The distribution of the genus Sphecodes Latreille (Hymenoptera, Halictidae) of the Arabian Peninsula and surrounding countries with description of hitherto unknown female of S. atlanticus Warncke, 1992 and male of S. dathei Schwarz, 2010

Abstract

This study summarises all available information on the bees of the genusSphecodesin the Arabian Peninsula and surrounding countries (Israel, Jordan, and Syria). Twenty-six species are currently known from this area, while five species are newly recorded from the Arabian Peninsula:Sphecodes atlanticusWarncke, 1992 (Saudi Arabia, Yemen),S. intermediusBlüthgen, 1923 (UAE),S. nomioidisPesenko, 1979 (UAE, Oman),S. puncticepsThomson, 1870 (Saudi Arabia), andS. turanicusAstafurova & Proshchalykin, 2017 (Saudi Arabia). In addition, twelve species are newly recorded from Jordan, six for Syria, and four for Israel. The female ofS. atlanticusWarncke, 1992 and the male ofS. datheiSchwarz, 2010 are here described for the first time and a lectotype is designated forS. intermediusBlüthgen, 1923.