Augochloropsis (Paraugochloropsis) metallica (Fabricius)

Portman, Zachary M., Arduser, Mike, Lane, Ian G. & Cariveau, Daniel P., 2022, A review of the Augochloropsis (Hymenoptera, Halictidae) and keys to the shiny green Halictinae of the midwestern United States, ZooKeys 1130, pp. 103-152 : 103

Augochloropsis (Paraugochloropsis) metallica (Fabricius)

Andrena metallica Fabricius, 1793: 309 ♀. Holotype: ♀ “America” [NHMD 308680]. Images examined by ZP and MA (Fig. 19 ) (Labels read: "metalli. / ??[line illegible] // NHMD / 308680 [label with QR code] // Megilla metallica F. / Syst. Piez. 1804: 332. 19 // TYPE [red label]").

Augochlora fervida Smith, 1853: 81 ♂ (syn. [under Augochloropsis cuprea ] by Sandhouse 1937, syn. by Mitchell 1960 and Moure 1960). Holotype: ♂ North America [NHMUK014024969] Images examined by ZP and MA. Online record: https://data.nhm.ac.uk/object/3429259d-5af9-4c5f-9062-96a4a2770077 (Labels read: "Type / H.T. [label is circular with red border] // B.M. TYPE / HYM / 14.a.1230 // B.M. TYPE / HYM. / augochlora / fervida / smith 1853 // fervida / Type Sm. // Ent. Club. / 44-12. // NHMUK 014024969 [label with QR code]").

Augochlora (Augochloropsis) cleomis Titus, 1901: 135 ♀♂ (syn. by Moure 1960). Syntypes: ♀♂ USA, Colorado, Horsetooth Gulch, near Ft. Collins. Not examined.

Halictus chorisis Vachal, 1903: 136 ♀ (syn. by Sandhouse 1937 [under cuprea], syn. by Mitchell 1960 [under metallica metallica]). Lectotype: ♀ USA, Georgia (designated by Moure and Hurd 1987). Not examined.

Megilla metallica (in Fabricius 1804: taxonomy).

Augochlora fervida (in Robertson 1895: taxonomy; Robertson 1902: key; Cockerell 1906: notes).

Augochloropsis cuprea (in Sandhouse 1937 [in part]: key; Lovell 1942: key; Dreisbach 1945: key).

Augochloropsis (Paraugochloropsis) metallica metallica (in Mitchell 1960: key, redescription; Hurd 1979: catalog; Moure and Hurd 1987: catalog).

Augochloropsis (Paraugochloropsis) metallica (in Stephenson et al. 2018: checklist; Camilo et al. 2018: checklist; Decker et al. 2020: checklist).

Diagnosis.

Both sexes of Augochloropsis metallica are most similar to Augochloropsis viridula , but Augochloropsis metallica can be separated from Augochloropsis viridula by the thicker hair fringe on the apical edge of T1 and T2; Augochloropsis metallica has the hairs noticeably thicker than the other hairs of the metasoma (Figs 14H , 15A , 16H ), whereas the fringe hairs of Augochloropsis viridula are not noticeably thicker than the other metasomal hairs (Figs 14I , 15B , 16I ). In addition, the terga of Augochloropsis metallica are more closely punctured, separated by about one puncture width on T2 (Fig. 14H , 16H ), whereas the terga of Augochloropsis viridula are more sparsely punctured and separated by at least 2-4 puncture widths on T2 (Figs 14I , 16I ).

Both sexes of Augochloropsis metallica can be separated from Augochloropsis humeralis by the shape of the pronotal flange and angle, which is smaller and has an obtuse lateral angle in Augochloropsis metallica (Figs 14E , 16E ), compared to the larger flange and 90-degree lateral angle in Augochloropsis humeralis (Figs 14D , 16D ). In addition, Augochloropsis metallica has the metasomal terga shining, with at most weak tessellation (Figs 14H , 16H ), whereas Augochloropsis humeralis has the metasomal terga strongly and densely tessellate, resulting in dull, silky coloration (Figs 14G , 16G ).

