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) cuprea (Smith)
stat. nov.
Augochlora cuprea
Smith, 1853: 79 ♀. Images examined by ZP and MA (Fig.
22
).
Holotype
: ♀ North America [OUMNH]. (Labels read: "[small square with illegible markings] // HOLOTYPE / Augochloropsis /cuprea (Sm) / J.S. Moure 1957 // Probably the Holotype as labelled. No specimen labelled Type in B.M. / C.D. Michener in litt. 13 VIII 1965").
Augochloropsis cuprea
(in
Sandhouse 1937
[in part]: key).
Comments.
The type of
Augochloropsis cuprea
(Fig.
22
) was located in the Oxford Museum, and based on the label, it was examined by J.S. Moure in 1957 and C.D. Michener in 1965. The specimen is not clearly labeled as the type, but both Moure and Michener agreed that it was likely the holotype.
Sandhouse (1937)
appears to have only examined the type by proxy through sawfly taxonomist R. B. Benson and
Mitchell (1960)
did not examine it.
Augochloropsis cuprea
was considered a junior synonym of
Augochloropsis metallica metallica
by both
Moure (1960)
and
Mitchell (1960)
. However, examination of the type of
Augochloropsis cuprea
reveals that it is distinct from
Augochloropsis metallica
based on the short T2 fringe (Fig.
22D
), the relatively short T3 impressed area (Fig.
22D
), the presence of some black hairs on the metasoma (Fig.
22A, D
), the more shining propodeum (Fig.
22C
), and the short posterior carina of the propodeum (Fig.
22C, D
). As a result, we recognize the two forms as heterospecific and thus
Augochloropsis cuprea
as a valid species.
Figure 22.
Augochloropsis cuprea
holotype female
A
lateral view
B
head
C
rear dorsal view of propodeum
D
metasoma. Scale bars: 5 mm (
A
); 1 mm (
B
); 1 mm (
D
). Images provided by Dr. James Hogan (OUMNH).
The range of
Augochloropsis cuprea
is unclear as
Smith (1853)
reports the type locality as "North America". We have in our possession a single female from Oklahoma (from Four Canyon Preserve headquarters, Ellis County) that may be a match for
Augochloropsis cuprea
, but this must be considered tentative, especially since the Oklahoma specimen lacks the number of black hairs on the metasoma seen in the type. There is also the possibility that
Augochloropsis cuprea
is a Mexican species, especially since multiple Mexican species share the character of the broadly shiny propodeal triangle. The male remains unknown and additional investigation, with more material, is sorely needed.