Subgenus Pentadentosmia
The subgenus Pentadentosmia Warncke is confined to the Palaearctic region. It contains 22 species. At least 6 species are still undescribed (A. Müller, unpublished).
The nest burrow of Hoplitis (Pentadentosmia) rufopicta (Morawitz, 1875) leading from the soil surface down to the brood cells (not visible) is completely lined with a thin but contiguous layer of chewed leaves. Foto C. Sedivy.
Species accounts
Hoplitis (Pentadentosmia) fascicularia (Radoszkowski, 1886)
1886 Osmia fascicularia Radoszkowski, Horae Societatis Entomologicae Rossicae (St. Petersburg), 20: 13. Type material: m(m), “montagnes Kokpet” [Turkmenistan], ZMHB (Berlin).-Combination Osmia (Pentadentosmia) fascicularia Radoszkowski in Warncke (1991a: 24).
Distribution-Northern Asia: TM, UZ.
Identification-Keys, Descriptions: Warncke (1991a). Note: Female unknown.
Nesting biology: Unknown.
Flower preferences: Unknown.
Hoplitis (Pentadentosmia) goulemina (Warncke, 1991)
1991 Osmia (Pentadentosmia) goulemina Warncke, Entomofauna (Ansfelden), 12: 18. Type material: Holotype f, “10 km W Goulemine” [Morocco], OLML (Linz).
Distribution-Northern Africa: MA.
Identification-Keys, Descriptions: No supplementary or more detailed morphological description known. Note: Male unknown.
Nesting biology: Unknown.
Flower preferences: Unknown.
Hoplitis (Pentadentosmia) nitidula (Morawitz, 1877)
1877 Osmia nitidula Morawitz, Horae Societatis Entomologicae Rossicae (St. Petersburg), 14: 43. Type material: Lectotype m, by designation of Warncke (1991a: 24), “Etschmiadzin” [Armenia], ZIN (St. Petersburg).-Combination Osmia (Tridentosmia) nitidula Morawitz in Schmiedeknecht (1885: 22 [888]). Combination Osmia (Osmia) nitidula Morawitz in Friese (1911b: 104). Combination Hoplitis (Tridentosmia) nitidula (Morawitz) in Zanden (1988b: 122). Combination Osmia (Pentadentosmia) nitidula Morawitzin Warncke (1991a: 24).
1888 Osmia transcaspica Morawitz, Horae Societatis Entomologicae Rossicae (St. Petersburg), 22: 245. Type material: Syntypes m(m), f(f), “Tschikischljar” [Kazakhstan].-Combination Osmia (Osmia) transcaspica Morawitz in Friese (1911b: 103). Combination Anthocopa (Tridentosmia) transcaspica (Morawitz) in Popov (1952b: 102).-Synonymy in Zanden (1988b: 122).
Distribution-Europe: ARM; RUS(SR). Northern Asia: KZ, TM, UZ. Southwestern Asia: IR, PAK.
Identification-Keys, Descriptions: Ducke (1900); Osychnyuk et al. (1978); Schmiedeknecht (1885-1886); Warncke (1991a).
Nesting biology: Unknown.
Flower preferences: Possibly oligolectic on Peganum (Nitrariaceae) (A. Müller, unpublished, based on 4 pollen samples from 4 different localities). Flower records: Peganum harmala (Popov, 1952b).
Hoplitis (Pentadentosmia) ruficrus (Morawitz, 1875)
1875 Osmia ruficrus Morawitz, Travel to Turkestan by A. P. Fedtschenko, p. 98. Type material: m(m), “in deserto Kisilkum” [Turkestan].-Combination Hoplitis (Tridentosmia) ruficrus (Morawitz) in Zanden (1988b: 122).
Distribution-Northern Africa: TN. Northern Asia: KZ, TJ; Turkestan.
Identification-Keys, Descriptions: No supplementary or more detailed morphological description known. Note: Female unknown.
Nesting biology-Nesting site: Apparently in excavated burrows in the soil. Nesting material: Unknown. (Popov, 1967a)
Flower preferences: Unknown. Flower records: Tamarix (Popov, 1952a, 1967a), Halocharis hispida (Popov, 1967a).
laevifrons species group
Hoplitis (Pentadentosmia) cadiza (Warncke, 1991)
1991 Osmia (Pentadentosmia) cadiza Warncke, Entomofauna (Ansfelden), 9: 20. Type material: Holotype f, “Jimena de la frontiera NW/Cadiz” [Spain], OLML (Linz); paratypes mm, ff.
