Hylaeus confusus Nylander, 1852

Straka, Jakub & Bogusch, Petr, 2011, Contribution to the taxonomy of the Hylaeus gibbus species group in Europe (Hymenoptera, Apoidea and Colletidae), Zootaxa 2932, pp. 51-67 : 52-60

Hylaeus confusus Nylander, 1852

(Tabs1–2; Figs 1 , 5, 6 , 13 , 15 , 19 , 20, 27 , 28)

? = Philanthus nigrita Gravenhorst, 1807 ; nec Mellinus nigritus Fabricius, 1798 .

? = Hylaeus pallidens Curtis, 1831 : pl. 373, nr. 5; (Kirby’s manuscript name), Curtis (1831) presumed that the type was in the Kirby’s collection. The type was not located.

Hylaeus confusus Nylander, 1852 : p. 232; the type material was not labelled, but one specimen corresponded with the description (see comments); a lectotype was designated.

= Prosopis sublaevis Schenck, 1853 : p. 215; Schenck’s collection and most of the type material were destroyed; the type was not found in the museum in FISC where the remnant is deposited; a neotype was designated.

= Hylaeus xanthocnemis Förster, 1871 : p. 969; the type was probably deposited in the destroyed Schenck’s collection (see Förster 1871); a neotype was designated.

= Hylaeus nigriceps Förster, 1871 : p. 977; the type was examined.

? = Hylaeus similatus Förster, 1871 : p. 994; the type was not found.

= Hylaeus pallididens Dalla Torre, 1896 : p. 28; nomen novum for Hylaeus pallidens Curtis, 1831 .

= Hylaeus wilmattae Cockerell, 1924 : p. 280; the description is sufficient for synonymisation.

Type material examined. H. confusus Nylander, 1852 : LECTOTYPE (designed): Switzerland, 3, labelled: “Helv / Fairm (handwriting)”. Holotype in HELsY. We examined five other specimens from Nylander’s collection (33, 2ƤƤ), however they do not have any readable labels (just numbers 19 and 50 or pure green papers). Prosopis sublaevis Schenck, 1853 : NEOTYPE (designated): Czech Republic, Ƥ, labelled: “ Boh.C. 20.8.1998 / Klánovický les – V / Praha-Klánovice / Jakub Straka leg. (printed, date and letter V handwritting)”. Neotype in FISC. H. xanthocnemis Förster, 1871 : NEOTYPE (designated): Czech Republic, Ƥ, labelled: “ Boh.C. 24.8.1997 / Klánovický les / Praha-Klánovice / Jakub Straka leg. (printed, date handwritting)”. Neotype in FISC. H. nigriceps Förster, 1871 : HOLOTYPE (by monotypy): Germany, Aachen, Ƥ, labelled: “ Type (bordered by black lines, printed label on pale purple-red card) // Hylaeus / nigriceps Frst. / A. Förster det. (handwriting) // Ƥ / Aachen. (handwriting) // 1.2.9. (handwriting) // nigriceps Frst. (bordered by blue lines, handwriting) // Prosopis Ƥ / confusa Nyl / J.D Alfken det. (printed label, sex character and second line handwriting)”. Holotype in SNSB.

Additional material examined. Austria: TIROL: Lechaue, Forchach 1 km W, 6. viii.2007, 1 Ƥ, Lechtal, 2. vii.2006, 2 3, 4 ƤƤ, 6. viii.2007, 1 Ƥ, Lechufer, Reutte 6 km NW, 23. vi.2006, 1 3, 2. vii.2006, 1 3, Ch.

