Sphex caeruleanus Drury 1773
Creators: name: Dörfel, Thorleif H.
name: Ohl, Michael
Publisher: name: Zenodo
Year: 2022
Subjects: Biodiversity
Taxonomy
Animalia
Arthropoda
Insecta
Hymenoptera
Vespidae
Sphex
Sphex caeruleanus

description: Sphex caeruleanus Drury, 1773
Figs 62 (blue), 63, 67
Sphex caeruleanus Drury, 1773: 74, pl. 39 fig. 4, ♀ (holotype: ♀, Africa, Bite of Benin, destroyed?).
Sphex pulchripennis Mocsáry, 1883: 35, ♀ (holotype or syntype: ♀, Ghana, Ashanti Region, no specific locality, TMB, not examined). Synonymized with Sphex caeruleanus by Menke in Bohart & Menke 1976: 114.
Differential diagnosis
This species is characterized by its large size, predominantly greenish wing iridescence and uniformly black erect mesosomal setae (Fig. 63). All other members of the group have a body length of less than 26 mm, and most of the time their wing iridescence is mainly violet or cyan-violet. Furthermore, female specimens are identifiable through their largely black clypeus, which is often ferruginous medially near the free margin and covered with appressed silvery setae (Fig. 67). Sphex victoria sp. nov. (Fig. 35) and S. mweruensis (Fig. 68), both of which sport silvery appressed clypeal setae in the female sex, have the clypeus almost or entirely ferruginous.
Males of S. caeruleanus differ from other group members in having the width of the process at the free clypeal margin 0.15–0.2× the distance between the inner orbits at the clypeal center and concavely emarginate apically. Sphex mweruensis is similar in the shape of its free clypeal margin and process, and can have the wings with a notable greenish iridescence as well, but is distinguishable through its silvery erect propodeal setae and because the width of the clypeal process is only around 0.1× the distance between the inner orbits.
Material examined
AFRICA • 1 ♀; DEI • 1 ♀; IRSN • 1 ♀; ZMB.
CAMEROON • 1 ♀; 6 Aug. 1923; AMNH • 5 ♀♀; L. Conradt leg.; DEI • 1 ♀; P. Preuss leg.; ZMB • 4 ♀♀; Y. Sjöstedt leg.; NRS • 1 ♀; “ Esudan-Mamfe ”; Guillemain leg.; ZMB. – East Region • 2 ♀♀; Batouri District; 3.45° N, 13.45° E; 1 May–6 Jun. 1935; F.G. Merfield leg.; BMNH • 3 ♀♀; DʹJa Posten; 3.15° N, 13.30° E; 15 May–1 Jul. 1936; F.G. Merfield leg.; BMNH. – Littoral Region • 3 ♀♀; Nlobe-Ndonga between Edéa and Douala; [3°50ʹ41.3ʺ N, 10°00ʹ07.8ʺ E]; Schäfer leg.; ZMB. – South Region • 1 ♀; Ekok, 24 mi. E of Tekmo; [3°12ʹ19ʺ N, 12°25ʹ25ʺ E]; 11–12 Oct. 1966; E.S. Ross and K. Lorenzen leg.; CAS • 1 ♀; Longji; [3°04ʹ40.7ʺ N, 9°58ʹ29.1ʺ E]; H. Paschen leg.; ZMB. – Southwest Region • 1 ♂; “ Johann-Albrechts-Höhe” [Government Station Johann Albrecht Mountain]; Mar. 1896; L. Conradt leg.; ZMB • 2 ♀♀; Bibundi; [4°13ʹ09ʺ N, 8°59ʹ15ʺ E]; 1–15 Feb. 1905; G. Tessmann leg.; ZMB • 1 ♀; same collection data as for preceding but 15–30 Apr. 1905; ZMB • 1 ♀; Mukonye Farm; [4°34ʹ39ʺ N, 9°30ʹ24ʺ E]; R. Rohde leg.; IRSN • 7 ♀♀; Victoria [now Limbe]; [4°01ʹ N, 9°13ʹ E]; P. Preuss leg.; ZMB.
