Sphex abbotti abbotti W. Fox, 1891

Figs 15, 20, 88, 92 (red)

Sphex abbotti W. Fox, 1891: 42, ♀ (as Abbotii, incorrect original capitalization and spelling).

Sphex kilimandjaroensis Cameron, 1908: 262, ♂, ♀. Syn. nov.

Chlorion neavei Arnold, 1928: 370, ♂, ♀. Syn. nov.

Differential diagnosis

The males of this species possess a very recognizable feature, which is the markedly notched posterior margin of sternum VII (Fig. 20), a characteristic that they only share with S. bohemanni (Fig. 19) among species with uniformly black propodeal setae. Both can easily be distinguished by the fact that the notch is only about half as deep as the visible length of sternum VII in S. bohemanni, whereas it is significantly deeper in S. abbotti s. lat., so that the posteromedian part of sternum VII is almost or entirely covered by sternum VI. While S. abbotti nivarius subsp. nov. is identical to S. abbotti abbotti in these regards, the subspecies can be delimited based on having silvery erect propodeal setae (Fig. 89).

Female specimens look very similar to those of S. stadelmanni stadelmanni, as both have uniformly black appressed clypeal and paraocular setae. However, the mandibles and free clypeal margin of S. stadelmanni stadelmanni are to a significant extent ferruginously-colored (Fig. 16), whereas they are nearly completely black in S. abbotti abbotti (Fig. 15). Furthermore, S. stadelmanni stadelmanni is known only from eastern South Africa and southwestern Mozambique (Fig. 99 [yellow]), while S. abbotti abbotti is found predominantly in east Africa (Fig. 92 [red]). Females of other species in the bohemanni group are characterized by a differently-colored luster of their appressed clypeal and paraocular setae (Figs 14, 17–18).

Material examined

Holotype

TANZANIA – Kilimanjaro Region • ♀; Kilimanjaro; L. Abbott leg.; ANSP.

Other material

AFRICA • 2 ♂♂, 1 ♀; “ Nyassa ”; MNHN.

KENYA • 2 ♂♂; near Cherangani Hills, 40 mi. E of Mt Elgon; [1°15ʹ05ʺ N, 35°26ʹ33ʺ E]; alt. 6200 ft; 15 Oct. 1924; C.R.S. Pitman leg.; BMNH. – Kiambu County • 2 ♂♂; 42 km NW of Nairobi; 1°4.6ʹ S, 36°36.1ʹ E; 3 Jun. 1949; W.J. Pulawski and J.S. Schweikert leg.; CAS • 1 ♂, 1 ♀; Kikuyu; 25 Feb. 1902; F. Thomas leg.; ZMB • 1 ♂, 2 ♀♀; Kikuyu; 19 Apr. 1902; F. Thomas leg.; ZMB • 2 ♀♀; Kikuyu, Kijabe; [0°56ʹ42ʺ S, 36°35ʹ42ʺ E]; Feb. 1912; Ch. Alluaud and Jeannel leg.; MNHN. – Kisii County • ♂; Kisii District, S of Kavirondo; [0°40ʹ S, 34°45ʹ E]; 9–12 May 1911; BMNH. – Laikipia County • 2 ♀♀; Nanyuki; [0°00ʹ22ʺ N, 37°04ʹ26ʺ E]; Jun. 1948; V.G.L. van Someren leg.; BMNH. – Meru County • 1 ♂; Meru; [0°02ʹ46ʺ N, 37°39ʹ21ʺ E]; Jul. 1943; V.G.L. van Someren leg.; BMNH. – Nairobi County • 1 ♂; Karen; [1°19ʹ11.28ʺ S, 36°41ʹ55.68ʺ E]; 17 Nov. 1969; M.E. Irwin and E.S. Ross leg.; CAS • 1 ♂; Karura; [1°13ʹ33ʺ S, 36°46ʹ53ʺ E]; 11 Jun. 1920; BMNH • 1 ♂; Muthaiga Road, Nairobi; [1°15ʹ17.8ʺ S, 36°49ʹ54.3ʺ E]; 4 Apr. 2007; M. Halada leg.; OÖLM • 1 ♀; Nairobi; [1°17ʹ S, 36°49ʹ E]; Nov. 1925; G. Babault leg.; MNHN • 1 ♂, 1 ♀; same locality as for preceding; Dec. 1909; Ch. Alluaud leg.; MNHN • 1 ♂; same locality as for preceding; F.J. Jackson leg.; BMNH. – Nakuru County • 1 ♂; Naivasha; [0°43ʹ S, 36°26ʹ E]; Sep. 1906; Maurice de Rothschild leg.; MNHN. – Narok County • 1 ♀; Ngare Narok, Masai Reserve; [1°02ʹ40ʺ S, 36°09ʹ47ʺ E]; 21 Dec. 1913; A.O. Luckman leg.; BMNH. – Nyeri County • 1 ♀; Nyeri; [0°25ʹ12ʺ S, 36°57ʹ E]; Dec. 1948; V.G.L. van Someren leg.; BMNH. – Taita- Taveta County • 1 ♀; Chawia Forest; 3.47908° S, 38.34162° E; 26 Dec. 2011 – 9 Jan. 2012; R. Copeland leg.; ICIPE • 1 ♂; Kasigau; [3°49ʹ S, 38°40ʹ E]; Nov. 1938; BMNH • 1 ♂; Mt Kasigau, indigenous forest; 3.82700° S, 38.64875° E; 16–30 Nov. 2011; R. Copeland leg.; THD-032-ICIPE; GenBank CO1 gene: MW538552; GenBank LWR gene: MW582289; ICIPE • 1 ♂; Mt Mbololo; 5 May 1979; R. Murphy leg.; BMNH • 1 ♂; same locality as for preceding; Oct. 1938; V.G.L. van Someren leg.; BMNH • 1 ♂, 1 ♀; Wundanyi; [3°23ʹ54ʺ S, 38°21ʹ37ʺ E]; 24 Nov. 1997; M. Snižek leg.; OÖLM • 1 ♂, 2 ♀♀; same locality as for preceding; 18–22 Mar. 1997; Ma. Halada leg.; OÖLM • 2 ♂♂, 1 ♀; same collection data as for preceding but 5–10 Apr. 1997; OÖLM • 2 ♂♂; same locality as for preceding; 19–21 Nov. 1996; Mi. Halada leg.; OÖLM .

