A review of the Augochloropsis (Hymenoptera, Halictidae) and keys to the shiny green Halictinae of the midwestern United States
Author
Portman, Zachary M.
https://orcid.org/0000-0001-8943-8196
Department of Entomology, University of Minnesota, St Paul, MN, USA
zportman@gmail.com
Author
Arduser, Mike
Conservation Research Institute, Cedarburg, WI, USA
Author
Lane, Ian G.
https://orcid.org/0000-0002-6645-2136
Department of Entomology, University of Minnesota, St Paul, MN, USA
Author
Cariveau, Daniel P.
https://orcid.org/0000-0002-3064-0071
Department of Entomology, University of Minnesota, St Paul, MN, USA
text
ZooKeys
2022
2022-11-18
1130
103
152
http://dx.doi.org/10.3897/zookeys.1130.86413
journal article
http://dx.doi.org/10.3897/zookeys.1130.86413
1313-2970-1130-103
C8FFC906D96F43ACA5B9FB21B6E27C33
6007CB98AFAA58A5BD50EA75BBF78B0C
Augochloropsis (Paraugochloropsis) humeralis (Patton)
stat. nov.
Augochlora humeralis
Patton, 1879: 365 ♀♂.
Lectotype
: ♀ USA, North-western Kansas, 8 Sep 1877 leg. S.W. Williston, on goldenrod [ANSP]. Images examined by ZP and MA.
New lectotype designation.
(Labels read: "N.W. Kans. / Williston // Augochlora ♀ / humeralis n.s.").
Agapostemon caeruleus
Ashmead, 1890: 7 ♂ (not ♀) (syn.
Sandhouse 1937
).
Holotype
: ♂ USA, Colorado, Denver [USNM ENT 00536769]. Images examined by ZP and MA. Online record: http://n2t.net/ark:/65665/320b8ee01-69e8-40bd-ab90-fcb717151953. (Labels read: "Col. // [illegible symbol] Type / No 5516 / U.S.N.M. [red label] // Ashmead / Collection // Collection / Ashmead // Augochlora (Agapostemon) / ♀ coerulea Ash // USNM ENT / 00536769 [yellow label with barcode]").
Augochlora sumptuosa bolliana
Cockerell, 1909: 31 ♀ (syn. Under
Augochloropsis caerulea
by
Sandhouse 1937
). Images cursorily examined by ZP and MA.
New synonym. Syntype(s?)
: USA, Texas, Lee Co. [USNM Type No. 23306 barcode #: 00536763]. Online record: http://n2t.net/ark:/65665/32fdc8c3b-b5b4-4cec-968e-4040825fa92d (Labels read: "Lee Co. / TX. 06 / VI. 0 [illegible symbol] // [red label] Type No. / 23306 / U.S.N.M. // A. sumptuosa / bolliana Ckll / TYPE // USNM ENT / 00536763 [yellow label with barcode]").
Halictus (Augochlora) pattoni
Vachal, 1903: 132 (proposed replacement name for
Augochloropsis humeralis
Patton; syn. by
Sandhouse 1937
).
Augochlora (Augochloropsis) humeralis
(in
Titus 1901
: taxonomy).
Augochloropsis caerulea
(in
Sandhouse 1937
[in part]: key;
Lovell 1942
: key).
Augochloropsis humeralis
(in
Dreisbach 1945
: key).
Augochloropsis (Paraugochloropsis) sumptuosa
(in
Mitchell 1960
[in part]: key, redescription;
Hurd 1979
[in part]: catalog;
Moure and Hurd 1987
[in part]: catalog).
Diagnosis.
