Augochlora (Augochlora) phoemonoe, Schrottky

Dalmazzo, Milagros & Roig-Alsina, Arturo, 2011, Revision of the species of the New World genus Augochlora (Hymenoptera, Halictidae) occurring in the southern temperate areas of its range, Zootaxa 2750, pp. 15-32 : 28-31

A. (Augochlora) phoemonoe (Schrottky)

(Figs. 3, 7, 17, 19, 22)

Augochlora daphnis: Holmberg 1903: 464 . Holmberg 1921: 259 (specimens from Buenos Aires, misidentification). Schlindwein 1995: 51, 52, 54; Schlindwein & Wittmann 1997: 184 (specimens from Rio Grande do Sul, misidentification).

Odontochlora phoemonoe Schrottky 1909: 142 . (females from Argentina: Buenos Aires and Corrientes, and Paraguay: Encarnación, types lost). Schrottky 1909: 254. Schrottky 1911: 74, 86. Schrottky 1913: 241.

Augochlora (Odontochlora) phoemonoe: Cockerell 1918a: 140 . 1918b: 420. Moure 1943: 471.

Augochlora (Augochlora) phoemonoe: Moure & Hurd 1987: 266 . Moure 2007: 767.

In spite of the loss of the types of O. phoemonoe , specimens studied by Schrottky from Buenos Aires can only agree with the present interpretation of the species, which is one of the three species of Augochlora sensu stricto that occur in this area. Schrottky (1909, 1911) included A. phoemonoe in his section "A" of Odontochlora, those species having a spiniform projection on S1. This feature easily separates A. phoemonoe from A. nausicaa . Among the characters mentioned by Schrottky for A. phoemonoe , the carinate frons, the pale pilosity of the legs, and the densely punctate, not rugulose supraclypeal area, separate it from A. amphitrite .

Diagnosis. Females of A. phoemonoe are distinguished by the short middle trochanter (Fig. 17) with the ventral margin arcuate, keeled, and the hind femur ventrally straight (Fig. 19). The spine on S1 is variable, from high and pointed to low and blunt. The male is distinguished by the yellowish labrum and base of the mandible, the clypeus with an apical yellowish band or lateral marks, and the first flagellomere yellowish to light brown, contrasting with the dark remainder of the flagellum.

Female. Length of body 7.00–9.90; length of forewing, 4.00–5.10; maximum width of head, 1.90–3.00; length of head, 1.80–2.70; ocello-ocular distance 2.5–2.6 times MOD.

Color. Metallic green with bluish tints; some specimens with golden reflections mainly on face and mesosoma. Mandible brown to dark brown, frequently with small green spot at base; labrum dark brown to black. Hypostomal area blackish with green tints. Scape, pedicel and dorsal surface of flagellum black, ventral surface of flagellum brown. Clypeus with black apical band approximately one fifth as long as clypeus. Tegula brown to dark brown with green tint anteriorly. Legs dark brown to black, with reduced green tints on coxae and trochanters. T1–T4 with apical black bands (on T2 0.4 times MOD), T5 black, sterna black. Wings hyaline with light brown veins and pterostigma.

Pubescence. Whitish, plumose, on most of body. Hairs dense on paraocular area (0.06–0.20) and frons (0.04– 0.18). Clypeus with sparse, short (0.10–0.12) and long (0.18–0.20) simple to short-branched hairs; supraclypeal area with sparse, short (0.12–0.14) and long hairs (0.20–0.22). Light brown setae on mandible (0.30) and on apex of labrum. Disc of scutum with short (0.06–0.08) and long (0.20–0.22) whitish to yellowish brown hairs, on scutellum longer (0.40); hairs long on metanotum (0.24) and on lateral area of mesepisternum (up to 0.20). Hind femur with long, white scopal hairs (up to 0.52), hind tibia and basitarsus with white hairs on outer surface. Disc of T1– T4 with short, white pubescence, and sparse, erect white to yellowish-brown hairs (on disc of T2 0.04 and 0.13 respectively), on T3–T4 erect hairs longer; T5–T6 with brown hairs, on T5 up to 0.22; hairs on S2–S5 whitish to yellowish brown, long, on S2 up to 0.30; hairs on S6 brown.

