Sphex decoratus F. Smith, 1873

Doerfel, Thorleif H. & Ohl, Michael, 2015, A revision of the Australian digger wasps in the genus Sphex (Hymenoptera, Sphecidae), ZooKeys 521, pp. 1-104 : 16-18

Taxon classification Animalia Hymenoptera Sphecidae

Sphex decoratus F. Smith, 1873

Sphex decoratus F. Smith, 1873: 461, [♀] (as decorata , incorrect original termination). Holotype or syntypes: ♀, Australia: northwest coast: no specific locality (BMNH). Presumed holotype examined.

Material examined.

Holotype (presumed). ♀, AUSTRALIA:WA: "NW Coast", (BMNH).

Other material.

AUSTRALIA:QLD: "North Queensland", 1♀, (BMNH).

Diagnosis.

Sphex decoratus (of which only the female is known) can be recognized by the combination of markedly raised, distinct tubercles on the metanotum, a mostly orange metasoma of which segment II is black, and a plain propodeal surface. Sphex sericeus greatly varies in color and may look superficially similar to Sphex decoratus , but differs in having a markedly ridged propodeal dorsum, whereas that of Sphex decoratus lacks notable ridges.

Description.

Female: Body length 24.6-27.2 mm. Body black, but the following are orange: base of mandible, clypeus, scape, pedicel, flagellomere I, flagellomere II–IV above, tegula, subalar area, pronotal lobe, area below anteroventral metapleural pit, petiole, at least parts of metasomal segments I and IV–VI, legs except for base of coxa as well as claw teeth and distal half of claw. Wing membrane yellow near base, hyaline at apex. Wing veins bright orange. Forebasitarsal rake with 11 long spines. Free clypeal margin plain or with insignificant emarginations. Appressed pubescence and erect setae on clypeus and frons golden. Clypeus glabrous medioventrally. Distance between hind- ocelli slightly smaller than their shortest distance to compound eyes. Pubescence on collar and scutum golden, the latter with longer, denser pubescence laterally and posteriorly. Scutellum convex, with distinct medial impression. Tubercles on metanotum distinct. Propodeal enclosure with dense, appressed golden pubescence and sparse, erect golden setae; sculpture completely concealed. Length of petiole twice length of flagellomere II.

Male: Unknown.

Notes on type material.

In the original description, F. Smith did not mention the sex of the holotype. It is listed as a male by Pulawski (2014). However, examination of the type shows that it is clearly a female.

Geographic distribution.

Only two specimens of Sphex decoratus could be studied, and no specific geographic information is available. The origin of the holotype is given as 'northwest coast of Australia’ in the original description, that of the other examined specimen as 'North Queensland’.