Sphecodopsis Bischoff 1923
Creators: name: Pöllein, Daniela
name: Kuhlmann, Michael
Publisher: name: Zenodo
Year: 2025
Subjects: Biodiversity
Taxonomy
Animalia
Arthropoda
Insecta
Hymenoptera
Apidae
Sphecodopsis

description: Key for the identification of species of Sphecodopsis
Females
The preparation of S6 is essential for a reliable determination.
The females of the following species are unknown: S. albomaculata sp. nov., S. leonis, S. minuta sp. nov., S. nana sp. nov., S. nigra sp. nov., and S. villosa. The females of S. carolinae and S. capicola were not available for study, so they are not included in the key either.
1. S6 pointed posteriorly (Figs 4D, 6D, 10D) ....................................................................................... 2
– S6 bifid posteriorly (e.g. Figs 12C, 26C, 34C, 52C, 56C, 92C, 104C) ............................................ 4
2. T6 narrow and almost truncate apically (Fig. 10B) .......................... S. fumipennis (Bischoff, 1923)
– T6 broad and rounded apically (Figs 4C, 6C) ................................................................................... 3
3. Punctation on mesoscutum denser (i =0.25–0.5 d) and finer, individual punctures not always clearly separated (Fig. 3D); S6 shiny on surface and more pointed apically (Fig. 4D) ................................. ............................................................................................................................. S. aquifolia sp. nov.
– Punctation on mesoscutum slightly more dispersed (i =0.25–1 d) and coarser, individual punctures clearly separated (Fig. 5D); S6 matt on surface and rounded apically (Fig. 6D) ............................... .................................................................................................................... S. capensis (Friese, 1915)
4. Metasoma completely black (Figs 15B, 25B, 55B, 57B) ................................................................. 5
– T1 and T2 at least partially red, but metasoma usually with more extensive red colouration (e.g. Figs 11B, 33B, 59B, 81B) ................................................................................................................. 8
5. Apical notch of S6 at least five times as long as its apical width (Figs 56C, 58C) .......................... 6
– Apical notch of S6 at most three times as long as its apical width (Figs 16C, 26C) ........................ 7
6. Punctation of mesoscutum more dispersed (i=0.5–1 d) and coarser (Fig. 55D); apical notch of S6 five times as long as its apical width (Fig. 56C) ......................................................... S. atra sp. nov.
– Punctation of mesoscutum denser (i=0.25–0.5 d) and finer (Fig. 57D); apical notch of S6 nine times as long as its apical width (Fig. 58C) ............................................................. S. catastropha sp. nov.
7. T6 sparsely covered with short white hair (Fig. 16B); apical notch of S6 two times as long as its apical width (Fig. 16C) ........................................................................................ S. chaotica sp. nov.
– T6 covered with long black hair (Fig. 26B); apical notch of S6 three times as long as its apical width (Fig. 26C) .............................................................................................................. S. obscura sp. nov.
8. Fore tibia and tarsi completely or largely red (Figs 47A, 53A, 91A, 105A) .................................... 9
– Fore tibia and tarsi usually black, sometimes with small reddish spots (Figs 11A, 21A, 39A, 59A, 103A) .............................................................................................................................................. 20
9. Head only slightly wider than long, vertex conspicuously raised and rounded (Fig. 108C)............... ....................................................................................................... S. minutissima (Cockerell, 1933)
– Head wider than long, vertex flat, almost flat or just slightly rounded (Figs 47C, 93C, 105C, 107C) ......................................................................................................................................................... 10
10. T5 apically with conspicuously long fringe, hair laterally distinctly longer forming a small medial gap (Figs 48B, 106B) .......................................................…………………………………………11
– T5 apically either without or with short fringe of hair of ±even length (Figs 54B, 88B, 110B, 114B) ............................................................................................................................................... 12
11. Apical notch of S6 shorter and narrower, about as long as its apical width (Fig. 106C); T5 with bright white fringe of strongly branched hair (Fig. 106B) ............................................ S. fimbriata sp. nov.
