Skip to main content
ARS Home » Pacific West Area » Logan, Utah » Pollinating Insect-Biology, Management, Systematics Research » Research » Publications at this Location » Publication #323143
Title: Taxonomic revision of the Afrotropical bee genus Serapista Cockerell (Hymenoptera: Apoidea: Megachilidae: Megachilinae: Anthidiini)

Author
item EARDLEY, CONNAL - Agricultural Research Council Of South Africa
item Griswold, Terry

Submitted to: Zootaxa
Publication Type: Peer Reviewed Journal
Publication Acceptance Date: 4/6/2016
Publication Date: 5/17/2016
Citation: Eardley, C., Griswold, T.L. 2016. Taxonomic revision of the Afrotropical bee genus Serapista Cockerell (Hymenoptera: Apoidea: Megachilidae: Megachilinae: Anthidiini). Zootaxa. 4111(4):334-364.

Interpretive Summary: The bee genus Serapista is widespread but uncommon across all of Africa south of the Sahara. This group of carder bees that nests in cavities has not been studied for over thirty years. A new species is described, one former species synonymized, and an illustrated key to distinguish the five species is provided. The plants visited by these pollinators are listed.

Technical Abstract: The southern African bee genus Serapista Cockerell is revised. It comprises four previously described species and one new species, Serapista aspernigra sp. nov. One new synonymy is proposed, namely Serapista rhodesiana is synonymised with Serapista serrata. Keys for the identification of the species of Serapista are given.