Lasioglossum (Dialictus) versatum (Robertson)

Gibbs, Jason, 2010, Revision of the metallic species of Lasioglossum (Dialictus) in Canada (Hymenoptera, Halictidae, Halictini) 2591, Zootaxa 2591 (1), pp. 1-382 : 342-346

Lasioglossum (Dialictus) versatum (Robertson)

( Figures 231A–C , 232A–F )

Chloralictus versatus Robertson, 1902: 249 . ♀ ♂.

Lectotype. ♀ [ USA, Illinois, Carlinville ] (C. Robertson); [ INHS: 179,563] by W. LaBerge. Examined. Halictus subconnexus rohweri Ellis, 1915: 292 . ♀. [new synonymy]

Holotype. ♀ USA, Virginia, Newington , Fairfax Co., 30.v. [depository unknown]

Halictus (Chloralictus) apertus Sandhouse, 1924: 35 ♂. [new synonymy]

Holotype. ♂ USA, Virginia, Chain Bridge, 14.vi., (S.A. Rohwer); [ NMNH: 26437]. Examined.

Halictus (Chloralictus) genuinus Sandhouse, 1924: 36 . ♂. [new synonymy]

Holotype. ♂ USA, Virginia, Chain Bridge, 14.vi., (S.A. Rohwer); [ NMNH: 26438]. Examined.

Taxonomy. Viereck, 1916: Halictus (Chloralictus) versatus , p. 707 (key); Michener, 1951: Lasioglossum (Chloralictus) apertum , p. 1112, L. (C.) genuinum , p. 1113, L. (C.) rohweri , p. 1117, L. (C.) versatum , p. 1118 (catalogue); Mitchell, 1960: Dialictus apertus ♂, p. 380, D. genuinus ♂, p. 394, D. laevissimum ♂ (misdet.), p. 401, L. rohweri ♀, p. 418 (redescription); Krombein, 1967: Lasioglossum (Dialictus) rohweri , p. 466, L. (D.) versatum , p. 466, (catalogue); Dialictus apertus , p. 1964, D. genuinus , p. 1966, D. rohweri , p. 1971, D. versatus , p. 1972 (catalogue); Moure & Hurd, 1987: Dialictus apertus , p. 89, D. genuinus , p. 101, D. rohweri , p. 127, D. versatus , p. 137 (catalogue); Pesenko et al., 2000: Evylaeus rohweri , p. 52, E. versatus , p. 54 (review).

Diagnosis. Females of L. versatum can be recognised by the diagnostic combination of a large size (5.1– 6.8 mm), wide head (length/width ratio = 0.89–0.94), mandible dorsal margin straight, clypeus 1/3–1/2 below suborbital line, tessellate mesoscutum with moderately sparse punctures on the distinctly flattened central disc (i=1.5–3d), rugulose mesepisternum, reddish brown tegula, unmodified protrochanter, metapostnotum completely rugoso-striate, T1 acarinarial fan with wide dorsal opening and brown metasomal terga with dense punctures on apical impressed areas. They are most similar to L. callidum which have the protrochanter very wide ( Fig. 82E ), strongly curved dorsal margin of the mandible at midlength ( Fig. 82D ), and clypeus not much protruding below suborbital line ( Fig. 82C ).

Males of L. versatum are similar to females but have more elongate heads (length/width ratio = 1.00–1.01) and can be further distinguished by the moderately dense tomentum on the lower face, moderately elongate flagellomeres (length/width ratio = 1.43–1.60) with ventral surface brownish yellow, hind basitarsus four times as long as broad, and apical impressed areas of the metasomal terga punctate ( Fig. 233D ). Similar species include L. dubitatum , L. callidum , L. laevissimum and L. mitchelli . Male L. dubitatum have short and wide hind basitarsus approximately three times as long as broad (Fig. 100E). Male L. callidum have wide fore trochanters. Male L. laevissimum and L. mitchelli have the apical impressed areas of the metasomal terga impunctate.

Redescription. FEMALE. Length 5.06–6.78 mm; head length 1.34–1.75 mm; head width 1.48–1.97 mm; forewing length 3.78–4.88 mm.

