Corresponding author: Friedrich W. Gess (
Academic editor: Martin Hauser
In this publication, the fourth of a projected series revising the Afrotropical species of the genus
Ten new species are described:
Extensive collection data pertaining to most of the species contribute to the knowledge of their distribution and floral associations.
The background to the present state of knowledge of the taxonomy of the genus
Desirable as it might be to undertake a complete revision of the genus, this is at present not practicable. Rather than to get bogged down in a study which might never be completed and published, it is intended to publish a series of papers describing new species as well as reviewing some known species. It is envisioned that a new key to species will complete the series. To date Parts I, II and III have been published as
The present paper deals only with species with complete venation (2
Acronyms for institutions in which material is housed are: AMG = Albany Museum, Grahamstown, South Africa; AMNH = American Museum of Natural History, New York, United States of America; BMNH = Natural History Museum, London, England; NNIC = Namibian National Insect Collection, Windhoek, Namibia; SAM = South African Museum, Cape Town, South Africa; SANC = South African National Collection of Insects, Pretoria, South Africa.
♂,SOUTH AFRICA: WESTERN CAPE: S of Yzerfontein (33.22S, 18.11E), 15.x.2006 (D. W., G. T. and G. M. Gess) [AMG].
SOUTH AFRICA: WESTERN CAPE: Lutzville – Vredendal (31.36S, 18.23E), 29.ix.2005 (F, W. and S. K. Gess), 6 ♀♀, 1 ♂ (visiting yellow flowers of
Medium to large (4.2–5.2 mm), gracile (ratio of width to length = 0.27: 1). Fore wing with Cu1a and 2
Length: 4.6–5.2 mm (average of 4: 4.9 mm); length of fore wing: 2.7–3.0 mm (average of 4: 2.9 mm); hamuli 4–6.
Head in front view 1.17 × as wide as long; POL: OOL = 1: 0.77. Clypeus 1.55 × as wide as long; anterior margin shallowly emarginate; lateral angles rounded.
Clypeus, frons and vertex finely microsculptured (shagreened); punctures on clypeus and lower half of frons barely discernable; those on upper half of frons and vertex fine, close, increasingly discernable. Mesosoma finely microsculptured (shagreened); punctures larger than those on head, those on pronotum coarser than those on mesoscutum and scutellum, subconfluent throughout. Gaster very finely punctured, shiny.
Length: 4.2–4.8 mm (average of 4: 4.5 mm); length of fore wing: 2.6–2.9 mm (average of 4: 2.7 mm); hamuli 5.
Head in front view 1.3 × as wide as long; POL: OOL = 1: 0.67. Clypeus 1.6 × as wide as long; anterior margin shallowly emarginate; lateral angles rounded.
Puncturation of head, mesosoma and gaster as in female. TergumVII more coarsely sculptured than other terga, apico-medially with a short, narrowly V-shaped slit; lobes flanking slit apically acutely pointed. Sterna atuberculate. Parameres almost rounded apically but slightly angular on inner side of curve; without a distinct tooth.
Named for the sandy terrain to which the species appears to be restricted.
Known from the seaboard of the Western Cape of South Africa, the collecting sites being in the Strandveld of the West Coast of
Unknown.
See under
♀, SOUTH AFRICA: WESTERN CAPE: Blaauwberg – Melkbosstrand (33.46S, 18.27E), 5.x.2005 (F. W. and S. K. Gess) (on sand beneath flowering
SOUTH AFRICA: WESTERN CAPE: Koeberg Nature Reserve (33.38S, 18.24E) (West Coast Strandveld dominated by
Large (5.25 mm), robust (ratio of width to length = 0.34: 1). Fore wing with Cu1a and 2
Length of holotype 5.25 mm. [Length of paratypes impossible to establish due to alcohol induced extension and curvature of gaster but likely to have been similar as measurement of mesosoma is same as that of holotype]. Length of fore wing: 3.6 mm; hamuli 5.
