Rediviva politissima Melin & Manning & Colville 2024, stat. rev.
Creators: name: Melin, Annalie
name: Manning, John C.
name: Colville, Jonathan F.
Publisher: name: Zenodo
Year: 2024
Subjects: Biodiversity
Taxonomy
Animalia
Arthropoda
Insecta
Hymenoptera
Melittidae
Rediviva
Rediviva politissima

description: Rediviva politissima (Cockerell 1934) stat. rev.
Figs 4, 7, 10, 13–14
Notomelitta politissima (Cockerell): Cockerell 1934: 449, female holotype (NHML)
Rediviva politissima; Michener 1981: 46–47 (syn. nov. for Notomelitta)
Rediviva neliana Cockerell 1931; Steiner and Whitehead 1988: 260–261, 273 (syn. nov.)
Diagnosis: Female:. Galea acutely pointed, falcate (Fig. 4E), integument of T1–T2 black (Fig. 14A). Male: Ventral margin of the apical plate of S8 with three shallow emarginations (Fig. 7E), integument of the metasomal terga 1–2 black (Fig. 13C), galea acutely pointed, falcate (Fig. 4F), hairs on median lobes of S7 bicoloured (yellow intermixed with black) (Fig. 7F) or all black.
Material examined (778 specimens)
Type material. [1] (in NHML): South Africa: Kwa-Zulu Natal Province: HOLOTYPE: ♀: “Natal: / National Park. / 3-15.iii.1932. / J. Ogilvie ”; “ T. D.A. Cockerell / Exp. to Africa / 1931. Pres. by. / Imp. Inst. Ent. / B.M. 1932- 291”; det.: “ Notomelitta / politissima / Ckll TYPE ”; “B. M. TYPE / HYM. /17. a. 1830”; Round red card “ Type ”; det.: “ Rediviva neliana / sub. sp. politissima / V. B. Whitehead X III 86 ”; “ NHMUK 013380766 ” with barcode.
Additional material examined. KwaZulu-Natal Province: 1 ♂ / same data as holotype (in NHML) “ Natal: / National Park. / 3-15.iii.1932. / J. Ogilvie ”; “ Rediviva / poltissima (Ckll); “ Det. D. B. Baker 1982”; No NHML accession number; 1 ♀ / “ South Africa / Qwaqwa / The Witches / elev. 2580 m / 17 Feb 1985 / K. Steiner ”; “ Diascia / tugelensis ”; SAM-HYM-B002763; 5 ♀ 1♂ / same data but “elev. 2610 m ”; “ Wahlenbergia / undulata ”; foreleg glued on card labelled individually “16”; SAM-HYM-B002764; 1 ♀ 1♂ / same data but “elev. 2620 m ”; SAM-HYM-B002765; 1 ♀ / same data but “N. side of Witches / elev. 2580 m / 16 Feb 1985 / K. Steiner ”; “ Diascia / tugelensis ”; SAM-HYM-B002754; 1 ♀ / “ South Afr., Natal / Cathedral Peak / 2829 CC / elev. 1720 m / 18 Feb 1987 / K. Steiner ”; “ Diascia / virgilis ”; SAM-HYM-B002778; 1 ♀ 1♂ / same data but “ Path to Organ Pipes / elev. 2700 m / 6 Feb 1988 ”; “ Wahlenbergia / cuspidata ”; foreleg glued on card labelled individually “857”; SAM-HYMB002908; 1 ♀ / same data but “elev. 2710 m ”; foreleg glued on card labelled individually “856”; SAM-HYMB002909; 1 ♂ / same data but “elev. 2720 m ”; SAM-HYM-B002910; 1 ♂ / same data but “elev. 2300 m ”; SAM-HYM-B002903; 1 ♂ / same data but “elev. 2370 m ”; SAM-HYM-B002904; 10 ♂ / same data but “elev. 2450-2460 m ”; SAM-HYM-B002905; 1 ♀ 1♂ / same data but “ 2540 m ”; SAM-HYM-B002906; 2 ♀ 2♂ / same data but “elev. 2580 m ”; forelegs glued on card labelled individually “858-859”; SAM-HYM-B002907; 1 ♀ / same data but “elev. 1620 m / 18 Feb 1987 ”; “ Buchenroedera / lotonoides ”; SAM-HYM-B002902; 1 ♂ / same data but “ 1710 m / V.B. Whitehead / Wahlenbergia ”; SAM-HYM-B002749; 5 ♀ 14 ♂ / “ Organ Pipe Trail / 2460 m 2829 CC / 6. 2. 1988 / V. B. Whitehead ”; “ Wahlenbergia ”; forelegs glued on card labelled individually “840–841, 843–847, 849–854”; SAM-HYM-B002916; 3 ♂ / same data but “ 2510 m ”; foreleg glued on card labelled individually “848”; SAM-HYM-B002917; 3# / same data but “ 2340 m ”; foreleg glued on card labelled individually “842”; SAM-HYMB002918; 7 ♀ 2 ♂ / “ South Africa / Natal Prov. 2929 CB / Sani Pass Rd / 5 Feb1984 / K. Steiner ”; “ Diascia / cordata ” and “ Diascia / integerrima ”; forelegs glued on card labelled individually “419, 194–197, 199”; SAM-HYM-B002703; 6 ♀ / same data but “ 6 Feb 1984 ”; “ Diascia / cordata ”; forelegs glued on card labelled individually “170, 194, 417–418”; SAM-HYM-B002704; 2 ♀ / same data but “elev. 2190 m / 21 Jan 1985 ”; “ Diascia / integerrima ”; SAM-HYM-B002705; 1 ♀ / “ S. Afr., Natal / 2929 AD / Sani Pass / elev. 2270 m / 19 Feb 1996 / K. Steiner ”; “Host plant: / Diascia / cordata ”; SAM-HYM-B010501; 1 ♀ / same data but “ 2720 m / V.B. Whitehead /1 5. 2. 