Ptilothrix chiricahua, Flórez-Gómez & Danforth, 2023

Florez-Gomez, Nathalia & Danforth, Bryan, 2023, The North American bees of the genus Ptilothrix Cresson, 1878 (Hymenoptera, Apidae, Emphorini), with the description of two new species, Journal of Hymenoptera Research 95, pp. 275-293 : 275

Ptilothrix chiricahua sp. nov.

Figs 1 , 2A, B , 3A, B , 4B , 5

Diagnosis.

Body size of females from 8.6-12 mm, males 9-10.8 mm. This species is distinguished by the polished and shiny ocellocular area, with few scattered punctures close to the eye margin in both sexes. Morphologically similar to P. sumichrasti , but males differ by the yellowish pubescence on T7, and the shape of S7, S8 and the genital capsule (Figs 2A, B , 3A, B ). As in P. sumichrasti , this species is characterized by the relatively short first flagellomere (when compared with other Ptilothrix ), length no more than twice its apical width; fulvous pubescence on pronotum, scutum, scutellum, pale yellowish to white in some specimens, and whitish on the mesepisternum and propodeum. Metasoma with apical bands of yellowish appressed hairs on T1-T4. Anterior area of T3-T5 with black, short appressed hairs.

Description.

Male. Total length 9.16 mm (paratypes 9-10.8 mm, n=10). Head. Integument black, except mandible brown with middle area lighter brown; apex yellowish in some paratypes. Mandible with rounded apical margin. Pubescence whitish on labrum, clypeus, around antennal sockets, frons and gena, becoming pale yellowish on vertex, whitish in some paratypes. Labrum rectangular, disc densely punctate, margin raised and impunctate. Clypeus protuberant in lateral view, with punctures densely distributed, separated by a distance less than a puncture diameter. Punctation of lower paraocular area, supraclypeal area and frons punctation as in clypeus. Inner ocular margins subparallel. Ocellocular area polished, with few scattered punctures and short pilosity closer to the eye margin, distance 0.52 mm. Antennae dark brown, scape 0.68 mm long, first flagellomere longer than broad, 1.7 times longer than its apical width. Head length 2.6 mm. Head width 3.2 mm. Gena width 0.62 mm. Lower interocular distance 1.8 mm. Upper interocular distance 2 mm. Lower interocular distance 0.8 mm. Antennocular distance 0.28 mm. MOD 0.228 mm.

Mesosoma. Integument black. Pubescence fulvous on the pronotum, scutum, scutellum and metanotum; becoming whitish towards the propodeum, mesepisternum and metepisternum; some paratypes with pubescence entirely whitish. Propodeal triangle with short appressed, whitish hairs. Scutum with homogeneously distributed punctures separated by a distance up to a puncture diameter. Mesepisternal disc with punctures densely distributed, separated by a distance up to a puncture diameter, interspaces shiny. Hypoepimeral area with close punctures on the upper area, impunctate and polished towards the scrobal groove. Tegula translucent brownish. Tuft of yellow pubescence at base of wings, membrane of wings subhyaline, venation brown. Length of forewing 8 mm. Intertegular distance 2.6 mm. Scutum length 2.35 mm. Legs. Integument dark brown, except tarsi reddish brown, with whitish pubescence. Hind coxa and femur enlarged. Hind basitarsus slightly curved, 5 times the length of the second tarsomere. Posterior tibial spurs slightly hooked at the apex.

Metasoma. Tergal integument black, sterna brown. T1 and T2 covered with whitish erect pilosity and posterior margin with a band of yellowish appressed hairs. T3-T6 with appressed short, dark hairs, margin with bands of yellowish pilosity. T7 covered with yellowish pubescence, apical margin with two pointed projections forming a medial U-shaped notch. Sternal pubescence erect, yellowish. S6 with a median tuft of hairs. Metasomal pubescence whitish in some paratypes. S7 and S8 as in Fig. 2A, B . Gonobase rounded, middle area of gonostylus slightly broadened (Fig. 3A, B ).

