taxonID	type	description	language	source
03A587D1FFAE58451FB310531B6EFAC5.taxon	description	M a t e r i a l e x a m i n e d: S. afer: Morocco 1 male, 1 female 3. vi. 2013. S Ait Mzizoui 34,47 N 13,35 W (leg. et coll. T. Ljubomirov). S. leuconotus was examined from Greece, Kazsachstan, Kyrgyzstan and Turkey (2 females, 4 males, in coll CSE). R e m a r k: MENKE & PULAWSKI (2000) synonymised S. afer with S. leuconotus BRULLÉ, 1833, described from Greece. However, the present investigation revealed distinct morphological differences in a male from Morocco compared with males from Greece and Central Asia. Apex of S 8 is clearly different in these males. For that reason, I consider the male from Morocco as belonging to a different species. Sphex afer is the next available name for it, and the taxon has to be restored from synonymy of S. leuconotus. The results are also seen against the background that form of S 8 is an important character for species recognition in the S. flavipennis species group, clearly different in all species. Another important hint for valuation of the taxonomic rank of these taxa is the large genetic gap between specimens from Europe and from Africa in many Crabronidae and Sphecidae species which makes a state as valid species of the African populations in most of these taxa probable (see discussion under SCHMID- EGGER et. al. 2018). R e c o g n i t i o n: The male of S. afer has S 8 with an obtuse apical angle (fig. 15), whereas the apical angle is acute in S. leuconotus (fig. 14, 4 males examined). Wings are dark in S. afer, and are somewhat yellowish in the S. leuconotus males. The female of S. afer is larger (body length 30 mm) than both examined S. leuconotus females (24 - 25 mm) from Central Asia, wings are dark and only slightly yellow in colour, whereas they are distinctly yellow in S. leuconotus. Propodeal setae are clearly white and gaster all black in S. leuconotus, and greyish in S. afer with a red gaster base in S. afer. These characters has to be verified with a larger sample, and especially the tergal colour is variable in both species (MENKE & PULAWSKI 2000). G e o g r a f i c d i s t r i b u t i o n: The general distribution of S. afer is unclear, because I could only examine a single male and female from Morocco. However, information from literature suggests that S. afer occurs in whole North Africa apart from Egypt (MENKE & PULAWSKI 2000), and the European and Asian populations belong to S. leuconotus. The distribution area of the latter reaches Spain in the West, Israel in the South and Kazsachstan in the East.	en	Schmid-Egger, Christian (2019): A review oI the Sphex flavipennis species group (Hymenoptera, Sphecidae) in northwest AIrica with description oI two new species and a discussion oI a species Irom Sardinia. Linzer biologische Beiträge 51 (1): 459-471, DOI: 10.5281/zenodo.3758425
03A587D1FFAE58451FB3141E1A34F9EB.taxon	distribution	D i s t r i b u t i o n: S. flavipennis is widespread in the whole western and central Palearctic region, northwards to the southern Alps. In North Africa is it rarely collected but widespread. No specimens from North Africa were examined.	en	Schmid-Egger, Christian (2019): A review oI the Sphex flavipennis species group (Hymenoptera, Sphecidae) in northwest AIrica with description oI two new species and a discussion oI a species Irom Sardinia. Linzer biologische Beiträge 51 (1): 459-471, DOI: 10.5281/zenodo.3758425
03A587D1FFA958421FB31193182DFA3C.taxon	discussion	R e m a r k: The species occurs in the western palearctic region in three morpho- and colour types (for additional variation in central and eastern Palearctic region see MENKE & PULAWSKI 2000). Females from Europe and western Asia (except Sardinia) have hindfemur black, red spots on femora are small, and red body colour is not orange but dark red. The females therefore resemble S. maroccanus. Males from this origin have apex of S 8 with acute angle (figs. 10, 12, ca. 70 degree), the apex is somewhat pointed. Most specimens have AS 5 - 10 with placoids, other have also a placoid on AS 4. Number of placoids vary, see MENKE & PULAWSKI (2000) for details. Females from Sardinia differ from the European mainland specimens as follows: apex of femora, tibiae and tarsi all red; red body colour is more orange red than dark red. These specimens are similar to the females from Tunisia. The apex of S 8 of Sardinian males is larger than in other European males, and nearly right angled (fig. 11, 80 - 85 degree). Apical angle of S 8 stands between S. funerarius males from European mainland and males of S. maroccanus. Males have placoids on AS 5 - 9 (9 specimens) or on AS 5 - 10 (2 specimens). Specimens from Corsica were not examined but probably also refer to this form, see MENKE & PULAWSKI (2000). Females from Tunisia are similar in colour pattern to females from Sardinia (legs red apart most part of femora). S 8 of these males looks similar to males from European mainland and palearctic Asian (fig. 13). Males have placoids on AS 5 - 8 (5 specimens) or on AS 5 - 9 (2 specimens). Specimens from Sardinia and from European Mainland differ distinctly genetically by appr. 4.5 % (fig. 1). This genetic gap in combination with the different form of male S 8 gives a hint to a beginning species diversification of the Sardinian population. Because of this large genetic distance is a treatment as valid species of the Sardinian population also possible. However, the subject needs further examination in a larger geographic area, and especially the population from Tunisia has to be examined genetically, because they also may represent a different clade. The form from Cyprus is also distinctive and was described as Sphex maxillosus mavromoustakisi de BEAUMONT, 1947. See MENKE & PULAWSKI (2000) for details.	en	Schmid-Egger, Christian (2019): A review oI the Sphex flavipennis species group (Hymenoptera, Sphecidae) in northwest AIrica with description oI two new species and a discussion oI a species Irom Sardinia. Linzer biologische Beiträge 51 (1): 459-471, DOI: 10.5281/zenodo.3758425
03A587D1FFA958421FB31193182DFA3C.taxon	distribution	D i s t r i b u t i o n: S. funerarius s. lat is widespread in the whole western and central Palearctic region and reaches Sweden in the North. Recently the species is expansive in Germany, the northernmost location was Berlin in 2017 (pers. observation). Its distribution in North Africa is not clear. I could only examine S. funerarius from Tunisia, whereas all specimens from southern Morocco, formerly identified as S. funerarius, belong to S. maroccanus. It can be expected that S. funerarius is more widespread in northern Africa.	en	Schmid-Egger, Christian (2019): A review oI the Sphex flavipennis species group (Hymenoptera, Sphecidae) in northwest AIrica with description oI two new species and a discussion oI a species Irom Sardinia. Linzer biologische Beiträge 51 (1): 459-471, DOI: 10.5281/zenodo.3758425
03A587D1FFA858431FB311931AB0FA1B.taxon	description	M a t e r i a l e x a m i n e d: 1 male 20. vi. 2007 Tunisia, Chenini (CSE). D i s t r i b u t i o n: Sphex libycus is recorded from Egypt and Libya (MENKE & PULAWSKI 2000), and new to the fauna of Tunisia. Sphex maroccanus SCHMID- EGGER nov. sp. (figs 7, 17) Holotype: Morocco male 11. vi. 2014 15 km SE Ait Baha, Seisid 30.04 N 9.08 W (barcoding voucher number BC ZSM HYM 22118, coll. ZSM). Paratypes: Morocco: 1 male 1 female 16. vi. 2014 20 km E Tiznit, Assaka 29.690 N 9.530 W; male 12. iv. 2015 Tata 29.778 N 7.978 W (barcoding voucher number BC ZSM HYM 24541), 1 female 15. vi. 2014 Morocco, 30 km NNW Tazenakht, on route N 10, 30.830 N 7.288 W; male 12. iv. 2015 Tata 29.778 N 7.978 W (barcoding voucher number BC ZSM HYM 24540); 5 females 30. iv. 2018 18 km NE Sidi Ifni, Beach 29.516 N 10.070 W (barcoding voucher number of two females: BC-ZSM-HYM- 29771 - C 09, BC-ZSM-HYM- 29771 - C 10) (all leg. CSE, coll. CSE and ZSM). D i a g n o s i s: Sphex maroccanus is similar to S. funerarius and differs clearly genetically (fig. 1). The male has S 8 right angled apically, whereas the angle is always acute in S. funerarius, and the apex is slightly pointed. AS 5 - 10 have placoids, whereas all examind males of S. funerarius from Tunisia lack placoid on AS 10. Females differ from Tunisian females by less extended red colour on leg. Mid- and hindtibia and tarsi are completely red in S. funerarius, whereas midtibia is partly and hindtibia all black in S. maroccanus. The red body colour (legs and abdomen) is orange red in S. funerarius, and dark red in S. maroccanus. So, both females are different in North Africa, but S. maroccanus resembles females from Europe in colour pattern. See also remark at S. funerarius. D e s c r i p t i o n o f m a l e h o l o t y p e: Body length: 19.0 mm. Colour: Black, with the following parts red: Mandible medially, T 1 - 3 and S 1 - 3 (apart from black petiole), basal half of S 4, T 4 laterally. Long erect pilosity of head, mesosoma and petiole white. Wings greyish transparent, apex darker than remaining wing. Morphology: AS 5 - 10 with large placoids. Petiole 1,8 x as long as maximum width. S 8 with right angle apically. Similar to S. funerarius in all remaining characters. Male paratypes agree with holotype. D e s c r i p t i o n o f f e m a l e: Body length 19.5 - 23.0 mm. Colour: Black, red are: basal half of mandible, tegula, T 1 - 3 and S 1 - 3 (apart from black petiole), basal half of S 4, T 4 laterally, underside and apex of forefemur, large apical spot on underside and apex of midfemur, apex of hindfemur, fore- and midtibia, tarsi. Hindtibia black with some red on underside. Wings greyish transparent with darker apex, with some yellow shimmer. Erect pubescence of head and mesosoma white. Petiole 1,8 x as long as maximum width. Agree otherwise with S. funerarius. G e o g r a p h i c d i s t r i b u t i o n: SouthernMorocco. H a b i t a t: The species was found in semi-arid and steppe like habitats in southern Morocco. It was collected together with S. schlaeflei. E t y m o l o g y: The species is named after the country of origin, Morocco.	