Colouration. Head and mesosoma green with golden reflections to bluish green. Clypeus with apical half blackish brown and basal half, and supraclypeal area golden-green to brassy. Antenna dark brown, flagellum with ventral surface dark brown to dull brownish yellow. Tegula dark brown to reddish brown. Wing membrane faintly dusky, venation and pterostigma brownish amber. Legs brown. Metasoma dark brown, terga and sterna with apical margins translucent brownish yellow.

Pubescence. Dull white. Moderately dense. Head and mesosoma with moderately dense woolly hairs (1– 1.5 OD), longest on genal beard, metanotum and mesopleuron (2–2.5 OD). Lower paraocular area and gena with sparse subappressed tomentum. Propodeum with moderately dense plumose hairs on lateral and posterior surfaces (2–2.5 OD). Metasomal terga with moderately sparse, fine setae. T1 acarinarial fan sparse with wide dorsal opening, intermingled with erect hairs. T2–T3 basolaterally and T4 entirely with tomentum obscuring surface. T2 apicolateral and T3–T4 lateral margins with sparse fringes.

Surface sculpture. Face imbricate. Clypeus polished, basal margin weakly imbricate, punctation moderately sparse (i=1–2d). Supraclypeal area with punctation moderately sparse (i=1–2d). Lower paraocular area punctation dense (i≤d). Antennocular area punctation moderately dense (i=1–1.5d). Upper paraocular area and frons punctate-reticulate. Ocellocular area densely punctate (i≤d). Gena lineolate. Postgena imbricate. Mesoscutum tessellate, punctation moderately sparse on medial portion of disc (i=1.5–3d), dense adjacent to parapsidal lines (laterad and mesad) (i≤d) and reticulate on anterolateral portions. Mesoscutellum similar to mesoscutum, submedial impunctate portion small. Axilla punctate. Metanotum imbricate. Preëpisternum rugulose. Hypoepimeral area imbricate. Mesepisternum dorsal portion weakly rugulose and ventral portion imbricate. Metepisternum with dorsal half rugoso-striate, ventral half imbricate. Metapostnotum completely rugoso-striate. Propodeum with dorsolateral slope and lateral and posterior surfaces ruguloso-imbricate. Metasomal terga weakly coriarious except T1 polished, punctation fine and moderately dense throughout (i=1–1.5d).

Structure. Head very wide (length/width ratio = 0.89–0.94). Eyes convergent below (UOD/LOD ratio = 1.27–1.29). Clypeus 1/3–1/2 below suborbital tangent, apicolateral margins convergent. Antennal sockets close (IAD/OAD <0.5). Frontal line carinate, ending <2 OD below median ocellus. Gena narrower than eye. Mesoscutum between parapsidal lines flattened. Inner metatibial spur pectinate with 4–6 teeth. Metapostnotum moderately elongate (MMR ratio = 1.19–1.33), posterior margin weakly angled onto posterior surface. Propodeum with oblique carina weak, virtually absent, lateral carina divergent, almost meeting dorsal margin.

MALE. Similar to female except for the usual secondary sexual characters and as follows. Length 5.06– 6.47 mm; head length 1.44–1.94 mm; head width 1.42–1.94 mm; forewing length 3.72–5.06 mm.

Colouration. Flagellum with ventral surface brownish yellow. Tegula dark brown. Tarsi pale brownish yellow.

Pubescence. Paraocular area, clypeus, and supraclypeal area with tomentum partially obscuring face. T2– T4 with sparse basolateral tomentum. S3–S5 apicolateral portions with weak subappressed hairs (1–1.5 OD).

Surface sculpture. Mesepisternum more strongly rugulose. Metapostnotum longitudinally to anastomosingly rugoso-striate. Propodeum with dorsolateral slope and posterior surface rugose. Metasomal terga polished except apical impressed zones weakly coriarious, punctation distinct on apical impressed areas.

Structure. Head round (length/width ratio = 1.00–1.01). Eyes strongly convergent below (UOD/LOD ratio = 1.46–1.52). Clypeus 2/3 below suborbital tangent, apicolateral margins weakly convergent. Antennal sockets distant (IAD/OAD> 1.3). Frontal line carinate, ending 1 OD below median ocellus. Pedicel shorter than F1. F2 length 1.9X F1. F2–F10 moderately elongate (length/width ratio = 1.43–1.60). Metapostnotum moderately elongate (MMR ratio = 1.25–1.33), posterior margin sharply angled onto posterior surface.

