Harpactopus (Harpactopus) F. Smith 1856

Subgenus Harpactopus F. Smith, 1856 Harpactopus F. Smith 1856:264. Type species: Harpactopus crudelis F. Smith, 1856, by subsequent designation of Patton 1880:384. Junior subjective synonym of Sphex Linnaeus, 1758 according to Kohl 1890:106 and Prionyx Vander Linden, 1827 by Bohart & Menke 1976:39. Resurrected to subgeneric status by Danilov & Odintsev 2023:430. Gastrosphaeria A. Costa 1858:10. Type species: Gastrosphaeria anthracina A. Costa, 1858 [= Sphex subfuscatus Dahlbom, 1845], by monotypy. Junior subjective synonym of Sphex Linnaeus, 1758 according to Kohl 1890:106 and Prionyx Vander Linden, 1827 according to Bohart & Menke 1976:39. Junior subjective synonym of Harpactopus F. Smith, 1856 (type species of Gastrosphaeria belongs to the same species group as type species of Harpactopus). Group of crudelis of Bohart & Menke 1963. Groups of subfuscatus and macula of de Beaumont 1968. Group of globosus of Bohart & Menke 1963. Diagnosis. The subgenus Harpactopus F. Smith is characterized by the claws with two ventral teeth, male antennae with distinct placoids, female clypeus entire or with U-shaped median notch, metapleuron channel-like, and metasoma wholly black. Distribution. Arid and semi-arid areas of the Old World and Australasia.