{"id":142,"date":"2009-01-22T00:02:55","date_gmt":"2009-01-21T23:02:55","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/wpethzprd.ethz.ch\/osmiini\/?page_id=142"},"modified":"2025-12-27T11:18:42","modified_gmt":"2025-12-27T10:18:42","slug":"hemiosmia","status":"publish","type":"page","link":"https:\/\/blogs.ethz.ch\/osmiini\/palaearctic-species\/osmia\/hemiosmia\/","title":{"rendered":"Subgenus Hemiosmia"},"content":{"rendered":"

The subgenus Hemiosmia<\/em> Tkalcu is confined to the Palaearctic region. It contains 8 described species.<\/p>\n

\"\"<\/a>\"\"<\/a><\/p>\n

Female of <\/span>Osmia (Hemiosmia) uncicornis <\/span><\/em>P\u00e9rez, 1895 entering her nest burrow excavated in loose soil (left); excavated brood cell of the same species entirely consisting of chewed leaves (right). Fotos V. Haeseler.<\/span><\/h5>\n

Species accounts<\/h3>\n

Osmia (Hemiosmia) spinicoxa <\/em><\/strong>M\u00fcller, 2020<\/span><\/h3>\n

2020 Osmia (Hemiosmia) spinicoxa<\/em> M\u00fcller, Zootaxa, 4778: 208. Type material<\/u>: Holotype f, \u201eTajgalte at road to Tizi-n-Test and Ijoukak\u201c [Morocco], ETHZ (Zurich).<\/p>\n

Distribution-<\/strong>Northern Africa:<\/strong> MA.<\/span><\/p>\n

Identification-<\/strong>Keys, Descriptions: <\/strong>No supplementary or more detailed morphological description known.<\/p>\n

Nesting biology: <\/strong>Unknown.
<\/strong><\/p>\n

Flower preferences: <\/strong>The only two pollen loads available consisted of pollen of Loteae (Fabaceae) and small amounts of an unknown hexacolpate pollen type (M\u00fcller, 2020).<\/p>\n

uncicornis<\/u><\/i> species group<\/u><\/h3>\n

Osmia (Hemiosmia) anceps <\/em><\/strong>P\u00e9rez, 1895<\/span><\/h3>\n

1895 Osmia<\/em> anceps<\/em><\/strong> P\u00e9rez, Esp\u00e8ces nouvelles de mellif\u00e8res de Barbarie, p. 11. Type material<\/span>: Lectotype f, by designation of Tkalcu (1975b: 46), “M\u00e9d\u00e9nin” [Tunisia], MNHN (Paris).-Combination Osmia (Osmia) anceps<\/em> P\u00e9rez in Friese (1911b: 89).-Synonymy with Osmia uncicornis<\/em> P\u00e9rez in Tkalcu (1975b: 45), rejected by Haeseler (2005: 489).<\/p>\n

1975 Osmia (Hemiosmia) pulchra<\/strong><\/em> Tkalcu, Acta Entomologica Bohemoslovaca (Praha), 72: 46. Type material<\/span>: Holotype m, “Gafsa” [Tunisia], MNHN (Paris).-Synonymy in Haeseler (2005: 475).<\/p>\n

Distribution-<\/strong>Northern Africa:<\/strong> DZ, LAR, TN.<\/span><\/p>\n

Identification-<\/strong>Keys, Descriptions: <\/strong>Haeseler (2005); Tkalcu (1975b); M\u00fcller (2020).<\/p>\n

Nesting biology: <\/strong>Unknown.
<\/strong><\/p>\n

Flower preferences: <\/strong>Oligolectic on Fabaceae with strong preference for Loteae (e.g. Lotus<\/em>, Hippocrepis<\/em>) (M\u00fcller, 2020).<\/p>\n

Osmia (Hemiosmia) argyropyga <\/em><\/strong>P\u00e9rez, 1879 <\/span><\/h3>\n

1879 Osmia argyropyga<\/strong><\/em> P\u00e9rez, Actes de la Soci\u00e9t\u00e9 Linn\u00e9enne de Bordeaux, 33: 175. Type material<\/span>: Lectotype f, by designation of Tkalcu (1975b: 38), “Marseille” [France], MNHN (Paris). Type species<\/span> of Hemiosmia<\/em> Tkalcu.-Combination Osmia (Acanthosmia) argyropyga<\/em> P\u00e9rez in Schmiedeknecht (1885: 21 [887]). Combination Osmia (Osmia) argyropyga<\/em> P\u00e9rez in Friese (1911b: 90).<\/p>\n