1986 ”; “ Diascia / anastrepta ”; SAM-HYM-B001494; 3 ♂ / same data but “elev. 2010 m / 21 Jan 1985 ”; “ Patrolling / Wahlenbergia / undulata ”; “ Rediviva / neliana Cockerell / det. V. B. Whitehead / 20 XI 1990 ”; forelegs glued on card labelled individually “444, 1048”; SAM-HYM-B002706; 1 ♀ / same data but “elev. ca. 2400 m ”; SAM-HYM-B002707; 1 ♀ / same data but “ 21 Jan 1985 / elev. 1780 m ”; “ Diascia / cordata ”; foreleg glued on card labelled individually “165”; SAM-HYM-B002708; 6 ♂ / same data but “elev. 1790 m / 10 Dec 1985 / K. Steiner ”; “ Wahlenbergia / undulata ”; forelegs glued on card labelled individually “424, 428, 430”; “ Rediviva / neliana Cockerell / det. V. B. Whitehead / 20 XI 1990 ”; Genitalia and hidden sterna dissected and stored in pinned microvial below specimen; SAM-HYM-B002709; 1 ♀ / same data but “elev. 1800 m ”; foreleg glued on card labelled individually “420”; SAM-HYM-B002710; 1 ♀ / same data but “elev. 1840 m ”; foreleg glued on card labelled individually “421”; “ Rediviva / neliana Cockerell / det. V.B. Whitehead / 20 XI 1990 ”; SAM-HYM-B002711; 1 ♀ / same data but “ D. cordata / 22 Jan 85 / 2260 m ”; SAM-HYM-B002712; 1 ♀ / same data but “elev. 2450 / D. integerrima ”; foreleg glued on card labelled individually “160”; SAM-HYM-B002713; 1 ♀ / same data but “elev. 2560 m / 15 Feb 1986 ”; foreleg glued on card labelled individually “434”; “ Rediviva / neliana Cockerell / det. V.B. Whitehead / 20 XI 1990 ”; SAM-HYM-B002714; 1 ♀ / same data but “ Diascia / anastrepta ”; foreleg glued on card labelled individually “437”; SAM-HYM-B002715; 3 ♀ / same data but “elev. 2590 m ”; “ Diascia / integerrima ”; forelegs glued on card labelled individually “435–436”, SAM-HYM-B002716; 1 ♀ / same data but “ 1800 m / 14 XII 86 / V.B. Whitehead / D. cordata ”; SAM-HYM-B002717; 1 ♀ 1 ♂ / same data but “km 20.1 / elev. 1770 m / 14 Dec 1986 / K. Steiner ”; forelegs glued on card labelled individually “423, 432”; SAM-HYM-B002718; 1 ♀ 1 ♂ / same data but “elev. 1780 m ”; Diascia / cordata ” or “ Wahlenbergia / undulata ”; foreleg glued on card labelled individually “426”; SAM-HYM-B002719; 1 ♂ / same data but “km 20.4 / elev. 1785 m ”; foreleg glued on card labelled individually “425”; SAM-HYM-B002720; 1 ♀ 1♂ / same data but “km 19.7 / elev. 1770 m ”; SAM-HYMB002721; 1 ♀ / same data but “km 19.4 / elev. 1750 m ”; foreleg glued on card labelled individually “422”; SAM-HYM-B002722; 1 ♀ 3 ♂ / same data but “ 16 Feb 1986 / elev. 2290 m ”; “ Diascia / integerrima ” or “ Wahlenbergia / undulata ”; forelegs glued on card labelled individually “443, 445–446”; “ R. neliana / Cockerell 1931 / det. V.B. Whitehead / Oct 1990 ”; SAM-HYM-B002725; 2 ♂ / same data but “ 16 Feb 1986 / elev. 2700 m ”; forelegs glued on card labelled individually “441–442”; SAM-HYM-B002728; 1 ♀ 1♂ / same data but “ V.B. Whitehead / 21 I 1985 ”; foreleg glued on card labelled individually “27”; SAM-HYM-B002729; 1 ♀ / same data but “ 1780 m / D. cordata / 21 I 1985 ”; foreleg glued on card labelled individually “160”; SAM-HYM-B002730; 1 ♀ / same data but “S. of SA Border Post / 21 I 1985 ”; foreleg glued on card labelled individually “11”; SAM-HYM-B002731; 1 ♀ 2 ♂ / same data but “ 2480 m / D. integerrima ” or males “ Patrolling Wahlenbergia ”; forelegs glued on card labelled individually “156, 438, 599”; SAM-HYM-B002732; 2 ♂ / same data but “Border post”; foreleg glued on card labelled individually “26, 429”; SAM-HYM-B002733; 1 ♀ / same data but “ 2260 m ”; foreleg glued on card labelled individually “12”; SAM-HYM-B002734; 2 ♀ / same data but “ 2450 m / D. integerrima ”; forelegs glued on card labelled individually “155, 433”; SAM-HYM-B002735; 1 ♂ / same data but “ 4.6 km E / SA Border / 10 XII 85 / Wahlenbergia ”; “ Rediviva / neliana Cockerell / det. V.B. Whitehead / 20 XI 1990 ”; SAM-HYM-B002737; 2 ♂ / same data but “ 6.4 km S / SA Border ”; “ Rediviva / neliana Cockerell / det. V.B. Whitehead / 20 XI 1990 ”; SAM-HYM-B002738; 2 ♂ / same data but “ 1750 m / 14 XII 86 ”; forelegs glued on card labelled individually “427, 431”; Genitalia and hidden sterna dissected and stored in pinned microvial below one specimen; “ Rediviva / neliana Ckll / det. V.B. Whitehead / 30 Nov 1987 ”; “ R. neliana / Cockerell 1931 / det. V.B. Whitehead / Oct 1990 ”; SAM-HYM-B002739; 2 ♀ / same data but “ 1870 m / 14 XII 86 ”; “ Rediviva / neliana Cockerell / det. V.B. Whitehead / 20 XI 1990 ”; SAM-HYMB002740; 1 ♀ / same data but “ 1880 m / 14 XII 86 / V.B. Whitehead / Wahlenbergia ”; SAM-HYM-B002741; 3 ♀ same data but “ 2570 m ”; “ Diascia / integerrima ”; forelegs glued on card labelled individually “157–159”; SAM-HYM-B002742; 2 ♀ / same data but “ 2600 m / 15. 2. 