– Apical notch of S6 longer and broader, about one and a half times as long as its apical width (Fig. 48C); T5 with brown fringe of slightly branched hair (Fig. 48B) ............................................. ............................................................................................................... S. vespericena Eardley, 1997
12. Head and mesoscutum with short white or golden hair (Figs 109C, 109D, 113C, 113D) ............. 13
– Head and mesoscutum with black hair, sometimes interspersed with lighter hair (Figs 51C–D, 91C– D, 107C–D) ..................................................................................................................................... 14
13. Propodeum sparsely covered with golden hair (Fig. 110A); apical notch of S6 about as long as its apical width (Fig. 110C) ......................................................................................... S. regina sp. nov.
– Propodeum densely covered with bright white hair (Fig. 114A); apical notch of S6 about twice as long as its apical width (Fig. 114C) ....................................................................... S. vicfalls sp. nov.
14. Mesoscutum matt, densely and deeply punctate (Figs 51D, 53D, 107D) ...................................... 15
– Mesoscutum shiny, sparsely and shallowly punctate (Figs 79D, 81D–E, 87D, 91D) .................... 17
15. T6 narrow and almost truncate apically, with long black hair (Fig. 107B) ........................................ .......................................................................................................... S. longipygidium Eardley, 1997
– T6 broad and rounded apically, with short golden hair (Figs 52B, 54B) ....................................... 16
16. Apical notch of S6 about seven times as long as its apical width (Fig. 52C); T6 laterally slightly rounded (Fig. 52B) ……………………..................................................... S. crassipunctata sp. nov.
– Apical notch of S6 about twice as long as its apical width (Fig. 54C); T6 laterally almost straight (Fig. 54B) ........................................................................................... S. namaquensis Eardley, 1997
17. Apical notch of S6 about as long as its apical width (Figs 80C, 82D) ........................................... 18
– Apical notch of S6 about one and a half times as long as its apical width (Figs 88C, 92C) .......... 19
18. Thin patches of white hair above each antennae (Fig. 81C); propodeum laterally and metapostnotum with abundant white hair in upper corners (Fig. 82A, 82B) .................. S. kuhlmanni Eardley, 2007
– No white hair above each antennae (Fig. 79C); propodeum laterally and metapostnotum only with few white hairs in upper corners (Fig. 80A) .................................................... S. keiskiensis sp. nov.
19. 2 nd antennal segment approx. twice as long as 3 rd segment (Fig. 91C); metapostnotum approx. as high as wide, superficially shagreened and more shiny (Fig. 92A) .... S. semirufa (Cockerell, 1933)
– 2 nd antennal segment 1.5 times longer than 3 rd segment (Fig. 87C); metapostnotum wider than high, more distinctly shagreened and matt (Fig. 88A) .................................................... S. rufipes sp. nov.
20. Apical notch of S6 about three as long as its apical width, shape as shown in Fig. 104C; T 6 densely covered with golden hair (Fig. 104B); front legs only with dots of red on the femur and the tibia (Fig. 103A) ………… ............................................................................................. S. directa sp. nov.
– S6 of different shape (Figs 12C, 30C, 34C, 60C); T6 either covered with black or white hair or with only thin golden hair (Figs 12B, 18B, 40B, 72B); front legs completely black or, if with red maculation, position and form different (Figs 11A, 21A, 45A, 73A) ............................................ 21
21. Head and mesosoma with conspicuously dense, long, black hair (Figs 33C–D, 43C–D); apical notch of S6 about as long as its apical width, shape as shown in (Figs 34C, 40C, 44C, 46C) ................ 22
– Head and mesosoma with light hair, if black then shorter or more dispersed (Figs 19C–D, 75C–D); shape of S6 different (Figs 12C, 18C, 60C) ................................................................................... 25
22. T5 only with long black hair (Fig. 44B) ................................................. S. leliefonteinensis sp. nov.
– T5 with black hair on the disc and bright white hair on the apical margin (Figs 34B, 40B, 46B). 23
23. T6 apically truncate (Fig. 40B) ................................................................................... S. felix sp. nov.
