Thyreomelecta, RIGHTMYER & ENGEL, 2003

RIGHTMYER, MOLLY G. & ENGEL, MICHAEL S., 2003, A New Palearctic Genus of Melectine Bees (Hymenoptera: Apidae), American Museum Novitates 3392, pp. 1-23 : 3-15

Thyreomelecta , new genus

TYPE SPECIES: Thyreomelecta kirghisia , new species.

DIAGNOSIS: This new genus is most similar to Thyreus , as is evidenced by the absence of the arolia and absence of pupal cocoons. The absence of arolia and the mesoscutellar structure is somewhat reminiscent of some

TABLE 2 Lieftinck’s (1968) Basal Species Groups of Thyreus

Afromelecta , but both subgenera of Afromelecta lack the paired spines present on T 7 in males of Thyreomelecta and Thyreus and possess a distinct medioapical emargination on the labrum (absent in Thyreomelecta ). From Thyreus the new genus is notable for the more Melecta ­like mesoscutellum (as also noted by Lieftinck) which is not flattened into a plate that projects posteriorly over the metanotum and propodeum (and frequently the anterior part of T1) (figs. 7, 8), as well as the shorter T1 (distinctly longer than T 2 in Thyreus ). The nonflattened mesoscutellum of Thyreomelecta possesses lateral spines like some other melectines rather than the flattened extensions characteristic of the shieldlike, projecting mesoscutellum of Thyreus .

DESCRIPTION: Adult. Apical margin of labrum gently and evenly convex. Maxillary palpus absent or vestigial with 1–2 minute segments. Preoccipital ridge carinate. Mesoscutellum gently biconvex with strong posterolateral spines or tubercles, strongly and coarsely punctured, weakly platelike (not strongly flattened and shieldlike as in Thyreus ) (figs. 7, 8); posterior surface almost vertical, angle between dorsal and posterior surfaces approximately orthogonal, angle formed of carina running between lateral spines or tubercles although carina interrupt­ ed at midpoint (in Thyreus this angle is strongly acute with posterior surface strongly incurved and with a distinct ventral­facing surface), medioposterior dorsal surface slightly concave and only slightly overhanging and not obscuring metanotum (in Thy­ reus the entire dorsal surface projects and overhangs metanotum and propodeum). Claws cleft, inner ramus slightly expanded vertically with subtruncated apex; arolium absent (fig. 6). Marginal cell only slightly projecting beyond apex of submarginal cells; marginal cell length slightly shorter than distance from its apex to wing tip; three submarginal cells present; wing membranes beyond veins papillate (fig. 9). Metasoma with areas of appressed, white (or black in T. bidentata ), plumose pubesence; mediolongitudinal lengths of T1 and T2 subequal (in Thyreus T1 conspicuously longer than T2). Male pygidial plate absent; female pygidial plate slender with rounded apex; apex of male T7 with paired, flattened, medioapical tubercles or spines. Pupa. Pupa not contained within a cocoon (like Thyreus ; all other Melectini , where known, have pupae within cocoons).

ETYMOLOGY: The new genus­group name is a combination of the generic names Thyreus and Melecta , a reference to the intermediate nature of this genus between the others (albeit with closer cladistic affinity to Thyreus ). The name is feminine.

COMMENTS: The pupa of this genus was described in detail by Rozen (2000) as ‘‘ Thyreus sp. ?’’ (= Thyreomelecta kirghisia ). The only host record for the genus is for the type species and is a species of Anthophora unlike most Thyreus species that parasitize species of Amegilla (although some definitive Thyreus species also parasitize Anthophora and Eucera : see table 1). Owing to the large number of apomorphies found in Thyreus , making it dramatically different from other Melectini , some authors hypothesized a polyphyletic origin of the tribe with Thyreus originating from an Amegilla ancestor (e.g., Popov, 1955; Lieftinck, 1968) or from the same ancestral line as Melecta but during different episodes in history (i.e., still polyphyletic in origin but from the same paraphyletic ancestral stock: Grütte, 1935). Although this position has never been supported by critical evidence, it becomes even less tenable with the recognition of Thyreomelecta , which brings together some of the apomorphies of Thyreus with more typical melectine traits, thereby closing the superficial gap between Thyreus and the remainder of the tribe. Once a cladistic analysis of Thyreus has been com­ pleted and meaningful subgenera defined, Thyreomelecta might be brought back into the genus as its basalmost subgenus or retained at generic rank and sister to Thyreus .

