Colletes ruschia, Zabel & Kuhlmann, 2023

Zabel, Tina & Kuhlmann, Michael, 2023, Taxonomic revision of the southern African Colletes fasciatus species group (Hymenoptera: Colletidae), European Journal of Taxonomy 899, pp. 1-96 : 71-73

Colletes ruschia sp. nov.

urn:lsid:zoobank.org:act:CF6706B2-DA70-4005-A4B2-CF5E300B6040

Figs 51–53

Diagnosis

Among the species with a normal scopa the following combination of characters is unique for the female: apical hair band of T2 about ⅔ width of disc ( Fig. 51D–E ), malar area elongate, length about width of mandibular base, maximum width of facial fovea about ⅔ antennal diameter and discs of terga completely black ( Fig. 51D–E ). Male best identified by the unique shape of S7 ( Fig. 52G ).

Etymology

Named for the apparently preferred host plant genus ‘ Ruschia ’ Schwantes ( Aizoaceae L.) on which the species was collected several times. Noun in apposition.

Material examined

Holotype SOUTH AFRICA – Northern Cape Province • ♂; 12 km NW Nieuwoudtville, Farm Avontuur , Renosterveld along Pad; 31°15′27″ S, 19°03′38″ E; alt. 770 m; 21 May 2013; M. Kuhlmann leg.; SAMC.

Paratypes SOUTH AFRICA – Northern Cape Province • 1 ♂; Namaqualand 2917 DB, Hester Malan Nat. Res. ; 29°38′ S, 17°59′ E; 2 Jul. 1985; M. Struck leg.; CMK • 1 ♀; same collection data as for preceding; 2 Aug. 1986; M. Struck leg.; CMK • 2 ♀♀; 15 km NW Nieuwoudtville, Farm Engelsepunt, Fynbos, Pf E1; 31°14′ 31″S, 18°59′08″ E; alt. 830 m; 26 Jul. 2003; K. Timmermann leg.; CMK • 1 ♀; Nieuwoudtville, Pad Glenlyon to R27, slope and side of the road; 31°23′25″ S, 19°08′28″ E; alt. 740 m; 18 Aug. 2007; K. Timmermann leg.; CMK • 1 ♀; Nieuwoudtville, Pad Glenlyon to R27; 31°23′24″ S, 19°09′06″ E; alt. 740 m; 19 Aug. 2007; K. Timmermann leg.; on Ruschia unca L.Bolus; CMK • 4 ♀♀; same collection data as for preceding; 3 Sep. 2007; CMK • 4 ♀♀; same collection data as for preceding; 20 Aug. 2007; M. Kuhlmann leg.; CMK • 4 ♀♀; same collection data as for preceding; 7 Sep. 2007; K. Timmermann leg.; CMK • 4 ♀♀; same collection data as for preceding; 17 Sep. 2007; M. Kuhlmann leg.; on Ruschia sp.; CMK • 1 ♀; 12 km NW Nieuwoudtville, Farm Avontuur, Fynbos ; 31°16′18″ S, 19°02′55″ E; alt. 770 m; 13 Aug. 2010; M. Kuhlmann leg.; CMK • 6 ♂♂; 12 km NW Nieuwoudtville, Farm Avontuur, Renosterveld along Pad; 31°15′27″ S, 19°03′38″ E; alt. 770 m; 17 May 2013; M. Kuhlmann leg.; CMK • 1 ♀, 12 ♂♂; same collection data as for preceding; 31 May 2013; CMK • 1 ♂; same collection data as for preceding; 11 Jun. 2013; CMK . – Western Cape Province • 1 ♀; Worcester ; 33°39′ S, 19°26′ E; 30 Sep. 1966; C.D. Michener leg.; CMK .

Additional material

SOUTH AFRICA – Western Cape Province • 1 ♀; Hoek se Berg ; 32°07′ S, 19°10′ E; 20 Sep. 2007; T. L. Griswold leg.; labelled as “ Colletes fasciatus -group 11”; BLCU .

Description

Female

BODY LENGTH. 11–12 mm.

HEAD. Integument black, antenna dark brown ventrally. Face grayish to yellowish brown intermixed with longer dark brown hairs and with blackish hairs along inner eye and on vertex ( Fig. 51B ). Clypeus with dense (0.2 pd) medium-sized, slightly elongate punctures; interspaces smooth and shiny ( Fig. 51B ). Malar area elongate, length about width of mandibular base. Facial fovea narrow, maximum width about ⅔ antennal diameter.

