Subgenus Megahoplitis Tkalců, 1993

The subgenus Megahoplitis is confined to the Palaearctic region. Its distributional range encompasses northern Africa and Greece eastwards to Iran and southwards to the Levant. It contains two species, one of which (H. bombiformis) has been erroneously classified as a member of the subgenus Hoplitis (Zanden, 1991a).

Key to the species of Hoplitis (Megahoplitis)

Females

1 Pilosity of body yellowish-brown to white (Fig. 16). Scopa orange. Marginal zones of terga 1–5 with cream-coloured to white hair bands, which may be interrupted on terga 1–3. Wings slightly darkened. Body length 12.5–15mm ...... Hoplitis tigrina

1* Pilosity of body dark brown to blackish (Fig. 19). Scopa black. Marginal zones of terga without hair bands. Wings strongly darkened. Body length 16–18mm. Hoplitis bombiformis

Males

1 Third antennal segment of normal shape. Basal zone of propodeum shagreened. Tarsal segments 2–4 of middle leg only weakly asymmetric. Tergum 6 without lateral tooth and without longitudinal keel. Lateral tooth of tergum 7 well developed, one third to almost half as long as middle tooth, which is unkeeled and slightly longer than the maximal width at its base (Fig. 17). Tergal discs covered with yellowish-brown hairs, which are about as long as the yellowish-white hairs that form the distinct apical hair bands. Medioapical process of sternum 6 without long hairs on its ventral side (Fig. 18). Apex of gonoforceps and penis valve only microscopically haired. Body length 12.5–15mm ............................... Hoplitis tigrina

1* Lower margin of third antennal segment slightly projecting basally. Basal zone of propodeum polished. Tarsal segments 2–4 of middle leg distinctly asymmetric, lateroapically prolonged into rounded spine-like process. Tergum 6 with short rounded lateral tooth and medioapically with short longitudinal keel. Lateral tooth of tergum 7 poorly developed, much shorter than middle tooth, which is distinctly keeled longitudinally and shorter than the maximal width at its base. Tergal discs covered with yellowish-brown hairs, which are longer than the yellowish-white hairs that form the rather indistinct apical hair bands. Medioapical process of sternum 6 covered with long hairs on its ventral side (Fig. 12). Apex of gonoforceps densely haired, penis valve laterally ciliated with long hairs. Body length 18mm ................................ Hoplitis bombiformis