Although Lieftinck (1968) considered Thyreus scutellaris (Fabricius) , T. affinis (Morawitz) , and T. elegans (Morawitz) as closely allied to a group of species that we here place in Thyreomelecta , in these species the mesoscutellum does medially project posteriorly over the metanotum and propodeum, albeit less so than in many Thyreus . In general, his placement of T. scutellaris , T. affinis , and T. elegans seems contradictory to his own grouping of characters (e.g., compare statements concerning characters of these taxa on the top of page 13 of his monograph, in his key, and under the respective descriptions of these species). Examination of these species leads us to conclude that they are true Thyreus and do not belong in Thyreomelecta .

An additional potential member of Thyreomelecta is the enigmatic species Thyreus aberrans ( Morawitz, 1875) . Radoszkowsky (1893) illustrated the mesoscutella of several species of Thyreus , and singled out T. merviensis (Radoszkowsky) , T. sibericus (Radoszkowsky) , and T. aberrans by shading and stippling the mesoscutella of these three species to denote the biconvex nature of this structure (in all other species, the mesoscutellum is represented by a simple line drawing). The drawing of T. aberrans is tantalizingly similar to that of a Thyreomelecta . Unfortunately, as noted by Lieftinck (1968), the type of this species has been lost, and the original description by Morawitz may not correspond with the drawing provided by Radoszkowsky (the description is somewhat unclear); Morawitz described the holotype as having the mesoscutellum produced into median, rather than lateral, lobes. The use of the word ‘‘median’’ could potentially refer to the position of the lobes posteriorly or ventrally on the mesoscutellum, and thus correspond to Radoszkowsky’s drawing; however, the common understanding of ‘‘median’’ would imply that the lobes are placed close together on the midline of the mesoscutellum. If so, the mesoscutellum of T. abberans is seemingly unlike any other Melectini . Whether the description by Morawitz is a mistake (possibly a typographical error?) or Radoszkowsky did not truly have T. abberans before him (at any rate, he did not have the holotype: he illustrated a male, while the holotype is a female) remains a mystery.

KEY TO EASTERN HEMISPHERE GENERA OF MELECTINI (Modified from Michener, 2000)

1. Mesoscutellum convex, biconvex, bituberculate, or bispinose, at least medially not projecting posteriorly over metanotum or propodeum; posterior surface of mesoscutellum declivitous, thus angle between dorsal and posterior surfaces approximately orthogonal and mesoscutellum medially lacking distinct ventral­facing surface; body with or without areas of appressed plumose setae, but if present, then these setae white or rarely black; maxillary palpus variable............ 2

– Mesoscutellum flat or nearly so, produced posteriorly along its entire width over metanotum, propodeum, and, in some positions, base of T1, as a sharply margined plate, bidentate with broad V­ or U­shaped emargination between teeth; posterior part of mesoscutellar surface on underside of plate facing ventrally (i.e., posterior surface strongly incurved), thus angle between dorsal and posterior surfaces strongly acute; body with areas of appressed, plumose setae forming white, blue, purple, or green spots or broken bands; maxillary palpus absent or minute, 0–4 segmented; (arolia absent)............................... Thyreus Panzer

2. Arolia absent........................ 3

– Arolia present (greatly developed or vestigial) ................................. 4

3. Apex of labrum gently convex; dorsal surface of T1 subequal to T 2 in length; apical margin of male T7 with paired, medioapical processes (Palearctic).................................... Thyreomelecta , n. gen.

