Sphecodopsis minutissima (Cockerell, 1933)

Pöllein, Daniela & Kuhlmann, Michael, 2025, Taxonomic revision of the southern African bee genus Sphecodopsis Bischoff, 1923 (Hymenoptera: Apidae: Nomadinae), European Journal of Taxonomy 980, pp. 1-157 : 140-141

publication ID	https://doi.org/10.5852/ejt.2025.980.2805
publication LSID	lsid:zoobank.org:pub:E57E9F17-9C55-4745-BFB5-36840CA8848C
DOI	https://doi.org/10.5281/zenodo.14981923
persistent identifier	https://treatment.plazi.org/id/03F8216B-FF7D-FF0D-FDFB-FECDFEE1FAD3
treatment provided by	Plazi (2025-03-06 13:03:35, last updated 2025-04-01 22:56:52)
scientific name	Sphecodopsis minutissima (Cockerell, 1933)
status

Treatment

Sphecodopsis minutissima (Cockerell, 1933) View in CoL

Fig. 108 View Fig

Morgania (Omachthes) minutissima Cockerell, 1933a: 379 , holotype ♀ (type locality: Aliwal North, South Africa) (NHML) examined.

Morgania (Pseudopasitess) rufula Cockerell, 1933a: 382–383 , holotype ♀ (type locality: 38 miles E of Ceres, South Africa) (NHML) examined.

Diagnosis

The female of S. minutissima can be separated from that of all other species of the genus by the combination of the following characters: S6 bifid posteriorly, apical notch about as long as its apical width ( Fig. 108E View Fig ); Metasoma partially red ( Fig. 108B View Fig ); fore tibia and tarsi completely or largely red ( Fig. 108A View Fig ); Head only slightly wider than long, vertex conspicuously raised and rounded ( Fig. 108C View Fig ). Males were not available for study (see Eardley & Brothers 1997).

This characteristic species was described in detail by Eardley & Brothers (1997). Thus, to facilitate the identification only images are provided ( Fig. 108 View Fig ) without repeating the description.

Additional material examined

None.

Distribution

Only known from the type localities in central South Africa ( Eardley & Brothers 1997).

Host bees

Unknown.

Seasonal activity

November–January ( Eardley & Brothers 1997).

Comment

The additional specimens mentioned by Eardley & Brothers (1997) are misidentifications and represent other species.

References

Cockerell T. D. A. 1933 a. Descriptions and records of bees. - CXLII. Annals and Magazine of Natural History (Ser. 10) 11: 372-384. https://doi.org/10.1080/00222933308673668

Eardley C. D. & Brothers D. J. 1997. Phylogeny of the Ammobatini and revision of the Afrotropical genera (Hymenoptera: Apidae: Nomadinae). Journal of Hymenoptera Research 6 (2): 353-418. Available from https://www.biodiversitylibrary.org/page/4491805 [accessed 28 Jan. 2025].