1986 ”; “ Diascia / integerrima ”; forelegs glued on card labelled individually “161–162”; SAM-HYM-B002743; 2 ♀ / same data but “ 2440 m ”; Diascia / cordata ”; forelegs glued on card labelled individually “166–167”; SAM-HYM-B002744; 1 ♀ 1♂ / same data but “ 2290 m / 16. 2. 1986 ”; “ Wahlenbergia ” or “ Diascia / integerrima ”; foreleg glued on card labelled individually “447”; “ Rediviva / neliana Cockerell / det. V.B. Whitehead / 20 XI 1990 ”; SAM-HYM-B002745; 6 ♀ 1 ♂ / same data “ 2440 m ”; “ Diascia / integerrima ” or “ Diascia / cordata ”; forelegs glued on card labelled individually “154, 163–164, 171– 173, 439”; “ Rediviva / neliana Cockerell / det. V. B. Whitehead / 20 XI 1990 ” or “ 30 Nov 1987 ”; Genitalia and hidden sterna dissected and stored in pinned microvial below male specimen SAM-HYM-B002746; 1 ♀ / same data but “ 2.2 km W of / SA Border / 2120 m / D. cordata ”; SAM-HYM-B002747; 2 ♀ 13 ♂ / same data but “ 1.9 km W of S.A. / border post, -29.598367, / 29.321573, 2136 m, 29 January / 2020, A. Melin, J.F. Colville, / Host plant Wahlenbergia ” / or “ Diascia ”; 2 ♀ 2 ♂ / same data but “ 2.3 km E of S.A. / border post, -29.608842, / 29.361157, 1890 m, 29 January / 2020, A. Melin, J.F. Colville, / Host plant Wahlenbergia ” / or “ Diascia ”; 1 ♀ / same data but “-29.612854, / 29.368638, 1765 m, 31 January / 2020, A. Melin, J.F. Colville, / Host plant Diascia ”; 1 ♂ / “ South Afr., Natal / 2929 CA / Garden Castle For. Area / path to Pillar Cave / elev. 2130 m / 11 Feb 1988 / K. Steiner ”; “ Wahlenbergia / zeyheri ”; foreleg glued on card labelled individually “758”; SAM-HYM-B002841; 2 ♂ / same data but “ Path to Mashai Pass / 2150 m / V. B. Whitehead / Wahlenbergia ”; forelegs glued on card labelled individually “754–755”; SAM-HYM-B002847; 5 ♀ 3♂ / same data but “ State / Forest, 2050 m / 7. 2. 1986 ”; “ Wahlenbergia ” or Diascia / megathura ”; forelegs glued on card labelled individually “175, 179–181, 183, 408–409”; SAM-HYMB002900; 2 ♀ 3 ♂ / same data but “ 21 II 87 / Hesperantha sp. or W. undulata ”; forelegs glued on card labelled individually “404-405”; SAM-HYM-B002901; 1 ♂ / same data but “ 6 Feb 1986 / elev. 2140 m ”; “ Geranium / drakensbergensis ”; SAM-HYM-B002891; 3 ♂ / same data but “elev. 2050 m / 7 Feb 1986 ”; forelegs glued on card labelled individually “415–416”; Genitalia and hidden sterna dissected and stored in pinned microvial below one male specimen; SAM-HYM-B002892; 1 ♀ / same data but “ 21 Feb 1987 / elev. 2130 m ”; foreleg glued on card labelled individually “407”; 1 ♀ / same data but “elev. 2320 m / 11 Feb 1988 ”; foreleg glued on card labelled individually “753”; SAM-HYM-B002895; 2 ♀ 5♂ / same data but “ Mashai Trail / 20 Jan 1985 / on Morea inclinata ” or “ D. megathura ” or “ Wahlenbergia undulata ”; forelegs glued on card labelled individually “28, 182, 406, 414”; SAM-HYM-B002890; 1 ♀ 6# / same data “ V.B. Whitehead / 20 I 85 ”; forelegs glued on card labelled individually “31–34, 410–411, 174”; SAM-HYM-B002896; 5 ♂ / same data but foreleg glued on card labelled individually “413”; SAM-HYM-B002897; 2 ♂ / same data but “ Path to Mashai Pass / 2150 m / 11 II 85 / Resting in Wahlenbergia ”; forelegs glued on card labelled individually “752, 757”; SAM-HYM-B002898; 3 ♀ 5♂ / same data but “ 2050 m / 6. 2. 1986 ”; “ Geranium ” or “ Diascia / megathura ”; forelegs glued on card labelled individually “176–178, 412”; SAM-HYM-B002899; 1 ♀ 2 ♀ / “ S. Afr., Kwa. -Natal / Mt. Currie / 3029 CB / 2130 m / 5 Feb. 1998 / K. Steiner ”; “Host plant: / Geranium / pulchrum ”; “ Rediviva neliana / Cockerell / det. C. Eardley 2006”; SAM-HYM-B009763; 1 ♀ / same data but “ 12 Feb 1988 ”; “Host plant: / Wahlenbergia / cuspidata ”; SAM-HYM-B010504; 1 ♂ / same data but “elev. 2120 m / 5 Feb. 1998 ”; SAM-HYM-B009853; 2 ♀ / “ S. Afr., Natal / Giant’s Castle / Contour Path / 2929 BC / 21 March 1994 / K. Steiner ”; “Host plant / Diascia / cordata ”; SAM-HYM-B010502; 1 ♀ / same data but “ Langlalibele Pass / 2929 AD / elev. 2430 m / 13 Feb 1996 ”; “Host plant / Wahlenbergia / cuspidata ”; SAM-HYM-B010503; 1 ♀ / same data but “ Path to For. Walk / 1740 m / J.C. Roux / 11 Mar 1990 / D. cordata ”; SAM-HYM-B002750; 2 ♂ / “ S. Afr., Natal / Giant’s Castle / 2929 AD / elev. 2250 m / 13 Feb. 1996 / K. Steiner ”; “Host plant / Wahlenbergia / cuspidata ”; SAM-HYM-B010495 [series to be split]; 2 ♂ / “ S. Afr., Natal / Giant’s Castle / Langlalibele Pass / 2929 AD / elev. 2430 m / 13 Feb 1996 / K. Steiner ”; “Host Plant: / Wahlenbergia / cuspidata ”; SAM-HYM-B010496 [series to be split].
