Andrena (Ptilandrena) aff. nigrihirta (Ashmead, 1890)

Portman, Zachary M., Gardner, Joel, Lane, Ian G., Gerjets, Nicole, Petersen, Jessica D., Ascher, John S., Arduser, Mike, Evans, Elaine C., Boyd, Crystal, Thomson, Robin & Cariveau, Daniel P., 2023, A checklist of the bees (Hymenoptera: Apoidea) of Minnesota, Zootaxa 5304 (1), pp. 1-95 : 20

Andrena (Ptilandrena) aff. nigrihirta

Counties: Crow Wing, Mille Lacs, Polk.

Comments: This morphospecies ( Figure 6 ) had previously been included under the Andrena geranii complex by ZP due to the reduced propodeal corbicula, but it appears to match the description of the Andrena aff. nigrihirta reported recently from Manitoba in Gibbs et al. (2023) based in part on the curved tibial spurs. However, the apparent association between this species and Uvularia in Minnesota raises the possibility that this is not the same species as the one reported in Gibbs et al (2023), since Uvularia is not widespread in Manitoba. Additional investigation is needed and the subgenus Ptilandrena is in need of revision.

Material examined: Crow Wing Co.: Mille Lacs Moraine SNA (46.2796, -93.8580): 1 ♀ ( MNDNR), 24 May 2022, J. Petersen leg., net, Uvularia grandilora ; Mille Lacs Co. : Mille Lacs Kathio SP (46.1304, -93.7274): 2 ♀ ( MNDNR), 24 May 2022, J. Petersen leg., net, Uvularia grandilora ; Rum River SF (46.2750, -93.8545): 3 ♀ ( MNDNR), 24 May 2022, J. Petersen leg., net, Uvularia grandilora ; Polk Co.: Dorr WMA (47.6302, -96.0689): 1 ♀ ( MNDNR), 13 May 2018, D. Drons leg., net, Uvularia grandiflora . All determined by Z. Portman.

Figures

FIGURE 6. Andrena aff. nigrihirta female (ID# MNDNR191598). A) Face view. B) Vertex and scutum. C) Apically curved outer hind tibial spur. D) Dorsum of metasoma and propodeum.