A taxonomic update to Pachymelus (Pachymelopsis) Cockerell, with a new species from Ethiopia (Hymenoptera, Apidae)

Pachymelus Smith, 1879, is a small bee genus comprising 21 species restricted to sub-Saharan Africa and Madagascar. Despite the small size of the genus, several uncertainties persist within the subgenus Pachymelus (Pachymelopsis) Cockerell, 1905, which contains five species and is restricted to sub-Saharan Africa. Based on a revision of museum material and inspection of contemporary collections, a number of changes are implemented.

Pachymelus bettoni (Cockerell, 1910), described in the male sex, was incorrectly considered to be a distinct species; it is actually the male of Pachymelus (Pachymelopsis) conspicuus Smith, 1879, syn. nov., and is returned to synonymy with it. Pachymelus (Pachymelopsis) armatipes (Friese, 1911), stat. rev. is returned to species status, having been incorrectly considered conspecific with P. conspicuus. Pachymelus (Pachymelopsis) haladai sp. nov. is described from Ethiopia.

A lectotype is designated for Habropoda capensis Cameron, 1905 (= Pachymelus festivus (Dours, 1869 )) from material that was previously considered lost; the species is newly reported from East Africa (Kenya), and the status of Afromelecta lieftincki Eardley, 1991 is discussed. The type locality of Pachymelus (Pachymelopsis) abessinicus (Friese, 1912) is clarified, moving from Uganda to Kenya, which is shown to host five of the now six members of this subgenus.

These revisions further illustrate the need for greater survey effort and taxonomic revision of bees in dry parts of Eastern Africa.