Acta Zoologica Cracoviensia, 49B(1-2) 2006

Issue:

VOL 49B(1-2) 2006

Keywords:

Apoidea, Anthophila, cleptoparasite, Puerto Rico, Cuba, Dominican Republic, Neotropical region

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A new genus of cleptoparasitic bees from the West Indies (Hymenoptera: Halictidae)

• ENGEL M. S.

Abstract:

Nesosphecodes gen. nov., a new genus of cleptoparasitic bees (Halictinae: Halictini) is described and figured. Nesosphecodes is most similar to Microsphecodes but differs most notably by the larger body size, more sparse punctation, coal-black integument with the absence of any yellowish areas on the head and mesosoma, and shorter free portion to the marginal cell with submarginal cells extending just barely beyond the pterostigmal apex, among other characters. The genus is differentiated from other sphecodines (e.g., Sphecodes, Microsphecodes, Eupetersia). Three new species are described: Nesosphecodes anthracinus sp. nov. from Puerto Rico, N. halictophagus sp. nov. from the Dominican Republic, and N. cubicola sp. nov. from Cuba. A key to the species is presented.