– Apex of labrum gently emarginate; dorsal surface of T1 longer than to slightly shorter than T2; apical margin of male T7 broadly rounded (Africa)........................... Afromelecta Lieftinck s. l. (in part)

4. Marginal cell equal to or shorter than distance from its apex to wing tip; body commonly with spots of white, appressed pubescence, metasomal pubescence entirely black or with white spots, or pale and forming apical fasciae on terga...................... 5

– Marginal cell longer than distance from its apex to wing tip; body without spots of white pubescence, metasomal pubescence brown, orange, or yellowish (Oriental).................... Tetralonioidella Strand

5. Three submarginal cells (i.e., 1rs­m present); body typically with patches of appressed, white setae and without pale apical tergal fasciae (except Melecta oreina Baker , which has vestiture of Sinomelecta ); F1 less than 1.5 times as long as broad and less than twice as long as F2................. 6

– Two submarginal cells (i.e., 1rs­m absent); body without patches of appressed, white setae; metasomal terga with apical white fasciae; F1 more than 1.5 times as long as broad and about twice as long as F2 ( China)................... Sinomelecta Baker

6. Dorsal surface of T1 longer than to scarcely shorter than T 2 in normal position; arolia vestigial (Africa)........................... Afromelecta Lieftinck s.l. (in part)

– Dorsal surface of T1 distinctly shorter than T 2 in normal position; arolia well developed (Palearctic)........ Melecta Latreille s.l.

Thyreomelecta bidentata (Kirby) , new combination

Crocisa bidentata Kirby, 1889: 136 . Meade­Waldo, 1913: 93. Meyer, 1921: 79.

Crocisa valida Morawitz, 1895: 43 . Meyer, 1921: 79.

Thyreus dimidiatipuncta bidentatus (Kirby) ; Lieftinck, 1968: 42.

DIAGNOSIS: Among species with the clypeus densely clothed with white setae in males, T. bidentata is similar to T. dimidiatipuncta . Thyreomelecta merviensis differs from both of these species by the broad separation between the apical projections of T7 and the presence of white setae on the sterna. Males and females of T. bidentata are nearly identical to those of T. dimidiatipuncta (see below) but differ by the absence of white pubescent patches on the metasoma (these are instead black in T. bidentata ). Males also have some differences in the genitalia from those of T. dimidiatipuncta (e.g., shape of the dorsal gonostylar process [larger in T. bidentata ], setae of the gonostylus [longer and more dense in T. dimidiatipuncta ]).

DISTRIBUTION: This species occurs in Turkmenistan and Afghanistan (likely also in eastern Iran). The type locality for T. bidentata is in Afghanistan along the Harirud Riv­ er (separating Afghanistan from Iran) while the type locality for the junior subjective synonym, T. valida (Morawitz) , is in eastern Turkmenistan .

Thyreomelecta dimidiatipuncta (Spinola) , new combination

Crocisa dimiatipuncta Spinola, 1838: 536 . Lapsus calami.

Crocisa dimidiatipunctata (Spinola) ; Dalla Torre, 1896: 320. Nomen emendatum (unjustified). Schulz, 1906: 257. Meyer, 1921: 100. Alfken, 1927: 114. Lieftinck, 1959: 33.

Crocisa gibba Meyer, 1921: 90 . Alfken, 1934: 171.

Crocisa dimidiatipuncta Spinola ; Alfken, 1934: 171. Nomen emendatum (justified).

Thyreus dimidiatipuncta (Spinola) ; Lieftinck, 1968: 35.

Thyreus dimidiatapunctata Rozen, 2000: 14 . Lapsus calami.

Thyreus dimidiatipunctus Rozen, 2000: 14 . Lapsus calami.

DIAGNOSIS: Refer to Diagnosis for T. bidentata (above).

DISTRIBUTION: This species occurs in northern Africa along the southern border of the Mediterranean, that is, in northwestern Libya (the Tripolitania region) and east into northern Egypt. There is also a single record of a female (if correctly identified) from eastern Iraq (near Baghdad), but we have not seen this individual to confirm its identity. If correctly identified, the species would likely not only be present in Iraq but perhaps in Israel, Jordan, and surrounding countries.

