Mermiglossina Patiny

Ascher, John S. & Engel, Michael S., 2017, A new species of Mermiglossa from Kenya, with comments on the arrangement of Old World Panurginae (Hymenoptera: Andrenidae), Journal of Melittology 2017 (75), pp. 1-11 : 2-3

Subtribe Mermiglossina Patiny

Mermiglossini Patiny, 1999a: 270. Type genus: Mermiglossa Friese, 1912 .

DIAGNOSIS: Yellow integumental markings absent. Labial palpomere III about twice as long as IV; mentum elongate, about one-third length of prementum; galeal comb absent. Facial fovea of female absent; clypeus short, strongly concave apically. Labrum of male flat, fully pilose, setae long; of female with basal area glabrous. Mandible of male strongly curved, apex attenuate, equipped with strong prebasal tooth on upper margin. Outer subantennal sulcus of male indistinct, represented by a shiny impunctate strip. Forewing with 1rs-m absent. Pretarsal claws of female simple. Metasoma of male wider than mesosoma; metasomal sternum VII with elongate setae arising from medial projection of apicolateral lobes; sternum VIII with broad proximal truncate or emarginate spiculum, widening distally towards lateral arms of sternum.

INCLUDED GENERA: The subtribe includes only Mermiglossa and Plesiopanurgus . Ruz (1986) redescribed and illustrated both genera and demonstrated many synapomorphies uniting them.

DISTRIBUTION: Six species occur in deserts in central Namibia, coastal Kenya, North Africa ( Morocco), and the Middle and Near East.

LIFE HISTORY: Where known, host plants are all in the family Convolvulaceae .