–24.1 mm.

COLOR. Black except for the following, which are ferruginous: hindcoxa ventrally, hindtrochanter ventrally, hindfemur and proximal four-fifths of hindtibia. Cellular wing area hyaline, forewing with slightly fuscous spot beyond marginal cell.

VESTITURE. Appressed and erect setae on clypeus and paraocular area golden, on collar and scutum brownish-golden. Appressed setae on propodeal enclosure silvery, erect setae silvery-golden. Erect propodeal setae crimped, oriented posteriorly. Clypeus without glabrous stripe. Scutellum densely and finely pubescent.

STRUCTURE. Free clypeal margin simple. Scutellum convex. Metanotum raised, notably bituberculate. 2 nd recurrent vein joins markedly proximal from interstitium between submarginal cells II and III. Propodeal enclosure without any notable ridges. Metasomal tergum VII dorsally stepped, with curved long setae, its posterior margin convex. Posterior margin of metasomal sternum VII simple. Metasomal sternum VIII concave towards center, its posterior margin triangular. Penis valvae fused, dorsoventrally S-shaped, mediolaterally with long and thin process. Valviceps broadened, dorsally open and elongated towards anterior. Petiole length 3.4–3.6 × its medial width. Flagellomeres IV–VI with broad placoids covering their entire length.

Variation

In some males, the facial and propodeal setae are on the verge of being silvery.

Distribution

Western to eastern and southeastern Africa.

Figures

Figs 49–56. 49. Sphex fumicatus Christ, 1791, habitus of ♀. 50. S. lanatus Mocsáry, 1883, habitus of ♀. 51. S. rufinervis Pérez, 1895, habitus of ♂. 52. S. taschenbergi Magretti, 1884, habitus of ♀. 53. S. fumicatus, frontal view of ♀. 54. S. taschenbergi, frontal view of ♀. 55. Geographic distribution of S. lanatus (red), S. rufinervis (blue) and S. taschenbergi (yellow). 56. Geographic distribution of S. tomentosus Fabricius, 1787 (red) and S. torridus F. Smith, 1873 (blue).

Figs 57–62. 57, 60–61. Sphex tomentosus Fabricius, 1787, ♂. 58. S. torridus F. Smith, 1873, habitus of ♀. 59. S. voeltzkowii Kohl, 1909, habitus of ♂. 57. Habitus. 60. Dorsal view of genitalia. 61. Lateral view of penis valvae. 62. Geographic distribution of S. voeltzkowii (red), S. caeruleanus Drury, 1773 (blue), S. mweruensis (Arnold, 1947) (yellow) and S. hades sp. nov. (purple).