Homalictus taveuni, Dorey & Schwarz & Stevens, 2019

Dorey, James B., Schwarz, Michael P. & Stevens, Mark I., 2019, Review of the bee genus Homalictus Cockerell (Hymenoptera: Halictidae) from Fiji with description of nine new species, Zootaxa 4674 (1), pp. 1-46 : 35-37

Homalictus taveuni sp. nov.

( Figs 23–24 )

Material examined. Holotype ♂: ACQ003 (SAMA 32-036163), Taveuni , Fiji, -16.967000, 179.997000, SVC Groom, 01.09.2010, 15 m asl, Clade E, MSAPB164_11_ACQ003.

Allotype ♀: ACQ002 (SAMA 32-036164), Taveuni , Fiji, -16.967, 179.997, 15 m asl, Clade E, SVC Groom, Taveuni.

Paratype ♂: ACQ004 (SAMA 32-036165), 1/9/10, 16 m asl, -16.967, 179.997, SVC Groom.

Diagnosis. Males: In combination: Supraclypeal area mostly finely colliculate ( Fig. 1 f–g), posterior or margin of scutum about straight ( Fig. 23a ), scutum, scutellum and supraclypeal area golden green and metallic and scutellum to forewing length ratio 1:14.

Females: In combination: Supraclypeal area mostly moderately colliculate ( Fig. 1e ), scape does not extend beyond posterior margin of medial ocellus, propodeum coarsely strigate-rugose ( Fig. 1a ) and propodeum does not have a medial anterior groove dorsally ( Fig. 23f ).

Description. Males: Measurements: UID 0.63 mm. LID 0.46 mm. AOD 0.19 mm. IAD 0.11 mm. OAD 0.32 mm. IOD 0.18 mm. OOD 0.19 mm. GW 0.17 mm. EW 0.29 mm. ML 0.1 mm. SL 0.22 mm. FL 3.14 mm.

Colouration: Clypeus, supraclypeal area, frons, paraocular area, scutum and scutellum golden green and metallic. Propodeum dorsally green. Metasoma dark green or green, dark along posterior edges.

Sculpturing: Paraocular area some messy striae below antennal sockets and colliculate, longitudinal striae posteriorly and proximally above antennal socket. Frons has many diagonal striae and some transverse striae under ocelli. Supraclypeal area mostly finely colliculate. Clypeus finely colliculate. Vertex punctures fine, close and open. Scutum anteriorly finely colliculate and lineolate; medially finely and moderately fine colliculate; posteriorly finely colliculate. Scutellum punctation open and sparse. Propodeum; dorsally strong striae, weak medial anterior groove and coarsely strigate-rugose; laterally finely colliculate and posteroventral and anterior striae curve towards each other and can meet; posteriorly longitudinal striae ventrally and transverse striae medially.

Morphology: Scape extends to or below anterior margin of medial ocellus. Interantennal distance about equal to diameter of socket. Labrum simple. Clypeus not depressed medially. Area posterior of vertex with striae strong and close. Posterior margin of scutum shape mostly straight. Gonostylus moderate, dorsoapical crest of gonocoxite moderate. Entire genital relatively small.

Females: Measurements: UID 0.65 mm. LID 0.62 mm. AOD 0.22 mm. IAD 0.9 mm. OAD 0.38 mm. IOD 0.18 mm. OOD 0.165 mm. GW 0.19 mm. EW 0.3 mm. BL 4.51 mm. ML 0.13 mm. SL 0.26 mm. FL 3.61 mm.

Colouration: Clypeus anteriorly black; posteriorly golden green and metallic. Whole clypeus partly iridescent. Supraclypeal area, frons, scutellum and propodeum dorsally golden green and metallic. Scutum golden green and metallic and partly metallic orange and pink. Metasoma dark green or green, dark green along posterior edges.

Sculpturing: Paraocular area striae, colliculate along margin of compound eyes. Frons mostly longitudinal striae. Supraclypeal area mostly moderately colliculate, medial area finely colliculate. Clypeus finely colliculate. Vertex punctures fine and close. Scutum anteriorly moderately colliculate and lineolate; medially and posteriorly finely colliculate. Scutellum punctation close and open. Propodeum; dorsally linear pattern and coarsely strigaterugose; laterally ventral and anterior striae curve towards each other and can meet; posteriorly finely colliculate and transverse striae ventrally and proximally. Pygidial plate with close minute punctures medially, punctures mostly on posterior half and hairs emerging on ventral 1/3.

Morphology: Scape extends to or below anterior margin of medial ocellus. Interantennal distance about equal to diameter of socket. Labrum with two medial projections parallel from one another. Clypeus not depressed medially. Area posterior of vertex striae strong and close. Posterior margin of scutum shape mostly straight.

Comments. This species has only been found at low elevations and in small numbers at a single site.

Distribution. Homalictus taveuni has only been sampled from the island of Taveuni ( Fig. 24 ). Collections have only been made at 15 m asl.

Etymology. The name H. taveuni refers to the island of Taveuni that this species appears to be restricted.

Figures

FIGURE 1. Propodeum dorsally showing (a) coarsely, (b) moderately and (c) finely strigate-rugose sculpturing. Fovea along anterior inner margin of eye (d) present and (h) absent. Supraclypeal area showing (e) mostly moderately, (f) mostly finely and (g) entirely finely sculpturing.

FIGURE 23. Homalictus taveuni sp. nov. male (a) dorsal habitus, (b) lateral habitus, (c) dorso posterior, (d) anteriorly frontal face and (e) ventral genitalia. Female (f) dorsal habitus, (g) lateral habitus, (h) dorso posterior, (i) anteriorly frontal face and (j) pygidial plate.

FIGURE 24. Collection localities of Homalictus taveuni sp. nov. from specimens with identity confirmed by mtDNA COI gene. Sample size is 3.