Structurally and sculpturally this species is very similar to the male of Sphecodes samarensis Blüthgen, 1927 and the female of S. duplex Blüthgen, 1927, but from the first species it differs by weakly developed antennal tyloids (versus tyloids covering large part of ventral flagellar surface in S. samarensis) and from the second species by the ocello-ocular area (Fig. 5) having entirely confluent punctures (versus the ocello-ocular area with narrow shiny interspaces in S. duplex, Fig. 4).

Wings with weak yellow-brownish darkening; hind wing with angle between basal (M) and cubital (Cu) veins ca. 70°, costal margin with eight hamuli. Lateral preoccipital carina present. Female. Total body length 6–8 mm. Head strongly transverse in front view, ca. 1.3 times as wide as long (Fig. 3); vertex weakly elevated with distance from top of head to upper margin of lateral ocellus approximately a lateral ocellar diameter as seen in frontal view; labrum trapezoidal, 0.6 times as long as basal width; face and ocello-ocular area with confluent punctures; paraocular and supraclypeal areas with adpressed white pubescence obscuring integument, gena with sparser pubescence. Mesoscutum and mesoscutellum areolate-punctate (30–50 μm); propodeal triangle (metapostnotum) and lateral parts of propodeum with longitudinal wrinkles and smooth shiny interspaces between them; mesepisternum reticulate-rugose. Metasomal terga almost impunctate, sometimes with a few fine punctures, red; pygidial plate widely rounded apically, 1.2–1.4 times as wide as metabasitarsus. Male. Total body length 5.5–6.5 mm. Head transverse, ca. 1.15 times as wide as long; vertex weakly elevated with distance from top of head to upper margin of lateral ocellus approximately a lateral ocellar diameter as seen in frontal view; tyloids weakly developed, narrowly linear as seen in lateral view; F2 1.6 times as long as wide; F3 = F4, 1.2–1.3 times as long as wide; face (below andabove the antennal sockets) with adpressed white pubescence obscuring integument. Mesoscutum and mesoscutellum areolate-punctate; propodeum and mesepisternum as in the female. Metasomal terga finely punctate (15–20 μm / 1–3); marginal zonesimpunctate; T1–T3 red; gonocoxite dorsally without impression; gonostylus short, apically broadened.

Figures 2–7. 

Sphecodes duplex Blüthgen (2, 4, 6, 7), S. bakeri Cockerell (3, 5), females 2, 3 head, frontal view 4, 5 vertex, dorso-lateral view 6 mesosoma, dorsal view 7 T1–T3, dorsal view. Scale bars: 1.0 mm (2, 3, 6, 7), 0.5 mm (4, 5).

Indonesia: 1 ♀, NE Sulawesi, 47 km WSW Kotamobagu, Dumoga-Bone N. Pk., Toraut, 211 m, VII.1985, G.R. Else (NHMUK 013380350); Philippines: 1 ♂, Dapitan, Mindano, Baker leg. [Sphec. bakeri Ckll., Blüthgen det.] (ZMHB); 1 ♀, Kolambugan, Mindanao, Baker leg. [Sphec. bakeri Ckll., Blüthgen det.] (ZMHB).

Cockerell 1915: 489 (Philippines); Blüthgen 1927: 74 (Philippines); Ascher and Pickering 2019 (Philippines).

*Indonesia, Philippines.

The female of this species resembles Sphecodes takaensis Blüthgen, 1927 owing to a similar structure, sculpture and coloration of the body, but it differs from this species by the square F3 (as long as wide), the entirely areolate vertex and the wider pygidial plate which is as wide as metabasitarsus (in S. takaensis F3 0.7–0.8 times as long as wide; vertex with small shiny impunctate spots near ocelli; pygidial plate narrower than metabasitarsus).

Wings with brownish darkening; hind wing with the angle between basal (M) and cubital (Cu) veins ca. 80°, costal margin with eight or nine hamuli. Lateral preoccipital carina present. Female. Total body length 8–9 mm. Head (Fig. 8) transverse, ca. 1.25 times as wide as long; vertex weakly elevated with distance from top of head to upper margin of lateral ocellus approximately a lateral ocellar diameter as seen in frontal view; labrum trapezoidal, 0.45 times as long as basal width; face and vertex areolate-punctate; paraocular (below and above the antennal sockets), supraclypeal areas and gena with adpressed white pubescence obscuring integument. Mesoscutum and mesoscutellum (Fig. 10) densely punctate (40–75 μm), medially with punctures separated by at most 1–2 puncture diameters, becoming confluent peripherally; propodeal triangle (metapostnotum) and mesepisternum (Fig. 9) reticulate-rugose. Metasoma red (Fig. 11); T1 on disc and marginal zone finely and densely punctate (10–15 μm / 0.5–3), remaining terga more coarsely punctate (10–25 μm) with impunctate and smooth marginal zones; pygidial plate dull, widely rounded apically, as wide as metabasitarsus. Male unknown.

Figures 8–11. 

Sphecodes binghami Blüthgen, female 8 head, frontal view 9, 10 mesosoma, lateral view (9), dorsal view (10) 11 metasoma, dorsal view. Scale bars: 1.0 mm.

Malaysia: 1 ♀, Malaya, S. Batu Feringgi, Panang, 4.VIII.1955, H.T. Pagden (NHMUK 013380344).

Blüthgen 1924: 497 (Myanmar).

*Malaysia, Myanmar.

This species resembles Sphecodes laticeps Meyer, 1920 in having a similar structure, sculpture and coloration of the body, including the shape of the male genitalia. However, the male differs in the size of tyloids which usually cover the entire ventral flagellar surface or sometimes with a small glabrous spot on basal flagellomeres (versus antennae with well-developed medial glabrous spot on ventral surface of flagellomeres in S. laticeps); females are challenging to distinguish, but S. laticeps has T2 usually more distinctly punctate.

Wings with weak yellow-brownish darkening; hind wing with the angle between basal (M) and cubital (Cu) veins ca. 80°, costal margin with seven hamuli. Lateral preoccipital carina present. Female. Total body length 6.5–7.5 mm. Head (Fig. 12) strongly transverse, ca. 1.3 times as wide as long; vertex elevated with distance from top of head to upper margin of lateral ocellus 1–1.5 times lateral ocellar diameter as seen in frontal view; labrum trapezoidal, 0.6 times as long as basal width; vertex (Fig. 13) with shiny interspaces between shallow punctures (approximately a puncture diameter); paraocular (below the antennal sockets) and supraclypeal areas with adpressed white pubescence obscuring integument, clypeus and gena with sparser pubescence. Mesoscutum and mesoscutellum (Fig. 14) mostly with confluent punctures (30–40 μm) and medially with a few shiny interspaces at most 1–2 puncture diameters; propodeal triangle (metapostnotum) roughly reticulate-rugose (sculpture forming 1–2 rows of large deep cells); mesepisternum reticulate-rugose. Metasomal T1 impunctate or with a few tiny punctures (Fig. 15), T2 medially impunctate or with tiny and sparse punctures, but coarser and denser on lateral parts (10–15 μm / 2–4); marginal zones impunctate; pygidial plate as wide as metabasitarsus; T1 and T2 red, T3 and T4 red or dark. Male. Total body length 6–7 mm. Head transverse (Fig. 18), ca. 1.2 times as wide as long; vertex elevated with distance from top of head to upper margin of lateral ocellus 1–1.5 times lateral ocellar diameter as seen in frontal view; antennae attain posterior margin of mesoscutum, F2 1.4–1.5 times as long as wide; tyloids well developed, covering entire ventral and lateral flagellar surfaces (Fig. 17). Mesoscutum and mesoscutellum (Fig. 19) mostly areolate with a few shiny interspaces at most a puncture diameter; propodeal triangle roughly reticulate-rugose (sculpture forming one or two rows of large deep cells); lateral parts of propodeum rugose with large smooth shiny interspaces. Metasomal terga (Fig. 21) with fine and relatively dense punctures (10–15 μm / 1–3), punctures more visible in specimens with darker terga; T1–T3 red or brownish; gonocoxite dorsally without impression; gonostylus as on Fig. 20.

Figures 12–16. 

Sphecodes biroi Friese, female, paralectotype 12 head, frontal view 13 vertex, dorso-lateral view 14 mesosoma, dorsal view 15 metasoma, dorsal view 16 labels. Scale bars: 1.0 mm (12, 14, 15), 0.5 mm (13).

