Sphex caeruleanus Drury, 1773

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 : 60-65

publication ID

https://doi.org/ 10.5852/ejt.2022.796.1665

publication LSID

lsid:zoobank.org:pub:76C5C9C4-C6C1-4EDC-8FF8-9828A6EF2040

DOI

https://doi.org/10.5281/zenodo.6535794

persistent identifier

https://treatment.plazi.org/id/03C20928-FFAA-FFE3-4273-134A38220F94

treatment provided by

Felipe

scientific name

Sphex caeruleanus Drury, 1773
status

 

Sphex caeruleanus Drury, 1773

Figs 62 View Figs 57–62. 57, 60–61 (blue), 63, 67

Sphex caeruleanus Drury, 1773: 74 , pl. 39 fig. 4, ♀ (holotype: ♀, Africa, Bite of Benin, destroyed?).

Sphex pulchripennis Mocsáry, 1883: 35 , ♀ (holotype or syntype: ♀, Ghana, Ashanti Region, no specific locality, TMB, not examined). Synonymized with Sphex caeruleanus by Menke in Bohart & Menke 1976: 114.

Differential diagnosis

This species is characterized by its large size, predominantly greenish wing iridescence and uniformly black erect mesosomal setae ( Fig. 63 View Figs 63–71. 63, 67 ). All other members of the group have a body length of less than 26 mm, and most of the time their wing iridescence is mainly violet or cyan-violet. Furthermore, female specimens are identifiable through their largely black clypeus, which is often ferruginous medially near the free margin and covered with appressed silvery setae ( Fig. 67 View Figs 63–71. 63, 67 ). Sphex victoria sp. nov. ( Fig. 35 View Figs 33–40. 33–37 ) and S. mweruensis ( Fig. 68 View Figs 63–71. 63, 67 ), both of which sport silvery appressed clypeal setae in the female sex, have the clypeus almost or entirely ferruginous.

Males of S. caeruleanus differ from other group members in having the width of the process at the free clypeal margin 0.15–0.2× the distance between the inner orbits at the clypeal center and concavely emarginate apically. Sphex mweruensis is similar in the shape of its free clypeal margin and process, and can have the wings with a notable greenish iridescence as well, but is distinguishable through its silvery erect propodeal setae and because the width of the clypeal process is only around 0.1× the distance between the inner orbits.

Material examined

AFRICA • 1 ♀; DEI 1 ♀; IRSN 1 ♀; ZMB .

CAMEROON • 1 ♀; 6 Aug. 1923; AMNH 5 ♀♀; L. Conradt leg.; DEI 1 ♀; P. Preuss leg.; ZMB 4 ♀♀; Y. Sjöstedt leg.; NRS 1 ♀; “ Esudan-Mamfe ”; Guillemain leg.; ZMB. – East Region • 2 ♀♀; Batouri District ; 3.45° N, 13.45° E; 1 May–6 Jun. 1935; F.G. Merfield leg.; BMNH GoogleMaps 3 ♀♀; DʹJa Posten ; 3.15° N, 13.30° E GoogleMaps ; 15 May–1 Jul. 1936; F.G. Merfield leg.; BMNH. – Littoral Region • 3 ♀♀; Nlobe-Ndonga between Edéa and Douala; [3°50ʹ41.3ʺ N, 10°00ʹ07.8ʺ E]; Schäfer leg.; ZMB. – GoogleMaps South Region • 1 ♀; Ekok , 24 mi. E of Tekmo; [3°12ʹ19ʺ N, 12°25ʹ25ʺ E]; 11–12 Oct. 1966; E.S. Ross and K. Lorenzen leg.; CAS GoogleMaps 1 ♀; Longji ; [3°04ʹ40.7ʺ N, 9°58ʹ29.1ʺ E]; H. Paschen leg.; ZMB. – GoogleMaps Southwest Region • 1 ♂; “ Johann-Albrechts-Höhe” [Government Station Johann Albrecht Mountain ]; Mar. 1896; L. Conradt leg.; ZMB 2 ♀♀; Bibundi ; [4°13ʹ09ʺ N, 8°59ʹ15ʺ E]; 1–15 Feb. 1905; G. Tessmann leg.; ZMB GoogleMaps 1 ♀; same collection data as for preceding but 15–30 Apr. 1905; ZMB GoogleMaps 1 ♀; Mukonye Farm ; [4°34ʹ39ʺ N, 9°30ʹ24ʺ E]; R. Rohde leg.; IRSN GoogleMaps 7 ♀♀; Victoria [now Limbe] ; [4°01ʹ N, 9°13ʹ E]; P. Preuss leg.; ZMB GoogleMaps .

