Xenochlora Engel, Brooks, and Yanega

ENGEL, MICHAEL S., 2000, Classification Of The Bee Tribe Augochlorini (Hymenoptera: Halictidae), Bulletin of the American Museum of Natural History 2000 (250), pp. 1-89 : 51

Genus Xenochlora Engel, Brooks, and Yanega

Xenochlora Engel, Brooks, and Yanega, 1997: 7 . Type species: Xenochlora ochrosterna Engel, Brooks, and Yanega, 1997 , original designation.

DIAGNOSIS: This group is most similar to the nocturnal genus Megalopta and most species were at one time included therein. Xen- ochlora, however, is not nocturnal and lacks the greatly enlarged ocelli of Megalopta , has irregularly spaced distal hamuli along the anterior margin of the hind wing, and has stiff black setae on the hindlegs.

DESCRIPTION: Female. Mandible bidentate with supplementary teeth. Labral distal process broadly triangular; basal elevation bilobed; keel expanded basally; teeth absent Prementum not greatly elongate. Galeal apex rounded; galeal comb absent. Hypostomal ridge lamellate; anterior angle rounded. Malar space less than basal mandibular width Epistomal sulcus acute, gently protruding into clypeus. Ocelli not greatly enlarged ocellar furrow present. Vertex expanded behind ocelli. Preoccipital ridge rounded. Pronotal lateral angle not produced; dorsal ridge angled to weakly carinate; lateral ridge carinate. Mesoscutal anterior border rounded mesoscutal lip rounded. Tegula oval. Anterior basitarsal brush present. Metatibia and metabasitarsus covered with stiff, black setae. Basitibial plate rimmed posteriorly, anterior border obsolescent. Inner hind tibial spur pectinate. Apex of marginal cell acute Distal hamuli with irregular spacing pattern Basal area of propodeum about as long as metanotum and strongly declivitous. Male Unknown.

REVISIONS: There are currently four includ- ed species, Xenochlora chalkeos Engel et al. X. ianthina (Smith) , X. nigrofemorata (Smith) , and X. ochrosterna Engel et al. , all identified by the key provided in Engel et al (1997).

BIOLOGY: A nest of X. ianthina was reported by Bates in a rotten twig (as a species of Megalopta ; Smith, 1861). Unfortunately no further details were given.

DISTRIBUTION: Xenochlora species are distributed in Amazonian Brazil, Ecuador, and Peru.