Head in front view 1.27 × as wide as long; POL: OOL = 1: 0.7. Clypeus 1.4 × as wide as long; anterior margin shallowly emarginate; antero-lateral angles rounded.
Clypeus, frons and vertex finely microsculptured (shagreened); punctures on clypeus and lower half of frons barely discernable; those on upper half of frons and vertex fine, close, increasing discernable. Mesosoma finely microsculptured (shagreened); punctures larger than those on head, those on pronotum coarse and subconfluent, those on mesoscutum and scutellum finer and discrete. Gaster very finely punctured, shiny.
Named for the Atlantic seaboard where the species occurs.
Known from the seaboard of Western Cape of South Africa, the collecting sites being in the Strandveld of the West Coast of
Unknown.
Unknown.
Yellow pan trapping by S. van Noort at Koeberg Nature Reserve during 1997 yielded not only
♂, SOUTH AFRICA: NORTHERN CAPE: Namaqualand, Leliefontein (30.23S, 18.16E), 19.ix.2002 (C. Mayer) (yellow trap) [AMG].
SOUTH AFRICA: NORTHERN CAPE: Namaqualand,
Leliefontein (30.23S, 18.16E), 5.ix.2002, ♀ (white trap); same locality, 19.ix.2002, 1 ♀, 2 ♂♂ (1 ♀, 1 ♂ yellow trap; 1 ♂ white trap); same locality, 21.ix.2002, 2 ♀♀ (1 ♀ yellow trap; 1 ♀ white trap); same locality, 7.x.2002, 1 ♂ (white trap); same locality, 14.x.2002, 1 ♀ (white trap); Namaqualand, Remhoogte (30.23S, 18.16E), 12.ix.2002, 1 ♂ (white trap); same locality, 19.ix.2002, 1 ♂ (yellow trap); same locality, 21.ix.2002, 1 ♀ (yellow trap); same locality, 27.ix.2002, 1 ♂ (white trap); Namaqualand, Remhoogte (30.24S, 18.17E), 19.ix.2002, 3 ♀♀ (yellow trap); same locality, 21.ix.2002, 1 ♀ (yellow trap) – all C. Mayer [all AMG].
Large (4.5–5.3 mm). Fore wing with Cu1a and 2
Length: 5.0–5.3 mm (average of 3: 5.1 mm); length of fore wing 3.0–3.2 mm (average of 3: 3.1 mm); hamuli 5.
Head in front view 1.3 × as wide as long; finely microreticulate (shagreened), moderately shiny, with shallow, indistinct punctures (more discernable on frons and vertex than on clypeus); POL: OOL = 1: 0.82. Clypeus 1.5 × as wide as long; anterior margin evenly emarginate; antero-lateral angles rounded.
Mesosoma microreticulate (shagreened), moderately shiny, with close punctures much larger than those on head.
Gaster very finely microreticulate, moderately shiny, with a few punctures (smaller than those on mesosoma) postero-medially on terga I and II.
Setae short and fine throughout.
Length: 4.5–4.8 mm (average of 3: 4.6 mm); length of fore wing 2.8–3.1 mm (average of 3: 2.95 mm); hamuli 5–6.
Head in front view 1.3 × as wide as long; POL: OOL = 1: 0.82. Clypeus 1.5 × as wide as long.
Tergum VII with disc in proximal third slightly depressed, apico-medially with a narrow, subparallel-sided slit, and with lobes flanking slit rounded. Sternum VII raised postero-medially to form a postero-ventrally directed tubercle.
Named for Caroline Mayer of BIOTA-Southern Africa, Hamburg University, who collected the material during her studies in Namaqualand.
Known only from two contiguous localities situated in the Macchia (Fynbos) of the Kamiesberg.
Unknown.
Unknown.
