Bee Genus Research Articles

A new species of <i>Microsphecodes</i> from Peru, with notes on the classification of the genus (Hymenoptera: Halictidae)

A new species of the cleptoparasitic bee genus Microsphecodes Eickwort & Stage (Halictinae: Halictini) is described and figured from Amazonian Peru. Microsphecodes stenochorus Engel, new species, is closest to M. kathleenae (Eickwort) and M. russeiclypeatus (Sakagami & Moure) but may be distinguished by coloration and propodeal sculpturing. Microsphecodes consists of two groups of divergent morphologies and these are newly considered as distinct subgenera: Microsphecodes s.str. and Baeosphecodes Engel, new subgenus. Provisional keys to species of Microsphecodes are provided.

The bee genus <i>Ischnomelissa</i> in Peru, with a key to the species (Hymenoptera: Halictidae)

A new species of the rare augochlorine bee genus Ischnomelissa Engel (Augochlorini: Augochlorina) is described and figured from cloud forests of the Abra Patricia Reserve, Amazonas, Peru. Ischnomelissa lignopteryx Engel, new species, is distinguished from its congeners by the darkly infumate wing membranes, dark green and non-shining integument of the head and mesosoma, dark brown legs and metasoma (except basal patch of amber on the first metasomal tergum), and integumental sculpturing. A revised key to the species of the genus is provided.

Revision of the cleptoparasitic bee genus <i>Cleptommation</i> (Hymenoptera: Halictidae)

The cleptoparasitic bee genus Cleptommation Engel, Brooks, & Yanega, new status (Halictinae: Augochlorini), is revised. In addition to the type species, Cleptommation minutum (Friese), new combination, the following new species are recognized: C. bulivyense Engel, new species, C. tupaqi Engel, new species, and C. chibchani Engel, new species. A lectotype is designated for C. minutum and a key to the species is provided.

The bee genus Arhysosage Brèthes (Apidae: Andreninae: Calliopsini): new species, taxonomic notes and new distribution records from Brazil

A new species, Arhysosage biguttulata sp. nov., is described and illustrated based on adult specimens collected in the Chaco region of Mato Grosso do Sul State, Brazil. This new species can be distinguished by its coloration pattern, pilosity and integumental sculpture. Field observations have revealed several aspects of its life history, such as mating behaviour (similar to other Arhysosage species) and its association with the host plant Opuntia sp. (Cactaceae). In addition, Arhysosage flava is recorded for the first time in Brazil, and type-specimen photographs of Arhysosage cactorum Moure, 1999 and Arhysosage melanothricha Moure, 1999 are provided, along with taxonomic notes.http://www.zoobank.org/urn:lsid:zoobank.org:pub:4E7C7FF9-44C0-4D77-8C78-B4E0F9C4831F

A new species of the allodapine bee genus <i>Braunsapis</i> from the Central African Republic (Hymenoptera: Apidae)

A new species of the allodapine bee genus Braunsapis Michener (Allodapini: Allodapina) is described and figured from a series of females collected in the Central African Republic. Braunsapis maxschwarzi Engel, new species, is similar to B. paradoxa (Strand) from South Africa, both species sharing the concave dorsal surface of the sixth metasomal tergum and the peculiar bifid apical projection of the sixth metasomal sternum. The new species, however, can be distinguished by the more extensively developed yellow markings of the face, the yellow pronotal lobe, the more shoulder-like posterolateral margins of the sixth tergum [more similar in this regard to B. angolensis (Cockerell) and not greatly produced as in B. paradoxa], and the more erect and prominent dorsal setae of metasomal terga IV–VI, among other traits.

First record of Chiasmognathus from the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia (Hymenoptera, Apidae)

The cleptoparasitic bee genus Chiasmognathus Engel (Nomadinae: Ammobatini) is recorded from Saudi Arabia for the first time. Chiasmognathus nearchus Engel was previously known from specimens collected in the United Arab Emirates and Oman. Here we report and figure two individuals captured in central Saudi Arabia.

A male of the bee genus <i>Agapostemon</i> in Dominican amber (Hymenoptera: Halictidae)

Thefirst fossil species of the caenohalictine bee genus Agapostemon Guérin-Méneville (Halictinae: Caenohalictini:Agapostemonina) is described and figured from a single male preserved in EarlyMiocene (Burdigalian) amber from the Dominican Republic. Agapostemon (Notagapostemon) luzziiEngel & Breitkreuz, new species, is compared with modern species and isnoteworthy for the absence of metafemoral modifications [in this regardplesiomorphically resembling the West Indian A. kohliellus (Vachal)and A. centratus (Vachal)], form of the head and protibial antennalcleaner, integumental sculpturing, and male terminalia, the latter of which arefortunately exposed and cleared. Briefcomments are made on the affinity of the species to others in the West Indiesand surrounding regions as well as possible biogeographic implications.