Thyreomelecta kirghisia , new species

Figures 1–7 , 9–13 , 16–21

Thyreus sp. ? Rozen, 2000: 13 [description of pupa].

DIAGNOSIS: Males of the new species are notable for the absence of the posterior setal tuft on the mesoscutellum and for the clypeus, which is not densely and entirely covered with white setae. Males are nearly identical to those of T. propinquua (see Diagnosis for that species as well as Key, below) but can be separated on the basis of terminalia (e.g., compare figs. 12–15). Most notable are the characters of the hidden sterna (S7 and S8) which differ significantly from those of T. propinquua (e.g., the presence of a distinct medial tubercle with setae on S7 of T. kirghisia ). Females of T. kirghisia can be distinguished from those of T. propinquua by the shorter medial swelling of the pygidial plate.

DESCRIPTION: Male, figs. 1–3. Total body length 9.0 mm (9.0–11.0 mm); forewing length 7.5 mm (7.5–8.5 mm). Head wider than long; width 2.5 mm (2.5–2.8 mm), length 2.3 mm (2.3–2.5 mm). Mandible dramatically widening from midpoint to base, with strong subapical tooth and weakly protuberant inner basal tooth or tubercle. Malar space exceedingly short, base of mandible almost touching compound eye. Labrum about as long as wide. Frontal line carinate on supraclypeal area to just above antennal sockets, above becoming moderately impressed line to just below median ocellus. F1 1.5 times longer than F2. Gena about as broad as compound eye. Hypostomal ridge minutely lamellate. Median line of mesoscutum strongly impressed to just beyond threefourths length of mesoscutum. Parapsidal line weakly impressed, length slightly shorter than tegula. Intertegular distance 2.2 mm (2.2–2.5 mm). Outer surfaces of meso­ and metatibia with sparse, minute, spinous tubercles; outer apical margin of mesotibia with three spines on anterior corner and one spine on posterior corner; outer apical margin of metatibia with three stout spines (shorter than those on mesotibia) on anterior corner; mesotibial spur slightly longer than 0.5–0.75 length of mesobasitarsus, spur minutely ciliate on margins; inner metatibial spur longer (ca. one­fifth longer) than outer spur, spurs minutely ciliate on margins; metacoxa with short (shorter than in female) medioposterior spine on inner surface. Basal vein strongly basal to cu­a; 1rs­m strongly distal to 1m­cu; 2rs­m strongly distal to 2m­cu; first submarginal cell slightly shorter than combined lengths of second and third submarginal cells; marginal cell apex slightly bent away from anterior wing margin, minutely appendiculate (fig. 9). Propodeal pit enlarged and deeply impressed. Metasomal T7 with short, flat, lateral spines with rounded apices on either side of midpoint, spines separated by slightly more than basal spine width (fig. 10); S1 with a weak, longitudinal, median carina; apical margins of visible sterna broadly and weakly concave; male hidden sterna and genitalia depicted in figures 12, 13, 16, and 17.

