Triepeolus apache, Onuferko & Rightmyer, 2024

Onuferko, Thomas M. & Rightmyer, Molly G., 2024, A revision of the simplex species group of the cleptoparasitic bee genus Triepeolus Robertson, 1901 (Hymenoptera: Apidae), European Journal of Taxonomy 950 (1), pp. 1-106 : 20-25

Triepeolus apache sp. nov.

urn:lsid:zoobank.org:act:F258D047-BDE1-4BF3-B66C-4ED58B55F2AF

Figs 12B , 14, 15A

Proposed common name

Apache triepeolus.

Diagnosis

The following morphological features in combination tell T. apache sp. nov. apart from all other Triepeolus in the simplex species group except T. shoshone sp. nov.: the T1 basal band forms an inflexed arch and is thus gradually narrowed but not completely interrupted medially, such that the discal patch has a short, narrowed (i.e., inverted V-shaped) anteromedial projection ( Figs 14B , 15A ), and the legs are entirely reddish orange from trochanters to tarsi ( Fig. 14A–C ). Whereas in T. shoshone T2 and usually also T1 have complete apical transverse bands (see Remarks below), in T. apache the T1 apical transverse band is interrupted or (less commonly) at least narrowed medially and the T2 apical transverse band is narrowed or interrupted medially ( Figs 14B , 15A ). Although it might not be possible to separate certain individuals morphologically, throughout most of its range T. apache can be separated from T. shoshone by geography; the former is a southern species known only from the Southwestern United States and adjacent Mexico whereas the latter is a northern species whose known range extends from northern Arizona and northern New Mexico to Western Canada. Additionally, T. apache may be confused with T. hirsutus sp. nov. due to their small size and as the ranges of both species overlap considerably, but in T. hirsutus the mesopleura have sparse, pale-yellow, erect/suberect, simple setae (reaching about ½ MOD in length) in addition to the usual appressed, branched setae (as opposed to only appressed, branched setae or sparse, short (<¼ MOD), erect/suberect, simple setae in addition to the usual appressed, branched setae) and the T1 discal patch has an inverted U- or horseshoe-shaped anteromedial projection, with the basal band so deeply invaginated that it appears to be completely interrupted medially in dorsal view.

Etymology

This species is named for the Apache peoples, whose traditional territories span much of its known range.

Material examined

Primary type material

USA • ♀, holotype; New Mexico, 28 mi S of Animas, Hidalgo County; 31.5628° N, 108.8752° W; 24 Aug. 2016; L. Packer leg.; BOLD sample ID: CCDB-24584 D03 ; PCYU .

Secondary type material

MEXICO – Chihuahua • 1 ♀, paratype; 10 mi W of Jiménez ; 11 Sep. 1950; R.F. Smith leg.; AMNH . – Coahuila • 2 ♀♀, paratypes; C.A. Purpus leg.; ZMB • 1 ♀, paratype; Guadaloupe ; 23 Aug. 1947; D. Rockefeller exped.; Spieth leg.; AMNH . – Sonora • 1 ♀, paratype; 30 km E of Agua Prieta ; 31.3197° N, 109.2692° W; 19 Aug. 2003; A. Nelson leg.; RLM SBV036172 .

