Sphecodes turanicus Astafurova & Proshchalykin, 2017

Proshchalykin, Maxim Yu., 2017, The genus Sphecodes Latreille 1804 (Hymenoptera: Apoidea: Halictidae) in Central Asia, Zootaxa 4324 (2), pp. 249-284 : 274-276

Sphecodes turanicus Astafurova & Proshchalykin , sp. nov.

( FigS 52, 53, 102–104)

Diagnosis. ThiS SpecieS iS Similar to Small Palaearctic SpecieS with Simple mandibleS which lack an inner tooth (i.e., Sphecodes longuloides Blüthgen 1923 , S. hirtellus Blüthgen 1923 , ThomSon 1870, S. longulus HagenS 1882 , S. puncticeps ThomSon 1870 , and S. armeniacus Warncke 1992 ). The female differS from theSe SpecieS in the finely (3–5 µm) punctate T2 and T3 (5–15 µm in other SpecieS). The female iS Similar to S. armeniacus by denSe, appreSSed, Snow-white pubeScence obScuring integument on face (below the antennal toruli), gena and meSepiSternum (thiS pubeScence iS SparSe and not obScuring integument in other SpecieS), but differS from thiS SpecieS by denSely punctate meSoScutum with punctureS Separated by at moSt a puncture diameter (verSuS SparSely and irregularly punctate meSoScutum with punctureS Separated 1–5 puncture diameterS in S. armeniacus ). The male iS cloSeSt to S. longulus and S. longuloides in Sharing Similar genitalic form with Short, oval gonoStyluS ( FigS 52, 53), but differS from the firSt SpecieS by a longer antenna with F2 1.8 aS long aS wide (1.4–1.5 timeS aS long aS wide in S. longulus ) and differS from the Second SpecieS by Stronger developed tyloidS on the flagellomereS extending acroSS 1/2–3/4 of ventral flagellar SurfaceS (verSuS thoSe at moSt 1/ 2 in S. longuloides ).

Description. Female. Total body length 4.5–6.0 mm, holotype 5.8 mm ( Fig. 103a). Head Strongly tranSverSe ( Fig. 103b), 1.2–1.3 timeS aS wide aS long; vertex not elevated, diStance from top of head to upper margin of lateral ocelluS about 1.5 lateral ocellar diameterS aS Seen in dorSal viewS; F1–F3 tranSverSe, 0.6–0.7 timeS aS long aS wide; labrum Semicircular (0.5 timeS aS long aS width), antenna and mandible yellow or reddiSh; clypeuS, Supraclypear, paraocular areaS, face and gena with denSe punctureS Separated by leSS than a puncture diameter; ocellocular area with punctureS Separated by 0.5–2 puncture diameterS; Supraclypear, paraocular areaS and gena with denSe, appreSSed, Snow-white pubeScence obScuring integument.

MeSoScutum and meSoScutellum denSely punctate (15–30 µm), with punctureS Separated by at moSt a puncture diameter ( Fig. 103c); meSepiSterna coarSely reticulate-rugoSe with denSe, appreSSed, Snow-white pubeScence obScuring integument; propodeal triangle Shiny with coarSely longitudinal-winding wrinkleS; reSt of propodeum coarSely reticulate-rugoSe; Stigma and veinS brown; hind wing with baSal vein Strongly curved; coStal margin with 5–6 hamuli; legS yellow or reddiSh. MetaSoma. MetaSomal terga (including T1) with denSe microScopical Setae pore (3–5 µm). T1–T3 yellow or reddiSh ( Fig. 103d); pygidial plate 1.2 aS wide aS metabaSitarSuS.

Male. Total body length 4.0–5.0 mm ( Fig. 104a). Head Sculptured aS female (See above), tranSverSe, 1.1–1.2 timeS aS wide aS long ( Fig. 104c); tyloidS on flagellomereS Semioval-Shaped, variable in length and extending acroSS 1/2–3/4 of ventral flagellar SurfaceS, clypeuS with denSe, appreSSed, Snow-white pubeScence obScuring integument. MeSoScutum with punctureS (15–30 µm) Separated by about a puncture diameter, becoming denSer peripherally ( Fig. 104e), meSoScutellum with coarSe punctureS (25–50 µm / 0.1–1); meSepiSterna, propodeal triangle Shiny and reSt of propodeum coarSely reticulate-rugoSe; femur and tibia variable in color from brown to reddiSh, tarSi yelow. MetaSoma. T1 impunctate, T2–T3 finely (5 µm) but diStinctly punctate ( Fig. 102). T1–T2 red, T3 red baSally; gonocoxite dorSally without impreSSion; gonoStyluS aS in FigS 52, 53.

Type material (16 SpecimenS). Holotype: ♀, TurkmeniStan, Chardzhou , 16.IV.1988, Dialentov ( ZISP).

Paratype: Uzbekistan: 1 ♀, Khiva, Ravat, 9.V.1927, VG ; 1 ♀, 1 ♂, Karshi, Khudoyzot, 13, 20.V.2015, M.Yu. Proshchalykin; Tajikistan: 9 ♂, 15 km SW Shaartuz , 2.VI.1982, S.A. Belokobylskij ; Kazakhstan, 2 ♀, Almaty Prov. , near Ili, Ili River, 23.V.1970, T.P. Marikovskaya ( ZISP) ; 1 ♀, Iliysk , 29.V.1953, L.V. Zimina ( ZMMU) .

Etymology. The Specific epithet iS named after the Turanian BaSin.

General distribution. Central ASia ( TurkmeniStan, UzbekiStan, TajikiStan); KazakhStan.