Dioxys ardens Gerstäcker, 1869

Wood, T. J., 2025, Resolving issues in the genus Dioxys (Hymenoptera, Megachilidae, Dioxyini) in the West Palaearctic with a new identification key, ZooKeys 1226, pp. 261-302 : 261-302

1. Dioxys ardens Gerstäcker, 1869

Dioxys ardens Gerstäcker, 1869: 166, ♀ [ Spain, ZMHB, not examined].

Dioxys rufispina Pérez, 1895: 26, ♀ [ Algeria, MNHM, not examined].

Material examined.

Israel • 10 ♂, 3 ♀; Hasharon, Ma’agan Mikhael ; 8–23 Mar. 1990; R. Leys leg.; RMNH; ZMA.INS.5103984 – ZMA.INS.5103996 ; Jordan • 1 ♂, 2 ♀; 70 km NE Aqaba (Strasse nach Amman); 14 Apr. 1989; J. Gusenleitner leg.; M. Schwarz det.; OÖLM • 2 ♀; 80 km NE Aqaba (Strasse nach Amman); 11 Apr. 1989; J. Gusenleitner leg.; M. Schwarz det.; OÖLM ; Morocco • 1 ♂; 20 km N Tiznit ; 24 Mar. 1987; J. Gusenleitner leg.; K. Warncke det.; OÖLM • 1 ♂; Biougra, 30 km SE Agadir ; 1 Apr. 1987; J. Gusenleitner leg.; M. Schwarz det.; OÖLM • 1 ♀; Foret Mamora, S de Kenitra ; 17 Mar. 1961; Lindberg leg.; RMNH; RMNH.INS.1660517 ; Spain • 1 ♂; E Estepona ; 1 Apr. 1985; H. Wolf leg.; RMNH; RMNH.INS.1660489 • 4 ♂, 2 ♀; E Estepona ; 1 Apr. 1985; H. Wolf leg.; K. Warncke det.; OÖLM ; Tunisia • 1 ♀; Is. Djerba, 14 km SE Houmt Souk ; 27 Mar. 1992; J. Gusenleitner leg.; M. Schwarz det.; OÖLM .

Distribution.

Portugal, Spain, Morocco, Algeria, Tunisia,? Libya, Israel, Jordan * ( Warncke 1977; Kuhlmann et al. 2014; Bogusch 2023).

Distributional notes.

The distribution of this species requires some clarification. Bogusch (2023) lists Portugal, Spain, and North Africa from Morocco to Libya, adding specifically that “ This species is known only from several records from southern parts of Spain and one record from Portugal ”, but without giving any specimen details. Dioxys ardens has not previously been recorded from Portugal ( Baldock et al. 2018); the specimen from Portugal is in the collection MSCA with the label information “ Port. Alva ” (P. Bogusch, pers. comm. December 2024), but this is difficult to interpret as this could refer to Vila Alva or Barca de Alva, or the Alva river. It can be tentatively accepted as present in Portugal, though further study is required to precisely establish its range. The occurrence of D. ardens in Libya is highly plausible given its overall distribution, but again precise specimen details would allow for greater confidence in its listing. Finally, Kuhlmann et al. (2014) list D. ardens from Israel without published specimen records, but the occurrence of this species in southern Israel can be confirmed through examined specimens, as well as its presence in neighbouring Jordan.