234 research outputs found

    Unusual nesting behavior in Megachile (Eutricharaea) rotundata (Hymenoptera: Megachilidae)

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    The Alfalfa Leafcutter Bee, Megachile (Eutricharaea) rotundata (Fabricius), is one of the most studied solitary bees in the world.  Although its nesting biology is well documented, it has not yet been reported nesting in cavities that expose the nests to open environments.  Reported here for the first time is evidence of this species nesting in an unusual manner which would subject the natal cells to exposure and increased parasite attack

    A new species of \u3ci\u3eEpeolus\u3c/i\u3e Latreille, 1802 (Hymenoptera: Apidae) from western North America

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    A new species of Epeolus Latreille, 1802 (Hymenoptera: Apidae)—E. emiliae Onuferko and Shef­field, new species—is described from North America west of the Great Plains. It is morphologically most similar to Epeolus autumnalis Robertson, 1902, a species known exclusively from east of the Rocky Moun­tains. DNA barcode sequences from representatives of E. autumnalis and E. emiliae share a barcode index number (i.e., BIN: BOLD:AAF2361), but the two species exhibit marked and consistent differences in integu­ment coloration and the patterns of pubescence on the metasoma, and their distributional ranges, based on known specimens, show no overlap. This discovery increases the number of species of Epeolus confirmed in Canada to 14, and North America north of Mexico to 44. Modifications to existing identification keys to Canadian and all North American species of Epeolus are provided, as well as a differential diagnosis, to enable the identification of E. emiliae. Additionally, three new provincial records are reported for species of Epeolus occurring in Canada: E. interruptus Robertson, 1900 from Alberta and Quebec and E. scutellaris Say, 1824 from Saskatchewan

    Agapostemon fasciatus Crawford (Hymenoptera, Halictidae), a valid North American bee species ranging into southern Canada

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    Sweat bees of the genus Agapostemon Guérin-Méneville, 1844 (Hymenoptera: Halictidae) are common and widespread in the Americas. Despite distinct morphological characters that were recognised in earlier taxonomic treatments, Agapostemon fasciatus Crawford, 1901 has been considered a variety of A. melliventris Cresson, 1874 since the 1930s and later placed into synonymy under A. melliventris in the early 1970s.A more detailed study of morphology (including examination of type materials), distribution and genetic data (i.e. DNA barcodes) of these two taxa suggests they are not conspecific. As such, A. fasciatus is resurrected as a valid North American bee species. Agapostemon fasciatus ranges further north in North America than A. mellivenrtis, reaching the southern Prairies Ecozone of Canada (Alberta, Saskatchewan), while most records of A. melliventris are from the south-western United States and northern Mexico. More accurate distributions for both species can be modelled as specimens in collections are identified using the diagnostic features provided. However, additional work is required on the A. melliventris species complex in the southern United States as genetic data suggest that multiple taxa could be present

    A new species of Megachile (Litomegachile) from Cuba, the Antilles (Hymenoptera: Megachilidae)

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    A new species of leafcutter bee, Megachile (Litomegachile) droegei Sheffield & Genaro, new species, is described from Guantanamo Bay, Cuba.  Megachile droegei is one of 12 species in this New World subgenus, and is part of the M. brevis species group (with M. brevis Say, M. onobrychidis Cockerell, and M. pseudobrevis Mitchell).  This is the first record of the subgenus Litomegachile from the Antilles.  A diagnosis for distinguishing this species from other species of Litomegachile, and full descriptions of the female and male with illustrations are provided.  In addition, the male of M. pankus Bzdyk is described, and M. cleomis Cockerell is recognized as a valid species (new status) based on 1.45% divergence in COI (cytochrome c oxidase, subunit 1) from M. texana Cresson, and eastern (M. texana) /western (M. cleomis) distributions.  Based on morphological data and COI sequence data, four distinct species groups are recognized within Litomegachile.  Putative synapomorphies that support the monophyly of these groups are also discussed.RESUMEN: Se describe una especie nueva de abeja cortadora de hojas, Megachile (Litomegachile) droegei, para la Bahía de Guantánamo, Cuba.  Megachile droegei es una de las 12 especies pertenecientes al subgénero del Nuevo Mundo, Litomegachile y es parte del grupo de especies de M. brevis (junto a M. brevis Say, M. onobrychidis Cockerell y M. pseudobrevis Mitchell).  Este constituye el primer registro del subgénero Litomegachile para Las Antillas.  Se provee una diagnosis para separar a la especie nueva del resto de las especies del mismo subgénero, asícomo descripciones completas e ilustraciones de ambos sexos.  Además, se describe el macho de M. pankus Bzdyk y se reconoce M. cleomis Cockerell como una especie válida (nuevo estado) basado en una divergencia del COI (citocromo coxidasa, subunidad 1) de 1,45 %, respecto a las distribuciones con M. texana Cresson, y poblaciones del Este (M. texana) /Oeste (M. cleomis).  Basado en datos morfológicos y datos de la secuencia de COI, cuatro grupos de especies son reconocidos en Litomegachile.  Tambiense discuten posibles sinapormofias que apoyan la monofilia de estos grupos