DEMOCRATIC REPUBLIC OF THE CONGO • 1 ♀; Goosens leg.; MRAC 1 ♀; “ Kasai ”; L. Achten leg.; MRAC 1 ♀; same collection data as for preceding; MRAC 1 ♀; “ Ubangi: Tongu ”; 4 Feb. 1932; H.J. Brédo leg.; MRAC 1 ♀; Bokote “Bolete Wa Bondele” ; 24 Jan. 1926; R.P.G. Hulstaert leg.; MRAC 1 ♀; Eala-Bokatora-Bikolo ; Sep.–Oct. 1930; P. Staner leg.; MRAC 1 ♀; Kasai , Lotima; 28 Jan. 1906; Waelbroeck leg.; MRAC. – Haut-Katanga • 1 ♀; Elisabethville [now Lubumbashi] ; [11°40ʹ S, 27°29ʹ E]; 18 Mar. 1923; RMNH. – GoogleMaps Haut-Uele • 1 ♀; Medje ; 2°25ʹ N, 27°15ʹ E; 1–12 Jul. 1910; Lang and Chapin leg.; AMNH. – GoogleMaps Kinshasa • 1 ♀; Leopoldville [now Kinshasa] ; [4°19ʹ39ʺ S, 15°18ʹ48ʺ E]; L. Achten leg.; MRAC. – GoogleMaps Kongo Central • 1 ♀; Ganda-Sundi , Mayumbe; [4°52ʹ S, 12°52ʹ E]; 1915; R. Mayné leg.; MRAC GoogleMaps 1 ♀; Kinkewa ( Inkisi ); [5°05ʹ14ʺ S, 14°55ʹ35ʺ E]; Mar. 1946; V. Drachoussoff leg.; MRAC GoogleMaps 1♀; Mangembo ; [4°35ʹ04ʺ S, 14°16ʹ20ʺ E];1932; Zwolakowski leg.; MRAC GoogleMaps 10 ♀♀; Mayumbe ;[4°30ʹ S, 12°30ʹ E]; 1917; R. Mayné leg.; MRAC GoogleMaps 1 ♀; Sanda near Kisantu; [5°07ʹ32.51ʺ S, 15°04ʹ22.47ʺ E]; IRSN GoogleMaps 1 ♀; Temvo ; [5°29ʹ44ʺ S, 13°00ʹ23ʺ E]; 1935; Van Alstein leg.; MRAC GoogleMaps 2 ♀♀; Zobe ; [5°21ʹ S, 13°01ʹ E]; Jan. 1916; R. Mayné leg.; MRAC. – GoogleMaps Maniema • 1 ♀; Lokandu , Ile Biawa ; [2°31ʹ S, 25°47ʹ E]; Jul. 1939; Vissers leg.; MRAC. – GoogleMaps Mongala Province • 1 ♀; Likelé ; [2°13ʹ38ʺ N, 21°01ʹ58ʺ E]; 12 Jun. 1936; J. Ghesquière leg.; MRAC GoogleMaps 2 ♀♀; Yambata ; [2°25ʹ44ʺ N, 21°57ʹ46ʺ E]; Feb.–Mar. 1914; De Giorgi leg.; MRAC. – GoogleMaps Nord-Ubangi • 2 ♀♀; Karawa ; [3°19ʹ55ʺ N, 20°18ʹ03ʺ E]; 1937; Wallin leg.; MRAC. – GoogleMaps North Kivu • 1 ♀; Okondo (Buhunde) ; [1°17ʹ08ʺ S, 27°48ʹ18ʺ E]; 19 Sep. 1929; A. Collart leg.; MRAC GoogleMaps 1 ♀; Oso River ; [4°00ʹ N, 29°15ʹ E]; 18 Jan. 1915; J. Bequaert leg.; MRAC. – GoogleMaps Province of Équateur • 1 ♀; Bamania ; [0°01ʹ N, 18°19ʹ E]; 1934; R.Fr. Longinus leg.; MRAC GoogleMaps 5 ♀♀; Eala ; [0°02ʹ30ʺ N, 18°20ʹ06ʺ E]; 1932; A. Corbisier leg.; MRAC GoogleMaps 2 ♀♀; same collection data as for preceding but Mar. 1932; MRAC GoogleMaps 1 ♀; same collection data as for preceding but Jun. 1932; MRAC GoogleMaps 1 ♀; same collection data as for preceding but Jul. 1932; MRAC GoogleMaps 3 ♀♀; same collection data as for preceding but Apr. 1933; MRAC GoogleMaps 1 ♀; same collection data as for preceding but Mar. 1935; MRAC GoogleMaps 1 ♀; same locality as for preceding; Oct. 1929; H.J. Brédo leg.; MRAC GoogleMaps 1 ♀; same collection data as for preceding but 5 Nov. 1931; MRAC GoogleMaps 1 ♀; same collection data as for preceding but Apr. 1932; MRAC GoogleMaps 1 ♀; same collection data as for preceding but 4 Apr. 1932; MRAC GoogleMaps 1 ♀; same collection data as for preceding but May 1932; MRAC GoogleMaps 4 ♀♀; same locality as for preceding; May 1935; J. Ghesquière leg.; MRAC GoogleMaps 1 ♀; same collection data as for preceding