*Strangulotilla samharica (Magretti 1906)

Mutilla samharica Magretti 1906: 55, fig. 5, Ψ, lectotype (designated Bischoff, 1921: 545) — Eritrea, Allato, 24.I.1900, Sabagruma, lost (Nonveiller 1978); neotype (designated Nonveiller 1978: 51) — Cameroon, Station de Guétalé, 5.IX.1967 [MSNG].

Ctenotilla thoracosulcata samharica: Bischoff 1921: 545, Ψ, (Eritrea).

Strangulotilla samharica: Nonveiller 1978: 50, Ψ ♂ (Eritrea, Cameroon).

Material examined

Form with black propodeum. Yemen: Al Lahima, 16.X–31.XII.2000, MT, AvH & A.M. Hager, 1 ɗ [ZMAN]; 24.VII–17.IX.2001, MT, AvH, 1 ɗ [RMNH]; 12 km NW Manakhah, 3.VII–21.VIII.2001, MT, AvH, 14 ɗ [RMNH]; 15.V–23VI.2003, MT, AvH, 2 ɗ [RMNH]; 24.VI–4.VII.2003, MT, AvH, 6 ɗ [RMNH]; 4.VIII–15.IX.2003, MT, AvH, 2 ɗ [RMNH]. Form with ferruginous­red propodeum. Yemen: Al Kadan, 17.II–31.III.1998, MT, AvH & H.M. Naser, 1 ɗ [ZMAN]; Al Lahima, 16.X–31.XII.2000, MT, AvH & A.M. Hager, 2 ɗ [ZMAN]; Lahj, 17.V–15.VI.2000, MT, AvH & A. Sallam, 37 ɗ [RMNH]; 15–30.VI.2000, MT, AvH & A. Sallam, 8 ɗ [RMNH]; VII.2000, MT, AvH & A. Sallam, 4 ɗ [RMNH]; VIII.2000, MT, AvH & A. Sallam, 2 ɗ [RMNH]; IX.2000, MT, AvH & A. Sallam, 6 ɗ [RMNH]; X.2000, MT, AvH & A. Sallam, 2 ɗ [RMNH]; XI.2000, MT, AvH & A. Sallam, 13 ɗ [RMNH]; I.2001, MT, AvH & A. Sallam, 9 ɗ [RMNH]; II.2001, MT, AvH & A. Sallam, 8 ɗ [RMNH]; III.2001, MT, AvH & A. Sallam, 2 ɗ [RMNH]; IV.2001, MT, AvH & A. Sallam, 8 ɗ [RMNH]; V.2001, MT, AvH & A. Sallam, 1 ɗ [RMNH]; VII–IX.2001, MT, AvH & A. Sallam, 5 ɗ [RMNH]; 24.VII–17.IX.2001, MT, AvH & A. Sallam, 2 ɗ [RMNH]; 1.X–17.XII.2001, MT, AvH & A. Sallam, 23 ɗ [RMNH]; 17.XII.2001 – 31.I.2002, MT, AvH & A. Sallam, 9 ɗ [RMNH].

Distribution

Yemen (new record), Eritrea, Cameroon (Nonveiller 1978).

Remarks

The coloration of the male’s mesosoma is variable from wholly ferruginous­red to ferruginous­red with black propodeum. The latter form has been described by Nonveiller (1978) from Cameroon and also occurs in Yemen, but most abundant in Yemen (147 specimens from 170) is the form with ferruginous­red propodeum. There are several specimens with intermediate propodeal castaneous coloration. Body length 4.8–8.8 mm.