Subgenus Hoplosmia
The subgenus Hoplosmia Thomson is confined to the Palaearctic region. It contains 19 described species. 1 Palaearctic species is still undescribed (A. Müller, unpublished).
Female of Osmia (Hoplosmia) spinulosa (Kirby, 1802) collecting pollen on a flower head of Buphthalmum salicifolium (Asteraceae). Foto A. Müller.
Species accounts
spinulosa group (“Hoplosmia“)
Osmia (Hoplosmia) croatica Friese, 1893
1893 Osmia croatica Friese, Entomologische Nachrichten (Berlin), 19: 353. Type material: Lectotype m, by designation of Tkalcu (1974a: 123), “Triest” [Italy], ZMHB (Berlin).-Combination Anthocopa (Hoplosmia) croatica (Friese) in Tkalcu (1974a: 122). Combination Hoplosmia (Hoplosmia) croatica (Friese) in Ungricht et al. (2008: 131).
Distribution-Europe: BG, GR, HR, I, SCG, SLO. Southwestern Asia: TR.
Identification-Keys, Descriptions: Ducke (1900); Stanek (1969a: 19-22); Tkalcu (1974a).
Nesting biology-Nesting site: Preexisting cavities: empty snail shells. The only nest recorded so far contained a single brood cell and was hidden below stones. The nest architecture appears to be exactly the same as in Osmia (Hoplosmia) spinulosa. Nesting material: Cell partitions and nest plug are made of chewed leaves (e.g. from Scabiosa). The shell surface is not plastered with patches of leaf pulp. (A. Müller, unpublished)
Flower preferences: Oligolectic on Asteraceae; all pollen samples available so far consist of pollen of Carduoideae (A. Müller, unpublished, based on the pollen content of one brood cell, on 16 pollen samples from 4 different localities and on field observations).
Osmia (Hoplosmia) elegans (Tkalcu, 1992)
1992 Hoplosmia (Hoplosmia) elegans Tkalcu, Acta Societatis Zoologicae Bohemoslovacae (Praha), 56: 220. Type material: Holotype m, “Side” [Turkey], RMNH (Leiden); paratypes m(m), f(f).
Distribution-Europe: GR(Lesbos). Southwestern Asia: JOR, TR.
Identification-Keys, Descriptions: No supplementary or more detailed morphological description known.
Nesting biology: Unknown.
Flower preferences: Unknown.
Osmia (Hoplosmia) picena (Tkalcu, 1999)
1999 Hoplosmia (Hoplosmia) picena Tkalcu, Bulletin de la Société Entomologique de Mulhouse, Janvier-Mars: 11. Type material: Holotype f, “P.N. Sibillini” [Italy], RMNH (Leiden); paratypes ff.
Distribution-Europe: I.
Identification-Keys, Descriptions: No supplementary or more detailed morphological description known.
Nesting biology: Unknown.
Flower preferences: Oligolectic on Asteraceae with a preference for Carduoideae; species of the Cichorioideae and the Asteroideae are exploited as pollen sources as well (A. Müller, unpublished, based on 16 pollen samples from 3 different localities and on field observations).
Osmia (Hoplosmia) spinigera Latreille, 1811
1811 Osmia spinigera Latreille, Encyclopédie Méthodique, Histoire Naturelle, Insectes, vol. 8, p. 584. Type material: Syntypes m(m), f(f), “Égypte” [Egypt], Olivier Collection.-Combination Anthocopa (Hoplosmia) spinigera (Latreille) in Tkalcu (1974a: 122). Combination Hoplosmia (Hoplosmia) spinigera (Latreille) in Ungricht et al. (2008: 131).
1869 Osmia clavicula Gerstaecker, Entomologische Zeitung (Stettin), 30: 347. Type material: Lectotype m, by designation of Tkalcu (1974a: 122), “Naxos” [Greece], ZMHB (Berlin).-Synonymy in Tkalcu (1974a: 122).
Distribution-Europe: BG, GR, MK. Northern Africa: ET. Southwestern Asia: IL, JOR, RL, SYR, TR.
Identification-Keys, Descriptions: Ducke (1900); Mavromoustakis (1948b: 216, 1959: 297-298); Tkalcu (1974a).
Nesting biology: Unknown.
Flower preferences: Oligolectic on Asteraceae with a preference for Carduoideae; species of the Cichorioideae are exploited as pollen sources as well (A. Müller, unpublished, based on 22 pollen samples from 19 different localities).
