Capicola diversipes Cockerell, 1932b: 175–176

Cockerell, The South African bee Capicola diversipes, Samba, Haplomelitta, Cockerell, Hymenoptera, Melittidae, Kuhlmann, Michael & Michez, Denis, 2025, The South African bee & lt; i & gt; Capicola diversipes & lt; / i & gt; Cockerell, 1932 is a junior synonym of & lt; i & gt; Samba & lt; / i & gt; (& lt; i & gt; Haplomelitta & lt; / i & gt;) & lt; i & gt; ogilviei & lt; / i & gt; (Cockerell, 1932) (Hymenoptera: Melittidae), Journal of Melittology 2025 (134), pp. 1-3 : 2

Capicola diversipes Cockerell, 1932b: 175–176 . Syn. nov.

( Figs. 1–3 )

The examination of the holotype of C. diversipes showed that it is undoubtedly conspecific with S. ogilviei ( Cockerell, 1932a) . The holotype is in fair condition (left forewing missing, color faded) ( Figs. 1, 2 ) and agrees with the description. Interestingly, the type specimens of both taxa were collected at the same place and date by the same collectors: Rhinochaetula ogilviei : “Cape Province: Nieuwoudtville, November20-22(J.O., L.O., Ckll.)” ( Cockerell, 1932a). Capicola diversipes : “Cape Province: Nieuwoudtville, November 22 (J.O.)” ( Cockerell, 1932b) (all labels of the type specimen in Fig. 3 ). Both names were published in subsequent volumes of the Annals and Magazine of Natural History giving R. ogilviei precedence over C. diversipes . Donald Baker recognized the correct taxonomy, both generic assignment and synonymy.

DiscussiON. Capicola diversipes is clearly not a Scrapter species ( Colletidae ), but instead a melittid bee of the genus Samba as redescribed by Michez et al. (2010) ( i.e., pointed glossa, short galea, all labial palpus segments with similar length, head wider than long, wing shape, enlarged hind basitarsus, terga generally without apical hair bands; Figs. 1, 2 ). It is therefore unclear how the described erroneous transfer of the species to Scrapter happened in Michez et al. (2010). There may have been confusion with a superficially similar-looking and named male Scrapter with modified legs. Fortunately, C. diversipes turned out to be a junior synonym, so that it was not necessary to rename a valid species.

Figures

Figures 1–3. Male holotype of Capicola diversipes Cockerell, 1932b. 1. Dorsal habitus. 2. Lateral habitus (Photos M. Kuhlmann). 3. Specimen labels and dissected male terminalia preserved in microvial visible on the right. The holotype is housed in the Natural History Museum London, UK. (Photo A. Mack).