Palaearctic Osmiine Bees

The subgenus Prionohoplitis Tkalcu is confined to the Palaearctic region. It contains 7 species. However, preliminary molecular analyses (C. Sedivy, A. Müller, A. Widmer and S. Dorn, unpublished) indicate that Prionohoplitis sensu Griswold and Michener (1998) does not constitute a monophyletic group and that some species should rather be included in the subgenus Alcidamea.

Nest of Hoplitis (Prionohoplitis) curvipes (Morawitz, 1871) under a (removed) stone consisting of two brood cells, one of which is still being provisioned (left); putative brood cell of Hoplitis (Prionohoplitis) brachypogon (Pérez, 1879) attached to a stem (right). Fotos A. Müller.

Species accounts

Hoplitis (Prionohoplitis) brachypogon (Pérez, 1879)

1879 Osmia brachypogon Pérez, Actes de la Société Linnéenne de Bordeaux, 33: 195. Type material: Lectotype f, by designation of Tkalcu (1974c: 331), “Marseille” [France], MNHN (Paris).-Combination Hoplitis (Acanthosmia) brachypogon (Pérez) in Zanden (1988b: 120). Combination Osmia (Alcidamea) brachypogon Pérez in Warncke (1991h: 719).

1934 Osmia Seyrigi Benoist, Bulletin de la Société Entomologique de France, 39: 106. Type material: Holotype m, “El Solidado” [Spain], MNHN (Paris).-Combination Hoplitis (Liosmia) seyrigi (Benoist) in Zanden (1985: 63). Combination Hoplitis (Alcidamea) seyrigi (Benoist) in Zanden (1988b: 120).-Synonymy in Warncke (1991h: 719) and in Zanden (1991b: 352).

Distribution-Europe: AL, BG, E, F, GR, GR(Cr), HR, I, P. Southwestern Asia: IR, SYR, TR.

Identification-Keys, Descriptions: Amiet et al. (2004); Benoist (1931); Ducke (1900); Tkalcu (1974c: 331); Warncke (1991h); Zanden (1988a: 63, 1991b: 357-358).

Nesting biology-Nesting site: One brood cell, which was putatively constructed by a female of H. brachypogon, was found attached to an erect stem of Achillea about 15cm above ground. Nesting material: The brood cell consisted entirely of leaves and leaf fragments, which were imbricately glued together, forming a cone-like structure as in Hoplitis (Alcidamea) mitis. (A. Müller, unpublished)

Flower preferences: Possibly oligolectic on Fabaceae (A. Müller, unpublished, based on 13 pollen samples from 7 different localities).

- subspecies brachypogon (Pérez, 1879)

1879 Automatically established nominotypical subspecific taxon (original description and type specimen are identical with those of the species rank taxon of the same name above).

Distribution-Europe: E, F, I, P.

Identification-Keys, Descriptions: No supplementary or more detailed morphological description known.

- subspecies carsophila (Ducke, 1899)

1899 Osmia carsophila Ducke, Entomologische Nachrichten (Berlin), 25: 212. Type material: Holotype m, “bei Fiume” [Croatia], ZMHB (Berlin).-Synonymy with Osmia brachypogon Pérez in Benoist (1945: 28).-Combination Osmia (Alcidamea) brachypogon carsophila Ducke in Warncke (1991h: 719).

Distribution-Europe: AL, BG, GR, GR(Cr), HR. Southwestern Asia: IR, SYR, TR.

Identification-Keys, Descriptions: Warncke (1991h).

Hoplitis (Prionohoplitis) campanularis (Morawitz, 1877)

1877 Osmia campanularis Morawitz, Horae Societatis Entomologicae Rossicae (St. Petersburg), 14: 42. Type material: Lectotype f, by designation of Warncke (1991h: 735), “Mzchett” [Georgia], ZIN (St. Petersburg).-Combination Hoplitis (Acanthosmia) campanularis (Morawitz) in Zanden (1988b: 120). Combination Osmia (Alcidamea) campanularis Morawitz in Warncke (1991h: 735).

Distribution-Europe: AL, BG, E, GE, GR, HR, I, SLO; Yugoslavia. Northern Africa: DZ, MA. Southwestern Asia: IL, TR.

Identification-Keys, Descriptions: Schmiedeknecht (1885-1886); Warncke (1991h).

Nesting biology: Unknown.

Flower preferences: Probably oligolectic on Campanulaceae (e.g. Asyneuma) (Morawitz, 1877; A. Müller, unpublished, based on 13 pollen samples from 8 different localities).

- subspecies campanularis (Morawitz, 1877)

1877 Automatically established nominotypical subspecific taxon (original description and type specimen are identical with those of the species rank taxon of the same name above).

Distribution-Europe: AL, BG, GE, GR, HR, I, SLO; Yugoslavia. Southwestern Asia: TR.

Identification-Keys, Descriptions: No supplementary or more detailed morphological description known.

- subspecies ibericola (Mavromoustakis, 1947)

1947 Osmia digitata ibericola Mavromoustakis, Eos (Madrid), 23: 357. Type material: Holotype m, “Paracuellos” [Spain], DAAN (Nicosia).-Combination Osmia (Alcidamea) campanularis ibericola Mavromoustakis in Warncke (1991h: 735).

Distribution-Europe: E.

Identification-Keys, Descriptions: Warncke (1991h); Zanden (1984c: 182).