Malaysia: 1 ♂, Malaya, Kuala Lumpur, 17.XI.1929, H.T. Pagden (NHMUK 013380438); 1 ♀, idem, Batu Road, 19.VII.1936, H.T. Pagden (NHMUK 013380348); 1 ♂, Perak Gerik env., 26–28.II.2000, K. Denes jun. (OLBL/PCMS); 3 ♂♂, Perak Bakit Larut, 23–25.II.2000, K. Denes jun. (OLBL/PCMS); Indonesia: 1 ♀, NE Sulawesi, 47 km WSW Kotamobagu, Dumoga-Bone N. Pk., Toraut, 211 m, VII.1985, G.R. Else (NHMUK 013380352); 1 ♂, North Sumatra,Brastagi, 76 km S Medan, 3.III–1.IV.1996, S. Becvar (OLBL/PCMS); Thailand: 2 ♀♀, 2 ♂♂, Nan, MaeCharim NPEingang, 18°36'N, 100°58'E, 206 m, 13–22.V.2012, E. & J. Holzschuh (OLBL/PCMS); 1 ♂, Phuket Island, Main Harn, 1–5.II.2018, J. Halada (OLBL/PCMS); 1 ♂, Chumphon prov., 27.III–14.IV.1996, 9°48'N, 98°47'E, P. Prudek (OLBL/PCMS); Sri Lanka: ♂, Sri Lanka, Gal. Dist., Kanneliya Section, Sinharaja, 2–5.X.1980, K. Krombein et al. leg. (USNM) (S. Sakagami det as. ”Sphecodes lankensis” – unpublished manuscript name).

Cockerell 1919: 556 (Philippines, as S. transversus and S. latifrons); Meyer 1920: 230 (Philippines, as S. insularis); 1925: 11 (Indonesia, as S. bischoffi); Perkins, 1921: 10 (East India, as S. abnormis); Ascher and Pickering 2019 (Indonesia, Philippines).

Indonesia, *Malaysia, Philippines, *Thailand, India, Sri Lanka, New Guinea.

Records of this species in Thailand (Ascher and Pickering 2019) refer to Sphecodes biroi mariae Cockerell, 1930 = S. laticeps Meyer, 1920 (see below).

Unlike other species with simple mandibles in the female, this species has a preoccipital carina and a weakly curved basal vein in hind wing.

Wings with brownish darkening; hind wing with the angle between basal (M) and cubital (Cu) veins ca. 70°, costal margin with seven hamuli. Lateral and dorsal preoccipital carina present. Female. Total body length 6–7 mm. Head (Fig. 23) strongly transverse, ca. 1.25 times as wide as long; vertex weakly elevated with distance from top of head to upper margin of lateral ocellus approximately a lateral ocellar diameter as seen in frontal view; F1 and F2 strongly transverse, 0.5 times as long as wide; F3 0.8 times as long as wide; face with confluent punctures, ocello-ocular area with dense punctures separated by at most a puncture diameter (Fig. 22); paraocular and supraclypeal areas with adpressed white pubescence obscuring integument. Gena with dense pubescence. Mesoscutum and mesoscutellum (Fig. 25) coarsely and densely punctate (25–50 μm), the punctures separated by at most two puncture diameters; mesepisternum reticulate-rugose (Fig. 24); propodeal triangle (metapostnotum) coarsely reticulate-rugose, lateral parts of propodeum with fine wrinkles (strigose). Metasomal terga definitely punctate (Fig. 26), finely on T1 (ca. 10 μm) and more coarsely on the remaining terga (10–25 μm); marginal zones impunctate; T1 and T2 red, coloration of T3 and T4 variable; pygidial plate dull, widely rounded apically, 1.4 times as wide as metabasitarsus. Male unknown.

Figures 17–21. 

Sphecodes biroi Friese, male 17 antennae, lateral view 18 head, frontal view 19 mesosoma, dorsal view 20 genitalia, dorsal view 21 T1-T3, dorsal view. Scale bars: 1.0 mm (17–19, 21), 0.5 mm (20).

Friese 1914: 14 (Indonesia); Ascher and Pickering 2019 (Indonesia).

Indonesia: 2 ♀♀, Lombok, near Senggigi, 18.V.2012, M. Mokrousov (ZISP).

Indonesia.

Figures 22–27. 

Sphecodes brunneipes Friese, female, holotype 22, 23 head, dorsal view (22), frontal view (23) 24, 25 mesosoma, lateral view (24), dorsal view (25) 26 metasoma, dorsal view 27 labels. Scale bars: 1.0 mm.

This species resembles Sphecodes shillongensis Blüthgen, 1927 and S. simlaensis Blüthgen, 1924, sharing a similar structure and sculpture of the body, including weakly developed antennal tyloids, a densely punctate mesoscutum and scarcely punctate metasomal terga. The species differs from S. simlaensis in having dense facial pubescence obscuring integument above the antennal sockets; from S. shillongensis it differs by shorter antennae with flagellomeres (from F3 onward) ca. 1.1–1.2 times as long as wide (versus 1.3) and shape of the gonostylus with a large membranous part.

Wings hyaline; hind wing with angle between basal (M) and cubital (Cu) veins almost 90°, costal margin with six or seven hamuli. Preoccipital carina absent. Male. Total body length 4.5–5.5 mm. Head transverse, ca. 1.15 times as wide as long (Fig. 29); vertex not elevated as seen in frontal view; antennae (Fig. 28) short, attaining posterior margin of mesoscutum, F1 0.7 times as long as wide, F2 1.3–1.4 times as long as wide, remaining flagellomeres ca. 1.1–1.2 as long as wide; tyloids weakly developed, at most semicircular across basal 1/4 of ventral surfaces of last flagellomeres (Fig. 28); ocello-ocular area with minute punctures separated by at most a puncture diameter; face above and below the antennal sockets with adpressed white pubescence obscuring integument. Gena with sparser pubescence. Mesoscutum and mesoscutellum (Fig. 31) finely punctate, sparser medially (15–20 μm / 0.5–3), becoming denser peripherally; mesepisternum and hypoepimeral area rugose (Fig. 32); propodeal triangle (metapostnotum) shining, with coarse longitudinal-winding wrinkles; remaining surfaces of propodeum rugose to reticulate-rugose. Metasomal terga scarcely punctate (Fig. 30); T1 almost impunctate, with a few minute punctures; remaining terga basally with tiny setae pores; marginal zones impunctate; T1 (apically) and T2 red, coloration of T3 variable; gonocoxite dorsally with impression; gonostylus as on Fig. 33. Female unknown.

Figures 28–33. 

Sphecodes chaprensis Blüthgen, male 28 antennae, lateral view 29 head, frontal view 30 T1–T3, dorsal view 31 mesosoma, dorsal view 32 mesepisternum and hypoepimeral area, lateral view 33 genitalia, dorsal view. Scale bars: 1.0 mm (29–31), 0.5 mm (28, 32, 33).

Laos: 1 ♂, Phongsaly prov., 21°44'N, 102°12'E, Ban Natsa, 9–17.V.2004, 550 m, P. Pacholatko (OLBL/PCMS).

*Laos, India (Bihar).

Holotype : ♂, laos, Phongsaly prov., Phongsaly env., 21°41'N, 102°06'E, 1500 m, 1–30.VI.2003, P. Pacholatko (PCMS), Fig. 42. Paratypes: 2 ♂♂, the same label as for holotype, but VI.2003 (PCMS/ZISP); 2 ♀#, the same label as for holotype, but 28.V–20.VI.2003, V. Kuban (PCMS/ZISP).

Among the oriental species lacking a preoccipital carina and with five or six hamuli in hind wing the male of the new species is recognizable by having tyloids covering the entire ventral and lateral flagellar surfaces and also in the shape of the gonostylus which has an elongate membranous part; the female is similar to Sphecodes tantalus Nurse, 1903 by combination of the strongly transverse head, the metafemur strongly enlarged in proximal half, the mesoscutum with relatively sparse punctures, the impunctate T1, the narrow pygidial plate and the reddish metasoma, but it differs by not having an elevated vertex as seen in frontal view (in S. tantalus distance from top of head to upper margin of lateral ocellus approximately a lateral ocellar diameter).

