Metadioxys graeca (Mavromoustakis)

Bogusch, Petr, 2023, European cuckoo bees of the tribe Dioxyini (Hymenoptera, Megachilidae): distribution, annotated checklist and identification key, Journal of Hymenoptera Research 96, pp. 599-628 : 599

Metadioxys graeca (Mavromoustakis)

Dioxys formosa graeca Mavromoustakis, 1963: 696.

Diagnosis.

Larger species, body length 8-10 mm. Species generally very similar to those of the genus Dioxys , black with first 2-4 metasomal terga entirely or partly reddish (rarely whole metasoma reddish and other body parts reddish), with narrow apical bands of whitish short appressed hair (Fig. 17A, B ). Whole body with scale-like whitish short appressed hair, similar to those of Epeolus species. Apex of metasomal T6 more elongated than in Dioxys and Aglaoapis , rounded (Fig. 17D ). The legs and antennae are at least partly reddish. Typical with sharp carina on coxa of front leg laterally, postscutellum without teeth medioapically, only with an ill-visible tubercle (Fig. 17C ). In both sexes, T6 was without emargination (Fig. 17D, E ).

Distribution.

In the European region, this species is known from Greece (Thessaly and Crete) (Fig. 18 ). Its range extends out of the European region to Asiatic Turkey, Morocco and Israel ( Warncke 1977; Grace 2010; Ascher and Pickering 2023; Kuhlmann et al. 2023).

Biology and hosts.

This species probably occurs in open habitats - steppic grasslands, rocky slopes, semideserts and other habitats. Hosts unknown.

Conservation status.

Nieto et al. (2014) classified this species as DD - data deficient. There are only old records from Greece and one doubtful record from Italy (certainly this species but probably wrongly labelled), and no recent finds are known. Because of its unknown population trend, we must leave this species in category DD - data deficient.

Note.

Metadioxys formosa Morawitz occurs in North Africa (Morocco) and the Middle East (Israel and Turkmenistan). It is smaller than M. graeca (6-8 mm), and both sexes have scale-like whitish short appressed hair distributed on more parts of the body than M. graeca . Female has last tergum broadened laterally; male has deeply emarginated last sternite.

Figures

Figure 17. Metadioxys graeca A female, dorsal view B male, dorsal view C female, mesosoma dorsal view D female, metasoma, dorsal view E male, last metasomal segments, dorsal view. Red scale bars represent the length of 1 mm.

Figure 18. Metadioxys graeca, distribution in Europe. Doubtful record from Italy in orange.