    Range expansion of Bombus (Pyrobombus) bimaculatus Cresson in Canada (Hymenoptera, Apidae)

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    The two-spotted bumble bee, Bombus bimaculatus Cresson, 1863 (Hymenoptera, Apidae), is a common species in central North America, with few published records of this species in Canada west of Ontario or east of Quebec.Based on recently collected specimens from Saskatchewan and confirmed records posted to iNaturalist (https://www.inaturalist.org/) in the past 10 years (i.e. since 2013), we provide evidence that this species has only recently expanded its range in Canada, westwards into the Prairies Ecozone (Manitoba, Saskatchewan) and east into the Maritime Provinces (New Brunswick, Nova Scotia, Prince Edward Island)

    Proceedings of the "Pollination: Science and Stewardship" Symposium

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    None

    First record of the Lasioglossum (Dialictus) petrellum species group in Canada

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    Because this is a scientific note, no abstract is submitted

    The bees of British Columbia (Hymenoptera: Apoidea, Apiformes)

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    British Columbia is the most biologically diverse province in Canada, and its wide range of landscapes – particularly the dry valley bottoms and basins of the Columbia, Kootenay, Okanagan, Kettle, and Similkameen River systems – make it ideal for many groups of Hymenoptera, including bees. With the exceptions of some generic- or family-level treatments, no comprehensive account of the bees of British Columbia has been published, although recent studies have indicated that more than half of Canada’s bee species may be found in the province, with many of these found nowhere else in the country. Here, we summarize the province’s bee fauna by providing a comprehensive annotated checklist of species. For each species, we indicate the ecozone(s) in which they are presentently known to occur, and we provide summary statistics and analyses to compare ecozones. We also summarize the growth in knowledge of the province’s bee species over time, and all species accounts for the province are accompanied by a list of supporting literature or data. Although we feel this list is comprehensive, it is likely that we have overlooked some published accounts, and additional undocumented species will show up. In total, we record 483 bee species from British Columbia, 37 of which are considered new to the province. Among these, 20 species (or subspecies) are recorded as new to Canada, including: Andrena (Euandrena) misella Timberlake, Panurginus cressoniellus Cockerell [Andrenidae], Lasioglossum (Dialictus) obnubilum (Sandhouse), L. (Evylaeus) argemonis (Cockerell), L. (Hemihalictus) glabriventre (Crawford), L. (Hemihalictus) kincaidii (Cockerell) [Halictidae], Osmia (Melanosmia) laeta Sandhouse, O. (Melanosmia) malina Cockerell, O. (Melanosmia) pulsatillae Cockerell, O. (Melanosmia) raritatis Michener, Anthidium (Anthidium) formosum Cresson, Dianthidium (Dianthidium) plenum plenum Timberlake, D. (Dianthidium) singulare (Cresson), Stelis (Stelis) ashmeadiellae Timberlake, S. (Stelis) calliphorina (Cockerell), Dioxys pomonae pomonae Cockerell, Megachile pugnata pomonae Cockerell [Megachilidae], Nomada crotchii Cresson, Melissodes (Eumelissodes) saponellus Cockerell, and Habropoda miserabilis (Cresson) [Apidae]
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