Sphecodes ephippius (Linné, 1767)

Described as: Sphex ephippia Linné, 1767: 944 .

Synonyms: Apis minimus Harris, 1776 (nec Poda, 1761): Taf. 39, Fig. 21.

Apis obscura Geoffroy, 1785 (nec Linné, 1774, nec Müller, 1776): 447–448. Apis rufescens Geoffroy, 1785 (nec Gmelin, 1790): 447. Apis rufescens Gmelin, 1790 (nec Geoffroy, 1785): 2790. Apis labiata Fabricius, 1793: 342 .

Melitta divisa Kirby, 1802: 49 –50.

Andrena minuta Fabricius, 1804: 327 .

Sphecodes similis Wesmael, 1835: 283 .

Sphecodes zablocki Blüthgen, 1923c: 188 .

Distribution. Europe to 62°N, present in Britain and Scandinavia, North Africa (Morocco to Egypt), Turkey, the distribution area continues through Asia to Japan (Warncke 1992).

Biology. Dominant species in central and common in south Europe, where it is not as common probably due to competition with other species of the genus ( S. gibbus, S. nomioidis). No biotope specialization; occurs nearly everywhere. Generalist with 18 known hosts, Bogusch et al. (2006) recorded the following species as confirmed hosts with complete references: Halictus tumulorum (Linnaeus), Lasioglossum laticeps (Schenck), L. leucozonium (Schrank), L. malachurum (Kirby), L. pauxillum and L. quadrinotatulum . In addition Andrena barbilabris (Kirby), A. flavipes Panzer, A. chrysopyga Schenck, A. labialis (Kirby), A. minutula (Kirby), A. wilkella (Kirby), Halictus maculatus Smith, H. rubicundus (Christ), Lasioglossum fratellum (Péréz), L. lativentre (Schenck), and L. prasinum were published as likely, unconfirmed hosts. The same authors also proved the individual specialization of the females of this species. It could be one of the reasons why is this species so numerous and widespread. Additionally, Andrena argentata Smith was observed as a host of S. ephippius .