Sphecodopsis aculeata (Friese, 1922)

Pöllein, Daniela & Kuhlmann, Michael, 2025, Taxonomic revision of the southern African bee genus Sphecodopsis Bischoff, 1923 (Hymenoptera: Apidae: Nomadinae), European Journal of Taxonomy 980, pp. 1-157 : 18

Sphecodopsis aculeata species group

The group consists of the following two species: S. aculeata and S. chaotica sp. nov. Characteristics of this group are the following: head covered with short, white or yellowish-white hair ( Figs 11C , 13C , 15C ); mesoscutum covered with short, white or yellowish-white hair ( Figs 11D , 13D , 15D ); female S6 bifid posteriorly, shape as shown in Figs 12C and 16C ; male gonostylus not inclined inward and slightly tapered, penis valves broader, about as long as gonostylus ( Fig. 14C ). This group includes the type species of the subgenus Sphecodopsis (Pseudopasites) Bischoff, 1923 (= S. pygmaeus , syn of S. aculeata ), that Michener (2007) treated as a synonym of Sphecodopsis .

Figures

Fig. 11. Sphecodopsis aculeata (Friese, 1922), ♀ (Farm Avontuur, RCMK). A. Habitus (lateral view). B. Metasoma (dorsal view). C. Head. D. Mesoscutum and mesoscutellum (dorsal view).

Fig. 13. Sphecodopsis aculeata (Friese, 1922), ♂ (Farm Avontuur, RCMK). A. Habitus (lateral view). B. Metasoma (dorsal view). C. Head. D. Mesoscutum and mesoscutellum (dorsal view). E. Propodeum. F. T4–T7 (dorsal view).

Fig. 15. Sphecodopsis chaotica sp. nov., paratype, ♀(Kleinmond, RCMK). A. Habitus (lateral view). B. Metasoma (dorsal view). C. Head. D. Mesoscutum and mesoscutellum (dorsal view).

Fig. 12. Sphecodopsis aculeata (Friese, 1922), ♀ (Farm Avontuur, RCMK). A. Propodeum. B. T5 and T6. C. S6.

Fig. 16. Sphecodopsis chaotica sp. nov., paratype, ♀ (Kleinmond, RCMK). A. Propodeum. B. T5 and T6. C. S6.

Fig. 14. Sphecodopsis aculeata (Friese, 1922), ♂ (Farm Avontuur, RCMK). A. S7 (dorsal view). B. S8 (dorsal view). C. Genital (dorsal view). D. Genital (lateral view).