Wings hyaline, weak yellowish with light brown stigma and yellowish veins; hind wing with the angle between basal (M) and cubital (Cu) veins 90°, costal margin with five hamuli. Preoccipital carina absent. Female. Total body length 6.0–6.5 mm (Fig. 35), fore wing 4.6–4.9 mm. Head black (Fig. 43); strongly transverse, ca. 1.3 times as wide as long; vertex not elevated as seen in frontal view; distance from top of head to upper margin of a lateral ocellus ca. two lateral ocellar diameters as seen in dorsal view; F1 0.8 times as long as wide, F2 0.9 times as long as wide, remaining flagellomeres 1.0–1.1 times as long as wide; labrum trapezoidal, 0.7 times as long as basal width; face densely punctate, with punctures separated by at most a puncture diameter; ocello-ocular area and gena with tiny setae pores (5–10 μm) separated by a few puncture diameters; face and gena with sparser pubescence, not obscuring integument. Mesosoma black, legs brownish with yellowish tarsi; mesoscutum and mesoscutellum (Fig. 44) with relatively sparse punctures (15–25 μm / 1–4) becoming denser peripherally; metafemur strongly enlarged in proximal half, maximum width 0.4 times its length; hypoepimeral area and mesepisternum rugose; propodeal triangle (metapostnotum) with coarse longitudinal wrinkles and shining interspaces (Fig. 44); lateral parts of propodeum coarsely reticulate-rugose. Metasomal T1 impunctate; remaining terga with a few minute setae pores (Fig. 45); marginal zones impunctate; T1–T4 mostly red, remaining terga red-brownish; pygidial plate dull, pointed apically, narrow, 0.6 times as wide as metabasitarsus. Sterna finely tessellate with dense shallow setae pores.

Figures 34, 35. 

Sphecodes discoverlifei Astafurova & Proshchalykin, sp. nov. 34 holotype, male, lateral view 35 paratype, female, lateral view. Scale bars: 1.0 mm.

Male. Total body length 6–7 mm (Fig. 34), fore wing 4.5–5.0 mm. Head black (Fig. 36), transverse, ca. 1.2 times as wide as long; vertex not elevated as seen in frontal view and distance from top of head to upper margin of a lateral ocellus approximately two lateral ocellar diameters as seen in dorsal view; antenna short (Fig. 37), reaching posterior half of mesoscutum, F1 0.6 times as long as wide, F2 1.3–1.4 times as long as wide, remaining flagellomeres 1.1–1.2 times as long as wide; tyloids covering entire ventral and lateral flagellar surfaces; face densely punctate, the punctures separated byat most a half puncture diameter; ocello-ocular area and gena more sparsely punctate with punctures separated by approximately a puncture diameter; face and gena with sparser pubescence, not obscuring integument. Mesosoma black, tibia (partially) and tarsi yellow; mesoscutum (Fig. 39) irregularly punctate, with confluent punctures peripherally and sparser medially (15–25 μm / 1–4); mesoscutellum coarsely punctate (20–40 μm) with punctures separated by at most a puncture diameter; hypoepimeral area and mesepisternum reticulate-rugose; propodeal triangle with coarse longitudinal wrinkles and shiny interspaces; lateral part of propodeum coarsely reticulate-rugose. Metasoma dark brownish (Fig. 38); terga almost impunctate with a few minute punctures; sterna with sparse setae pores; gonocoxite dorsally with impression; gonostylus with elongate membranous part (Figs 40, 41).

Figures 36–42. 

Sphecodes discoverlifei Astafurova & Proshchalykin, sp. nov., male, holotype 36 head, frontal view 37 antennae, lateral view 38 metasoma, dorsal view 39 mesosoma, dorsal view 40, 41 genitalia, dorso-lateral view (40), dorsal view (41) 42 labels. Scale bars: 1.0 mm (36–39), 0.5 mm (40, 41).

This species is dedicated to name of the website https://www.discoverlife.org (creators are J.S. Ascher and J. Pickering), in recognition of its contribution to knowledge of bee biodiversity.

Only known from the type locality in Laos.

Figures 43–45. 

Sphecodes discoverlifei Astafurova & Proshchalykin, sp. nov., female, paratype 43 head, frontal view 44 mesosoma, dorsal view 45 metasoma, dorsal view. Scale bars: 1.0 mm.

This species is similar to Sphecodes formosanus Cockerell, 1911 in having weakly developed tyloids, a densely punctate mesoscutum (close to areolate) and metasomal terga, but it differs in having a smaller body size (6.5–8.5 mm versus 9–10 mm), number of hamuli (seven or eight versus ten), and usually more developed tyloids (covering sometimes to basal 1/4–1/3 of distal flagellomeres compared to at most 1/5 in S. formosanus). Females of S. takaensis Blüthgen 1927, S. howardi and S. binghami are structurally and sculpturally close to the male of S. distinctus and it is possible that one of these is the unknown female for S. distinctus.

Wings with weak yellow-brownish darkening; hind wing with the angle between basal (M) and cubital (Cu) veins almost 80°, costal margin with seven or eight hamuli. Lateral preoccipital carina present. Male. Total body length 6.5–8.5 mm (Fig. 46). Head transverse (Fig. 47), ca. 1.2 times as wide as long; vertex elevated with distance from top of head to upper margin of lateral ocellus approximately an ocellar diameter as seen in frontal view; antennae (Fig. 51) reach posterior margin of mesoscutum, F2 1.6–1.7 times as long as wide, remaining flagellomeres 1.2–1.3 times as long as wide; tyloids semicircular across basal 1/7–1/3 of flagellar surfaces; face and vertex finely areolate-punctate; face (below and above the antennal sockets) and gena with adpressed white pubescence obscuring integument. Mesoscutum and mesoscutellum coarsely and densely punctate (Fig. 48), mostly with confluent punctures, but medially with interspaces approximately a puncture diameter; propodeal triangle (metapostnotum) roughly reticulate-rugose. Metasomal terga (Fig. 49) coarsely punctate (20–25 μm / 1–3); marginal zone on T1 finely punctate (impunctate along posterior margin); remaining marginal zones impunctate; T1–T4 and T5 basally red; gonocoxite dorsally without impression; gonostylus as shown in Fig. 50. Female unknown.

Figures 46–52. 

Sphecodes distinctus Meyer, male 46 Habitus, lateral view, holotype 47 head, frontal view 48 mesosoma, dorsal view 49 T1–T3, dorsal view 50 genitalia, dorsal view 51 antennae, lateral view 52 holotype labels. Scale bars: 1.0 mm (46–49, 51), 0.5 mm (50).

Thailand: 13 ♂♂, Nan, MaeCharim NP Eingang, 18°36'N, 100°58'E, 10–24.V.2012, E. & J. Holzschuh (OLBL/PCMS).

Meyer 1925: 11 (Vietnam); Ascher and Pickering 2019 (Vietnam).

*Thailand, Vietnam.

Annam (type locality of S. distinctus) is actually located in Vietnam, not Laos as Meyer (1925: 11) pointed out.

Structurally and sculpturally this species is extremely similar to the female of Sphecodes bakeri Cockerell, 1915, but it differs in the ocello-ocular area (Fig. 4)having shiny interspaces and T2 basally possessing fine and sparse punctures (versus ocello-ocular area with entirely confluent punctures without interspaces (Fig. 5) and T2 impunctate in S. bakeri).

Wings with yellow-brownish darkening; hind wing with angle between basal (M) and cubital (Cu) veins almost 90°, costal margin with eight hamuli. Lateral preoccipital carina present. Female. Total body length 5–6 mm. Head strongly transverse (Fig. 2), ca. 1.35 times as wide as long; vertex weakly elevated with distance from top of head to upper margin of lateral ocellus approximately a lateral ocellar diameter as seen in frontal view; labrum trapezoidal, 0.6 times as long as basal width; face and ocello-ocular area with dense punctures separated by at most a half puncture diameter; paraocular and supraclypeal areas with adpressed white pubescence obscuring integument, gena with sparser pubescence. Mesoscutum and mesoscutellum (Fig. 6) areolate-punctate (30–50 μm); propodeal triangle (metapostnotum) with longitudinal wrinkles and deep large shining interspaces between them; lateral parts of propodeum with parallel wrinkles and large shining interspaces; mesepisternum reticulate-rugose. Metasomal terga red, almost impunctate (Fig. 7); T2 basally with sparse and minute (ca. 5 μm) punctures; pygidial plate 1.2 times as wide as metabasitarsus. Male unknown.

Indonesia: 1 ♀, Java, Buitzorg [S. duplex Blüthgen det.] (ZMHB); Malaysia: 1 ♀, Malaya, Kuala Sleh, jungle, 15.III.1936, H.T. Pagden (NHMUK 013380358).

Meyer 1925: 11 (Singapore); Blüthgen 1927: 78 (Indonesia); Ascher and Pickering 2019 (Singapore).

Indonesia, *Malaysia, Singapore.

This species is probably the unknown female of S. samarensis.

