Subgenus Allosmia
The subgenus Allosmia Tkalcu is confined to the Palaearctic region. It contains 11 described species.
Female of Osmia (Allosmia) melanura Morawitz, 1871 closing her nest in an empty snail shell with chewed green leaves and broken pieces of snail shells. Foto A. Müller.
Species accounts
Osmia (Allosmia) bischoffi Atanassov, 1938
1938 Osmia bischoffi Atanassov, Mitteilungen aus den Königlichen Naturwissenschaftlichen Instituten in Sofia, Bulgarien, 11: 180. Type material: Holotype m, “im Park des Palais Euxinograd bei Warna am Schwarzen Meer” [Bulgaria], SOFM (Sofia).-Combination Hoplitis (Allosmia) bischoffi (Atanassov) in Zanden (1988b: 120).
Distribution-Europe: AL, BG, BIH, GR, HR, RO, SCG. Southwestern Asia: TR.
Identification-Keys, Descriptions: Müller (2022a).
Nesting biology-Nesting site: Preexisting cavities: empty snail shells. Nesting material: The shell surface is plastered with patches of leaf pulp, suggesting that chewed leaves are also used to close the nest. (Atanassov, 1938; Müller, 2022a; A.W. Ebmer, personal communication).
Flower preferences: Polylectic; pollen sources include Fabaceae, Asteraceae (Asteroideae, Cichorioideae), Brassicaceae, Monocots, Convolvulaceae, Cistaceae, Caryophyllaceae, Ranunculaceae, Boraginaceae, Dipsacoideae, Lamiaceae, Plantaginaceae (Plantago) and Crassulaceae (Müller, 2022a).
Osmia (Allosmia) imitatrix (Tkalcu, 1992)
1992 Hoplitis (Allosmia) imitatrix Tkalcu, Acta Societatis Zoologicae Bohemoslovacae (Praha), 56: 219. Type material: Holotype f, “Kara-kala” [Turkmenistan], Halada Collection.
Distribution-Northern Asia: TM.
Identification-Keys, Descriptions: Müller (2022a). Note: Male unknown.
Nesting biology: Unknown.
Flower preferences: Unknown.
rufohirta species group
Osmia (Allosmia) gemina Müller, 2022
2022 Osmia (Allosmia) gemina Müller, Zootaxa, 5188: 205. Type material: Holotype m, “Tel Yizhaq, 20 m” [Israel], ETH (Zurich); paratypes mm, ff.
Distribution-Southwestern Asia: IL, JOR.
Identification-Keys, Descriptions: No supplementary or more detailed morphological description known.
Nesting biology: Unknown.
Flower preferences: Polylectic; pollen sources include Fabaceae, Asteraceae (Asteroideae, Cichorioideae), Brassicaceae and Plantaginaceae (Plantago) (Müller, 2022a).
Osmia (Allosmia) nuda Friese, 1899
1899 Osmia nuda Friese, Entomologische Nachrichten (Berlin), 25: 328. Type material: Lectotype f, by designation of G. van der Zanden (Müller, 2022a), “Balkan” [Balkans], ZMHB (Berlin).-Combination Hoplitis (Allosmia) nuda (Friese) in Özbek and Zanden (1992a: 21).-Synonymy with Chelostoma ventrale Schletterer in Warncke (1986: 75), rejected by Özbek and Zanden (1992a: 21).
Distribution-Europe: BG, HR. Southwestern Asia: TR.
Identification-Keys, Descriptions: Müller (2022a).
Nesting biology: Unknown.
Flower preferences: Polylectic; pollen sources include Fabaceae, Convolvulaceae and Lamiaceae (Nepetoideae) (Müller, 2022a).
