Revision of the genus Cyrtolabulus van der Vecht in Madagascar (Hymenoptera: Vespidae: Eumeninae).

The species of the genus Cyrtolabulus van der Vecht, 1969 occurring in Madagascar are revised, with the description of three new species: Cyrtolabulus flavorufus sp. nov., Cyrtolabulus parvulus sp. nov. and Cyrtolabulus scrobalis sp. nov. Pseudonortonia madacassa Gusenleitner, 2012 is synonymized under Cyrtolabulus suboscurus (Giordani Soika, 1941) syn. nov., and a neotype is designated for Labus bekilyensis Giordani Soika, 1941. A comparison with the closely related genus Cyrteumenes Giordani Soika, 1991 and a key to the species are provided.

Revision of the Afrotropical genus Zetheumenidion Bequaert (Hymenoptera: Vespidae: Eumeninae).

A taxonomic revision of the Afrotropical genus Zetheumenidion Bequaert, 1926 is presented. Four new species (Zetheumenidion abruptum sp. nov., Zetheumenidion concinnoide sp. nov., Zetheumenidion latum sp. nov. and Zetheumenidion minimum sp. nov.) are described; Zetheumenidion paeneplanum (Bequaert, 1926) stat. rev. is resurrected from synonymy with Z. pulchripenne (Cameron, 1910); Zetheumenidion femoratum flavissimum Giordani Soika, 1987 is raised to species level (Zetheumenidion flavissimum stat. nov.). A key to all known species is provided and the taxonomic placement of the genus is discussed.

First record of the genus Coeleumenes van der Vecht from the Philippine Islands, with description of a new species (Hymenoptera: Vespidae: Eumeninae).

The genus Coeleumenes van der Vecht, 1963 is recorded from the Philippine Islands for the first time, with Coeleumenes rusticanus sp. nov. from Mindanao. A key to the species occurring in the Malay Archipelago is provided, and Coeleumenes flavus Nguyen, 2016 and C. chumomray Mai & Nguyen, 2021 are synonymized under C. impavidus (Bingham, 1897) syn. nov.

Taxonomic revision of the Stenodynerus fastidiosissimus species-group in Western Europe and North Africa (Hymenoptera: Vespidae: Eumeninae).

The fastidiosissimus species-group of Stenodynerus de Saussure, 1863 is revised in Western Europe and North Africa, combining morphological data and DNA barcoding. Six species are recognized: S. difficilis (Morawitz, 1867) stat. resurr. (= S. fastidiosissimus auct.), S. fastidiosissimus (de Saussure, 1855), S. laborans (Costa, 1882) stat. resurr., S. montanus Selis, sp. nov., S. muelleri (Dusmet, 1917) (= Stenodynerus gusenleitneri Giordani Soika, 1986 syn. nov.), and S. rufescens Giordani Soika, 1977 stat. nov. Lectotypes are designated for Odynerus fastidiosissimus de Saussure, 1855 and Odynerus insularis Andr, 1883 non Smith, 1859. A key for the identification of members of this species-group is provided. DNA barcodes are published for every species, representing the first available sequences for the fastidiosissimus species-group.

Exploring the hidden riches: Recent remarkable faunistic records and range extensions in the bee fauna of Italy (Hymenoptera, Apoidea, Anthophila).

