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Iraq is a large country in the Middle East region that borders both Turkey and Iran, countries known to host two of the largest bee faunas globally, as expected for a group of insects that favour dry to Mediterranean climates. Despite this huge regional species richness, the bee fauna of Iraq is chronically understudied and poorly known, both in relative and absolute terms. This is true for the hyper-speciose bee genus Andrena, for which only 17 species have been previously published for Iraq. This work is the first modern contribution to the revision of the Andrena fauna of Iraq. Based on new specimen collections in Duhok Governorate (Iraqi Kurdistan) during 2023, a revised total of 59 Andrena species for Iraq (42 species recorded for the first time) is presented, including the description of two new species: Andrena (Aciandrena) duhokensis Wood, sp. nov. and Andrena (Notandrena) baiocchii Wood, sp. nov. The unknown males of A. (Micrandrena) elam Wood, 2022, A. (Micrandrena) obsidiana Wood, 2022, and A. (Notandrena) ayna Wood, 2023 are described. Andrenabakrajoensis Amin & Mawlood, 2019, syn. nov. is synonymised with A. (Holandrena) variabilis Smith, 1853. Additional records are presented from nearby Middle Eastern countries, particularly Lebanon. These results highlight the fundamentally understudied nature of the Iraqi Andrena fauna.

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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.

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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.

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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.

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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.

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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.

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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.

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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.

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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.

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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.

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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.

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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.).

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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.

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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.

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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.

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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.

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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).

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

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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.

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