but Jan. 1936; MRAC GoogleMaps 1 ♀; same collection data as for preceding but Apr. 1936; MRAC GoogleMaps 1 ♀; same collection data as for preceding but Jul. 1936; MRAC GoogleMaps 1 ♀; same collection data as for preceding but Aug. 1936; MRAC GoogleMaps 1 ♀; same collection data as for preceding but Oct. 1936; MRAC GoogleMaps 1 ♀; same collection data as for preceding but Nov. 1936; MRAC GoogleMaps 1 ♀; Eala, Boyeka ; [0°02ʹ30ʺ N, 18°20ʹ06ʺ E]; 30 Nov. 1929; H.J. Brédo leg.; MRAC GoogleMaps 1 ♀; Equator station [Bolenge]   GoogleMaps ; [0°00ʹ0.36ʺ N, 18°13ʹ0.12ʺ E]; A. van Gèle leg.; IRSN 1 ♀; Flandria ; [0°19ʹ14ʺ S, 19°05ʹ34ʺ E]; Jan.–Feb. 1948; R.P.G. Hulstaert leg.; MRAC GoogleMaps 1 ♀; Ikengé ; [0°06ʹ S, 18°46ʹ E]; 1 Apr. 1914; R. Mayné leg.; MRAC GoogleMaps 1 ♀; Lukolela ; [1°03ʹ37ʺ S, 17°10ʹ55ʺ E]; Nov. 1934; Ledoux leg.; MRAC GoogleMaps 2 ♀♀; same locality as for preceding; Oct.–Dec. 1941; Breulheid leg.; MRAC. – GoogleMaps Sankuru • 4 ♀♀; Apr. 1925; J. Ghesquière leg.; MRAC GoogleMaps 1 ♀; Komi ; [3°34ʹ S, 23°16ʹ E]; 14 Mar. 1930; J. Ghesquière leg.; MRAC GoogleMaps 1 ♀; same collection data as for preceding but 26 Mar. 1930; MRAC GoogleMaps 1 ♀; same collection data as for preceding but Apr. 1930; MRAC GoogleMaps 1 ♀; same collection data as for preceding but Apr.–May 1930; MRAC GoogleMaps 11 ♀♀; same collection data as for preceding but May 1930; MRAC GoogleMaps 7 ♀♀; same collection data as for preceding but Jul. 1930; MRAC GoogleMaps 1 ♀; Komi ( Lodja ); [3°23ʹ S, 23°46ʹ E]; 17 Feb. 1930; J. Ghesquière leg.; MRAC GoogleMaps 1 ♀; same collection data as for preceding but Mar. 1930; MRAC GoogleMaps 2 ♀♀; Kondue ; [4°58ʹ S, 23°16ʹ E]; Leonhard leg.; MRAC GoogleMaps 1 ♀; Lomela ; [2°16ʹ49ʺ S, 23°21ʹ57ʺ E]; 1955; Hanotier leg.; MRAC. – GoogleMaps South Kivu • 1 ♀; Costermansville [now Bukavu]; [2°31ʹ S, 28°51ʹ E]; 1939; Hautmann leg.; MRAC GoogleMaps 7 ♀♀; Kavumu à Kabunga km82 (Mingazi); [2°01ʹ S, 28°31ʹ E]; 1951; H. Bomans leg.; MRAC. – GoogleMaps Sud-Ubangi • 1 ♀; Binga ; [2°22ʹ N, 20°29ʹ E]; Jan.–Mar. 1932; H.J. Brédo leg.; MRAC. – GoogleMaps Tshopo • 1 ♀; Banguru / Bafwasende, Stanleyville; [0°25ʹ44ʺ N, 27°13ʹ54ʺ E]; 1952; Abbeloos leg.; MRAC GoogleMaps 1 ♀; Basoko, Yamabuki ; [1°23ʹ N, 23°42ʹ E]; 16 Mar. 1948; P.L.G. Benoit leg.; MRAC GoogleMaps 2 ♀♀; Lukungu ; [1°42ʹ S, 25°23ʹ E]; Ch. Haas leg.; IRSN GoogleMaps 2 ♀♀; Yangambi ; [0°46ʹ N, 24°27ʹ E]; 1940; MRAC. – GoogleMaps Tshuapa • 1 ♀; Bokuma ; [0°06ʹ S, 18°41ʹ E]; 1951; R.P. Lootens leg.; MRAC GoogleMaps 1 ♀; same collection data as for preceding but Dec. 1951; MRAC GoogleMaps 1 ♀; same collection data as for preceding but 1952; MRAC GoogleMaps 16 ♀♀; same collection data as for preceding but Jul. 1952; MRAC GoogleMaps 3 ♀♀; same collection data as for preceding but 1953; MRAC GoogleMaps 1 ♀; Ikela ; [1°11ʹ S, 23°16ʹ E]; Oct. 1959; N. Leleup leg.; MRAC GoogleMaps 1 ♀; Terr. Boende; Yanga ; [0°18ʹ S, 20°03ʹ E]; 5 Nov. 1949; E. Pauquet leg.; MRAC GoogleMaps .