Holotype : ♀, Laos, Hua Phan Prov., Ban Saleui, Phou Pan Mts., 20°13'30"N, 103°59'26"E, 1350–1900 m, 08.V.2012, C. Holzschuh & locals (OLBL), Fig. 59. Paratypes: 1 ♀, the same label as for holotype, but 27–28.IV.2011 (OLBL); Vietnam: 1 ♀, prov. Hoa Binh, Pa Co, 27–28.IV.2002, S. Belokobylskij (ZISP).

As with members of the Palaearctic hyalinatus species group (Astafurova and Proshchalykin 2017a), the new species has a pronotum rounded between the dorsal and lateral surfaces, but it differs in the strongly transverse head (1.3 times as wide as long) with a straight upper margin as seen in frontal view (versus head 1.2–1.25 times as wide as long with rounded vertex as seen in frontal view in species of the hyalinatus group).

Wings with weak brownish darkening, veins and stigma brown; hind wing with angle between basal (M) and cubital (Cu) veins ca. 90°, costal margin with six hamuli. Preoccipital carina absent. Female. (holotype. Fig. 53). Total body length 7.5–8.5 mm, fore wing 6.5–7.0 mm. Head black (Fig. 55); strongly transverse, ca. 1.3 times as wide as long; vertex weakly elevated as seen in frontalview, distance from top of head to upper margin of a lateral ocellus approximately a half lateral ocellar diameter as seen in frontal view and ca. 2 diameters as seen in dorsal view; mandible bidentate; labrum trapezoidal, 0.7 times as long as basal width; gena wide, 1.2 times as wide as eye; clypeus medially slightly emarginated; supraclypeal area weakly bulging; clypeus and supraclypeal area with punctures (15–25 μm) separated by at most a puncture diameter; paraocular area and frons with confluent punctures, ocello-ocular area with punctures separated by 1–3 puncture diameters (Fig. 54), vertex behind ocelli and gena strigose; face below antennal sockets with sparse plumose setae, gena with sparse thin setae. Mesosoma black (Fig. 56); pronotum rounded between the dorsal and lateral surfaces; mesoscutum finely punctate (15–25 μm / 1–4); mesoscutellum irregularly punctate, medially sparsely; metafemur enlarged in proximal half, maximum width 0.4 times its length; hypoepimeral area, mesepisternum, propodeal triangle (metapostnotum) and lateral parts of propodeum reticulate rugose (Figs 56, 57). Mesosoma (Fig. 58) sparsely punctate, T1 impunctate or with a few fine punctures; remaining terga basally with sparse and fine punctures (5–10 μm); marginal zones impunctate; pygidial plate dull, pointed apically, narrow, 0.6–0.7 times as wide as metabasitarsus; T1–T4 red, remaining terga red or red-brownish; sterna tessellate, with tiny and sparse shallow setae pores on S2 and coarse and dense on S3–S5.

Figure 53. 

Sphecodes engeli Astafurova & Proshchalykin, sp. nov., female, holotype, lateral view. Slale bars: 1.0 mm.

Male unknown.

This species is dedicated to our colleague Dr. Michael S. Engel (University of Kansas, USA), in recognition of his significant contributions to systematic entomology.

Laos, Vietnam.

Figures 54–59. 

Sphecodes engeli Astafurova & Proshchalykin, sp. nov., female, holotype 54, 55 head, dorsal view (54), frontal view (55) 56, 57 mesosoma, dorsal view (56), lateral view (57) 58 metasoma, dorsal view 59 labels. Scale bars: 1.0 mm.

The male of this species resembles Sphecodes assamensis Blüthgen, 1927 in having a similar size of antennal tyloids and shape of the gonostylus, but it differs from this species by shining interspaces on vertex and mesoscutum (dull in S. assamensis), and the number of hamuli (ten or twelve versus eight). The female differs from other oriental species by combination of the following characters; lack of a preoccipital carina, large body length (9.5–12 mm), eleven or twelve hamuli, mesoscutum mostly punctate-areolate and vertex strongly elevated. With these characteristics the female is similar to the palaearctic S. albilabris (Fabricius, 1793), but it differs in a sparsely punctate T1 disc with punctures separated by 2–6 puncture diameters (versus 0.5–2 in S. albilabris).

Wings with strong brownish darkening; hind wing with the angle between basal (M) and cubital (Cu) veins ca. 70°, costal margin with eleven or twelve hamuli. Female. Total body length 9.5–12 mm. Head (Fig. 60) transverse, 1.25 times as wide as long; vertex strongly elevated with distance from top of head to upper margin of lateral ocellus ca. two lateral ocellar diameters as seen in frontal view; supraclypeal area swollen; labrum short, semi-oval, 0.45 times as long as basal width; ocello-ocular area areolate-punctate, but vertex behind ocelli with shiny interspaces; paraocular areas and gena with relatively dense plumose pubescence although not obscuring integument. Mesoscutum and mesoscutellum (Fig. 62) mostly with confluent punctures (50–75 μm), but medially with a few interspaces at most 1–2 puncture diameters; propodeal triangle (metapostnotum) coarsely reticulate-rugose; mesepisternum (Fig. 61) areolate on an upper half to reticulate below. Metasoma (Fig. 63) red; T1 sparsely punctate (ca. 25 μm / 2–6), finer and denser on marginal zone; remaining terga more densely and coarsely punctate, but marginal zones impunctate; pygidial plate dull, 1.3–1.4 as wide as metabasitarsus. Male. Total body length 9.5–12 mm. Head (Fig. 64) transverse, 1.2 times as wide as long; vertex strongly elevated with the distance from top of head to upper margin of lateral ocellus more than two lateral ocellar diameters as seen in frontal view; antenna (Fig. 66) long, reaching mesoscutellum, F2 1.8 times as long as wide, remaining flagellomeres ca. 1.4–1.5 times as long as wide; tyloids weakly developed, narrowly semicircular across basal 1/8–1/7 of flagellar surfaces and narrowly linear across remainder of flagellomere as seen in lateral view. Mesoscutum and mesoscutellum (Fig. 67) mostly areolate-punctate, but medially with a few interspaces approximately a puncture diameter wide; propodeum and mesepisternum as in the female. Metasoma (Fig. 68) coarsely and densely punctate, sparser on T1 (25–35 μm / 0.5–3); marginal zones impunctate except on T1; gonocoxite dorsally without impression; gonostylus (Fig. 65) short, with small membranous part.

Figures 60–63. 

Sphecodes fumipennis Smith, female 60 head, frontal view 61, 62 mesosoma, lateral view (61), dorsal view (62) 63 metasoma, dorsal view. Scale bars: 1.0 mm.

Laos: 2 ♀♀, 1 ♂, Louang Phrabang pr., Ban Song Cha, 1200 m, V. 1999, V. Kuban (OLBL/PCMS).

Blüthgen 1924: 489 (Myanmar).

*Laos, Myanmar, India (Sikkim).

Figures 64–68. 

Sphecodes fumipennis Smith, male 64 head, frontal view 65 genitalia, dorsal view 66 antennae, lateral view 67 mesosoma, dorsal view 68 metasoma, dorsal view. Scale bars: 1.0 mm (64, 66–68), 0.5 mm (65).

This species is most close to Sphecodes kershawi and also resembles S. formosanus Cockerell, 1911, S. takaensis Blüthgen, 1927, and S. binghami owing to similar structure, sculpture, and coloration of the body, including a densely punctate disc and marginal zone of T1 (differences between females of these species are outlined in Table 2). Structurally and sculpturally the species is also close to S. distinctus and S. sibuyanensis Cockerell, 1925 and one of these species may possibly be the unknown male of S. howardi, especially S. sibuyanensis which has the same brown wing coloration (lighter and yellowish in S. distinctus).

Wings with brownish darkening; hind wing with angle between basal (M) and cubital (Cu) veins ca. 70°, costal margin with seven or eight hamuli. Lateral preoccipital carina present. Female. Total body length 8.5–9.5 mm. Head transverse, ca. 1.25 times as wide as long; vertex elevated with distance from top of head to upper margin of lateral ocellus approximately a lateral ocellar diameter as seen in frontal view; labrum semi-oval, 0.4 times as long as basal width; face and vertex areolate-punctate; paraocular (below and above the antennal sockets), supraclypeal areas and gena with adpressed white pubescence obscuring integument. Mesoscutum and mesoscutellum mostly with areolate punctures (40–75 μm), but medially with a few shining interspaces of approximately a puncture diameter (Fig. 69); propodeal triangle (metapostnotum) reticulate-rugose (sculpture formingone or two rows of large deep cells); mesepisternum reticulate-rugose. Metasomal T1 on disc and marginal zone finely and densely punctate (10–15 μm / 0.5–3), remaining terga similarly punctate, but with impunctate marginal zones; T4 marginal zone finely tessellate (Fig. 71); T1–T3 red, T4 variable; pygidial plate 0.7 times as wide as metabasitarsus. Male unknown.

