Bembecinus yemenensis, Schmid, 2009

Schmid, C., 2009, New records of Bembecinus COSTA 1859 (Hymenoptera, Crabronidae) from the Palaearctic region with description of a new species from Yemen, Linzer biologische Beiträge 41 (1), pp. 759-766 : 761-762

Bembecinus yemenensis SCHMID- EGGER, new species

D i s t r i b u t i o n: Yemen.

D i a g n o s i s The female of B. yemenenis is a member of the B. tridens species group sensu SCHMID - EGGER (2004). It is unique by the following color pattern: terga I, II and IV with pale yellow band, tergum III and VI black, tergum V with medial spot, clypeus yellow with large brownish medial spot. Propodeal emargination deeply U-shaped. In the similar B. proximus HANDLIRSCH , also recorded from Yemen, tergal band I is largely interrupted medially, propodeal emargination lacks. Another similar species with a deep propodeal emargination is B. corpulentus ARNOLD from southern Africa. Here, tergal band I is also largely interrupted. Bembecinus bytinskii DE BEAUMONT from the Arabian peninsule differs by having a full band on tergum III and a black tergum IV.

I d e n t i f i c a t i o n:WiththekeyofSCHMID- EGGER (2004), the female keys out in Nr. 14a, B. proximus HANDLIRSCH , in the female key. It can be identified by the following addition (replace B. proximus with 14a.)

14a Tergal band I widely interrupted medially. No propodeal emargination. ............................. ..................................................................................................... B. proximus HANDLIRSCH

- Tergal band I complete. Propodeal emargination deep and U-shaped. ................................. ................................................................................. B. yemenensis SCHMID- EGGER nov.sp.

F e m a l e: 6-6.5 mm. Color: pale yellow are: Labrum, clypeus, space above clypeus, narrow band on lower half of inner eye margin, scape and flagellum below; pronotal apex, band on pronotal base including pronotal lobe, small spot on outer-apical corner of mesonotum, small triangular spot on scutellum laterally, narrow band on metanotum, spot on outer corner of propodeum, narrow bands on terga I, II, IV, band on tergum IV not reaching lateral margin, medial spot on tergum V, small triangular spot on apical outer corner of sternum II. Forefemora below with large spot, midfemora below with small apical spot, upperside of fore- and midtiba all yellow, hindtibia with spot on 2/3 of upper basal surface, foretarsi yellow except outer side of basitarsus. Last tarsal segments with some red or yellow. Clypeus with large medial spot, which differs in size and covers between 20-60 % of clypeal surface. Size of black clypeal spot and of yellow spot above clypeus is variable.

Morphology: Clypeus 0,6X as long as minimal distance between eyes. Flagellum I appr. 2X as long as apical width. Forebasitarsal spines as long as basitarsal width. Propodeal emargination deeply V/U-shaped, emargination larger than midocellus. Body coverd with fine, silver and appressed pubescence, frons with some long erect pale setae.

M a l e: unknown.

R e c o r d s: Holotype and 2 paratypes: Yemen-SW: 3♀♀, 24.10.2005 20 km S Taizz 1200 m, N 13’30’ E 43’57’ leg. Halada ( OLL, 1 paratype in coll. SE).