Andrena (Vellandrena) bassana Warncke, 1969

Pisanty, Gideon & Wood, Thomas James, 2024, The early-diverging subgenera of the bee genus Andrena (Hymenoptera: Andrenidae) in the Old World, Zootaxa 5474 (5), pp. 451-488 : 481-483

publication ID	https://doi.org/ 10.11646/zootaxa.5474.5.1
publication LSID	lsid:zoobank.org:pub:3DDAA7F0-27D0-43E8-AAFB-E56F0E24FB3F
DOI	https://doi.org/10.5281/zenodo.12710374
persistent identifier	https://treatment.plazi.org/id/077587FD-B850-640B-FF6C-D824EA9EFC6E
treatment provided by	Plazi
scientific name	Andrena (Vellandrena) bassana Warncke, 1969
status

Treatment

Andrena (Vellandrena) bassana Warncke, 1969 View in CoL

( Figs. 89–90, 94–100, 102, 104, 106 View FIGURES 89–99 View FIGURES 100–107 , 108–111 View FIGURES 108–111 )

Andrena (Truncandrena) bassana Warncke, 1969: 403 View in CoL , ♂ [ Israel: OLML].

Andrena (Truncandrena) bassana Warncke View in CoL : Gusenleitner & Schwarz 2002: 116–117.

Description of female ( Fig. 96 View FIGURES 89–99 ).

Body length: 11.5–12.5 mm.

Colour. Body dark. Anterior side of flagellomeres 4–10 reddish. Tergal marginal zones reddish to black, becoming yellowish near apex ( Fig. 90 View FIGURES 89–99 ). Wings slightly infuscate, veins and stigma brown ( Figs. 96, 99 View FIGURES 89–99 ).

Pubescence. Head and mesosoma mostly with minutely plumose golden hair ( Figs. 89, 94–98 View FIGURES 89–99 ). Lower 2/3 of face with moderately long golden hair, with highest density on the outer margin of antennal sockets ( Fig. 94 View FIGURES 89–99 ). Facial foveae with dense minute yellowish hair ( Fig. 89 View FIGURES 89–99 ). Vertex and genal area with golden hair ( Figs. 89, 94, 96 View FIGURES 89–99 ). Mesonotum, scutellum and metanotum with thick golden hairs, very short, sparse and inconspicuous centrally, dense and moderately long peripherally ( Figs. 89, 96 View FIGURES 89–99 ). Mesepisternum with long, dense golden hair, becoming slightly whitish ventrally. Propodeal corbicula incomplete, dorsal margin with fringe of long, moderately plumose golden hairs, upper half of corbicular surface with extremely dense, short yellowish plumose hair, with a texture reminiscent of a carpet ( Fig. 98 View FIGURES 89–99 ). Leg hair whitish to golden ( Figs. 95–96 View FIGURES 89–99 ). Tibial scopa composed of simple golden hairs. Flocculus complete, whitish ( Fig. 95 View FIGURES 89–99 ). Surface of tergal disc 1 with sparse, medium-lengthed yellowish hairs, the following discs with minute, inconspicuous bright hairs. Apices of tergal marginal zones 2–4 with narrow, complete bands of moderately dense whitish hair. Terminal fringe golden ( Figs. 90, 96 View FIGURES 89–99 ).

