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 haemorrhoidalis Fabricius, 1781 Figs 34 , 69–70, 71 (red) Sphex haemorrhoidalis Fabricius, 1781: 443 , sex not stated [ ♀ ]. Sphex nigripes var. volubilis Kohl, 1895: 64 , ♀ , ♂ . Synonymized with Sphex haemorrhoidalis by R. Turner 1912: 369 . Differential diagnosis Theoretically, females of S. haemorrhoidalis ( Fig. 69 ) can be recognized through their ferruginousgolden appressed paraocular and lateroclypeal setae ( Fig. 34 ). As this is not always perfectly visible, the combination of a largely ferruginous clypeus and the absence of a silvery luster in the appressed paraocular setae can be used for recognition as well. The silvery luster is present in females of S. victoria sp. nov. ( Fig. 35 ) and in those of S. caeruleanus ( Fig. 67 ) and S. mweruensis ( Fig. 68 ). Females of S. umtalicus ( Fig. 33 ) have at most a small area on the paraocular area with a silvery luster that differs from the basic color of their black appressed paraocular and clypeal setae, and their clypeus is entirely black, with the exception of rare cases that have up to the lower clypeal half ferruginous. Males ( Fig. 70 ) are identifiable through the combination of at least some of the erect scutal setae being silvery, the clypeus being entirely black and the wings only slightly fuscous. In males of S. victoria sp. nov. ( Fig. 74 ), S. caeruleanus and S. umtalicus , all scutal and propodeal setae are black. While the majority of the erect mesosomal setae are silvery in males of S. mweruensis ( Fig. 65 ), they differ from those of S. haemorrhoidalis in usually having the clypeal margin ferruginous. Furthermore, male S. haemorrhoidalis differ from those of the other species within the group in usually having almost the entire clypeus covered with appressed setae, except the area near the free margin, instead of the glabrous spot being medially at least 15% of the total clypeal height. Material examined Holotype AFRICA • ♀ ; tropical Africa [ probably West Africa ]; BMNH , coll. Banks . Other material AFRICA • 1 ♀ ; “ Congo ”; 1888; Thollon leg.; MNHN • 1 ♂ , 1 ♀ ; same collection data as for preceding; MNHN . BENIN – Alibori Department • 1 ♀ ; Kandi , near Saa ; [ 11°07ʹ43ʺ N , 2°56ʹ13ʺ E ]; Jun. 2001 ; F. Kantner leg.; THD-020-OOLM ; GenBank CO1 gene: MW538572 ; OÖLM . CAMEROON • 1 ♀ ; 12 Mar. 1892 ; H. Brauns leg.; TMP • 1 ♀ , paralectotype of Sphex nigripes var. volubilis Kohl, 1895 ; Schäfer leg.; ZMB • 1 ♀ , paralectotype of Sphex nigripes var. volubilis Kohl, 1895 ; “Sanaga”; Heim leg.; ZMB . – Adamawa Region • 1 ♀ ; SE of Ngaoundéré , ranch ; [ 7°08ʹ N , 13°42ʹ E ]; 9–12 May 2006 ; J. Oehlke leg.; coll. Jacobs . – Centre Region • 1 ♀ ; Biyan ; [ 3°24ʹ N , 11°14ʹ E ]; Dec. 1956 ; Mouchet leg.; MNHN • 1 ♀ ; Yaoundé ; [ 3°52ʹ N , 11°31ʹ E ]; Apr. 1953 ; J.