Female. Total length 10.62 mm (8.6-12 mm n=10). Head. Integument color as in males. Maxillary palpus 6-segmented, segments 1-4 with short setae on the outer margin. Mandible with rounded apical margin. Pubescence color as in males, but hairs shorter. Labrum densely punctate, apex subtriangular with margin raised, impunctate. Inner ocular margins nearly parallel. Clypeus as in male, interspaces between punctures up to a puncture diameter. Punctation in paraocular area as in males. Ocellocular area polished and with few scattered punctures and short pilosity closer to the eye margin, distance 0.56 mm. Antennae dark brown, scape 0.71 mm long, first flagellomere 1.8 times longer than its apical width (Fig. 4B ). Head length 2.7 mm. Head width 3.45 mm. Gena width 0.44 mm. Lower interocular distance 2.02 mm. Upper interocular distance 2.2 mm. Interocular distance 0.98 mm. Antennocular distance 0.3 mm. MOD 0.25 mm. Mesosoma. Color, punctures and pubescence color as in males, but hairs shorter. Wings and tegula as in males. Length of forewing 8.5 mm. Intertegular distance 2.66 mm. Scutum length 2.56 mm. Legs. Integument and pubescence color as in male. Hind tibia with whitish scopa, apical margin with a tuft of white pubescence, inner surface rugose and with short and appressed hairs. Scopa on hind basitarsus whitish on the outer surface and brownish on the inner surface. Metasoma. Integument as in male. T1-T4 pubescence as in male. T5 with black, short and appressed hairs on the anterior area, prepygidial fimbria yellowish with brown hairs intercalated, entirely brown in some paratypes. Pygidial fimbria dark brown. Pygidial plate with rounded apex.

Material examined.

Holotype. United States of America • ♂; New Mexico; Hidalgo Co. 1 mi. S Rodeo; 23 Aug. 2002; B.N. Danforth leg.; on Kallstroemia ; CUIC.

Paratypes. Mexico - Sonora • 1 ♀; Rancho San Bernardino. 28 km E Agua Prieta, Ciénaga; 27 Jul. 2000; K. Toal leg.; MCUR 1519 • 1 ♀; same data as for preceding; 22 Jun. 2000; MCUR 1874 • 1 ♂; 30 km E Agua Prieta ; 31°19'08"N, 109°15'04"W; 12 Aug 2001; A. Romero leg., MCUR SBV043745 .