♂, SOUTH AFRICA: NORTHERN CAPE: Namaqualand, Springbok, Hester Malan Nature Reserve [Goegap], 10–11.x.1989 (F. W. and S. K. Gess) (visiting fls of
SOUTH AFRICA: NORTHERN CAPE: Namaqualand, Springbok, Hester Malan Nature Reserve [Goegap], 10–12.x.1988, 1 ♂; same locality, 10–11.x.1989, 5 ♀♀, 1 ♂ (visiting fls of
Medium to large (4.4–5.5 mm). Fore wing with Cu1a and 2
Length 5.4–5.5 mm (average of 3: 5.4 mm); length of fore wing 3.3–3.4 mm (average of 3: 3.4 mm); hamuli 4–5.
Head in front view 1.3 × as wide as long; with moderately coarse sub-confluent punctures and microreticulate interstices. POL: OOL = 1: 0.85. Clypeus 1.5 × as wide as long (to bottom of emargination); convex, markedly raised laterally and distally, falling steeply to anterior margin; anterior margin very shallowly and widely emarginate; antero-lateral angles rounded.
Mesosoma subshiny with coarse punctures separated by less than their diameter (on the pronotum) or by their diameter or more (on the centre of the mesoscutum and on the scutellum); interstices very finely microreticulate (shagreened). Tegula with inner posterior corner markedly inwardly produced. Fore wing with Cu1a and 2
Gaster with first and second terga with coarse sub-confluent punctures and shagreened interstices; terga III – VI with puncturation progressively less coarse and closer.
Length 4.4–4.6 mm (average of 3: 4.5 mm); length of fore wing 2.80–2.84 mm (average of 3: 2.8 mm); hamuli 4–5.
Head in front view 1.5 × as wide as long; POL: OOL = 1: 0.9. Clypeus 1.67 × as wide as long (to bottom of emargination), convex, markedly raised laterally and distally, falling steeply to anterior margin; anterior margin very shallowly and widely emarginate; antero-lateral angles rounded. Puncturation of head, mesosoma and gaster similar to that of female.
Gaster with tergum VII with a short median V-shaped slit; lobes flanking slit rounded. Sterna atuberculate; sternum VII subglabrous with only a few scattered, fine setae and apically with fringe of closer fine setae.
The name
Known from the north-western Northern Cape (Namaqualand; winter rainfall region) of South Africa, the collecting localities being sited in the Namaqualand BrokenVeld and the Mountain Renosterbosveld of
Principally
Unknown.
Sympatric with the generally similar looking
♀, SOUTH AFRICA: WESTERN CAPE: Lamberts Bay (32.05S, 18.19E), 28.ix.2005 (F. W. and S. K. Gess) (visiting yellow flowers of
SOUTH AFRICA: NORTHERN CAPE: Koingnaas Mines (30.10S, 17.14E), 12–17.xi.2007 (C. Lyons), ♀ (from pan trap) [AMG]; SOUTH AFRICA: WESTERN CAPE: Lamberts Bay (32.05S, 18.19E), 28.ix.2005 (F. W. and S. K. Gess), ♀ (visiting yellow flowers of
Large (5.2–5.6 mm). Fore wing with Cu1a and 2
Length 5.2–5.6 mm (average of 3: 5.5 mm); length of fore wing 3.3 mm (average of 3); hamuli 4.
Head in front view 1.3 × as wide as long; POL: OOL = 1: 0.6. Clypeus 1.43 × as wide as long; anterior margin widely V-shaped; antero-lateral corners obtusely rounded.
Clypeus, frons and vertex microreticulate (shagreened) with small, close, not very discernable punctures; mesosoma microreticulate (shagreened) with obvious punctures, larger than those on vertex; punctures on mesonotum with interstices equal to or exceeding puncture width, those on scutellum generally closer; gaster moderately shiny, very finely microreticulate (shagreened), with very small punctures.
The name
Known only from two localities on the west coast of the Northern and Western Cape, both being in the Strandveld of the West Coast of
Unknown.
