Plesianthidium (Spinanthidiellum) rufocaudatum Friese
Creators: name: Eardley, Connal
name: Griswold, Terry
Publisher: name: Zenodo
Year: 2015
Subjects: Biodiversity
Taxonomy
Animalia
Arthropoda
Insecta
Hymenoptera
Megachilidae
Plesianthidium
Plesianthidium rufocaudatum

description: Plesianthidium (Spinanthidiellum) rufocaudatum (Friese)
(Figs 12–14)
Anthidium rufocaudata Friese, 1909: 410 (holotype—‘♂ von Kapland (Wartmann leg.) Südafrika’ (ZMHB, examined) South Africa).
Dianthidium rufocaudatum: Cockerell 1932: 525 –526.
Dianthidium (Spinanthidium) rufocaudatum: Mavromoustakis 1951: 977.
Anthidium volkmanni Friese, 1909: 409 –410 (paralectotype—male ‘♂ von Grootfontein (Volkmann leg.)’ (ZMHB, examined) South Africa.
Discussion. Plesianthidium rufocaudatum was synonymised with P. v ol k m a nn i by Pasteels (1984: 129). The holotype was studied and this synonymy is refuted based on characters presented in the diagnosis. The males are easily separated in T6–T7 being orange in P. rufocaudatum and blackish in P. volkmanni, and the structure of S7– S8 differs between them (Figs 10, 13). Both sexes differ in the sculpture of the scutum (Figs 9, 12).
Diagnosis. Plesianthidium rufocaudatum can be distinguished from all other Plesianthidium, except P. volkmanni and P. haematurum by the carinate preoccipital ridge and the form of the female clypeus which is preapically depressed and apically formed into a truncate flange (Fig. 12 c). Both sexes of P. rufocaudatum can be distinguished from P. volkmanni by the shiny rather than shagreened integument of the scutum (Fig. 12 b). Females also differ from P. volkmanni in the orange, not blackish, margin of T6 (female of P. haematurum unknown). In males T5 is either black with an orange distal margin or completely orange and T6–T7 are orange (Fig. 13 a) in contrast to the mostly black T6 and T7 of P. volkmanni. Males differ from P. haematurum, in the yellow rather than black lower part of the paraocular area, in the presence of a posteromedian carina on T6 (Fig. 13 a), and the apices of the posterolateral spines on T7 that are rounded and not inwardly directed (Figs 13 a, b). The structures of S6–S8 (Figs 13 c–e) are also diagnostic.
Description. Female. Lengths: face 2.8–3.0 mm; scutum 2.1–2.2 mm; forewing 5.8–6.5 mm; body 6.3–8.4 mm. Integument black, except distal margins of T2–T6 slightly reddish (Fig. 12 a). Preoccipital ridge carinate; distance between lateral ocellus and preoccipital ridge twice ocellar diameter; supraclypeus distinctly convex; clypeus distinctly convex above, concave subapically, distal region distinctly extended anteroventrally, ventral edge not concave or crenulate, densely punctate; mandible with four teeth; maxillary palpus 2-segmented; scutum densely punctate, shiny between punctures (Fig. 12 b); tegula sparsely punctate medially; propodeum glabrous medioventrally; scopa partly orange; T2–T3 with sparse distal fasciae; T2–T3 moderately densely punctate distally; T6 slightly expanded posterolaterally; S6 without mediolongitudinal carina.
Male. Lengths: face 2.7–2.8 mm; scutum 2.1–2.2 mm; forewing 6.5–7.0 mm; body 6.9–7.5 mm. Integument mostly black, except clypeus and lower paraocular areas yellow (Fig. 12 e) and T2–T4 with reddish distal margins (more pronounced than in female). Preoccipital ridge carinate; distance between lateral ocellus and preoccipital ridge 1.5–2.0x ocellar diameter; supraclypeus distinctly convex; clypeus distinctly convex, moderately densely punctate; mandible with three distinct teeth; maxillary palpus 2-segmented; scutum densely punctate medially, shiny between punctures; tegula densely punctate; propodeum glabrous medioventrally; hind trochanter without ventral spine; T2–T5 without distal fasciae; T6 with very small mediolongitudinal carina, with small tubercle posteromedially, without lateral spines; T6 with distal margin punctate, forming convex, translucent, slightly upcurved distal flange of equal-length (except near apex of mediolongitudinal carina); T7 posterior edge tridentate, lateral spine laterally rounded, mesally pointed, median spine narrowly rounded (Fig. 13 b); S4 with moderately wide black apicomedian comb; S5 broadly emarginate posteromedially; S6 with obtuse posterolateral angle and posteromedian angle (Fig. 13 c); S7 disc short, broadly and deeply (rounded) concave posteriorly (Fig. 13 d); S8 with disc long, strongly concave posterolaterally, emarginate posteromedially, sides straight (Fig. 13 e); gonostylus narrows subapically (Fig. 13 f).
Distribution (Fig. 14). This species is mostly known from the winter rainfall, western region of South Africa. However, it is also known from the southern Cape, part of which has summer rainfall.