USA – Arizona • 1 ♀, paratype; 1 mi E of Douglas , Cochise County; 20 Aug. 1968; Rozens and Favreau leg.; AMNH • 1 ♀, paratype; 1 mi E of Douglas , Cochise County; 31.3431° N, 109.4980° W; 25 Aug. 2006; S. Cardinal leg.; SCPC • 1 ♀, paratype; 1 mi N of Douglas , Cochise County; 16 Aug. 1962; E.G. Linsley leg.; UCBME • 2 ♀♀, paratypes; same data as for preceding; 29 Aug. 1967; J.G. Rozen and G. Krueger leg.; AMNH • 1 ♀, paratype; 10 mi W of Tucson ; 29 Jun. 1961; P.H. Johnson leg.; UAIC • 1 ♀, paratype; 15 mi SW of Apache , Cochise County; 1 Sep. 1986; J.G. and B.L. Rozen leg.; AMNH • 1 ♀, paratype; 15 mi W of Chandler ; 9 Jun. 1961; G.D. Butler leg.; UAIC • 1 ♀, paratype; 18 mi SW of Apache , Cochise County; 20 Aug. 1994; J.G. Rozen and J.S. Ascher leg.; AMNH • 1 ♀, paratype; same data as for preceding; 22–23 Aug. 1994; J.G. Rozen and J.S. Ascher leg.; AMNH • 1 ♀, paratype; 2 mi E of Apache , Cochise County; 23 Aug. 1988; Rozen, Quinter, and Brewster leg.; AMNH • 1 ♀, paratype; 2 mi NE of Portal , Cochise County; 22 Sep. 1963; J.G. Rozen leg.; AMNH • 1 ♀, paratype; 3 mi S of Portal , Cochise County ( Chiricahua Mountains ); 13 Aug. 1965; C.A. Saario leg.; UCR UCRC ENT 57289 • 2 ♀♀, paratypes; 4 mi E of Willcox , Cochise County; 22 Aug. 1985; J.G. and B.L. Rozen leg.; AMNH • 1 ♀, paratype; same data as for preceding; 30 Aug. 2004; J.G. Rozen and J.S. Ascher leg.; AMNH • 2 ♀♀, paratype; 4 mi N of Tombstone , Cochise County; 18 Aug. 1973; J.G. Rozen leg.; AMNH • 1 ♀, paratype; 5 mi S of Tombstone , Cochise County; 18 Aug. 1973; J.G. and K.C. Rozen leg.; AMNH • 1 ♀, paratype; 9 mi N of Elfrida , Cochise County; 5 Aug. 1961; J.G. Rozen leg.; AMNH • 1 ♀, paratype; Apache , Cochise County; 24 Aug. 1969; J.G. and K.C. Rozen leg.; AMNH • 1 ♀, paratype; same data as for preceding; 20 Aug. 1972; Rozen and Favreau leg.; AMNH • 1 ♀, paratype; Big Sandy Wash , Mohave County; 18 Sep. 1994; T. Griswold leg.; BBSL BBSL582181 • 1 ♀, paratype; Boyce Thompson Arboretum ( Superior ); 4 Jun. 1962; Bequaert and Werner leg.; UAIC • 1 ♀, paratype; Casa Grande ; 12 Jun. 1962; G.D. Butler leg.; UAIC • 2 ♀♀, paratypes; Kingman , Mohave County; 11 Sep. 1976; R.C. Miller leg.; UCBME • 1 ♀, paratype; same data as for preceding; 20 Sep. 1976; R.C. Miller leg.; UCBME • 1 ♀, paratype; same data as for preceding; 27 Sep. 1976; R.C. Miller leg.; UCBME • 1 ♀, paratype; Kirkland Junction , Yavapai County; 15 Sep. 1961; P.D. Hurd leg.; UCBME • 1 ♀, paratype; Maricopa ; 20 Jun. 1956; G.D. Butler leg.; UAIC • 1 ♀, paratype; N Rucker Canyon Rd, Elfrida , Cochise County; 31.7586° N, 109.6862° W; 3 Sep. 2003; S. Cardinal and A. Barnett leg.; SCPC • 1 ♂, paratype; San Bernardino National Wildlife Refuge , Cochise County; 31.3386° N, 109.2719° W; 8 Aug. 2003; A. Romero leg.; RLM SBV033824 • 1 ♂, allotype; Sierra Vista , Cochise County; 31.5104° N, 110.2592° W; 8 Sep. 2009; C.S. Sheffield leg.; BOLD sample ID: CCDB-38770 C03 ; RSKM PCYU:AZ09:40 / RSKM_ENT_E-125505 • 1 ♀, paratype; Skeleton Canyon (6 mi SE of Apache ), Cochise County; 4 Sep. 1958; P.D. Hurd leg.; UCBME • 1 ♀, paratype; Southwestern Research Station (5 mi W of Portal ), Cochise County; 24 Aug. 1958; P.D. Hurd leg.; UCBME • 2 ♀♀, paratypes; same data as for preceding; 26 Aug. 1962; J.G. Rozen, M. Statham, and S.J. Hessel leg.; AMNH • 1 ♀, paratype; same data as for preceding; 26Aug. 1962; J.G. Rozen, M. Statham, and S.J. Hessel leg.; AMNH M.G.R. Database No. 1211 • 1 ♀, paratype; same data as for preceding; 22 Aug. 1973; M. Favreau leg.; AMNH • 1 ♀, paratype; Texas Canyon , Cochise County; 13 Aug. 1962; J.G. Rozen, M. Statham, and S.J. Hessel leg.; AMNH • 1 ♀, paratype; Theba ; 9 Jun. 1955; G.D. Butler leg.; UAIC • 1 ♀, paratype; Tucson , Pima County; 10 May 1954; G.D. Butler leg.; UAIC. – Nevada • 1 ♀, paratype; Pahrump , Nye County; 25 Jul. 1958; R.C. Bechtel leg.; FSCA. – New Mexico • 1 ♀, paratype; 1 mi N of Rodeo , Hidalgo County; 28 Aug. 1970; J.G. Rozen leg.; AMNH • 2 ♀♀, paratypes; same data as for preceding; 28–29 Aug. 1987; J.G. and B.L. Rozen leg.; AMNH • 1 ♀, paratype; 1 mi NE of Rodeo , Hidalgo County; 16 Aug. 1967; J.H. and J.M. Davidson and M.A. Cazier leg.; ASU • 1 ♀, paratype; 11 km NW of Bayard , Grant County; 32.7920° N, 108.2430° W; 2 Sep. 2009; C.S. Sheffield and S. Dumesh leg.; PCYU PCYU-SD09:586 • 1 ♀, paratype; 16 mi S of Animas , Hidalgo County; 23 Aug. 1973; Rozen and Favreau leg.; AMNH • 1 ♀, paratype; 2 mi N of Rodeo , Hidalgo County; 22 Aug. 1996; J.G. and B.L. Rozen and A. Pence leg.; AMNH • 1 ♀, paratype; 20 mi S of Animas , Hidalgo County; 30 Aug. 1994; J.G. Rozen and J.S. Ascher leg.; AMNH • 1 ♀, paratype; 22 mi S of Animas , Hidalgo County; 25 Aug. 1973; J.G. and K.C. Rozen, M. Favreau, and R. McGinley leg.; AMNH • 1 ♀, paratype; 25 mi S of Animas , Hidalgo County; 26 Aug. 1979; J.v.d. Vecht leg.; BBSL BBSL522616 • 1 ♀, paratype; same data as for preceding; 21 Aug. 1996; J.G. and B.L. Rozen and A. Pence leg.; AMNH • 1 ♀, paratype; 26 mi S of Animas , Hidalgo County; 20 Aug. 1986; R.J. McGinley and B.M. Norden leg.; USNM • 2 ♀♀, paratypes; 27–32 mi S of Animas , Hidalgo County; 24 Aug. 1994; J.G. Rozen and J.S. Ascher leg.; AMNH • 1 ♀, paratype; 4 mi SW of Rodeo , Hidalgo County; 3 Sep. 1977; J.G. Rozen leg.; AMNH • 1 ♀, paratype; Rodeo , Hidalgo County; 6 Sep. 1973; M. Favreau leg.; AMNH • 1 ♀, paratype; same data as for preceding; 27 Aug. 1974; M. and T.M. Favreau leg.; AMNH. – Utah • 1 ♀, paratype; 9 mi E of Kanab , Kane County; 23 Sep. ??64; USNM .

