72 z. bouCek 



I think that this is a good species, although very close to L. egaia Walker. The 

 reliability of various separating characters (mainly of the relatively broader 

 frontovertex) is discussed under the latter name. In the males L. coxalis seems 

 to have the colours on head relatively duller, with the puncturation on frons 

 gradually getting finer downwards. 



Biology. Reared from unidentified Megachiline bee. 



Distribution. Argentina. 



Material examined. 



Type data given in synonymy. 



Argentina: Prov. Salta, nr El Jardin, 2.X.1968, 1 $ (C. C. Porter) (MCZ, 

 Cambridge); Yacochuya, nr Cafayate, xii. 1969, 1$ (Willink, Terdn & Stange), 

 iv. 1970, 1$ {Stange & Porter) (BMNH & IML, Tucuman); Angastaco, xii. 1968, 

 1$ {Willink & Stange) (IML, Tucuman); Prov. Tucuman, Quebrada de Lules, 

 iv. 1966, 2 $ {Stange) (IML, Tucuman) ; Trancas, San Pedro do Colalao, ii. 1953, 

 1? {Arnau) (BMNH); La Rioja, Tinogasta— Chilecito, 10.ii.1966 {Porter) (MCZ, 

 Cambridge); Chilecito, 18.iv.1972, 1 <$; nr Angulos, 18.xii.1971, 1 $, 1 <$ {Stange & 

 Porter) (IML, Tucuman); Mendoza, 27.xi.-6.xii.1906, paralectotypes of denticoxa 

 and var. melanosa, 1 $, 2 <$ (Jensen-Haarup) (MNHU, Berlin), 1200 m, ex 

 Megachiline bee, 1 $, 1 $ (TM, Budapest) ; Agrela, ii. 1966, 1 $ {Stange) (IML, 

 Tucuman); Buenos Aires, ii. 1955, 1$ (EM, East Lansing), 1$ (/. Bosq); Jose 

 C. Paz, 2.^.1962, 2.$ (Ogloblin) (all FCNM, La Plata); Ensenada, iii. 1951, 1 <$ 

 (Townes); La Plata, xii. 1965, i. 1966, 3 $, 7 $ {H. 6- M. Townes) (Townes & 

 BMNH). 



Leucospis egaia Walker 



(Text-figs 73, 74) 



Leucospis Egaia Walker, i860 : 20, 9. LECTOTYPE 0. (here designated), Brazil: Amazonas, 



Tafe (= Ega) (BMNH) [examined]. 

 Leucospis Tapayosa Walker, i860 : 21, $. LECTOTYPE $ (here designated), Brazil: Tapajos 



(BMNH) [examined]. Syn. n. 



The single type-specimens preserved are designated as lectotypes. They are 

 conspecific. 



L. egaia usually is more brightly metallic on the head and parts of the thorax 

 than the very close L. coxalis Kirby and seems to be different from the latter, being 

 also more northerly in distribution. The most reliable separating characters are 

 summed up in the key. The female specimens from the State Santa Catarina 

 in Brazil have, on average, a relatively longer ovipositor than the more northerly 

 specimens and this makes them, in this respect, more easily recognizable as egaia. 

 However, whilst most other specimens show a greater difference in the relative 

 width of the frons, in these Santa Catarina specimens the eye is 1. 0-1.04 times, 

 in one case only 0.95 times, as long as the breadth of the frontovertex, and the hind 



