Agapostemon (Agapostemon) splendens (Lepeletier)

Portman, Zachary M., Arduser, Mike, Lane, Ian G. & Cariveau, Daniel P., 2022, A review of the Augochloropsis (Hymenoptera, Halictidae) and keys to the shiny green Halictinae of the midwestern United States, ZooKeys 1130, pp. 103-152 : 103

Agapostemon (Agapostemon) splendens (Lepeletier)

Diagnosis.

The female of Agapostemon splendens can be recognized by the combination of the metallic green metasoma (as in Fig. 4C ) and the coarsely punctured sculpturing of the scutum (Figs 5C , 6B ). It is similar to Agapostemon sericeus , but that species has the sculpturing of the scutum more reticulate (Figs 4B , 6A ). Agapostemon splendens can be further distinguished by the obtuse dorsolateral ridge (Fig. 5C ), the upraised ventral pleural tubercle (Fig. 6D ), and it is generally larger than Agapostemon sericeus (though their sizes can intergrade).

Male Agapostemon splendens can be recognized from all other midwestern Agapostemon by their very enlarged hind femur, with the length twice the width (Fig. 8C ). They also tend to be larger than related species and have darker wings, but this character is subtle.

Remarks.

Some previous works (e.g., Mitchell (1960) and the keys on discoverlife.org) have used the shape of the ridges of the propodeal triangle (which often form a depressed medial triangle) to separate female Agapostemon splendens from Agapostemon sericeus (which have parallel striae throughout the propodeal triangle), but we have found the character variable and it can be quite subtle, particularly in smaller Agapostemon splendens . Agapostemon splendens is largely restricted to areas of deep sands. We have examined material from throughout the range of Agapostemon splendens , and there are many individuals, especially in the southern US, that have the scutal sculpturing more reticulate, similar to Agapostemon sericeus . More work is needed to determine whether this represents normal variation or is potentially due to a cryptic species complex.

Figures

Figure 4. Agapostemon female metasomas A entirely black (Agapostemon virescens pictured) B dark brown with amber (Agapostemon melliventris pictured), note this is a darker specimen C metallic green (Agapostemon texanus pictured).

Figure 5. Agapostemon female pronotal collar and scutum A Agapostemon texanus doubly punctate B Agapostemon sericeus rugosopunctate with sharp pronotal angle outlined in red C Agapostemon splendens densely punctate with obtuse pronotal angle outlined in red.

Figure 6. Agapostemon thorax characters (anterior of bee to left, " mc " refers to the base of the middle coxa) A Agapostemon sericeus close-up of rugosopunctate scutum B Agapostemon splendens close-up of densely punctate scutum C Agapostemon sericeus with ventral pleural tubercle flush with rest of plate D Agapostemon splendens with ventral pleural tubercle slightly upraised. Yellow arrows indicate the ventral pleural tubercle.

Figure 8. Male Agapostemon hind legs A Agapostemon melliventris B Agapostemon sericeus C Agapostemon splendens D Agapostemon texanus E Agapostemon virescens. Scale bar 1 mm, all images at the same scale.