Sculpture. Clypeus polished, with large punctures (0.03–0.08) separated by 0.5–1.0 times their diameter; supraclypeal area with dense punctures (0.04–0.06), separated by 0.2–0.5 times their diameter, interspaces smooth and shiny. Disc of scutum with dense punctures (0.02–0.04), on center of disc separated by 0.2–0.5 puncture diameters. Scutellum with dense, small punctures (0.01–0.02). Metanotum finely rugulose. Mesepisternum with dense punctures (0.02–0.04) and shiny interspaces on hypoepimeral area and below scrobal furrow; anterior to mesepisternal furrow punctate. Basal area of metapostnotum entirely striate; striae irregular medially, and regular, parallel, laterally. Disc of T1 with small punctures (0.01–0.02) separated by one puncture diameter or more, interspaces shiny, punctures denser preapically; punctures on T2–T4 finer.

Structure. Frontal carina reaching median ocellus. Mandible long, distance between base of mandible and starting point of lower apical expansion (outer view), longer than basal width of mandible (1.25–1.45). Lateral angle of pronotum forming acute angle. Scutellum rather flat, without median longitudinal furrow. Middle trochanter short, broadened, in lateral view with ventral margin arcuate. Hind femur ventrally straight. S1 with median spine, usually high and pointed, but sometimes low and blunt.

Male. Length of body 6.00–8.40; length of forewing, 4.00–5.00; maximum width of head, 1.70–2.15; length of head, 1.65–2.00; ocello-ocular distance 1.6–1.75 times MOD. Color. Similar to that of female, except as follows: mandible and labrum yellowish brown; hypostomal area green; clypeus with narrow (0.02), yellowish apical band; scape, pedicel and dorsal surface of flagellum black, first flagellomere with ventral surface distinctly yellowish, rest of vental surface of flagellum light brown; coxae, trochanters and femora dark brown with green tints, tibiae and tarsi dark brown; T1–T5 green with blue tints, with black apical bands (on T2 0.6 times MOD); S1 with blue tints, S2–S6 dark brown.

Pubescence. Hairs white, plumose, dense on paraocular area (0.06–0.16) and frons (0.12–0.24). Clypeus and supraclypeal area with yellowish brown, simple hairs, sparser than on other parts of head; on clypeus short (0.06– 0.08) and long hairs (0.18–0.2), on supraclypeal area short (0.06–0.08) and long hairs (0.16–0.18). Hairs light brown on mandible (0.10–0.20), brown on apex of labrum. Disc of scutum with short (0.03–0.04), and long (0.16– 0.18) interspersed hairs. Length of hairs on scutellum (0.24), on metanotum (0.32), and on lateral area of mesepisternum (0.10–0.22). Disc of T1–T5 with short, white pubescence, and sparse, erect white to light brown hairs (on disc of T2 0.06 and 0.10 respectively), shorter on T2–T3, and longer on T4–T5 (0.14); T6–T7 with brown to black hairs. Hairs on S1–S6 whitish to light brown (on S2, 0.18).

Sculpture. Clypeus with even, large punctures (0.04–0.05), separated by their diameter or less, interspaces smooth; supraclypeal area with punctures (0.03–0.04) denser at sides, interspaces shiny. Disc of scutum with close, deep punctures (0.02–0.04), and shiny interspaces. Scutellum with punctures (0.03–0.05) sparser medially, with shiny interspaces. Mesepisternum with dense punctures (0.04–0.05) and shiny interspaces on hypoepimeral area and below scrobal furrow; anterior to mesepisternal furrow punctate. Basal area of metapostnotum entirely striate, with regular striae. Disc of T1–T2 with moderate punctures and shiny interspaces; punctation finer on other terga, on disc of T2 0.02–0.04.

Structure. Basal area of labrum weakly striate, along midline short, approximately one third of labral length, on lateral margin not reaching lateralmost setae. Scutellum rather flat, without median longitudinal furrow. S1 with low tubercle. Basal process of gonostylus distinct, larger than in A. amphitrite and A. nausicaa , with short setae. Ventral process of gonostylus flattened, broadened apically, with short setae on apex only; apex cuadrangular. Dorsal process of gonostylus reduced, with setae in a row. Apical third of gonocoxite latero-dorsally setose.

