Sphecodopsis, Bischoff, 1923

Key for the identification of species of Sphecodopsis View in CoL

Females

The preparation of S6 is essential for a reliable determination.

The females of the following species are unknown: S. albomaculata sp. nov., S. leonis , S. minuta sp. nov., S. nana sp. nov., S. nigra sp. nov., and S. villosa View in CoL . The females of S. carolinae View in CoL and S. capicola View in CoL were not available for study, so they are not included in the key either.

1. S6 pointed posteriorly ( Figs 4D View Fig , 6D View Fig , 10D View Fig ) ....................................................................................... 2

– S6 bifid posteriorly (e.g. Figs 12C View Fig , 26C View Fig , 34C View Fig , 52C View Fig , 56C View Fig , 92C View Fig , 104C View Fig ) ............................................ 4

2. T6 narrow and almost truncate apically ( Fig. 10B View Fig ) .......................... S. fumipennis ( Bischoff, 1923) View in CoL

– T6 broad and rounded apically ( Figs 4C View Fig , 6C View Fig ) ................................................................................... 3

3. Punctation on mesoscutum denser (i =0.25–0.5 d) and finer, individual punctures not always clearly separated ( Fig. 3D View Fig ); S6 shiny on surface and more pointed apically ( Fig. 4D View Fig ) ................................. ............................................................................................................................. S. aquifolia sp. nov.

– Punctation on mesoscutum slightly more dispersed (i =0.25–1 d) and coarser, individual punctures clearly separated ( Fig. 5D View Fig ); S6 matt on surface and rounded apically ( Fig. 6D View Fig ) ............................... .................................................................................................................... S. capensis ( Friese, 1915) View in CoL

4. Metasoma completely black ( Figs 15B View Fig , 25B View Fig , 55B View Fig , 57B View Fig ) ................................................................. 5

– T1 and T2 at least partially red, but metasoma usually with more extensive red colouration (e.g. Figs 11B View Fig , 33B View Fig , 59B View Fig , 81B View Fig ) ................................................................................................................. 8

5. Apical notch of S6 at least five times as long as its apical width ( Figs 56C View Fig , 58C View Fig ) .......................... 6

– Apical notch of S6 at most three times as long as its apical width ( Figs 16C View Fig , 26C View Fig ) ........................ 7

6. Punctation of mesoscutum more dispersed (i=0.5–1 d) and coarser ( Fig. 55D View Fig ); apical notch of S6 five times as long as its apical width ( Fig. 56C View Fig ) ......................................................... S. atra sp. nov.

– Punctation of mesoscutum denser (i=0.25–0.5 d) and finer ( Fig. 57D View Fig ); apical notch of S6 nine times as long as its apical width ( Fig. 58C View Fig ) ............................................................. S. catastropha sp. nov.

7. T6 sparsely covered with short white hair ( Fig. 16B View Fig ); apical notch of S6 two times as long as its apical width ( Fig. 16C View Fig ) ........................................................................................ S. chaotica sp. nov.

– T6 covered with long black hair ( Fig. 26B View Fig ); apical notch of S6 three times as long as its apical width ( Fig. 26C View Fig ) .............................................................................................................. S. obscura sp. nov.

8. Fore tibia and tarsi completely or largely red ( Figs 47A View Fig , 53A View Fig , 91A View Fig , 105A View Fig ) .................................... 9

– Fore tibia and tarsi usually black, sometimes with small reddish spots ( Figs 11A View Fig , 21A View Fig , 39A View Fig , 59A View Fig , 103A View Fig ) .............................................................................................................................................. 20

9. Head only slightly wider than long, vertex conspicuously raised and rounded ( Fig. 108C View Fig )............... ....................................................................................................... S. minutissima (Cockerell, 1933) View in CoL

– Head wider than long, vertex flat, almost flat or just slightly rounded ( Figs 47C View Fig , 93C View Fig , 105C View Fig , 107C View Fig ) ......................................................................................................................................................... 10