MALAWI – Central Region • 1 ♂, 1 ♀; 100 km S of Kasungu; [13°57ʹ37.2ʺ S, 33°28ʹ16.5ʺ E]; 29 Dec. 2001; J. Halada leg.; OÖLM • 2 ♀♀; Dedza, 85 km SE of Lilongwe; [14°20ʹ S, 34°20ʹ E]; 5–12 Jan. 2002; J. Halada leg.; OÖLM . – Southern Region • 1 ♂; Chingwe’s Hole; [15°19ʹ40ʺ S, 35°16ʹ41ʺ E]; 2 Nov. 1970; Schulter leg.; AMG • 1 ♀; Mlanje; [16°01ʹ53ʺ S, 35°30ʹ E]; 15 Jan. 1913; S.A. Neave leg.; BMNH • 1 ♂; same collection data as for preceding but 17 Jan. 1913; BMNH • 1 ♂, 1 ♀; same collection data as for preceding but 22 Jan. 1913; BMNH • 1 ♂, holotype or syntype of Chlorion neavei Arnold, 1928; same collection data as for preceding but 14 Mar. 1913; BMNH • 1 ♂; same collection data as for preceding but 29 Dec. 1913; BMNH • 1 ♂, 1 ♀; same collection data as for preceding but 2 Jan. 1914; BMNH • 1 ♂; Queen’s View; [15°20ʹ59ʺ S, 35°19ʹ45.3ʺ E]; 26 Jan. 1975; G.G.M. Schulten leg.; RMNH • 1 ♂; side of Mt Mlanje; [16°01ʹ53ʺ S, 35°30ʹ E]; 11 Dec. 1913; S.A. Neave leg.; BMNH • 1 ♂; Zomba; [15°23ʹ09ʺ S, 35°19ʹ07ʺ E]; Nov. 1913; H.S. Stannus leg.; BMNH • 1 ♂; same collection data as for preceding but Jan. 1914; BMNH .

SOUTH SUDAN – Equatoria Region • 2 ♂♂; Didinga District, Nagichot; [4°16ʹ15ʺ N, 33°34ʹ02ʺ E]; alt. 6700 ft; Dec. 1925 – Jan. 1926; G.D.H. Carpenter leg.; BMNH .

TANZANIA – Arusha Region • 1 ♂; Ngarenanyuki, Meru lowland; Jan.; Y. Sjöstedt leg.; NRS . – Kilimanjaro Region • 1 ♀; Kilimanjaro; W.L. Abbott leg.; USNM • 1 ♂, lectotype of Sphex kilimandjaroensis Cameron, 1908 (designated here); Kilimanjaro; 30 Oct. [1905?]; Y. Sjöstedt leg.; NRS • 1 ♀; Kilimanjaro, Kibonoto; [3°05ʹ5.9ʺ S, 37°20ʹ38.5ʺ E]; alt. 1000–1800 m; 29Apr.1905; Y. Sjöstedt leg.; NRS • 1 ♀, paralectotype of Sphex kilimandjaroensis; same locality as for preceding; alt. 1300–1900 m; 26 Apr. 1905; Y. Sjöstedt leg.; BMNH • 1 ♂, paralectotype of Sphex kilimandjaroensis; same collection data as for preceding but 4 May 1905; BMNH • 1 ♀, paralectotype of Sphex kilimandjaroensis; same collection data as for preceding but 9May1905; BMNH • 1♂, 1♀; same collection data as for preceding but 11 May 1905; NRS • 1 ♂, paralectotype of Sphex kilimandjaroensis; Kilimanjaro, Kibonoto Kulturzone; [3°05ʹ5.9ʺ S, 37°20ʹ38.5ʺ E]; 7 May 1905; Y. Sjöstedt leg.; BMNH • 1 ♂, 1 ♀; same collection data as for preceding but 12 May 1905; NRS • 1 ♂, 1 ♀; same collection data as for preceding but 15 May 1905; NRS . – Mbeya Region • 1 ♂, 1 ♀; Mt Rungwe, near New Langenburg; [9°08ʹ06ʺ S, 33°40ʹ05ʺ E]; 18–21 Nov. 1910; S.A. Neave leg.; BMNH • 1 ♀; Usangu Dist.; 29 Nov.–15 Dec. 1910; S.A. Neave leg.; BMNH . – Ruvuma Region • 1 ♂; Ugano (Umgano), Matengo Highlands, WSW of Songea; [10°58ʹ S, 34°55ʹ E]; alt. 1500–1700m; 23 Nov. 1937; F. Zimmer leg.; NHMW .