EQUATORIAL GUINEA – Centro Sur • 1 ♀; Monte Alén, Benito River ; [1°31ʹ48ʺ N, 10°06ʹ36ʺ E]; 16–31 Dec. 1906; G. Tessmann leg.; ZMB GoogleMaps 1 ♀; same collection data as for preceding but 1–14 Jan. 1907; ZMB GoogleMaps 2 ♀♀; Uelleburg ; [1°49ʹ N, 10°36ʹ E]; Jun.–Aug. 1908; G. Tessmann leg.; ZMB GoogleMaps .

GABON – Estuaire Province • 1 ♀; Libreville and environs ; [0°23ʹ24.36ʺ N, 9°27ʹ15.84ʺ E]; MNHN GoogleMaps . – Ngounié Province • 2 ♀♀; “Chûtes de Samlia ; Rivière NʹGami” [Ngounié River, chute de Samba] ; [1°02ʹ59.9ʺ S, 10°42ʹ E]; A. Mocquerys leg.; IRSN GoogleMaps . – Ogooué-Ivindo • 1 ♀; Ipassa Research Station ; [0°30ʹ47ʺ N, 12°48ʹ10ʺ E]; 20 Apr.–16 May 1974; M. Donskoff and J. Le Breton leg.; MNHN GoogleMaps .

