Melitta Kirby, 1802

Özbek, Hikmet & Online, Published, 2014, Distribution data on the family Melittidae (Hymenoptera) of Turkey with considerations about their importance as pollinators, Turkish Journal of Zoology 38 (2), pp. 444-459 : 451

3.3. Genus Melitta Kirby, 1802

The Melitta species superficially resemble the species of Andrena ( Andrenidae ), although their scopae are limited to the hind tibia and basitarsus (no flocculus). Like other Melittidae , they have a short tongue with all segments of the labial palpus similar to one another, one subantennal suture, and no facial foveae. There are 3 submarginal cells (the 3rd is longer than the 2nd) in the forewing, no yellow markings and mainly brownish to blackish pilosity, widened apical tarsi, lateral tubercles on the labrum, apical projection on the posterior basitarsus, and volsella with elongated digitus. In the male, the seventh sternum has a large disk and weakly developed lateral process ( Michener, 1981; Michez et al., 2009).

The genus Melitta occurs in the Palearctic, in southern and eastern Africa, and in the Nearctic regions ( Warncke, 1973; Michener, 1981; Eardley and Kuhlmann, 2006). It is most diversified in the Palearctic region ( Michener, 2007). It is rich in species, although morphologically monotonous compared to other melittid bees ( Michez et al., 2009).

Warncke (1973) recognized 3 subgenera of Melitta ( Cilissa , Melitta s. str., and Pseudocilissa ) based on the revision of West Palearctic species. Michez and Eardley (2007) reviewed the literature and examined many specimens from various collections (including the type material); they produced the first monographic revision of the genus Melitta and noted that there are currently 48 valid species. However, very recently, Dellicour et al. (2014) described 2 more Melitta species, and so it rose to 50 species.