Ctenocolletopsis, Engel, 2019

Engel, Michael S., 2019, Notes on the classification of Ctenocolletes (Hymenoptera: Stenotritidae), Journal of Melittology 2019 (92), pp. 1-6 : 2

Ctenocolletopsis Engel , new subgenus

ZooBank: urn:lsid:zoobank.org:act:FB2A38B4-2AA7-42EB-B88F-EFEC48662666

TYPE SPECIES: Stenotritus smaragdinus Smith, 1868 .

DIAGNOSIS: The subgenus can be most readily distinguished in females by the absence of arolia, although this is shared, likely synapomorphically, with Tigriocolletes (vide infra) from which it can be distinguished by the absence of yellow, enamel-like integumental bands (such bands are present in Tigriocolletes ). Arolia are present in females of both Ctenocolletes s.str. and Houstonapis . In males, the compound eyes do not converge dorsally (also shared with Tigriocolletes ), while in Ctenocolletes s.str. and Houstonapis the compound eyes slightly converge dorsally. Additional comparative features include the absence of white metasomal setal bands (absent in Houstonapis , present in Ctenocolletes s.str.), black or metallic green metasomal integument [black in C. ordensis Michener , metallic green in C. smaragdinus (Smith) ], presence of a pygidial plate in males (absent in Houstonapis ), metasoma lacking acarinaria (present in some Ctenocolletes s.str.), and the presence of a narrow to narrowly triangular, medioapical process on the male eighth sternum.

ETYMOLOGY: The new subgeneric name is a combination of Ctenocolletes [itself composed of ktenós (Κτενός), the genitive singular of, “comb”, and kollitís (ΚΟλλητής, meaning, “gluer” or “one who glues” – derived from kólla (Κόλλα), “glue”] and ópsis (ὄψῐς, meaning “view” or “appearance”). The gender of the name is feminine.

INCLUDED SPECIES: Aside from the type species, the subgenus includes C. ordensis Michener .