Xeromelissa sielfeldi, (TORO AND MOLDENKE)

Rozen, Jerome G. & Wyman, Eli S., 2015, The Chilean Bees Xeromelissa nortina and X. sielfeldi: Their Nesting Biologies and Immature Stages, Including Biological Notes on X. rozeni (Colletidae: Xeromelissinae), American Museum Novitates 2015 (3838), pp. 1-20 : 18

PUPA OF XEROMELISSA SIELFELDI (TORO AND MOLDENKE)

Figure 35

DIAGNOSIS: Bee pupae are rarely described and none of any Xeromelssinae has been so treated. However, Torchio and Burwell (1987) provided information on those available for the Colletidae , and noted that the pupa of Hylaeus leptocephalus (Morawitz) (as H. bisinuatus ) alone among the representatives of other colletid subfamilies bore a “terminal spine,” possibly a homolog of the median tubercle on tergum 7 of X. sielfeldi . However, the leg ”spines” reported for pupal H. leptocephalus appear to be lacking in X. sielfeldi .

DESCRIPTION: Head shape corresponding closely to that of adult, integument without special tubercles, spines, or setae. Mouthparts with cardo contained in proboscidial fossa, stipes, slightly exserted, and remaining distal elements bending sharply posteriad (fig. 35).

Mesosoma shape also corresponding to that of adult; leg segments without spines or tubercles accommodating developing adult setae.

Metasomal terga without spines or spicules, but more distal ones each with subapical band of vague protuberances (fig. 35) and metasomal tergum 8 with pronounced median tubercle at posterior margin, presumably corresponding to “terminal spine” of Hylaeus ( Torchio and Burwell, 1987) . Metasomal sterna each with posterior margin produced downward as transverse ridge (fig. 35, arrows).

MATERIAL STUDIED: Two male pupae: Chile: Atacama Prov.: Puquios , X-10-1971 (J.G. Rozen, L. Peña) .

Figures

FIGURE 35. Macrophotograph of pupa of Xeromelissa sielfeldi, lateral view. Arrows point to downwarddirected posterior margins of the metasomal sterna.