-P. Adam and J. Rageau leg.; MNHN • 2 ♀♀ ; same collection data as for preceding but Oct. 1953 ; MNHN • 68 ♀♀ ; same locality as for preceding; Molez leg. [all?]; MNHN • 33 ♂♂ ; same collection data as for preceding; MNHN . – South Region • 1 ♂ , 1 ♀ ; 36 mi. N of Kribi ; [ 3°25ʹ36ʺ N , 10°07ʹ24ʺ E ]; 19 Oct. 1966 ; E.S. Ross and K. Lorenzen leg.; CAS • 1 ♀ ; Longji ; [ 3°04ʹ40.7ʺ N , 9°58ʹ29.1ʺ E ]; Apr. 1904 ; H. Paschen leg.; ZMB • 1 ♀ ; same collection data as for preceding; ZMB • 1 ♀ ; Nkoemvon ; [ 2°49ʹ N , 11°08ʹ E ]; 13 Jul.–24 Aug. 1980 ; D. Jackson leg.; BMNH . – Southwest Region • 1 ♂ , lectotype of Sphex nigripes var. volubilis Kohl, 1895 (designated here); Barombi Station ; P. Preuss leg.; ZMB • 4 ♀♀ , paralectotypes of Sphex nigripes var. volubilis Kohl, 1895 ; same collection data as for lectotype of Sphex nigripes var. volubilis Kohl, 1895 ; ZMB . CENTRAL AFRICAN REPUBLIC • 1 ♀ ; M. Boulard leg.; MNHN . – Lobaye • 1 ♀ ; La Maboke [ near M’Baiki ]; [ 3°53ʹ N , 18°00ʹ E ]; 21 Aug. 1969 ; P. Teocchi leg.; MNHN . ETHIOPIA – Amhara Region • 1 ♀ ; Jowaha , N of Debra Sina ; 7 Aug. 1946 ; K.M. Guichard leg.; BMNH . GABON – Estuaire Province • 1 ♂ , 1 ♀ ; Crystal Mountains , Komo ; [ 0°49ʹ45.6ʺ N , 10°08ʹ5.7ʺ E ]; 1–15 Oct. 1969 ; A. Villiers leg.; MNHN • 1 ♂ ; Crystal Mountains , Muni ; [ 0°49ʹ45.6ʺ N , 10°08ʹ5.7ʺ E ]; 15–31Oct.1969 ; A.Villiers leg.; MNHN .– Haut-Ogooué Province • 1♀ ; Franceville ; [ 1°38ʹ S , 13°35ʹ E ]; 1888; P.S. de Brazza leg.; MNHN . – Moyen-Ogooué Province • 1 ♀ ; Lambaréné ; [ 0°41ʹ18ʺ S , 10°13ʹ55ʺ E ]; 1912; R. Ellenberger leg.; MNHN • 2 ♀♀ ; Zielé [ lake near Lambaréné ]; [ 0°41ʹ18ʺ S , 10°13ʹ55ʺ E ]; 22 May 1993 ; MNHN . – Ngounié Province • 1 ♀ , paralectotype of Sphex nigripes var. volubilis Kohl, 1895 ; “Chûtes de Samlia, Rivière NʹGami ” [ actually chute de Samba , Ngounié River ]; A. Mocquerys leg.; IRSN . GHANA – Eastern Region • 1 ♀ ; 6 km E of Akosombo ; 6°15ʹ N , 0°05ʹ E ; 28 Aug. 2012 ; M. and J. Schwarz leg.; OÖLM • 1 ♀ ; same collection data as for preceding but 30 Aug. 2012 ; THD-034-OOLM ; GenBank CO1 gene: MW538573 ; OÖLM • 2 ♀♀ ; Aburi ; [ 5°50ʹ52ʺ N , 0°10ʹ28ʺ W ]; Dec. 1941 ; K.M. Guichard leg.; BMNH • 2 ♂♂ ; same collection data as for preceding; BMNH . – Savannah Region • 1 ♀ ; Yapi [Yapei]; [ 9°09ʹ08ʺ N , 1°08ʹ52ʺ W ]; J.J. Simpson leg.; BMNH . – Volta Region • 1 ♀ ; Kpeve ; [ 6°41ʹ20ʺ N , 0°20ʹ01ʺ E ]; Jun. 1942 ; K.M. Guichard leg.; BMNH . – Western Region • 1 ♀ ; Ankasa Forest Reserve ; [ 5°17ʹ N , 2°39ʹ W ]; 9 Apr. 1969 ; O.W. Richards leg.; BMNH • 1 ♀ ; Daboasi ; [ 5°08ʹ N , 1°39ʹ W ]; 24 Feb. 1980 ; K.M. Stewart leg.; USNM • 1 ♀ ; Tamso ; [ 5°16ʹ46ʺ N , 2°00ʹ03ʺ W ]; BMNH . GUINEA • 1 ♀ ; Westermann leg.; ZMB .