Xylocopa (N.) augusti Lepeletier, 1841

Lucia, Mariano, Alvarez, Leopoldo J. & Abrahamovich, Alberto H., 2014, Large carpenter bees in Argentina: systematics and notes on the biology of Xylocopa subgenus Neoxylocopa (Hymenoptera: Apidae), Zootaxa 3754 (3), pp. 201-238 : 208-209

Xylocopa (N.) augusti Lepeletier, 1841

( Figures 2 , 9 , 16 , 22 , 28 , 34 , 40 , 46, 52 , 57 )

Xylocopa augusti Lepeletier, 1841: 187 . Hoplotype: see below in comments. Type locality: Brazil.

Xylocopa ferruginea Lepeletier, 1841: 187 ; synonymized by Hurd & Moure, 1961: 89 (Holotype: ♀, deposited at MIZS, examined).

Xylocopa augusti pterochloris Brèthes, 1916: 414 ; synonymized by Hurd & Moure, 1961: 414 (Holotype: ♀, deposited at MACN, examined)

Xylocopa guaranitica Brèthes, 1916: 415 ; synonymized by Hurd & Moure, 1961: 415 (Holotype: ♀, deposited at MACN, examined)

Xylocopa (Neoxylocopa) augusti, Hurd & Moure, 1963: 151 .

Diagnosis. The female of this species can be distinguished from all other Argentinian large carpenter bees by the integument black with conspicuous ferruginous hairs along the sides and apex of the metasoma ( Fig. 9 ). The male can be easily recognized by the pubescence of the ventral surface of the posterior tibia forming two separate tufts (basal and subapical part) and the posterior tibia with a median small notch on the posterior edge ( Fig. 28 ). The ferruginous hairs along sides of the metasoma is a character not shared with other species of this subgenus.

Female: Approximate body length 26 (25–28); head length 6.2 (6.1–6.6); head width 7 (6.8–7.4); mesosoma width 8.9 (8.2–9.6); metasoma width 10.2 (9.6–10.6); forewing length 20.5 (20–21.5); forewing width 6.4 (6.4– 6.6). Coloration. Integument black. Tegula black. Wing dark brown with violet iridescent. Pubescence predominantly black, except ferruginous on sides of T2–6 and apical margin of S3–6. Head with abundant hairs, scattered on vertex and inner part of gena; median longitudinal area of vertex and clypeus hairless ( Fig. 2 ). Mesosoma with abundant plumose hairs, except hairless on disc and posterior area of scutum and anterior area of scutellum. Metasoma with long hairs laterally; T1 with intermixed plumose and simple hairs; T2 with median pubescence short, 0.4–0.6 times MOD; T3 with median pubescence longer than on T2 (1.5–2 times); T4–6 with long hairs (4–5 times longer than on T2) ( Fig. 9 ). Sculpturing. Head regularly and densely punctate, vertex and inner part of gena sparsely punctate; median longitudinal area of vertex and clypeus smooth, weakly defined. Scutum densely punctate, except impunctate on disc and posteriorly. Metasomal terga regularly and densely punctate, T1 with punctures denser than on remaining terga. Structure. Head broader than long (proportion 1.- 1.2:1); inner orbits weakly incurved dorsally, proportion of upper to lower interocular distance 0.9–1:1; middle interocular distance 4.9–5.4 mm. Vertex broad, ocelloccipital distance (to median ocellus) 3.8–4.8 times MOD; orbitoccipital distance long, 1.6–2 mm. Lateral ocelli below supraocular line, approximately 0.3 times MOD. Proportions of interocellar to ocelocular distance 0.7–0.9:1, interocellar to ocelloccipital 0.5–0.6:1, ocellocular to alveolocellar 1–1.1:1, orbitoccipital to ocellocular 1.4–1.7:1, alveolocular to interalveolar 1.1–1.2:1. Proportion of clypeocellar distance to distance between median ocellus and posterior margin of head: 0.9–1:1. Frontal carina moderately elevated, long 0.9–1 mm, apex scarcely exceeding upper level of antennal sockets. Clypeus broader than long (proportion 2.1–2.4:1). Proportion of length of scape, pedicel and first four flagellomeres 3–3.3:0.3– 0.4:1: 0.4–0.4:0.4–0.5:0.4–0.5. Labrum broader than long, with a basal protuberance and a lateral globular structure. Scutellum gently rounded as seen in profile. Apex of basitibial plate beyond middle length of tibia, asymmetrically bifid, posterior apical lobe rounded, distinctly shorter than anterior lobe.