Head ( Figs. 89, 94, 96 View FIGURES 89–99 ). 1.15 times broader than long ( Fig. 94 View FIGURES 89–99 ). Mandible bidentate. Galea very finely shagreened. Glossa 2.7 times longer than broad. Labral process triangular, apex thickened, minutely bidentate. Clypeus almost completely flat, surface weakly shagreened on basal ¼, elsewhere smooth, punctation coarse, dense and strong, distance between punctures 0.5–1 puncture diameters, without impunctate midline ( Fig. 94 View FIGURES 89–99 ). Lower part of paraocular area smooth, finely and densely punctured. Malar area undeveloped, eye margin almost touching mandible base. Supraclypeal area moderately protuberant, longitudinally striated, finely and densely punctured. Facial foveae broad throughout, almost rectangular, very shallow above, deeper below, extending from level of upper margin of lateral ocellus to base of clypeus, 0.65 times as wide as antennocular distance, separated from compound eye by smooth linear area ( Figs. 89, 94 View FIGURES 89–99 ). Distance of fovea from lateral ocellus about 1.1 ocellar diameters. Flagellomere 1 0.85 times shorter than 2+3+4 ( Fig. 94 View FIGURES 89–99 ). Frons strongly longitudinally striated, interspersed with fine punctures. Ocellar triangle very densely, finely punctured. Ocelloccipital distance 1.9 ocellar diameters ( Fig. 89 View FIGURES 89–99 ). Genal area about 1.1 times wider than compound eye. Preoccipital ridge weakly carinate dorsally, rounded laterally.

Mesosoma ( Figs.89,95,97–99 View FIGURES 89–99 ).Dorsolateral angle of pronotum distinctly elevated, forming a strong dorsolateral carina. Mesonotum weakly shagreened to almost smooth anteriorly, smooth centrally, densely punctured, distance between punctures 0.5–1 puncture diameters on anterior margin, 1–4 puncture diameters on disc. Scutellum smooth, densely punctured, distance between punctures 0.5–2 puncture diameters ( Fig. 89 View FIGURES 89–99 ). Surface of mesepisternum with strong, very fine alveolation, overlayed by weak punctures separated by 0.5–1 puncture diameters. Surface of lower half of propodeal corbicula strongly shagreened ( Fig. 98 View FIGURES 89–99 ). Basal part of propodeum moderately sloping, apical part longer, more or less vertical. Surface of posterolateral part of propodeum with very strong, fine alveolation, overlayed by coarse and dense, ill-defined punctures. Propodeal triangle narrow, almost T-shaped, surface mat, lateral and apical margins very finely, shallowly alveolated, central area with weak, ill-defined fine rugae ( Figs. 89, 97 View FIGURES 89–99 ). Inner side of hind femur rounded. Inner hind tibial spur more or less straight and of uniform width. Hind pretarsal claw with strong inner tooth. First recurrent vein meets submarginal cell 2 beyond its middle. Submarginal crossvein 1 enters marginal cell 4–6 vein widths from stigma. Nervulus slightly postfurcal ( Fig. 99 View FIGURES 89–99 ).

Metasoma ( Fig. 90 View FIGURES 89–99 ). Tergal discs mostly smooth and shiny, strongly and densely punctured, distance between punctures 1–2 puncture diameters on tergum 1, 0.5–1 puncture diameters on terga 2–4. Tergal marginal zones very broad and arched, weakly to moderately depressed, surface sculpture similar to tergal discs except for basal margins which are more sparsely punctured. Pygidial plate normally developed, without elevated medial area.

Distribution: Gaza Strip *, Israel, West Bank, Jordan *, Syria *.

Flight period: February–April. A single male was apparently collected in July.

Flower records: Asteraceae : Pallenis spinosa ; Brassicaceae : Sinapis sp. ; Ranunculaceae : Ranunculus asiaticus .

Pollen preferences: Four analysed loads from Bet Guvrin, Lakhish and Ya’arot Hakarmel contained 40% Boraginaceae ( Echium - type), 38% Papaveraceae ( Papaver ), 20% Asteraceae ( Anthemis - type, Crepis - type), and 2% Brassicaceae ( Sinapis - type). The species therefore appears to be polylectic.

Genetic sequences available: BOLD accession nos. ANDIL357-22, ANDPH033-21 ( Israel); Genbank accession no. SRX10365470 (UCE, Israel).