DEMOCRATIC REPUBLIC OF THE CONGO • 1 ♀; Goosens leg.; MRAC • 1 ♀; “ Kasai ”; L. Achten leg.; MRAC • 1 ♀; same collection data as for preceding; MRAC • 1 ♀; “ Ubangi: Tongu ”; 4 Feb. 1932; H.J. Brédo leg.; MRAC • 1 ♀; Bokote “Bolete Wa Bondele”; 24 Jan. 1926; R.P.G. Hulstaert leg.; MRAC • 1 ♀; Eala-Bokatora-Bikolo; Sep.–Oct. 1930; P. Staner leg.; MRAC • 1 ♀; Kasai, Lotima; 28 Jan. 1906; Waelbroeck leg.; MRAC. – Haut-Katanga • 1 ♀; Elisabethville [now Lubumbashi]; [11°40ʹ S, 27°29ʹ E]; 18 Mar. 1923; RMNH. – Haut-Uele • 1 ♀; Medje; 2°25ʹ N, 27°15ʹ E; 1–12 Jul. 1910; Lang and Chapin leg.; AMNH. – Kinshasa • 1 ♀; Leopoldville [now Kinshasa]; [4°19ʹ39ʺ S, 15°18ʹ48ʺ E]; L. Achten leg.; MRAC. – Kongo Central • 1 ♀; Ganda-Sundi, Mayumbe; [4°52ʹ S, 12°52ʹ E]; 1915; R. Mayné leg.; MRAC • 1 ♀; Kinkewa (Inkisi); [5°05ʹ14ʺ S, 14°55ʹ35ʺ E]; Mar. 1946; V. Drachoussoff leg.; MRAC • 1♀; Mangembo; [4°35ʹ04ʺ S, 14°16ʹ20ʺ E];1932; Zwolakowski leg.; MRAC • 10 ♀♀; Mayumbe;[4°30ʹ S, 12°30ʹ E]; 1917; R. Mayné leg.; MRAC • 1 ♀; Sanda near Kisantu; [5°07ʹ32.51ʺ S, 15°04ʹ22.47ʺ E]; IRSN • 1 ♀; Temvo; [5°29ʹ44ʺ S, 13°00ʹ23ʺ E]; 1935; Van Alstein leg.; MRAC • 2 ♀♀; Zobe; [5°21ʹ S, 13°01ʹ E]; Jan. 1916; R. Mayné leg.; MRAC. – Maniema • 1 ♀; Lokandu, Ile Biawa; [2°31ʹ S, 25°47ʹ E]; Jul. 1939; Vissers leg.; MRAC. – Mongala Province • 1 ♀; Likelé; [2°13ʹ38ʺ N, 21°01ʹ58ʺ E]; 12 Jun. 1936; J. Ghesquière leg.; MRAC • 2 ♀♀; Yambata; [2°25ʹ44ʺ N, 21°57ʹ46ʺ E]; Feb.–Mar. 1914; De Giorgi leg.; MRAC. – Nord-Ubangi • 2 ♀♀; Karawa; [3°19ʹ55ʺ N, 20°18ʹ03ʺ E]; 1937; Wallin leg.; MRAC. – North Kivu • 1 ♀; Okondo (Buhunde); [1°17ʹ08ʺ S, 27°48ʹ18ʺ E]; 19 Sep. 1929; A. Collart leg.; MRAC • 1 ♀; Oso River; [4°00ʹ N, 29°15ʹ E]; 18 Jan. 1915; J. Bequaert leg.; MRAC. – Province of Équateur • 1 ♀; Bamania; [0°01ʹ N, 18°19ʹ E]; 1934; R.Fr. Longinus leg.; MRAC • 5 ♀♀; Eala; [0°02ʹ30ʺ N, 18°20ʹ06ʺ E]; 1932; A. Corbisier leg.; MRAC • 2 ♀♀; same collection data as for preceding but Mar. 1932; MRAC • 1 ♀; same collection data as for preceding but Jun. 1932; MRAC • 1 ♀; same collection data as for preceding but Jul. 1932; MRAC • 3 ♀♀; same collection data as for preceding but Apr. 1933; MRAC • 1 ♀; same collection data as for preceding but Mar. 1935; MRAC • 1 ♀; same locality as for preceding; Oct. 1929; H.J. Brédo leg.; MRAC • 1 ♀; same collection data as for preceding but 5 Nov. 1931; MRAC • 1 ♀; same collection data as for preceding but Apr. 1932; MRAC • 1 ♀; same collection data as for preceding but 4 Apr. 1932; MRAC • 1 ♀; same collection data as for preceding but May 1932; MRAC • 4 ♀♀; same locality as for preceding; May 1935; J. Ghesquière leg.; MRAC • 1 ♀; same collection data as for preceding but Jan. 1936; MRAC • 1 ♀; same collection data as for preceding but Apr. 1936; MRAC • 1 ♀; same collection data as for preceding but Jul. 1936; MRAC • 1 ♀; same collection data as for preceding but Aug. 1936; MRAC • 1 ♀; same collection data as for preceding but Oct. 1936; MRAC • 1 ♀; same collection data as for preceding but Nov. 1936; MRAC • 1 ♀; Eala, Boyeka; [0°02ʹ30ʺ N, 18°20ʹ06ʺ E]; 30 Nov. 1929; H.J. Brédo leg.; MRAC • 1 ♀; Equator station [Bolenge]; [0°00ʹ0.36ʺ N, 18°13ʹ0.12ʺ E]; A. van Gèle leg.; IRSN • 1 ♀; Flandria; [0°19ʹ14ʺ S, 19°05ʹ34ʺ E]; Jan.–Feb. 1948; R.P.G. Hulstaert leg.; MRAC • 1 ♀; Ikengé; [0°06ʹ S, 18°46ʹ E]; 1 Apr. 1914; R. Mayné leg.; MRAC • 1 ♀; Lukolela; [1°03ʹ37ʺ S, 17°10ʹ55ʺ E]; Nov. 1934; Ledoux leg.; MRAC • 2 ♀♀; same locality as for preceding; Oct.–Dec. 1941; Breulheid leg.; MRAC. – Sankuru • 4 ♀♀; Apr. 1925; J. Ghesquière leg.; MRAC • 1 ♀; Komi; [3°34ʹ S, 23°16ʹ E]; 14 Mar. 1930; J. Ghesquière leg.; MRAC • 1 ♀; same collection data as for preceding but 26 Mar. 1930; MRAC • 1 ♀; same collection data as for preceding but Apr. 1930; MRAC • 1 ♀; same collection data as for preceding but Apr.–May 1930; MRAC • 11 ♀♀; same collection data as for preceding but May 1930; MRAC • 7 ♀♀; same collection data as for preceding but Jul. 1930; MRAC • 1 ♀; Komi (Lodja); [3°23ʹ S, 23°46ʹ E]; 17 Feb. 1930; J. Ghesquière leg.; MRAC • 1 ♀; same collection data as for preceding but Mar. 1930; MRAC • 2 ♀♀; Kondue; [4°58ʹ S, 23°16ʹ E]; Leonhard leg.; MRAC • 1 ♀; Lomela; [2°16ʹ49ʺ S, 23°21ʹ57ʺ E]; 1955; Hanotier leg.; MRAC. – South Kivu • 1 ♀; Costermansville [now Bukavu]; [2°31ʹ S, 28°51ʹ E]; 1939; Hautmann leg.; MRAC • 7 ♀♀; Kavumu à Kabunga km82 (Mingazi); [2°01ʹ S, 28°31ʹ E]; 1951; H. Bomans leg.; MRAC. – Sud-Ubangi • 1 ♀; Binga; [2°22ʹ N, 20°29ʹ E]; Jan.–Mar. 1932; H.J. Brédo leg.; MRAC. – Tshopo • 1 ♀; Banguru / Bafwasende, Stanleyville; [0°25ʹ44ʺ N, 27°13ʹ54ʺ E]; 1952; Abbeloos leg.; MRAC • 1 ♀; Basoko, Yamabuki; [1°23ʹ N, 23°42ʹ E]; 16 Mar. 1948; P.L.G. Benoit leg.; MRAC • 2 ♀♀; Lukungu; [1°42ʹ S, 25°23ʹ E]; Ch. Haas leg.; IRSN • 2 ♀♀; Yangambi; [0°46ʹ N, 24°27ʹ E]; 1940; MRAC. – Tshuapa • 1 ♀; Bokuma; [0°06ʹ S, 18°41ʹ E]; 1951; R.P. Lootens leg.; MRAC • 1 ♀; same collection data as for preceding but Dec. 1951; MRAC • 1 ♀; same collection data as for preceding but 1952; MRAC • 16 ♀♀; same collection data as for preceding but Jul. 1952; MRAC • 3 ♀♀; same collection data as for preceding but 1953; MRAC • 1 ♀; Ikela; [1°11ʹ S, 23°16ʹ E]; Oct. 1959; N. Leleup leg.; MRAC • 1 ♀; Terr. Boende; Yanga; [0°18ʹ S, 20°03ʹ E]; 5 Nov. 1949; E. Pauquet leg.; MRAC.
