New records of bees (Hymenoptera, Apoidea) from Morocco

By

Sentil, Ahlam
Rosa, Paolo
Tourbez, Clément
Dorchin, Achik
Bogusch, Petr, 1980-
Michez, Denis

Type

Article

Date of Publication

2024

Original Publication

Journal of Hymenoptera research

Volume

97

Pages

513--530

Subjects

Bee conservation , cemetery , city , management practices , Mediterranean , new species

Contributed by

Pensoft Publishers

Language

English

Published by

Washington, D.C International Society of Hymenopterists

Identifiers

DOI: https://doi.org/10.3897/jhr.97.125408

 

Abstract

Morocco is considered to be one of the main diversity hotspots of bees in the Mediterranean basin. However, this fauna remains largely understudied in both urban and natural eco-systems. Bee monitoring primarily conducted during 2023 in an urban area (i.e. Safi) has unveiled three new bee species for Morocco: Lithurgus tibialis, Tetralonia aff. lanzarotensis and Coelioxys ruficauda as well as records of 28 new bee species for the region Marrakech Safi. This work provides descriptions of the spatial distribution, the diagnostic characters, and host plants of these three species. We also take the opportunity to highlight the quality of urban areas as habitats for bees and the importance of implementating bee-friendly management practices to preserve bee species.