GHANA – Eastern Region • 2 ♀♀; Aburi ; [5°50ʹ52ʺ N, 0°10ʹ28ʺ W]; 1912–1913; W.H. Patterson leg.; BMNH GoogleMaps 2 ♀♀; Kili District, Mt Atewa ; [6°09ʹ48ʺ N, 0°36ʹ41ʺ W]; 15 Mar. 1969; O.W. Richards leg.; BMNH GoogleMaps . – Western Region • 1 ♀; 7 miles N of Sefwi Asempanaye; 6°30ʹ N, 2°53ʹ W; 17 May. 1972; M.S. Hoogmoed leg.; RMNH GoogleMaps 1 ♀; Enchi ; [5°49ʹ20ʺ N, 2°49ʹ20ʺ W]; 1923; B.D. Peake leg.; BMNH GoogleMaps 1 ♀; Tamso ; [5°16ʹ46ʺ N, 2°00ʹ03ʺ W]; 1900; BMNH GoogleMaps .

NIGER • 1 ♀; 1897?; Crosse leg.; BMNH .

NIGERIA • 1 ♂; 1919; BMNH. – Cross River State 1 ♀; Ikom ; [6°05ʹ N, 8°37ʹ E]; 4 Apr. 1975; J.T. Medler leg.; BMNH. – GoogleMaps Lagos State • 1 ♀; Lagos ; [6°27ʹ14ʺ N, 3°23ʹ40ʺ E]; Nov. 1944; K.M. Guichard leg.; BMNH. – GoogleMaps Osun State • 1 ♀; Erin-Odo ; [7°35ʹ N, 4°53ʹ E]; 9 Dec. 1973; J.T. Medler leg.; BMNH GoogleMaps .

REPUBLIC OF CÔTE D’IVOIRE – Indénié-Djuablin Region • 1 ♂; Abengourou ; [6°44ʹ N, 3°29ʹ W]; Sep. 1965; Brunhes leg.; MNHN. – GoogleMaps Montagnes District • 1 ♀; Man ; [7°24ʹ45ʺ N, 7°33ʹ13ʺ W]; 7 Oct. 1961; J. Decelle leg.; MRAC GoogleMaps 1 ♀; Mt Nimba ; [7°36ʹ09ʺ N, 8°28ʹ5.6ʺ W]; 24 Jun. 1958; P. Etuys leg.; RMNH GoogleMaps .

REPUBLIC OF THE CONGO • 2 ♀♀; “ Les sanas = yirard ”; 27 Jan. 1977; J.-P. Grillot and C. Morin leg.; MNHN. – Brazzaville Department • 1 ♂; Djoumouna ; [4°22ʹ34ʺ S, 15°09ʹ36ʺ E]; 11 Mar. 1975; C. Morin leg.; MNHN. – GoogleMaps Kouilou Department • 2 ♂♂; Dimonika ; [4°11ʹ55.8ʺ S, 12°21ʹ19.7ʺ E]; Jan. 1964; A. Descarpentries and A. Villiers leg.; MNHN GoogleMaps 1 ♀; same locality as for preceding; 20 Jan. 1977; J.-P. Grillot and C. Morin leg.; MNHN GoogleMaps 4 ♀♀; same collection data as for preceding but 18 May 1977; MNHN GoogleMaps 1 ♂, 1 ♀; same locality as for preceding; 7 Feb. 1978; C. Morin leg.; MNHN GoogleMaps 1 ♀; same collection data as for preceding but 8 Feb. 1978; MNHN GoogleMaps 2 ♀♀; same collection data as for preceding but 20 Feb. 1978; MNHN GoogleMaps 1 ♀; same locality as for preceding; 23 Feb. 1978; J.-J. Menier leg.; MNHN GoogleMaps 3 ♀♀; Dimonika , Makaba; [4°07ʹ59ʺ S, 12°21ʹ E]; 11 Feb. 1978; Bitsindou leg.; MNHN GoogleMaps 1 ♀; Dimonika , Piste de Kolela; [4°11ʹ55.8ʺ S, 12°21ʹ19.7ʺ E]; 8 Feb. 1978; J.-J. Menier leg.; MNHN GoogleMaps 1 ♀; Dimonika , Piste de Makaba; [4°07ʹ59ʺ S, 12°21ʹ E]; 7 Feb. 1978; J.-J. Menier leg.; MNHN. – GoogleMaps Lékoumou Department • 3 ♂♂, 2 ♀♀; Mbouloupambou ; [2°32ʹ26.16ʺ S, 13°32ʹ45.96ʺ E]; 20 Feb. 1980; C. Morin leg.; MNHN. – GoogleMaps Sangha Department • 3 ♀♀; Ngongo ; [1°02ʹ58ʺ N, 15°41ʹ16ʺ E]; 25 Feb. 1970; J.-P. Grillot leg.; MNHN GoogleMaps .