EQUATORIAL GUINEA – Centro Sur • 1 ♀; Monte Alén, Benito River; [1°31ʹ48ʺ N, 10°06ʹ36ʺ E]; 16–31 Dec. 1906; G. Tessmann leg.; ZMB • 1 ♀; same collection data as for preceding but 1–14 Jan. 1907; ZMB • 2 ♀♀; Uelleburg; [1°49ʹ N, 10°36ʹ E]; Jun.–Aug. 1908; G. Tessmann leg.; ZMB.
GABON – Estuaire Province • 1 ♀; Libreville and environs; [0°23ʹ24.36ʺ N, 9°27ʹ15.84ʺ E]; MNHN. – Ngounié Province • 2 ♀♀; “Chûtes de Samlia; Rivière NʹGami” [Ngounié River, chute de Samba]; [1°02ʹ59.9ʺ S, 10°42ʹ E]; A. Mocquerys leg.; IRSN. – Ogooué-Ivindo • 1 ♀; Ipassa Research Station; [0°30ʹ47ʺ N, 12°48ʹ10ʺ E]; 20 Apr.–16 May 1974; M. Donskoff and J. Le Breton leg.; MNHN.
GHANA – Eastern Region • 2 ♀♀; Aburi; [5°50ʹ52ʺ N, 0°10ʹ28ʺ W]; 1912–1913; W.H. Patterson leg.; BMNH • 2 ♀♀; Kili District, Mt Atewa; [6°09ʹ48ʺ N, 0°36ʹ41ʺ W]; 15 Mar. 1969; O.W. Richards leg.; BMNH. – Western Region • 1 ♀; 7 miles N of Sefwi Asempanaye; 6°30ʹ N, 2°53ʹ W; 17 May. 1972; M.S. Hoogmoed leg.; RMNH • 1 ♀; Enchi; [5°49ʹ20ʺ N, 2°49ʹ20ʺ W]; 1923; B.D. Peake leg.; BMNH • 1 ♀; Tamso; [5°16ʹ46ʺ N, 2°00ʹ03ʺ W]; 1900; BMNH.
NIGER • 1 ♀; 1897?; Crosse leg.; BMNH.
NIGERIA • 1 ♂; 1919; BMNH. – Cross River State • 1 ♀; Ikom; [6°05ʹ N, 8°37ʹ E]; 4 Apr. 1975; J.T. Medler leg.; BMNH. – Lagos State • 1 ♀; Lagos; [6°27ʹ14ʺ N, 3°23ʹ40ʺ E]; Nov. 1944; K.M. Guichard leg.; BMNH. – Osun State • 1 ♀; Erin-Odo; [7°35ʹ N, 4°53ʹ E]; 9 Dec. 1973; J.T. Medler leg.; BMNH.