Distribution-Europe: E,P. Northern Africa: MA, TN.
Identification-Keys, Descriptions: No supplementary or more detailed morphological description known.
Nesting biology: Unknown.
Flower preferences: Possibly oligolectic on Fabaceae (A. Müller, unpublished, based on 5 pollen samples from 3 different localities).
Hoplitis (Pentadentosmia) gallinula (Warncke, 1991)
1991 Osmia (Pentadentosmia) gallinula Warncke, Entomofauna (Ansfelden), 9: 19. Type material: Holotype m, “20 km N Ceylanpinar/Urfa, 500 m” [Turkey], OLML (Linz); paratypes mm, ff.
Distribution-Southwestern Asia: IL, JOR, SYR, TR.
Identification-Keys, Descriptions: No supplementary or more detailed morphological description known.
Nesting biology: Unknown.
Flower preferences: Mesolectic on Allium (Alliaceae), Hedysareae (Fabaceae) and Peganum (Nitrariaceae) (A. Müller, unpublished, based on 15 pollen samples from 8 different localities).
Hoplitis (Pentadentosmia) laevifrons (Morawitz, 1872)
1872 Osmia laevifrons Morawitz, Verhandlungen der Kaiserlich-Königlichen Zoologisch-Botanischen Gesellschaft in Wien, 22: 360. Type material: Syntypes m(m), f(f), “Meran” [Italy], NMW (Wien).-Combination Osmia (Tridentosmia) laevifrons Morawitz in Schmiedeknecht (1885: 22 [888]). Combination Hoplitis (Tridentosmia) laevifrons (Morawitz) in Tkalcu (1974b: 330). Combination Osmia (Pentadentosmia) laevifrons Morawitz in Warncke (1991a: 21).
Distribution-Europe: A?, ARM, AZ, BG, CZ, GR, H, HR, I, MK, RO, RUS(CR), SCG, SK, SLO; E. Northern Africa: MA. Northern Asia: Turkestan. Southwestern Asia: PAK, TR. Extralimital: Oriental (India).
Identification-Keys, Descriptions: Ducke (1900); Medvedeva (1978); Móczár (1958); Scheuchl (1996); Schmiedeknecht (1885-1886); Stanek (1969a: 33-36); Warncke (1991a).
Nesting biology: Unknown.
Flower preferences: Oligolectic on Fabaceae (A. Müller, unpublished, based on 24 pollen samples from 14 different localities). Flower records: Dorycnium herbaceum (Popov, 1952b).
Hoplitis (Pentadentosmia) ridibunda (Warncke, 1991)
1991 Osmia (Pentadentosmia) ridibunda Warncke, Entomofauna (Ansfelden), 9: 15. Type material: Holotype m, “Antakya” [Turkey], OLML (Linz); paratypes mm, ff.
Distribution-Southwestern Asia: TR.
Identification-Keys, Descriptions: No supplementary or more detailed morphological description known.
Nesting biology: Unknown.
Flower preferences: The only two pollen samples available so far (from 2 different localities) consist of pollen of Hedysareae (Fabaceae) (A. Müller, unpublished).
Hoplitis (Pentadentosmia) tringa (Warncke, 1991)
1991 Osmia (Pentadentosmia) tringa Warncke, Entomofauna (Ansfelden), 12: 21. Type material: Holotype m, “Elazig, in 1300 m” [Turkey], OLML (Linz); paratypes mm, ff.
Distribution-Europe: AZ, RUS(SR). Southwestern Asia: IR, TR.
Identification-Keys, Descriptions: No supplementary or more detailed morphological description known.
Nesting biology: Unknown.
Flower preferences: Possibly oligolectic on Fabaceae with a strong or even exclusive preference for Hedysareae (A. Müller, unpublished, based on 10 pollen samples from 3 different localities).
minor species group
Hoplitis (Pentadentosmia) minor (Morawitz, 1877)
1877 Osmia minor Morawitz, Horae Societatis Entomologicae Rossicae (St. Petersburg), 14: 45. Type material: Lectotype m, by designation of Warncke (1991a: 19), “Etschmiadzin” [Armenia], ZIN (St. Petersburg).-Combination Osmia (Tridentosmia) minor Morawitz in Schmiedeknecht (1885: 22 [888]). Combination Hoplitis (Tridentosmia) minor (Morawitz) in Zanden (1988b: 122). Combination Osmia (Pentadentosmia) minor Morawitz in Warncke (1991a: 19).