Comments.

The holotype of Augochloropsis metallica (Fig. 19 ) is missing its head, but the punctures and hair bands on the metasoma, combined with the locality of “America” ( Moure (1960) states "probably middle eastern U.S.A.") are sufficient to confirm its identity.

We define Augochloropsis metallica in a much more restricted sense than previous authors, who lumped multiple taxa under Augochloropsis metallica (e.g., Sandhouse 1937; Mitchell 1960). We are here splitting Augochloropsis metallica (as defined by Mitchell 1960) into five taxa: A. metallica , A. cuprea , A. fulgida , A. fulvofimbriata , and A. viridula . In the original revision of the Augochloropsis of the United States, Sandhouse (1937) lumped at least six distinct taxa under the name Augochloropsis cuprea (Table 1 ). One reason for this over-lumping appears to be that Sandhouse (1937) did not actually examine any of the type specimens, and synonymized many species based on the description alone or through correspondence. Examination of Sandhouse-determined material in the UMSP shows that she consistently lumped specimens of Augochloropsis metallica , Augochloropsis viridula , and a third unknown species together. Mitchell (1960) clearly recognized that Augochloropsis metallica and Augochloropsis viridula [as Augochloropsis metallica fulgida ] were distinct, and it is unclear why he only split them into subspecies.

The traditional view that Augochloropsis metallica extends down through Mexico and Central America is almost certainly incorrect and merely an artifact of the erroneously broad definition of the species adopted by previous workers. Though we have examined relatively little material from south of the United States, the material we have examined has not matched any of the US Augochloropsis treated here. The synonymy of Augochloropsis fulvofimbriata Friese, described from Costa Rica, is almost certainly incorrect. The source of the synonymy of Augochloropsis fulvofimbriata was originally made by Sandhouse (1937), who synonymized the male of Augochloropsis fulvofimbriata under Augochloropsis ignita and the female of Augochloropsis fulvofimbriata under Augochloropsis cuprea . However, Michener (1954), in his revision of the bees of Panama, treated Augochloropsis fulvofimbriata as valid, and though he did not mention the synonymy of A. fulvofimbriata under Augochloropsis cuprea , he did state about A. fulvofimbriata : "Sandhouse incorrectly placed this species in the synonymy if [sic] ignita." Based on that, Michener (1954) clearly considered Augochloropsis fulvofimbriata a valid species (and he certainly would have been familiar with Augochloropsis metallica , which was then called A. cuprea ). Moure (1960) did not list Augochloropsis fulvofimbriata as a synonym of Augochloropsis metallica metallica . However, following that, the works of Mitchell (1960), Hurd (1979), Moure and Hurd (1987), and Moure et al. (2007) all treat Augochloropsis fulvofimbriata as a synonym of Augochloropsis metallica metallica , but none of them indicate it is a new synonym, which suggests they were just carrying over the synonymy by Sandhouse (1937). Here, though we have not examined any material of Augochloropsis fulvofimbriata , we follow the classification of Michener (1954) who was the last worker to treat the species, and we formally treat Augochloropsis fulvofimbriata Friese (stat. nov.), as valid. This is supported by the findings of Celis and Cure (2017), who recognized Augochloropsis fulvofimbriata and even classified it in a separate subgenus than Augochloropsis metallica ( Augochloropsis s.s. rather than Paraugochloropsis ).

Another synonym with issues is Augochloropsis chorisis Vachal, which was originally synonymized under Augochloropsis cuprea by Sandhouse (1937) and listed as a synonym of Augochloropsis metallica metallica by Michell (1960). The type series of Augochloropsis chorisis contains specimens ranging from Georgia and Texas to Brazil ( Rasmussen 2012), making it undoubtedly a composite series ( Cockerell 1949). The specimen from Georgia was designated as a lectotype by Moure and Hurd (1987), who considered it a synonym of Augochloropsis metallica metallica . We have not been able to examine the lectotype which cannot be located at the National Museum of Natural History in Paris, France (A. Touret-Alby, pers. comm.) and we are nominally accepting the synonymy.

