Taxonomic revision and distribution of the cleptoparasitic bee genus Mesoplia (Apidae: Ericrocidini) from Mexico and Central America
DOI:
https://doi.org/10.22201/ib.20078706e.2025.96.5539Keywords:
Brood parasite, Centridini, New species, Mesoamerica, Neotropical bees, Taxonomic keyAbstract
A taxonomic revision of the cleptoparasitic bee genus Mesoplia Lepeletier, 1841 from Mexico and Central
America is presented. We recognize 4 new species, resulting in a total of 10 species for the study area: Mesoplia (Mesoplia) insignis (Smith, 1879), M. (M.) sapphirina Melo & Rocha-Filho, 2011, M. (M.) regalis (Smith, 1854), M. (M.) dugesi (Cockerell, 1917), M. (M.) rufipes (Perty, 1933), M. (M.) veracruzana sp. nov., M. (M.) oaxacana sp. nov., M. (M.) tica sp. nov., M. (Eumelissa) ornata (Spinola, 1841) and M. (E.) carmelitae sp. nov. We propose the following synonymies: M. imperatrix (Friese, 1913) = M. (M.) insignis and M. guatemalensis (Cockerell, 1912) = M. (M.) rufipes. We describe the previously unknown female of M. (M.) dugesi and provide diagnoses for both sexes based on the holotype. An identification key for the species, illustrations, distributional records (available as supplementary material), and lists of hosts and floral associations are provided.
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