United States of America - Arizona • 1 ♂; Cochise Co. 10 mi SW Apache; 31.571°N, 109.26°W; 27 Aug. 2014; B.N. Danforth leg.; CUIC • 5 ♀, 4♂; Cochise Co. Portal 6 mi E; 31.876°N, 109.058°W; 31 Jul. 2010; B.N. Danforth leg.; CUIC • 2 ♀, 1 ♂; Cochise Co. Portal vicinity; 31°52.55'N, 109°03.46'W; 26 Jul. 2008; B.N. Danforth leg.; CUIC • 2 ♀; Cochise Co. Portal 6 mi E.; 31.876°N, 109.058°W; 29 Aug. 2010; J.L. Neff leg.; on Kallstroemia grandiflora ; CTMI 34537 to 34538 • 2 ♂; same data as for preceding; CTMI 34539 to 34540 • 1 ♂; Cochise Co. Portal Rd. 1.4 mi. N. rd 80; 31.880°N, 109.036°W; 25 Jul. 2006; J. L. Neff leg.; on Kallstroemia grandiflora ; CTMI 31553 • 1 ♀; Cochise Co. Douglas 16 mi N; 31°28.10'N, 109°15.12'W; alt. 1250 m; 22 Jul. 2000. J. L. Neff leg.; on Kallstroemia grandiflora ; CTMI 11971 • 1 ♀; Pima Co. Silver Bell, 5 mi E; 32.383°N, 111.417°W; 12 Aug. 1974; J. L. Neff leg.; on Kallstroemia grandiflora ; CTMI 97071 • 2 ♂; same data as for preceding; 7-12 Aug. 1973; CTMI 102430 to 102431 • 1 ♂; same data as for preceding; 28 Sep. 1974; CTMI 65420 • 1 ♂; Pima Co. Rillito; 34.208°N, 111.150°W; 17 Jul 1974; J. L. Neff leg.; on Kallstroemia grandiflora ; CTMI 65570 • 1 ♀; Pima Co. Silver Bell Bajada IBP Desert Scrub Site; J. L. Neff leg.; on Kallstroemia grandiflora ; CTMI 97073. - New Mexico • 8 ♀, 3 ♂; same data as for holotype • 1 ♀; Hidalgo Co. 0.5 mi N Rodeo; 19 Sep. 2001; Danforth & Magnacca leg.; CUIC • 6 ♀, 3 ♂; Hidalgo Co. 7 mi N Rodeo; 31.933487°N, 109.024734°W; 27 Jul.2018; B.N. Danforth leg.; on Kallstroemia ; CUIC • 7 ♀, 1 ♂; Hidalgo Co. Rodeo ; 22 Sep. 1999; Danforth & Magnacca leg.; on Kallstroemia ; CUIC • 2 ♀; Hidalgo Co. Rodeo 20 mi. N. San Simón Ciénaga; 12 Sep. 1999; Danforth & Magnacca leg.; CUIC • 9 ♀, 1♂; Hidalgo Co. Rodeo 4 mi N.; 18 Sep. 1999; Danforth & Magnacca leg.; on Kallstroemia ; CUIC • 1 ♀; Hidalgo Co. Rodeo 2 mi N; 15 Jul. 1974; JM Linsley leg.; on Kallstroemia grandiflora ; INHS 375568 • 1 ♂; same data as for preceding; INHS 375569 .

Other material.

Mexico - Sonora • 1 ♀; 30 km E Agua Prieta ; 31°30'00"N, 109°28'00"W; 1 Aug 2001; E. Serrano leg., MCUR SBV069744 • 1 ♀; same data as for preceding; MCUR SBV069979 • 1 ♀; same data as for preceding; MCUR SBV070114 • 1 ♀; same data as for preceding; MCUR SBV070141 • 1 ♀; same data as for preceding; 1-15 Aug. 2001; R.L. Minckley leg.; MCUR SBV079342 • 1 ♀; same data as for preceding; MCUR SBV079339 • 1 ♀; same data as for preceding; MCUR SBV079331 • 1 ♀; Rancho San Bernardino. 28 km E Agua Prieta, Ciénaga; 27 Jul. 2000; K Toal leg.; MCUR 1329 • 1 ♀; same data as for preceding; 10 Jul. 2000; MCUR 232 • 1 ♀; same data as for preceding; MCUR 2555 • 1 ♀; same data as for preceding; MCUR 226 • 1 ♀; same data as for preceding; MCUR 182 .