This species was described from three males from Leliefontein, collected by Caroline Mayer and one male from W of Wallekraal, collected by F. W. and S. K. Gess. The female was stated to be unknown, “none of the specimens of several species from the relevant localities being assignable with any degree of confidence to this species”.
Recent collecting at Rooikloof Farm near Sutherland by F. W. and S. K. Gess and others produced a single male of
In the light of the above association, the undetermined material collected by Caroline Mayer was re-examined and it was found that four females, two from Leliefontein (the type locality of the male) and two from nearby Remhoogte, were clearly conspecific with the females from Rooikloof Farm, and that these should therefore likewise be assigned to
SOUTH AFRICA: NORTHERN CAPE: Leliefontein (30.23S, 18.16E), 11.ix.2003 (C. Mayer), 1 ♀ (yellow trap); same locality, 23.ix.2003 (C. Mayer), 1 ♀ (white trap); Remhoogte (30.23S, 18.16E), 11.ix.2003 (C. Mayer), 2 ♀♀ (1 ♀ yellow trap; 1 ♀ white trap); Sutherland district, Rooikloof Farm (32.26S, 20.39E), 30.ix.2009 (F.W. and S. K. Gess), 12 ♀♀ (5 ♀♀ visiting pale violet flowers of
Known from the Northern Cape, the collecting localities being sited in the Succulent Karoo, the Mountain Renosterbosveld and at the interface of the Mountain Renosterbosveld and the Western Mountain Karoo of
As was recorded previously (
♀, NAMIBIA: Sperrgebiet, Klinghardtberge, Tsabiam’s Camp (27.10S, 15.42E), 4.ix.2002 (F. W. and S. K. Gess) [AMG].
NAMIBIA: Sperrgebiet, Klinghardtberge, Nomitsas (27.27S, 15.52E), 31.viii.2002 (F. W. and S. K. Gess), ♀ (visiting yellow flowers of
Large (4.8–5.4 mm). Fore wing with Cu1a and 2
Length 5.4 mm; length of fore wing 3.6 mm; hamuli 4.
Head in front view 1.35 × as wide as long. POL: OOL = 1: 0.55. Clypeus, frons and vertex microreticulate (shagreened) with dense, small, shallow punctures (barely discernable on clypeus and lower half of frons, obvious on upper half of frons and on vertex).
Thorax semi-matt, distinctly microreticulate (shagreened) and punctured; punctures larger and more clearly defined than on head; interstices varying from less than puncture width to more than double puncture width. Tegula with posterior inner corner inwardly produced and acute. Fore wing with Cu1a and 2
Gaster moderately shiny, with small, indistinct punctures.
Length circa 4.8 mm; length of fore wing 3.1 mm; hamuli 4.
Head in front view 1.4 × as wide as long; POL: OOL = 1: 0.6.
Surface sculpture of head, thorax and gaster as in female. Tegula as in female. Flagellomeres 1–7 ventrally, labrum, clypeus on distal third with long, pale, apically curved setae; length of setae on antennae approximating or exceeding width of proximal flagellomeres, that of setae on clypeus longer. Tergum VII somewhat depressed, apico-medially with a V-shaped slit; lobes flanking slit rounded. Sterna atuberculate. Parameres rounded apically, without a tooth.
The name,
Known only from the Sperrgebiet (Diamond Area 1) of Namibia, that is from the Desert and Succulent Steppe (Winter rainfall area) of
Unknown.
The two females from Nomitsas and Tsabiam’s Camp (both localities in the Klinghardtberge) and the two males from Roter Kamm (below and south-west of the Aurusberg) are here associated on the basis of general similarity, allowance being made for secondary sexual differences. The association requires confirmation by the study of material of both sexes found flying together in one or more localities.