Augochlora (Augochloropsis) cleomis was described from a male and female specimen from near Fort Collins, Colorado ( Titus 1901). The types were not examined and it is not entirely clear from the description whether it is a synonym of Augochloropsis metallica or Augochloropsis humeralis . It was originally synonymized with Augochloropsis cuprea by Sandhouse (1937) and was later synonymized with Augochloropsis metallica metallica by Moure (1960). Sandhouse (1937) did not examine any specimens and it is unclear whether Moure (1960) did. Regardless, it is likely a synonym of Augochloropsis metallica , so we are nominally accepting the synonym.

Biology.

Augochloropsis metallica is polylectic and nests in the ground. However, the specifics of the nesting biology and sociality are unknown. Augochloropsis metallica is often associated with sandy areas, and it has been found in natural habitats (e.g., native prairies, wetlands), as well as disturbed sites and urban areas.

Range.

Augochloropsis metallica occurs in the eastern states and across the Great Plains (Fig. 21A ). Recent surveys (2009 to present) by MSA and co-workers in Oklahoma, Kansas and Nebraska have found Augochloropsis metallica throughout these states and further to the west (whereas Augochloropsis viridula is absent from those western areas).

Material Examined.

Arkansas: Arkansas Co.: [ MASR]; Faulkner Co.: [MASR]; Franklin Co. : [MASR]; Jackson Co. : [MASR]; Monroe Co. : [MASR]; White Co. : [MASR]; Woodruff Co. : [MASR]. Illinois : Calhoun Co. : [MASR]; Carroll Co. : [MASR]; Jasper Co. : [MASR]; Madison Co. : [MASR]; Marion Co. : [MASR]; Randolph Co. : [MASR]; Williamson Co. : [MASR]. Iowa : Jasper Co. : [MASR]. Kansas : Barton Co. : [MASR]; Bourbon Co. : [MASR]; Butler Co. : [MASR]; Chase Co. : [MASR]; Coffey Co. : [MASR]; Dickinson Co. : [MASR]; Douglas Co.: (38.88, -95.29): 1 ♀ [UMSP], 11 Jun 1919, W.F. Hoffman leg. ; 1 ♀ [UMSP], 2 Jul 1919, W.F. Hoffman leg. ; Geary Co.: [MASR]; Gove Co. : [MASR]; Greenwood Co. : [MASR]; Hodgeman Co. : [MASR]; Lane Co. : [MASR]; Lyon Co. : [MASR]; Morris Co. : [MASR]; Osage Co. : [MASR]; Pawnee Co. : [MASR]; Pottawatomie Co. : [MASR]; Reno Co. : [MASR]; Rice Co. : [MASR]; Riley Co. : [MASR]; Sheridan Co. : [MASR]; Thomas Co. : [MASR]; Trego Co. : [MASR]. Minnesota: Anoka Co.: Bunker Hills Reg. Pk. (45.2176, -93.2898): 1 ♀ [EERC], 8 Jun 2015, J. Gardner leg. , net, Tradescantia occidentalis ; Bunker Hills Regional Park (45.2176, -93.2899): 1 ♀ [EERC], 13 Jul 2016, E. Evans leg. , bowl; Bunker Pr. Dunes (45.21, -93.27): 1 ♀ [UMSP], 20 Jun 1947 ; Cedar Creek Ecosystem Science Reserve (45.4323, -93.1894): 2 ♀ [EERC], 22 May 2015, J. Gardner leg. , bowl trap; Cedar Creek Nat. Hist. (45.402673, -93.202601): 1 ♂ [CRC], 1 Aug 1991, C.C. Reed leg. , net, Dalea purpurea ; 1 ♂ [UMSP], 20 Aug 1991, C.C. Reed leg.; Cedar Creek Natural History Area (45.402673, -93.202601): 1 ♀ [UMSP], 23 Jul 1986 ; 1 ♂ [UMSP], 30 Jul 1990 ; 1 ♀ [UMSP], 21 Sep 1992; 1 ♀ [UMSP], 15 Aug 1995; Cedar Creek Ecosystem Science Reserve (45.4037, -93.1834): 1 ♂ [EERC], 12 Aug 2015, J. Gardner leg. , net, D. villosa ; Helen Allison Savanna SNA (45.38454, -93.16319): 1 ♀ [MNDNR], 6 May 2017 , bowl; Rum River