Malaysia: 1 ♀, Titi Serong Perak, 29.III.1930, H.T. Pagden (NHMUK 013380439); Myanmar: 1 ♀, Upper Burma, Nam Tamai Valley, 3000 ft, 12.VIII.1938, R. Kaulback, 27°42'N, 97°54'E (NHMUK 013380337); China: 1 ♀, Canton, 1916–1918, H. Weigold (ZMHB).

Figures 69–74. 

Sphecodes howardi Cockerell (69, 71), S. kershawi Perkins (70, 72–74), females 69, 70 mesosoma, dorsal view 71, 72 T4–T6, dorso-lateral 73 head, frontal view 74 metasoma, dorsal view. Scale bars: 1.0 mm.

*Malaysia, *Myanmar, China (Guangdong).

Holotype : ♂, indonesia, West Java, Gunung Halimun N.P., Tea Plantation, Citalahab, 850 m, 6.77607N, 106.85401E, 20.VIII.2004, P. Hartmann (ZSM), Fig. 75. Paratype: 1 ♂, the same label as for holotype (ZMS). Additional material (thisspecimen was determined as belonging the new species by photos and descriptive notes): 1 ♂, NE Sulawesi, 47 km WSW Kotamobagu, Dumoga-Bone N.P., Toraut (forest edge), 211 m, V.1985, G.R. Else, NHMUK 013380345 [aff. insularis Astafurova det. 2019].

The new species most closely resembles Sphecodes insularis Smith, 1858, from which it differs by having an areolate punctate mesoscutum (with interspaces between punctures up to a puncture diameter in S. insularis).

Wings with weak yellow-brownish darkening, veins and stigma brown; hind wing with the angle between basal (M) and cubital (Cu) veins ca. 70°, costal margin with seven or eight hamuli. Lateral preoccipital carina well developed. Male. (holotype, Fig. 75). Total body length 8.5–9.0 mm, fore wing 5.6–5.7 mm. Head black (Fig. 76); weakly transverse, ca. 1.15 times as wide as long; vertex elevated, distance from top of head to upper margin of a lateral ocellus ca. one and a half of lateral ocellar diameter as seen in frontal view and ca. two as seen in dorsal view; antenna short (Fig. 77), reaching posterior half of mesoscutum; F1 strongly transverse, 0.4 times as long as wide; remaining flagellomeres 1.2–1.3 times as long as wide; tyloids semi-oval across at most basal 1/2 of last flagellomeres; supraclypeal area weakly bulging; clypeus shining, densely punctate with the punctures (20–30 μm) separated by at most a half puncture diameter. Supraclypeal and paraocular areas dull, finely areolate-punctate (15–25 μm), but frons and vertex close to reticulate-rugose; gena shining, rugose with sparse short setae; paraocular and supraclypeal areas with dense plumose adpressed pubescence. Mesosoma black (Fig. 78); mesoscutum coarsely areolate-punctate (50–75 μm), medially closer to reticulate-rugose; mesoscutellum densely and coarsely punctate, medially with the punctures separated by at most a puncture diameter; hypoepimeral area reticulate rugose; mesepisternum and propodeal triangle (metapostnotum) roughly reticulate-rugose; mesepisternum with sparse and thin short setae; lateral parts of propodeum shining, close to striate. Metasoma (Fig. 80) distinctly punctate, T1 with minute (5–15 μm) numerous punctures; remaining terga coarsely punctate (15–25 μm / 0.5–2); marginal areas impunctate except on T1 which has fine and sparse punctures basally; sterna tessellate with shallow setae pores; gonocoxite dorsally without impression; gonostylus with triangular apical process (Fig. 79); T1–T3 and S1–S3 variable in coloration, partially red, remaining terga and sterna brownish.

Figure 75. 

Sphecodes ilyadadaria Astafurova, sp. nov., male, holotype, lateral view. Scale bars: 1.0 mm.

Female unknown.

The species is named after the author’s daughter Darya Gayday and her husband Ilya Gayday, who recently married. It is to be treated as a noun.

Indonesia.

Figures 76–80. 

Sphecodes ilyadadaria Astafurova, sp. nov., male, holotype 76 head, frontal view 77 antennae, lateral view 78 mesosoma, dorsal view 79 genitalia, dorsal view 80 metasoma, dorsal view. Scale bars: 1.0 mm (76–78, 80), 0.5 mm (79).

The male of this species is closest to Sphecodes sibuyanensis Cockerell, 1925 owing to similar short antennae with tyloids covering the entire ventral flagellar surface, a densely punctate metasoma (including marginal zone on T1) and in the shape of the gonostylus, with an elongate membranous part. From S. sibuyanensis it differs by a mostly punctate-areolate mesoscutum (versus a lot of mesoscutellar puncturesseparated by 0.5–1 puncture diameter). The female is closest to S. howardi and is also similar to S. formosanus, S. takaensis, and S. binghami owing to a similar structure, sculpture and coloration of the body, including the densely punctate disc and marginal zone of T1 (differences between females of these species are outlined in Table 2).

Wings with strong brownish darkening; hind wing with the angle between basal (M) and cubital (Cu) veins ca. 70°, costal margin with six, seven or eight hamuli. Lateral preoccipital carina present. Female. Total body length 7.5–8 mm. Head transverse (Fig. 73), ca. 1.2 times as wide as long; vertex elevated with distance from top of head to upper margin of lateral ocellus approximately a lateral ocellar diameter as seen in frontal view; labrum semi-oval, 0.5 times as long as basal width; face and vertex areolate-punctate; paraocular areas with dense adpressed white pubescence, gena with sparser pubescence not obscuring integument. Mesoscutum (Fig. 70) mostly areolate-punctate (50–75 μm) medially with a few punctures separated by at most 0.5–1 puncture diameter; mesoscutellum with confluent punctures and a few interspaces of approximately a puncture diameter. Propodeal triangle (metapostnotum) reticulate-rugose. Metasoma densely punctate (Fig. 74); T1 on disc and marginal zone finely punctate (10–15 μm / 0.5–3), remaining terga coarsely punctate (10–25 μm) with impunctate and smooth marginal zones, sometimes finely tessellate on T4 (Fig. 72); pygidial plate 0.7 times as wide as metabasitarsus; T1–T3 red. Male. Total body length 7–8 mm. Head transverse (Fig. 81), ca. 1.2 times as wide as long; vertex elevated with distance from top of head to upper margin of lateral ocellus approximately a lateral ocellar diameter as seen in frontal view; antennae short (Fig. 82), not reaching mesoscutellum, F1 0.6 times as long as wide, remaining flagellomeres ca. 1.2 times as long as wide, tyloids covering entire ventral flagellar surface. Mesosomal sculpture as in female (Fig. 84). Metasomal T1 densely punctate including marginal zone (10–20 μm / 0.5–2), remaining terga with impunctate marginal zones (Fig. 83); T1–T3 red or metasoma entirely black; gonocoxite dorsally without impression; gonostylus with elongate membranous part, apically with long setae (Fig. 85).

Figures 81–85. 

Sphecodes kershawi Perkins, male 81 head, frontal view 82 antennae, lateral view 83 metasoma, dorsal view 84 mesosoma, dorsal view 85 genitalia, dorsal view. Scale bars: 1.0 mm.

Indonesia: 1 ♂, Ceylon, Calutara, O.S. Wickwar, 1912-189 (NHMUK 013380334); Malaysia: 1 ♀, Malaya, Titi Serong Perak, 27.VIII.1931, H.T. Pagden (NHMUK 013380436); Myanmar: 1 ♀, Mali Hka Valley, Kachin Hills, 1500 ft, 15.XII.1930, F. Kingdon Ward., BM 1936-91 (NHMUK 013380338); Thailand: 1 ♀, 2 ♂♂, Nan, MaeCharim NPEingang, 18°36'N, 100°58'E, 206 m, 10–15.V.2012, E. & J. Holzschuh (OLBL/PCMS); China: 1 ♂ (syntype), Macao, J.C. Kershawi (ZMHB); 1 ♂ (syntype), Macao, J.C. Kershawi (NHMUK 013380474); 1 ♀, Macao, R.C.L. Perkins Coll., B.M. 1942-95 (NHMUK 013380470).

Blüthgen 1927: 69 (Indonesia, as S. javanensis).

Indonesia, *Malaysia, *Myanmar, *Thailand, China (Macao).