Background: The area sourrounding the Mediterranean basin is recognised as a major biodiversity hotspot for bees, and Italy is amongst the European countries with the highest bee species richness. Detailed knowledge of bee distribution is crucial for understanding bee biology and designing tailored conservation strategies, but is still insufficient in southern European countries, especially in Italy. New information: We report recent finds of 48 bee species that yield significant novelties for the Italian bee fauna. Eight species, namely Andrenaconfinis Stöckhert, Anthidiellumbreviusculum Pérez, Coelioxysalatus Foerster, Lasioglossumalgericolellum Strand, Megachilelapponica Thomson, Megachileopacifrons Pérez, Megachilesemicircularis auct. nec Zanden and Trachusaintegra Eversmann are reported as new for Italy. In addition, Andrenabinominata Smith, Andrenacompta Lepeletier, Colletesacutus Pérez, Lasioglossumstrictifrons Vachal, Rhodanthidiumsiculum Spinola and Rhodanthidiumsticticum Fabricius are newly recorded from mainland Italy, Osmiaheteracantha Pérez from Sardegna and Nomadaflavopicta Kirby from Sicilia. We also report significant range extensions for other bee species and recent records of species that had long gone unrecorded in Italy. The combination of morphology and DNA barcoding provided reliable identifications even for the most challenging specimens. As several of our records come from areas neglected by bee experts in the past, this study stands out as a key indicator of a bee faunistic richness still awaiting discovery and hopefully it will stimulate the interest of taxonomists and stakeholders in pursuing bee research in Italy in the near future.

Revision of the Afrotropical species of Euodynerus Dalla Torre (Hymenoptera: Vespidae: Eumeninae).

A taxonomic revision of the Afrotropical species of the genus Euodynerus Dalla Torre, 1904 is presented. A new species, Euodynerus gaya sp. nov., is described from Niger, new synonymies are proposed for Euodynerus niloticus (de Saussure, 1855) (= Odynerus ebneri von Schulthess, 1921 syn. nov., Odynerus meyeri var. palestinensis von Schulthess, 1928 syn. nov., Pseudepipona nilotica saudita Giordani Soika, 1957 syn. nov.) and Euodynerus semiaethiopicus (Giordani Soika, 1943) (= Euodynerus albomaculatus Gusenleitner, 2000 syn. nov.), and Euodynerus fabulosus Giordani Soika, 1979 is transferred to Knemodynerus Blthgen, 1940 (Knemodynerus fabulosus comb. nov.). A key to all known species is provided.

A new Afrotropical species of Ectopioglossa Perkins (Hymenoptera: Vespidae: Eumeninae).

A new Afrotropical species of the Old World genus Ectopioglossa Perkins, 1912, namely Ectopioglossa sudanensis Selis, sp. nov., is described from Sudan. A key to the Afrotropical species is provided.

Taxonomic revision of the Afrotropical genus Pseudagris de Saussure (Hymenoptera: Vespidae: Eumeninae), with description of four new species.

The Afrotropical genus Pseudagris de Saussure, 1863 is revised. Four new species, Pseudagris apicalis sp. nov., Pseudagris nigrithorax sp. nov., Pseudagris nigrorufa sp. nov., and Pseudagris tanzanica sp. nov., are described. The following taxonomic changes are proposed: Pseudagris versicolor (von Schulthess, 1914) = Synagris versicolor var. meade-waldoi Maidl, 1914 syn. nov.; Pseudagris tessmanniana (von Schulthess, 1913) stat. rev. et comb. nov. is resurrected from synonymy. Lectotypes for Synagris aterrima Maidl, 1914 and Synagris versicolor von Schulthess, 1914 are designated. The males of Pseudagris brunnea Gusenleitner, 2007 and Pseudagris carinata (de Saussure, 1863), and the female of P. pygmaea Gusenleitner, 1998 are described for the first time. A key to the species is provided.

Taxonomy of the Afrotropical genus Leptomenes Giordani Soika, with description of a new species from South Africa (Hymenoptera: Vespidae: Eumeninae).

A new South African species of Leptomenes Giordani Soika, 1939, namely Leptomenes obliquepunctatus Selis, sp. nov., is described. The Malagasy genus Malgachemenes Gusenleitner, 1992 is synonymized with Leptomenes syn. nov. (Leptomenes angustus comb. nov.). Leptomenes extremus Gusenleitner, 2005 is a junior synonym of Raphiglossa lemuriae Giordani Soika, 1941 syn. nov. The previously published key for the continental species is updated.

Revision of the Afrotropical species of the genus Anterhynchium de Saussure (Hymenoptera: Vespidae: Eumeninae).

