Cerceris jizanensis DOLLFUSS, 2025

Cerceris jizanensis DOLLFUSS , nov.sp. ( Figs 4 View Figs 4 a-h)

Holotype: ♀, SAUDI ARABIA, Jizan Region, N of Ad Darb , W Reem. 17.836N 42.275E, 4.III.2024, leg. M. Halada ( JHC) GoogleMaps . Paratype: 1♀, SAUDI ARABIA, Jizan region, 25 km N Baysh, 17.586N 42.624E, 28.II.2024, leg. B. Halada ( JHC).

E t y m o l o g y: The species is named after the region Jižan in Saudi Arabia where the holotype was collected.

R e c o g n i t i o n:Thefemaleof Cerceris jizanensis has no longitudinal carina on the coxa III, the terga II-IV are produced apico-laterally, the apical margin of the clypeus is distinctly tridentate, the clypeal process is highly raised and emarginate medially ( Fig. 4a View Figs 4 ), the mandible has two distinct teeth internally and the propodeal enclosure is dull, laterally punctate and with shallow developed medio-longitudinal furrow. Additionally, the prosternum is punctate without transverse carina, the mesopleuron is punctate with a small tubercle, the scutum is dull and densely punctate, the pygidial plate twice as long as wide ( Fig. 4e View Figs 4 ) and the legs are black and yellow.

The female of C. chromatica SCHLETTERER differs from C. jizanensis by having the clypeal process near the apical margin and the gaster (in many specimens also the rest of the insect) yellow. The female of C. lateriproducta MOCHI differs also from C. jizanensis by having the clypeal process near the apical margin and the apical margin of clypeal process is as wide as the base of the clypeus. The female of C. fitzgeraldi EMPEY differs from C. jizanensis by having the apical margin of clypeus with four (five) small teeth, the clypeal process is nasiform and its apical margin is narrower at the base and only feebly emarginate. The female of C. schalleri DOLLFUSS differs from C. jizanensis by having the propodeal enclosure smooth and shiny, the apical margin of the clypeus has only one tooth medially and the epimeron is without crest. The female of C. namibiensis DOLLFUSS differs from C jizanensis by having no clypeal process, the propodeal enclosure is smooth like a mirror and scutum and scutellum are shiny and irregularly sparsely punctate (punctures 1- 4 diameters apart). The female of C. zebra GUICHARD differs from C. jizanensis by having an apical margin of the clypeus with a bifurcal median tooth and one tooth lateral, the mesopleuron has a small tooth, the epimeron a crest and the propodeal enclosure is smooth and shiny. The female of C. ptah DOLLFUSS differs from C. jizanensis by having the clypeal process anteriorly convex in dorsal view, the anterior margin of the clypeus is median slightly emarginate, with two teeth lateral and the sternum II has a medio-longitudinal carina.

D e s c r i p t i o n: ♀, 9-10 mm. Sculpture: apical margin of clypeus distinctly tridentate; clypeal process highly raised and emarginate medially ( Figs 4a, b View Figs 4 ); mandible with two distinct teeth internally; mesopleuron with small tubercle; epimeron without crest; propodeal enclosure dull, with punctures lateral, medio-longitudinal and lateral furrows shallowly developed; petiole as long as wide ( Fig. 4f View Figs 4 ); sternum II with basal plate; flagellum as in Fig. 4d View Figs 4 ; pygidial plate twice as long as wide ( Fig. 4e View Figs 4 ). Puncturation: clypeus, frons and vertex densely punctate; pronotal collar, prosternum, scutum, mesopleuron and propodeal side densely punctate; scutellum sparsely punctate; metanotum impunctate; terga densely punctate; pygidial plate sparsely punctate; sterna lateral punctate. Pilosity: clypeus median with outstanding long setae; mandible beneath with long setae; gena and propodeal side with long setae; rest of body with irregularly short erect setae. Colouration: black; following parts yellow: clypeus, frons, mandible (except apex), spots on vertex and gena, pronotal collar lateral, scutellum, metanotum, petiole apical-lateral, terga II, III and V apical, sterna II and III lateral; legs black and yellow; apical margin of clypeus and flagellum ferruginous; wings hyaline, apically fuscous.

J unknown.

D i s t r i b u t i o n: Saudi Arabia.