– T6 apically slightly rounded (Figs 34B, 46B) ................................................................................ 24
24. Mesoscutum very densely punctate (i=0–0.25 d) surface appears rugged (Fig. 33D); body length around 7–9 mm (Fig. 33A) ............................................................................ S. atricapillata sp. nov.
– Mesoscutum with more dispersed punctation (i=0.25–0.5 d) surface smooth (Fig. 45D); body length around 5 mm (Fig. 45A) ............................................................................ S. roggeveldensis sp. nov.
25. Smaller, body length 3.5–5.8 mm (Figs 59A, 63A, 71A, 73A, 75A); apical notch of S6 three to six times as long as its apical width, more or less spatulate (Figs 60C, 64C, 72C, 74C, 76C) ............ 26
– Larger, body length> 6 mm (Figs 11A, 19A, 81A, 97A), or if smaller shape of S6 different (Figs 12C, 20C, 82D, 98C) ............................................................................................................................... 30
26. Head and mesoscutum with black hair, partially mixed with white hair (Fig. 71C–D) ..................... ....................................................................................................................... S. papilla Eardley, 2007
– Head and mesoscutum with purely white, yellowish-white or golden hair (Figs 73C–D, 75–D) .. 27
27. Propodeum densely covered with short white or yellowish-white hair (Figs 60A, 76A) .............. 28
– Propodeum very sparsely covered with short white hair (Figs 64A, 74A) .................................... 29
28. T5 apically densely covered with short white hair (Fig. 76B); T6 rounded apically, covered with short golden hair forming a fringe (Fig. 76B) ........................................................ S. tenera sp. nov.
– T5 apically sparsely covered with short white hair (Fig. 60B); T6 almost truncate apically, covered with short golden hair but not forming a fringe (Fig. 60B) ................................... S. corona sp. nov.
29. T6 rounded apically with an inconspicuous fringe, hair laterally about as long as medially (Fig. 74B) .............................................................................................................. S. parvula sp. nov.
– T6 almost straight apically with a distinct fringe, hair laterally much longer than medially (Fig. 64B) ..................................................................................................... S. microscopica sp. nov.
30. Apical notch of S6 with a small tip distally (Figs 18C, 20C, 22C, 30C) ....................................... 31
– Apical notch of S6 without a small tip distally (Figs 12C, 20C, 82D, 98C) .................................. 33
31. Propodeum densely covered with relatively long, yellowish-white hair mixed with long, black hair (Fig. 22A); larger, body length approx. 5.8–6.6 mm (Fig. 21A) ............................ S. magna sp. nov.
– Propodeum covered with short, yellowish-white or white hair only (Figs 18A, 20A, 30A); smaller, body length max. 5.3 mm (Figs 17A, 19A, 29A) ........................................................................... 32
32. Mesoscutum slightly coarser and more dispersed (i= 0.25–1 d) punctate (Fig. 29D); tips of S6 slightly more curved inward (Fig. 30C) ................................................................ S. subtilis sp. nov.
– Mesoscutum more finely and densely (i =0.25–0.5 d) punctate (Fig. 17D); tips of S6 barely curved inward (Fig. 18C) ………………………….............................................................. S. acuta sp. nov.
33. T6 almost truncate apically (Figs 20B, 82C) .................................................................................. 34
– T6 rounded apically (Figs 12B, 98B) ............................................................................................. 35
34. Apical notch of S6 as long as its apical width, notch narrower (Fig. 82D) ........................................ ................................................................................................................ S. kuhlmanni Eardley, 2007
– Apical notch of S6 one and a half times as long as its apical width, notch wider (Fig. 20C) ............ ............................................................................................................................. S. angulata sp. nov.
35. Head with black hair (Fig. 97C) ............................................................................... S. bifida sp. nov.
– Head with white hair (Fig. 11C) ................................................................ S. aculeata (Friese, 1922)
Males
The extraction of the genitalia, S7 and S8 is indispensable for a reliable determination.
