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

Sphecodopsis leonis (Cockerell, 1933) sp. rev.

Figs 85–86

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); fore legs black with small reddish spots ( Fig. 85A); head and mesosoma with black hair mixed with lighter hair ( Fig. 85C–D); mesoscutum sparsely, finely and shallowly punctate, very shiny ( Fig. 85D); gonostylus shorter than gonocoxa, narrow, pointed posteriorly and extremely bent inward, penis valves distinctly longer than gonostylus ( Fig. 86D). 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) 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).