10. T5 apically with conspicuously long fringe, hair laterally distinctly longer forming a small medial gap ( Figs 48B View Fig , 106B View Fig ) .......................................................…………………………………………11

– T5 apically either without or with short fringe of hair of ±even length ( Figs 54B View Fig , 88B View Fig , 110B View Fig , 114B View Fig ) ............................................................................................................................................... 12

11. Apical notch of S6 shorter and narrower, about as long as its apical width ( Fig. 106C View Fig ); T5 with bright white fringe of strongly branched hair ( Fig. 106B View Fig ) ............................................ S. fimbriata sp. nov.

– Apical notch of S6 longer and broader, about one and a half times as long as its apical width ( Fig. 48C View Fig ); T5 with brown fringe of slightly branched hair ( Fig. 48B View Fig ) ............................................. ............................................................................................................... S. vespericena Eardley, 1997 View in CoL

12. Head and mesoscutum with short white or golden hair ( Figs 109C, 109D View Fig , 113C, 113D View Fig ) ............. 13

– Head and mesoscutum with black hair, sometimes interspersed with lighter hair ( Figs 51C–D View Fig , 91C– D View Fig , 107C–D View Fig ) ..................................................................................................................................... 14

13. Propodeum sparsely covered with golden hair ( Fig. 110A View Fig ); apical notch of S6 about as long as its apical width ( Fig. 110C View Fig ) ......................................................................................... S. regina sp. nov.

– Propodeum densely covered with bright white hair ( Fig. 114A View Fig ); apical notch of S6 about twice as long as its apical width ( Fig. 114C View Fig ) ....................................................................... S. vicfalls sp. nov.

14. Mesoscutum matt, densely and deeply punctate ( Figs 51D View Fig , 53D View Fig , 107D View Fig ) ...................................... 15

– Mesoscutum shiny, sparsely and shallowly punctate ( Figs 79D View Fig , 81D–E View Fig , 87D View Fig , 91D View Fig ) .................... 17

15. T6 narrow and almost truncate apically, with long black hair ( Fig. 107B View Fig ) ........................................ .......................................................................................................... S. longipygidium Eardley, 1997 View in CoL

– T6 broad and rounded apically, with short golden hair ( Figs 52B View Fig , 54B View Fig ) ....................................... 16

16. Apical notch of S6 about seven times as long as its apical width ( Fig. 52C View Fig ); T6 laterally slightly rounded ( Fig. 52B View Fig ) ……………………..................................................... S. crassipunctata sp. nov.

– Apical notch of S6 about twice as long as its apical width ( Fig. 54C View Fig ); T6 laterally almost straight ( Fig. 54B View Fig ) ........................................................................................... S. namaquensis Eardley, 1997 View in CoL

17. Apical notch of S6 about as long as its apical width ( Figs 80C View Fig , 82D View Fig ) ........................................... 18

– Apical notch of S6 about one and a half times as long as its apical width ( Figs 88C View Fig , 92C View Fig ) .......... 19

18. Thin patches of white hair above each antennae ( Fig. 81C View Fig ); propodeum laterally and metapostnotum with abundant white hair in upper corners ( Fig. 82A, 82B View Fig ) .................. S. kuhlmanni Eardley, 2007 View in CoL

– No white hair above each antennae ( Fig. 79C View Fig ); propodeum laterally and metapostnotum only with few white hairs in upper corners ( Fig. 80A View Fig ) .................................................... S. keiskiensis sp. nov.

19. 2 nd antennal segment approx. twice as long as 3 rd segment ( Fig. 91C View Fig ); metapostnotum approx. as high as wide, superficially shagreened and more shiny ( Fig. 92A View Fig ) .... S. semirufa (Cockerell, 1933) View in CoL

– 2 nd antennal segment 1.5 times longer than 3 rd segment ( Fig. 87C View Fig ); metapostnotum wider than high, more distinctly shagreened and matt ( Fig. 88A View Fig ) .................................................... S. rufipes sp. nov.

