Sphex pruinosus Germar, 1817

Figs 102–103, 112 (blue)

Sphex pruinosus Germar, 1817: 261, ♂ (as S. pruinosa, incorrect original termination).

Sphex scioensis Gribodo, 1879: 343, ♀ (as S. Scioensis, incorrect original capitalization) (holotype not examined). Synonymized with Sphex pruinosus by Kohl 1890: 391.

Differential diagnosis

Among the African Sphex, this species is easily recognized. Both sexes have a very long petiole (Figs 102–103), its length usually being more than three times its medial width. The only other species with a comparably long petiole is S. cinerascens (Fig. 38), both sexes of which have a conspicuous process medially on the free clypeal margin, similar to the one present in males of the umtalicus group. Sphex cinerascens has a yellow tinge on the basal half of the forewing, and its metasoma is completely black, whereas S. pruinosus lacks the yellow tinge and, in females, often has the anterior half of the metasoma somewhat ferruginous.

Material examined

Holotype or syntype CROATIA – Split-Dalmatia County • ♂; Spalatro [now Split]; ZMB .

Other material

AFRICA • 1 ♂; “ Africa ”; DEI .

ETHIOPIA – Southern Nations, Nationalities, and Peoples’ Region • 1 ♀; 10 km SE of Konso; [5°18ʹ N, 37°28ʹ E]; 17 Apr. 2007; J. Halada leg.; OÖLM • 1 ♂; 20 km SE of Konso; 5°15ʹ N, 37°32ʹ E; 11–13 May 2015; J. Halada leg.; OÖLM .

OMAN – Ad Dakhiliyah Governorate • 1 ♂; wadi near Al Ghul, S of Nizwa; 22°53.4ʹ N, 57°31.12ʹ E; 10 Dec. 2003; M. Ohl leg.; THD-036-ZMB; GenBank EF-1α gene: MW558236; GenBank LWR gene: MW582275; ZMB .

SOMALIA – Woqooyi Galbeed • 6 ♂♂; Berbera; [10°26ʹ22ʺ N, 45°00ʹ51ʺ E]; 12 Mar. 1949; K.M. Guichard leg.; BMNH .

SUDAN – Khartoum State • 1 ♀; Khartoum; [15°30ʹ02ʺ N, 32°33ʹ36ʺ E]; 4 Apr. 1964; L. Razoux Schulz leg.; RMNH • 2 ♂♂; same collection data as for preceding but 5 Oct. 1964; RMNH • 1 ♀; same locality as for preceding; 18 Nov. 1986; G.G.M. Schulten leg.; RMNH • 1 ♀; same collection data as for preceding but 4 Dec. 1991; RMNH .

Description

Female

SIZE. 21.3–23.2 mm.

COLOR. Black except for the following, which are ferruginous: basal half of mandible, scape, tegula, legs from femora onward and metasoma. Wings hyaline, apical margin of forewing fuscous.

VESTITURE. Appressed and erect setae on clypeus, paraocular area, collar, scutum and propodeal enclosure silvery. Erect propodeal setae oriented anteriorly. Clypeus without glabrous spot. Scutellum densely and finely pubescent.

STRUCTURE. Free clypeal margin with small notch medially, not stepped above. Clypeus without indentation and carina. Scutellum convex. Metanotum slightly raised, not notably bituberculate. 2 nd recurrent vein joins markedly proximal from interstitium between submarginal cells II and III. Propodeal enclosure with 5–8 transversal ridges. Foretarsomere I 1.4–2.0 × length of antepenultimate spine. Petiole length 3.2–3.3 × its medial width.

Male

SIZE. 15.6–18.2 mm.

COLOR. Black except for ferruginous stripe in center of mandible. Wings hyaline, apical margin of forewing fuscous.

VESTITURE. Appressed and erect setae on clypeus, paraocular area, collar, scutum and propodeal enclosure silvery. Erect propodeal setae oriented anteriorly. Clypeus usually without glabrous spot. Scutellum densely and finely pubescent.

STRUCTURE. Free clypeal margin simple. Scutellum convex. Metanotum slightly raised, not notably bituberculate. 2 nd recurrent vein joins markedly proximal from interstitium between submarginal cells II and III. Propodeal enclosure with 3–5 indistinct transversal ridges. Posterior margin of metasomal tergum VII convex. Posterior margin of metasomal sternum VII simple, of metasomal sternum VIII concavely emarginate. Petiole length 3.0–3.8 × its medial width. Flagellomeres III–VI with broad placoids covering their entire length.

Variation

Unknown.

Distribution

Northeastern Africa, Mediterranean region, Arabian Peninsula to India.