Osmia (Hoplosmia) spinulosa (Kirby, 1802)
1802 Apis spinulosa Kirby, Monographia Apum Angliae, 2: 261. Type material: Lectotype m, by designation of Tkalcu (1974a: 119), [United Kingdom], BMNH (London); paralectotypes m, ff. Type species of Hoplosmia Thomson.-Combination Pseudosmia spinulosa (Kirby) in Radoszkowski (1874c: 159). Combination Anthocopa (Hoplosmia) spinulosa (Kirby) in Tkalcu (1974a: 119). Combination Hoplosmia (Hoplosmia) spinulosa (Kirby) in Ungricht et al. (2008: 131).
1882 Osmia euchreiformis Radoszkowski, Proceedings of the Warsaw Society of Naturalists, Bulletin of Biology, 2: 77 [not seen]. Type material: Holotype m, “Echmiadzin” [Armenia], ZMHB (Berlin).-Synonymy in Tkalcu (1974a: 119).
Distribution-Europe: A, AND, ARM, B, BG, CH, CZ, D, E, F, FL, GB, H, HR, I, I(Si), L, MK, N, NL, RUS, S, SK, SLO, UA. Northern Asia: KS, KZ. Southwestern Asia: TR.
Identification-Keys, Descriptions: Amiet et al. (2004); Banaszak and Romasenko (2001); Benoist (1931); Ducke (1900); Mavromoustakis (1959: 298); Medvedeva (1978); Móczár (1958); Radoszkowski (1874c: 159, 1887a: 282-283); Scheuchl (1996); Schmiedeknecht (1885-1886); Tkalcu (1974a, 1992: 220-221).
Nesting biology-Nesting site: Preexisting cavities: empty snail shells of small to medium size (e.g. Cepaea, Cornuella, Fruticicola, Helicella, Pomatias, Xerolenta, Zebrina, small shells of Helix) with 1-3, mostly 2 cells per shell. The closed shells are not transported but turned so that the shell opening is directed towards the ground. Nesting material: Cell partitions and nest plug are made of chewed leaves (e.g. from Potentilla, Sanguisorba). The shell surface is not plastered with patches of leaf pulp. (Banaszak and Romasenko, 2001; Friese, 1893; Gehrs, 1902; Grandi, 1961; Müller, 1994; Müller et al., 1997; O’Toole and Raw, 1991; Romasenko, 1980; Smith, 1844; Stoeckhert, 1933; Westrich, 1989; G. Else, unpublished manuscript)
Flower preferences: Oligolectic on Asteraceae; host plants include members of the Carduoideae, the Cichorioideae and the Asteroideae (Amiet et al., 2004; Müller, 1994; Westrich, 1989; A. Müller, unpublished, based on 8 pollen samples from 8 different localities and on field observations).
Osmia (Hoplosmia) tyrneri (Tkalcu, 1992)
1992 Hoplosmia (Hoplosmia) tyrneri Tkalcu, Acta Societatis Zoologicae Bohemoslovacae (Praha), 56: 220. Type material: Holotype m, “Tashkent, Galvasai” [Uzbekistan], Tyrner Collection (Litvinov); paratypes mm.
Distribution-Northern Asia: UZ.
Identification-Keys, Descriptions: No supplementary or more detailed morphological description known. Note: Female unknown.
Nesting biology: Unknown.
Flower preferences: Unknown.
bidentata group (“Odontanthocopa“)
Osmia (Hoplosmia) anceyi Pérez, 1879
1879 Osmia Anceyi Pérez, Actes de la Société Linnéenne de Bordeaux, 33: 187. Type material: Lectotype f, by designation of Tkalcu (1974a: 128), “Environs de Marseille” [France], MNHN (Paris).- Combination Anthocopa (Odontanthocopa) anceyi (Pérez) in Tkalcu (1974a: 128). Combination Hoplosmia (Odontanthocopa) anceyi (Pérez) in Ungricht et al. (2008: 132).
Distribution-Europe: CH, E, F, P; HR, I. Northern Africa: DZ, MA, TN.
Identification-Keys, Descriptions: Amiet et al. (2004); Benoist (1931); Schmiedeknecht (1885-1886); Tkalcu (1974a).
Nesting biology-Nesting site: Preexisting cavities: insect burrows in dead wood and pithy stems (e.g. Asphodelus). Nesting material: Cell partitions and nest plug are made of mud, sometimes mixed with particles of pith. (Amiet et al., 2004; Popovici-Baznosanu, 1909; G. Le Goff, personal observation; A. Müller, personal observation)
Flower preferences: Oligolectic on Asteraceae, probably with a preference for Carduoideae (Amiet et al., 2004; A. Müller, unpublished, based on 6 pollen samples from 2 different localities and on field observations).
