The wasp genus Sphex in Sub-Saharan Africa (Hymenoptera: Sphecidae) Author Dörfel, Thorleif H. 11B5C093-23D5-417C-AB64-65764FC2AF05 Museum für Naturkunde, Invalidenstrasse 43, 10115 Berlin, Germany. thorleif.doerfel@mfn.berlin Author Ohl, Michael 878259F2-C3C6-4264-B04A-C397E01E5C8E Museum für Naturkunde, Invalidenstrasse 43, 10115 Berlin, Germany. michael.ohl@mfn.berlin text European Journal of Taxonomy 2022 2022-02-23 796 1 1 170 http://dx.doi.org/10.5852/ejt.2022.796.1665 journal article 55605 10.5852/ejt.2022.796.1665 9c3fa32d-4320-4170-83e3-a5c045a4ba68 2118-9773 6299440 76C5C9C4-C6C1-4EDC-8FF8-9828A6EF2040 Sphex rufinervis Pérez, 1895 Figs 51, 55 (blue) Sphex rufinervis Perez, 1895: 209 , ♂ , ♀ . Differential diagnosis This species ( Fig. 51 ) is one of four within this group that have uniformly silvery propodeal setae. An easily visible character that distinguishes it from the other three, S. erythrinus ( Figs 41–42 ), S. feijeni nom. nov. ( Figs 43–44 ) and S. lanatus ( Fig. 50 ), are the largely or completely black erect clypeal setae in both sexes of S. rufinervis . The other species mentioned have them uniformly silvery. Material examined Lectotype REPUBLIC OF SEYCHELLES • 1 ♀ ; Mahé; [ 4°40ʹ S , 55°28ʹ E ]; 1892; Ch. Alluaud leg.; MNHN (designated by Menke in Bohart & Menke 1976: 116 ). Paralectotypes REPUBLIC OF SEYCHELLES • 1 ♂ , 3 ♀♀ ; same collection data as for lectotype; MNHN . Other material REPUBLIC OF SEYCHELLES • 2 ♂♂ ; 1907; P.R. Dupont leg.; BMNH • 1 ♂ , 5 ♀♀ ; BMNH • 1 ♂ ; same collection data as for lectotype; MNHN • 5 ♂♂ , 1 ♀ ; same collection data as for lectotype but A. Merian leg.; ZMB . – Outer Islands • 1 ♂ ; North Island , Farquhar ; [ 10°07ʹ23ʺ S , 51°10ʹ38ʺ E ]; 16–17 Nov. 1952 ; E.S. Brown leg.; BMNH . Description Female SIZE. 23.4 mm . COLOR. Black except for ferruginous stripe in center of mandible. Cellular wing area hyaline, apical margin of forewing fuscous. VESTITURE. Appressed setae on clypeus, paraocular area, collar, scutum and propodeal enclosure silvery. Erect setae on clypeus black, on paraocular area black intermixed with silvery ones, on collar silvery intermixed with some black ones, on scutum and propodeal enclosure exclusively silvery. Erect propodeal setae oriented anteriorly. Clypeus without glabrous stripe. Scutellum densely and finely pubescent. STRUCTURE. Free clypeal margin with two small teeth, not stepped medially. Clypeus without indentation or carina. Scutellum convex. Metanotum raised, slightly bituberculate. 2 nd recurrent vein joins markedly proximal from interstitium between submarginal cells II and III. Propodeal enclosure without any notable ridges. Foretarsomere I 2.0–2.3 × length of antepenultimate spine. Petiole length 2.0× its medial width. Male SIZE. 19.4–21.7 mm . COLOR. Black, except for ferruginous stripe in center of mandible. Cellular wing area hyaline, forewing with fuscous spot beyond marginal cell. VESTITURE. Appressed setae on clypeus, paraocular area, collar, scutum and propodeal enclosure silvery. Erect setae on clypeus black and usually intermixed with silvery ones, on paraocular area silvery and usually intermixed with some black ones, exclusively silvery on collar, scutum and propodeal enclosure. Erect propodeal setae oriented anteriorly. Clypeus without glabrous stripe. Scutellum densely and finely pubescent. STRUCTURE. Free clypeal margin simple. Scutellum convex. Metanotum slightly raised, slightly bituberculate. 2 nd recurrent vein joins markedly proximal from interstitium between submarginal cells II and III. Posterior margin of metasomal tergum VII convex. Posterior margin of metasomal sternum VII simple, of metasomal sternum VIII concavely emarginate. Penis valvae without conspicuous modifications. Petiole length 2.4× its medial width. Flagellomere V with narrow placoid covering its proximal four-fifths. Variation Unknown. Distribution Seychelles .