Outer surface of mandible with apical half impunctate and minutely and faintly imbricate, basal half with punctures separated by approximately a puncture width, integument between punctures smooth, medial punctures elongate ventrally. Labrum rugulose except basal margin distinctly and coarsely punctate, punctures separated by less than a puncture width, punctures nearly contiguous in some areas, integument between punctures smooth. Clypeus with shallow punctures slightly elongate apically (integument therefore appears weakly wrinkled), punctures separated by a puncture width or less, laterally along epistomal sulcus most punctures nearly contiguous, integument between punctures smooth. Supraclypeal area with sculpturing as described for clypeus except punctures not elongate. Malar space (where evident) impunctate and smooth. Paraocular area below level of antennal sockets with sculpturing as described for clypeus except punctures faintly elongate and nearly contiguous ventrally, subtly becoming more separated until punctures separated by slightly less than a puncture width at about an antennal­socket diameter below level of frontoclypeal sulcus (i.e., dorsal abscissa of epistomal sulcus between subantennal sulci and bor­ dering supraclypeal area) although contiguous punctures continue along inner border of compound eye up to level of frontoclypeal sulcus. Frons with faintly elongate punctures separated by a puncture width or less except punctures medially around frontal line and above antennal sockets nearly contiguous, more coarsely impressed, and more strongly elongate, punctures bordering ocelli more widely spaced, separated by 1–3 puncture widths; integument between punctures smooth. Ocellorbital area (sensu Moure and Sakagami, 1962; Engel, 1999) with punctures separated by less than a puncture width, integument between punctures smooth; integument between lateral ocellus and median ocellus smooth with a few minute punctures; integument between lateral ocelli and on vertex posterior to ocelli smooth with punctures almost contiguous, vertex posterior to ocellorbital area with punctures slightly larger and separated by 0.5–1.5 times puncture width, punctures bordering preoccipital ridge small and contiguous. Gena with smaller punctures than those of clypeus, punctures separated from lateral neighbors by less than a puncture width while separated by a puncture width from dorsal and ventral neighbors, integument between punctures smooth. Postgena with punctures separated by a puncture width or less, integument between punctures smooth. Pronotum with punctures along lateral margin contiguous quickly becoming separated by a puncture width over pronotal surface, integument between punctures smooth except at lateral margin faintly imbricate (where evident); pronotal lobe with punctures smaller than those elsewhere on pronotum, punctures separated by 1–3 puncture widths, integument between punctures smooth. Mesoscutum with coarse punctures on lateral margins and central disc nearly contiguous to a puncture width apart, gradually becoming more closely spaced posteriorly until all punctures are nearly contiguous, anterior­facing surface with shallow punctures nearly contiguous, integument between punctures smooth. Tegula with small punctures (approximately one­half size of those on mesoscutum) gradually blending from contiguous along margin with meso­ scutum to separation of 1–1.5 puncture widths on central disc, outer margin largely impunctate, integument between punctures imbricate. Mesoscutellum coarsely punctate, punctures mostly contiguous except tubercles impunctate, integument between punctures smooth; axilla sculptured as described for mesoscutellum. Metanotum roughened and strongly imbricate. Pleura with punctures nearly contiguous, slightly elongate posteroventrally, punctures of hypoepimeral area enlarged and separated by a puncture width or less except with small impunctate area in the posteroventral corner, integument between punctures smooth; border of metepisternum and lateral surface of propodeum formed by deep impunctate depression with short, weak, crescent­shaped striae radiating at its ventral termination. Legs with small punctures separated by less than a puncture width, punctures particularly small and dense on mesotibia, mesotarsus, metafemur, metatibia, and metatarsus, integument between punctures smooth except spurs imbricate. Sculpturing on lateral and posterior surfaces of propodeum as described for pleura except punctures not elongate. Central disc of dorsal­facing surface of T1 with small, shallow punctures separated by a puncture width or less, such punctures slightly more dense anteriorly along border with anterior­facing surface; punctures in posterior marginal zone similar to those on central disc except with narrow, transverse impunctate area at its extreme apex; integument between punctures exceedingly faintly imbricate. Sculpturing of remaining terga as described for dorsal­facing surface of T1 except T6 without impunctate apical margin and medioapical processes of T7 impunctate. Metasomal S1–4 with punctures slightly elongate posteriorly, basally separated by less than a puncture width, gradually becoming more sparse until separated by four times a puncture width at threefourths of central disc length, apical margin impunctate, integument imbricate; S5–6 with punctures nearly contiguous throughout disc, without impunctate apical margin, integument imbricate.

Head, mesosoma, and metasoma black and shiny except distal half of mandible dark reddish­brown with slightly lighter midsection; labiomaxillary complex brown; flagellum dark brown to black; apical margin of posterior­facing surfaces of trochanters with short band of semitranslucent yellowish integument; tarsi, excluding basitarsi, dark brown; claws brown; and pregradular areas of metasoma dark brown to brown. Wings infumate with faint opalescence except alar fenestrae more hyaline; veins dark brown.