Schmid-Egger lgt., CSEC; Bulgaria: BURGAS: Chiša Kamenica, Pirin mts., 1700 m, 28. vi.2000, 1 3, 13. viii.2005, 1 3, 11 ƤƤ, J. Straka lgt., JSPC; Czech Republic: BOHEMIA: Blatov, Klánovický les forest, Praha-Klánovice, 260 m, 29. vi.2008, 1 3, J. Straka lgt., JSPC; Boršov u Litětin Nat. Res., 31. v.2008, 1 3, P. Bogusch lgt., PBHC; Buzice, 25. viii.2000, 1 Ƥ, P. Bogusch lgt., PBHC; Čepice, Čepičná Nat. Res., 5.–26. vi.2007, 1 3, yellow pan trap, J. Erhart lgt., PBHC; Kaňk, Kutná Hora env., 270 m, 9. vi.2008, 1 3, 1 Ƥ, J. Straka lgt., JSPC; Kunratice u Frýdlantu, wetland pasture, 22. vi.2006, 1 3, J. Preisler lgt., P. Vonička coll.; Oškobrh mt., Poděbrady env., 250 m, 9. vi.2008, 1 3, J. Straka lgt., JSPC; Na Plachtě Nat. Res., Hradec Králové env., 24. vi.2008, 1 3, 1 Ƥ, J. Straka lgt., JSPC; Sruby, Choceň env., 25. vi.2008, 1 3, J. Straka lgt., JSPC; Vyšenské kopce, Český Krumlov env., 9. vi.2006, 1 Ƥ, J. Straka lgt., JSPC; MORAVIA: Hurdis, Hodonín env., brickfield, 30. vii.2008, 2 ƤƤ, yellow pan traps, J. Farkač, J. Straka & V. Vrabec lgt., JSPC; Kukla, Oslavany env., conter mand of collinery, 29. vii.2008, 1 3, yellow pan traps, J. Farkač, J. Straka & V. Vrabec lgt., JSPC; Nad Kostelíčkem Nat. Res., Hranice na Moravě env., 21. vi.2008, 1 Ƥ, J. Straka lgt., JSPC; France: PROVENCE: Alpes Maritimes Mts.: Isola 2000 8 km SW, 1550 m, 14. vii.2009, 4 ƤƤ, Le Pra, Col Bonette, 1700 m, 17. vii.2009, 1 Ƥ, N of Tende, 700–1100 m, 1 Ƥ, 12.vii.2009, Millefonts, St. Dalmas-Valdeblore, 2030 m, 13. vii.2010, 1 3, C. Schmid-Egger lgt., CSEC; Germany: BADEN-WÜRTTEMBERG: Belchen, Belchenhöfe, 1000 m, 28. vi.1992, 1 3, Bodensee, west of Sipplingen, 11. vi.1996, 1 3, Grissheim, 27. vii.1994, 1 3, Neuenweg, 900 m, 28. vi.1992, 1 3, Pforzheim, Niefern, 31. v.1991, 1 3, Rhein, west of Steinenstadt, 30. vi.1995, 1 3, Rheininsel, west of Albbruck, Waldshut 6 km SW, 30. vi.1994, 2 ƤƤ, Röthardt, Aalen 3 km NE, 26. vi.2008, 3 3, Stromberg west of Freudenstein, 6. vi.1993, 1 Ƥ, Stromberg, Häfnerhaslach 2 km N, 28. v.1990, 1 3, 14. vii.1994, 1 3, Ch. Schmid-Egger lgt., CSEC; BAYERN: Augsburg-Haunstetten 3 km E, 25. vi.2006, 2 3, Fischen 2 km NW, 14. v.2007, 2 3, 1 Ƥ, 27. vii.2006, 2 3, 1 Ƥ, Hersching, Breitbrunn, 14.iv. 2005 5 3, 3 ƤƤ, 28. vii.2005, 1 Ƥ, Lechdamm, Königsbrunn 3 km S, 25. vi.2006, 1 Ƥ, Lechtal, Lagerlechfeld, 4 km NE, 19. viii.2006, 1 Ƥ, 7. vi.2007, 4 3, 8 ƤƤ, 5. viii.2007, 3 ƤƤ, Penzberg 5 km NE, 10. viii.2005, 3 ƤƤ, Walgau, Isarufer, 23. vii.2006, 1 3, Wörthsee, Walchstadt, Bacherner Moos, 28. vii.2005, 4 ƤƤ, Ch. Schmid-Egger lgt., CSEC; RHEINLAND-PFALZ: Bienwald, southwest of Büchelberg, 20. vi.1996, 3 3, Bacharach, north of Bingen, 10. viii.1996, 1 Ƥ, Höllenberg, Grünstadt, Asselheim 1 kmW, 4. viii.1993, 1 Ƥ, Ch. Schmid-Egger lgt., CSEC; Hungary: Symontornya env., 16. vi.2007, 1 Ƥ, J. Straka lgt., JSPC; Italy: PIEMONTE: San Bernado, 2 km W, 1300 m, 10. vii.2009, 1 3, Ch. Schmid-Egger lgt., CSEC; TRENTINO-ALTO ADIGE: Tubre/Taufers, Vinschgau, 1200 m, 27. vii.2007, 3 ƤƤ, Ch. Schmid-Egger lgt., CSEC; VALLE D'AOSTA: Trois Villes, Aosta 10 km E, 1400 m, 25. vii.1999, 1 Ƥ, Ch. Schmid-Egger lgt., CSEC; Slovakia: Abrod Nat. Res., Velké Leváre env., 6. viii.2008, 1 Ƥ, J. Straka & P. Bogusch lgt., JSPC; Lakšárska Nová Ves env., forest clearing, 14. vi.2008, 1 Ƥ, J. Straka lgt., JSPC; Switzerland: WALLIS: Leuk 2 km E, 29. viii.1999, 2 ƤƤ, Pfynwald, 29. viii.1999, 1 Ƥ, Ch. Schmid-Egger lgt., CSEC; Leuk 1200–1700 m, viii.2006, 10 3, 40 ƤƤ, Y.Chittaro lgt., JSPC; ZÜRICH: Zürich, vi.–viii. 2010, 1 3, 15 ƤƤ, WSL institut lgt., JSPC, all P. Bogusch & J. Straka det.