This species resembles Sphecodes biroi Friese, 1909 and S. samarensis Blüthgen, 1927 owing to a similar structure, sculpture and coloration of the body, including the shape of the male gonostylus. S. laticeps differs from S. samarensis by the shining and more elevated vertex with distance from top of head to upper margin of lateralocellus ca. one and a half or two lateral ocellar diameters as seen in frontal view (versus dull, areolate vertex with distance from top of head to upper margin of lateral ocellus half or one ocellar diameter. The female of S. samarensis is unknown, but these features are suitable for both sexes). The male of S. laticeps differs from S. biroi in having less developed tyloids and a glabrous spot on the ventral surfaces of flagellomeres (versus tyloids usually covering entire ventral flagellar surface or sometimes with small non-setae spot on basal flagellomeres). The females of S. laticeps and S. biroi are difficult to distinguish, but S. laticeps has T2 usually more distinctly punctate.

Wings with brownish darkening; hind wing with angle between basal (M) and cubital (Cu) veins almost 90°, costal margin with seven hamuli. Lateral preoccipital carina present. Female. Total body length 7–7.5 mm. Head strongly transverse (Fig. 86), ca. 1.3 times as wide as long; vertex elevated with distance from top of head to upper margin of lateral ocellus ca. one and a half of a lateral ocellar diameter as seen in frontal view; labrum trapezoidal, 0.6 times as long as basal width; ocello-ocular area shining with shallow punctures separated by 0.5–2 puncture diameters; face (below and above the antennal sockets) with adpressed white pubescence obscuring the paraocular and supraclypeal integuments, gena with sparser pubescence. Mesoscutum and mesoscutellum (Fig. 87) mostly with confluent punctures (30–40 μm) and medially with a few shining interspaces equal at most to one or two puncture diameters. Propodeal triangle (Fig. 87) roughly reticulate-rugose (sculpture forming one or two rows of large deep cells); mesepisternum reticulate-rugose. Metasomal T1 impunctate, T2 with minute and sparse punctures on medial part of disc, coarser and denser on lateral areas (10–15 μm / 2–4); marginal zones impunctate; pygidial plate as wide as metabasitarsus; T1–T3 red or darkish (Fig. 88). Male. Total body length 7–8 mm. Head transverse (Figs 90, 92), ca. 1.2 times as wide as long; vertex elevated with distance from top of head to upper margin of lateral ocellus ca. one and a half of a lateral ocellar diameter as seen in frontal view; antennae reach posterior margin of mesoscutum, F2 1.6–1.7 times as long as wide. Tyloids well developed, covering the entire lateral flagellar surfaces and peripheral part of ventral surface (with variable in size medial glabrous spot, Figs 90, 92). Mesoscutum (Fig. 89) mostly areolate-punctate, medially with a few shining interspaces equal at most to a puncture diameter. Propodeal triangle roughly reticulate-rugose; lateral parts of propodeum rugose with large smooth shining interspaces. Metasomal terga (Fig. 91) with minutely punctate (10–15 μm), variable in density; marginal zones impunctate; T1–T3 red; gonocoxite dorsally without impression; gonostylus as on Fig. 93.

Figures 86–88. 

Sphecodes laticeps Meyer, female 86 head, frontal view 87 mesosoma, dorsal view 88 metasoma, dorsal view. Scale bars: 1.0 mm.

Vietnam: 4 ♂♂, Gia Prov., Lai-Contum, Tran Lap, 20 km N Buon Luoi, 22–25.XI.1988, Sharkov (ZISP); 2 ♀♀, 50 km W Thanh Hoa, 9.I.1989, B. Korotyaev (ZISP); 1 ♀, Hanoi, 30.I.1989, Yanushev (ZISP).

Cockerell 1930: 162 (Thailand, as S. biroi mariae); Ascher and Pickering 2019 (Thailand, as S. biroi mariae).

Thailand, *Vietnam, China (Taiwan).

Figures 89–93. 

Sphecodes laticeps Meyer, male, lectotype (90) 89 mesosoma, dorsal view 90, 92 head, frontal view 91 metasoma, dorsal view 93 genitalia, dorsal view. Scale bars: 1.0 mm.

This species is closest to Sphecodes kozlovi Astafurova & Proshchalykin, 2015 and S. simillimus Smith, 1873, both displaying a similar form to the male genitalia with a large membranous section of the gonostylus (Fig. 101), a similar size of antennal tyloids and a flat vertex with longitudinal carina (in the last feature, the species is also similar to S. pieli Cockerell, 1931). S. montanus differs from these three speciesby the possession of a weakly developed lateral preoccipital carina (absent in S. kozlovi, S. simillimus and S. pieli) and a narrower female pygidial plate which is 1.1–1.2 times as wide as metabasitarsus (versus 1.2–1.5).

Wings hyaline to weak brownish darkening; hind wing with the angle between basal (M) and cubital (Cu) veins ca. 90°, costal margin with five or six hamuli. Vertex with longitudinal carina; lateral preoccipital carina weakly developed (Fig. 100). Female. Total body length 7–8 mm. Head strongly transverse (Fig. 94), ca. 1.3 times as wide as long; vertex not elevated as seen in frontal view; labrum semi-oval, 0.5 times as long as basal width; face and ocello-ocular area areolate-punctate; paraocular areas and gena with sparse pubescence. Mesoscutum and mesoscutellum (Fig. 96) densely punctate with punctures separated by at most one or two puncture diameters, becoming denser (confluent) peripherally. Propodeal triangle (metapostnotum), mesepisternum and hypoepimeral area reticulate-rugose. Metasomal T1 impunctate, T2–T4 basally with sparse minute (5–10 μm) punctures (Fig. 95); marginal zones impunctate. Pygidial plate dull, 1.1–1.2 times as wide as metabasitarsus (Fig. 97); T1–T3 red. Male. Total body length 7–7.5 mm. Head transverse, ca. 1.2 times as wide as long; vertex not elevated as seen in frontal view; tyloids weakly developed, semi-oval, covering (at least from F4 onward) approximately basal 1/5–1/3 of flagellomeres (Fig. 102); F2 ca. 1.8 times as long as wide. Face and ocello-ocular area areolate-punctate. Mesosomal sculpture as in female (Fig. 98). Metasoma dark (Fig. 99); T1 impunctate; remaining terga basally finely and densely punctate. Gonocoxite dorsally without impression; gonostylus large, rectangular, apically with long setae (Fig. 101).

Figures 94–97. 

Sphecodes montanus Smith, female 94 head, frontal view 95 metasoma, dorsal view 96 mesosoma, dorsal view 97 T5–T6, pygidial plate, dorsal view. Scale bars: 1.0 mm (94–96), 0.5 mm (97).

Laos: 1 ♂, Prov. Hua Phan, Phou Pan, Umg. Ort Ban Saleui, 20°13'N, 103°59'E, 1350–1900 m, 10–14.V.2012, C. Holzschuh & locals (OLBL/PCMS).

*Laos, India (Uttaranchal Rajasthan).

Figures 98–102. 

Sphecodes montanus Smith, male 98 head and mesosoma, dorsal view 99 metasoma, dorsal view 100 genal area and lateral preoccipital carina, lateral view 101 genitalia, dorsal view 102 antennae, lateral view. Scale bars: 1.0 mm.

Holotype : ♀, Laos, Louang Prabang prov., 20°33'N, 102°14'E, Ban Songcha, 1200 m, 24.IV–16.V.1999 (OLBL/PCMS), Fig. 103.

This species is sculpturally closest to Sphecodes malayensis Blüthgen, 1927, S. redivivus Blüthgen, 1927 and S. sauteri Meyer, 1925 (refer to diagnosis of S. sauteri below) and possibly is the unknown female of S. redivivus owing to a similar sculpture of the hypoepimeral area.

Female (holotype, Fig. 103). Total body length 5.0 mm, fore wing 4.4 mm. Head (Fig. 104) black (except reddish antenna, yellow mouthparts and lower clypeus); transverse, ca. 1.2 times as wide as long; preoccipital carina absent; vertex weakly elevated, distance from top of head to upper margin of a lateral ocellus at most a half ocellar diameter as seen in frontal view and ca. 2 diameters as seen in dorsal view; mandibles simple; labrum short, semi-oval, 0.2 times as long as basalwidth; F1 transverse, 0.7 times as long as wide; F2 square; F3 1.2 times as long as wide; face densely punctate (15–20 μm / 0.5–1.5); ocello-ocular area (Fig. 105) and gena shiny, sparsely punctate (ca. 10 μm / 1–3); paraocular and supraclypeal areas with relatively dense plumose setae, but not obscuring integument; gena with sparse thin pubescence.