Pubescence dark fuscous (nearly black) and not obscuring the integument unless otherwise stated. Outer surface of mandible with 4–5 simple setae in acetabular groove (ca. 1.5 OD in length), a few simple setae (ca. 1.5 OD in length) intermixed with shorter (ca. 0.4 –0.8 OD in length) minutely branched setae in outer groove, scattered simple setae (ca. 2 OD in length) in condylar groove; inner surface of mandible with several simple setae (ca. 0.5–1 OD in length) in fimbrial interspace, a few simple setae (ca. 1.5 OD in length) intermixed with several minutely branched setae (ca. 1 OD in length) in condylar interspace. Lateral quarters of labrum with branched setae (ca. 0.75 OD in length) intermixed with simple setae (ca. 1 OD in length), apical margin with simple setae (ca. 0.75 OD in length), labral surface with scattered simple setae (ca. 0.25–0.5 OD in length), such setae slightly more dense along basal margin. Lateral margins of clypeus with simple setae (ca. 1 OD in length), such setae quickly become minutely branched over surface of clypeus and slightly more dense along epistomal sulcus. Supraclypeal area with branched setae (ca. 1.5–2 OD in length) intermixed with white setae of similar structure and length. Face below level of antennal sockets with pubescence as described for supraclypeal area although without white setae. Scape with scattered, branched setae (ca. 0.5 OD in length, i.e., about equal to scape width) although those on outer­lateral margin noticeably longer (ca. 1 OD in length). Frons immediately above antennal sockets with white, minutely branched setae (ca. 2.5 OD in length); remainder of frons with dark fuscous, minutely branched setae (ca. 1.5–2 OD in length). Vertex with scattered, minutely branched setae (ca. 1.5–2 OD in length) except posterior to ocellorbital area on preoccipital ridge setae white. Gena with scattered, minutely branched setae (ca. 1 OD in length), setae slightly more dense posteriorly. Pubescence of postgena as described for gena except 1.5– 2 OD in length. Anterior­facing surface of pronotum with branched setae (ca. 1 OD in length) except upper lateral area with white, branched setae (ca. 1.5 OD in length); pro­ notal lobe with branched setae (ca. 1.25 OD in length) and slightly less dense than those on remainder of pronotum. Anterior­facing surface of mesoscutum with minutely branched, scattered setae (ca. 2 OD in length); dorsal­facing surface with scattered, minutely branched, fuscous setae except patch of white, slightly branched setae medially on anterior margin, sometimes mediolaterally on either side of anterior part of medial line (slightly posterior to medial anterior patch), laterally immediately anterior to tegula, and posterolaterally near axillae (fig. 4), setae (both fuscous and white) grading from 2 OD in length along anterior margin to 1 OD in length along posterior margin. Tegula with scattered, minutely branched setae (ca. 1 OD in length). Mesoscutellum with scattered, minutely branched setae (ca. 1.5 OD in length). Metanotum with pubescence as described for mesoscutellum except a few minutely branched white setae (ca. 2 OD in length) posterior to metathoracic wing base and slightly more dense than other metanotal setae. Pleura with branched setae (ca. 1.5–2 OD in length) except those bordering pronotal lobe, and sometimes just below level of scrobe, white. Procoxa, protrochanter, profemur, and protibia intermixed with minutely branched and simple setae (ca. 0.5–1.5 OD in length), those on posterior surfaces generally longer