Distribution. Argentina: Buenos Aires, Catamarca, Corrientes (according to Moure 2007), Córdoba, Entre Ríos, Formosa, La Pampa, La Rioja, Misiones, Salta, San Luis, Santa Fe, Tucumán. Bolivia. Uruguay: Artigas, Canelones, Colonia, Maldonado, Montevideo, San José. Brazil: Rio Grande do Sul, Santa Catarina; Paraná, Rio de Janeiro, (according to Silveira et al. 2002; Moure 2007). Paraguay: Itapúa, Encarnación ( Moure 2007).

Material studied. Argentina, Buenos Aires: MACN: 13: “6642”; 13: “11943”; 2Ƥ: C. Bruch; 1Ƥ: 30-XII- 1902, Col. J. Brèthes; 1Ƥ, 13: 24-II-1903, Col. J. Brèthes; 1Ƥ: 6-I-1904, Col. J. Brèthes; 1Ƥ: 25-IV-1904, Col. J. Brèthes; 1Ƥ, 13: 7-V-1904, Col. J. Brèthes; 1Ƥ: 2-I-1914, Col. J. Brèthes; 1Ƥ: 31-I-1914, Col. J. Brèthes; 1Ƥ: 20- II-1914, Col. J. Brèthes; 1Ƥ: 21-XII-1914, Col. J. Brèthes; 1Ƥ: 2-I-1915, Col. J. Brèthes; 2Ƥ: 15-X-1922, Col.J. Brèthes; 2Ƥ: 20-X-1922, Col. J. Brèthes; 5Ƥ: 10-XI-1922, Col. J. Brèthes; 13: Campo Mayo, 3-XI-1919; 1Ƥ: Cañuelas, 4-II-1919; 2Ƥ: Capital Federal, “36925”; 1Ƥ: Capital Federal, 5-XII-1919; 1Ƥ: Capital Federal, 18-X- 1939, Col. H. Cavio; 1Ƥ: Capital Federal, 18-I-1996, on Asclepias curassavica, Col. A. Oliva ; 13: Capital Federal, Agronomía, 29-XII-1994, Col. A. Roig A.; 1Ƥ: Carlos Casares Ea. San Claudio, 3-I-2007, on Solanum sisymbriifolium, Col. P. Torreta, G. Cilla & J. Ciarra ; 1Ƥ: Ciudad. Autónoma, 25-IX-2008, Col. M. Dalmazzo; 13: Ciudad Autónoma, 27-XI-2008, Col. M. Dalmazzo; 13: Ciudad. Autónoma, 10-XII-2008, Col. M. Dalmazzo; 13: Ciudad. Autónoma, 15-I-2009, Col. M. Dalmazzo; 23: Ciudad. Autónoma, 21-I-2009, Col. M. Dalmazzo; 13: Ciudad. Autónoma, 11-II-2009, Col. M. Dalmazzo; 13: Ciudad. Autónoma, 17-III-2009, Col. M. Dalmazzo; 2Ƥ: Ciudad. Autónoma, 26-XI-2009, Col. M. Dalmazzo; 13: Ciudad. Autónoma, 11-XII-2009, Col. M. Dalmazzo; 13: Ciudad. Autónoma, 9-III-2010, Col. M. Dalmazzo; 1Ƥ: Ciudad. Autónoma, 10-II-2010, Col. M. Dalmazzo; 13: Ciudad Autónoma, Reserva Ecológica Costanera Sur, IV-2004, Col. A. Roig A.; 2 Ƥ: Ciudad Autónoma, Reserva Ecológica Costanera Sur, 21-XI-2008, Col. M. Dalmazzo; 13: Tigre, Delta, Río Carapachay, 27-I-2005, on Ludwigia sp. Col. A. Roig A.; 1Ƥ: Delta, Río Sarmiento, La Ursulina, 19-XI-2001, Col. L. Compagnucci; 2Ƥ: Luján; 2Ƥ: Luján, H. H. Maristas; 1Ƥ: Magdalena Ea. Carretero, 10-VIII-1999, Col. A. Basilio; 1Ƥ: