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ARS Home » Pacific West Area » Logan, Utah » Pollinating Insect-Biology, Management, Systematics Research » Research » Publications at this Location » Publication #316039
Title: Taxonomic revision of Plesianthidium Cameron (Hymenoptera: Megachilidae: Anthidiini), an endemic southern African bee genus

Author
item EARDLEY, CONNAL - Agricultural Research Council Of South Africa
item Griswold, Terry

Submitted to: Zootaxa
Publication Type: Peer Reviewed Journal
Publication Acceptance Date: 5/23/2015
Publication Date: 6/16/2015
Citation: Eardley, C., Griswold, T.L. 2015. Taxonomic revision of Plesianthidium Cameron (Hymenoptera: Megachilidae: Anthidiini), an endemic southern African bee genus. Zootaxa. 3973(1):1-56.

Interpretive Summary: The resin and carder bees are uncommon in relation to many other kinds of bees and much in need of study. Here a genus of resin bee found only in western South Africa, Plesianthidium, is revised. Twelve species are recognized, of which two are new species: Plesianthidium richtersveldensis and Plesianthidium namaquaensis. Two other species, Plesianthidium calvini and Plesianthidium rufocaudatum were formerly considered the same as Plesianthidium volkmanni. We describe characteristics that clearly distinguished them from Plesianthidium volkmanni and from each other. Keys to identify the species are given along with illustrations and maps of distributions for each species.

Technical Abstract: The southern African bee genus Plesianthidium Cameron is revised. It comprises twelve species. Two new species are described, namely Plesianthidium (Spinanthidium) richtersveldensis and Plesianthidium (Spinanthidium) namaquaensis. Two species names are removed from synonymy with volkmanni; namely calvini and rufocaudatum, and are considered to be valid species. Keys for the identification of the species of Plesianthidium are given.