than those on anterior surfaces (in some individuals longer posterior setae on protibia white); setae more sparse on procoxa, protrochanter, and profemur than on protibia. Mesocoxa, mesotrochanter, mesofemur, and mesotibia with suberect, simple setae (ca. 0.25–1 OD in length) intermixed with suberect, branched setae (ca. 0.5–1 OD in length), those setae on mesocoxa, mesotrochanter, and mesofemur less dense than those on mesotibia; mesotibial outer surface with mat of dense, lightly fuscous, appressed, plumose setae (ca. 0.2 OD in length), mat dorsolaterally bordered by white, minutely branched, appressed setae (ca. 0.25 OD in length) although white border can be reduced to a single dorsal white spot of setae in some individuals. Metacoxa, metatrochanter, metafemur, and metatibia with suberect, simple setae (ca. 0.25–1 OD in length) intermixed with suberect, branched setae (ca. 0.5–1 OD in length), those setae on metacoxa, metatro­ chanter, and metafemur less dense than those on metatibia; outer surface of metatibia sometimes with medial patch of white, branched setae (ca. 0.5 OD in length) (although patch reduced or absent in some individuals), outer surface with glabrous apical margin. Tarsal setae shorter (ca. 0.25–0.5 OD in length except on basitarsi ca. 0.5–1 OD in length) and stouter, sometimes almost spinelike, than other leg setae; inner surface of metabasitarsus with thick mat of stout, simple, suberect setae directed toward apex (ca. 0.75 OD in length). Forewing with scattered, minute, dark fuscous, simple setae in costal cell, in radial cell bordering Sc+R, in anterior half of marginal cell, in cubital cell bordering M+Cu, and on basal abscissa of A. Hind wing with scattered, minute, dark fuscous, simple setae on costal margin, in radial cell, in cubital cell, posterior to A, posterior to second abscissa of M+Cu, and posterior to hamuli along Rs. Lateral and posterior surfaces of propodeum with branched setae (ca. 1.5–2 OD in length); minutely branched setae (ca. 2 OD in length) along border between lateral and posterior surfaces, such setae more dense than other propodeal setae. Dorsal surfaces of metasomal terga with minutely branched, posteriorly directed, appressed setae (ca. 0.5 OD in length), apicolaterally with transverse band of appressed, white, branched setae (ca. 0.75 OD in length), such apical bands interrupted medially, bands present on T1–5 (although sometimes those on T5 greatly reduced), basolateral patch of white setae on T1, for banding patterns see figures 4 and 5; terga with sparsely scattered, erect, simple setae (ca. 1– 1.25 OD in length), such setae most numerous laterally (albeit still quite sparse) and progressively more numerous on succeeding terga; basolateral corners of T1 also with longer, branched, suberect setae (ca. 1 OD in length); apical margin of T6 with dense, minute, highly branched, light fuscous setae; T7 with numerous, suberect, branched setae (ca. 0.75 OD in length) intermixed with suberect, stout, simple setae (ca. 0.75 OD in length). Sterna with posteriorly directed, appressed, minutely branched setae (ca. 0.25–0.5 OD in length) intermixed with scattered, suberect, simple setae (ca. 1.25 OD in length); S2–4 with apicolateral patches of white, appressed, branched setae (ca. 0.75 OD in length; fig. 5), sometimes present as greatly reduced patch on S5; margins of S1–4 with apical glabrous zone, apical margins of S5–6 densely covered with branched, suberect setae (ca. 0.5–1 OD in length); all sterna with minute, apical fringes of simple setae.