United States of America - Arizona • 1 ♂ ; Portal. Cochise Co.; 7 May 1977; R Brooks leg.; on Kallstroemia ; SEM 1304613 • 1 ♂ ; Pima, San Luis Wash ; 31.63227°N, 111.429°W; alt. 1038 m; 19 Aug. 2016; T.L. Griswold leg.; BBSL 1035487 • 1 ♂ ; same data as for preceding; BBSL 1035497 • 3 ♂ ; same data as for preceding; BBSL 1035575 to 1035577 • 1 ♀ ; same data as for preceding; BBSL 1035579 • 1 ♀ ; same data as for preceding; BBSL 1035496 • 1 ♂ ; same data as for preceding; on Kallstroemia grandiflora ; BBSL 1035010 • 1 ♀ ; Pima, Brown Canyon ; 31.75558°N, 111.525°W; alt. 1131 m; 21 Aug. 2016; T.L. Griswold leg.; BBSL 1035607 • 1 ♀ ; same data as for preceding; BBSL 1035609 • 1 ♂ ; Pima; Tequila Tank , 0.67 air km ESE; 31.632°N, 111.444°W; alt. 1062 m; 19 Aug. 2016; T.L. Griswold leg.; BBSL 1035465 • 1 ♀ ; Cochise; Portal , 3.7 mi N; 31.959°N, 109.151°W; alt. 1412 m; 21 Aug. 2002; T.L. Griswold leg.; BBSL 689511 • 1 ♀ ; same data as for preceding; BBSL 689526 • 1 ♀ ; same data as for preceding; BBSL 689530 - New Mexico • 1 ♂ ; Hidalgo Co. 3 mi N Rodeo; 12 Aug.1978; R. Brooks leg.; on Kallstroemia ; SEM 1304615 • 1 ♂ ; Hidalgo, Jct. Stateline & Hwy 80; 31.87985°N, 109.004°W; alt. 1250 m; 20 Aug. 2002; T.L. Griswold leg.; on Kallstroemia sp.; BBSL 689267 • 1 ♂ ; same data as for preceding; BBSL 689295 • 1 ♂ ; same data as for preceding; BBSL 689301 • 1 ♀ ; same data as for preceding; BBSL 689297 • 1 ♂ ; Hidalgo, Animas ; 31.9292°N, 108.806°W; alt. 1352 m; 18 Aug. 2002; T.L. Griswold leg.; BBSL 690364 • 1 ♀ ; same data as for preceding; 31 Aug. 2002; BBSL 689365 • 1 ♀ ; same data as for preceding; BBSL 689368 - Texas • 2 ♀ ; Jeff Davis Co. TNC Davis Mountains Preserve McIvor Center vicinity; 8 Jul.- 27 Aug. 2022; J.A. Hanson, D. Heffern leg.; TAMU .

Comments.

P. chiricahua is associated to mixed Chihuahuan desert grassland habitats of Southern Arizona, New Mexico, Western Texas and Northern Mexico (Fig. 5 ). This species has been mainly collected on flowers of Kallstroemia grandiflora in the late summer/fall and, based on examination of scopal loads, appears to be a pollen specialist on K. grandiflora . Butler (1967) and Michener (2007) also reported that this species has been collected in cotton flowers ( Malvaceae ).

Etymology.

This species is named in honor to the Chiricahua Apache people whose historical homeland encompasses the area where this bee now occurs.

Figures

Figure 1. Ptilothrix chiricahua sp. nov. A male holotype habitus, lateral view B male holotype habitus; frontal view C male holotype dorsal view D male holotype metasoma E female paratype habitus, lateral view F female paratype habitus, frontal view G female paratype dorsal view H female paratype metasoma.

Figure 2. A Ptilothrix chiricahua sp. nov. male S 7 B Ptilothrix chiricahua sp. nov. male S 8 C Ptilothrix zacateca sp. nov. male S 7 D Ptilothrix zacateca sp. nov. male S 8 E Ptilothrix sumichrasti male S 7 F Ptilothrix sumichrasti male S 8 G Ptilothrix bombiformis male S 7 H Ptilothrix bombiformis male S 8.

Figure 3. A, B Ptilothrix chiricahua sp. nov. male genital capsule A dorsal view B ventral view C, D Ptilothrix zacateca sp. nov. male genital capsule C dorsal view D ventral view E, F Ptilothrix sumichrasti male genital capsule E dorsal view F ventral view G, H Ptilothrix bombiformis male genital capsule G dorsa view F ventral view.

Figure 4. Ocellocular area and antenna of A female lectotype of Ptilothrix sumichrasti B female paratype of Ptilothrix chiricahua sp. nov. C female paratype of Ptilothrix zacateca sp. nov.

Figure 5. Distribution map of the North American species of the genus Ptilothrix: Ptilothrix chiricahua sp. nov., Ptilothrix zacateca sp. nov., Ptilothrix sumichrasti and Ptilothrix bombiformis.