Pseudoanthidium tajikistanicum Kasparek sp. nov.

(Figs 16, 20, 22)

Material examined. Holotype, female, TAJIKISTAN: 50 km S Dushanbe, Chimbulkak vill. (c. 38.09°N 68.80°E), 09.vi.2003, E. Ivanova leg. (CMK: mk1548) .— Paratypes: 60♀ ex., same data as holotype (CMK: mk1538–mk1547, mk1549–mk1557) (55 ex. in CMK; 1 ex. in ZMB; 3 ex. in coll. Simone Flaminio; 1 ex. in coll. A. Fateryga (O. Pak leg.)) .— Other material: 1♀, same data as holotype (damaged).

Genetic barcode information. No information available.

Efforts to extract DNA from the material for analysis were unsuccessful.

Diagnosis. Characterized by a relatively long scutellum, where the outer edge forms an inverted trapezoid with the outer edge of the axillae. This distinctive shape of the scutellum/axillae is not observed in any other Palaearctic Pseudoanthidium species. Other characteristic traits include coarse tergal punctation, akin to P. puncticolle, and a narrow apical ridge of the clypeus.

Description. Female (Fig. 18). 9 mm.— Head: Black with elongated yellow spot behind the eye; lower paraocular area and occasionally also the lateral parts of the clypeus with a dirty yellow hue (Fig. 20); anterior edge of clypeus somewhat arcuate inwards, almost straight; coarse punctation in the anterior and fine punctation in the posterior half of the clypeus; clypeal ridge protruding, shining; slightly concave, with an uneven surface of the ridge but lacking distinct tubercles.— Mesosoma: Scutum curved upward and shining; punctures spaced up to one puncture diameter apart; outer edge of scutellum and axillae forming an inverse trapezoid, with a broad pale yellow band on outer side and interrupted in the middle; surface polished, with punctures larger and further apart than those on scutum (Fig. 18c); pronotal lobe lamellate.— Metasoma: Oval ivory spots present on T1–T5; further apart from the middle on anterior terga than on posterior ones; punctation coarse, with punctures separated from each other up to two puncture diameters; T6 semi-trapezoid in dorsal view, with a grey median apical protrusion; punctation of T6 dense and rugulose (Fig. 22); S6 triangular; scopal hairs grey.— Legs: Trochanteres and basal femora black, remaining reddish brown; outer face of mid and hind basitarsi dark grey.

Male. Not known.

Derivatio nominis. Adjective. Named after Tajikistan, where the type series was collected.

Distribution: Only known from Tajikistan (Fig. 26b).