Miscophus yemenensis, Schmid & Al & J, 2022

Schmid, Christian, Al, Ali & J, A -, 2022, The genus Miscophus JURINE, 1807 in Arabian Peninsula and southern Israel with description of seven new species (Hymenoptera, Spheciformes), Linzer biologische Beiträge 54 (1), pp. 319-340 : 338

Miscophus yemenensis SCHMID- EGGER nov.sp. (figs 29-32)

Holotype: Yemen: 1♀ Al Lahima 16.x.–31.xii.2000 (leg. v.Harten & Hajer, in malaise traps, RMNH) ; Paratype: Yemen: 1♀ Al Lahima, 1.i.–9.iv.2001 (leg. v.Harten & Hajer, in malaise traps, RMNH)

D i a g n o s i s: The female is characterised by three forebasitarsal spines and a transparent zone on forewing apically, behind the dark apical band. It shares the transparent zone with M. funebris HONORÉ, 1944 , from Egypt, Sudan and other subsaharan origins. The zone is extended until the lower border of wing in M. yemenensis nov.sp., whereas it is restricted to the upper half of the wing in M. funebris . Also, the apical dark band in forewing touches the venation zone in M. funebris ; and begins distinctly behind of it in M. yemenensis nov.sp. Terga are black dorsally, with large red zones laterally in M. yemenensis nov.sp.

D e s c r i p t i o n o f f e m a l e: 6.5 mm. Colour. Black with the following parts yellowish-red: sterna, terga laterally, with dark red apical tergal margin, femora apically, tibiae below, tarsi partly. Mandible basally and AS 1 below yellow. Wings greyish transparent, with dark apical band outside of venation zone, apex transparent. Face with spares pilosity only in lower third. Body covered with short, silver pilosity, pilosity of terga comparatively long. Morphology: OOL = HD, POL = 1.2 HD. Forebasitarus with three spines, apical spine as long as second basitarsal segment.

M a l e: Unknown.

D i s t r i b u t i o n: AP: Yemen.

E t y m o l o g y: The species is named after its origin, Yemen in southern Arabian Peninsula.