Engel, Engel & Herhold & Davis & Wang & Thomas, 2021

Engel, Michael S., Herhold, Hollister W., Davis, Steven R., Wang, Bo & Thomas, Jennifer C., 2021, Stingless bees in Miocene amber of southeastern China (Hymenoptera: Apidae), Journal of Melittology 2021 (105), pp. 1-83 : 81-82

Dichrotrigona Engel , new subgenus

ZooBank: urn:lsid:zoobank.org:act:9CB27106-700C-4CF2-B502-FA35E1338C2B

TYPE SPECIES: Trigona dimidiata Smith, 1854 .

DIAGNOSIS: This subgenus is superficially similar to Aphaneuropsis in the dichroic patern of wing coloration ( Figs. 133, 136 ), but most readily differs in the five mandibular teeth, among other characters. The subgenus is characterized by the following combination of traits: integument entirely dark brown to black; forewing membrane dichroic, proximally infuscate, apically whitish ( Figs. 133, 136 ); mandible quinquedentate; labrum simple, surface gently and evenly convex; vertex with distinct postocellar ridge ( Figs. 134, 135 ); distance from median ocellus to postocellar ridge an ocellar diameter or less ( Fig. 135 ); metatibia with distinct corbicula, with retromarginal fringe setae abundant.

ETYMOLOGY: The new subgeneric name is a combination of the Greek díkhrōs (δίΧρως, meaning, “bicolored”) and Trigona . The gender of the name is feminine.

INCLUDED SPECIES: Aside from the type species, the subgenus currently includes T. sesquipedalis Almeida and T. venezuelana Schwarz .

Figures

Figures 133–136. Worker of Trigona (Dichrotrigona) dimidiata Smith. 133. Lateral habitus. 134. Facial view. 135. Vertex; arrow indicates postocellar ridge. 136. Forewing.