Male: As in the female, except as follows: approximate body length 25 (23–26); head length 4.7 (4.3–4.9); head width 5.7 (5.4–5.8); mesosoma width 8.9 (8.4–9.2); metasoma width 10 (9.6–10.4); forewing length 19.6 (18.7–20.5); forewing width 5.2 (5–5.6). Coloration. Integument predominantly brown yellowish, except dark brown as follows: latero-basal side of clypeus, subantennal sulcus, apical portion of mandible; coxa, trochanter, anterior and middle tibia basally, median and posterior femur, propodeum and apical margin on T1–5. Tegula yellowish anteriorly, otherwise translucent brown. Wings entirely infuscate with golden iridescenct. Pubescence. Yellowish (varying from ferruginous to yellow); T6–7 with ferruginous pubescence ( Fig. 22 ). Head, clypeus with short and scattered hairs. Pubescence on posterior legs darker than on remaining legs; pubescence of the ventral surface of the posterior tibia forming two separate tufts (basal and subapical) ( Fig. 28 ). T1 with plumose hairs; T2 with median pubescence long, with hairs one time MOD; T3–4 with median pubescence longer than on T2 (1.5–2 times); T5–7 with long with hairs at least 4 times longer than on T2. Sculpturing. Head, irregular and scattered punctation on clypeus. Metasomal terga homogeneously and densely punctuate ( Fig. 16 ). Structure. Head broader than long (proportion 1.2–1.3:1). Proportion of upper to lower interocular distance 1:1; upper interocular distance 5.8–7.3 times MOD and middle interocular distance 3.4–3.7 mm. Vertex broad, distance ocelloccipital (to median ocellus) 2.2–2.6 times MOD, orbitoccipital distance longer 1–1.1 mm. Lateral ocelli located just above or on the tangent supraocular. Proportions of interocellar to ocelocular distance 0.9–1.2:1, interocellar to ocelloccipital 0.9– 1.1:1; ocellocular to alveolocellar 0.7–0.9:1; orbitoccipital to ocellocular 1.2–1.6:1; alveolocular to interalveolar 1– 1.4:1. Proportion of clypeocellar distance to distance between median ocellus and posterior margin of head (1.1– 1.4:1). Frontal carina, short 0.8–0.9 mm, apex reaching middle portion between upper and lower level of antennal sockets. Clypeus broader than long (proportion 1.5–1.7:1). Proportion of length of scape, pedicel and first four flagellomeres 2.7–3.1:0.3–0.4:1:0.3–0.4:0.4–0.5:0.4–0.5. Labrum broader than long with median basal triangular process well defined. Genitalia as in figures 34, 40, 46 and 52.

Comments. In some females from Misiones (Piñalito locality) we observed that the ferruginous hairs on the side of metasoma extended nearly to the dorsal mid-line and possessed a group of ferruginous hair below the basitibial plate (as seen in the species Xylcopa haematospila Moure ). Also, we examined two specimens from Formosa and Entre Ríos provinces that do not have ferruginous hairs on the lateral side of metasoma but agree with this species in other structural features. Such differences might represent a geographical variation.

Note on the type of Xylocopa augusti . In the original description of X. augusti, Lepeletier described a female collected in “Du Brésil ” (= Brazil) and, according with the author, it was deposited in the collection of MNHN. In this Museum, a female specimen labeled as “COTYPE” has the following labels: Museum Paris-EY0000001756// Cotype [red label]// Capite de Montevideo [handwritten-round label]// Capitle de Montevideo [rectangular label]// augusto [handwritten]//. The labels clearly indicate that the bee was collected in Uruguay and not in Brazil, as Lepeletier cited in the original description. Therefore, the specimen deposited at MNHN and labeled as “COTYPE” is not the type of X. augusti , however, this specimen was apparently collected by Augusto during the same voyage (see last label "Augusto"). Also, we examined eight specimens of Xylocopa augusti from Brazil deposited in the same museum while looking for the female type described by Lepeletier. However, none of these specimens are labeled as collected by Auguste de Sanint-Hilaire and the localities do not coincide with that indicated by Lepeletier. Continuing the search for the type of X. augusti in the Spinola collection deposited in the MIZS, where part of the material of Lepeletier collection is preserved, we found a specimen of Xylocopa augusti from Brazil with the following data label: St Paul [handwritten-rectangular label]// MZUT-MRSN Torino Coll.Spinola Box 128// Xylocopa Augusti, Lep. ♀Coll. Serville. Brésil. The specimen is in poor condition; terga III–VI and protarsomeres are missing and the left forewing is broken.

