Dioxys ardens Gerstaecker, 1869

Bogusch, Petr, 2023, European cuckoo bees of the tribe Dioxyini (Hymenoptera, Megachilidae): distribution, annotated checklist and identification key, Journal of Hymenoptera Research 96, pp. 599-628 : 599

Dioxys ardens Gerstaecker

Dioxys ardens Gerstaecker, 1869: 161.

Dioxys rufispina Pérez, 1895:26.

Diagnosis.

Larger species, body length 8-10 mm. In both sexes, typical in its colouration, the metasoma is completely reddish without terminal or basal bands, and the legs and flagellum are reddish (Fig. 3A, B ). T6 of females is elongated and narrowed posteriorly, with a rounded apex. The mesosoma is ferruginously hirsute. Axillae with teeth and postscutellum with short but sharp tooth in the middle. The same characteristics are also typical for males.

Distribution.

Spain, Portugal (Fig. 4 ) and North Africa (Morocco to Libya).

Biology and hosts.

Species recorded from semideserts and other arid open habitats. Hosts unknown.

Conservation status.

This species is known only from several records from southern parts of Spain and one record from Portugal. Nieto et al. (2014) listed this species as DD - data deficient. According to the distribution records, it can be VU-vulnerable because of its long-lasting rarity. However, we know only a little about the populations and occurrence of this species in recent years.

Note.

In general, a similar species, Dioxys chalicoda Lucas, was recorded from North Africa (Algeria and Libya). One very old record is from Gibraltar, but this specimen was erroneously identified and belongs to D. ardens (coll. Biologiezentrum Linz, Austria). This species differs in the colouration of the metasoma, which has black colouration of at least the last three segments. Females have mandibles with lateral tubercles, and males have ends of S4 with an emargination and S5 and S6 convex.

Figures

Figure 3. Dioxys ardens A female, dorsal view B male, dorsal view.

Figure 4. Dioxys ardens, distribution in Europe.