Lasioglossum acarophilum McGinley 1986

Lasioglossum acarophilum

TYPE MATERIAL.—The female holotype of L. acarophilum is deposited in the National Museum of Natural History, Smithsonian Institution. It is missing the last two tarsomeres of the left hind leg but is otherwise in good condition. The specimen is labeled

Reef [19]04 Ar[izona]/CRBeidrman Collector/HOLO-TYPE Lasioglossum acarophilum R.J. McGinley [red label].

Seventy-eight female and 2 male paratypes are designated and listed in the “Specimens Examined” section.

ETYMOLOGY.—The specific epithet is derived from the Greek akari (mite) plus phileo (love), a reference to the association of this species with phoretic mites.

DISTRIBUTION (Figure 245).—Lasioglossum acarophilum is presently known from southern Arizona (Cochise and Santa Cruz counties) south to Honduras. Specimens are not yet known from the northern Mexican states of Sonora, Chihuahua, and Coahuila.

DIAGNOSIS.—The combination of the elongate head (Figure 246), granuloso-punctate mesoscutum (Figure 251), smooth posterior half of the dorsal propodeal surface (Figure 250), and the large first tergal acarinarium (Figure 247) will distinguish L. acarophilum from all other known New World Lasioglossum except L. uyacicola. The latter species occurs with L. acarophilum in Chiapas, Mexico, but extends farther south to Panama (Figure 372). The mesoscutum of both species is actually obscurely doubly-punctate, with the smaller punctures of L. uyacicola (Figure 727) being much finer than those of L. acarophilum, giving the mesoscutum of the former species a smoother appearance under the light microscope.

In the United States only L. manitouellum has a similar granuloso-punctate mesoscutum but lacks an acarinarium. Lasioglossum desertum and L. jubatum have large tergal acarinaria but differ from L. acarophilum in having short heads (Figures 381, 473).

The smooth posterior half of the dorsal propodeal surface and the characteristic hair pattern on the posterior edge of sternum V will distinguish L. acarophilum males from other Lasioglossum except L. uyacicola. The males of these two species cannot be reliably differentiated at present. See L. uyacicola diagnosis for further details.

DESCRIPTION.—FEMALE: (1) Length 8.2–9.1 mm (x = 8.7, n = 20); (2) wing length 2.3–3.0 mm (x = 2.6, n = 20); (3) abdominal width 2.6–3.0 mm (x = 2.8, n = 20).

Structure: (4) Head elongate (Figure 246; length/width ratio 0.92–0.98, x = 0.94, n = 34). (7) Supraclypeal area somewhat narrowly rounded, (8) protuberant. (9) Clypeus greatly projecting below lower margin of eyes, approximately 0.93 of its length below eyes; (11) surface with median longitudinal sulcation, narrow dorsally, becoming broader towards ventral edge (sometimes obscured by punctures). (14) Distance between lateral ocelli slightly exceeding distance between lateral ocellus and eye. (23) Flagellomere 1 subequal to 2 in length along dorsal surface. Labrum as in Figure 248; (27) distal keel moderately broad in frontal view, lateral edges broadly bowed; (28) distal lateral projections small, triangular; (29) most fimbrial setae bluntly rounded.

(32) Pronotal lateral angle narrowly obtuse; (33) pronotal lateral ridge incomplete, interrupted by oblique lateral sulcus; (34) lower portion of lateral ridge sharply edged. (35) Mesoscutal lip weakly bilobed, (36) weakly elevated. (40) Dorsal surface of propodeum about 0.74 the length of scutellum and about 1.3 times the length of metanotum, (41) slightly depressed centrally, (42) posterior margin broadly rounded; (43) propodeal triangle very weakly defined, median V-shaped area inconspicuous, lateral rims absent; (44) lateral carinae extending at most to midpoint of posterior surface. (45) Tibial spur as in Figure 14.

(46) Lateral edge of metasomal tergum II very weakly sinuate, nearly straight.

Sculpture: (47) Face dull granular, with (48) punctures of two sizes, smaller punctures dense, separated by less than their diameter, larger punctures separated by 1 to 2 times their diameter. (51) Supraclypeal area extremely granulate, (52) punctation nearly uniform, punctures separated by their width laterally, less dense centrally. (53) Clypeus granulate basally, apical half polished; (54) punctures well formed, separated by less than their width basally, less dense apically, apicolateral areas punctate. (56) Mesoscutum moderately shiny; (57) doubly-punctate (Figure 251), smaller punctures granuloso-punctate, becoming less dense posteriorly, punctures 1–2 widths apart, larger punctures separated by 2–4 times their width (observable at 50 magnifications or more). (58) Scutellum granuloso-punctate medially and along edges, less dense adjacent to median line, punctures separated by their width or slightly less. (63) Dorsal surface of propodeum incompletely striolate, striae reaching posterior margin laterally, extending only to midpoint of surface medially; (64) surface extensively alveolated. (65) Metasomal tergum I moderately shiny; (66) punctation fine, moderately dense, punctures slightly less than their width apart.