The males of the following species are unknown: S. acuta sp. nov., S. angulata sp. nov., S. aquifolia sp. nov., S. atra sp. nov., S. bifida sp. nov., S. catastropha sp. nov., S. chaotica sp. nov., S. crassipunctata sp. nov., S. directa sp. nov., S. fimbriata sp. nov., S. fumipennis, S. keiskiensis sp. nov., S. leliefonteinensis sp. nov., S. longipygidium, S. microscopica sp. nov., S. namaquensis, S. papilla, S. parvula sp. nov., S. roggeveldensis sp. nov. and S. vicfalls sp. nov. The male of S. minutissima was not available for study, so it is not included in the key.
1. Metasoma completely black (Figs 25B, 69B) .................................................................................. 2
– T1 and T2 at least partially red, but metasoma usually with more extensive red colouration (e.g. Figs 13B, 65B, 93B, 111B) ............................................................................................................... 3
2. Head and mesosoma with white hair (Fig. 69C–D) ................................................. S. nigra sp. nov.
– Head and mesosoma with black hair (Fig. 27C–D) .............................................. S. obscura sp. nov.
3. Fore tibia and tarsi completely red or light red (Figs 49A, 89A, 93A) ............................................ 4
– Fore legs usually black, sometimes with small reddish spots (Figs 7A, 41A, 61A, 67A) ............... 8
4. Metapostnotum glabrous and shiny (Figs 93E, 111E) ...................................................................... 5
– Metapostnotum with hair in upper corners and matt (Figs 49E, 83E, 89E) ..................................... 6
5. Head and mesosoma with relatively short golden and white hair (Fig. 111C–D); wings slightly yellowish, almost clear (Fig. 111A); smaller: body length 4.9 mm (Fig. 111A) .... S. regina sp. nov.
– Head and mesosoma with long, black hair mixed with short, white hair (Fig. 93C–D); wings fuscous (Fig. 93A); larger: body length 6.5–8.0 mm (Fig. 93A) ..................... S. semirufa (Cockerell, 1933)
6. Mesoscutum densely punctate, matt (Fig. 49D) ................................... S. vespericena Eardley, 1997
– Mesoscutum sparsely punctate, shiny (Figs 83D, 89D) ................................................................... 7
7. Metapostnotum with few hair in upper corners (Fig. 89E); mesoscutum slightly more densely (i=1–2 d) punctate (Fig. 89D) ................................................................................ S. rufipes sp. nov.
– Metapostnotum with more abundant hair in upper corners (Fig. 83E); mesoscutum slightly more sparsely (i= 1–3 d) punctate (Fig. 83D) ................................................. S. kuhlmanni Eardley, 2007
8. Head and mesosoma with white or golden hair (Figs 13C–D, 61C–D, 67C–D) .............................. 9
– Head and mesosoma with black hair, sometimes mixed with lighter hair (Figs 23C–D, 37C–D, 85C–D) ........................................................................................................................................... 13
9. Head and mesosoma with white hair (Fig. 13C–D); gonostylus not inclined inward and slightly tapered, penis valves broader, about as long as gonostylus (Fig. 14C) ..... S. aculeata (Friese, 1922)
– Head and mesosoma with golden or white hair (Figs 65C–D, 67C–D); gonostylus inclined inward, penis valves narrower, slightly shorter than gonostylus (Figs 66C–D, 68C–D) ............................ 10
10. Propodeum very sparsely covered with short white hair (Fig. 67E); S8 narrow and almost truncate apically (Fig. 68B) .................................................................................................... S. nana sp. nov.
– Propodeum covered with white or golden hair (Figs 61E, 65E, 77E); S8 broader, apically rounded or notched (Figs 62B, 66B, 7B) .......................................................................................................11
11. S8 apically notched (Fig. 66B) .............................................................................. S. minuta sp. nov.
– S8 apically rounded (Figs 62B, 78B) ............................................................................................. 12
12. Head and mesosoma with golden hair (Fig. 61C–D); T7 more densely covered with short golden hair (Fig. 61F); S8 narrowly rounded apically (Fig. 62B) ............................................ S. corona sp. nov.