Figure 103. 

Sphecodes pseudoredivivus Astafurova & Proshchalykin, sp. nov., female, holotype, lateral view. Scale bars: 1.0 mm.

Mesosoma black with legs yellow-brownish to light yellow; wings hyaline, with weak yellowish darkening and light brown stigma and veins; stigma wide, 0.4 times as long as wide; hind wing with angle between basal (M) and cubital (Cu) veins ca. 90°, costal margin with five hamuli; mesoscutum and mesoscutellum (Fig. 106) finely punctate (10–20 μm / 1–4); metafemur elongate, weakly enlarged in the proximal half, maximum width 0.3 times its length; hypoepimeral area smooth with coarse and dense punctures (Fig. 108), mesepisternum areolate-punctate to rugose, but smooth with minute punctures along posterior margin. Propodeal triangle (metapostnotum) with a few coarse longitudinal wrinkles and shining smooth large interspaces (Fig. 107); lateral and vertical parts of propodeum roughly rugose with dense short plumose setae almost obscuring integument.

Metasomal T1 almost impunctate with a few minute setae pores (Fig. 109); remaining terga with sparse minute setae pores; marginal zones impunctate; T1–T2 red, remaining terga red-brownish; pygidial plate shining and very narrow, 0.4 times as wide as metabasitarsus. Sterna finely tessellate with dense shallow setae pores.

Figures 104–109. 

Sphecodes pseudoredivivus Astafurova & Proshchalykin, sp. nov., female, holotype 104 head, frontal view 105 vertex, dorsal view 106 scutum, dorsal view 107 propodeum, dorsal view 108 hypoepimeral area and mesepisternum, lateral view 109 T1–T3, dorsal view. Scale bars: 1.0 mm (104, 109), 0.5 mm (105–108).

Male unknown.

The species name highlights the morphological similarity with S. redivivus Blüthgen.

Only known from the type locality in Laos.

This species is closest to Sphecodes bakeri (refer to diagnosis of S. bakeri, above). The male is also similar to S. biroi Friese, 1909 and S. laticeps Meyer, 1920 owing to a similar structure, sculpture and coloration of the body, including the shape of the male genitalia. The species differs from S. laticeps by the areolate and less elevated vertex with distance from top of head to upper margin of lateral ocellus half or one of a lateral ocellar diameter as seen in frontal view (versus shining vertex with interspaces between punctures and distance from top of head to upper margin of lateral ocellus one and a half or two lateral ocellar diameters. The female of S. samarensis is unknown, but these features would work in both sexes). From S. biroi the species differs in the shape of tyloids with a glabrous medial spot on ventral surface of flagellomeres (versus tyloids usually covering entire ventral flagellar surface or sometimes with a small non-setae spot on basal flagellomeres). The unknown female is probably closest to S. duplex and S. bakeri.

Wings with weak yellow-brownish darkening; hind wing with the angle between basal (M) and cubital (Cu) veins almost 80°, costal margin with seven hamuli. Lateral preoccipital carina present. Male. Total body length 5–6.5 mm. Head (Fig. 110) transverse, ca. 1.25 times as wide as long; vertex weakly elevated with the distance from top of head to upper margin of a lateral ocellus half or one of a lateral ocellar diameter as seen in frontal view; antennae (Fig. 110) short, reaching posterior margin of mesoscutum, F2 ca. 1.5 times as long as wide, remaining flagellomeres ca. 1.2 times as long as wide; tyloids well developed, covering entire lateral flagellar surfaces and peripheral part of ventral surface (ventral surface medially with glabrous round spot); face and vertex (Fig. 111) finely areolate-punctate; face (below and above the antennal sockets) with adpressed white pubescence obscuring integument, gena with sparser pubescence. Mesoscutum and mesoscutellum areolate (Fig. 112); propodeal triangle sculpture roughly reticulate-rugose, forming a row of large deep longitudinal cells; lateral parts of propodeum rugose with large smooth shiny interspaces. Metasomal terga (Fig. 113) with fine punctures (10–15 μm /1–3); marginal zones impunctate; T1–T3 red; gonocoxite dorsally without impression; gonostylus as on Fig. 114. Female unknown.

Figures 110–114. 

Sphecodes samarensis Blüthgen, male 110 head, frontal view 111 vertex, dorsal view 112 mesosoma, dorsal view 113 T1–T3, dorsal view 114 genitalia, dorsal view. Scale bars: 1.0 mm.

Indonesia: 1 ♂, Sumatra, 500 m, Sirggalang Annai Valley n.r., 14.X.2005, S. Jakl (OLBL/PCMS); Malaysia: 1 ♂, Pahang, 30 km NE Raub, 300 m, Lala Lembik, 3°56'N, 101°38'E, IV-V.2002, E. Jendek, O. Sausa (OLBL/PCMS); Philippines: 4 ♂♂ (holotype and paratypes), Insel Samar, Baker [leg.] (ZMHB).

Blüthgen 1927: 73 (Philippines), Ascher and Pickering 2019 (Philippines).

*Indonesia, *Malaysia, Philippines.

This species is sculpturally closest to Sphecodes malayensis Blüthgen, 1927, S. pseudoredivivus sp. nov. and S. redivivus Blüthgen, 1927 including a scarcely punctate metasomal terga and smoothed hypoepimeral area (differences between males of these species are outlined in Table 3). These species belong to the same species-group and females of S. sauteri and S. pseudoredivivus have simple mandibles, and the unknown females of S. malayensis and S. redivivus probably have simple mandibles as well. The female of S. sauteri differs from S. pseudoredivivus in having shorter flagellomeres from F3 onward (ca. 0.9–1.0 versus 1.2) and a scarcely punctate hypoepimeral area (versus dense punctures separated by approximately a puncture diameter).

Wings with weak yellow-brownish darkening; hind wing with the angle between basal (M) and cubital (Cu) veins ca. 90°, costal margin with six or seven hamuli. Preoccipital carina absent. Female (new). Total body length 6 mm. Head (Fig. 115) strongly transverse, ca. 1.2 times as wide as long; vertex not elevated as seen in frontal view; mandible simple; labrum short, semi-oval, 0.2 times as long as basal width; F2 and F3 nearly square, ca. 0.9 times as long as wide; ocello-ocular area shining, sparsely punctate (ca. 15 μm / 0.5–3). Gena smooth and shining, with sparse setae pores; paraocular and supraclypeal areas with relatively dense plumose setae, but not obscuring integument. Gena with sparse pubescence. Mesosoma (Figs 116, 118, 119) and metasoma (Fig. 117) sculptured as in the male; lateral and vertical parts of propodeum with dense short plumose setae, obscuring integument. Metasoma red, pygidial plate as wide as metabasitarsus. Male. Total body length 5.0–5.5 mm. Head (Fig. 120) transverse, ca. 1.2 times as wide as long; vertex not elevated as seen in frontal view; antennae short (Fig. 121), reaching middle of mesoscutum, flagellomeres (from F2 onward) ca. 1.2 times as long as wide; tyloids semi-oval across basal 1/4–1/3 of flagellar surfaces; face and ocello-ocular area with punctures (20–25 μm) separated by 0.5–2puncture diameters; face and gena with sparse pubescence. Mesoscutum and mesoscutellum (Fig. 123) densely and finely punctate (20–25 μm / 0.5–2); hypoepimeral area smooth with minute and sparse punctures (Fig. 122); propodeal triangle coarsely reticulate-rugose with shining large interspaces between wrinkles (Fig. 124); lateral and vertical parts of propodeum with dense short plumose setae, almost obscuring integument. Metasomal T1 almost impunctate; remaining terga with sparse setae pores; T1–T3 red or brownish; gonocoxite dorsally without impression; gonostylus short, as in Fig. 126.

Figures 115–119. 

Sphecodes sauteri Meyer, female 115 head, frontal view 116, 118 mesosoma, dorsal view (116), lateral view (118) 117 metasoma, dorsal view 119 propodeum, dorsal view. Scale bars: 1.0 mm.

Laos: 1 ♀, Phongsaly prov., Phongsaly env., 21°41'N, 102°06'E, 1500 m, 28.V.-20.VI.2003, V. Kuban (OLBL/PCMS).

*Laos, China (Taiwan).

Figures 120–126. 

Sphecodes sauteri Meyer, male, holotype (120–125) 120 head, frontal view 121 antennae, lateral view 122 mesepisternum, lateral view 123 scutum, dorsal view 124 propodeum, dorsal view 125 holotype labels 126 genitalia, dorsal view. Scale bars: 1.0 mm (120–123), 0.5 mm (124, 126).