MATERIAL EXAMINED: HOLOTYPE: ISRAEL • ♂; Ramleh [Ramla]; OLML. – PARATYPES: ISRAEL • 2♂; Daphne [Dafna]; 20 Mar. 1941; H. Bytinski-Salz leg.; SMNHTAU • 1♂; Deganya A [Degania Alef], Bet Gordon; 1 Mar. 1942; Y. Palmoni leg.; SMNHTAU • 1♂; Migda [Gilat Research Center]; 14 Mar. 19[??]; H. Bytinski-Salz leg.; SMNHTAU • 1♂; ibid.; 18 Mar. 19[??] • 7♂; Ginosar; 6 Mar. 1965; H. Bytinski-Salz leg.; SMNHTAU.— non-type material: GAZA STRIP • 1♀; Deir El-Belah [Deir al-Balah], 8 m. SW of Gaza; 7 Apr. 1917; E.E. Austen leg.; OLML.— ISRAEL • 2♀; Avivim; 25 Apr. 1983; A. Hefetz leg.; SMNHTAU • 1♀; Bet [Beit] Guvrin; 3 Apr. 1988; I. Yarom leg.; SMNHTAU 374706 • 2♀; Kokhav HaYarden [Belvoir Castle], moat of castle; 26 Mar. 2001; L. Friedman leg.; SMNHTAU • 1♂; B.Shemen [Ben Shemen]; 15 Jul.[?] 1980; E. Shney-Dor leg.; SMNHTAU • 1♀; Nahal Besor [Besor Stream]; 15 Mar. 1970. M. Kaplan leg.; SMNHTAU 374717 • 1♀; Benjamina [Binyamina]; 16 Mar. 19[??]; H. Bytinski-Salz leg.; OLML • 2♂; Daphne [Dafna]; 20 Mar. 1941; H. Bytinski-Salz leg.; SMNHTAU • 1♂; Nahal Dishon [Dishon Stream]; 1 Apr. 1991; R. Kasher leg.; SMNHTAU • 1♂; Ein-Avazim, S Qiryat Shemona [Kiryat Shmona]; 13 Mar. 1995; R. Kasher leg.; sleeping on Ranunculus asiaticus ; SMNHTAU • 1♂; Gonen, E Hula Valley; 23 Mar. 1995; R. Kasher leg.; SMNHTAU • 1♂; Har Shana ([Mount] Carmel); 24 Mar. 1989, J. Kugler leg.; SMNHTAU • 1♀; Karmei Yosef; 22 Mar. 2018; T. Roth leg.; pan trap; SMNHTAU 291203 • 3♀; Lakhish; 19 Mar. 2013; T. Shapira leg.; pan trap; SMNHTAU 133511, 150223, 150309 • 1♀; ibid.; 20 Mar. 2013; SMNHTAU 150574 • 1♂; Lakhish, 3 km NE; 31.575° N, 34.870° E; 4 Mar. 2016; G. Pisanty leg.; SMNHTAU 235267 • 3♀; ibid.; 11 Mar. 2016; SMNHTAU 236064, 236065, 236069 • 3♂; ibid.; SMNHTAU 236041, 236042, 236055 • 2♀; ibid.; 19 Mar. 2016; SMNHTAU 236547, 236548 • 1♂; ibid.; SMNHTAU 236552 • 1♂; ibid.; 1 Apr. 2016; on Pallenis spinosa ; SMNHTAU 238684 • 2♂; Lakhish, 3 km NE; 31.579° N, 34.871° E; 11 Mar. 2016; G. Pisanty leg.; on Sinapis ; SMNHTAU 235970, 235972 • 1♀; Zomet Lakhish [Lakhish Junction]; 30 Mar. 2002; A. Freidberg leg.; SMNHTAU 374704 • 1♀; Migdal; 14 Apr. 1942; Y. Palmoni leg.; SMNHTAU 181005 • 1♀; Mizpe Zohar; 6 Mar. 1972 [?]; K. Yefenof leg.; SMNHTAU • 1♀; Yaarot HaKarmel [Mount Carmel National Park]; 14 Apr. 1945; H. Bytinski-Salz leg.; SMNHTAU 374705 • 2♂; Hare [Mount] Gilboa’; 32.415° N, 35. 