Both sexes of
Augochloropsis humeralis
can be distinguished from
Augochloropsis metallica
and
Augochloropsis viridula
by multiple characters. The pronotal flange of
Augochloropsis humeralis
has the lateral edges approaching 90 degrees (Figs
14D
,
16D
) whereas, the lateral edges of the pronotal flange in
Augochloropsis metallica
and
Augochloropsis viridula
are obtuse (Figs
14E, F
,
16E, F
, note they do still have a distinct pronotal flange as well). In addition, the vertex of
Augochloropsis humeralis
rises distinctly above the ocelli (Figs
14A
,
16A
) whereas it does not rise above the ocelli in
Augochloropsis metallica
and
Augochloropsis viridula
(Figs
14B, C
,
16B, C
). Finally, the strongly tessellate and
"silky"
texture of
Augochloropsis humeralis
(Figs
14G
,
16G
) is distinct in comparison to
Augochloropsis metallica
and
Augochloropsis viridula
(Figs
14H, I
,
16H, I
).
Augochloropsis humeralis
is similar in most respects to
Augochloropsis sumptuosa
. The females can be separated by the more densely punctate metasomal terga:
Augochloropsis humeralis
has the punctures on T1 and T2 close together and separated by about one puncture width (at least over most of the terga), whereas
Augochloropsis sumptuosa
has the punctures always well-separated (about 3-5 puncture widths apart). In addition, females of
Augochloropsis sumptuosa
have a weak but distinct semicircular carina around the propodeal triangle (Fig.
17D
), which
Augochloropsis humeralis
lacks (Fig.
17A
). More work is needed on how to separate the males of
Augochloropsis sumptuosa
, but the male of
Augochloropsis humeralis
appears to have the median emargination of S4 more acute (Fig.
20C
), compared to more rounded truncate in
Augochloropsis sumptuosa
(see
Mitchell 1960
: fig 111 (mislabeled as S5)), though this character is variable and
it's
not clear how reliable it is.
Comments.
What has previously been called
Augochloropsis sumptuosa
by
Mitchell (1960)
is not a single species but rather a species complex. Therefore, we have reinstated the name
Augochloropsis humeralis
Patton for the species occurring in the midwestern United States and retained the name
Augochloropsis sumptuosa
Smith for the species occurring in the southeastern United States. The exact extent of the range of
Augochloropsis sumptuosa
is unclear, and it is not clear to what extent the ranges of
Augochloropsis humeralis
and
Augochloropsis sumptuosa
may overlap. However, we have so far found no evidence that the two species overlap in range, with
Augochloropsis sumptuosa
appearing to be limited to the east coast of the United States and
Augochloropsis humeralis
appearing to be limited to the prairie region (Fig.
18
). Historic records of
Augochloropsis sumptuosa
from Ohio were found to be misidentified
Augochloropsis metallica
. Since the identity of the midwestern species is clear, we have decided to proceed with a formal split; further delineation of the range of
Augochloropsis sumptuosa
must be accomplished in future research.
Two syntypes of
Augochloropsis humeralis
(1 male and 1 female) were located in the ANSP collection, where
Sandhouse (1937)
reported examining them. Though the specimens are undated and not clearly labeled as type specimens, the labels indicate that they are from the type locality. In addition, the specimens bear labels stating "
Augochlora humeralis
n.s." and "
Augochlora humeralis
n.sp.". The combination of the little-used name, the "n. sp.", the type locality, and the fact that
Sandhouse (1937)
considered these types, makes us confident that these are indeed
Patton's
syntypes. As a result, we have designated the female as the lectotype, making the male a paralectotype. Additional paralectotypes may potentially be present at the Smithsonian, as
Titus (1901)
states "Mr. Ashmead very kindly examined specimens in the U.S.N.M. of
A. humeralis
Patt., marked 'N. W. Kans.,
Williston'"
. However, our inquiries to the Smithsonian have received no answer.
Sandhouse (1937)
considered the name
Augochloropsis caerulea
(Ashmead) to have priority because the name
Augochloropsis humeralis
is a secondary homonym in the genus
Halictus
. However,
Augochloropsis humeralis
is not a secondary homonym in the genus
Augochloropsis
and the substitute name is no longer in use, so following IZCN Article 59.3, the name
Augochloropsis humeralis
is available and has priority.
Augochlora sumptuosa bolliana
Cockerell is from Texas and was synonymized with
Augochloropsis sumptuosa
by
Sandhouse (1937)
. Based on the online images of one of the syntypes, we are tentatively assigning it as a synonym of
Augochloropsis humeralis
, but a more critical evaluation of the specimen, with additional Texas material, should be performed.
