Sphecodopsis longipygidium Eardley, 1997

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 : 138-139

Sphecodopsis longipygidium Eardley, 1997

Fig. 107

Sphecodopsis longipygidium Eardley, 1997: 403–404 , holotype ♀ (type locality: Niewerust [= Nuwerus], South Africa) (SAMC) examined.

Diagnosis

The female of S. longipygidium can be separated from that of all other species of the genus by the combination of the following characters: S6 bifid posteriorly; metasoma partially red ( Fig. 107B ); fore tibia and tarsi completely or largely red ( Fig. 107A ); head wider than long, vertex slightly rounded ( Fig. 107C ); mesoscutum matt, densely and deeply punctate ( Fig. 107D ); T5 apically without hair fringe ( Fig. 107B ); head and mesoscutum with black hair ( Fig. 107C–D ); T6 narrow and almost truncate apically, with long black hair ( Fig. 107B ). The male is unknown.

This characteristic species was described in detail by Eardley & Brothers (1997). Thus, to facilitate the identification only images are provided ( Fig. 107 ) without repeating the description.

Additional material examined

None.

Distribution

Only known from the type locality Nuwerus ( Eardley & Brothers 1997).

Host bees

Unknown.

Seasonal activity

September ( Eardley & Brothers 1997).

Figures

Fig. 107. Sphecodopsis longipygidium Eardley, 1997, holotype, ♀ (SAMC). A. Habitus (lateral view). B. Metasoma (dorsal view). C. Head. D. Mesoscutum and mesoscutellum (dorsal view). E. Propodeum. Photographs © Simon van Noort (Iziko Museums of South Africa).