Molecular phylogeny, biogeography, and host plant shifts in the bee genus Melitta (Hymenoptera: Anthophila)

New molecular studies suggested that the family Melittidae is either a paraphyletic group from which all the other bees are derived, or the sister clade to all other existing bees. Studying the historical biogeography and evolution of each major lineage within this group is a key step to understand the origin and early radiation of bees. Melitta is the largest genus of melittid bees, for which a robust molecular phylogeny and a biogeographic analysis are still lacking. Here, we derive a phylogenetic hypothesis from the sequences of seven independent DNA fragments of mitochondrial and nuclear origin. This phylogenetic hypothesis is then used to infer the evolution of the species range and of the host-plant shifts in Melitta. Our results confirmed the monophyly of Melitta, but did not recover all previously defined clades within the genus. We propose new taxa by splitting the genus in three subgenera (including two new subgenera described in the Appendix: Afromelitta subgen. nov., Plesiomelitta subgen. nov.) and describe two new species: Melitta avontuurensis sp. n. and M. richtersveldensis sp. n. Regarding the evolution of host-plant use, our analysis suggests that all species currently specialized on one plant family originated from an ancestor that was specialized on Fabaceae plants. The inferred biogeographic history for the genus supported an African origin. In concordance with previous studies identifying Africa as the geographic origin for many clades of bees, our data bring new evidence for an African origin of melittid bees.

The bee genus Colletes Latreille 1802 in Ethiopia (Hymenoptera: Apoidea: Colletidae).

The Ethiopian species of the bee genus Colletes are revised and redescribed to facilitate their identification and future research. Colletes langano Kuhlmann sp. n., C. aethiopicus Kuhlmann sp. n. and C. senkelensis Kuhlmann sp. n. are described as new. The females of C. abessinicus Friese 1915 and C. microdontus Cockerell 1937 and the males of C. rothschildi Vachal 1909 and C. somereni Cockerell 1947 are described for the first time. Colletes rufitarsis Friese 1909 is removed from the list of Ethiopian species so currently a total of eight Colletes species are known from this country. A key is provided to facilitate species identification.

Revision of the species of the bee genus Caenohalictus (Hymenoptera: Halictidae) occurring in Argentinean Patagonia.

The species of the halictid bee genus Caenohalictus Cameron occurring in Argentinean Patagonia are revised. Eight species are recognized, one of them here described as new: Caenohalictus flammeus n. sp. The female of C. turquesa Rojas & Toro 2000 is described for the first time. Pseudagapostemon babuarus Jörgensen 1912, based on the male holotype, is synonymized under Augochlora (Pseudaugochloropsis) thamyris Jörgensen 1912, based on the female lectotype. Lectotypes are designated for Augochlora (Pseudaugochloropsis) thamyris Jörgensen 1912 and Halictomorpha autumnalis Jörgensen 1912. Caenohalictus cyanopygus Rojas & Toro 2000, C. galletue Rojas & Toro 2000, C. iodurus (Vachal 1903), C. opaciceps (Friese 1916), and C. turquesa Rojas & Toro 2000, all known from Chile, are cited for Argentina for the first time. Notes on the variation observed within species, images of diagnostic structures, a key to the species and distributional data are provided. In addition, DNA barcoding results for four species are briefly discussed.

Taxonomic notes and description of the male of Xenochlora nigrofemorata (Smith, 1879) (Hymenoptera: Apidae: Halictinae).

The present work describes for the first time the male of the bee genus Xenochlora Engel, Brooks & Yanega, 1997. The male of X. nigrofemorata (Smith, 1879) is described and illustrated. Additionally, Megalopta opacicollis Friese, 1926 is placed as a junior synonym of X. nigrofemorata (Smith, 1879).

Systematics of the bee subgenus Systropha (Austrosystropha) (Hymenoptera: Halictidae): Description of a new species and proposal of a new sex association.

