Kanakapis Engel, new subgenus

ZooBank: urn:lsid:zoobank.org:act: 7981A29E-9F4A-42F4-859F-2A3FD08353A1

TYPE SPECIES: Leioproctus (Nodocolletes) pacificus Michener, 1965 .

DIAGNOSIS: This endemic New Caledonian subgenus differs from other Lamprocolletes in the possession of an elongate metanotal spine that is slender apically and projects posteriorly. The length of the spine and metanotum together is about 0.75× length of the mesoscutellum.

ETYMOLOGY: The new generic name is a combination of Kanak, from the indigenous Melanesian inhabitants of New Caledonia, and the Latin noun apis (meaning, “bee”). The gender of the name is feminine.