This species differs noticeably from other described Oriental species with a lateral preoccipital carina by a combination of large total body length (12–15 mm) and the greatest number (12–15) of hamuli (other large oriental species are usually at most 12 mm in length and have hind wings with at most eleven or twelve hamuli).

Wings with strong brownish darkening and metallic violet lustre; hind wing with the angle between basal (M) and cubital (Cu) veins ca. 80°, costal margin with 12–15 hamuli. Female. Total body length 12–15 mm. Head transverse, 1.25 times as wide as long; vertex elevated with the distance from top of head to upper margin of a lateral ocellus ca. two lateral ocellar diameters as seen in frontal view; labrum short, semi-oval, 0.45 times as long as basal width; face and ocello-ocular area areolate-punctate; paraocular areas and gena with sparse pubescence not obscuring integument. Mesoscutum and mesoscutellum areolate-punctate (50–100 μm). Propodeal triangle (metapostnotum) coarsely reticulate-rugose; mesepisternum reticulate-rugose. Metasoma red, coarsely and densely punctate (ca. 25 μm), sparser on T1. Marginal zone impunctate, except T1 with fine punctures (ca. 10 μm); pygidial plate dull, 1.2 times as wide as metabasitarsus. Male unknown.

Laos: 1 ♀, Prov. Hua Phan, Phou Pan, Umg. Ort Ban Saleui, 20°13'N, 103°59'E, 1350–1900 m, 28.IV.2012, C. Holzschuh (OLBL/PCMS); Myanmar: 1 ♀, Nam Tamai, 3000 ft, 9.I.1931, F. Kingdon Ward (NHMUK 013380357).

*Laos, *Myanmar, NE India, China (Guangdong).

This species is close to the Palaearctic Sphecodes geoffrellus (Kirby 1802) owing to a similar structure, sculpture, coloration of the body and shape of the male gonostylus. Females of S. simlaensis and S. geoffrellus are difficult to distinguish morphologically, but the male of S. simlaensis is easy discerned by the weakly developed tyloids, covering at most 1/4 of the basal ventral surfaces of the flagellomeres, Fig. 131 (versus at least 4/5 in S. geoffrellus). Structurally, the male of S. simlaensis is also close to S. shillongensis Blüthgen, 1927, but differs in the shape of the gonostylus which has a membranous part (lacking in S. shillongensis).

Wings with weak yellowish or brownish darkening; hind wing with basal vein strongly curved with angle between basal (M) and cubital (Cu) veins ca. 80°, costal margin with five hamuli. Preoccipital carina absent. Female. Total bodylength 5–5.5 mm. Head (Fig. 127) weakly transverse, at most 1.2 times as wide as long; vertex not elevated as seen in frontal view; F1 and F2 transverse, 0.6–0.8 times as long as wide, F3 almost square, 0.9 times as long as wide; clypeus with punctures separated by 0.5–2 puncture diameters; ocello-ocular area with fine punctures separated by 1–3 puncture diameters; face and gena with sparse pubescence. Mesoscutum and mesoscutellum (Fig. 128) with punctures (15–20 μm) separated by 1–4 puncture diameters; hypoepimeral area coarsely reticulate. Propodeal triangle (metapostnotum) with coarse longitudinal wrinkles and shiny interspaces. Metasomal T1 impunctate, remaining terga basally with fine sparse setae pores (Fig. 129); marginal zones impunctate; T1–T3 red, pygidial plate 0.7 times as wide as metabasitarsus. Male. Total body length 5–5.5 mm. Head (Fig. 130) slightly transverse, 1.1 times as wide as long; vertex not elevated as seen in frontal view; antenna reaching posterior margin of mesoscutum; F2 1.4 times as long as wide, remaining flagellomeres almost square, ca. 1.1 times as long as wide, tyloids weakly developed, semi-oval across at most basal 1/4 of flagellar ventral surfaces (Fig. 131); ocello-ocular area shining, with fine punctures separated by 1–3 puncture diameters; face with pubescence obscuring integument below antennal stockers and sparser above. Mesoscutum medially with punctures (15–25 μm) separated by 0.5–3 puncture diameters, becoming denser peripherally (Fig. 132). Propodeal and metasomal sculpture as in the female; terga brownish (Fig. 134); gonocoxite dorsally with impression; gonostylus with small rectangular membranous part (Fig. 133).

Figures 127–129. 

Sphecodes simlaensis Blüthgen, female 127 head, frontal view 128 mesosoma, dorsal view 129 metasoma, dorsal view. Scale bars: 1.0 mm.

Laos: 1 ♂, Phongsaly pr., Phogsaly env., 1500 m, 21°41'N, 102°06'E, VII.2003, Pacholatko (OLBL/PCMS); 1 ♂, idem, 6–17.V.2004, V. Kuban (OLBL/PCMS).

*Laos, India (Himachal Pradesh), Pakistan.

Figures 130–134. 

Sphecodes simlaensis Blüthgen, male 130 head, frontal view 131 antennae, ventral view 132 mesosoma, dorsal view 133 genitalia, dorsal view 134 metasoma, dorsal view. Scale bars: 1.0 mm (130–132, 134), 0.5 mm (133).

This species differs from other species of the genus by having forewings with two submarginal cells (Fig. 143) (versus three cells in other Sphecodes species).

Wings with brownish darkening; hind wing with the angle between basal (M) and cubital (Cu) veins ca. 70°, costal margin with eight or nine hamuli. Female. Total body length 8–9 mm. Head transverse (Fig. 135), ca. 1.3 times as wide as long; vertex elevated with distance from top of head to upper margin of lateral ocellus ca. one and a half lateral ocellar diameter as seen in frontal view; ocello-ocular area shining, with punctures separated by 0.5–2 puncture diameters; paraocular and supraclypeal areas with dense adpressed white plumose pubescence, gena with sparser pubescence. Mesoscutum (Fig. 137) irregularly punctate, denser peripherally and with large interspaces medially (20–35 μm / 0.5–5); mesoscutellum sparsely punctate withlarge impunctate interspaces; propodeal triangle (metapostnotum) with longitudinal parallel wrinkles (Fig. 137); lateral parts of propodeum striate-rugose; mesepisternum reticulate-rugose (Fig. 136). Metasoma with a mixture of minute and coarse punctures (5–25 μm / 1–3) (Fig. 138); marginal zones T1 entirely and T2 medially punctate Pygidial plate narrow, 0.4 times as wide as metabasitarsus; T1–T4 red. Male (new). Total body length 7.0–8.5 mm. Head (Fig. 139) weakly transverse, 1.15 times as wide as long; vertex elevated, with distance from top of head to upper margin of lateral ocellus ca. one and a half of a lateral ocellar diameter as seen in frontal view; antenna long, reaching mesoscutellum, F2 1.7 times as long as wide, remaining flagellomeres ca. 1.2 times as long as wide; tyloids weakly developed, narrowly semicircular across atmost 1/4 of the basal flagellar surfaces (Fig. 144). Face and ocello-ocular area densely punctate, the punctures separated by at most 0.5 of a puncture diameter. Mesoscutum coarsely punctate (20–30 μm / 0.5–3); mesoscutellum irregularly punctate with large interspaces (Fig. 140). Propodeal triangle coarsely reticulate-rugose (Fig. 140); mesepisternum reticulate-rugose. Metasoma (Fig. 141) with a mixture of minute and coarse punctures, 5–20 μm); marginal zones of T1 and T2 punctate; gonocoxite dorsally without impression; gonostylus with a long and narrow apical process as in Fig. 142.

Figures 135–138. 

Sphecodes turneri Cockerell, female 135 head, frontal view 136 mesepisternum, lateral view 137 mesosoma, dorsal view 138 T1-T2, dorsal view. Scale bars: 1.0 mm (135, 137, 138), 0.5 mm (136).

Laos: 1 ♀, 1 ♂, Prov. Hua Phan, Phou Pan, Umg. Ort Ban Saleui, 20°13'N, 103°59'E, 1350–1900 m, 15.IV.2012, C. Holzschuh & locals (OLBL/PCMS).

*Laos, India (Meghalaya).

It is noteworthy that the other cleptoparasitic genus Nomada Scopoli (Apidae) also has a small group of species with two submarginal cells (Proshchalykin and Lelej 2010).

Figures 139–144. 

Sphecodes turneri Cockerell, male 139 head, frontal view 140 mesosoma, dorsal view 141 metasoma, dorsal view 142 genitalia, dorsal view 143 forewing, lateral view 144 antennae, ventro-lateral view. Scale bars: 1.0 mm (139–141, 143, 144), 0.5 mm (142).