Casolari & Casolari (1980) cited that the the most important French hymenopterological collections at least two, namely by Lepeletier de Saint Fargeau and Serville`s have come together in the Spinola collection…The first one was given to Spinola in 1845 after probably a first choice made by Museum of Paris, the second was sold directly to Spinola by Serville in 1847. In conclusion, the specimen deposited in the collection of the MIZS could be the type specimen of X. augusti described by Lepeletier and may have reached the Spinola collection when it was sold, moreover it is the only specimen studied that has a label that coincides with the type locality described by Lepeletier in his original description of X. augusti .

Note on the type of Xylocopa ferruginea . The type of this species has been cited as deposited at the MNHN ( Lepeletier 1841, Hurd 1978; Moure 2008), however, is deposited in ( MIZS). The specimen labeled as X. ferruginea from Bengale and deposited at MIZS has the following labels: Xylocopa ferruginea, Lep. Mihi hand diversa a Xyloc. Augusti Lep ♀Coll. Serville Bengale// MZUT-MRSN Torino Coll.Spinola Box 129. This female was considered Holotype (see Moure 1961:190); however, at the same institution, there is another female with the following labels: // Xylocopa ferruginea , ♀Coll. Serville Senegal //. Lepeletier in the original description described a single female from "Bengale", and never refers to a female from " Senegal ", so it does not belong to the type series of X. ferruginea as noted Moure (1961:190).

Distribution ( Fig. 57 ): ARGENTINA: Buenos Aires, Chaco, Corrientes, Córdoba, Entre Ríos, Formosa, Jujuy, La Pampa, Mendoza, Misiones, Río Negro, San Luis, Santa Fe and Tucumán. Its distribution comprises part of Monte, Paranaense, Chaqueña and Pampeana biogeographic provinces and the southernmost record of this species is North of Río Negro province, approximately parallel 40°. Montalva et al. 2013 recorded this species from Brazil, Chile, Uruguay and Paraguay.