UGANDA – Eastern Region • 2 ♀♀; Kelim; [1°32ʹ58ʺ N, 33°38ʹ46ʺ E]; 6 Dec. 1910; C.C. Gowdey leg.; BMNH • 1 ♂; Mt Kokanjero, SW of Elgon; [1°07ʹ48ʺ N, 34°33ʹ E]; 7–9 Aug. 1911; S.A. Neave leg.; BMNH .

ZIMBABWE • 1 ♂; 10 Nov. 1938; R.H.R. Stevenson leg.; AMG. – Bulawayo • 1 ♂; Bulawayo, Matobo; [20°31ʹ57ʺ S, 28°31ʹ26.6ʺ E]; 30 Jan. 1998; Ma. Halada leg.; OÖLM. – Matabeleland North • 1 ♂; Khami; [20°09ʹ30ʺ S, 28°22ʹ36ʺ E]; 30 Oct. 1938; G. Arnold leg.; RMNH • 1 ♂; Matetsi; [18°05ʹ S, 26°07ʹ E]; Dec. 1933; R.H.R. Stevenson leg.; BMNH .

Description

Female

SIZE. 26.8–29.5 mm.

COLOR. Black except for ferruginous stripe in center of mandible. Wings uniformly fuscous, with cyanpurple iridescence.

VESTITURE.Appressed and erect setae on clypeus, paraocular area, collar, scutum and propodeal enclosure black. Erect propodeal setae oriented posteriorly. Lower center of clypeus glabrous. Scutellum densely and coarsely pubescent.

STRUCTURE. Free clypeal margin medially with two broad, indistinct processes, stepped above. Clypeus with indentation in lower center, longitudinal carina in upper center barely noticeable. Scutellum convex. Metanotum not raised, not notably bituberculate. 2 nd recurrent vein joins markedly proximal from interstitium between submarginal cells II and III. Propodeal enclosure without any notable ridges, very indistinctly rugose in anterior third. Foretarsomere I 2.7–3.35 × length of antepenultimate spine. Petiole length 1.6–1.8× its medial width.

Male

SIZE. 22.5–32.2 mm.

COLOR. Black except for the following, which are ferruginous: stripe in center of mandible, tergum VII and sterna VII–VIII. Wings slightly fuscous, with cyan-purple iridescence.

VESTITURE. Appressed setae on clypeus and paraocular area brassy, on collar, scutum and propodeal enclosure black. Erect setae on clypeus, paraocular area, collar, scutum and propodeal enclosure black. Erect propodeal setae oriented posteriorly. Free clypeal margin glabrous. Scutellum densely and coarsely pubescent. Metasomal sterna II–VII with increasingly dense fringes of black setae.

STRUCTURE. Free clypeal margin simple. Scutellum convex. Metanotum not raised, not bituberculate. 2 nd recurrent vein joins markedly proximal from interstitium between submarginal cells II and III. Propodeal enclosure without any notable ridges. Posterior margin of metasomal tergum VII convex. Posterior margin of metasomal sternum VII deeply incised, of metasomal sternum semicircular. Penis valvae dorsally open, their outer margins anteriorly and inner margins posteriorly raised into broad lobes. Petiole length 1.5–1.8× its medial width. Flagellomeres IV–VI with broad placoids covering their entire length.

Variation

Unknown.

Distribution

Eastern Africa.

Remarks

Our studies showed that the synonymisation of S. kilimandjaroensis by Turner (1918) and Berland (1927) with S. bohemanni was erroneous. The holotype of S. bohemanni is unambiguously characterized by a considerably less deeply incised posterior margin of sternum VII, as well as more narrow placoids on flagellomeres IV–VI.

Photographs of the holotype of S. abbotti have been examined. The combination of uniformly black setae on the head and thorax, a black clypeal margin and only a few red spots on the mandibles are very good indicators that this species is identical to S. kilimandjaroensis and S. neavei, especially in conjunction with the locality data. Thus, S. abbotti should become the valid name.

One female from the type series of S. kilimandjaroensis in the BMNH is not conspecific with the remainder of the specimens from the type series, but actually a member of S. nigrohirtus . Thus, its locality data are included in the list of material for that species instead of here.