Osmia (Allosmia) rufohirta Latreille, 1811
1811 Osmia rufo-hirta Latreille, Encyclopédie Méthodique, Histoire Naturelle, Insectes, vol. 8, p. 580 [not seen]. Type material: Syntypes ff, “France” [France], “Allemagne” [Germany]. Type species of Allosmia Tkalcu.-Combination Osmia (Acanthosmia) rufohirta Latreille in Schmiedeknecht (1885: 21 [887]). Combination Osmia (Osmia) rufohirta Latreille in Friese (1911b: 85). Combination Hoplitis (Allosmia) rufohirta (Latreille) in Tkalcu (1974b: 331).
1841 Osmia fulvo-hirta Lepeletier, Histoire Naturelle des Insectes, Hyménoptères, vol. 2, p. 322. Type material: Lectotype f, by designation of Tkalcu (1974c: 331), “Environs de Paris” [France], MNHN (Paris).-Synonymy in Dalla Torre (1896: 410).
1857 Osmia spiniventris Giraud, Verhandlungen des Zoologisch-Botanischen Vereins in Wien, 7: 181. Type material: Syntypes mm, “Autriche” [Austria], “Carniole” [Slovenia], “Italie” [Italy], “Hongrie” [Hungary], type depository unknown.-Synonymy in Dalla Torre (1896: 410).
Distribution-Europe: A, AL, ARM, AZ, B, BG, BY, CH, CZ, D, E, F, F(Co), FL, GE, GR, GR(Aegean and Ionian Islands), H, HR, I, I(Sa), I(Si), L, M, MK, P, RO, RUS(SR), SCG, SK, SLO, UA, UA(Crimea). Northern Africa: MA. Northern Asia: KZ, RC(NW). Southwestern Asia: IL, IR, IRQ, JOR, RL, SYR, TR.
Identification-Keys, Descriptions: Amiet et al. (2004); Banaszak and Romasenko (2001); Benoist (1931); Ducke (1900); Móczár (1958); Radoszkowski (1887a: 290); Müller (2022a); Scheuchl (1996); Schmiedeknecht (1885-1886); Tkalcu (1974b: 332, 1992: 219); Wu (2006).
Nesting biology-Nesting site: Preexisting cavities: empty snail shells of small to medium size (e.g. Candidula, Cernuella, Helicella, Pomatias, Rumina, Theba, Xerolenta, Xerophila, Zebrina) with 1 brood cell per shell. The closed shells are transported over a distance of up to more than 2m to a sheltered place, e.g. underside of a stone, below a withered leaf or among dead blades of a grass tussock; regularly, the nest is also rolled to a more suitable place or turned into a favourable position before or during cell provisioning. Occasionally, the shells are shallowly buried in loose soil. Nesting material: The shell is closed with a three-layered plug consisting of a layer of small stones and earth crumbs delimited on both sides by a partition made of chewed leaves (e.g. Helianthemum) or petals (e.g. Lotus). The shell surface is densely plastered with patches of leaf pulp. Nesting cycle: The species overwinters as imago in a self-spun cocoon within the brood cell. Brood parasites: Chrysura cuprea, C. dichroa, C. trimaculata (Chrysididae). (Banaszak & Romasenko, 2001; Bellmann, 1981; Benoist, 1931; Berland & Bernard, 1938; Bonelli, 1971, 1972; Ferton, 1894, 1897, 1905; Gogala, 1999; Grandi, 1961; Grozdanic, 1969; Kunz, 1989; Müller, 2022a; Müller et al., 1997; Westrich, 1989; G. Le Goff, personal observation)
Flower preferences: Polylectic; pollen sources include Fabaceae, Asteraceae (Asteroideae, Carduoideae, Cichorioideae), Brassicaceae, Lamiaceae (Lamioideae, Nepetoideae), Boraginaceae (Echium), Campanulaceae, Convolvulaceae, Caryophyllaceae and Cistaceae (Müller, 2022a).
Male behaviour: The males check snail shells for hatching or nest-seeking females (Müller et al., 1997).
Osmia (Allosmia) soror Pérez, 1896
1895 Osmia cognata Pérez, Espèces nouvelles de mellifères de Barbarie, p. 12. NOMEN PRAEOCCUPATUM [not Osmia cognata Cresson, 1864]. Type material: f(f), [Algeria], MNHN (Paris).