Eastern Cape Province: (all in SAMC) 7 ♀ 7 ♂ / “ S. Afr., CP. / Katberg Pass / R351, / 3226BC / 25 Nov 1985 / V. B. Whitehead ”; “ Wahlenbergia / undulata ” or “ Diascia / rigescens ” OR “ Geranium ”; forelegs glued on card labelled individually “330, 332, 334–337, 346, 350”; SAM-HYM-B002539; 5 ♀ 1 ♂ / same data but “elev. 1220 m / K. Steiner ”; “ Wahlenbergia / undulata ” or “ Geranium / amatolicum ” or “ Diascia / rigescens ”; forelegs glued on card labelled individually “333, 340, 343–344, 359”; SAM-HYM-B002532; 2 ♀ 5 ♂ / same data “ 1270 m ”; “ Wahlenbergia / undulata ”; forelegs glued on card labelled individually “341–342, 354, 348, 353–354”; SAM-HYM-B001491; 1 ♀ 1 ♂ / same data but “ 16 Dec 1985 / K. Steiner ”; “ Bowkeria / verticillata ” or “ Geranium / amatolicum ”; SAM-HYM-B002534; 4 ♀ 3 ♂ / same data but “ V. B. Whitehead ”; “ Rediviva / neliana Cockerell / det. V. B. Whitehead / 20 Nov 1990 ”; SAM-HYM-B002538; 2 ♀ / same data but “ Bowkeria / verticillata ”; SAM-HYMB010526; 4 ♀ / same data but “ 17 Dec 1985 / K. Steiner ”; “ Bowkeria / verticillata ”; SAM-HYM-B002536; 6 ♀ / same data “ 17 XII 1985 / V. B. Whitehead ”; “ Bowkeria / verticillata ”; SAM-HYM-B002542; 2 ♀ / same data; SAM-HYM-B010527; 2 ♂ / same data but “ 25. 12. 1985 / V. B. Whitehead ”; Genitalia and hidden sterna dissected and stored in pinned microvial below specimens; SAM-HYM-B002549; 3 ♂ / same data but “ 1220 m / 17 Jan 1986 ”; forelegs glued on card labelled individually “352, 347”; SAM-HYM-B001492; 1 ♀ 3 ♂ / same data but “elev. 1240 m ”; “ Geranium / amatolicum ” or “ Diascia / rigescens ”; forelegs glued on card labelled individually “331, 349, 351”; SAM-HYM-B002537; 1 ♂ / same data but “ 1230 m / 3 XII 1986 / V. B. Whitehead / K. Steiner ”; “Sleeping in / Geranium / amatolicum ”; SAM-HYM-B002533; 1 ♀ 1 ♂ / same data but “ V. B. Whitehead / K. Steiner ”; “Sleeping in / Geranium / amatolicum ”; foreleg glued on card labelled individually “335”; SAM-HYM-B002540; 2 ♂ / same data but “ 10 Jan 1992 / S.D. Johnson ”; “Sleeping in Gladiolus ” SAM-HYM-B002543; 1 ♂ / same data but “ 1140 m / 25 XI 1985 / V. B. Whitehead ”; “ Wahlenbergia / undulata ”; foreleg glued on card labelled individually “94”; Genitalia and hidden sterna dissected and stored in pinned microvial below specimen; SAM-HYM-B002527; 10 ♀ 3 ♂ / same data but “ 26 Nov 1985 / K. Steiner ”; “ Diascia / rigescens ” or “ Wahlenbergia / undulata ”; forelegs glued on card labelled individually “315, 317–318, 321, 648–649”; SAM-HYM-B002522; 12 ♀ 3 ♂ / same data but “ V. B. Whitehead ”; “ Diascia / rigescens ” or “ Wahlenbergia / undulata ”; forelegs glued on card labelled individually “19, 115, 120, 122–123, 311–312, 316, 323, 328, 650, 1049”; SAM-HYM-B002526; 2 ♀ / same data but “ 16 Dec 1985 / K. Steiner ”; “ Diascia / rigescens ” or “ Wahlenbergia / undulata ”; foreleg glued on card labelled individually “320”; SAM-HYM-B002523; 6 ♀ 6 ♂ / same data but “ 1140 m / 16 XII 1985 ”; “ Wahlenbergia / undulata ” or “ Bowkeria / verticillata ”; forelegs glued on card labelled individually “96, 116–118, 121, 325, 327”; “ Rediviva / neliana Ckll / det. V. B. Whitehead / 30 Nov 1987 ”; Genitalia and hidden sterna dissected and stored in pinned microvial below two specimens; SAM-HYM-B002528; 1 ♀ 1 ♂ / same data but “ 23 I 1986 / Wahlenbergia ”; foreleg glued on card labelled individually “324”; SAM-HYM-B002529; 20 ♀ 3 ♂ / same data but “ 24 I 1986 ”; “ Wahlenbergia ” or “ Bowkeria / verticillata ” or “ Tritonia / rubro-lucens ” or “ Diascia / rigescens ”; forelegs glued on card labelled individually “314, 320, 326, 713”; SAM-HYM-B002530; 2 ♀ 11♂ / same data but “ -32.470271, 26.666506, 1249 m, / 05 December 2019, A. Melin, / J.F. Colville, Host plant / Wahlenbergia ”; 3 ♀ / same data but “ -32.473976 26.672588, 1114 m, / 05 December 2021, A. Melin, / J.F. Colville, Host plant / Bowkeria verticillata ”; 15 ♀ / “ S. Afr., CP. / Road to Hogsback / 8 km S from turn / off on Cathcart road / 18 March 1989 / V. B. Whitehead / D. capensis ”; forelegs glued on card labelled individually “933–938, 940–942, 983–986, 988”; SAM-HYM-B002829; 1 ♀ / “ S. Afr., CP, Risingham farm, Hogsback, 16 April 1991 ”; SAM-HYM-B002849; 1 ♀ / same data but “ 25 April 1992 ”; SAM-HYM-B009766; 5 ♀ / same data but “ 28 March 1995 / D. capsularis ”; SAM-HYM-B010705; 7 ♀ / “ S. Afr., Ciskei / Mitchell’s Pass / 3226DB / elev. 1350 m / 16 Dec 1985 / K. Steiner ”; “ Bowkeria / verticillata ”; SAM-HYM-B002524; 4 ♀ / same data but “ 18 Jan 1986 ”; “ Bowkeria / verticillata ”; SAM-HYM-B002525; 1 ♀ / same data; “ Bowkeria / verticillata ”; “ Rediviva / neliana Cockerell / det. V. B. Whitehead / 20 XI 1990 ”; SAM-HYM-B002535; 1 ♀ / same data but “ 24 Jan 1986 ”; SAM-HYM-B010528; 1 ♀ / same data but “ 20 II 1986 / V. B. Whitehead ”; “ Bowkeria / verticillata ”; “ Rediviva / neliana Cockerell / det. V. B. Whitehead / 20 XI 1990 ”; SAM-HYM-B002541; 5 ♀ 1 ♂ / same data but “ V. B. Whitehead ”; “ Bowkeria / verticillata ” or “ Wahlenbergia ”; foreleg glued on card labelled individually “321”; SAM-HYM-B002531; 16 ♂ / “ South Africa, Eastern Cape, / Hogsback, The Bluff / Scenic Walk, -32.599112, 26.916317, / 1291 m, 01 December 2019, / A. Melin, J.F. Colville, Host / plant Wahlenbergia ”; 12 ♀ 3 ♂ / “ S. Afr., C.P. / Stutterheim / Mt Kemp / 6. 