DNA barcoded material

Available. BIN: BOLD:ADF0295. See type material for specimens examined and sequenced (indicated by unique BOLD sample ID).

Description

MEASUREMENTS OF HOLOTYPE. Body length 7.5 mm; ITW 1.6 mm; head length 1.9 mm; head width 2.9 mm; fore wing length 5.9 mm.

Both sexes

INTEGUMENT COLORATION. Dark brown to black except as follows. Mandible with apical two-fifths golden yellow (entirely dark brown/black in some paratypes). Mandible with basal three-fifths; labrum along apical and lateral margins; scape, pedicel, and F1 extensively; succeeding flagellomeres to some extent; tegula; coxae to some extent; trochanters to tarsi (excluding metatibial spurs) entirely; metasomal terga laterally; pygidial plate to some extent; and metasomal sterna to some extent reddish orange. Fore wing membrane subhyaline, apically dusky. Hind wing membrane dusky subhyaline to hyaline.

PUBESCENCE. Face with tomentum densest around antennal socket. Clypeus, upper paraocular and frontal areas, and vertexal area mostly exposed. Pronotal collar with tomentum uniformly pale yellow. Mesoscutum with well-defined paramedian band of pale-yellow tomentum; pale tomentum otherwise mostly restricted to lateral and posterior margins. Metanotum with tomentum rubbed off medially in holotype, but uninterrupted and uniformly off-white in paratypes. Propodeal triangle mostly glabrous, with (pale) setae restricted to small lateral patches. T1 with apical transverse band of pale-yellow tomentum interrupted medially (narrowed medially in some paratypes), transverse bands subparallel, discal patch transversely oblong or trapezoidal with short, narrowed (i.e., inverted V-shaped) anteromedial projection. T2–T4 with complete apical transverse bands of pale-yellow tomentum (that of T2 narrowly interrupted medially in some paratypes), those of T2–T3 medially somewhat removed from apical margins of terga, that of T2 with pair of basomedially convergent anterolateral extensions. S2–S3 with apical transverse bands of white tomentum (medially interrupted and/or reduced to posterolateral patches in holotype and some paratypes).

SURFACE SCULPTURE. Labrum coarsely and densely (most i <1d) rugose-punctate. Clypeus densely punctate (most i ≤ 1d) but interspaces well defined, shining; with many small punctures among larger ones. Vertexal area somewhat sparsely punctate (some i>2d), especially around ocelli. Mesoscutum, mesoscutellum, and axilla with punctures more or less equally dense (most i≤ 1d); interspaces well defined, shining. Mesopleuron with punctures in upper half nearly contiguous but not much denser (i <1d) than in ventrolateral half (most i ≤ 1d); interspaces shining where punctures not contiguous; punctures similar in size throughout. Discs of metasomal terga with punctures very fine, dense (i≈ 1d), and evenly distributed; interspaces shining somewhat.