Range.
Augochloropsis humeralis
occurs throughout the prairie region, ranging from North Dakota and Minnesota south to New Mexico and Texas, extending to Colorado in the west and Indiana in the east (Fig.
18
). Specimens from Indiana Dunes National Park represent the easternmost records.
Figure 17.
Augochloropsis
female propodea
A
Augochloropsis humeralis
B
Augochloropsis metallica
C
Augochloropsis viridula
D
Augochloropsis sumptuosa
E
Augochloropsis anonyma
F
Augochloropsis
sp. (likely undescribed species from Eastland, Texas). Scale bars: 1 mm, all images at the same scale.
Biology.
Augochloropsis humeralis
is polylectic and nests are associated with deep sand (MA, pers. obs.). The sociality and the specifics of the nesting biology are unknown.
Material examined.
Colorado: Adams Co.
:
Denver
(
39.8207
,
-104.8613
):
1 ♂
[iNat],
29 Aug 2019
, @francesco167 leg.;
Douglas Co.
: (
39.3467
,
-104.7511
):
1 ♀
[iNat],
Jul 2020
, @calebcam leg.;
Logan Co.
: (
40.7752
,
-103.2721
):
1 ♂
[iNat],
22 Aug 2014
,
R. Webster
leg.
Illinois:
Hancock Co.
:
Warsaw
(
40.3427
,
-91.4493
):
1 ♂
[iNat],
14 Aug 2016
,
A. Moorehouse
leg.
,
Monarda punctata
;
Madison Co.
: [MASR];
Mason Co.
: (
40.3921
,
-89.9104
):
1 ♀
[iNat],
18 Jun 2019
,
A. Moorehouse
leg.
,
Asclepias
sp.
Indiana
:
Lake Co.
:
Indiana Dunes
NP,
Marquette Trail
(
41.6111
,
-87.2365
):
1 ♀
[IDNP],
19 Jun 2019
,
McGill
leg.
,
blue pan;
Indiana Dunes
NP,
Miller
woods (
41.6057
,
-87.2644
):
1 ♂
[IDNP],
12 Sep 2018
,
McGill
leg.
, white pan;
1 ♀
[IDNP],
4 Jun 2019
, McGill leg., yellow pan;
1 ♀
[IDNP],
23 Jul 2019
, McGill leg.,
yellow pan;
Indiana Dunes
NP,
Miller
woods (
41.6071
,
-87.2644
):
1 ♀
[IDNP],
23 Jul 2019
,
McGill
leg.
,
yellow pan;
Newton Co.
:
Kankakee Sands
(
41.0848
,
-87.402
):
1 ♀
[iNat],
24 May 2018
,
D. Lucas
leg.
;
Porter Co.
:
Indiana Dunes National Lakeshore
,
Mnoke Prairie
(
41.6185
,
-87.1012
):
1 ♀
[IDNP],
29 Jun 2017
,
J. Villalpando
leg.
,
bee bowl.
Minnesota
:
Faribault Co.
: (43.7, -93.96):
1 ♀
[UMSP],
18 Sep 1911
;
Fillmore Co.
:
Pin Oak
SNA (
43.79261
,
-92.21915
)
:
1 ♀
[MNDNR],
24 Jul 2017
, bowl;
Hennepin Co.
: (44.9, -93.4):
1 ♂
[UMSP], date unknown;
Norman Co.
:
Agassiz Dunes
SNA (
47.51154
,
-96.28976
)
:
1 ♂
[MNDNR],
24 Aug 2015
, bowl;
Sherburne Co.
:
Sherburne National Wildlife Refuge
(
45.46477
,
-93.67435
)
:
2 ♀
[EERC],
15 Aug 2016
, E. Evans leg.,
bowl;
Wabasha Co.
:
Weaver Dunes
(
44.27746
,
-91.93892
):
1 ♀
[UMSP],
28 May 2015
,
M.J. Hatfield
leg.