Terminalia . S7 with median lobe columnar, apex rounded ( Fig. 232E ). S8 with apicomedial margin weakly convex ( Fig. 232E ). Genitalia as in Fig. 232E–F . Gonobase with ventral rim narrowly separated. Gonostylus small, dorsal setae elongate. Retrorse lobe elongate, weakly attenuated, recurved apically.

Range. Quebec, south to North Carolina, west to Manitoba, Kansas ( Fig. 230 ).

Additional material examined. CANADA: MANITOBA: 1♀ Reynolds , 9.vi.1953 (Brooks & Kelton); [ CNC] ; ONTARIO: 1♀ 3 km NE of Almonte , N45.2507 W076.1377, 6.v.2008 (P.M. Catling) ; 2♂♂ 3 km NE of Almonte , N45.2507 W076.1377, 21.viii.2008 (P.M. Catling) ; 5♀ Gibbs Road , N45.434 W074.508, 28.vi– 2.vii.2006 (J. Gibbs) ; QUEBEC: 2♂♂ W of Hudson, Finnegan’s Market , N45.47338 W074.18637, 7.x.2006 (Gibbs & Nozoe) ; USA: ARKANSAS: 1♀ Polk Co., Baird Springs , 20 mi SE Mena, vii– 11.x.1995 (C. Robison); [ CNC] ; ILLINOIS: 2♀ Carlinville , N39.1365 W089.9419, 24.vi.2006 (J. Gibbs) ; 1♀ Carlinville , N39.2463 W089.9185, 24.vi.2006 (C. Sheffield) ; 3♀ Carlinville , N39.2463 W089.9185, 24.vi.2006 (J. Gibbs) ; 17♀ Carlinville , N39.3018 W089.7886, 26.vi.2006 (J. Gibbs) ; 1♀ E of Carlinville , N39.2673 W089.623 25.vi.2006 (J. Gibbs) ; 1♀ Kankakee Co., Hooper Br., 26.iv.2003 ( R. P. Jean) ; INDIANA: 1♀ Jasper Co., Nipsco , 30.vi.2002 ( R. P. Jean) ; 1♀ Vigo Co., MTJ, 14.iv.2000 (J.K. Farrell) ; KANSAS: 1♀ Douglas Co., Akins Prairie , N38°54.361´W095°09.351´, 1–2.viii.2004 (J. Hopwood) ; 1♀ Douglas Co., Rockefeller Prairie , N39°02.68´W095°12.24´, 27.vii.2004 (J. Hopwood) ; MARYLAND: 3♀ Frederic Co., Creagerstown Park, Hwy 550 & Monocacy Riv. , N39.6153 W077.3506, 10.vi.2006 (J. Gibbs) ; 2♀ Pr. George’s Co., N39.0351 W76.8738, 17.vi.2005 (S.W. Droege) ; 2♂♂ Pr. George’s Co., N39.0494 W76.8091, 6.vii.2002 (H.W. Ikerd) ; 1♀ MASSACHUSETTS : 1♀ Berkshire Co., Greylock Glen , 1.3 mi NW Adams, 19.vii.2006 (M.F. Veit) ; MISSOURI: 1♀ Dent Co., Indian Trail CA , 24.vi.2001 (Arduser); [ PCYU] ; NEW YORK: 3♀ Schuyler Co., Reisinger, Watkins Gln , 13.v.2009 (M.G. Park); [ CUIC] ; 1♀ Tompkins Co., Slaterville , 20.vii.2007 ( R. G. Goelet); [ AMNH] ; NORTH CAROLINA: 1♀ 12♂♂ Great Smoky Mountain N.P., Cataloochee , N35.62489 W083.11391, 6.viii.2006 (J. Gibbs) ; 5♂♂ Great Smoky Mountain N.P., Cataloochee overlook, N35.63997 W083.06017, 6.viii.2006 (J. Gibbs); [ GSNP] ; 5♀ S of Bryson City, Bryson City & Queen Branch Rds. , N35.28377 W083.4872, 8.viii.2006 (J. Gibbs); [ PCYU] ; TENNESSEE: 1♂ Great Smoky Mountain N.P., Cataloochee , N35.62489 W083.1139, 6.viii.2006 (J. Gibbs); [ GSNP] ; VIRGINIA: 1♀ Assateague I., N37.9124 W075.359, 1– 2.vii.2006 (S.W. Droege); [ PCYU] ; WISCONSIN: 1♀ Dane Co., Hauser Rd ( R. A. Anderson) ; 3♀ 2♂♂ Dane Co., Westport Drumlin , 11.vii.1996 ( R. A. Henderson); [ IRCW] .

