The melectine bee genera Brachymelecta and Sinomelecta (Hymenoptera, Apidae)

By

Engel, Michael S.
Michener, Charles

Type

Article

Date of Publication

2012

Original Publication

ZooKeys

Volume

244

Pages

1-19

Subjects

Anthophila , Apinae , Apoidea , China , Melectini , Morphology , Nevada , taxonomy

Contributed by

Pensoft Publishers

Language

English

Published by

Sofia, Bulgaria Pensoft Publishers

Identifiers

DOI: https://doi.org/10.3897/zookeys.244.3979

 

Abstract

The enigmatic, cleptoparasitic bee genera Brachymelecta Linsley and Sinomelecta Baker (Apinae: Melectini) are redescribed, each represented by a single species which has not been reencountered since capture of the type series ca. 1878 and 1900, respectively. Both genera are the only melectines to possess two submarginal cells in the forewing but are otherwise wholly dissimilar. Brachymelecta mucida (Cresson), a species known only from the male holotype collected in “Nevada”, is newly described and figured, including the first account of the hidden sterna and genitalia. Sinomelecta oreina Baker is similarly described and figured based on the holotype male and paratype female, apparently collected from the eastern Tibetan Plateau. Both genera are valid and from the available data do not appear to represent merely autapomorphic forms of Melecta Latreille. Indeed, the terminalia of S. oreina are in some respects more similar to those of species of Thyreus Panzer.