Associated plants. Lebeckia sp. and Fabaceae.
Material examined. Type material. Male holotype of Anthidium rufocaudata Friese: ‘Capland, Anthidium rufocaudata ♂ Fr. 1908 Friese det., Type, Spinanthidium rufocaudatum Fr. J. Pasteels det., 1963’, in ZMHB.
Additional material. South Africa. Goegap Nature Reserve, Springbok, 1985. vii.28, 1985. ix.5, 1987. ix.3, M. Struck (1♀ 2♂ SANC 0 8046, 0 4049, 08047); Klip Vlei, Garies, 1931. xi.1 (1♀ 3♂ SAMC 004402); Meiringspoort, 1938. x.23 (1♀ SAMC 0 0 4403, 004408); Wallekraal, 1950. x.1 (3♂ SAMC 006892); Bowesdorp, 1941. ix.1 (1♂ SAMC 004409); Kamieskroon, 1930. ix.1 (7♂ SAMC 006900); Kamiesberg Pass, Kamiesberg, 30.2000S 17.9833E, 1987. ix.11, C.D. Eardley (1♀ 13♂ SANC 0 4040, 19153, 19154, 19155, 19156, 19157, 19158, 19159, 19160, 19161, 19162, 19163, 19164); Studer's Pass near Garies, 30.4333S 17.0500E, 2007. ix.16, C.D. Eardley (1♀ 1♂ SANC 19152, 19176); Kamiesberg Pass, 31.12S 17.59E, 1987. ix.11, C.D. Eardley (2♂ BLCU 724872, 724874); Kamiesberg Pass, 30.1881S 17.9917E, 2011. ix.26, L. Packer (1♀PC 15281 F7); Studer's Pass, 30.4494S 18.0561E, 2007. ix.16, T.L. Griswold, On Lebeckia sp. (1♂ BLCU 722869); Studer's Pass (km 23), 30.4288S 18.0592E, 2007. ix.17, T.L. Griswold, on Lebeckia sp. (1♂ BLCU 722159); Skurfkop, Near, 31.9227S 18.6311E, 2005. ix.20, 2007. ix.21, C.D. Eardley (1♀ 11♂ SANC 19138, 19140, 19168, 19257, 19150, 19130, 12283, 19125, 19128, 19135, 19137, 19186); Die Berg, near, 32.2097S 18.7475E, 2005. ix.20, C.D., Eardley (4♂ SANC 19129, 19132, 19134, 19141); Hoek se Berg, 32.1477S 19.1844E, 2011. ix.23, C.D. Eardley (1♂ SANC 19147); Biedouw Valley, 32.1333S 19.2666E, 2007. ix.20, C.D. Eardley (1♂ SANC 19151); Nieuwoudtville Flower Reserve, 1987. ix.9, C.D. Eardley (1♀ 1♂ SANC 04051); Nieuwoudtville Falls, 5 km N Nieuwoudtville, 31.19S 19.07E, 1990. ix.28, F.W. Gess (1♀ AMGC 2662); Niewoudtville Botanic Gardens, 31.3667S 19.1167E, 1987. ix.9, C.D. Eardley (1♂ BLCU 724873); Nieuwoudtville and top of Vanrhyns Pass, between, 31.22S 19.01E, 1990. ix.29–30, F.W. Gess, (1♂ AMGC 2663, 2664, 2665, 2666, 2667, 2668); Papkuilsfontein farm, 20 km S Nieuwoudtville, 31.33.16S 19.08.31 E, 2006. x.17, M. Kuhlmann (5♀ 5♂ KC); Engelspunt, near, 31.14.08S 18.58.23E, 2003. ix.7–23, K. Timmermann (1♀ 3♂ KC); Leliefontein, 30.2317S 18.1626E, 2003. viii.31, C. Mayer (5♂ KC); Witwater, 30.2319S 18 135239E, 2003. ix.23, C. Mayer (2♂ KC); Grootfontein, 20 km SE Nieuwoudtville, 31.28.57S 19.13.58E, 2008. ix.7, M. Kuhlmann (1♂ KC); Bloemfontein, 31.73696S 19.13531E, 2005,x.13, M. Kuhlmann (1♀ 1♂ KC); Nieuwoudtville Flower Reserve, 31.22.18S 19.08.58 E, 2002. x.8, C. Mayer (10♀KC); Remhoogte, 30.2351S 18.16536E, 2002. x.14, 2003. ix.15, C. Mayer (2♀ 1♂ KC); Vanrhynsdorp, 24 km SE, waterfall, 31.7826S 18.8954E, 2007. ix.19, T.L. Griswold, on Fabaceae sp. (1♀ 7♂ BLCU 722434, 722426, 722427, 722428, 722429, 722430, 722431, 722432); Pakhuis Pass, 32.1443S 19.0338E, 2007. ix.20, T.L. Griswold (1♀ 2♂ BLCU 722517, 722518); Papendrop, 2 km SW, 31.71S 18.2082E, 2002. x.10, F.D. Parker