- subspecies anceyi 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: CH, E, F, P; HR, I.
Identification-Keys, Descriptions: No supplementary or more detailed morphological description known.
- subspecies biarmica (Zanden, 1994)
1994 Hoplosmia (Odontanthocopa) anceyi biarmica Zanden, Linzer Biologische Beiträge, 26: 1114. Type material: Holotype f, “Tizi-n-Tichka S., 2000 m” [Morocco], Schwarz Collection (Ansfelden); paratypes mm, ff.
Distribution-Northern Africa: DZ, MA, TN.
Identification-Keys, Descriptions: No supplementary or more detailed morphological description known.
Osmia (Hoplosmia) bidentata Morawitz, 1876
1876 Osmia bidentata Morawitz, Horae Societatis Entomologicae Rossicae (St. Petersburg), 12: 38. Type material: Syntypes m(m), f(f), “Etschmiadzin” [Armenia]. Type species of Odontanthocopa Tkalcu.-Combination Anthocopa (Odontanthocopa) bidentata (Morawitz) in Tkalcu (1974a: 127). Combination Hoplosmia (Odontanthocopa) bidentata (Morawitz) in Ungricht et al. (2008: 133).
1877 Osmia affinis Frivaldsky, Mathematikai és Természettudományi Közlemények, 13: 360. Type material: Syntypes m(m), f(f), “In Comitatu Crassoviensi ad Oraviczam, in Comitatu Pestiensi vero ad Budapestinum et in Praedio-Peszér” [Hungary].-Synonymy in Tkalcu (1974a: 127).
Distribution-Europe: A, AL, ARM, BG, CZ, E, F, GR, H, HR, I, MK, RUS, SCG, SK, SLO, UA. Northern Africa: ET, DZ?. Northern Asia: RUS(FS). Southwestern Asia: IL, JOR, SYR, TR.
Identification-Keys, Descriptions: Alfken (1914: 197); Banaszak and Romasenko (2001); Benoist (1931); Ducke (1900); Medvedeva (1978); Móczár (1958); Romankova (1995); Scheuchl (1996); Schmiedeknecht (1885-1886); Tkalcu (1974a, 1992: 225).
Nesting biology-Nesting site: Preexisting cavities: insect burrows in dead wood; hollow stems (e.g. Phragmites); cavities in the soil. Nesting material: Cell partitions and nest plug are made of mud. (Banaszak and Romasenko, 2001; A. Müller, personal observation)
Flower preferences: Oligolectic on Asteraceae with a clear or even exclusive preference for Carduoideae (A. Müller, unpublished, based on 51 pollen samples from 19 different localities and on field observations). In contrast, Güler & Sorkun (2007) assume O. bidentata to be polylectic, harvesting pollen from eleven plant families.
- subspecies bidentata Morawitz, 1876
1876 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: A, AL, ARM, BG, CZ, E, F, GR, H, HR, I, MK, RUS, SCG, SK, SLO, UA. Northern Africa: DZ?. Northern Asia: RUS(FS). Southwestern Asia: TK.
Identification-Keys, Descriptions: Tkalcu (1979: 320).
- subspecies pallens (Tkalcu, 1979)
1979 Anthocopa (Odontanthocopa) bidentata pallens Tkalcu, Acta Entomologica Bohemoslovaca (Praha), 76: 320. Type material: Holotype f, “Erzurum” [Turkey], EMET (Erzurum); paratypes mm, ff.-Combination Hoplosmia (Odontanthocopa) bidentata pallens (Tkalcu) in Ungricht et al. (2008: 133).
Distribution-Northern Africa: ET. Southwestern Asia: IL, JOR, SYR, TR.
Identification-Keys, Descriptions: No supplementary or more detailed morphological description known.
Osmia (Hoplosmia) dido Gribodo, 1894
1894 Osmia dido Gribodo, Bullettino della Società Entomologica Italiana, 26: 289. Type material: Holotype f, “Tunisia, Gebel Res.” [Tunisia], MSNG (Genova).-Combination Anthocopa dido (Gribodo in Zanden (1990: 54). Combination Hoplosmia (Odontanthocopa) dido (Gribodo) in Ungricht et al. (2008: 133).
