Lithurgini, Newman

Gonzalez, Victor H., Engel, Michael S. & Griswold, Terry L., 2013, The lithurgine bees of Australia (Hymenoptera: Megachilidae), with a note on Megachile rotundipennis, Journal of Melittology 2013 (11), pp. 1-19 : 15

Key to the species of Lithurgini from Australia

Females The female of A. malgaru is unknown and is not included in the key.

1. Sternal scopa dark reddish brown to black ( Fig. 20 ); fifth and sixth terga with dark brown to black setae on discs, except sometimes light reddish brown setae surrounding pygidial plate .............................................................. 2

—. Sternal scopa yellowish to light reddish brown ( Fig. 1 ); fifth tergum distally and sixth tergum entirely with light reddish brown setae, contrasting with remaining tergal discs covered by dark brown to black setae ......................... 3

2(1). Facial prominence broad, about two-thirds length of lower interorbital distance measured at same level ( Fig. 20 ); head width ~ 4.5 mm ................................ .................................................................................... Lithurgus atratiformis Cockerell

—. Facial prominence narrower, about half length of lower interorbital distance measured at same level ( Fig. 24 ); head width ~ 4.2 mm ......................................... ................................................................................................ Lithurgus atratus Smith

3(1). Vertex behind ocelli with contiguous punctures ( Fig. 19 ); facial prominence involving base of clypeus and part of supraclypeal area, broadly convex across length, somewhat flattened anteriorly, as seen in profile ( Fig. 18 ); Christmas Island........................................................ Lithurgus andrewsi Cockerell

—. Vertex behind ocelli with sparser punctures, not contiguous ( Fig. 9 ); facial prominence with abrupt projection at base of clypeus, not broadly convex across its length ( Figs. 4 , 7, 8 ); Australian mainland .............................................. 4

4(3). Clypeus smooth, shiny, and distinctly swollen laterally along epistomal sulcus; facial prominence with deep median emargination, appearing bilobed in dorsal view, projecting about 0.7 times width of compound eye in profile ( Figs. 7, 8 ); head width 4.8‒5.1 mm ........... Austrothurgus cognatus (Smith)

—. Clypeus punctate, dull, and flat laterally along epistomal sulcus; facial prominence at most with weak median emargination, not bilobed in dorsal view, projecting about half width of compound eye in profile ( Figs. 3, 4 ); head width 4.4‒4.5 mm .................................... Austrothurgus rubricatus (Smith)

Figures

Figures 20–22. Photomicrographs of holotype female of Lithurgus atratiformis Cockerell. 20. Lateral habitus. 21. Detail of sculpturing on mesoscutum and mesoscutellum. 22. Facial view.

Figures 1–5. Photomicrographs of lectotype female (1–4) and male (5) of Austrothurgus rubricatus (Smith). 1. Lateral habitus. 2. Dorsal habitus. 3. Lateral view of head. 4. Facial view. 5. Male metatarsus, depicting modification of metabasitarsus.

Figures 23–24. Photomicrographs of lectotype female of Lithurgus atratus Smith. 23. Lateral habitus. 24. Facial view.

Figures 17–19. Photomicrographs of holotype female of Lithurgus andrewsi Cockerell. 17. Lateral habitus. 18. Facial view. 19. Detail of vertex.

Figures 6–10. Photomicrographs of lectotype female (6–9) and male (10) of Austrothurgus cognatus (Smith). 6. Lateral habitus. 7. Facial view. 8. Lateral view of head. 7. Detail of vertex. 10. Male metatarsus (apex missing), depicting modification of metabasitarsus.