A taxonomic study on the Afrotropical species in the genus Anterhynchium de Saussure, 1863 is presented. Some subspecies are elevated to specific rank (Anterhynchium argenteopilosellum (Giordani Soika, 1937) stat. nov., A. bugandanum Giordani Soika, 1987 stat. nov., A. cariosum Giordani Soika, 1987 stat. nov., A. denticulatum (Mocsáry, 1903) stat. nov., A. sulphureomaculatum (von Schulthess, 1928) stat. nov.). New synonymies are proposed for Anterhynchium fallax (de Saussure, 1852) (=Rhynchium luctuosum Gerstäcker 1857 syn. nov.), Anterhynchium grandidieri (de Saussure, 1890) (= Epiodynerus grandidieri limbatulus Giordani Soika, 1991 syn. nov.), Anterhynchium grayi (de Saussure, 1855) (= Synagris inermis var. atrata Mocsáry, 1903 syn. nov.; = Rhynchium grayi var. sumptuosum Gribodo, 1895 syn. nov.), Anterhynchium mephisto (Gribodo, 1892) (= Anterhynchium beninum Gusenleitner, 2018 syn. nov.; = Odynerus rufoniger Bequaert, 1918 syn. nov.; = Synagris uncata Tullgren, 1904 syn. nov.); Anterhynchium synagroide (de Saussure, 1852) (=Rhynchium synagroides var. alpha von Schulthess, 1923 syn. nov.; Rhynchium synagroides var. beta von Schulthess, 1923 syn. nov.), Anterhynchium andreanum (de Saussure, 1890) (= Odynerus andreanus discolor Giordani Soika, 1941 syn. nov.); Anterhynchium synagroide gamma (von Schulthess, 1924) is considered as a doubtful synonym of A. argenteopilosellum syn. nov. The nominal subgenus is redefined and divided into the following species-groups: grayi species-group, mephisto species-group, osborni species-group and synagroide species-group. The Malagasy species are transferred from Epiodynerus Giordani Soika to the nominal subgenus but considered as incertae sedis in it. Odynerus natalensis de Saussure, 1855 and Anterhynchium uniforme Gusenleitner, 2012 are transferred to Antodynerus de Saussure, 1855 (Antodynerus natalensis comb. nov. and Antodynerus uniforme comb. nov.), Rhynchium histrionicum Gerstäcker, 1857 is transferred to Euodynerus Dalla Torre, 1904 (Euodynerus (Euodynerus) histrionicus comb. nov.), Rhynchium holomelas André, 1895 is transferred to Pseudagris de Saussure, 1863 (Pseudagris holomelas comb. nov.; = Rhynchium junodianum von Schulthess, 1899 syn. nov.; = Synagris aterrima Maidl, 1914 syn. nov.), Anterhynchium obscurum Gusenleitner, 2007 is transferred to Tricarinodynerus Giordani Soika, 1952 (Tricarinodynerus obscurus comb. nov.). Anterhynchium dahomeyicus Gusenleitner, 2018 is a junior synonym of Aethiopicodynerus punctiventris (Gusenleitner, 2002) syn. nov. Lectotypes for Odynerus andreanus de Saussure, 1890 and Rhynchium sulphureomaculatum von Schulthess, 1928 are designated. A key to the species is provided.

Cladistic analysis and reclassification of Synagris Latreille (Hymenoptera: Vespidae: Eumeninae).

A cladistic analysis of the genus Synagris is performed to assess the taxonomic status and limits of its subgenera, examining external morphology and male genitalia. The subgenera S. (Rhynchagris) and S. (Pseudagris) are raised to generic rank (Rhynchagris stat. nov. and Pseudagris stat. nov.), with the former as senior synonym of Pteromenes Giordani Soika syn. nov.; the subgenus S. (Hypagris) stat. res. is no longer a synonym of S. (Paragris); while S. (Synagris) is monophyletic and retains its status as subgenus. Replacement name due to homonymy is proposed for Synagris cornuta maculata Bequaert, 1918 (Synagris cornuta maculatoides nom. nov.).