,
Ceanothus herbaceus
;
Weaver Dunes
TNC/SNA (
44.25096
,
-91.93795
)
:
21 ♀
[MNDNR],
6 May 2017
, bowl;
15 ♀
[MNDNR],
26 Jun 2017
, bowl;
8 ♂
[MNDNR],
24 Jul 2017
, bowl;
3 ♂
[MNDNR],
19 Aug 2017
, bowl;
1 ♀
[MNDNR],
21 Sep 2017
, bowl;
Washington Co.
:
Belwin Conservancy
(
44.9241
,
-92.7931
)
:
1 ♀
[EERC],
4 Sep 2015
, J. Gardner leg.,
net,
Solidago nemoralis
;
Belwin Conservancy
(
44.92569
,
-92.80001
):
1 ♀
[CRC],
12 Jun 1995
,
C.C. Reed
leg.
, net,
Penstemon grandifloris
;
1 ♀
[UMSP],
12 Jun 1995
, C.C. Reed leg., net,
P. grandiflorus
;
9 ♀
[CRC],
15 Jun 1995
, C.C. Reed leg., net,
P. grandifloris
;
6 ♀
[CRC],
16 Jun 1995
, C.C. Reed leg., net,
P. grandifloris
;
1 ♀
3 ♂
[CRC, UMSP],
15 Aug 1995
, C.C. Reed leg., net,
Dalea purpurea
;
3 ♀
[CRC],
13 Jun 1997
, C.C. Reed leg.,
net,
P. grandifloris
;
Gray Cloud Dunes
(44.79, -92.957):
1 ♀
4 ♂
[UMSP],
9 Jul 1988
;
Grey Cloud Dunes
(44.79, -92.957):
1 ♂
[CNBL],
23 Jul 2018
,
J. Petersen
leg.
,
net;
Grey Cloud Dunes
(
44.7912
,
-92.9601
):
1 ♂
[iNat],
14 Sep 2018
,
A. Birkey
leg.
;
Grey Cloud Dunes
SNA (
44.79004
,
-92.95536
)
:
1 ♂
[MNDNR],
9 Oct 2018
, net,
S. nemoralis
;
Grey Cloud Dunes
SNA (
44.790046
,
-92.955076
)
:
1 ♂
[MNDNR],
31 Jul 2018
, net,
D. villosa
;
Winona Co.
:
Whitewater
WMA (
44.15033
,
-92.00066
)
:
1 ♀
[MNDNR],
6 May 2017
, bowl;
1 ♀
[MNDNR],
26 Jun 2017
, bowl.
Missouri
:
Clark Co.
: [MASR];
Scott Co.
: [MASR].
Nebraska
:
Hooker Co.
: [MASR];
Rock Co.
: (42.5, -99.8):
1 ♂
[iNat],
Sep 2018
, @allysond leg.;
Thomas Co.
:
Neb Ntl For
, near
Halsey
,
1 ♂
[WRME],
9 Aug 1991
,
Arduser
leg.
;
Neb. Ntl For. Nr Whitetail
campground:
1 ♀
[WRME],
10 Aug 1991
,
Arduser
leg.
,
Helianthus petiolarus
.
New
Mexico
:
Chaves Co.
: [MASR].
North Dakota
:
Ransom Co.
: (
46.474534
,
-97.342645
):
1 ♂
[iNat],
9 Aug 2021
,
E. Wood
leg
..
Oklahoma
:
Ellis Co.
: [MASR].
South Dakota
:
Clay Co.
:
Missouri National Recreation River
(
42.76215
,
-96.9743
):
1 ♂
[iNat],
7 Jul 2021
, @stenthesnake leg.
Texas
:
Taylor Co.
: (32.32, -99.92):
1 ♀
[OSUC],
18 Jun 1952
,
J.N. Knull
,
D.J. Knull
leg.
Figure 18.
Map of specimens or observations examined for this study from the species
Augochloropsis humeralis
,
Augochloropsis anonyma
, and
Augochloropsis fulgida
.