RWANDA – Western Province • 1 ♀; Kissenyi [Gisenyi]; [1°42ʹ S, 29°15ʹ E]; 1 May 1921; Van Saceghem leg.; MRAC GoogleMaps .

SIERRA LEONE – Eastern Province • 1 ♂; Tungea ; 12 Sep. 1912; J.J. Simpson leg.; BMNH . – Southern Province • 1 ♀; Gbangbama ; [8°14ʹ50ʺ N, 12°19ʹ47ʺ W]; 10 Oct. 1912; J.J. Simpson leg.; BMNH GoogleMaps 2 ♂♂, 1 ♀; Mongheri ; [8°19ʹ14ʺ N, 11°44ʹ03ʺ W]; 15 Sep. 1912; J.J. Simpson leg.; BMNH GoogleMaps .

TOGO • 1 ♀; “ Togo Hinterland ”; 12 Jun. 1889; E. Kling leg.; ZMB 2 ♀♀; same collection data as for preceding; ZMB. – Centrale Region • 1 ♀; Bismarckburg [near Yégué]; [8°10ʹ32.74ʺ N, 0°41ʹ09.42ʺ E]; 21–22 Apr. 1893; L. Conradt leg.; ZMB GoogleMaps 1 ♀; same collection data as for preceding but 28 May–12 Jun. 1893; ZMB GoogleMaps 3 ♀♀; same collection data as for preceding but 30 Jun.–3 Jul. 1893; ZMB GoogleMaps 1 ♀; same collection data as for preceding; ZMB. – GoogleMaps Plateaux Region • 1 ♀; Misahöhe ; [6°57ʹ N, 0°35ʹ E]; 16 Jun 1894; E. Baumann leg.; ZMB GoogleMaps .

Description

Female

SIZE. 26.6–31.7 mm.

COLOR. Black except for the following, which are ferruginous: basal half of mandible, lower part of clypeus (in most specimens), scape ventrally, foreleg from femur onward except for dark brown stripe ventrally on femur, and mid- and hindlegs from femur onward. Wings fuscous, with greenish or purplegreenish iridescence.

VESTITURE. Appressed setae on clypeus and paraocular area brassy, on collar, scutum and propodeal enclosure black. Erect setae on clypeus, paraocular area, collar, scutum and propodeal enclosure black. Erect propodeal setae oriented perpendicularly, slightly curved towards anterior. Lower center of clypeus glabrous. Scutellum densely and coarsely pubescent.

STRUCTURE. Free clypeal margin medially with broad notched tooth, stepped above. Clypeus convex, without indentation or carina. Scutellum convex. Metanotum slightly raised, not bituberculate. 2 nd recurrent vein joins interstitium between submarginal cells II and III. Propodeal enclosure without any notable ridges. Foretarsomere I 2.9–3.3× length of antepenultimate spine. Petiole length 2.2–2.3× its medial width.

Male

SIZE. 27.4–28.3 mm.