20. Apical notch of S6 about three as long as its apical width, shape as shown in Fig. 104C; T View Fig 6 View Fig densely covered with golden hair ( Fig. 104B View Fig ); front legs only with dots of red on the femur and the tibia ( Fig. 103A View Fig ) ………… ............................................................................................. S. directa sp. nov.

– S6 of different shape ( Figs 12C View Fig , 30C View Fig , 34C View Fig , 60C View Fig ); T6 either covered with black or white hair or with only thin golden hair ( Figs 12B View Fig , 18B View Fig , 40B View Fig , 72B View Fig ); front legs completely black or, if with red maculation, position and form different ( Figs 11A View Fig , 21A View Fig , 45A View Fig , 73A View Fig ) ............................................ 21

21. Head and mesosoma with conspicuously dense, long, black hair ( Figs 33C–D View Fig , 43C–D View Fig ); apical notch of S6 about as long as its apical width, shape as shown in ( Figs 34C View Fig , 40C View Fig , 44C View Fig , 46C View Fig ) ................ 22

– Head and mesosoma with light hair, if black then shorter or more dispersed ( Figs 19C–D View Fig , 75C–D View Fig ); shape of S6 different ( Figs 12C View Fig , 18C View Fig , 60C View Fig ) ................................................................................... 25

22. T5 only with long black hair ( Fig. 44B View Fig ) ................................................. S. leliefonteinensis sp. nov.

– T5 with black hair on the disc and bright white hair on the apical margin ( Figs 34B View Fig , 40B View Fig , 46B View Fig ). 23

23. T6 apically truncate ( Fig. 40B View Fig ) ................................................................................... S. felix sp. nov.

– T6 apically slightly rounded ( Figs 34B View Fig , 46B View Fig ) ................................................................................ 24

24. Mesoscutum very densely punctate (i=0–0.25 d) surface appears rugged ( Fig. 33D View Fig ); body length around 7–9 mm ( Fig. 33A View Fig ) ............................................................................ S. atricapillata sp. nov.

– Mesoscutum with more dispersed punctation (i=0.25–0.5 d) surface smooth ( Fig. 45D View Fig ); body length around 5 mm ( Fig. 45A View Fig ) ............................................................................ S. roggeveldensis sp. nov.

25. Smaller, body length 3.5–5.8 mm ( Figs 59A View Fig , 63A View Fig , 71A View Fig , 73A View Fig , 75A View Fig ); apical notch of S6 three to six times as long as its apical width, more or less spatulate ( Figs 60C View Fig , 64C View Fig , 72C View Fig , 74C View Fig , 76C View Fig ) ............ 26

– Larger, body length> 6 mm ( Figs 11A View Fig , 19A View Fig , 81A View Fig , 97A View Fig ), or if smaller shape of S6 different ( Figs 12C View Fig , 20C View Fig , 82D View Fig , 98C View Fig ) ............................................................................................................................... 30

26. Head and mesoscutum with black hair, partially mixed with white hair ( Fig. 71C–D View Fig ) ..................... ....................................................................................................................... S. papilla Eardley, 2007 View in CoL

– Head and mesoscutum with purely white, yellowish-white or golden hair ( Figs 73C–D View Fig , 75–D View Fig ) .. 27

27. Propodeum densely covered with short white or yellowish-white hair ( Figs 60A View Fig , 76A View Fig ) .............. 28

– Propodeum very sparsely covered with short white hair ( Figs 64A View Fig , 74A View Fig ) .................................... 29

28. T5 apically densely covered with short white hair ( Fig. 76B View Fig ); T6 rounded apically, covered with short golden hair forming a fringe ( Fig. 76B View Fig ) ........................................................ S. tenera sp. nov.

– T5 apically sparsely covered with short white hair ( Fig. 60B View Fig ); T6 almost truncate apically, covered with short golden hair but not forming a fringe ( Fig. 60B View Fig ) ................................... S. corona sp. nov.