1896 Osmia soror Pérez, Correctures: Espèces nouvelles de mellifères de Barbarie, not paginated single page appendix. NOMEN NOVUM with same type specimen for preoccupied Osmia cognata Pérez, 1895 [not Osmia cognata Cresson, 1864].-Synonymy with Osmia rufohirta Latreille in Friese (1911b: 85).-Combination Hoplitis (Allosmia) rufohirta soror (Pérez) in Zanden (1988b: 120). Combination Osmia rufohirta soror Pérez in Ungricht et al. (2008).
Distribution-Northern Africa: DZ, MA, TN.
Identification-Keys, Descriptions: Müller (2022a).
Nesting biology-Nesting site: Preexisting cavities: empty snail shells. (Ferton, 1920; Müller, 2022a).
Flower preferences: Polylectic; pollen sources include Fabaceae, Asteraceae (Carduoideae), Brassicaceae, Caryophyllaceae and Convolvulaceae (Müller, 2022a).
sybarita species group
Osmia (Allosmia) lhotelleriei Pérez, 1887
1887 Osmia Lhotelleriei Pérez, Revue d’Entomologie, Société Française d’Entomologie, 6: 178. Type material: Lectotype f, by designation of Tkalcu (1975a: 180), “Égypte” [Egypt], MNHN (Paris).-Combination Osmia (Osmia) lhotelleriei Pérez in Friese (1911b: 85). Combination Hoplitis (Allosmia) lhotelleriei (Pérez) in Zanden (1988b: 120).
1890 Osmia fossoria Pérez, in: Ferton, Actes de la Société Linnéenne de Bordeaux, 44: 201. Type material: Lectotype f, by designation of Tkalcu (1974b: 333), “Alger” [Algeria], MNHN (Paris).-Combination Hoplitis (Allosmia) sybarita fossoria (Pérez) in Tkalcu (1974b: 333). Combination Osmia (Allosmia) sybarita fossoria Pérez in Ungricht et al. (2008: 140). Synonymy in Müller (2022a: 209).
1899 Osmia duckei Friese, Entomologische Nachrichten (Berlin), 25: 27. Type material: Syntypes mm, “Alger” [Algeria].-Synonymy with Osmia fossoria Pérez in Friese (1911b: 86).
Distribution-Northern Africa: DZ, ET, MA, LAR, TN. Southwestern Asia: IL, JOR, RL, SYR.
Identification-Keys, Descriptions: Ducke (1900); Müller (2022a); Stanek (1969a: 23-24); Tkalcu (1974b: 333).
Nesting biology-Nesting site: Preexisting cavities: empty snail shells of small size (e.g. Theba) with 1 brood cell per shell. After the shell is closed, it is rolled to a previously selected sandy place, where it is moved into a slanting burrow of 6-7cm length and 1-1.5cm depth excavated in loose sand, before it is completely covered with sand. Nesting material: The cell is closed with a one-layered partition of leaf pulp a few millimetres behind the shell opening; this partition forms the base of the 3-4mm thick nest plug, which is built from broken pieces of gastropod shells embedded into a matrix of pulp consisting of chewed green leaves, occasionally also of chewed petals. After the nest has been sealed. The shell surface is not plastered with patches of leaf pulp. Brood parasites: Chrysura osiris (Chrysididae). (Buysson, 1887, 1908; Ferton, 1890; Friese, 1923; Müller, 2022a; O’Toole & Raw, 1991; N. Vereecken, personal communication)
Flower preferences: Polylectic; pollen sources include Fabaceae, Asteraceae (Asteroideae, Carduoideae, Cichorioideae), Boraginaceae (e.g. Echium), Brassicaceae, Monocots, Caryophyllaceae, Resedaceae, Lamiaceae (Lamioideae, Nepetoideae), Cistaceae and Apiaceae (Müller, 2022a).
