Colletes transitus Kuhlmann & Proshchalykin

Kuhlmann, Michael & Proshchalykin, Maxim Yu., 2013, The genus Colletes (Hymenoptera: Apoidea: Colletidae) in Central Asia, Zootaxa 3750 (5), pp. 401-449 : 410-412

Colletes transitus Kuhlmann & Proshchalykin sp. nov.

( Figs 3 a–f)

Diagnosis. Colletes transitus is closely related to C. transitorius Noskiewicz. The males of both species are characterized by an unmodified apical hair fringe of S5 (medially broadened in all other species of the group) in combination with the shape of S7 ( Figs. 3 c, d) and the relatively long gonostylus ( Figs. 3 e, f). Colletes transitus differs from C. transitorius in the more dispersed and slightly finer punctation of T1 and T2 ( Figs. 3 a, b), the shorter apical sternal hair fringes, narrower S7 ( Figs. 3 c, d), and a slightly shorter gonostylus ( Figs. 3 e, f).

Description. Female. Unknown.

Male. Bl = 9.0–10.0 mm. Head. Head wider than long. Integument black except tips of mandible partly dark reddish-brown. Face densely covered with long, yellowish-white, erect hairs. Malar area medially about 1/2 as long as width of mandible base, finely punctured. Antenna black, ventrally dark brown. Mesosoma. Integument black. Mesoscutal disc between punctures smooth and shiny; disc densely punctate (i = 0.5d). Scutellum anteriorly with few punctures but with more dense punctation apically, surface smooth and shiny. Mesoscutum, scutellum, metanotum, mesepisternum and propodeum covered with long, light yellowish-brown erect hairs. Wings. Slightly yellowish-brown; wing venation brown. Legs. Integument black to dark reddish-brown. Vestiture white. Metasoma. Integument black except depressed apical tergal margins reddish translucent ( Fig. 3 a). T1 sparsely covered with long, erect white hairs ( Fig. 3 a); apical tergal hair bands broad and deeply and sharpely depressed ( Fig. 3 a). T1 with dense and coarse punctation (i = 0.5d), between punctures smooth and shiny, on following terga punctation of disc successively smaller ( Fig. 3 a). T7 narrowly rounded, without emargination or spines. Terminalia. Genitalia and S7 as illustrated ( Figs. 3 c, e).

Type material (2 specimens). Holotype, male, Tajikistan, 35 km N Stalinobad (=Dushanbe), Kvak, 2000 m [68°47'E 38°53'N], 5.VIII.1937, V. Gussakovskij (ZISP).

Paratype: 1 ♂, Tajikistan, Kondara, Varzoba, 1100 m (68°49'E 38°46'N), 12.IX.1937, V. Gussakovskij (RCMK).

Etymology. Like its close relative C. transitorius this one shows a transitional morphology (S7 like in C. caspicus group but unmodified apical hair fringe of S5 like in C. nigricans group) linking the species-groups of C. nigricans and C. caspicus .

General distribution. Only known from the type locality in Tajikistan.

Floral hosts. unknown.

Seasonal activity (first–last observations). VIII–IX.

Figures

FIGURE 3. Colletes transitus Kuhlmann & Proshchalykin sp. nov., male: a. metasomal terga 1 and 2; c. metasomal sternum 7 (dorsal view); e. gonostylus (lateral view); Colletes transitorius Noskiewicz, male: b. metasomal terga 1 and 2; d. metasomal sternum 7 (dorsal view); f. gonostylus (lateral view);. Scale bar: 1 mm.