1895 Osmia abbreviata Pérez, Espèces nouvelles de mellifères de Barbarie, p. 13. NOMEN PRAEOCCUPATUM [not Osmia abbreviata Morawitz, 1875]. Type material: Lectotype f, by designation of Tkalcu (1974a: 128), “Algéria” [Algeria], MNHN (Paris).-Synonymy in Zanden (1990: 54).
1896 Osmia compacta Pérez, Correctures: Espèces nouvelles de mellifères de Barbarie, not paginated single page appendix to Pérez (1895). NOMEN NOVUM with same type specimen for preoccupied Osmia abbreviata Pérez, 1895 [not Osmia abbreviata Morawitz, 1875].-Combination Anthocopa (Odontanthocopa) compacta (Pérez) in Tkalcu (1974a: 128).
Distribution-Northern Africa: DZ, MA, TN. Southwestern Asia: CY, IL.
Identification-Keys, Descriptions: Alfken (1914: 197); Tkalcu (1974a, 1979: 320-321).
Nesting biology: Unknown.
Flower preferences: Probably oligolectic on Asteraceae; all pollen samples available so far consist of pollen of Carduoideae (A. Müller, unpublished, based on 6 pollen samples from 2 different localities) .
Osmia (Hoplosmia) distinguenda (Tkalcu, 1974)
1974 Anthocopa (Odontanthocopa) distinguenda Tkalcu, Acta Entomologica Bohemoslovaca (Praha), 71: 129. Type material: Holotype m, “Jerusalem” [Israel], BMNH (London).-Combination Hoplosmia (Odontanthocopa) distinguenda (Tkalcu) in Ungricht et al. (2008: 134).
Distribution-Europe: ARM, GR. Southwestern Asia: IL, JOR, SYR, TR.
Identification-Keys, Descriptions: Tkalcu (1979: 320-321, 1992: 223-224).
Nesting biology-Nesting site: Preexisting cavities: small cavities in rocks. Nesting material: Brood cells entirely or partially built from chewed leaves, nest plug made of leaf pulp as well. (G. Pisanty, personal communication)
Flower preferences: Oligolectic on Asteraceae with a clear or even exclusive preference for Carduoideae (A. Müller, unpublished, based on 31 pollen samples from 15 different localities and on field observations).
Osmia (Hoplosmia) fallax Pérez, 1895
1895 Osmia fallax Pérez, Espèces nouvelles de mellifères de Barbarie, p. 13. Type material: Lectotype m, by designation of Tkalcu (1974a: 131), “Andalusia” [Spain], MNHN (Paris). Type species of Odonterythrosmia Tkalcu.-Combination Anthocopa (Odonterythrosmia) fallax (Pérez) in Tkalcu (1974a: 131). Combination Hoplosmia (Odontanthocopa) fallax (Pérez) in Ungricht et al. (2008: 134).
Distribution-Europe: E. Northern Africa: MA; DZ.
Identification-Keys, Descriptions: Ducke (1900); Tkalcu (1974a).
Nesting biology-Nesting site: Preexisting cavities: empty snail shells (e.g. Sphincterophila candidissima) with 1-4 cells per shell. Nesting material: Unknown. (Moreno-Rueda, Marfil-Daza, Ortiz-Sanchez and Melic, 2008; J. Ortiz-Sanchez, personal communication)
Flower preferences: Polylectic with a probable preference for Cistaceae, additional pollen sources include Asteraceae and Brassicaceae (A. Müller, unpublished, based on 9 pollen samples from 5 different localities).
Osmia (Hoplosmia) hermonensis (Tkalcu, 1992)
1992 Hoplosmia (Odontanthocopa) hermonensis Tkalcu, Acta Societatis Zoologicae Bohemoslovacae (Praha), 56: 223. Type material: Holotype m, “Mt. Hermon, 1700 m” [Israel], RMNH (Leiden); paratypes mm.
Distribution-Southwestern Asia: IL.
Identification-Keys, Descriptions: No supplementary or more detailed morphological description known. Note: Female unknown.
Nesting biology: Unknown.
Flower preferences: Unknown.
Osmia (Hoplosmia) larochei Tkalcu, 1993
1993 Osmia (Odontanthocopa) larochei Tkalcu, Veröffentlichungen des Übersee-Museum Bremen (Naturwissenschaften), 12: 810. Type material: Holotype f, “Gran Canaria Cueva Grande Las Palmas” [Spain: Canary Islands], La Roche Collection; paratype f.-Combination Hoplosmia (Odontanthocopa) larochei (Tkalcu) in Ungricht et al. (2008: 134).
