Bembecinus nakhalensis, Schmid, 2024

Bembecinus nakhalensis SCHMID- EGGER nov.sp. (figs 55-64)

As Bembecinus gracilicornis (HANDLIRSCH, 1892) View in CoL ♀ in SCHMID-EGGER (2014: 536), description and fauna of the United Arab Emirates.

Holotype: OMAN: ♁, 11.iii.2022 14 km SW Nakhal 23.318N 57.694E (leg et coll. CSE). [Barcoding reg. number: ZSM-HYM-42469-B12] GoogleMaps . Paratypes: 1♁, same data as holotype (coll. CSE) GoogleMaps ; UNITED ARAB EMIRATES: ♀, 31.iii.2009 Wadi Wurayah 25.40N 56,28E (leg. A.v. Harten in Malaise trap, coll CSE, as B. gracilicornis in SCHMID-EGGER 2014) GoogleMaps .

R e m a r k: The female of Bembecinus nakhalensis was already published from the United Arab Emirates under the species name B. gracilicornis ( SCHMID- EGGER 2014). Even then, there were doubts about the identity of this species, but these could not be clarified at the time due to a lack of males. These have since been examined, which has clearly confirmed the identity of this species as a valid species. In addition, specimens of both species were genetically barcoded, further confirming the species difference. Both species belong to clearly separate genetic clades. Bembecinus nakhalensis is listed under the reference " Bembecinus spCSE1719" in the barcoding tree of SCHMID- EGGER et al. (2018).

D i a g n o s i s Bembecinus nakhalensis belongs to the B. loriculatus species group sensu SCHMID- EGGER (2004) and keys out with B. gracilicornis , occuring in Turkey, Iran and Central Asia. The male differs by the shape of T 7. It is narrowly truncated in B. nakhalensis (fig. 57) while in the neighboring species B. gracilicornis is very broadly truncate (fig. 28). The apex also may be slightly emarginated. The enlarged spiracular lobes of T 7 at ventral side of abdomen, a characteristics of this species group, lack the long bristles (which characterizes B. gracilicornis , fig. 29). Baso-lateral projection of S8 is rectangular in B. nakhalensis (fig. 60) and broad lamelliform in B. gracilicornis (fig. 29).

Also, the species differ in both sexes by colour pattern. While B. gracilicornis is almost completely yellow in color, the black color elements are much more pronounced in B. nakhalensis (females: scutellum with large triangular spots, yellow content of propodeum and mesopleuron significantly lower than black content in B. nakhalensis ; scutellum all yellow, propodeum and mesopleuron predominantly yellow in B. gracilicornis ). See also the detailed description and figures of both species ( B. nakhalensis female still under B. gracilicornis ) in SCHMID- EGGER (2014).

D e s c r i p t i o n m a l e: Body length 13.5 mm. Color: Black, with the following parts pale yellow: labrum, clypeus, space above clypeus, inner eye margin, longitudinal spot below midocellus, band along vertex and gena, scape and flagellomeres ventrally, large band on pronotum, pronotal lobe, band on mesoscutum laterally, two longitudinal spots medially, large lateral spot on scutellum, metanotum, most parts of mesopleuron and propodeum, large and double indented bands on T 2-5, T 1 mostly yellow, band with medial emargination. S2-6 with lateral triangular spots, medially connected by a narrow band. Legs yellow, coxae, trochanters and femora black above. T 6 black, with very small spot in paratype. Morphology: AS 13 distinctly curved. Face fig. 56. Propodeum with emargination in apico-lateral corner (seen in dorsal view). Hindfemur slender, without spine. T 7 apically narrowly truncate. T 8 with two sharp tips (fig. 57). T 7 with enlarged spiracular lobes at ventral side of abdomen, ventral margin without bristles (fig. 61). S7 spoon-like (last two characters also represent the characteristics for the species group). S8 modified (fig. 60), Genitalia see figs 59, 60.

D e s c r i p t i o n f e m a l e: Body length 14.0 mm. Color: Black, with the following parts pale yellow: labrum, clypeus, inner eye margin, small spot below midocellus, small band on gena, some dots on vertex behind ocelli, scape and flagellomeres ventrally, narrow band on pronotum, pronotal lobe, band on mesoscutum laterally, two medial spots, band on scutellum and metanotum, small spot on mesopleuron, propodeum laterally, double indented bands on T 2-5, large band on T 1 with medial emargination. S2-5 with small lateral triangular spots. Legs reddish-brown, fore and midfemora yellow ventrally. Morphology: First segment of fore tarsus enlarged (as long as wide) (fig. 64), which is the only recognizing character in females for the B. loriculatus species group. Face fig. 63.

E t y m o l o g y: The species is named after Nakhal, a historically important city in the north of Oman, near which the holotype was collected.

D i s t r i b u t i o n: Northern Oman, United Arab Emirates.