Ischnomelissa lignopteryx Engel, 2013

Engel, Michael S., 2013, The bee genus Ischnomelissa in Peru, with a key to the species (Hymenoptera: Halictidae), Journal of Melittology 2013 (23), pp. 1-5 : 2-4

Ischnomelissa lignopteryx Engel , new species

ZooBank: urn:lsid:zoobank.org:act:269083A3-1A3A-48DD-8664-0689446437B7

( Figs. 1–4 )

DIAGNOSIS: The new species can be quickly recognized by the combination of a dark green head and mesosoma which have scattered coppery highlights, strongly infumate wing membranes, and an almost entirely dark brown metasoma (only amber colored at base and laterally on the first metasomal tergum) lacking tomentose bands of any kind.

DESCRIPTION: ♀: Total body length 9.0 mm; forewing length 8.0 mm. Head length 2.59 mm, width 1.81 mm. Clypeus beginning slightly above lower tangent of compound eyes ( Fig. 2 ). Malar space slightly longer than basal mandibular width (malar length 0.31 mm; basal mandibular width 0.28 mm) ( Figs. 2, 3 ). Upper interorbital distance 0.91 mm; lower interorbital distance 0.75 mm. Intertegular distance 1.56 mm; mesoscutum with medial line deeply impressed. Basal vein distad cu-a by two times vein width; 1rs-m distad 1m-cu by two times vein width; 2rs-m distad 2m-cu by six times vein width, 2rs-m relatively straight; first submarginal cell longer than combined lengths of second and third submarginal cells; second submarginal cell weakly narrowed anteriorly, anterior border of second submarginal cell along Rs only slightly shorter than that of third submarginal cell along same vein; posterior border of third submarginal cell about two times longer than anterior border. Hind wing with distal hamuli arranged 2-1-2. Inner metatibial spur with 12 branches, not including apical portion of rachis ( Fig. 4 ).

Clypeus and supraclypeal area imbricate with weak, coarse punctures separated by 1–2 times a puncture width; face with small, contiguous or nearly contiguous punctures; punctures of face blending to imbricate integument in ocellocular area and with punctures more separated, punctures separated by 0.5–1 times a puncture width; vertex imbricate with punctures faint and separated by 1–2 times a puncture width; gena strongly imbricate with faint punctures separated by 2–3.5 times a puncture width; postgena strongly imbricate and impunctate. Pronotum imbricate with minute, scattered punctures; mesoscutum strongly imbricate with weak punctures separated by 1–3 times a puncture width, punctures smaller, more well defined, and denser laterally and posteriorly; mesoscutellum imbricate with small punctures separated by less than a puncture width; metanotum imbricate with faint, coarse punctures separated by a puncture width or less. Preëpisternum and mesepisternum strongly imbricate with faint, coarse punctures separated by 0.5–1 times a puncture width; metepisternum strongly imbricate. Propodeum strongly imbricate. Metasoma finely imbricate.

Mandible dark brown, nearly black, except reddish at apex; labrum dark brown; clypeal apex dark brown, remainder of clypeus and head dark green, not shining, with scattered metallic coppery highlights, such highlights most noticeable on supraclypeal area and face. Antenna dark brown except scape amber over most surface, dark brown on upper apical half and somewhat infuscated on adjoining ventral apical half. Mesosoma dark green, not shining, with scattered coppery highlights; tegula dark brown. Wing membranes strongly infumate; veins dark brown. Legs dark brown to black.

Metasoma dark brown throughout except basally and laterally amber on first tergum.

Pubescence generally yellowish except intermingled with dark fuscous setae on vertex, mesoscutum, mesoscutellum, metanotum, and lower portions of pleura. Dark fuscous setae predominant on tarsi, tibiae, and apicalmost metasomal segments.

♂: Unknown.

HOLOTYPE: ♀, Peru, AM [Amazonas], Abra Patricia [Reserve], Trocha Grallaria [Grallaria Trail], 25.ix.2012 [25 September 2012], 05º41’36’’S / 77º48’41.9’’W, 2362 m, malaise trap, J. Suárez & P. Sánchez ( MUSM).

ETYMOLOGY: The specific epithet is a combination of the Greek terms lignys, meaning “thick smoke”, and pteryx, meaning “wing”, and is a reference to the infumate wings of the species.

Figures

Figures 1–4. Photomicrographs of holotype female of Ischnomelissa lignopteryx, new species, from Abra Patricia Reserve, Peru. 1. Lateral habitus. 2. Facial view. 3. Lateral view of head. 4. Detail of inner metatibial spur.