Nanoplebeia, Engel

Engel, Michael S., 2021, A key to the species of Nanoplebeia, with descriptions of four new species (Hymenoptera: Apidae), Journal of Melittology 2021 (106), pp. 1-14 : 13-14

Simplified Key to Species of Nanoplebeia

(worker caste)

1. Body largely black to light brown, sometimes with extensive yellow or yellowish orange on pleura, legs, and metasoma (e.g., Figs. 1–3 , 11, 13–17 ) .................. 2

—. Body entirely yellowish orange to orange (e.g., Figs. 5 , 12 ) .................................... ...................................................................................................... P. (N.) franki (Friese)

2(1). Mesepisternum, metepisternum, and propodeum brown to black (e.g., Figs. 2, 3 ); metasoma brown to black; legs variable but never wholly yellowish orange to orange ...................................................................................................................... 3

—. Mesepisternum, metepisternum, and propodeal lateral surface with extensive yellow to yellowish-orange ( Fig. 1 ); legs and metasoma wholly yellowish orange to orange ( Fig. 1 ) ........................................................ P. (N.) margaritae Moure

3(2). Mesoscutellum with whitish to yellowish maculation restricted to medioapical margin ( Figs. 13–15, 17 ); basal area of propodeum microreticulate, sometimes faintly so ...................................................................................................................... 4

—. Mesoscutellum with maculation extending along entire margin, meeting axillae laterally ( Fig. 16 ); basal area of propodeum smooth ......... P. (N.) pleres , n. sp.

4(3). Yellow maculation in paraocular area strong and distinct, clearly extending upward along inner orbit above tangent of antennal toruli upper margins ( Figs. 6, 7 , 10 ) ............................................................................................................................. 5

—. Yellow maculation in paraocular area fainter, disappearing at tangent of antennal toruli upper margins ( Fig. 8 ) ............................................ P. (N.) asthenes , n. sp.

5(4). Punctures on frons comparatively coarse ( Figs. 6 , 10 ); mesosomal maculation white to pale yellow ( Figs. 13 , 17 ); mesosomal punctures more distinct ( Figs. 13 , 17 ); fine, short, mesoscutal setae largely 0.75–1.0× width of mesoscutal lateral yellow stripe ( Figs. 13 , 17 ) ......................................................................................... 6

—. Punctures on frons comparatively fine ( Fig. 7 ); mesosomal maculation typically lemon yellow ( Fig. 14 ); mesoscutal punctures more indistinct ( Fig. 14 ); fine, short, mesoscutal setae largely less than half width of mesoscutal lateral yellow stripe ( Fig. 14 ) ..................................................................... P. (N.) minima (Gribodo)

6(5). Metabasitarsal superior distal angle broadly rounded; metatibial length 2.4– 2.5× width .................................................................................... P. (N.) orphne , n. sp.

—. Metabasitarsal superior distal angle projecting and acutely rounded; metatibial length 2.3× width ...................................................................... P. (N.) chondra , n. sp.

Figures

Figures 1–3. Lateral habitus of select species of Nanoplebeia Engel, workers. 1. Plebeia (Nanoplebeia) margaritae Moure. 2. P. (N.) orphne, new species. 3. P. (N.) pleres, new species.

Figures 11–14. Mesoscuta and mesoscutella of select species of Nanoplebeia Engel, workers. 11. Plebeia (Nanoplebeia) margaritae Moure. 12. P. (N.) franki (Friese). 13. P. (N.) orphne, new spe- cies. 14. P. (N.) minima (Gribodo).

Figures 15–17. Mesoscuta and mesoscutella of select species of Nanoplebeia Engel, workers. 15. Plebeia (Nanoplebeia) asthenes, new species. 16. P. (N.) pleres, new species. 17. P. (N.) chondra, new species.

Figures 4–7. Faces of select species of Nanoplebeia Engel, workers. 4. Plebeia (Nanoplebeia) margaritae Moure. 5. P. (N.) franki (Friese). 6. P. (N.) orphne, new species. 7. P. (N.) minima (Gribodo).

Figures 8–10. Faces of select species of Nanoplebeia Engel, workers. 8. Plebeia (Nanoplebeia) asthenes, new species. 9. P. (N.) pleres, new species. 10. P. (N.) chondra, new species.