Medium to large (4.3–5.2 mm). Fore wing with Cu1a and 2
SOUTH AFRICA: Western Cape: W[estern] side of Pakhuispas nr Clanwilliam, 2000 ft. [32.08S, 18.54E], 3.xi.1966 (J .G. Rozen), 1 ♀ (det. J. M. Carpenter) [AMNH]; Clanwilliam District, 11 km W of Clanwilliam on road to Graafwater (32.09S, 18.44E), 2–8.x.1990 (F. W. and S. K. Gess), 2 ♀♀; Clanwilliam District, 5 km W [of] Clanwilliam [on] road to Graafwater (32.10S, 18.51E), 5–6.x.1988 (F. W., S.K. and D. W. Gess), 4 ♀♀, 1 ♂ (4 ♀♀ in violet fls of
SOUTH AFRICA: WESTERN CAPE: Cape Town.
Known from the west-central and north-western part of the Western Cape of South Africa, all presently listed collecting sites being in the Macchia (Fynbos) of
Unknown.
Medium to large (3.8–4.6 mm). Fore wing with Cu1a and 2
Length 3.8–4.6 mm (average of 3: 4.2 mm; length of front wing 2.8–3.0 mm (average of 3: 2.8 mm); hamuli 4.
Puncturation as in female. Tergum VII with a median slit; lobes flanking slit rounded terminally. Sterna atuberculate.
SOUTH AFRICA: NORTHERN CAPE: 15 km N of Nieuwoudtville on road to Loeriesfontein, [Skuinshoogte Pass] (31.16S, 19.08E), 3–8.x.1989 (F. W. Gess), 1 ♀ (on yellow rayed
SOUTH AFRICA: NORTHERN CAPE: Calvinia.
Known from the north-western part of the Western Capeand the adjacent south western part of the Northern Cape of South Africa, many (but not all) of the collecting sites being in the Macchia (Fynbos) of
♂, SOUTH AFRICA: NORTHERN CAPE: Nieuwoudtville Falls, 5 km N of Nieuwoudtville (31.19S, 19.07E), 28.ix.1990 (F. W. and S. K. Gess) (on yellow fls of
SOUTH AFRICA: NORTHERN CAPE: Namaqualand, Springbok, Hester Malan Nature Res[erve] [now Goegap Nature Reserve] (29.37S, 18.00E), 10–12.x.1988 (D. W. Gess), 2 ♀♀, 1 ♂; same locality, 10–11.x.1989 (F. W. and S. K. Gess), 5 ♀♀ (3 ♀♀ visiting fls of
Medium to large (4.4–5.3 mm). Fore wing with Cu1a and 2
Length 4.8–5.3 mm (average of 3: 5.1 mm); length of fore wing 3.0–3.3 mm (average of 3: 3.2 mm); hamuli 5.
Head in front view 1.4 × as wide as long; microreticulate (shagreened), moderately shiny, with small punctures separated by less than their diameter; POL: OOL = 1: 0.85. Clypeus 1.8 × as wide as long (to bottom of emargination); anterior margin shallowly and widely emarginate; antero-lateral angles rounded. Mesosoma and metasoma microsculptured (shagreened) with punctures on pronotum, mesopleuron, mesoscutum, scutellum and tergum I coarser than those on head; punctures on mesoscutum and scutellum most distinct; those on gaster progressively smaller from tergum I to VI. Scutellum smoothly, convexly raised above level of hind end of mesoscutum. Tegula with inner posterior corner markedly inwardly produced. Fore wing with Cu1a and 2
Length 4.4–5.1 mm (average of 3: 4.8 mm); length of fore wing 2.6–2.8 mm (average of 3: 2.7 mm); hamuli 5.
Head in front view 1.4 × as wide as long; POL: OOL = 1: 0.96. Clypeus 1.8 × as wide as long (to bottom of emargination); anterior margin shallowly and widely emarginate; antero-lateral angles rounded. Puncturation of head, mesosoma and metasoma similar to that of female. Tergum VII with a median slit and with lobes flanking it smoothly rounded apically. Sterna atuberculate; sternum VII subglabrous, apically with a fringe of fine setae.