Systropha is a small genus of bees belonging to Rophitinae (sister-group to all remaining Halictidae). Three subgenera are recognized in Systropha: Austrosystropha and Systrophidia that are sub-Saharan endemics, and Systropha s.str., which occurs in Africa and Eurasia. As a result of the rarity of Systropha specimens in collections and the difficulty in associating males and females due to sexual dimorphism, there remain numerous undescribed or unassociated sexes in S. (Austrosystropha). The present paper gives the descriptions of a new species Systropha oti sp. n. (from Kenya) and the previously undescribed female of S. aethiopica, both in the subgenus Austrosystropha. We further discuss the diagnostic features of the subgenus with regard to these new taxa and update the previous key to species.

Phylogeny and systematics of the bee genus Osmia (Hymenoptera: Megachilidae) with emphasis on North American Melanosmia: subgenera, synonymies and nesting biology revisited

AbstractThe predominantly Holarctic bee genus Osmia Panzer is species‐rich and behaviourally diverse. A robust phylogeny of this genus is important for understanding the evolution of the immense variety of morphological and behavioural traits exhibited by this group. We infer a phylogeny of Osmia using DNA sequence data obtained from three nuclear genes (elongation factor 1‐α, LW‐rhodopsin and CAD) and the mitochondrial gene COI. Our taxon sampling places special attention on North American members of the subgenus Melanosmia Schmiedeknecht; we discuss the novel placement of a number of species traditionally assigned to O. (Melanosmia) and examine the relative support for alternative classifications of this species‐rich subgenus. We use this new phylogeny to guide a reassessment of morphological and behavioural characters within Osmia. Our results provide support for the recognition of Osmia (Hapsidosmia), subgen.n., a monotypic subgenus containing Osmia iridis Cockerell & Titus. We synonymize Osmia (Mystacosmia) Snelling under O. (Melanosmia), syn.n. We synonymize Osmia (Acanthosmioides) Ashmead under O. (Melanosmia), syn.n., propose ‘odontogaster species group’ as a replacement for the subgeneric name Acanthosmioides, and refine the morphological characters that serve to diagnose the species group. We additionally propose ‘nigrifrons species group’ for a clade within O. (Melanosmia) containing most species formerly placed in Osmia (Centrosmia) Robertson. We demonstrate more cohesive patterns of nest substrate use in the nigrifrons and odontogaster species groups than was previously believed to occur, reconsider character polarity of aspects of the female mandible, and show that a large number of morphological characters have evolved convergently within the genus. In order to facilitate discussion of relevant taxa, we propose the following 15 new synonymies: O. bakeri Sandhouse under O. melanopleura Cockerell; O. crenulaticornis Michener under O. pinorum Cockerell; O. claremontensis Michener under O. sedula Sandhouse; O. cockerelli Sandhouse under O. dakotensis Michener; O. francisconis White under O. enixa Sandhouse; O. hurdi White under O. austromaritima Michener; O. sladeni Sandhouse under O. nifoata Cockerell; O. titusi Cockerell under O. phenax Cockerell; O. subtrevoris Cockerell, O. physariae Cockerell, and O. erecta Michener under O. giliarum Cockerell; and O. universitatis Cockerell, O. integrella Cockerell, O. amala Cockerell, and O. metitia Cockerell under O. nigrifrons Cresson, syn.n. We remove O. wyomingensis Michener from synonymy with O. nifoata Cockerell, stat.n., and O. pinorum Cockerell from synonymy with O. physariae Cockerell, stat.n.This published work has been registered in ZooBank, http://zoobank.org/urn:lsid:zoobank.org:pub:A3E7D63B‐5C4C‐4ACF‐BF33‐48E5C5DD1B0D.

A new species of <i>Chiasmognathus</i> from Kazakhstan (Hymenoptera: Apidae)

A new species of the ammobatine bee genus Chiasmognathus Engel (Nomadinae: Ammobatini) is described and figured from near Almaty, Kazakhstan. Chiasmognathus scythicus Engel & Packer, new species, is superficially similar to C. gussakovskii (Popov), also from Central Asia (Tajikistan, Kyrgyzstan), but differs most notably in the form of the male genitalia

<i>Incasarus garciai</i>, a new genus and species of panurgine bees from the Peruvian Andes (Hymenoptera: Andrenidae)

Incasarus garciai Gonzalez, Rasmussen, & Engel, a new genus and species of protandrenine bees (Andrenidae: Panurginae), is described and figured from a male collected in Ayacucho, Peru. Incasarus superficially resembles Liphanthus Reed in the narrow pterostigma and gonostylus articulated to the gonocoxite but it can be distinguished easily by the combination of two submarginal cells, the seventh sternum with apodemes and apical lobes broad, short, attached to a large disc, and the gonostylus long, about as long as the gonocoxite. Incasarus also resembles Rhophitulus Ducke and Heterosarus Robertson in the male seventh tergum with the distal margin medially projected, but it differs from both genera in the shape of the hidden sterna and genitalia, among other features.

