Description of Celonites andreasmuelleri sp. n. (Hymenoptera, Vespidae, Masarinae) from the Middle East with a key to the Palaearctic species of the C. abbreviatus-complex of the subgenus Celonites s. str.

Abstract

Celonites andreasmuelleri, a new species of pollen wasp from Israel and Jordan is described. It belongs to the Celonites abbreviatus-complex as indicated by a pollen-collecting apparatus consisting of knobbed setae on clypeus and frons and a corresponding pollen comb on the forelegs. Females of C. andreasmuelleri were recorded at nototribic flowers of Ballota sp. (Lamiaceae).

Keywords

• Hymenoptera
• Vespidae
• Masarinae
• Celonites
• taxonomy
• Palaearctic
• Near East
• Jordan
• Israel