29. T6 rounded apically with an inconspicuous fringe, hair laterally about as long as medially ( Fig. 74B View Fig ) .............................................................................................................. S. parvula sp. nov.

– T6 almost straight apically with a distinct fringe, hair laterally much longer than medially ( Fig. 64B View Fig ) ..................................................................................................... S. microscopica sp. nov.

30. Apical notch of S6 with a small tip distally ( Figs 18C View Fig , 20C View Fig , 22C View Fig , 30C View Fig ) ....................................... 31

– Apical notch of S6 without a small tip distally ( Figs 12C View Fig , 20C View Fig , 82D View Fig , 98C View Fig ) .................................. 33

31. Propodeum densely covered with relatively long, yellowish-white hair mixed with long, black hair ( Fig. 22A View Fig ); larger, body length approx. 5.8–6.6 mm ( Fig. 21A View Fig ) ............................ S. magna sp. nov.

– Propodeum covered with short, yellowish-white or white hair only ( Figs 18A View Fig , 20A View Fig , 30A View Fig ); smaller, body length max. 5.3 mm ( Figs 17A View Fig , 19A View Fig , 29A View Fig ) ........................................................................... 32

32. Mesoscutum slightly coarser and more dispersed (i= 0.25–1 d) punctate ( Fig. 29D View Fig ); tips of S6 slightly more curved inward ( Fig. 30C View Fig ) ................................................................ S. subtilis sp. nov.

– Mesoscutum more finely and densely (i =0.25–0.5 d) punctate ( Fig. 17D View Fig ); tips of S6 barely curved inward ( Fig. 18C View Fig ) ………………………….............................................................. S. acuta sp. nov.

33. T6 almost truncate apically ( Figs 20B View Fig , 82C View Fig ) .................................................................................. 34

– T6 rounded apically ( Figs 12B View Fig , 98B View Fig ) ............................................................................................. 35

34. Apical notch of S6 as long as its apical width, notch narrower ( Fig. 82D View Fig ) ........................................ ................................................................................................................ S. kuhlmanni Eardley, 2007 View in CoL

– Apical notch of S6 one and a half times as long as its apical width, notch wider ( Fig. 20C View Fig ) ............ ............................................................................................................................. S. angulata sp. nov.

35. Head with black hair ( Fig. 97C View Fig ) ............................................................................... S. bifida sp. nov.

– Head with white hair ( Fig. 11C View Fig ) ................................................................ S. aculeata ( Friese, 1922) View in CoL

Males

The extraction of the genitalia, S7 and S8 is indispensable for a reliable determination.

The males of the following species are unknown: S. acuta sp. nov., S. angulata sp. nov., S. aquifolia sp. nov., S. atra sp. nov., S. bifida sp. nov., S. catastropha sp. nov., S. chaotica sp. nov., S. crassipunctata sp. nov., S. directa sp. nov., S. fimbriata sp. nov., S. fumipennis View in CoL , S. keiskiensis sp. nov., S. leliefonteinensis sp. nov., S. longipygidium View in CoL , S. microscopica sp. nov., S. namaquensis View in CoL , S. papilla View in CoL , S. parvula sp. nov., S. roggeveldensis sp. nov. and S. vicfalls sp. nov. The male of S. minutissima View in CoL was not available for study, so it is not included in the key.

1. Metasoma completely black ( Figs 25B View Fig , 69B View Fig ) .................................................................................. 2

– T1 and T2 at least partially red, but metasoma usually with more extensive red colouration (e.g. Figs 13B View Fig , 65B View Fig , 93B View Fig , 111B View Fig ) ............................................................................................................... 3

2. Head and mesosoma with white hair ( Fig. 69C–D View Fig ) ................................................. S. nigra sp. nov.

– Head and mesosoma with black hair ( Fig. 27C–D View Fig ) .............................................. S. obscura sp. nov.

