Hylaeus issues

[Jason Green]

Evening all,

This year I collected several Hylaeus bees - all female. I now have Hylaeus cornutus, confusus and brevicornis locally.

Now, questions. What is meant by the 'Median hind zone' - is that the posterior margin, near the sides but excluding the disc?

Oh, one other thing - the postnotum. Am I correct in thinking this is the thin bar that runs transversely behind the scutellum and anterior to the propodeal declivity?

Take care,

Jason

[Matt Smith]

Originally Posted by Jason Green

Evening all,

This year I collected several Hylaeus bees - all female. I now have Hylaeus cornutus, confusus and brevicornis locally.

Now, questions. What is meant by the 'Median hind zone' - is that the posterior margin, near the sides but excluding the disc?

Oh, one other thing - the postnotum. Am I correct in thinking this is the thin bar that runs transversely behind the scutellum and anterior to the propodeal declivity?

The 'Median hind zone' could mean a variety of things depending on the key and the context. Which key are you using?

Your understanding of the postnotum is correct.

[Jason Green]

Ha! Sorry, should've said. There's one on the BWARS site, an RTF test file written by Alan Stubbs. The couplet states:

6.Tergite 1 very distinctly punctured even dorsally (in median hind zone, punctures strong and almost as close together as their own width).

spilotus

-Tergite 1 punctures weak and far apart, sometimes almost impunctate above (in median hind zone).

annularis

I could try and get a photograph, but I doubt it'd show sufficiently. Of my specimens I have as listed in post #1, can you think of one that has a puncture-less 'median hind-zone' to T1? It's all a question of degree of course, so that's the advantage of possessing comparative material as opposed to working on single specimens.

[Matt Smith]

I've never really used any of Alans' test keys, I have had a look and prefer the more technichally detailed ones that are being prepared for the "British Bees" book. I assume that Alan is referring to the "marginal area" of the tergite.

This is the final couplet separating H.spilotus and H.annularis from the key I use:

5 Gastral tergite 1 densely punctate on disc, surface shining throughout. Surface between mesoscutal punctures polished, lacking microreticulation. Length 5-7 mm .[Coastal; southern England]. spilotus Förster

- Gastral tergite 1 sparsely punctate on disc, surface microreticulate posteromedially. Surface between mesoscutal punctures matt, microreticulate. Length 5-7 mm annularis (Kirby)

[Jason Green]

Thanks. I'm hoping to upgrade my microscope equipment soon, so'd better wait for that before checking.

Any further idea on the completion of this book?

[eucera]

Jason

As an editor of the book, I can report that massive progress has been made this summer and we ought to get stuff finalised by the end of the winter. A few more drawings are requited and also new Red List statuses and maps. Apart from that we are nearly there.

Within Hylaeus lurks a recently recognised (and dreadfully confusing) "double name change" and this involves the taxa that Matt refers to as "Hylaeus spilotus" and "H. annularis". I won't bore you with details but once the situation is fully stabilised, announcements can be made

[Jason Green]

Excellent! The details wouldn't bore me, I find Hymenoptera fascinating.