COLOR. Black except for basal half of mandible, which is ferruginous. The following can be ferruginous as well: apical half of forefemur, basal half of foretibia, apical half of mid- and hindfemur, mid- and hindtibia, and hindtarsomeres I–III. Wings fuscous, with greenish iridescence.

VESTITURE. Appressed setae on clypeus and paraocular area silvery, on collar, scutum and propodeal enclosure black. Erect setae on clypeus, paraocular area, collar, scutum and propodeal enclosure black. Erect propodeal setae oriented perpendicularly, slightly curved towards anterior. Lower center of clypeus glabrous. Scutellum densely and coarsely pubescent.

STRUCTURE. Free clypeal margin with concavely truncated broad tooth originating behind free margin. Scutellum convex. Metanotum slightly raised, not bituberculate. 2 nd recurrent vein joins markedly proximal from interstitium between submarginal cells II and III. Propodeal enclosure without any notable ridges. Posterior margin of metasomal tergum VII convex. Posterior margin of metasomal sternum VII simple, of metasomal sternum VIII triangular. Penis valvae without conspecific modifications. Petiole length 2.0–2.1× its medial width. Flagellomeres IV–VI with broad placoids covering their entire length, or flagellomeres V–VI with moderately broad placoids covering their entire length.

Variation

Males of S. caeruleanus seem to be highly variable regarding leg coloration and placoid pattern. The midleg can be ferruginous from the apical half of the femur onwards, with the hindfemur, hindtibia and first few tarsomeres also being ferruginous. Other specimens have only the inner side of the hindtibia dark ferruginous, or all legs black. Broad placoids can be present on flagellomeres IV–VI or V–VI, or narrow placoids on V–VI.

Distribution

Western to central Africa.

Remarks

Unfortunately, the holotype of S. caeruleanus could not be located and has probably been destroyed. The original description of this species is naturally quite vague, and it does not mention the conspicuous greenish iridescence which is present on the wings. However, Menke in Bohart & Menke (1976) synonymized S. caeruleanus with S. pulchripennis , and we do not feel that there is enough evidence to disprove his assumption.

Regarding the identity of S. pulchripennis , we are confident that our interpretation of the species matches that of the original author. The description mentions the female clypeus being ferruginous at the apex and the wings shining green, the combination of which is unique among the African Sphex . Furthermore, the stated body length of 27 mm exceeds that of the other members of the group.

DEI

Germany, Muencheberg, Deutsches Entomologisches Institut im ZALF

IRSN

Belgium, Brussels, Institut Royal des Sciences Naturelles de Belgique

ZMB

Germany, Berlin, Museum fuer Naturkunde der Humboldt-Universitaet

AMNH

USA, New York, New York, American Museum of Natural History

NRS

Sweden, Stockholm, Naturhistoriska riksmuseet

BMNH

United Kingdom, London, The Natural History Museum [formerly British Museum (Natural History)]

CAS

USA, California, San Francisco, California Academy of Sciences

MRAC

Belgium, Tervuren, Musee Royal de l'Afrique Centrale

RMNH

Netherlands, Leiden, Nationaal Natuurhistorische Museum ("Naturalis") [formerly Rijksmuseum van Natuurlijke Historie]

MNHN

France, Paris, Museum National d'Histoire Naturelle

DEI

Senckenberg Deutsches Entomologisches Institut

IRSN

Institut Royal des Sciences Naturelles de Belgique

ZMB

Museum für Naturkunde Berlin (Zoological Collections)

AMNH

American Museum of Natural History

NRS

Naturhistoriska Riksmuseet

CAS

California Academy of Sciences

MRAC

Musée Royal de l’Afrique Centrale

RMNH

National Museum of Natural History, Naturalis

Kingdom

Animalia

Phylum

Arthropoda

Class

Insecta

Order

Hymenoptera

Family

Vespidae

Genus

Sphex

Loc

Sphex caeruleanus Drury, 1773

Dörfel, Thorleif H. & Ohl, Michael 2022
2022
Loc

Sphex pulchripennis Mocsáry, 1883: 35

Bohart R. M. & Menke A. S. 1976: 114
Mocsary A. 1883: 35
1883
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