Floral records. Many additional records have been recorded for L. versatum ( Moure & Hurd 1987) but because of the identity of the holotype (see below) these are not included here. ANACARDIACEAE : Rhus , APOCYNACEAE : Apocynum , ASTERACEAE : Chrysanthemum , Erigeron , Galinsoga quadriradiata , Hieracium , Oligoneuron album , Rudbeckia , Senecio , Solidago , Taraxacum , BRASSICACEAE : Barbarea , Brassica , Raphanus ,, CAPRIFOLIACEAE : Viburnum , FABACEAE : Melilotus , IRIDACEAE : Sisyrinchium , PLANTAGINACEAE : Plantago , POLYGONACEAE : Fagopyrum , RANUNCULACEAE : Ranunculus , ROSACEAE : Amelanchier , Crataegus , Fragaria , Malus , Potentilla , Rubus , SALICACEAE : Salix , VITA- CEAE: Vitis .

Biology (as rohweri ). Michener & Wille, 1961: (possible parasite); Knerer & Atwood, 1962: (nest site, nest architecture, floral records); Knerer & Atwood, 1966b: (nest architecture); Knerer, 1968: (nest guarding); Barrows, 1974: (predator); Michener, 1974, pp. 50, 83, 283, 287: (aggregations, worker production, caste differences, natural history); Breed, 1975: (life cycle, behaviour); Barrows, 1976: (microterritorial & patrolling behaviour); Delfinado & Baker, 1976: (mite association); Danforth 1999: (phylogeny); Danforth & Ji 2001: (phylogeny); Danforth et al. 2003: (phylogeny).

Comments. Common.

Three new synonymies for L. versatum are proposed. The lectotype belongs to the species commonly referred to as L. rohweri . The holotypes of both H. apertus and H. genuinus were collected at the same time and the same locality and are indistinguishable. Both of these are clearly males of L. versatum (= H. subconnexus rohweri ). The lectoallotype of Chloralictus versatus belongs to the species L. simplex .

The species described as D. versatus by Mitchell (1960) is clearly different from the lectotype of H. versatus (see comments above for L. callidum ). Specimens identified as L. versatum examined from the SEMC, including ones collected from nests for behavioural studies (see Michener 1966), did not match L. callidum or the lectotype for L. versatum . The SEMC material matches an undescribed species, without greatly expanded trochanters, found in the central and eastern USA. DNA barcodes of this new species, to be described in a revision of the Eastern USA Dialictus (J. Gibbs, in prep.), are clearly different from those of L. versatum and L. callidum . This undescribed species is evidently the host of L. simplex .

Figures

FIGURE 82. Lasioglossum callidum (Sandhouse). Female (A) lateral habitus; (B) dorsal habitus; (C) face; (D) mandible; (E) protrochanter. Scale bars, A–C = 1 mm.

FIGURE 230. Distribution of Lasioglossum versans (light grey) and L. versatum (dark grey).

FIGURE 231. Lasioglossum versatum (Robertson). Female (A) lateral habitus; (B) dorsal habitus; (C) face. Scale bars, A–C = 1 mm.

FIGURE 232. Lasioglossum versatum (Robertson). Male (A) lateral habitus; (B) dorsal habitus; (C) face; (D) T2; (E) ventral view of genital capsule, S7, S8; (F) dorsal view of genital capsule. Scale bars, A–C = 1 mm, F = 0.5 mm.

FIGURE 233. Lasioglossum vierecki (Crawford). Female (A) lateral habitus; (B) dorsal habitus; (C) face; (D) mesoscutum. Scale bars, A–C = 1 mm.