REPUBLIC OF CÔTE D’IVOIRE – Indénié-Djuablin Region • 1 ♂; Abengourou; [6°44ʹ N, 3°29ʹ W]; Sep. 1965; Brunhes leg.; MNHN. – Montagnes District • 1 ♀; Man; [7°24ʹ45ʺ N, 7°33ʹ13ʺ W]; 7 Oct. 1961; J. Decelle leg.; MRAC • 1 ♀; Mt Nimba; [7°36ʹ09ʺ N, 8°28ʹ5.6ʺ W]; 24 Jun. 1958; P. Etuys leg.; RMNH.
REPUBLIC OF THE CONGO • 2 ♀♀; “ Les sanas = yirard ”; 27 Jan. 1977; J.-P. Grillot and C. Morin leg.; MNHN. – Brazzaville Department • 1 ♂; Djoumouna; [4°22ʹ34ʺ S, 15°09ʹ36ʺ E]; 11 Mar. 1975; C. Morin leg.; MNHN. – Kouilou Department • 2 ♂♂; Dimonika; [4°11ʹ55.8ʺ S, 12°21ʹ19.7ʺ E]; Jan. 1964; A. Descarpentries and A. Villiers leg.; MNHN • 1 ♀; same locality as for preceding; 20 Jan. 1977; J.-P. Grillot and C. Morin leg.; MNHN • 4 ♀♀; same collection data as for preceding but 18 May 1977; MNHN • 1 ♂, 1 ♀; same locality as for preceding; 7 Feb. 1978; C. Morin leg.; MNHN • 1 ♀; same collection data as for preceding but 8 Feb. 1978; MNHN • 2 ♀♀; same collection data as for preceding but 20 Feb. 1978; MNHN • 1 ♀; same locality as for preceding; 23 Feb. 1978; J.-J. Menier leg.; MNHN • 3 ♀♀; Dimonika, Makaba; [4°07ʹ59ʺ S, 12°21ʹ E]; 11 Feb. 1978; Bitsindou leg.; MNHN • 1 ♀; Dimonika, Piste de Kolela; [4°11ʹ55.8ʺ S, 12°21ʹ19.7ʺ E]; 8 Feb. 1978; J.-J. Menier leg.; MNHN • 1 ♀; Dimonika, Piste de Makaba; [4°07ʹ59ʺ S, 12°21ʹ E]; 7 Feb. 1978; J.-J. Menier leg.; MNHN. – Lékoumou Department • 3 ♂♂, 2 ♀♀; Mbouloupambou; [2°32ʹ26.16ʺ S, 13°32ʹ45.96ʺ E]; 20 Feb. 1980; C. Morin leg.; MNHN. – Sangha Department • 3 ♀♀; Ngongo; [1°02ʹ58ʺ N, 15°41ʹ16ʺ E]; 25 Feb. 1970; J.-P. Grillot leg.; MNHN.
RWANDA – Western Province • 1 ♀; Kissenyi [Gisenyi]; [1°42ʹ S, 29°15ʹ E]; 1 May 1921; Van Saceghem leg.; MRAC.
SIERRA LEONE – Eastern Province • 1 ♂; Tungea; 12 Sep. 1912; J.J. Simpson leg.; BMNH. – Southern Province • 1 ♀; Gbangbama; [8°14ʹ50ʺ N, 12°19ʹ47ʺ W]; 10 Oct. 1912; J.J. Simpson leg.; BMNH • 2 ♂♂, 1 ♀; Mongheri; [8°19ʹ14ʺ N, 11°44ʹ03ʺ W]; 15 Sep. 1912; J.J. Simpson leg.; BMNH.
TOGO • 1 ♀; “ Togo Hinterland ”; 12 Jun. 1889; E. Kling leg.; ZMB • 2 ♀♀; same collection data as for preceding; ZMB. – Centrale Region • 1 ♀; Bismarckburg [near Yégué]; [8°10ʹ32.74ʺ N, 0°41ʹ09.42ʺ E]; 21–22 Apr. 1893; L. Conradt leg.; ZMB • 1 ♀; same collection data as for preceding but 28 May–12 Jun. 1893; ZMB • 3 ♀♀; same collection data as for preceding but 30 Jun.–3 Jul. 1893; ZMB • 1 ♀; same collection data as for preceding; ZMB. – Plateaux Region • 1 ♀; Misahöhe; [6°57ʹ N, 0°35ʹ E]; 16 Jun 1894; E. Baumann leg.; ZMB.
