New species of Ashmeadiella Cockerell (Hymenoptera: Megachilidae) from Mexico

Authors: AYALA, RICARDO - Universidad Nacional Autonoma De Mexico; Griswold, Terry; VERGARA, CARLOS - Universidad De Las Americas, Puebla (MEXICO)

Submitted to: Revista Brasileira de Entomologia
Publication Type: Peer Reviewed Journal
Publication Acceptance Date: 3/19/2013
Publication Date: 10/10/2015
Citation: Ayala, R., Griswold, T.L., Vergara, C.H. 2015. New species of Ashmeadiella Cockerell (Hymenoptera: Megachilidae) from Mexico. Revista Brasileira de Entomologia. 205-220.

Interpretive Summary: The discovery of two new species of bees in Mexico is described and illustrated here. These bees are called Ashmeadiella species, and they nest inside plant stems and pollinate cacti. Many other closely related pollinators are known in North America, and this group of bees is especially diverse in the southwestern United States and adjacent Mexico, however, only one species has been previously been found in central and southern Mexico, until now. The two new species described here are specialist pollinators of cacti and occur in southwestern regions of Mexico. Their distinctive mandibles are very interesting, and illustrations are provided.

Technical Abstract: Two new species of bees from Mexico are described and illustrated here: Ashmeadiella (Ashmeadiella) danuncia n. sp. and A. (A.) mandibularis n. sp. These species are most frequently found visiting flowers of Cactaceae, although they have also been collected on flowers of Acacia, Prosopis, Lopezia, Dalea and Bidens. Ashmeadiella mandibularis is restricted to areas with xerophytic vegetation, as well as to the transition to tropical deciduous forest in Puebla, Oaxaca and Morelos; A. danuncia occurs in pine forests and pine-oak forests in the west region of the Transversal Volcanic Belt, in Jalisco and Michoacan.