Colletes cedarbergensis, Zabel & Kuhlmann, 2023

Zabel, Tina & Kuhlmann, Michael, 2023, Taxonomic revision of the southern African Colletes fasciatus species group (Hymenoptera: Colletidae), European Journal of Taxonomy 899, pp. 1-96 : 21-23

Colletes cedarbergensis sp. nov.

urn:lsid:zoobank.org:act:04F52DEC-D29D-4518-B6B9-B7E470E2EF0B

Figs 15 , 24

Diagnosis

The female can be separated from that of all other species with a normal scopa by the combination of the following characters: apical hair band of T2 about ½ width of disc ( Fig. 15D–E ), malar area very narrow (¼ width of mandibular base), facial fovea narrow (about ⅔ width of antennal flagellum), scutellum with black hairs ( Fig. 15C ), T6 broadly rounded and disc of T1 medio-anteriorly with numerous short hairs interspersed ( Fig. 15D–E ).

Etymology

Named after the Cedarberg Mountains where this species was discovered.

Material examined

Holotype SOUTH AFRICA – Western Cape Province • ♀; Cederberg Mts, road to Algeria, Olifants River bridge ; 32°21′55″ S, 18°57′06″ E; alt. 150 m; 8 Sep. 2017; M. Kuhlmann leg.; SAMC.

Description

Female

BODY LENGTH. 12 mm.

HEAD. Integument black, antenna dark brown ventrally. Face grayish to yellowish brown with numerous dark hairs intermixed, especially along inner eye margins and on vertex ( Fig. 15B ). Clypeus with fine, dense punctation (0.2 pd), punctures slightly elongate; interspaces glabrous ( Fig. 15B ). Malar area very narrow, length about ¼ width of mandibular base. Facial fovea narrow, maximum width about ⅔ antennal diameter.

MESOSOMA. Integument black, tarsi often brownish ( Fig. 15A ). Scutum with relatively long grayish to yellowish white hairs, intermixed with numerous longer, dark brown hairs ( Fig. 15C ). Mesosomal sides and legs with yellowish white hairs, on legs with blackish hairs intermixed. Disc of scutum with scattered (1–2 pd) medium-sized punctures, integument smooth and shiny, surrounded by dense (<0.5 pd) punctation ( Fig. 15C ). Scutellum and metanotum with long, yellowish brown hairs intermixed with longer dark brown hairs on scutellum. Upper sloping part of propodeal triangle with short longitudinal carinae anteriorly, scabriculous posteriorly. Vertical part shagreened and shiny, anteriorly with some well-developed more or less transverse carinae. Scopa dark brown dorsally, yellowish brown ventrally ( Fig. 15F ). Mid femora with distinct edge and stout ridge ventrally with brush of hairs.

METASOMA. Integument black, terga narrowly translucent posteriorly. T1–T4 with slight bluish shine. Disc of T1 densely covered with long, erect, yellowish white hairs, medio-anteriorly interspersed with numerous short concolorous hairs ( Fig. 15D ). Disc of T2 with very short erect yellowish white hairs. T2 with narrow basal tomentum. Discs of T2–T5 with successively longer, short erect blackish hairs. T1– T5 with relatively broad, yellowish white posterior tergal hair bands, on T1 slightly narrower ( Fig. 15E ). Disc of T1 with fine and dense punctures (0.5–1 pd), punctures much finer and denser on posterior tergal depression. Disc of T2 with fine and dense punctation (0.5–1 pd); glabrous between punctures. S2– S5 with yellowish brown hair fringes. Discs of sterna densely covered with yellowish brown apically directed hairs.

Male

Unknown.

Distribution

Only known from the Cedarberg Mountains ( Fig. 24 ).

Phenology

Only found in September.

Figures

Fig. 15. Colletes cedarbergensis sp. nov., ♀, holotype (SAMC). A. Habitus, lateral view. B. Head. C. Scutum, dorsal view. D. Metasomal terga 1 and 2, dorsal view. E. Metasoma, dorsal view. F. Hind tibia, lateral view.

Fig. 24. Distribution of C. cedarbergensis sp. nov., C. cyanonitidus Kuhlmann, 2007, C. denudatus Cockerell, 1946, C. eardleyi Kuhlmann, 2007, C. fabiani sp. nov. and C. fasciatus Smith, 1853.