Centris (Xanthemisia) aethiops Cresson, 1865

Genaro, Julio A. & Breto, Dayron, 2024, The genus Centris Fabricius in Cuba, with a new record and the description of a new species (Hymenoptera: Apoidea: Anthophila), Insecta Mundi 2024 (41), pp. 1-26 : 11-12

Centris (Xanthemisia) aethiops Cresson

( Fig. 29–36 )

Centris aethiops Cresson 1865: 193 . Holotype female in ANSP.

Centris armillatus Cresson 1869: 298 . Holotype male in IES, Gundlach collection, no. 214.

Due to this species’ sexual dimorphism, the female and male were described as separate species ( Cresson 1865, 1869). Snelling (1966) published the synonymy of C. armillatus with C. aethiops and assigned the species to the subgenus Xanthemisia .

Vivallo (2014) revised the genus for the Antilles, described a new species from the Cayman Islands, clarified the taxonomy and the distribution of the Cuban form and presented a key to separate the species. Genaro (2007) erroneously synonymized C. domiguensis Dalla Torre with C. aethiops . Vivallo (2014) resurrected the species.

Natural history. Centris aethiops was primarily observed in pine forests, mogote (limestone hill) vegetation, and coastal areas. Unlike the previously mentioned species, it is less common in disturbed habitats.

This species is apparently multivoltine, more active during April to July, although collection efforts may be biasing the results ( Fig. 35 ).

Floral relations. Byrsonima crassifolia , B. spicata , Stigmaphyllon sp. ( Malpighiaceae ); Miconia octona , Miconia sp. ( Melastomataceae ); Eugenia farameoides ( Myrtaceae ); Securidaca elliptica ( Polygalaceae ); Solanum havanense , Solanum sp. ( Solanaceae ).

Distribution ( Fig. 36 ). The Bahamas, Cuba and Jamaica ( Genaro 2007; Vivallo 2014; Moure et al. 2007; Moure and Mello 2023). Genaro (2007) mistakenly mentioned the species as present in Hispaniola, considering it a synonym of C. domingensis .

Figures

Figures 29–31. Centris aethiops female. 29) Dorsal habitus. 30) Lateral habitus. 31) Head in frontal view.

Figures 32–34. Centris armillatus male holotype. 32) Dorsal habitus. 33) Lateral habitus. 34) Frontal habitus.

Figures 35–36. Centris aethiops. 35) Seasonal occurrence, according to sex. 36) Distribution.