THE PHILIPPINE 



Journal of Science 



Vol. XV JULY, 1919 No. 1 



PHILIPPINE BEES OF THE GENUS NOMIA 



By T. D. A. COCKERELL 

 Of the University of Colorado 



The andrenid genus Nomia is widely distributed over the 

 world, but is much more numerous in species in the Eastern 

 than in the Western hemisphere. The species show such diverse 

 characters that authors have at different times proposed to 

 divide the genus into several genera and subgenera. It is doubt- 

 fully expedient, however, to recognize more than one genus, 

 though most of the names proposed may properly be used in a 

 subgeneric sense. The type of the genus, as Meade- Waldo has 

 shown, is the Asiatic Nomia curvipes of Fabricius. This has 

 colored tegumentary bands on abdomen, postscutellum unarmed, 

 and the hind femora of the male greatly swollen and sharply 

 toothed beneath. It may be considered typical of a group which 

 in the Philippine fauna includes N. thoracica, N. longitarsis, N. 

 lusoria, N. strigata, and N. iridescens; but none of these has the 

 hind femora of the male as in curvipes. In N. thoracica these 

 femora are swollen, but not toothed beneath. 



Hoplonomia Ashmead resembles true Nomia, but has a bi- 

 dentate process, or two teeth, on the postscutellum. The type is 

 N. quadrifasciata, a Philippine species. 



The following key will facilitate the separation of the Philip- 

 pine species: 



Key to the Philippine species of Nomia. 



Abdomen pale red (Sulu Island) dimidiata Vachal. 



Abdomen not red 1. 



1. Antennae and legs entirely dull ferruginous; female, 12.5 millimeters 



long (Palawan) philippina Vachal. 



Antennae and legs otherwise colored; or, if reddish, smaller species.... 2. 



2. Postscutellum bidentate or bispinose _ 3. 



Postscutellum unarmed 4. 



3. Male with hind tibiae, except a large black spot behind, and hind 



tarsi, yellowish quadrifasciata (Ashmead). 



Male with hind tibiae, except apical process, and hind basitarsi, black 

 or brown quadrifasciata notha Cockerell. 



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