Magdalena Ea. Carretero, 9-IX-1999, Col. A. Basilio; 2Ƥ: Magdalena Ea. San Isidro, 23-VIII.1999, Col. A. Basilio; 2Ƥ, 103: a 20 Km SE Magdalena Ea. El Destino, 25-II-2000, Col. A. Roig A.; 1Ƥ: a 20 Km SE Magdalena Ea. El Destino, 25-II-2000, on Baccharis pingraea, Col. A. Roig A. ; 1Ƥ: Magdalena Ea. Carretero, 23-IV-2000, Col. A. Basilio; 1Ƥ: Moreno, Reja Grande, 13-II-2000, A. Roig A.; 1Ƥ: Punta Indio, 11-X-2005, Col. L. Compagnucci; 1Ƥ: San Antonio de Padua, XII-2003, Col. Rodríguez; 13: San Isidro, Refugio Ribera Norte, 14-I-2009, on Pavonia sp. Col. M. Dalmazzo; 13: San Isidro, Refugio Ribera Norte, 20-I-2009, on Sida rhombifolia, Col. R. González V. ; 13: San Isidro, Refugio Ribera Norte, 20-I-2009, on Cichorium intybus, Col. R. González V. ; 23: San Isidro, Refugio Ribera Norte, 20-I-2009, on Baccharis salicifolia, Col. R. González V. ; 2Ƥ, 23: San Pedro, Vuelta de Obligado, 18-XII- 2003, Col. A. Roig A.; 1Ƥ: Tigre, 12Km NO, 10-XI-1990, Col. A. Roig A.; 1Ƥ: Tigre, Delta, Río Carapachay, 27- I-2005, on Eryngium sp. Col. A. Riog A.; 13: Tigre, Río Lujan, Club ACA, 7-I-2002, on Sagitaria sp. Col. A. Roig A.; 1Ƥ: Tornquist, Garganta Olvidada, 24-XII-1997, Col. A. Roig A.; 6Ƥ, 13: Tornquist, Villa Ventana, 18-II- 1999, Col. A. Roig A.; 2Ƥ: Vicente Lopez, La Lucila, I-2008, Col. A. Roig A.; 83: Villa Adelina, 13-I-1993, Col. A. Roig A.; 1Ƥ: Villa Devoto, 1-X-1937, Col. H. Hepper; 1Ƥ: Zelaya, II-1935, Col. J. Pereyra; 2Ƥ, 23: Zelaya, 6- V-1936, Col. J. Pereyra; 1Ƥ: Zelaya, I-1939, Col. H.C. Hepper. MLP: 33: Devoto, 1941; 1Ƥ: J.C. Paz, 1944; 13: Magdalena, 1942; 8Ƥ, 53: San Fernando, 15-XII-1946; 1Ƥ, 13: Tigre, 1934. Catamarca: MACN: 1Ƥ: 1931, Col. M. Gómez. Córdoba: MACN: 2Ƥ: Alta Gracia, La Granja, I-1922, “32853” Col. Bruch; 1Ƥ: Calamuchita, El Sauce, XII-1938, “45807” Col. M. Viana; 1Ƥ: Calamuchita, El Sauce, XII-1938, “44595” Col. M. Viana; 1Ƥ: Calamuchita, El Sauce, II-1941, Col. M. Viana; 1Ƥ: Huerta Grande, 21-II-2006, Col. J.J. Martinez; 13: La Falda, 20- II-2006, Col. J.J. Martinez; 1Ƥ: Leones, 10-II-1946, Col. W. Partridge; 1Ƥ: Punilla, Los Cocos, II-1943, Col. M. Viana; 2Ƥ, 13: Punilla, Valle Hermosos, I-1943, Col. M. Viana. IFML: 33: Villa Ciudad de América, Dique los Molinos, I-1981, Col. A. Willink. MLP: 1Ƥ: La Granja, X-1951, Col. Fritz. Entre Ríos: MACN: 1Ƥ: Federación, 21-I-2004, Col. G. Zubarrán. Formosa: MACN: 1Ƥ: Reserva El Bagual, 5-III-2000, Col. D. Vázquez. IFML: 2Ƥ: Riacho Pilagá, 11-VIII-1977, Col. Porter, Stange & Fidalgo. La Pampa: MACN: 1Ƥ: Parque Luro, 1-II-2003, Col. J.J. Martinez. La Rioja: MACN: 1Ƥ. Misiones: MACN: 3Ƥ, 13: “7597”; 13: Oberá, 17-X-1950, M. Senkate; 13: Tuyuparé, 25-I-1908, Col. J. Brèthes. IFML: 1Ƥ: Bernardo de Irigoyen, 12-XI-1973, Col. Escobar & Claps; 1Ƥ: San Javier, 20-XI-1973, Col. Willink & Tomsic. Salta: MACN: 2Ƥ: Orán, Angosto del Pescado, 26-X- 1978, Col. P. Fidalgo; 1Ƥ: Orán, Río Pescado, 20-VII-1970, Col. C. Porter; 1Ƥ: Orán, Río Pescado, 19-VII-1971, Col. C. Porter & L. Stange; 13: Tartagal, 7-II-1950, Col. R. Golbach. MLP: 1Ƥ: Capital, 1951. San Luis: MACN: 23: Merlo, 30-XII-2002, Col. L. Compagnucci. Santa Fe: MACN: 1Ƥ: Santa Clara de Buena Vista, 8-X-2006, Col. M. Dalmazzo; 3Ƥ: Santa Clara de Buena Vista, 10-II-2007, Col. M. Dalmazzo; 1Ƥ: La Capital, El Pozo, 16- IX-2004, Col. M. Dalmazzo. IFML: 1Ƥ: Tartagal, 21-I-1957, Col. A. Willink. Tucuman: IFML: 1Ƥ: Burruyacu, Villa Padre Monti, 7-II-1948, Col. R. Golbach; 1Ƥ: Eva Perón, General Pico, 6-II-1950, Col. Williamson. Bolivia: MACN: 1Ƥ, no further data. Brazil: Rio Grande do Sul: MACN: 13: Pelotas, 14-IV-1955, Col. C. Biezanko; 1Ƥ: Guaíba, Br. 116, km 307, 2-XI-1990, C. Schlindwein; 1Ƥ: Guaritas, 8-XII-1991, C. Schlindwein. Uruguay: MACN: 1Ƥ: Colonia, Riachuelo, Col. A. Stévenin; 1Ƥ: Colonia, Riachuelo, 1931, Col. A. Stévenin. FCE-HY: 13: 30-III-2006, Col. E. Santos; 2Ƥ: Arroyo Laureles, 26-XI-1959, Col. Esc.; 3Ƥ: Canelón Chico, 8-X-2006, Col. E. Santos; 10Ƥ, 23: Canelones, Sauce, I-2006, Col. E. Santos; 1Ƥ: Canelones, Sauce, 28- I-2006, Col. E. Santos; 23: Canelones, Sauce, 25-II-2007, Col. E. Santos; 23: Montevideo, II-2006, Col. E. Santos; 1Ƥ, 33: Los Arrayanes, 5-I-2007, Col. E. Santos; 13: Montevideo, III-2007, Col. E. Santos; 1Ƥ: Maldonado, Sierra Animas, 25-III- 1967, Col. F. Esc.; 1Ƥ: Montevideo, I-1966, Col. F.M. Esc.; 1Ƥ: Montevideo, Pocitos, 12-I-1966, Col. F.M. Esc.; 1Ƥ: San José, P. de Valdes, III-1966, Col. F.M.Esc.; 2Ƥ: Tres Cruces Grandes, Artigas, 1-I-1956, Col. C. Foquet.

Floral records: Asclepias curassavica ; Baccharis pingraea ; Baccharis salicifolia ; Cichorium intybus ; Eryngium sp.; Ludwigia sp.; Pavonia sp.; Sagitaria sp.; Sida rhombifolia ; Solanum sisymbriifolium .