Afroheriades fynbosensis KUHLMANN, 2025

Afroheriades fynbosensis KUHLMANN nov.sp. ( Figs 1-2 View Figs 1-2 , 7-15 View Figs 7-12 View Figs 13-15 , 19-24 View Figs 19-24 , 29 View Fig , 31)

D i a g n o s i s: The female can be recognized by the following character combination: Mesosoma short, ratio of mesosomal length to width <1.4; base of propodeum well below the level of the scutellum ( Fig. 29 View Fig ); stipes on the ventral margin with a row of long, waved, yellowish hairs (Fig. 31); head about as wide as long ( Fig. 1 View Figs 1-2 ); clypeus slightly wider than long, medially densely punctate (i <d), ventral margin triangular or curved and irregularly notched ( Fig. 2 View Figs 1-2 ); T6 very finely and densely punctate, almost matt ( Fig. 12 View Figs 7-12 ).

The male can be recognized by the following character combination: F1–F4 expanded laterally ( Fig. 13 View Figs 13-15 ); basal zone of propodeum sloping posteriorly and well below the level of the scutellum ( Fig. 29 View Fig ); S5 with extent and shape of erect tuft of bristles as shown in Fig. 14 View Figs 13-15 ; genitalia as in Fig. 15 View Figs 13-15 . As already described by PETERS (1970) for A. prima , the males of both species are characterised by an unusually large variability in size, sculpturing and pubescence (extent, colour). They look very similar, so the most reliable features to distinguish them are the extent and outline of the erect bristle tuft on S5 ( Figs 14 View Figs 13-15 , 17) and the shape of the genitalia ( Figs 15 View Figs 13-15 , 18).

D e s c r i p t i o n

F e m a l e: Body-length: 6.3-7.0 mm (Habitus: Figs 7-8 View Figs 7-12 ). Head wider than long ( Fig. 1 View Figs 1-2 ); ocellocular distance 0.9-1.0 times interocellar distance; ocelloccipital distance 0.7-0.8 times interocellar distance; compound eyes converging ventrally; clypeus densely punctate (i <d), ventral margin curved, irregularly notched ( Fig. 2 View Figs 1-2 ); mandible tridentate ( Fig. 2 View Figs 1-2 ); hypostomal area flat and polished, bounded laterally by a carina and a row of curved hairs; labrum with medial area densely punctate (i <d), apical margin upturned; stipes on the ventral margin with a row of long, waved, yellowish hairs (Fig. 31). Mesosoma short, ratio of mesosomal length to width <1.4 ( Tab. 1), base of propodeum well below the level of the scutellum ( Fig. 7 View Figs 7-12 ); scutum as in Fig. 9 View Figs 7-12 ; scutellum slightly convex ( Fig. 10 View Figs 7-12 ); metanotum and basal zone of propodeum sloping in lateral view, midline length of metanotum in dorsal view shorter than length of basal zone of propodeum ( Fig. 10 View Figs 7-12 ); surface of basal zone sculptured as in Fig. 10 View Figs 7-12 , without carina posteriorly. Metasoma as in Fig. 11 View Figs 7-12 ; T6 roundly emarginate apically, with broad translucent apical lip projecting at strong angle to surface of tergum ( Fig. 12 View Figs 7-12 ).

Integument smooth and shiny between punctures ( Figs 1 View Figs 1-2 , 9-12 View Figs 7-12 ); clypeus medially densely punctate (i <d) ( Fig. 2 View Figs 1-2 ), on scutum moderate (i = 0.5-1d) ( Fig. 9 View Figs 7-12 ), on metasomal terga as in Fig. 11 View Figs 7-12 . Body black except flagellomeres ventrally, part of mandible and apical tarsal segments dark brown. Wings hyaline yellowish-brown; veins, stigma, prestigma dark brown. Pubescence mostly sparse, long and erect, on vertex and dorsal side of mesosoma light brown, otherwise white to yellowish-white ( Figs 7-10 View Figs 7-12 ); white, dense, appressed hair obscuring surface on paraocular area and apical patches or bands on T1-T3 ( Fig. 11 View Figs 7-12 ); scopa white.

