A new species of the genus Afromelittia O. Gorbunov et Arita, 1997 (Lepidoptera: Sesiidae) from Saudi Arabia

A new species, Afromelittia arabica O. Gorbunov et A. Ivanov, sp. nov., is described and illustrated from Jazan Province in southwestern Saudi Arabia. The new species is closely related to A. haematopis (Fawcett, 1916), but differs by the absence of blood-red scales on the wings and abdomen, as well as by the shape of the uncus and valva in the male genitalia. Based on an analysis of the taxonomic composition of the tribe Melittiini, it is proposed to restore it to its original rank of subfamily, Melittiinae Le Cerf, 1917, stat. res. A list of species of the genus Afromelittia O. Gorbunov et Arita, 1997, is provided with information on their type localities. The erroneous indication of the presence of the holotype for Melittia haematopis Fawcett, 1916, is corrected and the lectotype is designated herein.