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ARS Home » Pacific West Area » Logan, Utah » Pollinating Insect-Biology, Management, Systematics Research » Research » Publications at this Location » Publication #253817

Title: A review of the non-metallic Osmia (Melanosmia) found in North America with additional notes on palearctic Melanosmia (Hymenoptera: Megachilidae)

Author
item RIGHTMYER, MOLLY - Former ARS Employee
item Griswold, Terry
item ARDUSER, MICHAEL - Missouri Department Of Conservation

Submitted to: ZooKeys
Publication Type: Peer Reviewed Journal
Publication Acceptance Date: 7/15/2010
Publication Date: 10/7/2010
Citation: Rightmyer, M.G., Griswold, T.L., Arduser, M.S. 2010. A review of the non-metallic Osmia (Melanosmia) found in North America with additional notes on palearctic Melanosmia (Hymenoptera: Megachilidae). ZooKeys. 60:37-77.

Interpretive Summary: In North America, there are only six species of mason bees in the subgenus Melanosmia that lack any metallic coloration. These species are also unusual in that they appear to be restricted to more northern latitudes or high altitudes within North America. In this paper we review these six species (two of which are newly named and described herein) and provide keys to distinguish the males and females. In addition, we provide commentary and updated keys to the non-metallic Melanosmia of the Palearctic.

Technical Abstract: We review the six species of non-metallic Osmia (Melanosmia) found in North America, including the description of two new species found in Canada and the northern United States: Osmia (Melanosmia) aquilonaria, new species, and Osmia (Melanosmia) nearctica, new species, respectively belonging to the inermis and xanthomelaena species groups. We additionally provide keys to the non-metallic Melanosmia found in North America, and update keys to the Melanosmia of the Palearctic based on study of the type specimens of Osmia disjuncta Tkalcu, O. ephippiata Smith, O. ishikawai Hirashima, and O. pamirensis Gussakovskij.