Cent. Reg. Pk. (45.2907, -93.3811): 1 ♀ [EERC], 12 Jun 2015, E. Evans leg. , net, Amorpha fruticosa ; Anoka / Isanti Co.: Cedar Creek Natural History Area (45.402673, -93.202601): 1 ♀ [UMSP], 15 Aug 2000 ; Hennepin Co.: Crow Hassan Park Reserve (45.2, -93.63): 2 ♀ [UMSP], 13 Jul 1995, C.C. Reed leg. , net, Aster sericeus ; Isanti Co.: Cedar Creek Natural History Area (45.402673, -93.202601): 1 ♀ [UMSP], 29 Aug 1981 ; 1 ♀ [UMSP], 13 Jul 1991 ; 1 ♀ [UMSP], 14 Jul 1992; 1 ♀ [UMSP], 30 Sep 1992; 1 ♀ [UMSP], 11 Aug 1993; Irving & John Anderson County Park (45.4602, -93.0594): 1 ♂ [EERC], 20 Jul 2015, E. Evans leg. , net, Asclepias tuberosa ; Lincoln Co.: Hole in the Mountain (44.25680554, -96.29248338): 1 ♀ [UMSP], 15 Jun 2016, N. Pennarolla, J. Leone leg. , bowl; 1 ♀ [UMSP], 27 Jun 2017, N. Pennarolla, J. Leone leg., bowl; Hole-in-the-Mountain TNC (44.2412, -96.29963): 2 ♀ [MNDNR], 6 Jun 2016, bowl; 1 ♀ [MNDNR], 27 Jun 2016, bowl; Murray Co.: (44.0709, -95.5718): 1 ♀ [CNBL], 29 Jun 2019 , Bee Bowls ; Pipestone Co.: Prairie Coteau SNA (44.1241, -96.15275): 1 ♀ [MNDNR], 6 Jun 2016 , bowl; Stearns Co.: St. Cloud (45.44, -94.16): 1 ♀ [UMSP], 22 Jun 1967 ; Yellow Medicine Co.: Mound Spring Prairie SNA (44.74521, -96.42999): 6 ♀ [MNDNR], 6 Jun 2016 , bowl. Missouri: Barry Co.: [MASR]; Barton Co. : [MASR]; Benton Co. : [MASR]; Boone Co.: Columbia (38.943, -92.333): 1 ♀ [OSUC], 19 Oct 1955, W.A. Dimmitt leg. ; Camden Co.: [MASR]; Douglas Co. : [MASR]; Franklin Co. : [MASR]; Harrison Co. : [MASR]; Howard Co.: Fayette (39.141, -92.686): 9 ♂ [UMSP], 25 Sep 1966, D.B. Crockett leg. ; Jackson Co.: [MASR]; Jasper Co. : [MASR]; Jefferson Co. : [MASR]; Laclede Co. : [MASR]; Lafayette Co. : [MASR]; Linn Co. : [MASR]; Macon Co. : [MASR]; Mercer Co. : [MASR]; Miller Co. : [MASR]; Monroe Co. : [MASR]; Newton Co. : [MASR]; Pettis Co. : [MASR]; Ray Co. : [MASR]; Reynolds Co. : [MASR]; Saline Co. : [MASR]; Scott Co. : [MASR]; St. Clair Co. : [MASR]; St. Louis Co. : [MASR]; Ste. Genevieve Co. : [MASR]; Stoddard Co. : [MASR]; Sullivan Co. : [MASR]; Taney Co. : [MASR]. Nebraska : Co. : Halsey (41.904, -100.27): 1 ♀ [UMSP], 3 Sep 1924, R.W. Dawson leg. ; Lancaster Co.: [MASR]; Richardson Co. : [MASR]. North Carolina : Wake Co. : Raleigh (35.799, -78.617): 1 ♀ [UMSP], 26 May 1940 ; 1 ♂ [UMSP], 17 Nov 1940 . Ohio : Gallia Co.: (38.82, -82.3): 1 ♀ [OSUC], 23 Aug 1942, C.H. Kennedy leg. ; Jackson Co.: (39.01, -82.61): 1 ♂ [OSUC], 9 Aug 1942, J.E. Gillaspy leg. ; 1 ♀ [OSUC], 9 Aug 1942, R.W. Strandtmann leg. ; Lawrence Co.: (38.6, -82.52): 1 ♂ [OSUC], 8 Aug 1942, R.W. Strandtmann leg. ; 4 ♀ 1 ♂ [OSUC], 9 Aug 1942, R.W. Strandtmann leg. ; 6 ♀ 1 ♂ [OSUC], 23 Aug 1942, C.H. Kennedy leg.; Muskingum Co.: New Concord (39.995, -81.741): 1 ♀ [OSUC], 22 May 1975, C. Dasch leg. Oklahoma: Ellis Co.: [MASR]. South Dakota : Co. : Black Hills (43.96, -103.77): 1 ♀ [UMSP], 15-30 Jun 1931, F. Miller leg. Texas: Dallas Co.: (32.73, -96.8): 1 ♀ [UMSP], 14 May 1937, H.C. Knutson leg. , Marshallia caespitosa ; Smith Co.: (32.39, -95.26): 1 ♀ [UMSP], May 1947, Barr leg. Virginia: Arlington Co.: (38.87, -77.09): 2 ♂ [UMSP], 20 Jul 1929, C.E. Michel leg. ; Fauquier Co.: Warrentown (38.721, -77.799): 1 ♂ [UMSP], 28 Jul 1929, C.E. Michel leg.

