Sphecodopsis villosa ( Friese, 1909 )

Sphecodopsis villosa ( Friese, 1909) View in CoL

Figs 95–96 View Fig View Fig

Pasites villosus Friese, 1909: 438–439 , holotype ♂ (type locality: Zeerust, South Africa) (ZMHB), examined.

Diagnosis

The female of S. villosa is unknown. The male can be separated from that of all other species by the combination of the following characters: metasoma at least partially red ( Fig. 95B View Fig ); fore legs usually black, with small reddish spots ( Fig. 95A View Fig ); head and mesosoma with black hair, sometimes mixed with lighter hair ( Fig. 95C–D View Fig ); mesoscutum sparsely, finely and shallowly punctate, very shiny ( Fig. 95D View Fig ); metapostnotum almost twice as wide as high ( Fig. 95E View Fig ); gonostylus, broad, rounded posteriorly and slightly bent inward ( Fig. 96C–D View Fig ).

This characteristic species was described in detail by Eardley & Brothers (1997). Thus, to facilitate the identification only images are provided ( Figs 95–96 View Fig View Fig ) without repeating the description.

Additional material examined

None.

Distribution

Only known from the type locality Zeerust in NE South Africa. The specimen collected in Vanrhynsdorp, Namaqualand ( Eardley & Brothers 1997: 404), could not be checked but it is unlikely that it represents the same species as it was collected in the Succulent Karoo biome in the winter rainfall region that is climatically completely different from the Savanna biome with summer rainfall around Zeerust.

Host bees

Unknown.

Seasonal activity

Unknown.

Isolated species