en	Schmid-Egger, Christian (2019): A review oI the Sphex flavipennis species group (Hymenoptera, Sphecidae) in northwest AIrica with description oI two new species and a discussion oI a species Irom Sardinia. Linzer biologische Beiträge 51 (1): 459-471, DOI: 10.5281/zenodo.3758425
03A587D1FFAB58401FB311931A94F9C3.taxon	materials_examined	Holotype: male 15. vi. 2014 Morocco, 30 km NNW Tazenakht, on route N 10, 30.830 N 7.288 W leg CSE (coll ZSM, barcoding voucher number BC ZSM HYM 22120). Paratypes: 3 males, 2 females, same date as holotype, coll. CSE (1 male: barcoding voucher number BC ZSM HYM 22129, 1 female barcoding voucher number BC ZSM HYM 22121); male 30. v. 1995 Morocco, Anti-Atlas, 40 km SW Quarzazate, Steppe 10 km SW Tazenakht 30.515 N 7.283 W (leg. et. coll CSE); 2 females 7 males 30. v. 1990 Ait Saoun near Agdz 30.733 N 6.632 W (leg. et coll. Schlaefle); male 11. vi. 2007 Tizi'n-Tinififft 30.710 N 6.588 W (leg. et coll. Schlaefle); male 19. vi. 2007 Ouarzazate 30.911 N 6.923 W (leg. et coll. Schlaefle). D i a g n o s i s: Sphex schlaeflei is similar to S. funerarius and differs genetically from the remaining species of this lineage (fig. 1). The female is characterized by the following character combination: T 1 - 3 and S 1 - 3 red, apart from black petiole, legs black (at most foretibia red), wings transparent with grey apical margin, erect setae of face yellowish-brown, petiole 1,3 x as long as medial width. S. flavipennis, S. maroccanus and S. funerarius differ by having legs predominantly red and setae of face white. The male of S. schlaeflei is characterized by black legs, T 1 - 4 and S 1 - 4 red (apart from black petiole), wings transparent with grey margin, AS 6 - 8 with placoids. Setae of underside of head and mesosoma yellowish or ̎ dirty ̎ white, darker than in S. funearius. The remaining Sphex males from northwest Africa with red abdominal base differ by number of placoids. They lack in S. flavipennis (resp. are reduced to very narrow placoids in AS 7 - 8). S. funerarius and S. maroccanus have large placoids on AS 7 - 9, at least in African populations. S 8 of S. schlaeflei is unique by a rounded apex with small point. D e s c r i p t i o n o f m a l e h o l o t y p e: Body length 20.0 mm. Colour: Black, apical third of mandible brown. Red are T 1 - 3 and S 1 - 3 except petiole, basal half of T 4 and S 4. Face below ocelli with dense adpressed silver pubescence and erect white setae. Pilosity of underside of head and mesosoma yellowish to brownish white. Wings greyish with some yellow shimmer, with infumate apical zone, wing venation black. Morphology: AS 6 - 8 with large placoids. Petiole 2,3 x as long as its maximal width. S 8 with rounded apex, apically with small point. Otherwise similar to S. funerarius. V a r i a t i o n i n m a l e p a r a t y p e s: Body length. 19.0 - 25.0 mm. Adpressed setae of face yellow in some specimens, red colour of abdomen variable (T 2 all black, or T 4 all red). D e s c r i p t i o n o f f e m a l e: Body length 20.0 - 30.0 mm. Colour: Black, basal half of mandible and tegula dark red; parts of foretibia and foretarsi dark red, T 1 - 3 and S 1 - 4 red, apart from petiole (red is somewhat darker than in S. funerarius). Wings greyish with an infumate apical zone. Wing venation reddish, media black. Erect setae of face dark brown-yellowish, adpressed setae of face silver. Remaining setae of thorax and mesosoma brownish. Morphology: Petiole 1,4 - 1.5 x maximal width. Otherwise similar to S. funerarius. G e o g r a p h i c d i s t r i b u t i o n: The species is only known from a small area around Ouarzazate in southern Morocco, south of the Atlas Mountains. H a b i t a t: S. schlaeflei was found in a steppe-like habitat and in a small oasis with palm trees on flowering Echinops spp. E t y m o l o g y: The species is named after Wolfgang Schlaefle from Switzerland, a friend and engaged hymenopterist. He collected the new species for the first time.	en	Schmid-Egger, Christian (2019): A review oI the Sphex flavipennis species group (Hymenoptera, Sphecidae) in northwest AIrica with description oI two new species and a discussion oI a species Irom Sardinia. Linzer biologische Beiträge 51 (1): 459-471, DOI: 10.5281/zenodo.3758425