– Nzérékoré Region • 1 ♂ ; near Diéké ; [ 7°20ʹ54ʺ N , 8°57ʹ15ʺ W ]; 8–9 Feb. 2003 ; J. Oehlke leg.; coll. Jacobs • 1 ♀ ; Kéoulenta ; [ 7°40ʹ46ʺ N , 8°18ʹ51ʺ W ]; 2 Jun. 1942 ; M. Lamotte leg.; MNHN • 1 ♀ ; Nzo ; [ 7°40ʹ46ʺ N , 8°18ʹ51ʺ W ]; 2 Jun. 1942 ; M. Lamotte leg.; MNHN • 1 ♀ ; Sérédou ; [ 8°23ʹ N , 9°18ʹ W ]; 2 Mar. 1958 ; R. Pujol leg.; MNHN • 1 ♂ , 3 ♀♀ ; Yalanzou ; [ 7°43ʹ N , 8°41ʹ W ]; 2 Jun. 1942 ; M. Lamotte leg.; MNHN . KENYA • 1 ♀ ; valley of Upper Nzoia River , N of Kavirondo ; 5–7 Jun. 1911 ; S.A. Neave leg.; MNHN . LIBERIA • 2 ♀♀ ; Dingano ; 10 Aug. 1953 ; W. Peters leg.; BMNH • 1 ♀ ; Varh ; 3 Aug. 1953 ; W. Peters leg.; BMNH . – Bong County • 1 ♂ ; 10 mi. NE of Gbanka [ Gbarnga ]; [ 7°09ʹ30ʺ N , 9°27ʹ07ʺ W ]; 11 Aug. 1966 ; E.S. Ross and K. Lorenzen leg.; CAS • 1 ♂ ; Kpaine ; [ 7°10ʹ N , 9°07ʹ W ]; 17 Aug. 1953 ; W. Peters leg.; BMNH • 1 ♀ ; Kpaine ; [ 7°10ʹ N , 9°07ʹ W ]; 17 Aug. 1953 ; W. Peters leg.; BMNH . – Margibi County • 1 ♂ ; Harbel , Firestone Plantation ; [ 6°17ʹ N , 10°21ʹ W ]; 27 Jul. 1966 ; E.S. Ross and K. Lorenzen leg.; CAS • 1 ♂ ; Kakatown [ now Kakata ]; [ 6°31ʹ48ʺ N , 10°21ʹ06ʺ W ]; 20 Aug. 1926 ; J. Bequaert leg.; MRAC . NIGER – Dosso Region • 1 ♀ ; Gaya ; [ 11°53ʹ03ʺ N , 3°26ʹ57ʺ E ]; 17 Oct. 1976 ; BMNH . NIGERIA • 1 ♂ ; Koya ; Jan. 1975 ; J.T. Medler leg.; BMNH . – Kaduna State • 1 ♀ ; Samaru ; [ 11°09ʹ39ʺ N , 7°38ʹ44ʺ E ]; 25 Aug. 1970 ; Ward leg.; BMNH • 1 ♀ ; same collection data as for preceding but 4 Sep. 1970 ; BMNH • 1 ♀ ; Samaru , Fadama ; [ 11°09ʹ39ʺ N , 7°38ʹ44ʺ E ]; 15 Jul. 1970 ; BMNH . – Osun State • 1 ♂ ; Ile-Ife ; [ 7°28ʹ56ʺ N , 4°33ʹ37ʺ E ]; 6 Mar. 1975 ; J.T. Medler leg.; BMNH . REPUBLIC OF CÔTE D’IVOIRE • 1 ♂ ; 1957; J. de Wilde leg.; RMNH . – Abidjan District • 2 ♂♂ ; Adiopodoumé ; [ 5°20ʹ29.2ʺ N , 4°07ʹ59.2ʺ W ]; 1967; P.J. Hummelen leg.; RMNH • 1 ♂ ; same locality as for preceding ; 30 Aug. 1962 ; J. von Dinther leg.; RMNH • 1 ♂ ; same locality as for preceding ; 17 Nov. 1967 ; Gillon leg.; MNHN • 1 ♀ ; Banco National Park ; [ 5°23ʹ N , 4°03ʹ W ]; R. Paulian and C. Delamare leg.; MNHN • 1 ♂ ; Bingerville ; [ 5°21ʹ N , 3°54ʹ W ]; 1916; G. Melou leg.; MNHN . – Gôh Region • 3 ♂♂ , 2 ♀♀ ; Gagnoa ; [ 6°07ʹ54ʺ N , 5°57ʹ02ʺ E ]; 2–4 Mar. 1984 ; M. Matthews leg.; BMNH . – Gôh- Djiboua District • 1 ♀ ; Oumé ; [ 6°23ʹ N , 5°25ʹ W ]; 20 Jan. 1991 ; W.J. Pulawski leg.; CAS . – Indénié- Djuablin Region • 1 ♀ ; Abengourou ; [ 6°44ʹ N , 3°29ʹ W ]; May 1965 ; Brunhes leg.; MNHN • 1 ♀ ; same collection data as for preceding but Jun. 1965 ; MNHN . – Lagunes District • 1 ♀ ; 40 km NW of Abidjan ; [ 5°46ʹ27ʺ N , 4°07ʹ34ʺ W ]; 6 Jan. 1991 ; W.J. Pulawski leg.; CAS • 1 ♀ ; Nidiza [NʹDouci or Nzida?]; 2 Aug. 1955 ; Pesson leg.; MNHN . – Montagnes District • 1 ♀ ; Danané ; [ 7°16ʹ N , 8°10ʹ W ]; Jan. 1939 ; L. Chopard leg.; MNHN • 1 ♀ ; same locality as for preceding; Dec. 1930 – Apr. 1931 ; Ch. Alluaud and P.A. Chappuis leg.; MNHN . – Vallée du Bandama District • 1 ♀ ; Bouaké ; [ 7°41ʹ N , 5°01ʹ W ]; 1977; P.M. Elsen leg.; MRAC . REPUBLIC OF THE CONGO • 2 ♂♂ , 1 ♀ ; Odzala-Kokoua National Park ; [ 0°48ʹ N , 14°55ʹ59.88ʺ E ]; Oct. 1963 ; A. Descarpentries and A. Villiers leg.; MNHN . – Kouilou Department • 1 ♂ ; Dimonika , Makaba ; [ 4°07ʹ59ʺ S , 12°21ʹ E ]; 28 Feb. 1978 ; J.