MESOSOMA. Integument black, tarsi often brownish ( Fig. 51A ). Scutum with relatively long, grayish white to yellowish brown hairs intermixed with numerous long blackish hairs ( Fig. 51C ). Mesosomal sides and legs grayish to yellowish white hairs intermixed with brown hairs on mesepisternum and few on fore femur, on legs intermixed with blackish hairs. Disc of scutum with relative dense (0.5–1 pd), coarse punctation, interspaces smooth and shiny, surrounded by dense (<0.5 pd) punctation ( Fig. 51C ). Scutellum with long, orange brown and long blackish hairs. Metanotum with long brownish orange hairs, medially plumose, sometimes with some black hairs intermixed. Upper sloping part of propodeal triangle with short, longitudinal carinae. Vertical part shagreened and slightly dull, anteriorly with well-developed more or less transverse carinae. Scopa dark brown dorsally and yellowish white ventrally ( Fig. 51F ). Mid femora with basal edge and yellow brush of hairs ventrally.

METASOMA. Integument black, terga narrowly translucent posteriorly. T1–T3 with slight bluish shine. T1 densely covered with long, erect yellowish white hairs ( Fig. 51D ). Disc of T2 with very short yellowish brown and short black hairs. T2 with weakly developed, narrow basal tomentum. Discs of T3–T5 with successively longer, short, erect blackish hairs. T1–T5 with broad whitish posterior tergal hair bands, slightly narrower on T1 ( Fig. 51E ). Disc of T1 distinct, fine, dense (0.5–1 pd) punctation, punctures becoming finer and denser towards posterior tergal depression. Disc of T2 very fine, dense (<0.5 pd) punctation ( Fig. 51D ). Interspaces glabrous. S2– S5 short yellowish white hair fringes, shorter medially, with long blackish hairs. S3–S5 with black hairs. Discs of sterna covered with yellowish white, erect hairs, medially short.

Male

BODY LENGTH. 10–11 mm.

HEAD. Integument black, antenna dark brown ventrally. Face grayish white, along inner eye margins intermixed with blackish hairs; between antennae intermixed with brownish hairs ( Fig. 52B ). Hairs on vertex yellowish white with dark brown hairs intermixed. Clypeus with very dense, small punctures (<0.2 pd). Malar area long, about as long as width of mandibular base. Facial fovea narrow, maximum width about ½ antennal diameter.

MESOSOMA. Integument black, tarsi reddish brown ( Fig. 52A ). Scutum with long, grayish white hairs, intermixed with dark brown hairs ( Fig. 52C ). Mesosomal sides and legs grayish white. Disc of scutum with medium-sized punctures (0.5–1 pd), integument glabrous, surrounded by dense punctation (<0.2 pd) ( Fig. 52C ). Scutellum and metanotum with long, yellowish brown hairs, on scutellum intermixed with dark brown hairs. Upper sloping part of propodeal triangle with short longitudinal carinae, vertical part shagreened and dull, anteriorly with some more or less transverse carinae. Hind basitarsus slightly curved ( Fig. 52F ).

METASOMA. Integument black, terga narrowly translucent posteriorly. T1–T3 with slight bluish shine. Disc of T1 densely covered with long, erect yellowish white hairs ( Fig. 52D ). Disc of T2 similar to T1, but with shorter hairs. Discs of T3–T6 with long, erect blackish hairs. T1–T5 with moderately broad, white hair bands ( Fig. 52E ). Discs of T1 and T2 with fine and dense granulation (0.5 pd), granulation becoming more scattered and indistinct on posterior tergal depression, integument between granulation glabrous. S1–S5 with dense posterior fringes longer laterally than medially. Discs of S1 and S2 with long erect grayish white hairs, S3–S5 covered with shorter hairs. S6 with very small brush of bristles lateral. S7 ( Fig. 52G ) and gonostylus ( Fig. 52H ) as illustrated.

Distribution

From the Springbok area in the north down to Worcester ( Fig. 53 ).

Phenology

Recorded from May to September.

Floral hosts

Ruschia sp., R. unca L.Bolus ( Aizoaceae ).

Figures

Fig. 51. Colletes ruschia sp. nov., ♀, paratype (CMK). A. Habitus, lateral view. B. Head. C. Scutum, dorsal view. D. Metasomal terga 1 and 2, dorsal view. E. Metasoma, dorsal view. F. Hind tibia, lateral view.

Fig. 52. Colletes ruschia sp. nov., ♂, paratype (CMK). A. Habitus, lateral view. B. Head. C. Scutum, dorsal view. D. Metasomal terga 1 and 2, dorsal view. E. Metasoma, dorsal view. F. Hind basitarsus, lateral view. G. Metasomal sternum 7, dorsal view. H. Gonostylus, lateral view.

Fig. 53. Distribution of C. longitarsus sp. nov., C. nieuwoudtvillei Kuhlmann, 2007, C. obscurus Friese, 1925, C. peerboomi sp. nov., C. richtersveldensis sp. nov. and C. ruschia sp. nov.