Ammophila albotomentosa MORICE

Dollfuss, H., 2013, Revision of the Wasps Genus Ammophila KIRBY 1798 (Hymenoptera Apoidea Sphecidae) of the Palearctic Region and India, Linzer biologische Beiträge 45 (1), pp. 383-564 : 407-408

Ammophila albotomentosa MORICE ( Figs 26 , 225 , 339 , 385 , 456 )

Ammophila albotomentosa MORICE 1900: 69 , ♀, 3. Holotype: 3, Algeria: Biskra (OXUM), examined.

M a t e r i a l e x a m i n e d: Holotype (3 OXUM); Tunisia: Gasfa (1♀, 233 OÖLM), Oasis 15 km W Nefta 33°50’N 07°43’E (1♀, 13 coll. Schmid-Egger).

R e c o g n i t i o n Ammophila albotomentosa has no transverse rugae on the pronotal collar, the mesothoracic venter is not prominent anteriorly, the episternal sulcus is extending to the anteroventral margin of the pleuron. This species is charactericed by the head (except vertex), the thorax and the propodeum covered with appressed silvery setae that obscure most of the underlying sculpture. The vertex laterally of the hindocelli is smooth and glabrous, additionally, the erect setae are whitish and the gastral apex is red without metallic shine. The similar female of A. hemilauta differs from A. albotomentosa in having no dense appressed silvery setae on the metapleuron and the gastral apex with a slight metallic shine. The male of A. hemilauta differs from A. albotomentosa in having the clypeus more elongate ( Fig. 205 ) and the clypeal disk concave on ventral half in lateral view ( Fig. 340 ) and distinctly differently shaped genitalia: penis valve laterally: Fig. 460 , and gonostyle laterally: Fig. 398.

D e s c r i p t i o n: Black, with following yellowish-brown: mandible (except apex), clypeus along free margin, scape, tegula, fore- and midlegs (except coxa), hindlegs partly, tergum I and gastral segment II (except for a black dorsal stripe) and remaning areas of the gaster (except of black spot on terga V and VI in female). Head (except vertex), thorax and propodeum covered with dense appressed silvery setae that obscure most of underlying sculpture. Supra-antennal lamellate projection absent, mesothoracic venter not prominent anteriorly, episternal sulcus extending to anteroventral margin of pleuron. Arolia distinctly developed, claws without basal tooth.

♀: 18-22 mm. Clypeus elongate with small emargination in middle of lobe ( Fig. 26 ), disk convex. Scutum punctate with slight transverse rugae, scutellum longitudinally striate. Propodeal enclosure irregularly rugose, covered with appressed silvery setae and erect white setae. Flagellomere I: II=1.8-2.1; length of petiole = hindtarsomeres I+II or I+II+0.5×III.

3: 16.5-17.5 mm. Clypeus elongate and medially emarginate ( Fig. 225 ), disk in lateral view straight, basal half with distinct swelling ( Fig. 339 ). Genitalia characteristically shaped: penis valve laterally: Fig. 456 , gonostyle laterally: Fig. 385 . Flagellomere I: II=1.6-2.0; length of petiole = hindtarsomeres I+II or I+II+0.5×III.

G e o g r a p h i c a l d i s t r i b u t i o n: Algeria, Tunisia, Spain.

Figures

Figs 26-35: clypeus of female.

Figs 216-226: male clypeus.

Figs 332-356: male clypeus in lateral view.

Figs 374-389: male genitalia: gonostyle in lateral view.

Figs 444-460: male genitalia: penis valve in lateral view.

Figs 198-205: male clypeus.

Figs 398-413: male genitalia: gonostyle in lateral view.