Distribution-Europe: ARM. Northern Asia: KZ, TM; Turkestan. Southwestern Asia: IL, IR, JOR, SYR.
Identification-Keys, Descriptions: Ducke (1900); Morawitz (1888: 247-248); Schmiedeknecht (1885-1886); Warncke (1991a).
Nesting biology-Nesting site: In excavated burrows in the soil. Nesting material: Unknown. (Warncke, 1991a)
Flower preferences: Probably oligolectic on Nitrariaceae, e.g. Peganum; one pollen load also contained moderate amounts of pollen of Zygophyllaceae, suggesting that flowers of this plant family might occasionally be exploited as well (A. Müller, unpublished, based on 19 pollen samples from 5 different localities). Flower records: Anchusa (Popov, 1952b).
Hoplitis (Pentadentosmia) minuta Wu, 1990
1990 Hoplitis (Tridentosmia) minuta Wu, Entomotaxonomia (Yangling), 12: 245, 251. Type material: Holotype m, “Inner Mongolia: Alxa Right B., Alxa L.” [China], IZCAS (Beijing); paratype m.-Combination Hoplitis (Alcidamea) minuta Wu in Wu (2006: 95).
Distribution-Northern Asia: MGL, RC(NO).
Identification-Keys, Descriptions: Wu (2006).
Nesting biology: Unknown.
Flower preferences: Probably oligolectic on Nitrariaceae (Nitraria, Peganum) (A. Müller, unpublished, based on 28 pollen samples from 4 different localities).
moricei species group
Hoplitis (Pentadentosmia) helouanensis (Friese, 1899)
1899 Osmia helouanensis Friese, Entomologische Nachrichten (Berlin), 25: 61. Type material: Syntypes mm, ff, “Aegypten” [Egypt], ZMHB (Berlin).-Combination Hoplitis (Tridentosmia) helouanensis (Friese) in Zanden (1988b: 122). Combination Osmia (Pentadentosmia) helouanensis Friese in Warncke (1991a: 17).
Distribution-Northern Africa: ET; Sahara; MA, TN. Southwestern Asia: IL, JOR, OM, UAE.
Identification-Keys, Descriptions: Ducke (1900); Warncke (1991a).
Nesting biology-Nesting site: Excavated vertical burrow (ca. 8cm deep) in horizontal, hard-packed sandy soil with two closed brood cells, one departing shortly before the end of the vertical burrow, the other departing ca. 2cm higher. Both brood cells open directly into the main burrow. Nesting material: The nest burrow from 1cm below the soil surface down to the brood cells is lined with a very thin and more or less contiguous layer of chewed leaf tips of Mesembryanthemum nodiflorum. A leaf pulp lining is also applied to the walls of the brood cells. The cells are closed with a thick cap made of earth and small quantities of chewed leaves. (C. Praz and C. Sedivy, personal observation)
Flower preferences: Oligolectic on Zygophyllaceae (A. Müller, unpublished, based on 37 pollen samples from 23 different localities and the pollen content of one brood cell).
Hoplitis (Pentadentosmia) moricei (Friese, 1899)
1899 Osmia moricei Friese, Entomologische Nachrichten (Berlin), 25: 26. Type material: Syntypes m(m), f(f), “Biskra” [Algeria], ZMHB (Berlin).-Combination Osmia (Osmia) moricei Friese in Friese (1911b: 104). Combination Hoplitis (Tridentosmia) moricei (Friese) in Zanden (1988b: 122).
1991 Osmia (Pentadentosmia) pustinia Warncke, Entomofauna (Ansfelden), 12: 16. NOMEN NOVUM with same type specimen for preoccupied Osmia moricei Friese, 1899 [not Heriades moricei Friese, 1897].
Distribution-Northern Africa: DZ, E(Ca), MA, TN. Southwestern Asia: IL, JOR, PAK, UAE. Extralimital: Oriental (India).
Identification-Keys, Descriptions: Ducke (1900); Stanek (1969a: 37-38); Warncke (1991a).
Nesting biology: Unknown.
Flower preferences: Polylectic on Resedaceae (Reseda, Caylusea and possibly other Resedaceae genera), Nitrariaceae (Peganum), Zygophyllaceae and Fabaceae. The most important pollen source are Resedaceae in Morocco, Zygophyllaceae in Israeal and Fabaceae on the Canary Islands (A. Müller, unpublished, based on 111 pollen samples from 40 different localities and on field observations). Flower record: Reseda lanzerotae (A. Müller, unpublished).
