Kuhlmann, Michez & Kuhlmann & Dellicour, 2014

Michez, Denis, Kuhlmann, Michael & Dellicour, Simon, 2014, Validation of some species- and genus-group names in Melitta (Hymenoptera: Melittidae), Journal of Melittology 44, pp. 1-8 : 3-4

Plesiomelitta Michez & Kuhlmann , new subgenus

ZooBank: urn:lsid:zoobank.org:act:EB06B889-B12D-41DA-A6D3-F547D2B5D068

TYPE SPECIES: Melitta (Plesiomelitta) schultzei Friese .

DIAGNOSIS: After Dellicour et al. (2014): Plesiomelitta shares features with the subgenera Melitta s.str. and Afromelitta (vide supra) such as the apical projection on the female metabasitarsus and the elongate digitus of the male genitalia. The subgenus exhibits a unique combination of the following traits: galea apically pointed, outer surface matt and sculptured; disc of mesoscutum and mesoscutellum smooth and shiny between punctures; basal area of propodeum shiny; female pygidial plate flat; male metasomal sternum VII with long, blade-shaped apicolateral structures; male metasomal sternum VIII with apical spine; gonostylus shorter than gonocoxa and apically truncate.

ETYMOLOGY: The new genus-group name is a combination of plesios (meaning, “near”) and the generic name Melitta . The gender of the name is feminine.

INCLUDED SPECIES: In addition to the type species, Plesiomelitta also includes M. barbarae Eardley and M. avontuurensis n. sp.