441° E; 80 m a.s.l.; 15 Mar. 2021; A. Dorchin leg.; SMNHTAU 358713, 358714 • 1♂; ibid.; BOLD accession no. ANDIL357-22; SMNHTAU 358715 • 1♂; Amud W. [Nahal Amud]; 3 Mar. 1984; E. Shney-Dor leg.; SMNHTAU • 3♂; Golan, Nahal Sa’ar; 18 Apr. 1992; R. Kasher leg.; SMNHTAU • 1♀; Golan, N.Saar [Nahal Sa’ar], 13 km W Qiryat [Kiryat] Shmona; 18 Apr. 1990; R. Kasher leg.; SMNHTAU 374711 • 1♀; Ya’ar Nehusha [Nehusha Forest]; 18 Mar. 2015; T. Chaprazaro leg.; SMNHTAU 184889 • 3♂; Ramla; 28 Mar. 1972; H. Bytinski-Salz leg.; SMNHTAU • 1♀, 9♂; Ramleh [Ramla]; 24 Mar. 1971; H. Bytinski-Salz leg.; SMNHTAU • 1♂; Shoham Forest Park; 32.00° N, 34.963° E; 28 Mar. 2022; G. Pisanty leg.; sweeping; SMNHTAU 388591 • 1♀; Snir, Hermon Field Study Center; 5 Mar. 1996; R. Kasher leg.; SMNHTAU • 2♂; ibid.; 27 Mar. 1997 • 1♂; ibid.; 30 Mar. 1997 • 1♂; ibid.; 3 Apr. 1997 • 1♀; Tel ‘Eton; 31.492° N, 34.925° E; 3 Apr. 2022; G. Pisanty leg.; sweeping; SMNHTAU 388483 • 7♂; ibid.; SMNHTAU 388476 to 388482 • 1♂; Tel Hadid; 31.968° N, 34.95° E; 20 Mar. 2015; G. Pisanty leg.; SMNHTAU 208036 • 1♀; ibid.; 31.968° N, 34.951° E; pan trap; BOLD accession no. ANDPH033-21, Genbank accession no. SRX10365470; SMNHTAU 207993 • 1♀; Emeq HaEla [Valley of Elah]; 31°41’ N, 34°58’ E; 20 Apr. 2011; A. Moran leg.; SMNHTAU.— JORDAN • 1♀; Irbid, Saham vill [village]; 25 Apr. 2003; I. Pljushtch leg.; OLML • 1♂; S of Irbid; 13 Apr. 2009; M. Snižek leg.; OLML • 2♀; N. Shuna env; 30 Apr. 1996; Mi. Halada leg.; OLML.— SYRIA • 1♂; 30 km NW Dara; 29–30 Apr. 1994; S. Bečvář leg.; OLML.— WEST BANK • 1♀; Inn of [the] Good Samaritan; 11 Apr. 1899; Morice leg.; OLML • 1♀; Ma’ale Adumim; 24 Feb. 1974; M. Kaplan leg.; SMNHTAU • 1♂; NofePerat [Nofei Prat], Kefar Adummim [Kfar Adumim], north-facing slope of Nahal Perat [Wadi Qelt]; 27 Feb. 2007; L. Friedman leg.; SMNHTAU • 2♂; Sartava NR [Nature Reserve], Wadi Jeruzaliya; –70–+ 300 m a.s.l.; 14 Feb. 2019; L. Friedman leg.; SMNHTAU 301538, 301539.

Remarks. Due to the dearth of available material and the differing morphologies of the two sexes, in his original account of A. bassana, Warncke (1969) could not confidently associate the females with the males, and therefore described only the latter. Six years later, having examined more material from Turkey and the Levant, he very briefly described the female of A. b. etesiaca (herein elevated to species status), in terms of the distinguishing characters from the nominate subspecies, which was still left undescribed ( Warncke 1975). This is unfortunate, as the holotype of A. b. etesiaca is a female. An adequate description of the females of either subspecies was therefore essentially lacking, and the above treatment is given to amend this issue.