1. 89 / V. B. Whitehead / Wahlenbergia ”; forelegs glued on card labelled individually “969–977”; SAM-HYM-B002546; 4 ♀ / same data but “ 22 Dec 1984 / K. Steiner ”; “ Diascia / rigescens ”; SAM-HYM-B002544; 13 ♀ 1♂ / same data but “elev. 1360– 1380 / 6 Jan 1989”; “ Wahlenbergia / krebsii ” or “ Oxalis / semiloba ” or “ Diascia / rigescens ”; forelegs glued on card labelled individually “968, 960–967, 978”; SAM-HYM-B002545; 1 ♀ / “ S. Afr., CP, Bastervoetpad Road / 10 Jan 1984 / K. Steiner ”; “ Diascia / fetcaniensis ”; foreleg glued on card labelled individually “135”; SAM-HYM-B002873; 1 ♀ / same data but “campsite, 1980 m / 2.2 km S of summit”; SAM-HYM-B002880; 2 ♀ / same data but “ 1.4 km S of summit” / 9 Jan 1985 ”; foreleg glued on card labelled individually “356”; SAM-HYM-B002874; 2 ♀ / same data but “ V. B. Whitehead ”; forelegs glued on card labelled individually “7–8”; SAM-HYM-B002881; 6 ♀ / same data but “ 1.4 km S of summit / 10 Jan 1985 / K. Steiner ”; forelegs glued on card labelled individually “17, 134, 136, 138–139, 143”; SAM-HYM-B002875; 2 ♀ / same data but “ 2040 m / V. B. Whitehead / Wahlenbergia ”; forelegs glued on card labelled individually “141, 143”; SAM-HYM-B002883; 1 ♂ / same data but “ 27 Jan 1986 / K. Steiner ”; foreleg glued on card labelled individually “361”; SAM-HYM-B002876; 3 ♂ / same data but “ V. B. Whitehead ”; “ Wahlenbergia ”; forelegs glued on card labelled individually “363–365”; “ Rediviva / neliana Cockerell / det. V. B. Whitehead / 20 XI 1990 ”; SAM-HYM-B002882; 1 ♀ / same data but “ 28 I 1986 ”; “ D. fetcaniensis ”; foreleg glued on card labelled individually “140”; SAM-HYM-B002884; 1 ♀ / same data but “ 2150 m / 23 I 1987 ”; SAM-HYMB002887; 7 ♀ 1 ♂ / same data but “elev. 2160 m / 23 Feb 1987 / K. Steiner ”; “ Wahlenbergia / undulata ” or “ Diascia / fetcaniensis ”; forelegs glued on card labelled individually “355, 369”; “ Rediviva / neliana Ckll / det. V. B. Whitehead / 30 Nov 1987 ”; Genitalia and hidden sterna dissected and stored in pinned microvial below one specimen; SAM-HYM-B002879; 2 ♀ / same data “ 25 Feb 1987 / elev. 2130 m ”; SAM-HYM-B002878; 7 ♀ 2 ♂ / “ S. Afr., CP / Elliot / Bastervoetpad / 28 II 87, 2130 m / V. B. Whitehead / D. fetcaniensis ”; forelegs glued on card labelled individually “357–360, 362, 368”; SAM-HYM-B002885; 1 ♀ 2 ♂ / same data but “ 23 Feb 1987 / elev. 2150 m / K. Steiner ”; “ Wahlenbergia / undulata ”; “366–367”; SAM-HYM-B002877; 2 ♀ / “ South Afr., Transkei / Qachas Nek / 3028 BA / elev. 1950 m / 15 Dec 1986 / K. Steiner ”; “ Diascia / stachyoides ”; forelegs glued on card labelled individually “399–400”; SAM-HYM-B002837; 1 ♀ 1♂ / same data but “ Diascia / stachyoides ” or “ Wahlenbergia ”; forelegs glued on card labelled individually “398, 402”; Genitalia and hidden sterna dissected and stored in pinned microvial below male specimen; “ Rediviva / neliana Ckll / det. V. B. Whitehead / 30 Nov 1967 ”; SAM-HYM-B003079; 2 ♀ 1♂ / same data but “elev. 1990 m / 16 Jan 1989 / K. Steiner ”; forelegs glued on card labelled individually “951–952, 959”; SAM-HYM-B003081; 1 ♀ / same data but “elev. 1930 m ”; “ Wahlenbergia / cuspidata ”; forelegs glued on card labelled individually “950”; SAM-HYM-B003082; 1 ♀ / same data but “elev. 1940 m / 16 Jan 1989 ”; “ Diascia / krebsii ”; forelegs glued on card labelled individually “953”; SAM-HYM-B002838; 2 ♀ / same data but “elev. 1930 m / 16 Jan 1989 ”; “ Corycium / nigrescens ”; foreleg glued on card labelled individually “948–949”; SAM-HYMB002888; 3 ♀ / same data but “nr Qachas Nek / 18 Jan 1985 / K. Steiner / Wahlenbergia / undulata ”; forelegs glued on card labelled individually “230–232”; SAM-HYM-B002886; 3 ♀ 1♂ / same data but “ 3.5 km South of / Quachas Nek / V. B. Whitehead / Wahlenbergia / 18 I 85 ”; forelegs glued on card labelled individually “227–229, 403”; SAM-HYM-B002889; 2 ♀ / same data but “ Qachas Nek Rd / 20.2 km N of / Ramatselisa Rd / Junction / V. B. Whitehead ”; “ Diascia / stachyoides ” or “ D. integerrima ”; forelegs glued on card labelled individually “955–956”; SAM-HYMB002839; 1 ♀ / “ South Afr., Transkei / Qachas Nek / 3028 BA / elev. 1950 m / 15 Dec 1986 / K. Steiner ”; “ Wahlenbergia / undulata ”; forelegs glued on card labelled individually “401”; SAM-HYM-B003075 [series to be split]; 1 ♀ / same data but “ 16 I 89 / D. integerrima ”; foreleg glued on card labelled individually “954”; SAM-HYM-B002887; 2 ♀ / same data but “ 20.8 km N. of / Ramatsiliso Rd Junction ”; forelegs glued on card labelled individually “957–958”; SAM-HYM-B003080; 2 ♀ / “ South Afr., Transkei / Nquadu / 3128 BC / elev. 1200 m / 9 Dec 1986 / K. Steiner ”; Diascia / rigescens ”; forelegs glued on card labelled individually “672–673”; SAM-HYMB002796; 9 ♀ 1♂ / “ South Africa / Cape Prov. 3028 CC / Elands Heights / 11 Jan 1984 / K. Steiner ”; “ Diascia / fetcaniensis ”; forelegs glued on card labelled individually “144, 146–151, 372, 374”; SAM-HYM-B002863; 2 ♀ / same data but “ 0.5 km S of Elands Heights / 11 Jan 1985 ”; forelegs glued on card labelled individually “152–153”; SAM-HYM-B002864; 1 ♀ / same data but “elev. 1820 m / 31 Jan 1986 ”; foreleg glued on card labelled individually “375”; SAM-HYM-B002866; 4 ♀ / same data but “ 18 Jan 1989 ”; “ Rediviva / neliana Cockerell / det. V. B. Whitehead / 20 XI 1990 ”; SAM-HYM-B002867; 2 ♀ / same data but “ V. B. Whitehead / 31 I 1986 ”; forelegs glued on card labelled individually “ 343, 370”; SAM-HYM-B003072; 1 ♀ / same data but “ 0.6 km S of S.A.P / Station / 18 I 89 ”; SAM-HYM-B002871; 1 ♀ / same data but “ 1.2 km N of Elands Heights / 11 Jan 1985 ”; foreleg glued on card labelled individually “145”; SAM-HYM-B002865; 1 ♀ / same data; “ Rediviva / neliana Cockerell / det. V. B. Whitehead / 20 XI 1990 ”; SAM-HYM-B002868; 1 ♀ / same data but “ 2.8 km North / V. B. Whitehead / 10. I 1985 ”; foreleg glued on card labelled individually “371”; SAM-HYM-B002869; 1 ♀ / same data but “ 11 I 1985 ”; SAM-HYM-B002870; 5 ♀ / same data but “ 1.2 km N of SA / Police post / 18 I 89 ”; SAM-HYM-B002872”; 1 ♀ / “ South Afr., C. P. / Naudesnek / 3028 CA / 19 Jan 1989 / elev. 2490 m / K. Steiner ”; “ Diascia / stricta ”; foreleg glued on card labelled individually “1825”; SAM-HYM-B023550; 2 ♂ / “ S. Afr., E. C. P. / Otto du Plessis Pass / 3127 CA / elev. 1800 m / 7 Feb 1998 / K. Steiner ”; Wahlenbergia / cuspidata ”; SAM-HYM-B009854; 2 ♂ / same data but “ Rediviva / neliana / Cockerell / det. C. Eardley 2006”; SAM-HYM-B009769; 1 ♂ / same data but “ 25 Feb 1996 ”; “ Rediviva / neliana / Cockerell / det. C. Eardley 2006”; SAM-HYM-B009768; 1 ♂ / same data; SAM-HYMB009852.
Free State Province: 2 ♂ / “South Afr., O. F. S. / 2828 DA / Goldengate Park / elev. 2300 m / 3 Feb 1988 / K. Steiner ”; “ Wahlenbergia / cuspidata ”; forelegs glued on card labelled individually “773–774”; SAM-HYMB003078; 2 ♀ / “ South Africa / Qwaqwa (O.F. S) / Path to Sentinel / 31 Dec 1984 / K. Steiner ”; “ Heliophila / glabriuscula ”; female foreleg glued on card labelled individually “130”; SAM-HYM-B002550; 2 ♂ / same data but “2828 DC / elev. 2300 m / 16 Feb 1987 / K. Steiner”; “ Wahlenbergia / undulata ”; forelegs glued on card labelled individually “537–538”; SAM-HYM-B003074; 1 ♀ / same data but “ Rd to Sentinel / elev. 2390 m / 27 Feb 1986 ”; “ Diascia / vigilis ”; SAM-HYM-B002761; 1 ♀ 4♂ / same data but “elev. 2270 m / 16 Feb 1987 ”; forelegs glued on card labelled individually “541–544”; SAM-HYM-B002775; 1 ♀ 1 #m / same data but “elev. 2260 m ”; “ Diascia / purpurea ” or “ Morea / inclinata ”; foreleg glued on card labelled individually “540”; SAM-HYM-B002776; 1 ♂ / same data but “ Wahlenbergia / undulata ”; foreleg glued on card labelled individually “539”; SAM-HYM-B002777; 1 ♀ 1 ♂ / same data but “ 2270 m / 16 II 87 / V. B. Whitehead / Wahlenbergia / undulata ”; SAM-HYM-B002780; 1 ♀ / same data but “ 2440 m ”; SAM-HYM-B002781; 1 ♀ / same data but “ 2470 m ”; SAM-HYM-B002782; 3 ♂ / same data; foreleg glued on card labelled individually “535”; Genitalia and hidden sterna dissected and stored in pinned microvial below one specimen; SAM-HYM-B002783; 1 ♀ 4 ♂ / same data but “ -28.702141, 28.897027, 2281 m, / 05 February 2020, A. Melin, / J.F. Colville, Host plant / Wahlenbergia ”; 1 ♀ / same data but “ Sentinel / Corycium ”; “ Rediviva / neliana Cockerell / det. V. B. Whitehead / 20 XI 1990 ”; SAM-HYM-B002784; 1 ♀ / same data but “elev. 2310 m / 14 Feb 1985 / K. Steiner”; “ Diascia / virgilis ”; SAM-HYM-B002769; 1 ♂ / same data but “elev. 2390 / 28 Feb 1986”; “ R. neliana / Cockerell 1931 / det. V. B. Whitehead / Oct 1990 ”; SAM-HYM-B002771; 1 ♀ 2 ♂ / same data but “elev. 2410 m / 5 Feb 1985 ”; “ Wahlenbergia / undulata ”; Genitalia and hidden sterna dissected and stored in pinned microvial below one specimen; SAM-HYM-B001496; 2 ♀ / same data but elev. 2390 / 28 Feb 1986”; “ Diascia / virgilis ” or “ Diascia / tugelensis ”; SAM-HYM-B002774; 1 ♀ 1♂ / same data but “ Path to Sentinel / elev. 2460 / 28 Feb 1986”; “ Wahlenbergia / undulata ”; male specimen with “ R. neliana / Cockerell 1931 / det. V. B. Whitehead / Oct 1990 ”; SAM-HYM-B002770; 1 ♀ / same data but “elev. 2500 m / 28 Feb 1986 ”; “ Diascia / purpurea ”; SAM-HYM-B002772; 1 ♀ / same data but “ 2550 m / 21 Dec 1984 ”; “ Buchenroedera ”; SAM-HYM-B001495; 1 ♂ / same data but “ 2310 m / 16 II 87 / V. B. Whitehead / Wahlenbergia / undulata ”; foreleg glued on card labelled individually “536”; SAM-HYM-B001497; 2 ♀ 1♂ / same data but “ 2000 m / 4. 