Coelioxys ruficauda Lepeletier, 1841

Sentil, Ahlam, Rosa, Paolo, Tourbez, Clément, Dorchin, Achik, Bogusch, Petr & Michez, Denis, 2024, New records of bees (Hymenoptera, Apoidea) from Morocco, Journal of Hymenoptera Research 97, pp. 513-530 : 513-530

Coelioxys ruficauda Lepeletier, 1841

Material examined.

Morocco. 12 ♂; Safi ; 32.2587, - 9.2386; 09 Apr. 2023; A. Sentil leg.; sweep net • 1 ♂; Safi ; 32.2587, - 9.2386; 15 Apr. 2023; A. Sentil leg.; sweep net • 1 ♀; Safi ; 32.2731, - 9.2335; 21 Apr. 2023; A. Sentil leg.; sweep net • 1 ♂; Safi ; 32.3356, - 9.2166; 23 Apr. 2024; sweep net • 1 ♂; Safi ; 32.2686, - 9.2323; 25 Apr 2023; A. Sentil leg.; sweep net • 1 ♀; Safi ; 32.2625, - 9.2266; 30 Apr. 2023; A Sentil leg.; sweep net • 1 ♀; Safi ; 32.2625, - 9.2266; 01 May 2023; A. Sentil leg.; sweep net .

Diagnosis.

The species belongs to the subgenus Allocoelioxys , which comprises usually smaller species with scale-like hair on the body (Fig. 5 A – D ). This species has snow-white hairs on the body and short last metasomal segments. Very often and especially in populations from North Africa, the bees display reddish pattern, especially on the last metasomal segments, parts of legs, flagellum and mandible. The portion of reddish colouration is smaller than in other related species, except Coelioxys echinatus ( Warncke 1992) . Both sexes have unbroken whitish apical bands on T 1 – T 5, while the band on male T 5 is wider than in the other species.

The male has unbroken whitish bands of scale-like hair on the metasoma (Fig. 5 D ) and the S 4 is without emargination. The T 2 has a transverse carina, which can differ this species from C. afer , in which this carina is absent (Fig. 5 D ). Medial teeth on T 6 are reduced and the whole S 6 is much more narrowed than in other related species (Fig. 6 B ). The female can be recognized by its slightly elongate last tergum and sternum of reddish colour (Fig. 6 A ). The apex of S 6 is triangular-shaped and bears reddish hairs, and is considered typical for this species (Fig. 6 A ).

The last metasomal segments are much narrower than those of all related species and the distance between apical tooth-like processes on last tergum and sternum is very small, much smaller than in all other similar species (Fig. 6 B ).

Distribution.

The species is known from southern and Central Europe, Middle East and North Africa ( Warncke 1992), with the northern distribution border going through the Czech Republic ( Reverté et al. 2023). In Europe, most records are known from the South-West (South of France, Spain and Portugal) ( Baldock et al. 2018). It occurs mainly in dry habitats with a high proportion of salt in the ground and it is everywhere considered to be a rare species.

Host.

This species is a cuckoo bee and therefore does not collect pollen. Megachile deceptoria (P. Bogusch, personal observation) is its main host species in Central Europe. Both sexes feed on nectar of various plants, usually of the family Asteraceae (e. g., genera Centaurea , Cirsium , and Inula ).

Further information.

Warncke (1992) found out that this species was for a long time recorded under the junior synonym Coelioxys obtusa Pérez, 1884 .

Figures

Figure 5. Coelioxys ruficauda, female A lateral view B dorsal view. Coelioxys ruficauda, male C lateral view D dorsal view.

Figure 6. Coelioxys ruficauda, female A last metasomal terga, dorsal view. Coelioxys ruficauda, male B last metasomal terga, dorsal view C genitalia, dorsal view.