Centris (Wagenknechtia) vardyorum Roig-Alsina, 2000

Vivallo, Felipe, 2013, Revision of the bee subgenus Centris (Wagenknechtia) Moure, 1950 (Hymenoptera: Apidae: Centridini), Zootaxa 3683 (5), pp. 501-537 : 520-521

Centris (Wagenknechtia) vardyorum Roig-Alsina, 2000

( Figures 25−28 , 33, 34 and 41 )

Centris (Wagenknechtia) vardyorum Roig-Alsina, 2000 . 2: 190 (Original description). Tadey, 2011. 59: 715–717 (Floral records, cited, bionomics, collecting behaviour).

Centris (Wagenknechtia) sp.; Neff & Simpson, 1981. 54: 106, 107 (Distribution, morphology, figure of fore elaiospathe).

Centris (Wagenknechtia) sp. nova; Simpson et al., 1990. 173: 210, 213, 220, 221 (Morphology, floral record).

Centris sp. nova; Simpson et al., 1990. 173: 216 (Morphology).

Centris nigerrima ; Vogel, 1974. 7: 217 (Distribution, floral record (misidentification)). Montalva & Ruz, 2010. 35: 45 (Partim, Mendoza record (misidentification)).

Centris rhodophthalma ; Sérsic & Cocucci, 1999. 194: 717 (Floral record, male behaviour (misidentification)). Tadey, 2011. 59: 399, 402 (Floral record, male behaviour (misidentification)).

Comments. This species was described recently ( Roig-Alsina, 2000), so its redescription seems redundant. Below are given some diagnostic characters to help the identification of both sexes of this species.

Diagnosis. Both sexes with integument and pilosity dark brown ( Figs. 25–28 ). Metasoma with relatively weak metallic bluish violet reflections ( Figs. 26 and 28 ). Female: fore elaiospathe strongly modified, with short, plumose and very dense pilosity on its ventral surface ( Fig. 33 ). These hairs extend throughout the ventral surface of the fore tarsi. Hind elaiospathe with the hairs of the primary comb slightly separated, less than their diameters ( Fig. 34 ). Eyes red in females and green in males (in live specimens).

Type material. Holotype female ( MACN, examined).

Type locality. Argentina: Río Negro: 8 km SW General Roca, Paso Córdoba.

Floral records. See table 1.

Distribution. This species occurs exclusively in Argentina, from Mendoza Province (Chacras de Coria) to Río Negro Province (San Antonio). ARGENTINA: ( Vivallo et al., 2002). CATAMARCA: Punta de Balasto/ Minas Capillitas ( Simpson et al., 1990). MENDOZA: Chacras de Coria ( Jörgensen, 1912a, b; Roig-Alsina, 2000). Mendoza ( Friese, 1908, 1910; Jensen-Haarup, 1908; Jörgensen, 1909, 1912a, b; Schrottky, 1913a; Wagenknecht, 1971). Pedregal ( Jörgensen, 1909, 1912a). NEUQUÉN: Arroyito, El Chocón ( Tadey, 2011). RÍO NEGRO: San Antonio ( Simpson et al., 1990), Paso Córdoba (8 Km. SW General Roca) ( Roig-Alsina, 2000).

Material examined. ARGENTINA: RÍO NEGRO: 1 female: Arg: Río Negro Paso Córdoba; river 8k sw General Roca. 6-7.xi.1997 C. & M. Vardy\ Centris vardyorum Ƥ sp. n. Holotypus A. Roig Alsina 2000 ( MACN). 1 female and 2 males: R. A. Río Negro S. A. Oeste (60 Km So.) 24/11/1973 J. L. Neff on flowers of Monttea aphylla 88207 (Ƥ) 88205 (3) y 88204 (3) Paratype Centris vogeli det. Moldenke’76\ Centris vardyorum J. L. Neff 0 2 Ƥ ( CTMI). 1 female and 2 males: Pr. Río Negro Km 1200 S. A. oeste coll. J. L. Neff 88432 (Ƥ) 88433 (3) y 88431 (3) 26/11/1973 #refers to host and date on flowers of Monttea aphylla \ Paratype Centris vogeli det. Moldenke’76\ Centris vardyorum J. L. Neff 0 2 Ƥ ( CTMI).

Figures

FIGURE 41. Distribution records for Centris moldenkei Toro & Chiappa, 1989, C. rhodophthalma Pérez, 1911 and C. vardyorum Roig-Alsina, 2000.

FIGURES 25 – 28. Centris vardyorum Roig-Alsina, 2000. Fig. 25. Female (El Challao, Argentina): Head, frontal view. Fig. 26. Habitus, lateral view. Fig. 27. Male (El Challao, Argentina): Head, frontal view. Fig. 28. Habitus, lateral view. Scale bars 1 mm.

FIGURES 29 – 34. Oil-collecting structures. Figs. 29, 31 and 33. Fore elaiospathes. Figs. 30, 32 and 34. Hind elaiospathes. Figs. 29 and 30. Centris cineraria Smith, 1854. Scale bars 500 µm. Figs. 31 and 32. Centris moldenkei Toro & Chiappa, 1989. Scale bars 200 µm. Figs. 33 and 34. Centris vardyorum Roig-Alsina, 2000. Scale bars 500 µm.