2. 1988 ”; “ Diascia / vigilis ”; SAM-HYM-B002919; 2 ♀ 5 ♂ / same data but “ 5. 2. 1988 ”; SAM-HYM-B002920; 4 ♂ / same data but “ Wahlenbergia ”; SAM-HYM-B002921; 1 ♀ / “ S. Afr., Natal / 2828DB / Foot of Sentinel / elev. 2790 m / 7 Feb 1996 / K. Steiner”; “Host plant: / Diascia / virgilis ”; SAM-HYM-B010500; 5 ♀ / “ South Africa / Qwaqwa / btwn Sentinel / & Chain ladder / elev. 2760 m / 17 Feb 1985 / K. Steiner ”; “ Diascia / virgilis ”; forelegs glued on card labelled individually “507–508”; SAM-HYM-B002779; 17 ♀ / same data but “elev. 2780”; “ Diascia / tugelensis ”; forelegs glued on card labelled individually “495–506”, SAM-HYM-B002773; 7 ♂ / “ South Afr., Qwaqwa / 2828 DB / near the Pudding / elev. 2360 m / 4 Feb 1988 / K. Steiner ”; “ Wahlenbergia / cuspidata ”; SAM-HYM-B010494; 4 ♀ / same data but “ The Pudding / 22 March 1994 / V. B. Whitehead ”; “Host plant / Diascia / vigilis ” SAM-HYMB009865; 3 ♂ / same data but “ 30 Jan 85 / K. Steiner ”; “sheltering / Wahlenbergia / undulata ”; forelegs glued on card labelled individually “29, 33”; SAM-HYM-B002762; 23 ♀ / same data but “ 15 Feb 1989 / K. Steiner”; “ Diascia / vigilis ”; forelegs glued on card labelled individually “13–14”; SAM-HYM-B002758; 10 ♀ / same data but “ 21 Dec 1984 ”; forelegs glued on card labelled individually “124–128, 131”; SAM-HYM-B002759; 7 ♀ / same data but “elev. 2330 m / 28 Feb 1986 ”; “ Disperis / stenoplectron ” or “ Diascia / vigilis ”; SAM-HYM-B002760; 6 ♀ / same data but “elev. 2430”; SAM-HYM-B010499; 1 ♀ / same data but “ 16 Feb 1985 ”; foreleg glued on card labelled individually “485”; SAM-HYM-B0002766; 9 ♀ / same data but “ 2340 m ”; foreleg glued on card labelled individually “479, 483,488, 490, 492, 493, 1050”; SAM-HYM-B002767; 5 ♀ / same data but “ 2430 m / 8 Mar 1990 / V.B. Whitehead”; SAM-HYM-B002768; 5 ♀ / same data but “near The Pudding / 24 Jan 1984 / K. Steiner ”; “ Diascia / vigilis ”; SAM-HYM-B002751; 31 ♀ / same data but “ The Pudding / 28 Jan 1985 ”; “ Diascia / vigilis ” or “ Diascia / inclinata ”; SAM-HYM-B002752; 3 ♀ / same data but “ 26 Dec 1984 / K. Steiner”; “ Diascia / vigilis ”; forelegs glued on card labelled individually “129, 132, 133”; SAM-HYM-B002753; ♂ / “ South Africa / Natal Prov. / Royal Natal Park / 30 Jan 1985 / K. Steiner ”; “sheltering on / Wahlenbergia / undulata ”; foreleg glued on card labelled individually “32”; Genitalia and hidden sterna dissected and stored in pinned microvial below specimen; SAM-HYM-B002551; 1 ♀ / same data but “elev. 2040 m / 26 Feb 1985 ”; “ Diascia / purpurea ”; “ Rediviva / neliana Cockerell / det. V. B. Whitehead / 20 XI 1990 ”; SAM-HYM-B002726; 1 ♀ 1♂ / same data but “ 30 Jan 1985 ”; “ Diascia / purpurea ” or “Sheltering / Wahlenbergia / undulata ”; SAM-HYM-B002727; 1 ♂ / same data but “nr. Mtn resort / at Witzieshoek ”; “ Rediviva neliana / det. V. B. Whitehead / 30 Nov 1987 ”; SAM-HYM-B002552; 2 ♀ / same data but “2828 DB / 6 Mar 1986 / Tugela Gorge Trail / elev. 1670 m ”; “ Wahlenbergia / undulata ” or “ Diascia / vigilis ”; SAM-HYM-B002723; 1 ♂ / same data but “elev. 1680 m ”; SAM-HYM-B002724; 2 ♀ / same data but “ 5 Feb 1985 / K. Steiner”; “ Diascia / virgilis ”; forelegs glued on card labelled individually “15, 481”; SAM-HYM-B002755; 2 ♀ / same data but “elev. 2340 m / 14 Feb 1985 / K. Steiner”; “ Diascia / virgilis ”; foreleg glued on card labelled individually “484”; SAM-HYM-B002756; 1 ♂ / same data but “elev. c. 2050 m / 30 Jan 1995 ”; “ Wahlenbergia / undulata ”; foreleg glued on card labelled individually “49”; SAM-HYM-B002748.
Lesotho: 1 ♀ / “ Lesotho / Sani Top / 2750 m / V. B. Whitehead / 14. 2. 1986 ”; “ Diascia / anastrepta ”; SAM-HYMB001493; 1 ♂ / “ South Africa / Lesotho / Sehlabathebe / 15 Jan 1985 / K. Steiner ”; “ Sheltering in Wahlenbergi a”; foreleg glued on card labelled individually “25”; SAM-HYM-B002786; 2 ♂ / same data but “ 17 Jan 1985; SAM-HYM-B002787; 1 m / same data but “Sehlabathebe / National Park / 2929 CC / V. B. Whitehead / 16 I 85 ”; foreleg glued on card labelled individually “30”; SAM-HYM-B002788; 1 ♂ / same data but “ 15 Jan 1985 ”; “Sheltering in Wahlenbergia ”; Genitalia and hidden sterna dissected and stored in pinned microvial below specimen; SAM-HYMB002547.