3. Fore tibia and tarsi completely red or light red ( Figs 49A View Fig , 89A View Fig , 93A View Fig ) ............................................ 4

– Fore legs usually black, sometimes with small reddish spots ( Figs 7A View Fig , 41A View Fig , 61A View Fig , 67A View Fig ) ............... 8

4. Metapostnotum glabrous and shiny ( Figs 93E View Fig , 111E View Fig ) ...................................................................... 5

– Metapostnotum with hair in upper corners and matt ( Figs 49E View Fig , 83E View Fig , 89E View Fig ) ..................................... 6

5. Head and mesosoma with relatively short golden and white hair ( Fig. 111C–D View Fig ); wings slightly yellowish, almost clear ( Fig. 111A View Fig ); smaller: body length 4.9 mm ( Fig. 111A View Fig ) .... S. regina sp. nov.

– Head and mesosoma with long, black hair mixed with short, white hair ( Fig. 93C–D View Fig ); wings fuscous ( Fig. 93A View Fig ); larger: body length 6.5–8.0 mm ( Fig. 93A View Fig ) ..................... S. semirufa (Cockerell, 1933) View in CoL

6. Mesoscutum densely punctate, matt ( Fig. 49D View Fig ) ................................... S. vespericena Eardley, 1997 View in CoL

– Mesoscutum sparsely punctate, shiny ( Figs 83D View Fig , 89D View Fig ) ................................................................... 7

7. Metapostnotum with few hair in upper corners ( Fig. 89E View Fig ); mesoscutum slightly more densely (i=1–2 d) punctate ( Fig. 89D View Fig ) ................................................................................ S. rufipes sp. nov.

– Metapostnotum with more abundant hair in upper corners ( Fig. 83E View Fig ); mesoscutum slightly more sparsely (i= 1–3 d) punctate ( Fig. 83D View Fig ) ................................................. S. kuhlmanni Eardley, 2007 View in CoL

8. Head and mesosoma with white or golden hair ( Figs 13C–D View Fig , 61C–D View Fig , 67C–D View Fig ) .............................. 9

– Head and mesosoma with black hair, sometimes mixed with lighter hair ( Figs 23C–D View Fig , 37C–D View Fig , 85C–D View Fig ) ........................................................................................................................................... 13

9. Head and mesosoma with white hair ( Fig. 13C–D View Fig ); gonostylus not inclined inward and slightly tapered, penis valves broader, about as long as gonostylus ( Fig. 14C View Fig ) ..... S. aculeata ( Friese, 1922) View in CoL

– Head and mesosoma with golden or white hair ( Figs 65C–D View Fig , 67C–D View Fig ); gonostylus inclined inward, penis valves narrower, slightly shorter than gonostylus ( Figs 66C–D View Fig , 68C–D View Fig ) ............................ 10

10. Propodeum very sparsely covered with short white hair ( Fig. 67E View Fig ); S8 narrow and almost truncate apically ( Fig. 68B View Fig ) .................................................................................................... S. nana sp. nov.

– Propodeum covered with white or golden hair ( Figs 61E View Fig , 65E View Fig , 77E View Fig ); S8 broader, apically rounded or notched ( Figs 62B View Fig , 66B View Fig , 7B View Fig ) .......................................................................................................11

11. S8 apically notched ( Fig. 66B View Fig ) .............................................................................. S. minuta sp. nov.

– S8 apically rounded ( Figs 62B View Fig , 78B View Fig ) ............................................................................................. 12

12. Head and mesosoma with golden hair ( Fig. 61C–D View Fig ); T7 more densely covered with short golden hair ( Fig. 61F View Fig ); S8 narrowly rounded apically ( Fig. 62B View Fig ) ............................................ S. corona sp. nov.

– Head and mesosoma with white hair ( Fig. 77C–D View Fig ); T7 very sparsely covered with short golden hair ( Fig. 77F View Fig ); S8 broadly rounded apically ( Fig. 78B View Fig ) ............................................... S. tenera sp. nov.

