Andrena (Simandrena) wheeleri Graenicher 1904

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 : 28

Andrena (Simandrena) wheeleri Graenicher 1904

= Andrena (?Leucandrena) chippewaensis Mitchell, 1960: 212 (New Synonymy; Michigan holotype; Fig. 6D ).

Holotype. ♀ USA: Michigan: Chippewa Co.: 3 Jun. 1957, R. & K. Dreisbach (NMNH: 75173).

County records: Antrim, Baraga, Cheboygan, Chippewa, Dickinson, Gladwin, Keweenaw, Leelanau, Mackinac, Marquette, Wayne.

Notes. Andrena chippewaensis was described based on two female specimens. The paratype, deposited at North Carolina State University and collected from New Brunswick, Canada was examined by JSA and determined to be A. wheeleri . Examination of images of the NMNH holotype confirms the synonymy. The basis for separation of A. chippewaensis from A. wheeleri in Mitchell’s (1960) key was the wide gena of the former (see couplet 104), but the holotype of A. chippewaensis does not seem to match Mitchell’s own description in this respect, having a relatively narrow gena. As a result, it should come to A. wheeleri in Mitchell’s key instead. A male specimen of A. wheeleri (MSUC) identified by Mitchell has identical collection information to the holotype of A. chippewaensis . LaBerge (1989) suggests it may be an important pollinator of blueberry, although it has not been collected in Michigan’s major highbush blueberry growing region in the southwest. It is also regularly collected from Rubus .

Material examined. Antrim Co.: Glacial Hills, Eckhart, 12 Jun. 2016, Rubus (3 ♀ MSUC: RI, JBWM) ; Torch Lake , southeast, 12 Jun. 2016, Rubus (1 ♀ 2 ♂ MSUC: RI, JBWM) ; Chippewa Co.: (no locality) 3 Jun. 1957, R. & K. Dreisbach (1 ♂ MSUC) ; (no locality), 25 Jun. 1960, R. & K. Dreisbach (1 ♀ MSUC) ; Dickinson Co.: T43N R29W Sec. 14, 24 Jun. 1983, Rubus allegheniensis, M. Arduser (1 ♀ MSUC) ; T43N R30W Sec. 18, 4 Jun. 1983, M. Arduser (1 ♀ MSUC) ; Gladwin Co.: (no locality) 19 Jun. 1943, R.R. Dreisbach (1 ♀ MSUC) ; Keweenaw Co.: (no locality) 26 Jun. 1955, R.R. Dreisbach (1 ♀ MSUC) ; Copper Harbor , 18 Jun. 1957, R.W. Hodges (1 ♀ MSUC) ; Mackinac Co.: (no locality) 7 Jun. 1960, R. & K. Dreisbach (1 ♀ MSUC) ; T43N R12W Sec. 22,29 May 1965, R.W. Husband (1 ♀ MSUC) ; Marquette Co.: (no locality) 20 Jun. 1955, R.R. Dreisbach (1 ♀ MSUC) .

Figures

FIGURE 6. Michigan holotype material at the National Museum of Natural History, Smithisonian Institution. A) Andrena (Gonandrena) monroensis Mitchell, face (= A. platyparia Robertson). B) Andrena (Leucandrena) bifurcata Mitchell, lateral habitus (= A. erigeniae Robertson). C) Andrena (Gonandrena) dreisbachi Mitchell, face (= A. robertsonii Dalla Torre). D) Andrena (? Leucandrena) chippewaensis Mitchell, dorsal habitus (= A. wheeleri Graenicher). Photographs provided with the permission of the National Museum of Natural History, Smithsonian Institution, 10 th and Constitution Ave. N. W., Washington, DC 20560 - 0193. (http: // www. nmnh. si. edu /).