Figures

Figure 14. Augochloropsis female characters A Augochloropsis humeralis face B Augochloropsis metallica face C Augochloropsis viridula face D Augochloropsis humeralis well-developed, 90 - degree pronotal flange indicated by red arrow E Augochloropsis metallica obtuse pronotal flange indicated by red arrow F Augochloropsis viridula obtuse pronotal flange indicated by red arrow G Augochloropsis humeralis metasoma H Augochloropsis metallica metasoma I Augochloropsis viridula metasoma. Scale bars: 1 mm (A-F); 2 mm (G-I).

Figure 15. Augochloropsis female T 2 hair fringes A Augochloropsis metallica with thickened hairs B Augochloropsis viridula with unthickened, slender hairs C Augochloropsis sp. (likely undescribed species from Eastland, Texas) with intermediate hairs. Note the specimens in A and B have their metasomas stretched out, revealing the brown basal part of the tergum that is normally hidden under the preceding tergum; this was done to increase contrast of the hairs and make the differences clearer. Scale bars: 1 mm, all images at the same scale.

Figure 16. Augochloropsis male characters A Augochloropsis humeralis face B Augochloropsis metallica face C Augochloropsis viridula face D Augochloropsis humeralis well-developed, 90 - degree pronotal flange indicated by red arrow E Augochloropsis metallica obtuse pronotal flange indicated by red arrow F Augochloropsis viridula obtuse pronotal flange indicated by red arrow G Augochloropsis humeralis metasoma H Augochloropsis metallica metasoma I Augochloropsis viridula metasoma. Scale bars: 1 mm (A-F); 2 mm (G-I).

Figure 19. Augochloropsis metallica holotype female A lateral view B metasoma. Images provided by Lars Vilhelmsen, Sree Selvantharan, and Anders Illum of the Natural History Museum of Denmark, and used with permission. Scale bars: 5 mm (A); 1 mm (B).

Figure 21. Map of specimens examined for this study A Augochloropsis metallica B Augochloropsis viridula. Due to the limited geographic focus of our study, the easternmost extents of the ranges are relatively incomplete.