Redescription of male (Lectotype). Body length: 6.0 mm.

Coloration. Inner and dorsal part of foretibia, base of mesotibia, distal half of metatibia, mid- and hind-metatarsi, margin of pronotal lobe, dorsal part of mandibles, lower part of scapus, clypeus, supraclypeal area and lower part of paraocular area yellow. Lower part of flagellum reddish. Other body parts all black.

Head. Width: 1.73 mm; length: 1.63 mm; Clypeus, supraclypeal area and lower half of paraocular area sparsely punctated, punctures ill-defined, some punctures indistinct, one to several diameters apart, interspaces strongly microsculptured, dull. Frons above antennae with small free unpunctated space, about as long as diameter of antennal socket; rest of frons and vertex distinctly and densely punctated, punctures well-developed, interspaces small, less than one diameter apart in all parts (cf. fig. 5). Malar area short, microridged. Gena punctated and densely ridged, punctures evanescent in fine ridges. Preoccipital ridge developed, but with indistinct ledge (cf. fig. 13). Antennae long, antennomeres III and IV subequal, quadratic, V about 1.5x longer than wide.

Mesosoma. Scutum densely and uniformly punctated, punctures well-developed, half to less than half diameter apart, interspaces microsculptured, dull. Mesopleuron less densely punctated than scutum and punctures larger and not so well-defined as on scutum; in central part, punctures one to less than one diameter apart, interspaces slightly microsculptured, distinctly shiny; on hypoepimeral area, punctures ill-defined, one to four diameters apart, interspaces shiny (cf. fig. 15). Central part of propodeum rugose, with ill-defined lamella separating anterior (roughly sculptured) and posterior (smoothly sculptured) parts. Legs not modified, densely micropunctated, punctures illdefined.

Metasoma. Terga distinctly hairy, first tergum with distinct apicolateral bands. Tergum I finely and sparsely punctated, punctures ill-defined, indistinct, about two to five diameters apart, interspaces distinctly microsculptured, dull (cf. fig. 19). Other terga more distinctly, densely and roughly sculptured. Sternum III with small but distinct transverse elevation in central part. Sterna II to V uniformly sparsely punctated, punctures large, ill-defined, three to five diameters apart, interspaces shiny.

Variability of males. Body length: 5.5–7.0 mm. Labrum, pronotum and tegula with or without small yellow spots. Head width: 1.60–1.85 mm; head length: 1.50–1.75 mm; width/length: 1.03–1.08. Sternum III with small transverse elevation in central part, but in some specimens could be hardly distinct to missing. Sternum VII with triangular apical lobes (fig. 27). Sternum VIII with distinct medial process, process narrow, more than twice as long as wide (fig. 28).

Redescription of female. Body length: 6.0–7.0 mm.

Coloration. Base of all tibiae, pronotal lobe, pronotum dorsally, and paraocular area along eyes light yellow (fig 1). Most of these pale markings, including face, can be strongly reduced in some specimens. Apical part of clypeus dark red in some specimens. Lower part of flagellum reddish. Other body parts all black.

