Sphecodopsis namaquensis 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 : 71-72

Sphecodopsis namaquensis Eardley, 1997

Figs 53–54

Sphecodopsis namaquensis Eardley in Eardley & Brothers, 1997: 404–406, holotype ♀ (type locality: Biedouw Valley, South Africa) (SANC) examined.

Diagnosis

The female of S. namaquensis can be separated from that of all other species by the combination of the following characters: S6 bifid posteriorly, apical notch about twice as long as its apical width ( Fig. 54C ); metasoma partially red ( Fig. 53B ); fore tibia and tarsi completely or largely red ( Fig. 53A ); head wider than long, vertex flat ( Fig. 53C ); T5 apically either without or with short fringe of hair of ± even length ( Fig. 54B ); head and mesoscutum with black hair ( Fig. 53C–D ); mesoscutum matt, densely and deeply punctate ( Fig. 53D ); T6 broad and rounded apically, laterally almost straight, with short golden hair ( Fig. 54B ). The male is unknown.

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

Additional material examined

None.

Distribution

Southern Namaqualand ( Eardley & Brothers 1997).

Host bees

Unknown.

Seasonal activity

September ( Eardley & Brothers 1997).

Figures

Fig. 53. Sphecodopsis namaquensis Eardley, 1997, holotype, ♀ (SANC). A. Habitus (lateral view). B. Metasoma (dorsal view). C. Head. D. Mesoscutum and mesoscutellum (dorsal view).

Fig. 54. Sphecodopsis namaquensis Eardley, 1997, holotype, ♀ (SANC). A. Propodeum. B. T5 and T6. C. S6.