13. Head and mesosoma with conspicuously dense, long, black hair ( Figs 35C–D View Fig , 37C–D View Fig , 41C–D View Fig ) 14

– Head and mesosoma with white or golden hair, if with black hair, not as long and dense or mixed with lighter hair ( Figs 1C–D View Fig , 95C–D View Fig , 99C–D View Fig ) .............................................................................. 16

14. Gonostylus slightly longer than gonocoxa ( Fig. 38C–D View Fig ) .......................... S. capicola ( Strand, 1911) View in CoL

– Gonostylus shorter than gonocoxa ( Figs 36C–D View Fig , 42C–D View Fig ) ............................................................. 15

15. Gonostylus apically narrower, penis valves strongly curved downward ( Fig. 42C–D View Fig ); mesoscutum more sparsely punctate ( Fig. 41D View Fig ) .............................................................................. S. felix sp. nov.

– Gonostylus apically broader, penis valves less distinctly curved downward ( Fig.36C–D View Fig ); mesoscutum more finely punctate ( Fig. 35D View Fig ) ..................................................................... S. atricapillata sp. nov.

16. Mesoscutum sparsely, finely and shallowly punctate, very shiny ( Figs 83D View Fig , 85D View Fig , 95D View Fig ) .............. 17

– Mesoscutum densely, coarsely and deeply punctate, matt or slightly shiny ( Figs 7D View Fig , 31D View Fig , 101D View Fig ) .............................................................................................................................................. 19

17. Gonostylus shorter than gonocoxa, narrow, pointed posteriorly and extremely bent inward, penis valves distinctly longer than gonostylus ( Fig. 86D View Fig ) ................................... S. leonis Cockerell, 1933

– Gonostylus, broader, rounded posteriorly and straight or not so extremely bent inward ( Figs 84C–D View Fig , 96C–D View Fig ) ........................................................................................................................................... 18

18. Metapostnotum almost twice as wide as high ( Fig. 95E View Fig ); gonostylus slightly bent inward ( Fig. 96C– D View Fig ) .................................................................................................................. S. villosa ( Friese, 1909) View in CoL

– Metapostnotum slightly wider than high ( Fig. 83E View Fig ); gonostylus straight ( Fig. 84C–D View Fig ...................... ................................................................................................................ S. kuhlmanni Eardley, 2007 View in CoL

19. Propodeum covered with white hair mixed with at least a few black hairs ( Figs 1E View Fig , 7E View Fig , 23E View Fig ) ..... 20

– Propodeum covered only with white or golden hair ( Figs 31E View Fig , 99E View Fig , 101E View Fig ) .................................. 22

20. Gonostylus shorter than gonocoxa ( Fig. 24C–D View Fig ) ................................................... S. magna sp. nov.

– Gonostylus approximately the same length or longer than gonocoxa ( Figs 2C–D View Fig , 8C–D View Fig ) ........... 21

21. Metapostnotum twice as wide as high ( Fig. 7E View Fig ); gonostylus straight dorsally ( Fig. 8D View Fig ) .................. .................................................................................................................... S. capensis ( Friese, 1915) View in CoL

– Metapostnotum twice as high as wide ( Fig. 1E View Fig ); gonostylus with a bump dorsally ( Fig. 2D View Fig ) .......... ..................................................................................................................... S. albomaculata sp. nov.

22. Genitalia shortened and broad ( Fig. 32C View Fig ) .............................................................. S. subtilis sp. nov.

– Genitalia elongated and narrow ( Figs 100C–D View Fig , 102C View Fig ) .................................................................. 23

23. Surface of the propodeum is smooth and shiny, except for the metapostnotum ( Fig. 101E View Fig ) ............. ............................................................................................................................... S. chrysea sp. nov.

– Surface of the propodeum is shagreened and matt, just like the metapostnotum ( Fig. 100B View Fig ) ........... ................................................................................................................... S. carolinae Eardley, 2007 View in CoL