Ammophila theryi (GRIBODO)

Dollfuss, H., 2013, Revision of the Wasps Genus Ammophila KIRBY 1798 (Hymenoptera Apoidea Sphecidae) of the Palearctic Region and India, Linzer biologische Beiträge 45 (1), pp. 383-564 : 496-497

Ammophila theryi (GRIBODO) ( Fig. 84 , 106 , 137 , 191 )

Coloptera theryi GRIBODO 1894: 3 , ♀, 3. Lectotype: 3, Algeria: Biskra (Genova), examined, present designation, resurrected status.

Ammophila judaeorum KOHL 1901: 149 , ♀, 3. Lectotype: ♀, Palestine: Jericho (NHMW), examined, present designation, new synonym.

Ammophila barbara var. airensis BERLAND 1950: 296 , ♀. Holotype: ♀, Niger: Air : Agadez (MNHN), examined, new synonym.

M a t e r i a l e x a m i n e d: 37♀♀, 933 (OÖLM), 4♀♀, 13 (NHMW), 4♀♀ (coll. Schmid- Egger).

R e c o g n i t i o n Ammophila theryi has the forewing with two submarginal cells and the gastral apex without metallic shine, the episternal sulcus ending at the level of the scrobe and the supra-antennal lamellate projection absent. In addition, the mesothoracic venter is concave anteriorly for reception of the forecoxa, the concavity is margined by a carina that in most specimens forms one small projection on each side. The pronotal collar and the scutum are distinctly transversely ridged and the propodelal enclosure is irregularly rugose and covered with fine, appressed, silvery setae along the midline, transversely rugose and glabrous laterally. Both sexes of A. theryi differ from A. barbara in having partly reddish legs, the mesothoracic venter concave anteriorly for reception of the forecoxa, the concavity is margined by a carina that in most specimens forms one small projection on each side, the posterior face of the forecoxa armed with a small spine (difficult to see) and the lateral part of the propodeal enclosure glabrous ( A. barbara has black legs, the mesothoracic venter not prominent anteriorly and a propodeal enclosure all covered with setae). The Sub-saharan species A. saussurei differs from A. theryi in having the mesopleuron distinctly punctate (punctures 0-1 diameter apart) and more reddish collor on the thorax ( A. theryi has the mesopleuron irregularly rugose).

D e s c r i p t i o n: Forewing with two submarginal cells, gastral apex without metallic shine, episternal sulcus ending at level of scrobe, supra-antennal lamellate projection absent, arolia distinct, claws without basal tooth. Mesothoracic venter concave anteriorly for reception of forecoxa, concavity margined by carina that in most specimens forms one projection on each side. Pronotal collar and scutum distinctly transversely ridged, propodelal enclosure irregularly rugose, covered with fine appressed silvery setae along midline, transversely rugose and glabrous laterally.

♀: (13) 15-18 mm. Black, with following variablyyellowish-brown: mandible (except apex), clypeus along free margin, scape (in most specimens), tegula, pronotal lobe, fore- and midlegs (except coxae, trochanters and tarsi), hindleg (partly), petiole, tergum I and gastral segments II-IV (IV dorsally black). Clypeus and frons covered with dense, appressed, silvery setae, remaning areas of head (except vertex), thorax and propodeum laterally covered with fine, sparse, appressed silvery setae. Clypeus slightly elongate ( Fig. 84 ), disk convex ( Fig. 106 ), posterior surface of forecoxa with small spine (difficult to see) and mesopleuron coarsely obliquely punctato-rugose. Pronotal collar dorsally: Fig. 137 , laterally: Fig. 191 . Flagellomere I: II= 1.7-1.8; length of the petiole = hindtarsomeres I+0.6×II to I+0.75×II.

3: 12-16 mm. Black, with following yellowish-brown: mandible (except apex; in some specimens all black), tegula, fore- and midlegs (partly), hindleg (partly or all black), petiole, terum I and gastral segments II-IV (in some specimens dorsally black). Clypeus and frons covered with dense, appressed, silvery setae, remaining areas of head (except vertex), thorax and propodeum laterally sparsely covered with appressed setae. Flagellomere I: II=1.6-1.8; length of the petiole = hindtarsomeres I+II to I+II+0.5×III.

G e o g r a p h i c a l d i s t r i b u t i o n Jordan, Syria, Israel, Egypt (Sinai Peninsula), Iran, Algeria, Morocco.

Figures

Figs 74-84: clypeus of female.

Figs 85-109: clypeus of female in lateral view.

Figs 131-137: pronotal collar of female in dorsal view.

Figs 183-194: pronotal collar of female in lateral view.