Bembix anomalipes Arnold, 1929

Gess, Friedrich W. & Gess, Sarah K., 2014, Geographical distributions of Bembix (Hymenoptera, Crabronidae, Bembicinae) in southern Africa, with notes on biology, Journal of Hymenoptera Research 36, pp. 53-130 : 60

Bembix anomalipes Arnold Fig. 1d

Bembex anomalipes Arnold, 1929: 334, figs 5, 5a-e, pl. 6, fig. 5 (Holotype, ♂, Penkridge, near the eastern border of Zimbabwe, in SAMC and paratype, ♂, Mbanza-Mgungu, Zaire (as Thysville, Congo), in RMCA) (in revision of southern African Sphecidae ); Arnold 1930: 21 (in checklist of Afrotropical Sphecidae ).

Bembix anomalipes Arnold, R. Bohart and Menke 1976: 545 (in checklist of world Sphecidae ); Pulawski 2013: 7 (in catalogue of world Sphecidae sensu lato).

Female.

Undescribed. In size, coloration, vestiture and in general appearance generally very similar to male. Face at level of antennal sockets wider (relative to width of head) than in male; scapes normal; first joints of anterior tarsi only slightly less dilated than in male, spines on basal joint not lanceolate; tarsi of middle legs similar. Cu-a of hindwing slightly inclined towards the base as in male. Sternite II as in male, closely punctate except in the middle near the apex, fairly shining.

This species is characterised in both sexes by the labrum furnished with a very fine median longitudinal carina, expanded over the distal third into a low raised tubercle whose upper surface is slightly hollowed out. This development is unique, in the southern African species at least.

Material examined.

ZAMBIA: Abercorn [now Mbala] [8.50S, 31.24E], x.1943 (Nat. Museum S. Rhodesia), 1 ♂, 1 ♀ [SAMC ex NMBZ]; Abercorn, vi.1945 (Nat. Museum S. Rhodesia), 1 ♀ [SAMC ex NMBZ]; Abercorn, viii.1945 (Nat. Museum S. Rhodesia), 1 ♀ [SAMC ex NMBZ]. ZIMBABWE: Penkridge [19.33S, 32.47E], 23.x.1927 (R.H.R. Stevenson), holotype ♂ [SAMC ex NMBZ]; Risitu River, Melsetter [19 48S, 32 52E], xi.1967 (Nat. Museum S. Rhodesia), 2 ♀♀ [SAMC ex NMBZ].

Geographical distribution.

From the few specimens available this species appears to have a northern distribution ( Fig. 2d ), not having been recorded south of Zimbabwe.

Flower associations.

Unknown.

Nesting.

Unknown.

Prey.

Unknown.

Figures

Figure 1. Bembix spp.: a Bembix albata, female, male b Bembix albicapilla, female c Bembix albofasciata, female, male d Bembix anomalipes, female, male e Bembix arnoldi, female, male f Bembix atrospinosa, female, male. (approximate lengths of females: a 21 mm; b 18.5 mm; c 17 mm; d 19.5 mm; e 17 mm; f 19.5 mm)

Figure 2. Distributions of collection records of Bembix spp.: a Bembix albata b Bembix albicapilla c Bembix albofasciata d Bembix anomalipes e Bembix arnoldi f Bembix atrospinosa.