Coloration: (71) Wing membrane hyaline, obscurely infuscated at apex.

Vestiture: (73) Unlike most species, hairs between vertex and antennae conspicuously simple, recurved, contrasting with plumose hairs near antennae, (74) hairs white. (75) Pubescence of thorax white; (76) mesoscutal hairs sparse, inconspicuous, moderately plumose. (77) Hind tibial hair color highly differentiated, most hairs white, dorsal hairs very dark-brown to black basally, becoming light-brown to almost white distally. (78) Anterior hairs of metasomal tergum I and (79) basal hair bands of terga II-IV white. (80) Acarinarium present (Figure 247), a large circular, glabrous area at base of tergum I, surrounded laterally and dorsolaterally by elongate fringe hairs, dorsal opening of acarinarium wide, opening subequal to width of lateral hair fringe as seen in dorsal view.

MALE: Similar to female except as follows: (1) length 7.8–8.2 mm (x = 8.0, n = 2); (2) wing length 2.2–2.3 mm (x = 2.2, n = 2); (3) abdominal width 2.0 mm (x = 2.0, n = 2). (4) Head elongate (length/width ratio 0.91–0.96, x = 0.94, n = 2). (5) Gena subequal to eye in width, (6) moderately produced posteriorly. (11) Clypeal surface shallowly depressed ventrally. Labrum as in Figure 249; (23) distal process absent; (25) basal area depressed medially; (26) basal lateral depressions conspicuously developed. (30) Mandible short, just reaching opposing clypeal angle. (53) Clypeus granulate basally, apical half polished; (54) punctures well formed and dense basally, very fine and scattered over apical half. (68) Clypeal maculation present. (69) Flagellum yellowish orange ventrally. (72) Tarsi dark, concolorous with tibiae.

Vestiture: Sternal vestiture as in Figure 252; (82) hairs on sternum IV elongate, suberect; (83) sternum V without conspicuous erect hairs, posterior edge with straight-edged adpressed lateral hair lobes.

Terminalia: Sterna VII–VIII as in Figure 256; (85) sternum VIII with acute median process. Genitalia as in Figures 253–255; (86) gonobase elongate; (87) gonostylus extremely elongate and slender; (88) retrorse membranous lobe present, (89) slender, sharply pointed; (90) volsella with moderately prominent lateral lobe.

FLIGHT RECORDS (Figure 257).—Lasioglossum acarophilum females have been collected from late March through December. Most records are from July and August, with a peak in early August. One male was collected in December.

FLOWER RECORDS.—Females (12): Labiatae 33%; Compositae 25%; Convolvulaceae 17%; Leguminosae 17%. Total: 6 families, 9 genera as follows:

Helenium 1; *Helianthus 1(1); Heterotheca 1; Ipomoea 2; Leucophyllum 1; Monarda 1; Prosopis 1; Salvia 3; *Solanum 1.

SPECIMENS EXAMINED.—79 (77, 2).

GUATEMALA. Duenas, 18 Aug 1947, 4500 ft, C. & P. Vaurie (2; ANSP).

HONDURAS. Suyapa Morazan, 3 Nov 1965, N.L.H. Krauss (1; USNM).