The genus Calligaster de Saussure (Hymenoptera: Vespidae: Zethinae) in the Philippine Islands.

The Philippine species of the genus Calligaster de Saussure, 1852 are reviewed. Two species are recorded: C. ilocana Selis, sp. nov. and C. williamsi Bequaert, 1940. Calligaster zetteli Gusenleitner, 2006 is recognized as a synonym of Pseudozumia gracilis van der Vecht, 1963 syn. nov. New distributional records and a key to species are provided.

Updated distribution of the invasive Megachile sculpturalis (Hymenoptera: Megachilidae) in Italy and its first record on a Mediterranean island.

Megachile sculpturalis (Smith, 1853) (Hymenoptera: Megachilidae) is an invasive solitary bee that is rapidly spreading all over Europe. The present study aims to update the distribution of this species in Italy. The research led to the collection of 177 records, obtained through bibliographic research and data-mining from websites, blogs and social networks. We here present the first record of M. sculpturalis on a Mediterranean island and discuss its possible effect on the native ecosystem. Given the particular discovery of M. sculpturalis on Elba Island (Tuscany), we suggest possible monitoring, containment and possible eradication measures of the species.

Notes on the Afrotropical species of Alastor Lepeletier (Hymenoptera: Vespidae: Eumeninae), with description of nine new species.

Nine new species of Alastor Lepeletier, 1841 from Africa are described: Alastor (A.) brevicornis Selis, sp. nov., Alastor (A.) carens Selis, sp. nov., Alastor (A.) gestroides Selis, sp. nov., Alastor (A.) moody Selis, sp. nov., Alastor (A.) namibiensis Selis, sp. nov., Alastor (A.) parilis Selis, sp. nov., Alastor (A.) sabrinae Selis, sp. nov., Alastor (A.) temperatus Selis, sp. nov., and Alastor (Alastorellus) planipunctus Selis, sp. nov. New distributional records for Alastor (A.) aeger Giordani Soika are provided.

On generic placement of Odynerus dictatorius Giordani Soika and its mimicry ring (Hymenoptera: Vespidae: Eumeninae).

The generic placement of Odynerus dictatorius Giordani Soika, 1935 is discussed (Antodynerus dictatorius comb. nov.) and three new species belonging to its mimicry ring are described: Antodynerus breviclypeus sp. nov., Antodynerus imitator sp. nov. and Antepipona dictatoria sp. nov.

A new species of Leptomenes Giordani Soika from Uganda (Hymenoptera: Vespidae: Eumeninae).

Leptomenes Giordani Soika, 1939 is an Afrotropical genus of small-sized potter wasps, presently comprising eight species in continental Africa and another three species in Madagascar. The continental species are mainly distributed in eastern Central Africa, but some species reach Kwazulu-Natal in the south and Senegal in the west (Carpenter et al. 2010).

A new species of Masaris Fabricius from Iran (Hymenoptera: Vespidae: Masarinae).

A new species of Masaris Fabricius, 1793 from Iran, Masaris agnolii Selis, sp. nov., is described and figured based on a single male.

A new species of Stenodynerus de Saussure, 1863 (Hymenoptera: Vespidae: Eumeninae) from Lombok, with a key to the species from the Malay Archipelago.

The genus Stenodynerus de Saussure, 1863 is recorded from Lombok Island for the first time with a new species, Stenodynerus lombokensis Selis, sp. nov. A checklist and a key to the species of Stenodynerus from the Malay Archipelago are provided.

Description of the first endemic Polistes Latreille, 1802 from Sulawesi (Hymenoptera: Vespidae: Polistinae).

A new species of Polistes Latreille, 1802 from Sulawesi, namely Polistes (Polistella) celebensis Selis, sp. nov., is described and figured. This is the first endemic species of this genus from Sulawesi.