The bee family Megachilidae (Hymenoptera : Apoidea) in Australia. I. Morphology of the genus Chalicodoma Lepeletier, and a revision of the subgenus Hackeriapsis Cockerell

Abstract

The literature on Megachilidae in Australia is reviewed. The morphology of the Australian subgenera of the genus Chalicodoma Lepeletier is discussed and the subgenus Hackeriapis Cockerell is revised and redescribed.

Chalicodoma (Hackeriapis) now includes 17 species, of which 8 are new: C. adusta, C. ebenea, C. emexae, C. kakadui, C. variabilis, C. bicornis, C. kununurrensis and C. patera. The following synonyms are recognised, under Chalicodoma canifrons (Smith): C. nasuta (Smith), C. nasuta argentifer (Cockerell), C. holura (Cockerell), C. trichomarginata (Rayment); under C. nigrovittata (Cockerell): C. relicta (Cockerell); under C. oblonga (Smith): C. tomentella (Cockerell), C. trichognatha (Cockerell), C. victoriae (Cockerell); under C. ramulipes (Cockerell): C. alani (Cockerell); under C. rhodura (Cockerell): C. rufapicata (Cockerell); under C. semicandens (Cockerell): C. stalkeri (Cockerell), C. subabdominalis (Rayment); under C. trichognatha tosticauda (Cockerell): C. wilsoni (Cockerell). A key to species of Hackeriapis is provided and their distribution is mapped.

The relationship between Hackeriapis and the North American subgenus Chalicodoma (Chelostomoides) Robertson is discussed.