MEXICO. AGUASCALIENTE: 1 Dec 1909. F.C. Bishopp (2; USNM). CHIAPAS: San Cristobal de las Casas, 1 Aug 1952, E.E. Gilbert. C.D. MacNeil (1; UCB), 5 Jul 1956, J.W. MacSwain (1; UCB), 27 Jul–8 Aug 1957. J.A. Chemsak, B.J. Rannells (2; UCB). 5–8 mi SE. 5–10 Jul 1956. J.W. MacSwain. D.D. Linsdale (2; UCB). 7–39 mi E. 1 Aug 1952, E.E. Gilbert, C.D. MacNeil (6; UCB), 5 mi SE, 5 July 1956, D.D. Linsdale (1; UCB); Comitan, 3 mi W, 14 July 1957, J. Chemsak, P.D. Hurd (1; UCB), 10 mi NW, 9 Aug 1963, F.D. Parker, L.A. Stange (1; UCD). DURANGO: Durango, 7 mi W, 11 Aug 1964, 7000 ft, W.R.M. Mason (1; CU), 12 mi SW, 24 Jul 1953, Univ. Kansas Mex. Exped. (1; KU). DISTRITO FEDERAL: 5 Aug 1928, 2300 m, G. Lassmanu (1; CU); Los Reyes, 2 mi SE, 2 Jul 1953, C.D. McNeil (1; UCB). HIDALGO: Epazoyucan, 17 Jun 1961, 8100 ft, Univ. Kansas Mex. Exped. (1; KU); Pachuca, 5 mi N, 25 Aug 1962, 8750 ft, Ordway, Marston (1; KU); Tulancingo, 7 mi S, 26 Aug 1962, 7500 ft, Naumann, Roberts (1; KU); Zimapan, 3 mi E, 28 Sep 1975, 6200 ft, J. Powell, J. Chemsak, I. Friedlander (1; UCB). JALISCO: Lagos de Moreno, 15.5 mi NE, 26 Jul 1962, 6200 ft, Univ. Kansas Mex. Exped. (1; KU); Teocaltiche, 13 Sep 1977, R.W. Brooks (1; RWB). MEXICO: Temascaltepec, 5.8 mi SE, 28 Aug 1962, 8100 ft, Univ. Kansas Mex. Exped. (1; KU); Tepexpan, 26 Jul 1963, F.D. Parker, L.A. Stange (1; UCD); Texcoco, 11 mi W, 20 Jun 1962, D.H. Janzen (1; UCB); Toluca, 26 mi S, 9 Aug 1954, 7700 ft, Univ. Kansas Mex. Exped. (1; KU).

MICHOACAN: Patzcuaro, 7.7 km NE, 23 Sep 1976, C.D. George, R.R. Snelling (1; LACM); Zamora, 28 Aug 1954, E.G. Linsley, J.W. MacSwain, R.F. Smith (1; UCB). NUEVO LEON: Saltillo, 41 mi S, 7 Sep 1962, 6200 ft, Univ. Kansas Mex. Exped. (1; KU); San Pedro Iturbide, 32 km W Linares, 6 Oct 1962, H. & M. Townes (1; MSUEL). OAXACA: Mitla, 26–27 Jul 1962, 5000–5500 ft, H.E. Milliron (2; CNC); Guelatao, 22 km NE, 18 Sep 1976, C.D. George, R.R. Snelling (1; LACM); Yanhuitlan, 11.4 km N, 20 Oct 1976, 2408 m, C.D. George, R.R. Snelling (1; LACM). PUEBLA: Esperanza, 7 km NW, 11 Jul 1974, 2560 m, J. Chemsak, J. Powell (1; UCB); Moreles Canada, 7 km SE, 4–5 Jul 1974, J. Chemsak, J. Powell (1; UCB); Tehuacan, 5 Sep 1957, 5381 ft, H.A. Scullen (1; OrS), 6 mi SW, 9 Aug 1980, Schaffner, Weaver, Friedlander (1; TAM). SAN LUIS POTOSI: San Luis Potosi, 4 Jun 1977, C. Porter, A. Cerbone (1; KU), 20 mi SW, 25 Jul 1962, 6800 ft, Univ. Kansas Mex. Exped. (3; KU). TLAXCALA: Apizaco, 8 mi W, 18 Jun 1961, 8200 ft, Univ. Kansas Mex. Exped. (1; KU), 10 mi N, 20 Aug 1962, 7800 ft, Univ. Kansas Mex. Exped. (4; KU); Huamantla, 26 Jul 1956, W.J. Gertch (1; AMNH). VERACRUZ: Cotaxtla Exp. Sta., Cotaxtla, 24 Jun 1962, D.H. Janzen (1; UCB); Orizaba, 10 mi W, 31 Dec 1940, G.E. Bohart (2; CAS); Rio Blanco, 13 Nov 1957, R. & K. Dreisbach (1; MSUEL). ZACATECAS: Tropic of Cancer & Highway 45, 24 Dec 1958, Menke & Stange (1; LACM).

UNITED STATES. ARIZONA: Cochise Co.: Carr Canyon, Huachuca Mts., 15 mi S Sierra Vista, 16 May 1967, 56[00]–6000 ft, Sternitzky (1; CNC), 13 Aug 1969, 5200 ft, R.R. Snelling (1; LACM); Huachuca Mts., 1 Aug 1927, R. H. Beamer (1; KU), 30 Aug 1953, G.D. Butler (1; UAT), 12 Jul 1955, G. Butler, F. Werner (1; UAT), 25 Aug 1972, Zavortink (1; CU), Jul (1; USNM); S.W. Research Station, 28 Aug 1958, H.V. Weems (1; FSCA). Pima Co.: Madera Canyon, Bogg Springs Campground, 30 Jul 1973, 4500 ft, R. Coville (1; UCB). Santa Cruz Co.: Canelo, 18 Mar 1967, Sternitzky (1; CNC). County unknown: Reef, 1904, C.R. Beidrman (7, including holotype. 1; USNM).