Astata cleopatra PULAWSKI , 1959

Hans-J, 2025, Astata LATREILLE, 1796 (Hymenoptera, Astatidae) from the Palearctic region with descriptions of nine new taxa and a key to species, Linzer biologische Beiträge 57 (1), pp. 71-168 : 99

Astata cleopatra PULAWSKI, 1959

Astata cleopatra PULAWSKI, 1959: 372 , ♀, 3. Holotype ♀, Egypt, Kom Osheim on Cairo-Fayum road (CAS).

M a t e r i a l e x a m i n e d: JORDAN: Jordan Valley S Shuna , 17.04.1996, 1♀, 25- 26.04.1996, 1♀, Mi. Halada ( BOL) ; Zarga-Main , 07.05.1995, 3♀♀, Deneš ( BOL) . OMAN: Al Ajal , 30 km SW Seeb, N 23.531 E 57.975, 14.03.2022, 1♀, 26.03.2022 233, M. Halada ( SE) ; Bidbid 17 km SSE, 23.268°N 58.180°E, 13.03.2022 13, M. Halada ( SE) ; Kahal , 8 km NW Mahda, N 24.449° E 55.906°, 18.03.2022, 13, M. Halada ( SE) ; Dhofar prov., Wadi Muqshin , 120 m, 19°35'N 54°53'E, 09.04.2013, 1♀, J. Halada ( BOL) . SAUDI ARABIA: Riyad r., Riyadh S of, 25.425N 46.653E, 06.03.2024, 1♀, M. Halada ( SE) ; Riyad r., Mulham 40 km NE, 25.469N 46.587E, 07.03.2024 2♀♀, M. Halada ( SE, JA) . UNITED ARAB EMIRATES: Ras Alkhaymah Airport , 10 km SW, 26.56°N 55.88°E, 19.03.2009, 1♀, Schmid-Egger (JA) ; Al-Jazirat al Hamra 7 km S, 25.17°N 55.42°E, 01.12.2004, 13, van Harten, det. Pulawski ( SE) ; Sharjah Desert Park , 25.28°N 55.70°E, 12.02.2009, 1♀, 19.03.2009 13 2♀♀ van Harten ( SE, JA) ; Wadi Bih , dam, 25.80°N 56.07°E, 26.03.2009, 233, 1♀, 29.11.2009, 4♀♀, 03.12.2009, 1♀, 3.12.2009, 1♀ van Harten ( SE, JA) ; Wadi Shawka , 27.13°N 56.02°E, 15.03.2011, 233, 1♀, van Harten ( SE) .

D e s c r i p t i o n: 3. 7-9 mm. Head and mesosoma black. Metasoma red with large black spot on sternum II, sometimes terga IV-VII reddish brown. Femora apically, tibiae and tarsi red. Mandible black, lower margin with distinct angle medially (Fig. 10). Face, frons and clypeus with exceptionally dense white setation masking the sculpture. Middle clypeal lobe distinctly protruding beyond lateral lobe, anterior margin straight. Gena smooth, outer orbit impunctate, remaining surface with dense punctures and long white setae. Antennomere III slightly curved, about 4.0× as long as apical width, about 1.2- 1.3× as long as IV. Antennomeres (VI)VII-XI with carinate tyloids, with small basal yellow tubercle and larger distal ones. Mesoscutum and mesopleuron dull, densely punctate. Propodeal dorsum finely reticulate, dull; declivity and lateral surface densely punctate, dull. Mesosoma (except propodeal dorsum) and tergum I with exceptionally dense white setation. Central setae of metasomal hairbrush beginning on sternum IV, about one third as long as lateral ones, the latter about as long as those of sternum II. Coxae, trochanters and femora with white setae. Midcoxa on inner side concave, posterolaterally lobularly widened (Fig. 8). Hindcoxa unmodified. Hindtrochanter with short triangular apical process (Fig. 9). Forewing with brownish tinge, apical margin hyaline; marginal cell about 3.4-3.5× as long as wide.

♀. 7-9 mm. Head and mesosoma black. Metasoma red. Femora, tibiae and tarsi red. Mandible yellowish red, black apically and basally. Face and frons with upward directed white and black stiff bristles. Gena smooth and shiny, with white setae. Middle clypeal lobe protruding beyond lateral lobe, anterior margin straight. Antennomere III about 3× as long as apical width, about 1.5× as long as IV. Frons densely punctate, with shiny interspaces. Area between posterior ocelli dull, very densely punctate. Vertex smooth and shiny, with scattered punctures. Mesoscutum anterior densely punctate, with stiff black bristles between the white setae; posterior surface smooth and shiny. Mesopleuron anteriorly with punctures, posterior surface with longitudinal striae, with long white setae. Mesoscutellum smooth and shiny. Propodeal dorsum glabrous, reticulate; declivity rugose-punctate; lateral surface with more or less distinct longitudinal carinae. Stigmal area of propodeal dorsum slightly concave. Forebasitarsus short, with four rake spines; ventral surface with five spines evenly prolonged. Midbasitarsus straight, ventrally with spines evenly prolonged to the tip. Femora with black setae. Forewing with brownish tinge, apical margin with indistinct brown spot; marginal cell about 2.5× as long as wide. D i s t r i b u t i o n: Middle East: Egypt (type locality), Israel (Pulawski in BEAUMONT 1973), Jordan, Oman, Saudi Arabia, United Arab Emirates.