1879 Osmia<\/em> entoprocta<\/em><\/strong> P\u00e9rez, Actes de la Soci\u00e9t\u00e9 Linn\u00e9enne de Bordeaux, 33: 179. Type material<\/span>: Lectotype m, by designation of Tkalcu (1975b: 38), “Marseille” [France], MNHN (Paris).-Combination Osmia (Helicosmia) entoprocta<\/em> P\u00e9rez in Schmiedeknecht (1885: 22 [888]). Combination Osmia (Osmia) entoprocta<\/em> P\u00e9rez in Friese (1911b: 89).-Synonymy in Tkalcu (1975b: 38).<\/p>\n

Distribution-Europe: <\/strong>E, F<\/span>, I, P. Northern Africa:<\/strong> DZ, MA, TN.<\/p>\n

Identification-<\/strong>Keys, Descriptions: <\/strong>Benoist (1931); Ducke (1900); Haeseler (2005); Schmiedeknecht (1885-1886); Tkalcu (1975b); M\u00fcller (2020).<\/p>\n

Nesting biology-Nesting site: <\/strong>Excavated burrows in loose ground. O. argyropyga<\/em> was reported to nest also in old brood cells of Megachile<\/em> (Chalicodoma<\/em>) pyrenaica<\/em> Lepeletier (Grandi, 1962), which is most probably erroneous. Nesting material: <\/strong>Several females were recorded to collect leaf material on Helianthemum <\/em>and one female was observed to transport chewed leaf pieces into her nesting burrow. (M\u00fcller, 2020; D. Genoud, personal observation)<\/p>\n

Flower preferences: <\/strong>Oligolectic on Fabaceae with strong preference for Loteae (e.g. Lotus, Hippocrepis, Anthyllis<\/em>); additional pollen hosts are species of Psoraleeae (e.g. Psoralea<\/em>), other Fabaceae tribes and, according to a label record, Fabeae (e.g. Lathyrus<\/em>) (M\u00fcller, 2020).<\/p>\n

Osmia (Hemiosmia) balearica <\/em><\/strong>Schmiedeknecht, 1886<\/span><\/h3>\n

1886 Osmia balearica<\/strong><\/em> Schmiedeknecht, Apidae Europaeae, vol. 2, p. 177 [1043]. Type material<\/span>: Lectotype m, by designation of Haeseler (2005: 477), “Palma” [Spain: Balearic Islands], ZMHB (Berlin).-Combination Osmia (Helicosmia) balearica<\/em> Schmiedeknecht in Schmiedeknecht (1885: 22 [888]). Combination Osmia (Osmia) balearica<\/em> Schmiedeknecht in Friese (1911b: 89).<\/p>\n

Distribution-Europe: <\/strong>E, E(Ba)<\/span>.<\/em><\/p>\n

Identification-<\/strong>Keys, Descriptions:<\/strong>Ducke (1900);Haeseler (2005); Schmiedeknecht (1885-1886); Tkalcu (1975b); M\u00fcller (2020).<\/p>\n

Nesting biology-Nesting site: <\/strong>Excavated burrows (3-5cm deep) in loose sandy ground of coastal zones, often in small aggregations. At the end of the burrow one to several urn-shaped brood cells of 1 cm length and 0.6 cm maximal width are constructed immediately beside each other. The nest entrance is often near dead plants, whose roots serve to fix the cells in the ground. Nesting material: <\/strong>The cells are entirely made of leaf pulp collected from Lotus, Medicago, Ononis<\/em> (all Fabaceae), Convolvulus <\/em>(Convolvulaceae) or Cistus <\/em>(Cistaceae). The construction of a single brood cell requires 61-73 flights with leaf pulp and lasts more than two days, the provisioning of the cell needs 18 foraging bouts completed within 3.5-4.3 h and the construction of a nest with a single cell takes about three days. (Haeseler 2005, 2008; M\u00fcller, 2020). <\/p>\n

Male mating behaviour:<\/strong> The males were observed to pull the crenulate underside of their antennae jerkily along the female antennae during courtship (Haeseler, 2008). <\/p>\n