Redescription. ♀ Measurements. (n = 10): body length (BL) 11.05 mm (10.03–12.75 mm), inter-tegular distance 2.36 mm (2.09–2.76 mm), foreleg (FL) 8.25 mm (7.21–8.96 mm), FL: BL 0.75 (range 0.68–0.89), head width 3.56 mm (3.88– 3.71 mm), head length 2.79 mm (2.53–2.90 mm), malar space (length: width) 0.35 (range 0.30–0.43). Integumental colour. Black, except the antenna and the tips of the mandible dark reddish-brown. Head. Labrum covered with long unbranched intermixed black and yellow hairs (Fig. 14B). Long black branched hairs with yellow branched hairs intermixed on the clypeus with branched yellow hairs intermixed with black hairs on the paraocular area, supraclypeal area and frons, with branched black hairs on the vertex around the ocelli, with black and yellow branched hairs intermixed along the inner and outer eye margin. Galea acutely pointed, falcate (Fig. 4E). Mesosoma. Punctures on disc of scutum moderately sparse, punctures greater than one diameter apart, remaining surface punctures less than a diameter apart, surface between punctures shiny; scutellum puncture irregular ranging from dense to sparse, surface between punctures shiny (Fig. 14D). Scutum, scutellum, metanotum, mesepisternum, propodeum covered in yellow branched hairs, with sparse erect branched black hairs on the disc of the scutum. Legs. Forelegs elongate, covered with yellow hairs, tarsus with dark brown to black hairs apart from the tibia and basitarsus of the foreleg with dark brown to black hairs, orange hairs on outer surface basitarsus, and dense oil-collecting black hairs on tarsomeres 2–5; middle leg with orange to dark brown hairs on outer surface and orange on the inner surface of the tibia and basitarsus; scopal hairs on the hind tibia and basitarsus orange with black hairs on the apical third of the basitarsus including the basitarsal brush (Fig. 14A). Metasoma. Yellow apical tergal hair bands on T1–T4 (Fig. 14C). Disc on T1 with sparse long sub-erect yellow hairs; disc on T2 covered in long yellow hairs, disc on T3 covered in long yellow hairs sometimes with few black hairs intermixed, disc of T4 with black hairs, fimbriae of T5 black, yellow laterally, fimbriae of T6 black.
Description of previously unknown male. ♂. Measurements. (n = 10): body length (BL) 9.35 mm (8.42–10.02 mm), inter-tegular distance 2.28 mm (2.04–2.57 mm), foreleg (FL) 7.26 mm (6.78–7.87 mm), FL: BL 0.78 (range 0.71–0.84), head width 3.26 mm (3.17–3.42 mm), head length 2.66 mm (2.39–2.93 mm), malar space (length: width) 0.45 (range 0.35–0.59). Integumental colour. Black, except for the yellow basitarsus of the hindleg and a yellow patch on the distal end of the tibia (Fig. 13A). Mesosoma. Disc of scutum densely punctured, punctures one diameter to less than one diameter apart, surface between punctures shiny; scutellum puncture diameter size irregular ranging from dense to sparse, surface between punctures shiny. Scutum, scutellum, metanotum, mesepisternum, propodeum covered in yellow branched hairs, with sparse erect branched black hairs on the disc of the scutum (Fig. 13D). Metasoma. Disc on T1 with sparse long sub-erect yellow hairs; disc on T2 with yellow hairs on disc, disc of T3 with yellow intermixed with black hairs, discs on T4 black, sometimes intermixed with yellow hairs, T5 black, yellow apical bands on T1–T6, fimbria on T6 black and on T7 black. Median and lateral lobes of S6 well developed with yellow and black hairs intermixed (Fig. 7G), and with translucent area on apical third; median lobes of S7 (Fig. 7F) long, spatulate, terminating in long-branched, bicoloured (yellow and black) or black hairs, lateral lobes large, striate, translucent; the long apical process of the S8 with concave lateral margins (Fig. 7E shown by black arrow), with sublateral yellow hairs, ventral distal margin of apical plate with three shallow emarginations and four distinct notches equally spaced. Genital capsule (Fig. 7H) with gonostylus extending a little beyond the penis valves, with long unbranched yellow hairs on the apical third.
Flight period. Late November to early March.
Host flower records. Rediviva politissima specimens were collected from the oil-secreting host plants Bowkeria sp., B. verticillata, Corycium sp., C. nigrescens, Diascia anastrepta, D. cordata, D. fetcaniensis, D. integerrima, D. megathura, D. purpurea, D. rigescens, D. stachyoides, D. stricta, D. tugelensis, D. vigilis, Disperis stenoplectron. Specimens have been collected from the nectar host plants Buchenroedera sp., B. lotonoides, Geranium sp., G. amatolicum, G. drakensbergensis, G. pulchrum, Heliophila glabriuscula, Hesperantha sp., Moraea inclinata, Oxalis semiloba, Tritonia disticha (= T. rubrolucens), Wahlenbergia sp., W. krebsii, W. cuspidata, W. undulata, W. zeyheri, W. krebsii.
Distribution. (Fig. 10) Rediviva politissima is distributed across the Grassland, Forests, Albany Thicket, and Savanna Biomes. Specimens have been collected from Golden Gate Highlands National Park extending down and around the Main Drakensberg Centre towards Qachas Nek, and towards Hogback (Great Winterberg-Amatholes).
Vegetation types. Southern Drakensberg Highland Grassland, uKhahlamba Basalt Grassland, Amathole Montane Grassland, Northern Drakensberg Highland Grassland, Southern Mistbelt Forest, Lesotho Highland Basalt Grassland, Escarpment Mesic Thicket, Drakensberg Foothill Moist Grassland, Senqu Montane Shrubland, Southern KwaZulu-Natal Moist Grassland, Bhisho Thornveld.
Comments: Rediviva politissima is one of the four species considered as part of the R. neliana group. The female R. politissima and R. neliana are similar in terms of the hair pattern of the T3. They can be differentiated by the shape of the galea (Figs 4E–F and Figs 4C–D, respectively).
Associated organisms: Meloe (Coleoptera, Meloidae) triungulin larvae were found attached to the pubescence of female bees at various attachment sites (Table 2, Fig. 15). Based on our examination of Rediviva neliana group specimens, Meloe triungulin’s appear to be most abundant on R. politissima.
description: Published as part of Melin, Annalie, Manning, John C. & Colville, Jonathan F., 2024, Species circumscription within the Rediviva neliana group (Hymenoptera: Melittidae), with the description of the new species Rediviva volgeli sp. nov. Melin & Colville, pp. 245-284 in Zootaxa 5507 (2) on pages 267-275, DOI: 10.11646/zootaxa.5507.2.3, http://zenodo.org/record/13757643