The name
Known from the north-western part of the Northern Cape (Namaqualand; winter rainfall region) of South Africa, the collecting sites being principally in the Namaqualand Broken Veld of
Unknown.
Sympatric with the generally similar looking
♀, SOUTH AFRICA: NORTHERN CAPE: Namaqualand, Sors Sors, 9 km NE of Kamieskroon (30.08S, 18.01E), 17.ix.1992 (F. W. and S. K. Gess) (on violet fls of
SOUTH AFRICA: NORTHERN CAPE: Namaqualand, Springbok, Hester Malan Nature Res[erve] [now Goegap Nature Reserve] ] (29.37S, 18.00E), 10–11.x.1989 (F. W. and S. K. Gess), 1 ♀ (visiting fls of
Medium sized (3.7–4.3 mm). Fore wing with Cu1a and 2
Length 3.8–4.3 mm (average of 3: 4.0 mm); length of fore wing 2.6–2.8 mm (average of 3: 2.7 mm); hamuli 5.
Head in front view 1.2 × as wide as long; frons remarkably flat, medially even slightly depressed; POL: OOL = 1: 0.9; occiput markedly transversely depressed. Frons and vertex strikingly shiny, without microreticulation (shagreening) but with regular, small punctures separated by circa puncture width and set with obvious, fine, mostly porrect setae. Narrow area on midline of frons of holotype and one of paratypes without punctures and setae. Clypeus 1.6 × as wide as long, noticeably convexly raised, moderately shiny, with semi-confluent, small punctures and some limited microreticulation on interstices, with setation as on frons; anterior margin with a very shallow V-shaped emargination; antero-lateral angles very narrowly rounded.
Mesosoma strikingly shiny, without microreticulation; punctures a little larger than on head; setation on pronotum and mesonotum similar to that on head but that on scutellum shorter.
Gaster moderately shiny, with small, close punctures and noticeable, posteriorly decumbent, short, fine setae.
Length 3.7 mm; length of fore wing 2.6 mm; hamuli 4.
Head in front view 1.3 × as wide as long; POL: OOL = 1: 0.9. Clypeus 1.6 × as wide as long.
Puncturation and setation of head, mesosoma and gaster as in female.
Tergum VII with only a small median emargination on apical margin (that is lacking a median slit); sterna atuberculate.
The name
As far as can be judged, restricted to the part of Namaqualand termed Klipkoppe, the collecting localities being sited in the Namaqualand BrokenVeld and the Mountain Renosterbosveld of
Unknown.
♂, SOUTH AFRICA: NORTHERN CAPE: Namaqualand, Hester Malan Nature Res[erve] [now Goegap Nature Reserve] (29.37S, 18.00E), 10–11.x.1989 ((D. W. Gess) [AMG].
SOUTH AFRICA: NORTHERN CAPE: Namaqualand, Hester Malan Nature Res[erve] [now Goegap Nature Reserve] (29.37S, 18.00E), 10–11.x.1989 (F. W. Gess and S. K. Gess), 2 ♀♀ (1 ♀ visiting minute yellow fls of
Medium to large (4.4–5.3 mm). Fore wing with Cu1a and 2
Length 5.1–5.3 mm (average of 3: 5.2 mm); length of front wing 3.2–3.3 mm (average of 3: 3.3 mm); hamuli 4–5.
Head in front view 1. 4 × as wide as long; with moderately coarse subconfluent punctures and microreticulate interstices. POL: OOL = 1: 0.9. Clypeus 1.5 × as wide as long (to bottom of emargination); convex, markedly raised laterally and distally; anterior margin very shallowly emarginate; antero-lateral angles rounded.