Osmia (Hemiosmia) chrysolepta <\/em><\/strong>Haeseler, 2005 <\/span><\/h3>\n

2005 Osmia (Hemiosmia) chrysolepta<\/strong><\/em> Haeseler, Entomofauna (Ansfelden), 26: 479. Type material<\/span>: Holotype m, “Tel-Aviv” [Israel], Schwarz Collection (Ansfelden); paratypes mm, ff.<\/p>\n

Distribution- Northern Africa: <\/strong>ET, LAR. Southwestern Asia: <\/strong>IL<\/span>, JOR.<\/p>\n

Identification-<\/strong>Keys, Descriptions: <\/strong>M\u00fcller (2020).<\/p>\n

Nesting biology: <\/strong>Unknown.
<\/strong><\/p>\n

Flower preferences: <\/strong>Oligolectic on Fabaceae with strong preference for Loteae (e.g. Lotus<\/em>); additional pollen hosts are species of Genisteae and other Fabaceae tribes. Four out of 18 scopal loads analysed contained small amounts of pollen of Echium<\/em> (Boraginaceae) and Zygophyllaceae, suggesting that flowers of these two plant taxa might very rarely also be exploited (M\u00fcller, 2020).<\/p>\n

Osmia (Hemiosmia) uncicornis <\/em><\/strong>P\u00e9rez, 1895<\/span><\/h3>\n

1895 Osmia uncicornis<\/strong><\/em> P\u00e9rez, Esp\u00e8ces nouvelles de mellif\u00e8res de Barbarie, p. 10. Type material<\/span>: m(m), no original material known.-Combination Osmia (Osmia) uncicornis<\/em> P\u00e9rez in Friese (1911b: 89).<\/p>\n

Distribution-Europe: <\/strong>E, P. <\/em>Northern Africa: <\/strong>MA.<\/p>\n

Identification-<\/strong>Keys, Descriptions: <\/strong>Haeseler (2005); Tkalcu (1975b); M\u00fcller (2020).<\/p>\n

Nesting biology-Nesting site: <\/strong>Excavated burrows (3-5cm deep) in loose sandy ground, often in small aggregations. At the end of the burrow, one to several urn-shaped brood cells are constructed immediately beside each other. The nest entrance is often near dead plants, whose roots serve to fix the cells in the ground. Nesting material: <\/strong>The cells are entirely made of chewed leaves. Brood parasites: <\/strong>Dioxys ardens<\/em> and possibly Stelis ortizi<\/em>. (Haeseler, 2005, 2008; Baldock et al., 2018; M\u00fcller, 2020)<\/p>\n

Flower preferences: <\/strong>Oligolectic on Fabaceae with strong preference for Loteae (e.g. Lotus, Hippocrepis<\/em>); additional pollen hosts are species of Trifolieae (e.g. Medicago<\/em>) (Haeseler, 2008; Baldock et al., 2018; M\u00fcller, 2020).<\/p>\n

difficilis<\/em> species group<\/strong><\/span> (“Exosmia<\/em>“)<\/strong>
<\/strong><\/span><\/h3>\n

Osmia (Hemiosmia) difficilis<\/em><\/strong> Morawitz, 1875<\/span><\/h3>\n

1875 Osmia difficilis<\/strong><\/em> Morawitz, Travel to Turkestan by A. P. Fedtschenko, p. 91. Type material<\/span>: f(f), “in valle Sarafschan” [Tajikistan]. Type species<\/span> of Exosmia<\/em> Tkalcu.-Combination Osmia (Osmia) difficilis <\/em>Morawitz in Friese (1911b: 87). Combination Osmia (Exosmia) difficilis<\/em> Morawitz in Zanden (1988b: 125) and in Warncke (1988b: 397).<\/p>\n

1875 Osmia<\/em> falcata<\/em><\/strong> Morawitz, Travel to Turkestan by A. P. Fedtschenko, p. 102. Type material<\/span>: m(m), “in valle Sarafschan” [Tajikistan].-Combination Osmia (Osmia) falcata<\/em> Morawitz in Friese (1911b: 90).-Synonymy in Popov (1960a: 435).<\/p>\n

1935 Osmia alborufa<\/strong><\/em> Alfken, Entomologische Rundschau (Stuttgart), 52: 161. Type material<\/span>: Holotype f, “bei Ankara in Anatolien und auf der Reise nach da” [Turkey], SMFD (Frankfurt); paratype f.-Synonymy in Warncke (1988b: 398).<\/p>\n

