Sphecodopsis leonis (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 : 112-114

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.14981897
persistent identifier	https://treatment.plazi.org/id/03F8216B-FF99-FFF0-FDFC-FD40FE49FE05
treatment provided by	Plazi (2025-03-06 13:03:35, last updated 2025-04-01 22:56:52)
scientific name	Sphecodopsis leonis (Cockerell, 1933)
status

Treatment

Sphecodopsis leonis (Cockerell, 1933) sp. rev.

Figs 85–86 View Fig View Fig

Morgania (Sphecodopsis) leonis Cockerell, 1933a: 382 , holotype ♂ (type locality: Lion’s Head, Cape Town, South Africa) (NHML), examined.

Diagnosis

The male can be separated from that of all other species of the genus by the combination of the following characters: metasoma at least partially red ( Fig. 85B View Fig ); fore legs black with small reddish spots ( Fig. 85A View Fig ); head and mesosoma with black hair mixed with lighter hair ( Fig. 85C–D View Fig ); mesoscutum sparsely, finely and shallowly punctate, very shiny ( Fig. 85D View Fig ); gonostylus shorter than gonocoxa, narrow, pointed posteriorly and extremely bent inward, penis valves distinctly longer than gonostylus ( Fig. 86D View Fig ). The female of S. leonis was only briefly mentioned by Cockerell (1933a) but could not be located and, thus, was unavailable for study.

Eardley & Brothers (1997) synonymised S. leonis with S. semirufa but the morphological differences, in particular genitalia, clearly show that both are distinct taxa. Thus, the species status of S. leonis is restored.

Since only photos of the holotype were available, a formal description is not given here. However, the photos ( Figs 85–86 View Fig View Fig ) together with the diagnosis are sufficient for an identification of the species.

Additional material examined

None.

Distribution

Only known from the type locality in Cape Town.

Host bees

Unknown.

Seasonal activity

August ( Cockerell 1933a).

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].

Figures

Fig. 85. Sphecodopsis leonis (Cockerell, 1933), holotype, ♂ (NHML). A. Habitus (lateral view). B. Metasoma (dorsal view). C. Head. D. Mesoscutum and mesoscutellum (dorsal view).

Fig. 86. Sphecodopsis leonis (Cockerell, 1933), holotype, ♂ (NHML). A. Propodeum. B. S7 (dorsal view). C. S8 (dorsal view). D. Genital (dorsal view).

Fig. 85. Sphecodopsis leonis (Cockerell, 1933), holotype, ♂ (NHML). A. Habitus (lateral view). B. Metasoma (dorsal view). C. Head. D. Mesoscutum and mesoscutellum (dorsal view).

Fig. 86. Sphecodopsis leonis (Cockerell, 1933), holotype, ♂ (NHML). A. Propodeum. B. S7 (dorsal view). C. S8 (dorsal view). D. Genital (dorsal view).