Megachile (Pseudomegachile) saussurei Radoszkowski 1874

Megachile saussurei Radoszkowski 1874: 142, ♀, “ Saratow ” [Saratov, Russia]. Lectotype ♀, designated by Tkalců 1978: 177, ISZP.

Megachile multispinosa Morawitz 1875: 118, ♂, “Taschkent, Warsaminor” [Uzbekistan and Tadjikistan, respectively]. Synonymy in Popov 1946: 108.

Megachile inermis Radoszkowski 1893: 47, ♀ ♂, “Sérax” [ Sarakhs, Iran]. Lectotype ♀, paralectotype ♂, by present designation (see below), ISZP. Preoccupied, not Megachile inermis Provancher 1888 . New synonymy.

Megachile mitis Cockerell 1899: 14 . Nomen novum for Megachile inermis Radoszkowski 1893 .

Megachile (Pseudomegachile) albifasciata Rebmann 1970b: 157, ♀, “O-Afghanistan, Gulbahar, 1700m ” [Afghanistan]. Holotype ♀, SMNK, paratype ♀, SMNK and SMFD. New synonymy.

Megachile (Xenomegachile) transgrediens Rebmann 1970b: 158, ♂, “O-Afghanistan, Gulbahar, 1700m ” [Afghanistan]. Holotype ♂, SMNK. New synonymy.

Distribution: Turkey, Eastwards to Central Asia. Mentions from Spain (Tkalců 1978) are erroneous, see under M. syriaca sp. nov. .

Pollen hosts: Possibly oligolectic on Fabaceae (Popov 1946; C. Praz, pers. observations).

Nesting biology: unknown.

Material examined: Type material: lectotype ♀ of M. inermis, designated here: a well-preserved female labelled as follows: 1. “[rounded, golden disc]”; 2. “TR-CAP Saraks” [=Transcaspian, Saraks; printed]; 3. “ inermis ” [handwritten, likely by Radoszkowski]; 4. “Typus” [printed on red label, likely added by J. D. Alfken]; 5. Lectotype M. inermis, des. C. Praz 2013. A ♂ labelled as follows is designated as a paralectotype: 1. “[rounded, golden disc]”; 2. Megachile inermis [handwritten, possibly by J. D. Alfken]; 3. “Saraks” [printed]; 4. Paralectotype M. inermis, des. C. Praz 2013. Both specimens are in ISZP. Lectotype ♀ of M. saussurei (ISZP) . Holotype ♀ and paratypes ♀ of M. albifasciata (SMNK and SMFD) . Holotype ♂ of M. transgrediens (SMNK) .

Additional material: IRAN: Esfahan Falavarjan, 31.5.2013, R. Khodarahmi leg. ; Kerman Prov. Jupar 1900m N30°05 E57°12, 1.6.2010, Mi. Halada leg. ; Persepolis Tourist area 29°56’08''N 52°53’05''E, 4.6.2009, Sedivy, Praz & Monfared leg. KAZAKHSTAN: Akkul, 23.7.1983, Tkalcu leg. ; Dzambul, 25.6.1983, Tkalcu leg. KYRGYZSTAN: Burgandi 60 km W Jalabad, 14.6.1995, M. Múčka leg., J. Halada leg. ; Chamaldi-Sai 71,8°-41,6°, 30.5.1995, M. Múčka leg., J. Halada leg. ; Dzhalai-Abadskaya Obi. Kassan-Stausee SW Ala-Buka 41°23 N 71°24' 20 1250m, 12– 13.7.1998, H. & R. Rausch leg. ; Jalal-Abad, Ala-Buka, Umg. Kara-Unkur u Sovet-Sai, 41°13'48''N / 71°23'38''E 980–1100m, 28– 30.5.2006, H. & R. Rausch leg. TURKEY: 30km O Igdir, 28.6.1987, T. Osten leg.; 52km W Aksaray, Esmekaya 38°16N 33°27E, 16.7.1998, C. Schmid-Egger leg. ; Ahlat nr. Van Lake, 14.7.1996, Tyrner & Vorisek leg. ; Ercig Van 1650m, 9.8.1982, K. Warncke leg. ; Nemrut Dagi Karadut, 2.7.1993, K. Denes leg. ; Nevschehirs Ürgüp, 21.7.1971, K. Warncke leg. ; Tuzluca, 17.8.1972, K. Warncke leg. UZBEKISTAN: Bukara Prov. Bukara 39°45'64°28, 2.6.2008, C. Praz & A. Khamraev leg. ; Bukara Prov. Bukara 39°45'N 64°28'E, 2.6.2008, C. Praz & A. Khamraev leg. ; Korhezm 25km S Khiva 41°20' N 60°21', 26.5.2008, C. Praz & I. Abdullaev leg. ; Samarcande Prov. Samarcande 39°29' N 67°00', 2.6.2008, C. Praz & A. Khamraev leg.