STRUCTURE. Labrum with pair of small subapical denticles, each preceded by longitudinal carina. Pronotal collar rather short (medial length ~ 3/5 MOD). Mesoscutellum moderately bigibbous. Axilla extending little if at all beyond midlength of mesoscutellum; tip distinctly pointed, but mesally unattached to mesoscutellum for less than 2/5 medial length of axilla; lateral margin relatively straight. Fore wing with three submarginal cells.

Female

Paramedian band tapering slightly toward but not attaining anterior margin of mesoscutum. Mesopleuron with off-white, appressed, branched setae; densely setose except for two sparsely setose circular patches (one beneath base of fore wing (hypoepimeral area) and larger one occupying much of ventrolateral half of mesopleuron). T5 with concave apical margin and large patch of pale-yellow tomentum on each side lateral to pseudopygidial area. Pseudopygidial area with underlying integument to some extent reddish orange, with triangular region of posteriorly directed setae with three subregions (basal patch of dense, golden setae; darker subapical band of sparser, coppery brown setae; and apical row of dense, suberect, silvery setae) within larger trapezoidal space of posteromedially directed coppery brown setae. Pygidial plate apically truncate. S4 with apical transverse band of white tomentum. S5 straight in lateral view, with apical fimbria of coppery bristle-like setae.

Male

Paramedian band anteriorly joined to lateral transverse band of equally dense pale-yellow tomentum along anterior margin of mesoscutum. Mesopleuron almost entirely obscured by white/off-white tomentum. T5 with complete apical transverse band of pale-yellow tomentum. T6 with complete apical transverse band of off-white tomentum. Pygidial plate relatively flat and apically rounded, with lateral margin somewhat sinuate. S4–S5 each with apical/subapical fringe of dense, long (> 1 MOD), curved, predominantly coppery brown setae, contrasting with apical transverse bands of white tomentum of preceding sterna, those of S4 coppery to silvery laterally.

Distribution

Southwestern United States and northern Mexico ( Fig. 12B ).

Ecology

Host records

Unknown.

Floral records Labels of examined voucher specimens indicate that this species has been collected from the following flowering plant species: in Asteraceae Giseke , Carthamus tinctorius L., Helianthus sp. , H. annuus L., and Picradeniopsis absinthifolia (Benth.) B.G.Baldwin ; in Boraginaceae Juss. , Heliotropium sp. ; in Fabaceae Juss. , Acacia sp. ; and Melilotus albus Medik. ; and in Tamaricaceae Link , Tamarix sp.

Remarks

Triepeolus apache sp. nov. is very similar to T. shoshone sp. nov., and the two cannot be consistently separated morphologically. The T1 apical transverse band is interrupted medially in about 90% of the known specimens of T. apache sp. nov. whereas it is complete in about 80% of the known specimens of T. shoshone . Additionally, the T2 apical transverse band is interrupted medially in upwards of 10% of the known specimens of T. apache , whereas it is complete in all the known specimens of T. shoshone . Excluded from comparisons were damaged specimens in which the pubescence forming the apical transverse bands appeared to be rubbed off medially. However, the two forms appear to have largely allopatric distributions. Additionally, their status as separate species is supported by their separate BINs and large barcode sequence divergence from one another (2.2%) (see Supp. file 4). Hence, despite the apparent lack of reliable diagnostic morphological features, we have opted to treat the two forms as heterospecific.

Figures

Fig. 12A–D (continued on next page). Distribution maps. A. All species in the Triepeolus simplex group. B. T. apache sp. nov. C. T. eumeniformis sp. nov. D. T. hirsutus sp. nov. Approximate geographic ranges are indicated in orange and were estimated from occurrence records known to the authors (yellow and blue circles, with the latter indicating localities of DNA barcoded specimens).

Fig. 14. Triepeolus apache sp. nov. A, D. Holotype, ♀ (BOLD sample ID: CCDB-24584 D03; PCYU). A. Habitus, lateral view. B. Paratype, ♀ (AMNH), habitus, dorsal view. C. Allotype, ♂ (BOLD sample ID: CCDB-38770 C03; RSKM PCYU:AZ09:40/RSKM_ENT_E-125505), habitus, lateral view. D. Pseudopygidial area, dorsal view.

Fig. 15. T1 of female, dorsal view. A. Triepeolus apache sp. nov., paratype (AMNH). B. T. hirsutus sp. nov., paratype (AMNH). C. T. oblongimacula sp. nov., paratype (AMNH). D. T. rhododontus Cockerell, 1921 (AMNH). E. T. segregatus (Cockerell, 1900) (PCYU). F. T. shoshone sp. nov., paratype (PCYU PCYU-GS-07:2171).