Distribution-Europe:<\/strong> ARM, AZ. Northern Asia: <\/strong>KS, KZ, TJ<\/span>, UZ. Southwestern Asia: <\/strong>IL, IR, RL, SYR, TR.<\/p>\n

Identification-<\/strong>Keys, Descriptions: <\/strong>Ducke (1900); Popov (1960a: 435-437); Tkalcu (1979: 321); Warncke (1988b); Zanden (1987: 73-74); M\u00fcller (2020).<\/p>\n

Nesting biology<\/strong>-Nesting site: <\/strong>Excavated burrow (4cm deep) in very loose, sandy to gravelly ground with one cell at the end. Nesting material: <\/strong>The urn-shaped cells (15mm long, 8mm wide) are entirely made of finely chewed leaves. Although consisting only of leaf pulp, the cell walls (ranging in thickness from 0.3mm to 1mm) are surprisingly solid withstanding high physical pressure. In contrast to O. balearica<\/em> and O. uncicornis<\/em>, the cells are not attached to roots in the ground. (M\u00fcller, 2020)<\/p>\n

Flower preferences: <\/strong>Oligolectic on Fabaceae; pollen hosts are species of Galegeae (e.g. Astragalus<\/em>), Genisteae, Hedysareae (e.g. Onobrychis<\/em>), Loteae (e.g. Lotus<\/em>), Trifolieae (e.g. Medicago, Trifolium<\/em>) and other Fabaceae tribes. The larval provision of one brood cell from Iran exlusively consisted of pollen of Astragalus<\/em>. (Popov 1960; \u00f4zbek 1979, 2013; \u00f4zbek & Zanden 1992; M\u00fcller, 2020).
<\/strong><\/p>\n

Osmia (Hemiosmia) iberica <\/em><\/strong>Zanden, 1987<\/span><\/h3>\n

1987 Osmia (Exosmia) iberica<\/strong><\/em> Zanden, Reichenbachia (Dresden), 25: 73. Type material<\/span>: Holotype m, “La Gargenta (Caceres)” [Spain], RMNH (Leiden); paratypes mm, ff.<\/p>\n

1988 Osmia (Exosmia)<\/em> difficilis clanga<\/strong><\/em> Warncke, Entomofauna (Ansfelden), 9: 398. Type material<\/span>: Holotypus m, “Alia de las Bojes\/Granada, 1200 m” [Spain], OLML (Linz).-Synonymy in Zanden (1991c: 166).<\/p>\n

Distribution-Europe: <\/strong>E<\/span>, P.<\/p>\n

Identification-<\/strong>Keys, Descriptions: <\/strong>M\u00fcller (2020).<\/p>\n

Nesting biology: <\/strong>Unknown.
<\/strong><\/p>\n

Flower preferences: <\/strong>Possibly mesolectic on Fabaceae and Antirrhineae; pollen hosts among the Fabaceae are species of Genisteae, Hedysareae (e.g. Onobrychis<\/em>), Loteae (e.g. Dorycnium, Lotus<\/em>), Trifolieae (e.g. Trifolium<\/em>) and other tribes (Baldock et al., 2018; M\u00fcller, 2020).<\/p>\n

<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n

<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

The subgenus Hemiosmia Tkalcu is confined to the Palaearctic region. It contains 8 described species. Female of Osmia (Hemiosmia) uncicornis P\u00e9rez, 1895 entering her nest burrow excavated in loose soil (left); excavated brood cell of the same species entirely consisting of chewed leaves (right). Fotos V. Haeseler. Species accounts Osmia (Hemiosmia) spinicoxa M\u00fcller, 2020 2020 […]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":1092,"featured_media":0,"parent":46,"menu_order":0,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"closed","template":"","meta":{"footnotes":""},"class_list":["post-142","page","type-page","status-publish","hentry"],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/blogs.ethz.ch\/osmiini\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/pages\/142","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/blogs.ethz.ch\/osmiini\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/pages"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/blogs.ethz.ch\/osmiini\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/page"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/blogs.ethz.ch\/osmiini\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/1092"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/blogs.ethz.ch\/osmiini\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=142"}],"version-history":[{"count":1,"href":"https:\/\/blogs.ethz.ch\/osmiini\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/pages\/142\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":7332,"href":"https:\/\/blogs.ethz.ch\/osmiini\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/pages\/142\/revisions\/7332"}],"up":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/blogs.ethz.ch\/osmiini\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/pages\/46"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/blogs.ethz.ch\/osmiini\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=142"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}