New and little-known bees of the genus Sphecodes Latreille, 1804 (Hymenoptera, Apoidea, Halictidae) from Southern and South-Western China

Abstract

Continuing prior studies on Chinese Sphecodes, we here report further records of twelve rarely collected and little known species from mountainous regions of Southern and South-Western China (Xizang, Sichuan, Yunnan). Forty two species are currently known from China, yet until now only two species were known from Southern and South-Western China. We report six entirely new records for China, including Sphecodes discoverlifei Astafurova & Proshchalykin, 2020, S. fumipennis Smith, 1853, S. montanus Smith, 1879, S. nipponicus Yasumatsu & Hirashima, 1951, S. simlaensis Blüthgen, 1924, and S. turneri Cockerell, 1916, and another four are new regional records. Two are new species that we describe and illustrate: Sphecodes holgeri Astafurova & Proshchalykin, sp. nov. (Yunnan), and S. tibeticus Astafurova & Niu, sp. nov. (Xizang). The male of Sphecodes sikkimensis Blüthgen, 1927 is described for the first time.