Ptilothrix bombiformis Cresson, 1878

Florez-Gomez, Nathalia & Danforth, Bryan, 2023, The North American bees of the genus Ptilothrix Cresson, 1878 (Hymenoptera, Apidae, Emphorini), with the description of two new species, Journal of Hymenoptera Research 95, pp. 275-293 : 275

Ptilothrix bombiformis Cresson, 1878

Figs 5 , 6G, H , 7G, H , 8

Emphor bombiformis Cresson, 1878.

Emphor fuscojubatus Cockerell, 1913.

Ptilothrix bombiformis Cresson, (1878). (Lectotype: ANSP #f: Kansas, Snow).

Diagnosis.

Large bees, female body size from 13.5-19 mm, males from 12.5-18.6 mm. This species is clearly recognizable by the white to pale yellow pubescence on the head and mesosoma, and entirely black metasoma, except T1 which has whitish pubescence on the lateral sides in some specimens. Differs from P. sumichrasti , P. chiricahua and P. zacateca by the absence of yellowish metasomal bands, darkened wings, entirely black scopa, and overall larger size. First flagellomere length twice its apical width, as in other Ptilothrix species except P. sumichrasti and P. chiricahua . Shape of male S7, S8 and genital capsule as shown in Figs 2G, H , 3G, H .

Material examined.

United States of America - Alabama • 1 ♂; Morgan ; 34.6059°N, 86.9833°W; alt 178 m ; Aug.1944; GE Bohart leg.; BBSL 511531 • 2 ♀; Houston, Cowarts ; 31.2°N, 85.3047°W, 1 Aug. 1916;> AMNH 00260371 to 00260372 . - Arkansas • 1 ♂; Monroe, Cotton Plant , 5.4 mi SWbS; 34.9327°N, 91.2726°W; alt. 54 m ; 21 Jul. 2015; P.L. Stephenson leg.; BBSL 1027862 • 1 ♂; same data as for preceding; BBSL 1027868 • 1 ♀; Prairie Des Arc, 6.8 mi SE, Cache River NWR; 34.9231°N, 91.3959°W; alt. 50 m ; 24 Jun. 2015; P.L. Stephenson leg.; BBSL 1027864 • 1 ♂; same data as for preceding; BBSL 1027863 • 1 ♂; Monroe, Brinkley , 7.6 mi SW; 34.8521°N, 91.3242°W; alt. 49 m. ; 16 Jul. 2015; PL Stephenson leg.; BBSL 1027865 • 1 ♂; same data as for preceding; BBSL 1027867 • 1 ♂; St. Charles, 4.4 mi SWbS; White River NWR. 55 m. 34.3117, -91.1213. 24-VII-2015. P.L. Stephenson; BBSL 102786. - Illinois • 13 ♂; Calhoun, Two Rivers NWR, HQ TI3S-RIW-S. 16; 38.94888°N, 90.5889°W; 2 Jul. 2012; B Loges leg.;> AMNH 00260559 to 00260571 - Indiana • 1 ♀; Ripley, Friendship ; 38.9703°N, 85.1477°W, alt. 194 m ; on Hibiscus syriacus ; 29 Jul. 1950; LW Chandler leg.; BBSL 511562 - Iowa • 2 ♂; Louisa, Port Louisa NWR (HSB6) Rush Lake Rd. ; 41.22°N, 91.12°W; 3 Jul. 2012; J Young;> AMNH 00260557 to 00260558 - Kansas • 1 ♂; Crawford Pittsburg, 404 West Jefferson Street ; 37.40049°N, 94.7119°W; alt. 286 m ; on Hibiscus syriacus ; 14 Jun. 2010; BBSL 1046881 • 1 ♀; same data as for preceding; 15 Jul. 2003; BBSL 1046887 • 2 ♂; same data as for preceding; 15 Jul. 2003; BBSL 1046885 to 1046886 • 2 ♂; Crawford, Pittsburg ; 37.41092°N, 94.6993°W; alt. 283 m ; on Hibiscus sp.; 20 Jul. 2003; BBSL 1046882 to 1046883 • 2 ♀; Douglas, Lawrence, Mary's Lake ; 38.9284°N, 95.2171°W; alt. 253 m ; 8 Aug. 1996; B Alexander leg.; BBSL 207987 to 207988 - Kentucky • 1 ♂; Franklin, Frankfort, Lakeview Park ; 38.21638°N, 84.8303°W; alt. 231 m ; 25 Jul. 1999; DM Gordon leg.; on Helianthus sp.; BBSL 1047096 • 2 ♀; same data as for preceding; on Ipomoea sp.; 16-19 Jul. 2000; BBSL 1047109 to 1047110 • 7 ♂; same data as for preceding; BBSL 1047097 to 1047106 • 2 ♀; Franklin. Frankfort, 504 Piaute Trail ; 38.2149°N, 84.8362°W; alt. 227 m ; 1 Jun 1999; DM Gordon leg.; BBSL 1047111 to 1047112 - Louisiana • 2 ♀; Saint Tammany, Abita Creek Preserve; 30.517°N, 89.967°W; 07 Aug. 2002; D Prowell leg.; on Hibiscus aculeatus ; BBSL 664704 to 664705 • 2 ♂; same data as for preceding; BBSL 664706 to 664707 - Mississippi • 1 ♀; Pearl River, Poplarville ; 30.84°N, 89.5342°W; alt. 102 m ; 18 Aug.1998; B Sampson leg.; on Hibiscus cannabinus ; BBSL 511533 - Virginia • 1 ♀; Warren ; 39.006°N, 78.071°W; alt. 159 m ; 03 Aug. 2014; E Bodnar; BBSL 1096111.