Osmia (Allosmia) melanura Morawitz, 1871
1871 Osmia melanura Morawitz, Horae Societatis Entomologicae Rossicae (St. Petersburg), 8: 203. Type material: f(f), “Calabria” [Italy].-Combination Osmia (Osmia) melanura Morawitz in Friese (1911b: 108). Combination Hoplitis (Allosmia) melanura (Morawitz) in Zanden (1988b: 120).
1886 Osmia decorata Morawitz, Horae Societatis Entomologicae Rossicae (St. Petersburg), 20: 71. Type material: m(m), “Talysch-Karabach-Jurdi” [Caucasus], ZIN (St. Petersburg).-Combination Osmia (Osmia) decorata Morawitz in Friese (1911b: 107). Combination Hoplitis (Allosmia) decorata (Morawitz) in Zanden (1988b: 120). Synonymy in Müller (2022a: 210).
Distribution-Europe: ARM, AZ, BG, GR, I, I(Si), MK, UA. Southwestern Asia: TR.
Identification-Keys, Descriptions: Banaszak and Romasenko (2001); Ducke (1900); Müller (2022a); Schmiedeknecht (1885-1886).
Nesting biology-Nesting site: Preexisting cavities: empty snail shells of small size (e.g. Theba) with 1 brood cell per shell. After the shell is closed, it is rolled over a distance of up to 50cm to a previously selected sandy place, where it is moved into a 2cm deep hole excavated among plant roots, before it is completely covered with sand. O. melanura is not strictly confined to sandy areas but occasionally also occurs in stony habitats, where the ground is too hard to dig; here, the females might possibly transport their nests to a protected place under vegetation or stones. Nesting material: The cell is closed with a one-layered partition of leaf pulp 2-3mm behind the shell opening in a considerable distance (0.6–0.8 shell whorls) from the larval provisions; this partition forms the base of the 3-4.5mm thick nest plug, which consists of broken pieces of gastropod shells embedded into a matrix of leaf pulp. The shell surface is not plastered with patches of leaf pulp. (Müller, 1992, 2022a)
Flower preferences: Polylectic with strong preference for Fabaceae; other pollen sources include Boraginaceae (e.g. Echium), Asteraceae (Cichorioideae), Cistaceae, Lamiaceae (Lamioideae), Brassicaceae and Caryophyllaceae (Müller, 1992, 2022a).
Osmia (Allosmia) rufotibialis Friese, 1920
1920 Osmia rufotibialis Friese, Deutsche Entomologische Zeitschrift (Berlin), 1920: 50. Type material: f(f), “Ain Dilb” [Palestine], ZMHB (Berlin).-Combination Hoplitis (Allosmia) rufotibialis (Friese) in Zanden (1988b: 120).
Distribution-Southwestern Asia: IL, JOR, RL, SYR.
Identification-Keys, Descriptions: Müller (2022a).
Nesting biology: Unknown.
Flower preferences: Polylectic; pollen sources include Fabaceae, Asteraceae (Asteroideae, Carduoideae, Cichorioideae), Boraginaceae (e.g. Echium), Brassicaceae and Lamiaceae (Lamioideae) (Müller, 2022a).
Osmia (Allosmia) rutila Erichson, 1835
1835 Osmia rutila Erichson, in: Waltl, Reise durch Tirol, Oberitalien und Piemont nach dem südlichen Spanien (Passau), vol. 2, p. 107. Type material: Holotype f, “Andalusien” [Spain], ZMHB (Berlin).-Combination Hoplitis (Allosmia) rutila (Erichson) in Zanden (1988b: 120).
1843 Osmia baetica Spinola, Annales de la Société Entomologique de France, ser. 2, 1: 142. Type material: f(f), [Spain], type depository unknown.-Synonymy in Dalla Torre (1896: 410), but see Zanden (1987: 75).
1895 Osmia xanthognatha Pérez, Espèces nouvelles de mellifères de Barbarie, p. 12. Type material: Lectotype f, by designation of Zanden (1988a: 60), “Tanger” [Morocco], MNHN (Paris).-Combination Osmia (Osmia) xanthognatha Pérez in Friese (1911b: 107).-Synonymy in Zanden (1987: 75).