Revision of the bee genus <i>Chlerogella</i> (Hymenoptera: Halictidae), Part III: New records and a new species from Peru

A distinctive new species of the bee genus Chlerogella Michener (Halictinae: Augochlorini) is described and figured from central Peru (Santuario Nacional Pampa Hermosa). Chlerogella mabelae Engel, new species, is quite distinctive from other species of the genus and can be recognized by its sculpturing, coloration, and male terminalia. In addition, new Peruvian records for C. azurea (Enderlein) and C. rostrata Engel are appended.

Changes in wild bee fauna of a grassland in Brazil reveal negative effects associated with growing urbanization during the last 40 years

Bee fauna and associated flora from a grassland site in Brazil, surveyed 40 and 20 years ago, were newly surveyed with comparable methodology to evaluate changes in the bee fauna of this site, considering that human population and urbanization has exponentially increased in the last 40 years. In general, bee species richness has declined in 22%, as well as their abundance. Some of the previously abundant species are now absent, including Bombus bellicosus Smith, 1879, Gaesischia fulgurans (Holmberg, 1903) and Thectochlora basiatra (Strand, 1910). No particular trend of differential decrease among either taxonomic or functional groups was observed, except for a minor increase in the proportion of oligolectic species and a 50% reduction in the number of large species. The first two surveys were more similar to each other in species richness per bee genus, while the two most recent grouped together based on measures of anthropogenic impact. Furthermore, the number of plant species visited by bees increased, with a pronounced increase in ruderal and exotic species. Crop cultivation, competition with honeybees and climate changes may all be related to bee decline. Nevertheless, the effects of urbanization, in particular intense land occupation and few preserved natural areas can be pointed as the main causes of species decline. Due to continuing increase in human population, increased erosion in diversity is expected. Habitat protection is an additional challenge to bee conservation in the region, with no local conservation units set aside for grasslands. State and municipal agencies should urgently consider the establishment of reserves for the few remaining patches of natural grasslands.

A survey of pollinator and plant interactions in meadow and grassland habitats of Marin County, California

Abstract. Bees and other pollinators play an essential role in maintaining the plant biodiversity of our planet's landscape through pollination. Few baseline studies or monitoring programs have addressed concerns over local, regional and even worldwide declines in bee populations. We established 22 collection sites in meadow and grassland habitats in Marin County, California to determine which bee genera were present and which plants they were visiting. Some of these habitats were located in National Park Service natural areas and wildlands, including Golden Gate National Recreation Area and Point Reyes National Seashore. During this study we collected a total of 109 bee, wasp and fly specimens and from among these we identified seven genera of bees. The bees were found on 44 species of plants, only 11 of which were native to Marin County. The European honey bee (Apis mellifera), a non-native pollinator, was found on 37 species of plants, 28 of which were non-native.

A New Species of the Rare African Wool-Carder Bee GenusAnthidioma(Hymenoptera: Megachilidae) from Namibia

The African bee genus Anthidioma Pasteels is a rare representative of the megachilid tribe Anthidiini that occurs in Namibia and the Western Cape Province, South Africa (Michener 2007). The genus was proposed by Pasteels (1984) based upon a female with long, abundant hairs and without the common yellow maculations found on the body of most anthidiine bees (i.e. Anthidioma chalicodomoides Pasteels; Figs 1-4).

A new species of Centris (Centris) (Fabricius) from northeastern Brazil, with taxonomic notes on C. (C.) pulchra Moure, Oliveira & Viana (Hymenoptera, Apidae)

We describe a new species of the bee genus Centris, Centris (Centris) byrsonimae Mahlmann & Oliveira sp. n., whose name has appeared as a nomen nudum in the literature since 1985. Further, a new species group of Centris s.str. is proposed, the pulchra group, based on morphological characters, which comprises the species Centris pulchra Moure, Oliveira & Viana, 2003 and Centris byrsonimae sp. n..Based on information from specimen labels studied and data from the literature, a list of plant species visited by the pulchra group is presented. The male genitalia and hidden metasomal sterna 7 and 8 of Centris pulchra are described for the first time. Typographic errors pertaining to the paratype labels reported in the original description of Centris pulchra are corrected. One female paratype of Centris pulchra is designated herein as a paratype of Centris byrsonimae sp. n. An updated list of species of Centris s.str. from northeastern Brazil is provided including references about geographic distributions as well as an identification key to the pulchra species group.