ARS | Publication request: THE CLASSIFICATION OF THE OSMIINI OF THE EASTERN HEMISPHERE (HYMENOPTERA, MEGACHILIDAE)

Submitted to: Journal of Kansas Entomological Society
Publication Type: Peer Reviewed Journal
Publication Acceptance Date: March 24, 1998
Publication Date: N/A

Interpretive Summary: This paper presents the first comprehensive study of the mason bees and their relatives (osmiines) which constitute a large class of native, solitary bees with over 1100 species in the world. These bees include several species already used for commercial pollination such as the blue orchard bee with many more potential pollinators of crops. The classification of this group has been in disarray making communication difficult. Lack of a classification also makes more difficult the search for manageable pollinators since a proper classification should place bees with similar biologies together. A key to allow researchers to identify groups of these bees is provided.

Technical Abstract: A list of genus-group names of old world Osmiini is provided, with references to original descriptions and synonyms. Keys to the 18 genera found in the old world, and to subgenera where they are recognized, are presented. Notes are included explaining various classificatiory decisions, which were often arbitrary in view of the lack of (and difficulty of making) phylogenetic studies. The following are new subgenera and three new species: Chelostoma (Eochelostoma) Griswold, type Heriades aureocincta Bingham, Heriades (Amboheriades) Griswold, type Heriades canaliculata Benoist; H. Pachyheriades) Griswold, type Eriades langenburgicus Strand; H. (Rhopaloheriades) Griswold and Michener, type Heriades clavicornis Morawitz; H. (Toxeriades) Griswold, type Heriades apriculus Griswold n.sp.; H. (Tyttheriades) Griswold, type Heriades schwarzi Griswold n. sp. Hoplitis (Chlidoplitis) Griswold, type Hoplitis heinrichi Zanden; H. (Coloplitis) Griswold, type Hoplitis premordica Griswold n. sp.; H. (Nasutosmia) Griswold and Michener, type Osmia nasuta Friese. Othinosmia (Afrosmia) Griswold, type Othinosmia stupenda Griswold. Protosmia (Dolichosmia) Griswold, type Thaumatosoma burmanicum Bingham; P. (Nanosmia) Griswold, type Protosmia asensioi Griswold and Parker. Wainia (Wainiella) Griswold, type Heriades sakaniensis Cockerell. Anthocopa is restricted to the old world and is regarded as a subgenus of Hoplitis; new world species formerly placed in Anthocopa are placed in the genus Atoposmia.