Distribution-Northern Africa: E(Ca).
Identification-Keys, Descriptions: Tkalcu (2000a: 310). Note: Male unknown.
Nesting biology: Unknown.
Flower preferences: Unknown.
Osmia (Hoplosmia) ligurica Morawitz, 1868
1868 Osmia ligurica Morawitz, Horae Societatis Entomologicae Rossicae (St. Petersburg), 5: 150. Type material: Syntypes m(m), f(f), “Bei Nizza im Thale des Paglione” [France].-Combination Anthocopa (Odontanthocopa) ligurica (Morawitz) in Tkalcu (1974a: 130). Combination Hoplosmia (Odontanthocopa) ligurica (Morawitz) in Ungricht et al. (2008: 135).
1879 Osmia detrita Pérez, Actes de la Société Linnéenne de Bordeaux, 33: 188. Type material: Lectotype f, by designation of Tkalcu (1974a: 130), “Bordeaux, Marseille” [France], MNHN (Paris).-Synonymy in Schmiedeknecht (1886: 199 [1065]).
Distribution-Europe: A, AL, ARM, BG, CH, E, F, F(Co), GR, GR(Cr), H, HR, I, I(Sa), I(Si), P, MK, RO, RS, SK, SLO. Northern Africa: MA. Southwestern Asia: CY, IL, IR, JOR, SYR, TR.
Identification-Keys, Descriptions: Amiet et al. (2004); Banaszak and Romasenko (2001); Benoist (1931); Ducke (1900); Medvedeva (1978); Móczár (1958); Schmiedeknecht (1885-1886); Tkalcu (1974a, 1992: 223).
Nesting biology-Nesting site: Preexisting cavities: hollow stems or insect burrows in pithy stems (e.g. Artemisia, Foeniculum, Rubus, Scolymus). Nesting material: Cell partitions and nest plug are made of chewed leaves. (Benoist, 1931; Friese, 1893; Grandi, 1961; Mavromoustakis, 1939b; G. Le Goff, personal observation; A. Müller, personal observation)
Flower preferences: Oligolectic on Asteraceae with a preference for Asteroideae; species of the Cichorioideae and Carduoideae are exploited as well (Amiet et al., 2004; A. Müller, unpublished, based on 42 pollen samples from 37 different localities and on field observations).
Osmia (Hoplosmia) olgae (Tkalcu, 1978)
1978 Anthocopa (Odontanthocopa) olgae Tkalcu, Casopis Slezskeho Muzea Opava (A), 27: 159. Type material: Holotype m, “Bulgaria sept.-or. Albena” [Bulgaria], Tkalcu Collection (Praha); paratypes mm, ff.-Combination Hoplosmia (Odontanthocopa) olgae (Tkalcu) in Ungricht et al. (2008: 135).
Distribution-Europe: BG. Southwestern Asia: SYR, TR.
Identification-Keys, Descriptions: No supplementary or more detailed morphological description known.
Nesting biology: Unknown.
Flower preferences: Unknown.
Osmia (Hoplosmia) padri (Tkalcu, 1974)
1974 Anthocopa (Odontanthocopa) padri Tkalcu, Acta Entomologica Bohemoslovaca (Praha), 71: 129. Type material: Holotype f, “Slancev Brjag” [Bulgaria], Pádr Collection (Praha); paratypes mm, ff.-Combination Hoplosmia (Odontanthocopa) padri (Tkalcu) in Ungricht et al. (2008: 135).
Distribution-Europe: BG, GR, HR, MK, SCG. Southwestern Asia: SYR, TR.
Identification-Keys, Descriptions: Tkalcu (1979: 321).
Nesting biology-Nesting site: Preexisting cavities: insect burrows in dead wood. Nesting material: Unknown. (Tkalcu, 1974a)
Flower preferences: Probably oligolectic on Asteraceae; all pollen samples available so far consist of pollen of Carduoideae (A. Müller, unpublished, based 20 pollen samples from 16 different localities).
Osmia (Hoplosmia) scutellaris Morawitz, 1868
1868 Osmia scutellaris Morawitz, Horae Societatis Entomologicae Rossicae (St. Petersburg), 5: 151. Type material: Syntypes m(m), f(f), “im Magnan-Thale” [France], “auch nördlicher bei Pallanza” [Italy], “und Lugano” [Switzerland].-Combination Anthocopa (Odontanthocopa) scutellaris (Morawitz in Tkalcu (1974a: 130). Combination Hoplosmia (Odontanthocopa) scutellaris (Morawitz) in Ungricht et al. (2008: 135).
