Andrena (Cnemidandrena) parnassiae Cockerell 1902

Gibbs, Jason, Ascher, John S., Rightmyer, Molly G. & Isaacs, Rufus, 2017, The bees of Michigan (Hymenoptera: Apoidea: Anthophila), with notes on distribution, taxonomy, pollination, and natural history, Zootaxa 4352 (1), pp. 1-160 : 18

Andrena (Cnemidandrena) parnassiae Cockerell 1902 ( scutellinitens group) (New state record)

( Fig. 5A )

County records: Jackson.

Notes. Andrena parnassiae has been overlooked and is therefore of particular taxonomic and conservation interest. The type female (NMNH) was collected by S. Graenicher in Milwaukee, Wisconsin on 14 September (perhaps 1901). Mitchell (1960) also recorded it from Michigan and Vermont. Andrena parnassiae was included in subgenus Leucandrena ( Hurd 1979; Lanham 1949; Mitchell 1960) until LaBerge (1986) removed it to Cnemidandrena, so it was not included in Donovan’s (1977) revision of the latter subgenus. The record below was collected as part of a prairie-fen pollinator study ( Fiedler et al. 2012) and subsequently identified by JG. The specimen was originally identified as A. runcinatae Cockerell , another poorly known species, by M. Arduser (see below; Gusenleitner et al. 2005). Andrena parnassiae can be distinguished from other members of the ‘ scutellinitens’ group: clypeus with dark setae; labral process much broader than long, without median emargination; head distinctly wider than long (length/width = 0.75), following measurements of Donovan (1977); and mesoscutellum dull due to microsculpture.

Material examined. Jackson Co.: Liberty-Grand River Fen, N 42°05ʹ02ʹʹ, W84°27ʹ38ʹʹ, 31 Aug. 2009, A.K. Fiedler (1♀ MSUC).

Figures

FIGURE 5. Faces of female Andrena (Cnemidandrena) species. A) Andrena parnassiae Cockerell from Michigan. B) Andrena peckhami from Michigan. C) Andrena robervalensis paratype female from Michigan. D) Andrena runcinatae holotype female (CAS).