-J. Menier leg.; MNHN • 1 ♀ ; Mvouti ; [ 4°14ʹ47ʺ S , 12°29ʹ20ʺ E ]; 17 Feb. 1978 ; J.J. Menier leg.; MNHN . – Lékoumou Department • 1 ♀ ; Mbouloupambou ; [ 2°32ʹ26.16ʺ S , 13°32ʹ45.96ʺ E ]; 22 Apr. 1980 ; C. Morin leg.; MNHN . RWANDA – Western Province • 1 ♀ ; Ishwa , Lake Albert ; [ 2°23ʹ04ʺ S , 28°55ʹ58ʺ E ]; Sep. 1935 ; H.J. Brédo leg.; MRAC . SENEGAL – Kaolack Region • 3 ♀♀ ; Saboya , Nioro ; [ 13°37ʹ10ʺ N , 16°04ʹ58ʺ W ]; 1 Aug. 1967 ; MNHN . – Thiès Region • 1 ♀ ; Ft. de Bandia ; [ 14°37ʹ25ʺ N , 17°01ʹ40ʺ W ]; 4 Oct. 1967 ; MNHN . SIERRA LEONE • 1 ♀ ; W.G. Clements leg.; BMNH • 1 ♂ ; ZMB • 1 ♀ ; Dumballa ; 7 Sep. 1912 ; J.J. Simpson leg.; BMNH • 1 ♀ ; Yorke ; 30 Sep. 1912 ; J.J. Simpson leg.; BMNH . – Eastern Province • 2 ♀♀ ; Hangha ; [ 7°56ʹ23ʺ N , 11°08ʹ28ʺ W ]; 3 Jul. 1912 ; J.J. Simpson leg.; BMNH . – Northern Province • 1 ♂ ; Kumrabai ; [ 8°32ʹ02ʺ N , 12°05ʹ33ʺ W ]; 21 Sep. 1912 ; J.J. Simpson leg.; BMNH . – Southern Province • 1 ♀ ; Bo ; [ 7°57ʹ53ʺ N , 11°44ʹ18ʺ W ]; 2 Sep. 1912 ; J.J. Simpson leg.; BMNH • 1 ♀ ; Mongheri ; [ 8°19ʹ14ʺ N , 11°44ʹ03ʺ W ]; 15 Sep. 1912 ; J.J. Simpson leg.; BMNH • 1 ♀ ; Moyamba ; [ 8°09ʹ32ʺ N , 12°25ʹ54ʺ W ]; 26 Sep. 1912 ; J.J. Simpson leg.; BMNH • 2 ♀♀ ; Rotifunk ; [ 8°14ʹ N , 12°41ʹ W ]; 14 Oct. 1912 ; J.J. Simpson leg.; BMNH • 2 ♀♀ ; Sembehun ; [ 7°46ʹ36ʺ N , 11°43ʹ38ʺ W ]; 28 Sep. 1912 ; J.J. Simpson leg.; BMNH • 3 ♀♀ ; Senahu ; [ 8°08ʹ48ʺ N , 12°36ʹ23ʺ W ]; 13 Oct. 1912 ; J.J. Simpson leg.; BMNH . TOGO • 2 ♀♀ , paralectotypes of Sphex nigripes var. volubilis Kohl, 1895 ; “ Togo Hinterland ”; 8 and 15 May 1889 ; E. Kling leg.; ZMB . – Centrale Region • 1 ♀ , paralectotype of Sphex nigripes var. volubilis Kohl, 1895 ; Bismarckburg (near Yégué); 30 Jun.–3 Jul. 1893 ; L. Conradt leg.; ZMB . – Plateaux Region • 1 ♀ ; Ikavi-Kopé , Ekébe River ; 7°36ʹ10ʺ N , 0°44ʹ31ʺ E ; 21 Apr. 2008 ; J. Oehlke leg.; coll. Jacobs. UGANDA – Eastern Region • 1 ♀ ; Mbale–Kumi Road, 3700 ft S of Lake Salisbury ; [ 1°33ʹ33ʺ N , 33°57ʹ15ʺ E ]; 15–17 Aug. 1911 ; S.A. Neave leg.; MNHN . – Western Region • 1 ♀ ; Fort Portal Road , Mbarara , Southern Toro ; [ 0°36ʹ48ʺ S , 30°39ʹ30ʺ E ]; 22–24 Oct. 1911 ; S.A. Neave leg.; MNHN . Description Female SIZE. 24.3–24.9 mm . COLOR. Black except for the following, which are ferruginous: basal half of mandible, clypeus, scape, pedicel, legs from apical fourth of femur onward excluding apical half of claw and apical metasomal segment. Wings fuscous, with violet-bluish iridescence. VESTITURE. Appressed setae on clypeus and paraocular area ferruginous-golden, on collar, scutum and propodeal enclosure black. Erect setae on clypeus, paraocular area, collar, scutum and propodeal enclosure black. Erect propodeal setae oriented perpendicularly, slightly curved towards anterior. Lower center of clypeus glabrous. Scutellum densely and coarsely pubescent. STRUCTURE. Free clypeal margin medially with broad, notched tooth, stepped above. Clypeus without distinct indentation or carina. Scutellum convex. Metanotum slightly raised, not notably bituberculate. 