Distribution-Europe: E. Northern Africa: DZ?, MA.
Identification-Keys, Descriptions: Benoist (1950b: 186); Ducke (1900); Müller (2022a); Zanden (1985: 69).
Nesting biology-Nesting site: Preexisting cavities: empty snail shells of small size (e.g. Helicella) with 1 brood cell per shell. After the shell is closed, it is rolled over a distance of up to 3m to a previously selected sandy place in the vicinity of plants, where it is moved into a 3–3.5cm deep hole and turned in a vertical position with the nest plug directing towards the entrance of the excavated hole, before it is completely covered with sand. Nesting material: After provisioning, which requires up to 34 foraging bouts, and egg deposition, the cell is closed with a one-layered partition of leaf pulp a few millimetres behind the shell opening in a considerable distance (abou 0.6 shell whorls) from the larval provisions; this partition forms the base of the thick nest plug, which consists of up to 28 broken pieces of gastropod and mussel shells, sometimes also small stones, embedded in a matrix of leaf pulp; the construction of the nest plug including the basal partition requires up to 150 flights with leaf pulp or broken shell pieces. The shell surface is not plastered with patches of leaf pulp. (Haeseler, 1997; Müller 2022a)
Flower preferences: Polylectic with strong preference for Fabaceae; other pollen sources include Boraginaceae (e.g. Echium), Brassicaceae, Asteraceae and Oxalidaceae (e.g. Oxalis pes-caprae) (Haeseler, 1997, 2008; Müller, 2022a).
Male behaviour: The males search for females in small areas of 10-15m² around nesting sites and flower patches, where they patrol along flight routes regularly interrupted by short resting periods on the ground or on low vegetation (Haeseler 1997).
Osmia (Allosmia) sybarita Smith, 1853
1853 Osmia sybarita Smith, Catalogue of Hymenopterous Insects in the Collection of the British Museum, vol. 1, p. 140. Type material: Holotype f, “Albania” [Albania], BMNH (London).-Combination Hoplitis (Allosmia) sybarita (Smith) in Tkalcu (1974b: 333).
1873 Osmia ruficollis Sichel, in: Dours, Revue et Magasin de Zoologie Pure et Appliqué, ser. 3, 1: 297. Type material: Syntypes mm, ff, “Iles de l’Archipel grec” [Greece], MNHN (Paris).-Synonymy in Zanden (1988b: 120).
Distribution-Europe: AL, BG, GR, GR(Aegean Islands, Cr), SCG. Southwestern Asia: CY, IL, IRQ, JOR, RL, SYR, TR.
Identification-Keys, Descriptions: Ducke (1900); Müller (2022a); Tkalcu (1974b: 332-333).
Nesting biology-Nesting site: Preexisting cavities: empty snail shells of small size (e.g. Helicella, Pseudoxerophila, Trochoidea, Xeromunda) with 1 brood cell per shell. After the shell is closed, it is rolled over a distance of up to 40cm to a previously selected place, where it is shallowly buried into the sandy ground, or – if the ground is too hard to dig – hidden under low vegetation. Nesting material: The cell is closed with a one-layered partition of leaf pulp a few millimetres behind the shell opening; this partition forms the base of the thick nest plug, which consists of broken pieces of gastropod shells embedded into a matrix of leaf pulp. The shell surface is not plastered with patches of leaf pulp. Brood parasites: Chrysura dichroa (Chrysididae). (Haeseler, 1997; Mavromoustakis, 1939b, 1948c; Müller, 2022a; O’Toole & Raw, 1991; Vereecken & Le Goff, 2012; G. Le Goff, personal communication)
Flower preferences: Polylectic; pollen sources include Fabaceae, Asteraceae (Asteroideae, Carduoideae, Cichorioideae), Boraginaceae (e.g. Echium), Brassicaceae, Resedaceae, Lamiaceae and Monocots (Müller, 2022a).