Key to Laphyragogus males

1 T7 basally with triangular platform, with rectangular or overhanging tip (seen in lateral view) (fig. 6). Second tarsal segment of midleg asymmetrical (fig. 8), apically with enlargement. ................................................................................... L. ajjer species group 2

- T7 without platform, at most with a small elevation and rounded tip. Second tarsal segment of midleg simple............................................................... L. kohli species group 4

2 Head and thorax markedly yellow and lateral spine of S6 short (as long as diameter of hindmetatarsus medially). Algeria, Morocco ... ................................. L. ajjer DE BEAUMONT

- Not in this character combination. Arabian peninsula and western Asia. ...........................3

3 Lateral spine of S6 short, as long as diameter of hindmetatarsus medially (fig. 9). S7 and S8 simple. Mesoscutum, mesopleuron and Mesosternum black (fig. 7). United Arab Emirates, Oman. ........................................................ L. gessi SCHMID- EGGER nov.sp. Lateral spine of S6 twice as long as diameter of hindmetatarsus medially (fig. 21). S7 apically widely emarginated, laterally each with a tubercle. S8 medially with tubercle. Mesosternum and mesopleuron predominantly yellow, mesoscutum with two large yellow spots (fig. 20). Iran, United Arab Emirates ...... L. orientalis DE BEAUMONT stat. rev.

4 Mesosoma and head in greater extend yellow (fig. 14). Last sternites with long and dense white pilosity, surpass T 7 in dorsal view (figs 15, 16). India, Oman, Iran, Pakistan, Tajikistan ................................................................................. L. kohlii BINGHAM

- Mesosoma and head predominantly black. Last sternites only with scattered pilosity, setae shorter or less dense (except in L. visnagae from NW Africa) ...................................5

5 T7 apically evenly triangular. S7 without keel. ..................................................................6 T7 apically pointed or with longitudinal apex. S7 with longitudinal keel. ..........................7

6 S6 mediolaterally each with a triangular tooth, directed to the side. Between tubercules and lateral margin of sternite with dense and long pilosity, directed backwards (fig. 37). Larger species, 10-11 mm. Israel, North Africa. ........................ L. pectinata DE BEAUMONT

- S6 only with median hollow, pilosity of S6 scattered or lacking. Smaller species, 8-10 mm. Morocco, Algeria. ............................................................... L. visnagae DE BEAUMONT

7 Medial keel of S7 (in lateral view) flat, apically slightly emarginated (Fig. 27). Apex of T7 short (fig. 26). Egypt, Israel, Morocco ..................................................... L. pictus KOHL Medial keel of S7 apically elevated. Apex of T7 longer (fig. 17). United Arab Emirates, Iran. ............................................................................................. L. strakai SCHMID- EGGER