Augochlorella Sandhouse, 1937

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

Genus Augochlorella Sandhouse

Diagnosis.

The genus Augochlorella can be recognized by the combination of a normal oval-shaped tegula (as in Fig. 1B ), the incomplete carina on the rear face of the propodeum (Fig. 2D ), and the lack of a protruding paraocular lobe (Fig. 3D, F ). Females lack the keel on S1 seen in Augochlora and they have simple hind tibial spurs. Males are quite similar to Augochlora , but Augochlorella males have the S4 apical margin weakly to strongly concave, versus straight in Augochlora . In addition, Augochlorella males lack distinct punctures on the rear of the propodeum (Fig. 2D ) compared to Augochlora males which do have distinct punctures (Fig. 3B ). Some Augochlorella are more of a greenish-bronze color.

Figures

Figure 1. A tegula of Augochloropsis, enlarged and asymmetric, with the inner posterior margin angled (Augochloropsis metallica female pictured) B normal oval tegula (Agapostemon splendens female pictured).

Figure 2. Characters to separate Agapostemon from Augochlorini: Complete raised carina on the rear face of the propodeum in Agapostemon A female and B male. Incomplete carina in C Augochloropsis female and D Augochlorella male E Agapostemon male hind leg with first two tarsomeres fused (red arrow pointing to point of fusion).

Figure 3. Characters to separate Augochlora and Augochlorella A S 1 of Augochlora pura female with a median keel indicated by red arrow B Augochlora pura male rear propodeum showing distinct punctures C Augochlora pura female face with protruding paraocular lobe indicated by red arrow D Augochlorella aurata female face with undeveloped paraocular lobe indicated by red arrow E Augochlora pura male face with protruding paraocular lobe indicated by red arrow F Augochlorella aurata male with undeveloped paraocular lobe indicated by red arrow. Scale bars: 1 mm.