M.E. Irwin (1♂ BLCU 724877); Botterkloof Pass, dunes, 31.8127S 19.2647E, 2002. x.11, F.D. Parker M.E. Irwin (5♂ BLCU 724876, 724878, 724879, 724880, 724881); Ysterfontein, 11 km W Clanwilliam Graafwater road, 32.10S 18.47E, 1990. x.2–8, F.W. Gess (5♂ AMGC 2669, 2670, 2673, 2674, 2675); Piekenierskloof, Paleisheuwel, 32.37S 18.57E, 1990. x.6, F.W. Gess (1♀ AMGC 2676); Ysterfontein, 11 km W Clanwilliam Graafwater road, 32.10S 18.47E, 1990. x.2–8, F.W. Gess (2♀ 2♂ AMGC 2678, 2679, 2680, 2682); Sederberg, 15–30 km SE Clanwilliam, 32.4349S 19.1759E, 1982. x.24, T.L. Griswold R.T. Griswold (2♂ BLCU- 724869, 724870); Pakhuis Pass, 32.0922S 19.0673E, 2007. ix.20, T.L. Griswold (1♂ BLCU 722531); Pakhuis Pass, 1942. ix.1, 1961. ix.1 (1♀ 5♂ SAMC 0 0 6901, 006902); Jakkalsvlei, Clanwilliam, 1978. ix.27, V. Whitehead (1♀ 1♂ SAMC 006897); Olywenboskloof, Clanwilliam, 1977. ix.28, V. Whitehead (1♂ SAMC 006899); Graafwater, 1947. x.1 (1♂ SAMC 006894); Clanwilliam, 25 km NW on Skurfkop Road, 32.0558S 18.6724E, 2007. ix.21, T. Griswold (2♀ 6♂ BLCU 722962, 722956, 722957, 722952); Clanwilliam, 20 km E, Pakhuis Pass, East side, 32.1497S 19.0277E, 2004. x.5–25, M.E. Irwin F.D. Parker M. Hauser (4♂ FDP 84824, 84766, 84767, 752969); Klein Alexandershoek, Clanwilliam District, 32.20S 18.46E, 1985. ix.28, 1987. x.8–13, F.W. Gess (2♀ 3♂ AMGC 2693, 2694, 2695, 2696); Leipoldtville, Elands Bay, 1947. x.1 (1♂ SAMC 006895); Citrusdal Dist., 1948/. xi.1 (2♂ SAMC 006896); Citrusdal, 32.37S 19.00E, 1990. x.16, F.W. Gess (4♂ AMGC 2686, 2688, 2689, 2690); Stellenbosch, 33.56S 18.52E, 1927. x.8, C.S. Grobbelaar (1♂ AMGC 2660); Wuppertal, 32.2833S 19.2166E, 1987. ix.8, C.D. Eardley (1♂ SANC 04036); Gydo Pass, Ceres, Clanwilliam road, 33.1333S 19.3333E, 1990. ix.26, C.D. Eardley (1♀ SANC 04052); Klaarstroom, Prince Albert, 1952. x.1 (1♂ SAMC 006893); Prince Alfred Hamlet 15 km N, 33.1333S 19.3333E, 1982. xi.19, C.D. Eardley (1♂ SANC 04050); Montegu, 1975. ix.27, V. Whitehead (1♀ 1♂ SAMC 006905); Sevilla, Traveller's Rest, 2007. ix.20, Stanway (2♂ SAMC 010363); Laingsberg, Vleiland, 1975. ix.1, V. Whitehead (2♂ SAMC 006906); Ladismith, 10 km S, Stassensleegt River, 33.5669S 21.2214E, 2004. x.1–22, M.E. Irwin F.D. Parker M. Hauser (4♂ FDP 7 51936, 751937, 751938, 751928); Klein Swartberg, 1975. ix.30, R.M. Bohart, Spinanthidium volkmanni Fr. J. Pasteels det. 1978 (1♂ BLCU 724871); Rhebokskraal, 1985. ix.21, C.L. Bellamy (1♂ SANC 04053); Silverstroom near, 1984. xi.14, C.D. Eardley (1♂ SANC 08055); Rust en Vrede, Oudtshoorn District, 1951. x.1 (1♂ SAMC 006890); Willowmore, Capland, 1919. x.10, Brauns (1♀ SAMC 004401). Botterkloof Pass, 31.48.50S 19.15.50E, 2004. x.4, M. Hauser (1♀SC); Top Swartberg Pass, 33.20.58S 22.02.54 E, 2004. x.2, M. Hauser (1♀SC).
description: Published as part of Eardley, Connal & Griswold, Terry, 2015, Taxonomic revision of Plesianthidium Cameron (Apoidea: Megachilidae: Anthidiini), an endemic southern African bee genus, pp. 1-56 in Zootaxa 3973 (1) on pages 23-24, DOI: 10.11646/zootaxa.3973.1.1, http://zenodo.org/record/288925