2 nd recurrent vein joins interstitium between submarginal cells II and III. Propodeal enclosure without any notable ridges. Foretarsomere I 2.9–3.3× length of antepenultimate spine. Petiole length 2.5–2.6× its medial width. Male SIZE. 19.2–23.5 mm . COLOR. Black except for basal half of mandible and hindtibia, which are ferruginous. Fore- and hindwing slightly, their apical margin more conspicuously fuscous, forewing with violet iridescence. VESTITURE. Appressed setae on clypeus and paraocular area silvery, on collar black, on scutum and propodeal enclosure silvery or black. Erect setae on clypeus, paraocular area and collar black, on scutum usually silvery, on propodeal enclosure black or sometimes silvery. Erect propodeal setae oriented perpendicularly, slightly curved towards anterior. Clypeus glabrous only near free margin. Scutellum densely and coarsely pubescent. STRUCTURE. Free clypeal margin medially with tooth emerging from inner side. Scutellum convex. Metanotum slightly raised, not notably bituberculate. 2 nd recurrent vein joins slightly proximal from interstitium between submarginal cells II and III. Propodeal enclosure without any notable ridges. Posterior margin of metasomal tergum VII convex. Posterior margin of metasomal sternum VII simple, of metasomal sternum VIII triangular. Petiole length 2.1–2.4 × its medial width. Flagellomere V with narrow placoid covering its proximal four-fifths. Variation The female clypeus, flagellum, tarsi and metasomal apex can be ferruginous or black to a varying extent. In males, the erect scutal and propodeal setae are silvery or black to a varying extent, though there are always at least some silvery scutal setae. Distribution Western to central Africa. Remarks Kohl did not properly label the types of S. nigripes var. volubilis , and they are only indicated by the locality notes in the original description, where twelve specimens from four more or less well-defined areas are mentioned ( Cameroon , Togo Hinterland, “Chûtes de Samlia”, “Grand Bana”). We were able to find a few specimens from matching regions that have identification labels by Kohl, and in conjunction with the remaining specimens of this species in the ZMB from the same series, or other specimens there that were collected before 1895 in Cameroon or Togo , their number amounts exactly to ten. There is only one specimen from the type series (from “Chûtes de Samlia”) in the IRSN, and under the assumption that there was only one from “Grand Bana” as well (the specimen was thought to be deposited in the NHMW, but is apparently not there), those ten ZMB specimens would likely constitute the remainder of the syntypes .