Andrena (Chlorandrena) orienticola Strand, 1915

WOOD, T. J., 2024, Further revisions to the Palaearctic Andrena fauna (Hymenoptera: Andrenidae), Zootaxa 5483 (1), pp. 1-150 : 67-69

Andrena (Chlorandrena) orienticola Strand, 1915 stat. nov.

Andrena humilis var. orienticola Strand, 1915: 72 , ♀ [ China, DEI, lectotype by present designation] ( Figures 44A–D ) Andrena taraxaci ssp. chikuzenensis Hirashima, 1957: 52 , ♀ ♂ [ Japan, KUEC, not examined]

Remarks. This taxon was described from Tsingtao [=Qingdao] in north-eastern China. It has long been known to be part of the taraxaci -group of species that is most diversified in the Mediterranean basin ( Schwenninger 2015). It is the only representative of the group in East Asia. Recent revisionary work (e.g. Schwenninger 2015) has continued to break up the broad approach to the taraxaci -group taken by Warncke in the West Palaearctic (e.g. Warncke 1967), but to date A. t. orienticola has not received attention beyond the maintenance of its current combination within a broad A. taraxaci concept (e.g. Xu & Tadauchi 1998; 2002).

Examination of the type material ( Figure 44 ; two females, one here designated as a lectotype) in combination with additional non-type specimens from China and Japan ( Figures 45A; C ; 46A; C; E ) shows that A. orienticola stat. nov. is clearly distinct from true A. taraxaci Giraud, 1861 . Andrena orienticola has the female scutum medially becoming polished and shining ( Figure 45A ; uniformly dull in A. taraxaci , Figure 45B ), the tergal discs of both females and males are very weakly shagreened, almost smooth and shining ( Figures 45C ; 46A ; in A. taraxaci with the terga strongly microreticulate, dull to weakly shining, Figures 45D ; 46B ), and in direct comparison the male genital capsule is shorter and more compact, with shorter gonocoxal teeth, and with S8 comparatively narrower and with a rounded apex ( Figures 46C; E ; in A. taraxaci with the genital capsule more elongate, with more elongate gonocoxal teeth, and with S8 comparatively broader with apex truncate, Figures 46D; F ). True A. taraxaci within the currently used narrow species concept does not appear to be present in Central Asia (contrast Osytshnjuk et al. 2005 against Schwenninger 2015), and thus East Asian specimens are widely separated from true A. taraxaci in the West Palaearctic; in Russia, true A. taraxaci occurs until the Ural Mountains, with A. orienticola present in the Far East region ( Proshchalykin et al. 2017). There is therefore no gene flow between eastern and western populations of A. taraxaci sensu lato, further supporting their distinct statuses.

Material examined. CHINA: Tsingtau [=Qingdao], 2♀, leg. W.H. Hoffmann, DEI (lectotype by present designation); Ganguyi [Ganguyizhen], 35 km NE of Yanan [Shaanxi], 17–18.v.1996, 3♂, 6♀, leg. J. Halada, OÖLM; Gobi des. Helan Shan mt. , Dawukou , 6.v.1996, 34♂, 12♀, leg. J. Halada, OÖLM; Jingangling [Jin’Gangling], 50 km W Linfen [Shanxi province], 29–30.v.1996, 1♀, leg. J. Halada, OÖLM; Monan , river Huang He [Yellow River, Shanxi], 26–28.v.1996, 1♀, leg. J. Halada, OÖLM; Suide env [Yulin, Shaanxi], 13–14.v.1996, 1♀, leg. J. Halada, OÖLM; Zhongtiao Shan mt. c. 45 km W Sanmenxia [Henan province], 27.v.1996, 1♀, leg. J. Halada, OÖLM ; JAPAN: Kanagawa Pref., Odawara City, Kamisoga , 6.iv.2021, 1♂, leg. K. Watanabe, OÖLM .

Distribution. Russia (Far East), China (Beijing, Qinghai, Gansu, Hebei, Henan *, Inner Mongolia *, Jilin, Liaoning, Shaanxi *, Shanxi *, Shandong), North Korea, South Korea, Japan ( Xu & Tadauchi 2002; Proshchalykin et al. 2017).

Figures

FIGURE 44. Andrena (Chlorandrena) orienticola Strand, 1915 lectotype female. A. Label details; B. Habitus, lateral view; C. Face, frontal view; D. Terga, dorsal view.

FIGURE 45. Andrena (Chlorandrena) orienticola Strand, 1915 female. A. Scutum, dorsolateral view; C. Terga, dorsal view; Andrena (Chlorandrena) taraxaci Giraud, 1861 female. B. Scutum, dorsolateral view; D. Terga, dorsal view.

FIGURE 46. Andrena (Chlorandrena) orienticola Strand, 1915 male. A. Terga, dorsal view; C. S8, dorsal view; E. Genital capsule, dorsal view; Andrena (Chlorandrena) taraxaci Giraud, 1861 male. B. Terga, dorsal view; D. S8, dorsal view; F. Genital capsule, dorsal view.