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 Species of the malagassus group The malagassus group contains the following two species: Sphex comorensis sp. nov. and S. malagassus . The species in this group possess perpendicularly-oriented erect propodeal setae, and the scutellar vestiture is somewhat dense and can be fine or coarse. Therefore, members can be superficially similar to those of the meridionalis - and umtalicus groups. What reliably separates them from these groups is the fact that their metanotum is not raised at all, whereas members of the other two groups normally have it somewhat elevated towards its center, although without the distinct tubercles which are present in the argentatus group. In the malagassus group, the erect propodeal setae are straight instead of curved, and the wings are no more than slightly infuscate. Finally, both species are only known from Madagascar or the surrounding islands, repectively, whereas the members of the meridionalis - and umtalicus group seem to be restricted to the mainland.