– Head and mesosoma with white hair (Fig. 77C–D); T7 very sparsely covered with short golden hair (Fig. 77F); S8 broadly rounded apically (Fig. 78B) ............................................... S. tenera sp. nov.
13. Head and mesosoma with conspicuously dense, long, black hair (Figs 35C–D, 37C–D, 41C–D) 14
– Head and mesosoma with white or golden hair, if with black hair, not as long and dense or mixed with lighter hair (Figs 1C–D, 95C–D, 99C–D) .............................................................................. 16
14. Gonostylus slightly longer than gonocoxa (Fig. 38C–D) .......................... S. capicola (Strand, 1911)
– Gonostylus shorter than gonocoxa (Figs 36C–D, 42C–D) ............................................................. 15
15. Gonostylus apically narrower, penis valves strongly curved downward (Fig. 42C–D); mesoscutum more sparsely punctate (Fig. 41D) .............................................................................. S. felix sp. nov.
– Gonostylus apically broader, penis valves less distinctly curved downward (Fig.36C–D); mesoscutum more finely punctate (Fig. 35D) ..................................................................... S. atricapillata sp. nov.
16. Mesoscutum sparsely, finely and shallowly punctate, very shiny (Figs 83D, 85D, 95D) .............. 17
– Mesoscutum densely, coarsely and deeply punctate, matt or slightly shiny (Figs 7D, 31D, 101D) .............................................................................................................................................. 19
17. Gonostylus shorter than gonocoxa, narrow, pointed posteriorly and extremely bent inward, penis valves distinctly longer than gonostylus (Fig. 86D) ................................... S. leonis Cockerell, 1933
– Gonostylus, broader, rounded posteriorly and straight or not so extremely bent inward (Figs 84C–D, 96C–D) ........................................................................................................................................... 18
18. Metapostnotum almost twice as wide as high (Fig. 95E); gonostylus slightly bent inward (Fig. 96C– D) .................................................................................................................. S. villosa (Friese, 1909)
– Metapostnotum slightly wider than high (Fig. 83E); gonostylus straight (Fig. 84C–D ...................... ................................................................................................................ S. kuhlmanni Eardley, 2007
19. Propodeum covered with white hair mixed with at least a few black hairs (Figs 1E, 7E, 23E) ..... 20
– Propodeum covered only with white or golden hair (Figs 31E, 99E, 101E) .................................. 22
20. Gonostylus shorter than gonocoxa (Fig. 24C–D) ................................................... S. magna sp. nov.
– Gonostylus approximately the same length or longer than gonocoxa (Figs 2C–D, 8C–D) ........... 21
21. Metapostnotum twice as wide as high (Fig. 7E); gonostylus straight dorsally (Fig. 8D) .................. .................................................................................................................... S. capensis (Friese, 1915)
– Metapostnotum twice as high as wide (Fig. 1E); gonostylus with a bump dorsally (Fig. 2D) .......... ..................................................................................................................... S. albomaculata sp. nov.
22. Genitalia shortened and broad (Fig. 32C) .............................................................. S. subtilis sp. nov.
– Genitalia elongated and narrow (Figs 100C–D, 102C) .................................................................. 23
23. Surface of the propodeum is smooth and shiny, except for the metapostnotum (Fig. 101E) ............. ............................................................................................................................... S. chrysea sp. nov.
– Surface of the propodeum is shagreened and matt, just like the metapostnotum (Fig. 100B) ........... ................................................................................................................... S. carolinae Eardley, 2007
description: Published as part of Pöllein, Daniela & Kuhlmann, Michael, 2025, Taxonomic revision of the southern African bee genus Sphecodopsis Bischoff, 1923 (Hymenoptera: Apidae: Nomadinae), pp. 1-157 in European Journal of Taxonomy 980 on pages 149-153, DOI: 10.5852/ejt.2025.980.2805, http://zenodo.org/record/14981767