Hoplitis (Pentadentosmia) quinquespinosa (Friese, 1899)
1899 Osmia quinquespinosa Friese, Entomologische Nachrichten (Berlin), 25: 26. Type material: Syntypes mm, “Biskra” [Algeria]. Type species of Pentadentosmia Warncke.-Combination Osmia (Pentadentosmia) quinquespinosa Friese in Warncke (1991a: 18).-Synonymy with Osmia laevifrons Morawitz in Ducke (1900: 193), rejected by Warncke (1991a: 18).
1929 Osmia consanguinea Benoist, Bulletin de la Société Entomologique de France, 1929: 98. Type material: Holotype f, “Ghardaia” [Algeria], MNHN (Paris).-Combination Anthocopa (Anthocopa) consanguinea (Benoist) in Zanden (1985: 57).-Synonymy with Osmia neptunea Benoist in Zanden (1992a: 67). Synonymy with Osmia quinquespinosa Friese in Warncke (1991a: 18).
1929 Osmia neptunea Benoist, Bulletin de la Société Entomologique de France, 1929: 99. Type material: m(m), “Barika” [Algeria], MNHN (Paris).-Combination Hoplitis (Tridentosmia) neptunea (Benoist) in Zanden (1985: 60).-Synonymy in Warncke (1991a: 19).
Distribution- Europe:E. Northern Africa: DZ, MA, TN. Southwestern Asia: IL.
Identification-Keys, Descriptions: Warncke (1991a).
Nesting biology-Nesting site: Excavated vertical burrow (ca. 12cm deep) in hard and horizontal soil with 22 brood cells closely grouped together at its end. The brood cells, which are not placed at the end of side burrows but open directly into the main burrow, are spirally arranged around the main burrow with their longitudinal axis being oriented horizontally to 45 degrees downwards. Nesting material: In contrast to other Pentadentosmia species, neither the main burrow nor the brood cells are lined with a contiguous layer of chewed leaves. Instead, the walls of both main burrow and brood cells appear to be constructed with a mixture of soil and chewed leaves. The cell cap (ca. 2mm thick) consists of two adjacent layers made of earth and small quantities of chewed leaves. (C. Praz and C. Sedivy, personal observation)
Flower preferences: Oligolectic on Resedaceae (Reseda, Caylusea and possibly other Resedaceae genera) (A. Müller, unpublished, based on 53 pollen samples from 26 different localities, the pollen content of 2 brood cells from the same nest and field observations).
Hoplitis (Pentadentosmia) villiersi (Benoist, 1950)
1950 Osmia Villiersi Benoist, Bulletin de l’Institut Français d’Afrique Noire, 12: 942. Type material: Holotype f, “Nouakchott” [Mauritania], MNHN (Paris).-Combination Hoplitis (Tridentosmia) villiersi (Benoist) in Zanden (1988b: 123).
1991 Osmia (Pentadentosmia) strepera Warncke, Entomofauna (Ansfelden), 12: 17. Type material: Holotype f, “50 km SW Akka” [Morocco], OLML (Linz); paratypes mm, ff.-Synonymy in Zanden (1995: 428).
Distribution-Northern Africa: DZ, MA, TN. Extralimital: Afrotropic [Mauritania].
Identification-Keys, Descriptions: No supplementary or more detailed morphological description known.
Nesting biology-Nesting site: Excavated burrow in hard-packed sandy soil. The only nest found so far contained 4 brood cells, which all departed about 3cm below the soil surface from the vertical main burrow, were horizontally oriented and opened directly into the main burrow. Nesting material: The main burrow was lined with a very inconspicuous and thin layer of leaf pulp or possibly leaf sap. The walls of the cells were newly constructed from earth admixed with small leaf pieces after the cell cavity had been excavated from the ground. The cells were completely lined with a thin layer of green leaf pulp and closed with a cap made of earth and small quantities of leaf pieces. (C. Sedivy, C. Praz and A. Müller, personal observation)
Flower preferences: Oligolectic on Zygophyllaceae (A. Müller, unpublished, based on 41 pollen samples from 13 different localities, the pollen content of 4 brood cells from the same nest and field observations).
pomarina species group
Hoplitis (Pentadentosmia) enslini (Alfken, 1935)
1935 Osmia grandior Alfken, Veröffentlichungen aus dem Deutschen Kolonial- und Übersee-Museum in Bremen, 1: 186. NOMEN PRAEOCCUPATUM [not Osmia grandior Cockerell, 1897]. Type material: Syntypes ff, “Wadi el Kelt, Jericho” [Palestine], ZMHB (Berlin).