M a l e: Body-length: 6.8-7.5 mm (Habitus: Fig. 19 View Figs 19-24 ). Head wider than long; ocellocular distance 0.9-1.0 times interocellar distance; ocelloccipital distance 0.5-0.6 times interocellar distance; compound eyes converging ventrally; antennal scape enlarged, F1- F4 laterally expanded ( Fig. 13 View Figs 13-15 ). Mesosoma as in female ( Fig. 19 View Figs 19-24 ); scutum as in Fig. 20 View Figs 19-24 ; scutellum slightly convex ( Fig. 21 View Figs 19-24 ); metanotum and basal zone of propodeum sloping in lateral view, midline length of metanotum in dorsal view shorter than length of basal zone of propodeum ( Fig. 21 View Figs 19-24 ); surface of basal zone sculptured as in Fig. 21 View Figs 19-24 , without carina posteriorly. Metasoma in dorsal view as in Fig. 22 View Figs 19-24 , T 7 View Figs 7-12 as in Fig. 24 View Figs 19-24 ; sterna as in Figs 14 View Figs 13-15 , 23 View Figs 19-24 . Genitalia as illustrated ( Fig. 15 View Figs 13-15 ).

Integument smooth and shiny between punctures ( Figs 20-22 View Figs 19-24 ); scutum densely punctate (i <d) ( Fig. 20 View Figs 19-24 ), punctation on metasomal terga as in Fig. 22 View Figs 19-24 . Body black except F1-F4 yellowish-brown, following flagellomeres ventrally, part of mandible and apical tarsal segments dark brown. Wings hyaline yellowish-brown; veins, stigma, prestigma dark brown. Pubescence mostly sparse, long and erect, on vertex and dorsal side of mesosoma light brown, otherwise white to yellowish-white ( Figs 19-22 View Figs 19-24 ); white, dense, appressed hair obscuring surface on paraocular area, clypeus and apical patches or bands on T1-T3 ( Fig. 22 View Figs 19-24 ); pubescence on metasomal sterna as in Fig. 23 View Figs 19-24 , S5 with erect, oval tuft of bristles on disc ( Fig. 14 View Figs 13-15 ).

T y p e m a t e r i a l:(13specimens).

Holotype: ♀, South Africa, 27 km SE Vanrhynsdorp, Ouberg Pass , Fynbos, 31°48´07´´S 18°55´00´´E, 380 m, 8.ix.2010, leg. M. Kuhlmann ( SAMC). GoogleMaps

Paratypes: South Africa: 1³, Leliefontein , slope, 30.23288°S 18.16458°E, yellow trap, 7.ix.2003, leg. C. Mayer GoogleMaps ; 1♀, 15 km NW Nieuwoudtville, Farm Zoetfontein , Fynbos, 31°14´05´´S 19°02´50´´E, 775 m, 11.viii.2023, leg. M. Kuhlmann GoogleMaps ; 2 ³³, 15 km NW Nieuwoudtville, near Engelsepunt , Fynbos, 31°14´08´´S 18°58´23´´E, 843 m, 30.viii.2003, leg. K. Timmermann GoogleMaps ; 1♀, idem, 23.ix.2003 GoogleMaps ; 1♀, 12 km NW Nieuwoudtville, Farm Avontuur , Fynbos, 31°16´18´´S 19°02´55´´E, 770 m, 25.viii.2010, leg. M. Kuhlmann GoogleMaps ; 1♀, 20 km S Nieuwoudtville, Farm Papkuilsfontein , waterfall, S 31°33´01´´S 19°07´24´´E, 680 m, 12.ix.2008, leg. H. Erhardt GoogleMaps ; 2♀♀, 1 ³, 20 km S Nieuwoudtville, Farm Papkuilsfontein , Fynbos, 31°33´16´´S 19°08´31´´E, 680 m, leg. M. Kuhlmann GoogleMaps ; 1♀, 27 km SE Vanrhynsdorp, Ouberg Pass , Fynbos, 31°48´07´´S 18°55´00´´E, 380 m, 8.ix.2010, leg. M. Kuhlmann GoogleMaps ; 1³, idem, 30.viii.2012 GoogleMaps .

E t y m o l o g y: Named after the Fynbos biome where this species was discovered.

G e n e r a l d i s t r i b u t i o n: So far, the species has only been found in the Kamiesberg Mts. and on the Bokkeveld Plateau. It is apparently restricted to Fynbos vegetation on sandy soils.