Colletes troetroeensis, 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 : 80-84

Colletes troetroeensis sp. nov.

urn:lsid:zoobank.org:act:6374F752-D657-4DE5-8116-709B0871137E

Figs 59 , 63

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. 59D–E ), malar area elongate (about width of mandibular base), facial fovea very narrow (about ½ width of antennal flagellum), on metanotum dark brown hairs intermixed.

Etymology

Troe-Troe was the name of an old mission settlement that was later changed to Vanrhynsdorp. The only known specimen of this species was found in the vicinity of this town.

Material examined

Holotype SOUTH AFRICA – Western Cape Province • ♀; 20 km N Vanrhynsdorp, Knersvlakte ; 31°26′ S, 18°41′ E; alt. 211 m; 21 Sep. 2001; B. Danforth leg.; CMK.

Description

Female

BODY LENGTH. 10 mm.

HEAD. Integument black, antenna brown ventrally. Face short grayish white hairs intermixed with light brown hairs on vertex and along inner eye margins blackish hairs. Clypeus with fine, dense (0.2 pd) slightly elongate punctures ( Fig. 59B ). Malar area elongate, as long as width of mandibular base. Facial fovea very narrow, maximum width about ½ antennal diameter.

MESOSOMA. Integument black, tarsi mostly brownish ( Fig. 59A ). Scutum with relatively long, yellowish white to grayish hairs intermixed with slightly longer brownish hairs ( Fig. 59C ). Mesosomal sides yellowish to grayish white with brown hairs on mesepisternum, legs with yellowish white and some brown hairs intermixed. Disc of scutum relative densely (1–2 pd) punctured, surrounded by dense (0.5 pd) punctation, interspaces glabrous ( Fig. 59C ). Scutellum and metanotum with relatively long, yellowish brown hairs, intermixed with dark brown hairs. Upper sloping part of propodeal triangle scabriculous, vertical part glabrous. Scopa dorsally brown, ventrally yellowish white ( Fig. 59F ). Mid femora basally with slight edge and yellow short brush of hairs ventrally.

METASOMA. Integument black, terga posteriorly broadly translucent. Disc of T1 with yellowish white erect long hairs, with short hairs interspersed ( Fig. 59D ). Disc of T2 with short erect hairs, yellowish white. T2 with white relatively broad basal tomentum ( Fig. 59D ). Discs of T3–T5 with short, erect blackish hairs, on T3 very short. T1–T5 with white tergal hair bands, narrower on T1 and T5 ( Fig. 59E ). Disc of T1 with fine, relatively dense, slightly indistinct (1–2 pd) punctation, punctures becoming slightly finer, more shallow and denser towards posterior tergal depression. Disc of T2 with fine, indistinct, dense (<0.5 pd) punctation; interspaces glabrous. S2–S5 with white hair fringes posteriorly. Discs of sterna loosely covered with yellowish white apical directed hairs, medially longer on S2. S3–S5 with few black hairs laterally.

Male

Unknown.

Distribution

Only known from the Knersvlakte ( Fig. 63 ).

Phenology

The only record is from September.

Figures

Fig. 59. Colletes troetroeensis sp. nov., ♀, holotype (CMK). 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. 63. Distribution of C. schultzei Friese, 1909, C. spinipes sp.nov., C. stellatus Cockerell, 1946, C. testaceipes Friese, 1909, C. troetroeensis sp.nov., C. watmoughi Kuhlmann, 2007 andC. zygophyllum Kuhlmann, 2007.