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 10.5852/ejt.2022.796.1665 9c3fa32d-4320-4170-83e3-a5c045a4ba68 2118-9773 6299440 76C5C9C4-C6C1-4EDC-8FF8-9828A6EF2040 Sphex abyssinicus ( Arnold, 1928 ) Figs 17 , 25–26 , 92 (yellow) Chlorion abyssinicum Arnold, 1928: 372 , ♂ . Differential diagnosis The male of this species can easily be identified through its uniquely rectangular-shaped eighth sternum ( Fig. 25 ) and enlarged valviceps ( Fig. 26 ). Females have been undescribed until now, but we were able to tentatively assign four female specimens to S. abyssinicus based on morphological considerations and geographical distribution. As is the case with many female members of the bohemanni group, they are hard to distinguish from closely related species, but the color of the luster of the appressed facial setae is a useful diagnostic. In this species, it is ferruginous, as well as golden laterally on the clypeus and the paraocular area ( Fig. 17 ), which separates it from most others. Females of S. abbotti abbotti can look very similar ( Fig. 15 ), but their facial setae lack a golden shimmer, whereas those of S. schoutedeni malawicus subsp. nov. possess it ( Fig. 18 ), but are not known to occur north of Zambia . Material examined Holotype ETHIOPIA • ♂ ; 1911; R.E. Turner leg.; BMNH . Paratype ETHIOPIA • 1 ♂ ; same collection data as for holotype; BMNH . Other material ETHIOPIA • 1 ♂ ; same collection data as for holotype; BMNH . – Harari Region • 1 ♂ ; Harrar ; [ 9°18ʹ49ʺ N , 42°07ʹ05ʺ E ]; 1912; R.E. Turner leg.; BMNH • 1 ♂ ; Mulata Mts ; [ 9°27ʹ11ʺ N , 41°45ʹ25.4ʺ E ]; 22 Oct. 1925 ; AMNH . – Oromia Region • 1 ♀ ; 23 km NW of Mena ; 6°35ʹ N , 39°44ʹ E ; 28 May 2015 ; J. Halada leg.; OÖLM . – Southern Nations , Nationalities, and Peoples’ Region • 1 ♀ ; Nera Dorze ; 6°10ʹ8.4ʺ N , 37°34ʹ7.9ʺ E ; Apr. 2013 ; M. Ströhle leg.; OÖLM • 1 ♀ ; same collection data as for preceding; THD-033-OOLM ; GenBank LWR gene: MW582276 ; OÖLM . Description Female SIZE. 24.5–30.2 mm . COLOR. Black, except for ferruginous stripe in center of mandible. Wings uniformly fuscous, with turquoise luster. VESTITURE. Appressed setae on clypeus, paraocular area, collar, scutum and propodeal enclosure black, on clypeus and paraocular area with ferruginous-golden luster. Erect setae on clypeus, paraocular area, collar, scutum and propodeal enclosure black. Erect propodeal setae oriented posteriorly. Lower center of clypeus glabrous. Scutellum densely and coarsely pubescent. STRUCTURE. Free clypeal margin medially with two broad, indistinct processes, stepped above. Clypeus with indentation in lower center, without longitudinal carina. Scutellum convex. Metanotum not raised, not notably bituberculate. 2 nd recurrent vein joins markedly proximal from interstitium between submarginal cells II and III. Propodeal enclosure without any notable ridges. Foretarsomere I 2.8–2× length of antepenultimate spine. Petiole length 1.4–1.7× its medial width. Male SIZE. 30.9 mm . COLOR. Black except for basal half of mandible, which is ferruginous. Wings slightly fuscous, with violet iridescence. VESTITURE. Appressed setae on clypeus and paraocular area brassy, on collar, scutum and propodeal enclosure black. Erect setae on clypeus, paraocular area, collar, scutum and propodeal enclosure black. Erect propodeal setae oriented posteriorly. Lower center of clypeus glabrous. Scutellum densely and coarsely pubescent. Metasomal sterna II–VII with increasingly dense fringes of black setae. STRUCTURE. Free clypeal margin medially with short, broad process emanating from inferior part. Scutellum convex. Metanotum slightly raised, not bituberculate. 2 nd recurrent vein joins markedly 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 concavely emarginate and broadly truncated apically. Penis valvae fused, inner margin flattened and dorsally markedly raised, outer margin bulging near apex. Petiole length 1.3–1.4 × its medial width. Flagellomeres IV–VI with broad placoids covering their entire length. Variation Unknown. Distribution Ethiopia .