Head. Width: 1.60–1.90 mm; length: 1.50–1.75 mm; width/length: 1.00–1.09. Clypeus, supraclypeal area and lower half of paraocular area sparsely punctated, most punctures ill-defined, some punctures distinct and some indistinct, one to several diameters apart, interspaces strongly microsculptured, dull. Frons above antennae with small free unpunctated space, not longer than diameter of antennal socket (fig. 6); rest of frons and vertex distinctly and densely punctated, punctures small (according to punctures of lower paraocular area), well-developed, interspaces small, one to less than one diameter apart. Malar area short, microridged (fig. 1). Gena punctated and densely ridged, punctures evanescent in fine ridges. Preoccipital ridge developed, but with indistinct ledge (fig. 13.) Antennae long, antennomeres III and V longer than wide.

Mesosoma. Scutum densely and uniformly punctated, punctures well-developed, half to less than half diameter apart, interspaces microsculptured, dull. Mesopleuron less densely punctated than scutum and punctures not uniform in size and distribution as on scutum; in central part, punctures about one to less than one diameter apart, interspaces slightly microsculptured, distinctly shiny; on hypoepimeral area, punctures ill-defined, one to four diameters apart, interspaces microridged, shiny (cf. fig. 15). Central part of propodeum rugose, in some specimens weakly; dorsal part roughly sculptured and posterior part smoothly sculptured. Legs not modified, densely micropunctated, punctures ill-defined.

Metasoma. Terga distinctly hairy, first tergum with distinct apicolateral bands. Tergum I finely and sparsely punctated, punctures ill-defined, indistinct to missing, when visible (laterally) than about two to five diameters apart, interspaces finely microsculptured, shiny (fig. 20). Other terga more distinctly and densely sculptured. Sterna II to V uniformly punctated, punctures large, ill-defined, one to three diameters apart, interspaces shiny.

Distribution and ecology. Hylaeus confusus is a common hylophilous species that is distributed from northern to southern Europe. In southern Europe, this species is mostly found in the mountains.

Comments. We received ten specimens of “ H. confusus ” material from Nylander’s collection from HELsY. No specimen was labelled by a type card. One specimen was labelled “Helv Fairm,” referring to the location “ Helvetia (Fairmaire)” noted by Nylander in his work (Nylander 1852). We designated the lectotype from this specimen, which was used in Nylander’s description, and it was definitely a member of the type series. We identified six specimens as H. confusus and four specimens as H. incongruus in the rest of Nylander’s material; however, their labels are irreproducible. Small or larger parts of all the left legs of the lectotype were damaged by dermestid beetles, and its metasoma is glued to the mesosoma.

Figures

FIGURES 1 – 4. Female head, frontal view. 1 — Hylaeus confusus; 2 — Hylaeus gibbus; 3 — Hylaeus incongruus; 4 — Hylaeus pictus. Arrows show length of malar area. Face coloration is very variable and do not represent all possible variability.

FIGURES 5 – 12. Supraantennal sculpture, males up and females down. 5, 6 — Hylaeus confusus; 7, 8 — Hylaeus gibbus; 9, 10 — Hylaeus incongruus; 11, 12 — Hylaeus pictus. Arrow show the upper margin of supraantennal unpunctated area; the upper arrow in H. incongruus show interspaces large than puncture diametter.

FIGURES 13 – 14. Female head posterolaterally, occiput and occipital marginal ledge. 13 — Hylaeus confusus; 14 — Hylaeus gibbus. Arrows show marginal ledge.

FIGURES 15 – 18. Mesopleura with hypoepimeral area, lateral view. 15 — Hylaeus confusus, male; 16 — Hylaeus gibbus, male; 17 — Hylaeus incongruus, female; 18 — Hylaeus pictus, female.

FIGURES 19 – 26. Metasomal tergum I, dorsal view, males left and females right. 19, 20 — Hylaeus confusus; 21, 22 — Hylaeus gibbus; 23, 24 — Hylaeus incongruus; 25, 26 — Hylaeus pictus.

FIGURES 27 – 34. Sternum VII (up) and sternum VIII (down), males. 27, 28 — Hylaeus confusus; 29, 30 — Hylaeus gibbus; 31, 32 — Hylaeus incongruus; 33, 34 — Hylaeus pictus.