Description
Female
SIZE. 26.6–31.7 mm.
COLOR. Black except for the following, which are ferruginous: basal half of mandible, lower part of clypeus (in most specimens), scape ventrally, foreleg from femur onward except for dark brown stripe ventrally on femur, and mid- and hindlegs from femur onward. Wings fuscous, with greenish or purplegreenish iridescence.
VESTITURE. Appressed setae on clypeus and paraocular area brassy, on collar, scutum and propodeal enclosure black. Erect setae on clypeus, paraocular area, collar, scutum and propodeal enclosure black. Erect propodeal setae oriented perpendicularly, slightly curved towards anterior. Lower center of clypeus glabrous. Scutellum densely and coarsely pubescent.
STRUCTURE. Free clypeal margin medially with broad notched tooth, stepped above. Clypeus convex, without indentation or carina. Scutellum convex. Metanotum slightly raised, not bituberculate. 2 nd recurrent vein joins interstitium between submarginal cells II and III. Propodeal enclosure without any notable ridges. Foretarsomere I 2.9–3.3× length of antepenultimate spine. Petiole length 2.2–2.3× its medial width.
Male
SIZE. 27.4–28.3 mm.
COLOR. Black except for basal half of mandible, which is ferruginous. The following can be ferruginous as well: apical half of forefemur, basal half of foretibia, apical half of mid- and hindfemur, mid- and hindtibia, and hindtarsomeres I–III. Wings fuscous, with greenish iridescence.
VESTITURE. Appressed setae on clypeus and paraocular area silvery, on collar, scutum and propodeal enclosure black. Erect setae on clypeus, paraocular area, collar, scutum and propodeal enclosure black. Erect propodeal setae oriented perpendicularly, slightly curved towards anterior. Lower center of clypeus glabrous. Scutellum densely and coarsely pubescent.
STRUCTURE. Free clypeal margin with concavely truncated broad tooth originating behind free margin. Scutellum convex. Metanotum slightly raised, not bituberculate. 2 nd recurrent vein joins markedly proximal from interstitium between submarginal cells II and III. Propodeal enclosure without any notable ridges. Posterior margin of metasomal tergum VII convex. Posterior margin of metasomal sternum VII simple, of metasomal sternum VIII triangular. Penis valvae without conspecific modifications. Petiole length 2.0–2.1× its medial width. Flagellomeres IV–VI with broad placoids covering their entire length, or flagellomeres V–VI with moderately broad placoids covering their entire length.
Variation
Males of S. caeruleanus seem to be highly variable regarding leg coloration and placoid pattern. The midleg can be ferruginous from the apical half of the femur onwards, with the hindfemur, hindtibia and first few tarsomeres also being ferruginous. Other specimens have only the inner side of the hindtibia dark ferruginous, or all legs black. Broad placoids can be present on flagellomeres IV–VI or V–VI, or narrow placoids on V–VI.
Distribution
Western to central Africa.
Remarks
Unfortunately, the holotype of S. caeruleanus could not be located and has probably been destroyed. The original description of this species is naturally quite vague, and it does not mention the conspicuous greenish iridescence which is present on the wings. However, Menke in Bohart & Menke (1976) synonymized S. caeruleanus with S. pulchripennis, and we do not feel that there is enough evidence to disprove his assumption.
Regarding the identity of S. pulchripennis, we are confident that our interpretation of the species matches that of the original author. The description mentions the female clypeus being ferruginous at the apex and the wings shining green, the combination of which is unique among the African Sphex. Furthermore, the stated body length of 27 mm exceeds that of the other members of the group.
description: Published as part of Dörfel, Thorleif H. & Ohl, Michael, 2022, The wasp genus Sphex in Sub-Saharan Africa (Hymenoptera: Sphecidae), pp. 1-170 in European Journal of Taxonomy 796 (1) on pages 60-65, DOI: 10.5852/ejt.2022.796.1665, http://zenodo.org/record/6299440