Mesosoma subshiny with coarse punctures, on the pronotum partly subconfluent and separated by less than their diameter, on the centre of the mesoscutum and on the scutellum separated by their diameter or more; interstices minutely microreticulate (shagreened). Tegula with inner posterior corner markedly inwardly produced. Fore wing with Cu1a and 2
Length 4.4–4.8 mm (average of 3: 4.6 mm); length of fore wing 3.0–3.1 mm (average of 3: 3.1 mm); hamuli 4–5.
Head in front view 1.4 × as wide as long; POL: OOL = 1: 0.8. Clypeus 1.66 × as wide as long (to bottom of emargination), convex, markedly raised laterally and distally; anterior margin very shallowly and widely emarginate; antero-lateral angles narrowly rounded (almost subangular).
Gaster with tergum VII with a short, median V-shaped slit; lobes flanking slit rounded. Sterna atuberculate; sternum VII densely set with short, fine setae and apically with fringe of longer setae.
The name
Known from the north-western part of the Northern Cape (Namaqualand; winter rainfall region), the collecting localities being sited in the Namaqualand BrokenVeld and the Mountain Renosterbosveld of
Principally
Unknown.
Sympatric with the generally similar looking
♀, SOUTH AFRICA: NORTHERN CAPE: c. 10 km W [of] Upington on road to Namibia (28.24S, 21.04E), 2.ix.2005 (F. W. and S. K. Gess) (visiting yellow flowers of
SOUTH AFRICA: NORTHERN CAPE: c. 10 km W [of] Upington on road to Namibia (28.24S, 21.04E), 2.ix.2005 (F. W. and S. K. Gess), 40 ♀♀, 6 ♂♂ (33 ♀♀, 5 ♂♂ visiting yellow flowers of
Medium to large(4.2–4.6 mm). Fore wing with Cu1a and 2
Length: 4.3–4.6 mm (average of 3: 4.5 mm); length of fore wing 2.9–3 mm (average of 3: 3 mm); hamuli 5.
Head in front view 1.28 × as wide as long; POL: OOL = 1: 0.63. Clypeus 1.43 × as wide as long; anterior margin shallowly emarginate; antero-lateral angles rounded.
Clypeus, frons and vertex finely microsculptured (shagreened); punctures on clypeus and lower half of frons barely discernable; those on upper half of frons and vertex fine, close, increasingly discernable. Mesosoma finely microsculptured (shagreened); punctures much larger (coarser) than on head, very obvious (particularly on pronotum, mesoscutum and scutellum). Gaster very finely punctured, shiny.
Length: 4.2–4.4 mm (average of 3: 4.4 mm); length of fore wing 2.6–3 mm (average of 3: 2.8 mm); hamuli 5.
Head in front view 1.35 × as wide as long; POL: OOL = 1: 0.56. Clypeus 1.5 × as wide as long; anterior margin shallowly emarginate; antero-lateral angles rounded.
Tergum VII with disk markedly depressed, its profile in side view slightly concave; apico-medially with a narrow V-shaped slit; lobes flanking slit acute, narrowly rounded. Sterna atuberculate.
Named for the town Upington, in close proximity of which the species was collected.
Known only from the type locality at the interface of the Orange River Broken Veld and the Karahari Thornveld and Shrub Bushveld of
Unidentified yellow-flowered species of
Unknown.
Medium to large (3.6–5 .0 mm). Fore wing with Cu1a and 2
This common and widely distributed species shows a considerable variation in colour pattern within a population at any particular locality as well as, in some instances, consistent variations between populations from different localities. This is particularly evident in the males but applies to a lesser extent also to the females. In the descriptions below specimens from the population at 15 km N of Nieuwoudtville on the road to Loeriesfontein [Skuinshoogte Pass] are chosen as representing the “norm” for the following reasons: the females most closely accord with the redescription of females by
In contrast to typical females, females from N. of Annis River, in accord with the males from that locality, have the propodeal angles and the greater part of the gaster ferruginous. Females from 16 km S of Rosh Pinah in Namibia are of similar appearance. However, females from Springbok and Anenous are of intermediate coloration.