Distribution-Europe: AL, BG, CH, E, F, GR, GR(Cr), H, HR, I, I(Si), MK, P, RO, RUS, SK, SLO, UA; Caucasus. Northern Africa: DZ, MA, TN. Southwestern Asia: CY, IL, JOR, SYR, TR.
Identification-Keys, Descriptions: Amiet et al. (2004); Banaszak and Romasenko (2001); Benoist (1931); Ducke (1900); Medvedeva (1978); Schmiedeknecht (1885-1886); Tkalcu (1974b, 1978: 159-162, 1993b: 810-811, 2000a: 310).
Nesting biology-Nesting site: Preexisting cavities: hollow stems (e.g. Rubus). Nesting material: Unknown. (Benoist, 1931; Friese, 1893; Graeffe, 1902; A. Gogala, personal communication)
Flower preferences: Oligolectic on Asteraceae with a preference for Cichorioideae; species of the Asteroideae are exploited as well; pollen records of Carduoideae are lacking so far (Amiet et al., 2004; A. Müller, unpublished, based on 36 pollen samples from 28 different localities and on field observations).
Osmia (Hoplosmia) warnckei (Tkalcu, 1992)
1992 Hoplosmia (Odontanthocopa) warnckei Tkalcu, Acta Societatis Zoologicae Bohemoslovacae (Praha), 56: 223. Type material: Holotype m, “15 km SE Sarvestan/Fars, 1800 m” [Iran], OLML (Linz); paratypes mm.
Distribution-Southwestern Asia: IR.
Identification-Keys, Descriptions: No supplementary or more detailed morphological description known. Note: Female unknown.
Nesting biology: Unknown.
Flower preferences: Unknown.
pinguis group (“Paranthocopa“)
Osmia (Hoplosmia) pinguis Pérez, 1895
1895 Osmia pinguis Pérez, Espèces nouvelles de mellifères de Barbarie, p. 12. Type material: Lectotype f, by designation of Tkalcu (1974a: 133), “Da Calle” [Algeria], MNHN (Paris). Type species of Paranthocopa Tkalcu.-Combination Anthocopa (Paranthocopa) pinguis (Pérez) in Tkalcu (1974a: 133). Combination Hoplosmia (Paranthocopa) pinguis (Pérez) in Ungricht et al. (2008: 136).
1928 Osmia indivisa Benoist, Bulletin de la Société des Sciences Naturelles du Maroc (Rabat), 8: 214. Type material: Holotype m, “Marrakech” [Morocco], MNHN (Paris).-Synonymy in Zanden (1985: 55).
Distribution- Europe: E. Northern Africa: DZ, MA, TN. Southwestern Asia: IL, JOR, SYR.
Identification-Keys, Descriptions: Ducke (1900); Tkalcu (1974a).
Nesting biology-Nesting site: Preexisting cavities: empty snail shells of small to medium size (e.g. Helix) with 1-3, mostly 2-3 cells per shell. The nest architecture is exactly the same as in Osmia (Hoplosmia) spinulosa (n=25 nests from Jordan). In contrast, the shells do not seem to be turned in the end. Nesting material: Cell partitions and nest plug are made of chewed leaves. The shell surface is not plastered with patches of leaf pulp. (Ferton, 1920; Mavromoustakis, 1948b; A. Müller, C. Praz and C. Sedivy, personal observation)
Flower preferences: Oligolectic on Asteraceae with a clear preference for Cichorioideae and Asteroideae; species of the Carduoideae are rarely exploited, which might be due to the early seasonal flight activity of O. pinguis, when flowers of the Carduoideae are usually still rare (A. Müller, unpublished, based on 42 pollen samples from 27 different localities and on field observations).
- subspecies carbo (Zanden, 1994)
1994 Hoplosmia (Paranthocopa) pinguis carbo Zanden, Linzer Biologische Beiträge, 26: 1116. Type material: Holotype f, “8 km O Yeroham” [Israel], Schwarz Collection (Ansfelden); paratypes mm, ff.
Distribution-Southwestern Asia: IL, JOR, SYR.
Identification-Keys, Descriptions: No supplementary or more detailed morphological description known.
- subspecies pinguis Pérez, 1895
1895 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. Northern Africa: DZ, MA, TN.
Identification-Keys, Descriptions: No supplementary or more detailed morphological description known.