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ARS Home » Pacific West Area » Logan, Utah » Pollinating Insect-Biology, Management, Systematics Research » Research » Publications at this Location » Publication #285254
Title: Megachile timberlakei Cockerell (Hymenoptera: Megachilidae): Yet another adventive bee species to the Galapagos Archipelago

Author
item RASMUSSEN, CLAUS - Aarhus University
item CARRION, ANA - Charles Darwin Research Station
item CASTRO-URGAL, ROCIO - Mediterranean Institute For Advanced Studies
item CHAMORRO, SUSANA - Charles Darwin Research Station
item GONZALEZ, VICTOR - Natural History Museum - Kansas
item Griswold, Terry
item HERRERA, HENRI - Charles Darwin Research Station
item MCMULLEN, CONLEY - James Madison University
item OLESEN, JENS - Aarhus University
item TRAVESET, ANNA - Mediterranean Institute For Advanced Studies

Submitted to: The Pan-Pacific Entomologist
Publication Type: Peer Reviewed Journal
Publication Acceptance Date: 2/7/2012
Publication Date: 7/27/2012
Citation: Rasmussen, C., Carrion, A.L., Castro-Urgal, R., Chamorro, S., Gonzalez, V.H., Griswold, T.L., Herrera, H.W., McMullen, C.K., Olesen, J.M., Traveset, A. 2012. Megachile timberlakei Cockerell (Hymenoptera: Megachilidae): Yet another adventive bee species to the Galapagos Archipelago. Pan-Pacific Entomologist. 88(1): 98-102.

Interpretive Summary: Islands are known to be poor in bee diversity. The Galapagos Islands are no exception. Only one species has been thought to occupy the islands, a carpenter bee. Recently a carder bee was found on the islands. Now a third species, the leafcutter bee Megachile timberlakei¸ previously known only from the Hawaiian Islands, is documented. Its presence is thought to be due to an accidental introduction. Characters to separate this adventive bee from other leafcutter bees is provided.

Technical Abstract: The Galapagos Archipelago has been thought to be extremely depauperate in bees, with only one species known, Xylocopa darwini. Recently a second species, Anthidium vigintiduopunctatum, was detected. Here we document a third species, Megachile timberlakei. We provide floral records as well as a diagnosis and comparative comments that will assist bee researchers to easily recognize this species from other native and adventive Megachile Latreille to the Americas. We also discuss the possible routes to the Galapagos.