Comments.

This species is the most widely distributed in North America, its geographical range from Ontario, Canada ( Sharkey et al. 2020) to South Texas and Florida (Fig. 5 ). It is mainly associated to flowers of Hibiscus , although occasionally visits species of Ipomoea . It is active mid- to late summer.

Figures

Figure 2. A Ptilothrix chiricahua sp. nov. male S 7 B Ptilothrix chiricahua sp. nov. male S 8 C Ptilothrix zacateca sp. nov. male S 7 D Ptilothrix zacateca sp. nov. male S 8 E Ptilothrix sumichrasti male S 7 F Ptilothrix sumichrasti male S 8 G Ptilothrix bombiformis male S 7 H Ptilothrix bombiformis male S 8.

Figure 3. A, B Ptilothrix chiricahua sp. nov. male genital capsule A dorsal view B ventral view C, D Ptilothrix zacateca sp. nov. male genital capsule C dorsal view D ventral view E, F Ptilothrix sumichrasti male genital capsule E dorsal view F ventral view G, H Ptilothrix bombiformis male genital capsule G dorsa view F ventral view.

Figure 5. Distribution map of the North American species of the genus Ptilothrix: Ptilothrix chiricahua sp. nov., Ptilothrix zacateca sp. nov., Ptilothrix sumichrasti and Ptilothrix bombiformis.

Figure 6. Ptilothrix zacateca sp. nov. A male holotype habitus, lateral view B male holotype habitus; frontal view C male holotype dorsal view D male holotype metasoma E female paratype habitus, lateral view F female paratype habitus, frontal view G female paratype dorsal view H female paratype metasoma.

Figure 7. Ptilothrix sumichrasti A female lectotype habitus, lateral view B female lectotype habitus; frontal view C female lectotype, dorsal view D female lectotype habitus metasoma E male habitus, lateral view F male habitus, frontal view G male dorsal view H male metasoma.

Figure 8. Ptilothrix bombiformis A female lectotype habitus, lateral view B female lectotype habitus; frontal view C female lectotype, dorsal view D female lectotype habitus metasoma E male habitus, lateral view F male habitus, frontal view G male dorsal view H male metasoma.