Length 3.6–4.2 mm (average of 3: 4.0 mm; length of front wing 2.4–2.6 mm (average of 3: 2.5 mm); hamuli 5.
NAMIBIA: 16 km S of Rosh Pinah (28.04S, 16.51E), 13.x.2000 (F.W. and S. K. Gess), 5 ♀♀ (4 ♀♀ visiting yellow fls with white bracts of
The species is common over an extensive area in the winter rainfall regions of southern Namibia and of the Northern Cape and the northern Western Cape provinces of South Africa. The collecting site in Namibia is located in the Desert and Succulent Steppe of
Very markedly associated with
Nest a subvertical silk-lined burrow in friable soil, surmounted by a sand and silk turret and having an excavated cell in which is a constructed sand and silk cell. (See: Gess and Gess, 1992; Gess, S. K., 1996: 108–111, 115).
1 | Thorax and gaster shiny with fine punctures; mandible black with ferruginous tip; labrum testaceous to black, with white spot; clypeus with white marking; scutellum with pair of postero-medial white spots; sternum VII with disk almost glabrous but apically with a few large, curved, golden setae | |
– | Thorax and gaster subshiny with course punctures; mandible white with ferruginous tip; labrum wholly white; clypeus wholly white (except possibly small area below antennal socket); scutellum with pair of lateral white streaks OR with a curved posterior white band; sternum VII with disk glabrous to subglabrous but apically with a fringe of fine setae OR with disk densely set with short setae and apically with a fringe of longer setae | 2 |
2 | Scutellum with pair of lateral white streaks; antennal club partially black; frons in lower half (immediately above clypeus) EITHER with large median marking OR with marking expanded laterally into (but not filling) ocular sinus | 3 |
– | Scutellum with a curved posterior white band; antennal club light ferruginous; frons in lower half (immediately above clypeus) with a large median marking; ocular sinus with marked white crescent; sternum VII subglabrous with a fringe of fine setae | |
3 | Antennal club black dorsally, white ventrally; frons with white marking expanded laterally into (but not filling) ocular sinus; sternum VII subglabrous with a fringe of fine setae | |
– | Antennal club with last three flagellomeres black both dorsally and ventrally, markedly set off in colour from rest of antenna; frons with large median white marking; sternumVII with disk densely set with short setae and apically with a fringe of longer setae |
1 | Thorax and gaster shiny with fine punctures; scutellum black; scutellar lamella black | |
– | Thorax and gaster subshiny with coarse punctures; scutellum black OR with pair of yellow streaks laterally (sometimes joined); scutellar lamella yellow | 2 |
2 | Scutellum only gently convex medially | 3 |
– | Scutellum markedly convexly raised medially | |
3 | Scutellum black | |
– | Scutellum with pair of yellow streaks laterally (sometimes joined) |
The following individuals are thanked for much appreciated assistance as specified: Sarah Gess of the Albany Museum, Grahamstown, co-collector of most of the Albany Museum’s
Grateful thanks are expressed to those bodies which issued permits for the collection of insects and plant samples, namely: the Namibian Ministry of Environment and Tourism; the Namibian Ministry of Mines and Energy as also NAMDEB (Pty) Ltd (for the Sperrgebiet – Diamond Area No. 1); the Department of Nature and Environmental Conservation, Northern Cape; the Free State Department of Tourism, Environmental and Economic Affairs; and Cape Nature (of the Western Cape Province).
The South African Foundation for Research Development (FRD) and the South African National Research Foundation (NRF) are thanked for running expenses grants awarded to either myself and Sarah Gess or to Sarah Gess and myself for field work during the course of which much of the present material was collected. The Board of Trustees of the Albany Museum is thanked for the Research Contracts granted to myself and Sarah Gess since 2003, which have given us continued use of the museum’s facilities since our retirements.