1935 Osmia enslini Alfken, Veröffentlichungen aus dem Deutschen Kolonial- und Übersee-Museum in Bremen, 1: 315. NOMEN NOVUM with same type specimen for preoccupied Osmia grandior Alfken, 1935 [not Osmia grandior Cockerell, 1897].-Combination Osmia (Pentadentosmia) enslini Alfken in Warncke (1991a: 23).-Synonymy with Hoplitis nitidula (Morawitz) in Zanden (1988b: 122), rejected by Warncke (1991a: 23).
Distribution-Southwestern Asia: IL.
Identification-Keys, Descriptions: Warncke (1991a).
Nesting biology: Unknown.
Flower preferences: Probably oligolectic on Carduoideae (Asteraceae) (A. Müller, unpublished, based on 6 pollen samples from the 2 different localities).
Hoplitis (Pentadentosmia) meyeri (Benoist, 1934)
1934 Osmia Meyeri Benoist, Bulletin de la Société Entomologique de France, 39: 108. Type material: Holotype f, “Biskra” [Algeria], MNHN (Paris).-Combination Hoplitis (Tridentosmia) meyeri (Benoist) in Zanden (1985: 65). Combination Osmia (Pentadentosmia) meyeri Benoist in Warncke (1991a: 23).
Distribution-Northern Africa: DZ, MA. Southwestern Asia: IL.
Identification-Keys, Descriptions: Benoist (1950b: 185).
Nesting biology: Unknown.
Flower preferences: Probably oligolectic on Carduoideae (Asteraceae) (A. Müller, unpublished, based on 9 pollen samples from 4 different localities).
Hoplitis (Pentadentosmia) pomarina (Warncke, 1991)
1991 Osmia (Pentadentosmia) pomarina Warncke, Entomofauna (Ansfelden), 12: 22. Type material: Holotype m, “Erçis/Van, 1650 m” [Turkey], OLML (Linz); paratypes mm, ff.
Distribution-Europe: AL, GR, MK. Southwestern Asia: CY, IR, TR.
Identification-Keys, Descriptions: No supplementary or more detailed morphological description known.
Nesting biology: Unknown.
Flower preferences: Oligolectic on Carduoideae (Asteraceae) (A. Müller, unpublished, based on 23 pollen samples from 9 different localities). Flower records: Centaurea solstitialis (C. Praz, personal observation).
Hoplitis (Pentadentosmia) rufopicta (Morawitz, 1875)
1875 Osmia rufopicta Morawitz, Travel to Turkestan by A. P. Fedtschenko, p. 99. Type material: f(f), “prope Samarkand” [Uzbekistan].-Combination Hoplitis (Tridentosmia) rufopicta (Morawitz) in Zanden (1988b: 122).
1935 Osmia laeviscutum Alfken, Veröffentlichungen aus dem Deutschen Kolonial- und Übersee-Museum in Bremen, 1: 185. Type material: Syntypes mm, ff, “Jericho” [Palestine], ZMHB (Berlin).-Combination Hoplitis (Tridentosmia) laeviscutum (Alfken) in Zanden (1988b: 122). Combination Osmia (Pentadentosmia) laeviscutum Alfken in Warncke (1991a: 23).-New Synonymy based on specimens from Central Asia identified by V.B. Popov as H. rufopicta (A. Müller, unpublished).
Distribution-Europe: AZ. Northern Africa: DZ. Northern Asia: KZ, TJ, TM, UZ. Southwestern Asia: IL, IR, JOR, PAK, TR.
Identification-Keys, Descriptions: Ducke (1900), Warncke (1991a).
Nesting biology-Nesting site: Excavated burrows (ca. 8-12cm deep) in hard and horizontal soil with up to 6 (and possibly more) brood cells closely grouped together at the end of the burrow. The brood cells are not placed at the end of side burrows but open directly into the main burrow. Nesting material: The nest burrow from the soil surface down to the brood cells is completely lined with a thin but contiguous layer of chewed leaves. A leaf pulp lining of the same thickness is also applied to the walls of the brood cells. The cell cap consists of two layers: the inner layer (ca. 1.5mm thick) is composed of leaf pulp mixed with soil and small pebbles, the outer layer (ca. 0.5mm thick) is distinctly concave and consists of finely cemented soil. (C. Praz, C. Sedivy and A. Müller, personal observation)
Flower preferences: Oligolectic on Carduoideae (Asteraceae) (A. Müller, unpublished, based on 17 pollen samples from 12 different localities and the pollen content of 10 brood cells from two nests at the same locality; Popov, 1967a). Additional flower records: Horaninowia ulicina, Tamarix (Popov, 1967a).
ruficornis species group
Hoplitis (Pentadentosmia) jejuna Popov, 1952
1952 Hoplitis (Tridentosmia) jejuna Popov, Zoologicheskiy Zhurnal (Moscow), 31: 186. Type material: Syntypes m(m), f(f), “Juma near Samarkand” [Uzbekistan], “Qurghonteppa”, “Mikoyanabad”, “Jilikul” [Tajikistan], ZIN (St. Petersburg).