- subspecies sexcinctella (Pérez, 1895)

1895 Osmia sexcinctella Pérez, Espèces nouvelles de mellifères de Barbarie, p. 14. Type material: f(f), [Algeria], MNHN (Paris).-Combination Hoplitis (Hoplitis) sexcinctella (Pérez) in Zanden (1988b: 121). Combination Osmia (Alcidamea) campanularis sexcinctella Pérez in Warncke (1991h: 736).

1899 Osmia digitata Friese, Entomologische Nachrichten (Berlin), 25: 61. Type material: Holotype m, “Algeria” [Algeria], ZMHB (Berlin).-Synonymy with Hoplitis campanularis (Morawitz in Zanden (1988b: 115, 120). Synonymy with Osmia campanularis sexcinctella Pérez in Warncke (1991h: 736).

Distribution-Northern Africa: DZ, MA.

Identification-Keys, Descriptions: Ducke (1900).

Hoplitis (Prionohoplitis) eburnea (Warncke, 1991)

1991 Osmia (Alcidamea) eburnea Warncke, Linzer Biologische Beiträge, 23: 738. Type material: Holotype f, “10 km W Uludere in 1000 m/Hakkari” [Turkey], OLML (Linz); paratypes m(m), f(f).

Distribution-Southwestern Asia: IL, SYR, TR.

Identification-Keys, Descriptions: No supplementary or more detailed morphological description known.

Nesting biology: Unknown.

Flower preferences: Possibly oligolectic on Haplophyllum (Rutaceae) (A. Müller, unpublished, based on 5 pollen samples from 2 different localities).

Hoplitis (Prionohoplitis) epeoliformis (Ducke, 1899)

1899 Osmia epeoliformis Ducke, Entomologische Nachrichten, 25: 212. Type material: Holotype f, “Oase Tiout” [Algeria], ZMHB (Berlin).-Combination Anthocopa (Anthocopa) epeoliformis (Ducke) in Tkalcu (1975a: 181). Combination Osmia (Alcidamea) epeoliformis (Ducke) in Warncke (1991h: 737).

Distribution-Northern Africa: DZ, MA, TN. Southwestern Asia: JOR.

Identification-Keys, Descriptions: Ducke (1900). Note: Male unknown.

Nesting biology: Unknown.

Flower preferences: Polylectic (A. Müller, unpublished, based on 3 pollen samples from 3 different localities).

Hoplitis (Prionohoplitis) grossepunctata (Kohl, 1905)

1905 Osmia grossepunctata Kohl, Annalen des Kaiserlich-Königlichen Naturhistorischen Hofmuseums (Wien), 20: 242. Type material: Holotype m, “Erdschias (Ewlije-Dagh)” [Turkey], NMW (Wien).-Combination Hoplitis (Hoplitis) grossepunctata (Kohl) in Zanden (1988b: 121). Combination Osmia (Alcidamea) grossepunctata Kohl in Warncke (1991h: 740).

Distribution- Europe: ARM, GR. Southwestern Asia: TR.

Identification-Keys, Descriptions: Mavromoustakis (1938: 469); Warncke (1991h); Zanden (1989: 73).

Nesting biology: Unknown.

Flower preferences: Possibly oligolectic on Allium (Alliaceae) (A. Müller, unpublished, based on 1 pollen sample and on flower records on labels).

curvipes group

Hoplitis (Prionohoplitis) curvipes (Morawitz, 1871)

1871 Osmia curvipes Morawitz, Horae Societatis Entomologicae Rossicae (St. Petersburg), 8: 204. Type material: Syntypes m(m), f(f), “Syra, Corfu” [Greece], “Calabria” [Italy]. Type speciesof Prionohoplitis Tkalcu.-Combination Osmia (Tridentosmia) curvipes Morawitz in Schmiedeknecht (1885: 22 [888]). Combination Osmia (Osmia) curvipes Morawitz in Friese (1911b: 102). Combination Hoplitis (Tridentosmia) curvipes (Morawitz) in Zanden (1987: 82). Combination Osmia (Alcidamea) curvipes Morawitz in Warncke (1991h: 737).

Distribution-Europe: AZ, BG, E, F, GR, I, I(Si). Southwestern Asia: SYR, TR.

Identification-Keys, Descriptions: Ducke (1900); Schmiedeknecht (1885-1886); Warncke (1991h); Zanden (1983: 131, 1987: 82).

Nesting biology-Nesting site: Two brood cells, which had been built side by side, were found on the ground under a stone. Nesting material: The brood cells consisted entirely of leaves and leaf fragments, which were imbricately glued together, forming a cone-like structure as in Hoplitis (Alcidamea) mitis. (A. Müller, unpublished)

Flower preferences: Probably oligolectic on Allium (Alliaceae) (A. Müller, unpublished, based on 8 pollen samples from 5 different localities and field observations).

Hoplitis (Prionohoplitis) insolita (Benoist, 1928)

1928 Osmia insolita Benoist, Annales de la Société Entomologique de France, 97: 18. Type material: Holotype m, “Mascara” [Algeria], MNHN (Paris).-Combination Hoplitis (Tridentosmia) insolita (Benoist) in Zanden (1988b: 122). Combination Osmia (Alcidamea) insolita Benoist in Warncke (1991h: 737).

Distribution-Northern Africa: DZ.

Identification-Keys, Descriptions: Zanden (1985: 49-50). Note: Female unknown.

Nesting biology: Unknown.

Flower preferences: Unknown.