Female. As described for the male except as follows: Total body length 9.3 mm (8.0– 10.0 mm); forewing length 8.0 mm (7.0– 8.8 mm). Head width 2.7 mm (2.4–3.0 mm), length 2.3 mm (2.0– 2.7 mm). Intertegular distance 2.3 mm (2.0– 2.6 mm). Outer and posterior surfaces of mesotibia with scattered spines; outer apical margin of mesotibia with 3–4 spines on anterior corner, one enlarged spine on posterior corner; mesotibial spur almost as long as mesobasitarsus, metacoxa with distinct, medioposterior spine on inner surface. Metatibia with scattered stout spines on outer surface; outer apical margin with 4– 5 very stout spines. T6 with pygidial plate carinate laterally, with slight median ridge along apical fourth; basal 0.75 of plate appearing shallowly concave between lateral carinae (fig. 11). S6 apically with two rather indistinct setose projections joined medially (fig. 18). Dorso­apical process of second valvifer bifid at apex (fig. 19). T7 with somewhat elongate lateral process (fig. 21). T8 depicted in figure 20.

Punctures bordering ocelli on frons separated by a puncture width. Gena with punctures separated by less than a puncture width. Metasomal S1–5 with punctures slightly elongate posteriorly, basally separated by less than a puncture width gradually becoming more sparse until separated by four times a puncture width by three­fourths of central disc lengths, apical margins impunctate, integument imbricate. Apical third of pygidial plate smooth and impunctate; basally plate with scattered small punctures (<0.1 OD) almost contiguous to separated by five puncture widths. T6 basal and lateral to plate with nearly contiguous small punctures (<0.1 OD).

Mesotibial outer surface lacking mat of dense setae present in male, although with scattered, minute, pinnate setae (ca. 0.2 OD in length), without white setae. Outer surface of metatibia lacking glabous apical margin. Outer lateral margin of probasitarsus with exceedingly long, simple, posteriorly direct­ ed setae (ca. 3–3.5 OD in length). All external sterna with apical glabrous zone. Pygidial plate lacking setae on apical third, basally with scattered, minute (<0.1 OD in length) setae. T6 basally and laterally with minutely branched setae (0.5 OD in length); laterally also with scattered, black, thickened, spinelike setae (0.6 OD in length) interspersed with long, thin, simple setae (ca. 1 OD in length). Apical margin of T7 lateral to plate with numerous, black, elongate, thickened, simple setae (ca. 1 OD; fig. 11).

HOLOTYPE: Male labeled, ‘‘KYRGYZ­ STAN: Issyk­Kul, S shore Issyk­Kul 10 km E Kadzhi­Saj, 42°10'33̎N/77°18'55̎E, 1675 m, 2 VII [July] 1999, J.G. Rozen & J.K. Bouseman’ ’ // ‘‘ Searching bank with Antho­ phora nests’’ // ‘‘ Holotype, Thyreomelecta

Figures

Figs. 1, 2. Thyreomelecta kirghisia, n. sp., holotype male. 1. Lateral aspect. 2. Dorsal aspect.

Fig. 3. Face of Thyreomelecta kirghisia, n. sp., holotype male.

Figs. 4–6. Thyreomelecta kirghisia, n. sp. 4. Pattern of white pubescence, dorsal view of mesosoma and metasoma. 5. Pattern of white pubescence, lateral view of metasoma (stippling indicates areas that are sometimes black). 6. Metapretarsal claw.

Figs. 7, 8. Mesoscutella of Thyreomelecta and Thyreus, dorsal aspects. 7. Thyreomelecta kirghisia, n. sp., holotype. 8. Thyreus hellenicus Lieftinck (AMNH, same collection data as holotype of T. kirghisia).

Fig. 9. Forewing venation of Thyreomelecta kirghisia, n. sp.

Figs. 10, 11. Terminal terga of Thyreomelecta kirghisia, n. sp. 10. Male T7. 11. Pygidial plate on T6 of female (stippling on plate apex outlines area of medial swelling).

Figs. 12–15. Male hidden sterna (S7 and S8) of two Central Asian Thyreomelecta species. 12. Thyreomelecta kirghisia, n. sp., S8. 13. T. kirghisia, S7. 14. T. propinquua (Lieftinck), S8 (redrawn from Lieftinck, 1968). 15. T. propinquua, S7 (redrawn from Lieftinck, 1968).

Figs. 16, 17. Male genitalia of Thyreomelecta kirghisia, n. sp. 16. Genitalic capsule; left side is dorsal view, right side is ventral view. 17. Lateral view.

Figs. 18–21. Female terminalia of Thyreomelecta kirghisia, n. sp. 18. Ventral view of S6. 19. Lateral view of sting apparatus, with enlarged view of gonangulum (= first valvifer of Snodgrass, 1935). 20. Lateral view of T8. 21. Lateral view of T7.