Distribution-Northern Asia: TJ, UZ. Southwestern Asia: IR.
Identification-Keys, Descriptions: No supplementary or more detailed morphological description known.
Nesting biology-Nesting site: Apparently in excavated burrows in hard loess soil. Nesting material: Unknown. (Popov, 1967a)
Flower preferences: Oligolectic on Chenopodiaceae (e.g. Horaninowia, Halocharis) (A. Müller, unpublished, based on 5 pollen samples from the same locality; Popov, 1952a,b, 1967a). In the females, the galeae and the underside of the first labial palpi are densely beset with long and backward-directed strong hairs (Popov, 1952a), which form a brush that is possibly used to wipe pollen from the small Chenopodiaceae flowers (Peters, 1974).
– subspecies argentea Zanden, 1998
1998 Hoplitis (Pentadentosmia) jejuna argentea Zanden, Linzer Biologische Beiträge, 30: 524. Type material: Holotype f, “Haft Tapeh, 300 km N Abadan, Choca Lambil, Khuzestan” [Iran], RMNH (Leiden); paratypes ff.
Distribution-Southwestern Asia: IR.
Identification-Keys, Descriptions: No supplementary or more detailed morphological description known. Note: Male unknown.
– subspecies jejuna Popov, 1952
1952 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-Northern Asia: TJ, UZ.
Identification-Keys, Descriptions: No supplementary or more detailed morphological description known.
Hoplitis (Pentadentosmia) karakalensis (Popov, 1936)
1936 Osmia karakalensis Popov, Festschrift zum 60. Geburtstage von Professor Dr. Embrik Strand, vol. 1, p. 596. Type material: Holotype f, “Kara-Kala, Kopet-Dagh-Bergkette” [Turkmenistan], ZIN (St. Petersburg).-Combination Anthocopa (Tridentosmia) karakalensis (Popov) in Popov (1952b: 103). Combination Hoplitis (Tridentosmia) karakalensis (Popov) in Zanden (1988b: 122).
Distribution-Northern Asia: TM, UZ. Southwestern Asia: IR. Extralimital: Oriental (India).
Identification-Keys, Descriptions: No supplementary or more detailed morphological description known. Note: Male unknown.
Nesting biology: Unknown.
Flower preferences: Probably oligolectic on Chenopodiaceae (e.g. Petrosimonia) (A. Müller, unpublished, based on 2 pollen samples from the same locality; Popov, 1952b; C. Praz and C. Sedivy, personal observation). In the females, the galeae and the underside of the first labial palpi are densely beset with long and backward-directed strong hairs (A. Müller, unpublished), which form a brush that is possibly used to wipe pollen from the small Chenopodiaceae flowers (Peters, 1974).
Hoplitis (Pentadentosmia) ruficornis (Morawitz, 1875)
1875 Osmia ruficornis Morawitz, Travel to Turkestan by A. P. Fedtschenko, p. 98. Type material: Syntypes m(m), f(f), “in valle Sarafschan” [Tajikistan], ZIN (St. Petersburg).-Combination Osmia (Osmia) ruficornis Morawitz in Friese (1911b: 105). Combination Hoplitis (Tridentosmia) ruficornis (Morawitz) in Zanden (1988b: 122).
Distribution-Northern Asia: TJ, TM, UZ.
Identification-Keys, Descriptions: Ducke (1900); Popov (1952a: 187).
Nesting biology-Nesting site: In the ground. Nesting material: Unknown. (Popov, 1952a, 1967a)
Flower preferences: Oligolectic on Chenopodiaceae (e.g. Horaninowia, Halocharis, Suaeda) (Popov, 1952a,b, 1967a). In the females, the galeae and the underside of the first labial palpi are densely beset with long and backward-directed strong hairs (Popov, 1952a), which form a brush that is possibly used to wipe pollen from the small Chenopodiaceae flowers (Peters, 1974).