Additional material. A total of 490 specimens (389♀ and 101♂) from ARGENTINA. 1♀, Argentina, ( MNCN). BUENOS AIRES. 3♀ 1♂, La Soberana (Pdo. Gral. Dorrego, Cuartel 4) (38°52'37"S, 61°27'41" W, 32 m. a.s.l), 17-IV-2006, M.Lucia ( MLP); 1♀ 1♂, La Soberana (Pdo. Gral. Dorrego, Cuartel 4) (38°52'37"S, 61°27'41" W, 32 m. a.s.l), 4-IV-2007, M.Lucia ( MLP); 1♀, La Plata, 4-XI-2008, M.Lucia ( MLP); 1♀, Punta Lara (Berisso), 6- XI-2007, M.Lucia ( MLP); 1♀, La Plata, 4-III-2008, M.Lucia ( MLP); 1♀, La Plata, 17-II-2008, M.Lucia ( MLP); 1♀, La Plata, 3-III-2008, M.Lucia ( MLP); 1♀, La Plata, 15-XII-2009, M.Lucia ( MLP); 1♀, La Plata, 15-II-2010, M.Lucia ( MLP); 1♀, La Plata, 15-XII-2010, M.Lucia ( MLP); 1♀, La Plata, 6-IX-2007, M.Lucia ( MLP); 2♀, Punta Lara, 6-XI-2007, M.Lucia ( MLP); 2♂, Berisso (Los Talas), - IV-2008, M.Lucia ( MLP); 1♂, La Plata, 11-VIII-2010, M.Lucia ( MLP); 1♂, La Plata, - IV-2008, M.Lucia ( MLP); 1♂, La Plata, 2-II-2009, M.Lucia ( MLP); 1♂, La Plata, 9-X-1984, A. H. Abrahamovich ( MLP); 1♂, Villa Devoto, 25-XII-1938, ( MLP); 3♀, La Plata, 22-XII-1985, A.H.Abrahamovich ( MLP); 3♀ 1♂, Zelaya, - XI-1939, H.Hepper ( MACN); 1♀, Gral. Mansilla, 5-XII-1985, A.H.Abrahamovich ( MLP); 21♀, Magdalena, 26-IX-1986, A.H.Abrahamovich ( MLP); 1♀, Gral. Mansilla, 5-XII- 1985, A.H.Abrahamovich ( MLP); 5♀, Gral. Mansilla, 24-XI-1985, A.H.Abrahamovich ( MLP); 3♀, Los Polvorines, - X-1986, A.H.Abrahamovich ( MLP); 6♀ 5♂, Magdalena, 30-XII-1986, A.H.Abrahamovich ( MLP); 2♀, Magdalena, 18-XII-1986, A.H.Abrahamovich ( MLP); 7♀, Magdalena, 6-XI-1986, A.H.Abrahamovich ( MLP); 2♀ 1♂, Magdalena, 26-IX-1986, A.H.Abrahamovich ( MLP); 10♀ 5♂, Moreno, - IV-1978, Fritz ( MLP); 1♂, Moreno, - IX-1976, Fritz ( MLP); 3♀, Bellocq (C.Casares), 5-XII-1972, L.T.L ( MLP); 5♀, Bellocq (C.Casares), 6- XII-1972, L.T.L ( MLP); 3♀, La Balandra (Berisso), 12-XII-1986, A.H.Abrahamovich ( MLP); 4♀, La Balandra (Berisso), 12-XII-1998, A.H.Abrahamovich ( MLP); 4♀, Gral. Mansilla, 5-XII-1985, A.H.Abrahamovich ( MLP); 3♀, Gral. Mansilla, 30-XII-1984, A.H.Abrahamovich ( MLP); 3♀, Gral. Mansilla, 14-XII-1984, A.H.Abrahamovich ( MLP); 2♀, Gral. Mansilla, 24-XI-1985, A.H.Abrahamovich ( MLP); 2♀, San Martin, 31-V- 1941, Maldonado ( MLP); 1♀ 1♂, Bella Vista, 8-XII-1950, ( MLP); 4♀, La Plata, ( MLP); 1♀, Buenos Aires, ( MLP); 3♀ 1♂, Berazategui, 4-XII-1987; A.H.Abrahamovich ( MLP); 1♀, Berazategui, 1-XI-1987, ( MLP); 1♂, Berazategui, 29-X-1987, A.H.Abrahamovich ( MLP); 2♀, Temperley, 16-XI-1987 ( MLP); 1♀, Gral. Mansilla, A.H.Abrahamovich ( MLP); 1♀, Gral.Mansilla, 11-I-1985, A.H.Abrahamovich ( MLP); 1♀, José C.Paz, 15-X-1939 ( MLP); 1♀, Miramar, 22-I-1971, L.Stange ( FML); 1♀, La Prida, 9-II-1985 ( MLP); 1♀, La Prida, 31-I-1985 ( MLP); 2♀, La Prida, 30-II-1984 ( MLP); 1♀, La Prida, 23-X-1984, A.H.Abrahamovich ( MLP); 1♀, La Prida, 1-II- 1983, ( MLP); 1♀, Gral.Mansilla, 23-IX-1984, A.H.Abrahamovich ( MLP); 7♀, Gral.Mansilla, 30-IX-1984, A.H.Abrahamovich ( MLP); 2♀ 1♂, La Plata, 9-X-1984, A.H.Abrahamovich ( MLP); 1♀, Gral.Mansilla, 11-X- 1984, A.H.Abrahamovich ( MLP); 1♀, Gral. Mansilla, 18-V-1985, A.H.Abrahamovich ( MLP); 2♂, Los Talas, - IV- 2008, M.Lucia ( MLP); 1♂, La Plata, - X-2008, M.Lucia ( MLP); 2♂, City Bell, 30-XII-2002, A.H.Abrahamovich ( MLP); 1♀, Mercedes, 12-X-2008, M.Lucia (MP); 1♀, Rio Luján, - XII-1976, ( IFML); 5♀, Glew, X-1976 - III- 1977, Dr. Carpintero ( IFML); 1♀, Zelaya, - VII-1939, H.Hepper, ( MACN); 3♀, Zelaya, - VII-1935, H.Hepper ( MACN); 3♀, Quequén, 17-III-1928, M.D.Jurado-Botta ( MACN); 1♀, Lomas de Zamora, 12-I-1970, Vardy- Arguindeguy ( BMNH); 1♀, Punta Lara (La Plata), 12-13-I-1970, Vardy-Arguindeguy ( BMNH); 1♀, Punta Lara (La Plata), 30-XII-1969, Vardy-Arguindeguy ( BMNH); 1♀, Lomas de Zamora, 15-I-1970, Vardy-Arguindeguy ( BMNH); 1♀, Ajo (Mar de Ajo), VII-IX-1919, H.E.Box ( BMNH); 1♀, Costa Río Salado, - III-1935, Castillo ( MLP); 1♀, Zarate Brazo Largo, - IX-1941, Castillo ( MLP); 9♀ 3♂, Zarate Brazo Largo, - II-1940, Castillo ( MLP); 3♀, Saavedra, II-1936, Castillo ( MLP); 1♀, Buenos Aires, Domínguez ( MNCN); 1♀, Mar del Plata, 4-XI-1983, P.C.Straccia (MMP); 4♀ 6♂, Mar del Plata (Bosque Peralta Ramos), 9-XIII-1996, J.LFarina (MMP); 2♀, Pdo. General Pueyrredón, 8-III-1989, Farina-Abdala (MMP); 2♀, Mar del Plata (Pdo. General Pueyrredón), - II-1987, J.L.Farina (MMP); 1♀, Mar del Plata (Pdo. General Pueyrredón), 21-X-1987, J.L.Farina (MMP); 2♀, Laguna de los padres, 13-XII-1988, J.L.Farina (MMP); 1♀, Mar del Plata (Pdo. General Pueyrredón), 22-X-1991, J.L.Farina (MMP); 1♀, Gral. Pueyrredón, - XI-1987, Col.V.Herrera (MMP); 1♀, Laguna de los padres, 11-12-III-1994, J.L.Farina (MMP); 1♀, Santa Clara del Mar, 2-V-1994, J.L.Farina (MMP); 1♀, Arroyo Lobería, I-1997, F.A.Farina (MMP); 2♀ 3♂, Felix Camet, 11-VII-1990, J.L.Abdala (MMP); 1♀, Mar del Plata (Pdo. General Pueyrredón), 20- XII-1988, J.L.Farina (MMP); 1♀, Sierra de los padres, 24-X-1992, J.L.Farina (MMP); 1♀, Arroyo Lobería, 4-IV- 1989, J.L.Farina (MMP); 1♀, Mar del Plata, - II-1987, J.F.Farina (MMP); 1♀, Mar Chiquita, 1-I-1986, J.L.Farina (MMP); 1♂, Mar del Plata, J.Farina (MMP); 1♂, Felix Camet, 8-XI-1988, J.L.Abdala (MMP); 1♂, Mar del Plata, 22-X-1991, J.Farina (MMP); 1♂, Nahuel Puca, 14-X-2004, J.L.Farina (MMP); 1♂, Laguna de Los Padres, 18-XI- 1995, Farina-Vosano (MMP); 2♂, Chapalmalal, 13-XI-1994, Farina-Vorano (MMP); 1♀, Mar del Plata, 2-I-1981, J.L.Farina (MMP); 1♂, Mar del Plata, 26-X-1992, F.L.Farina (MMP); 1♂, Mar del Plata, 17-IX-1995, F.L.Farina (MMP); 1♂, Rta. Naci 226 Km 22,7 Ea. Paititi, - III-2006, J.L.Farina (MMP); 1♀, Sierra de la Ventana, 17-18-X- 2001, J.Farina-A.Cicchino-O.Scaglia (MMP); 1♀, “Sierra Bachicha” R.N 226, 17-19-XII-2001, J.L.Farina- J.A.Farina-A.C.Cicchino (MMP); 1♂, Mar del Plata, 29-XI-2008, M.Toglioretti (MMP); 1♂, Mar del Plata, 23-X- 1984, J.L.Farina (MMP); 1♀, Punta Lara, 22-XII-1999, N.H.Montaldo ( FAUBA); 1♀, Estancia Carretero (Magdalena), 30-X-2000, A.Basilio-J-P.Torretta ( FAUBA); 1♂, Ciudad Autónoma de Buenos Aires (Fca. de Agronomía), 31-X-2002, M.Michetti ( FAUBA); 1♀, Balcarce, 11-I-2004, D.Medan- M.Devoto- A.M.Chamer- M.Bianchi- G.Speroni ( FAUBA); 1♀, Balcarce, 27-I-2005, J.P.Torretta-M.Devoto (FAU-BA); 1♀, Buenos Aires, 22-I-1917, J.Brèthes ( MACN); 1♀, Luján, 7-II-1904, J.Brèthes ( MACN); 5♀, Delta, - XII-1941, Obreki ( MACN); 1♀, Tuyuparé, - III-1907, J.Brèthes ( MACN); 1♀, Tuyuparé, 26-II-1911, J. Brèthes ( MACN); 1♀, Tuyuparé, 2-I- 1905, J.Brèthes ( MACN); 1♀, Mar del Plata, - XII-2003, González Vaquero ( MACN); 5♀, Delta Arroyo Chana, ( MACN); 1♀, Cañuelas, 12-XII-1918, ( MACN); 1♀, Arroyo Chana, 18-X-1918, ( MACN); 1♀, Zelaya, -1935, ( MACN); 3♀ 1♂, Islas del delta, ( MACN); 12♀ 3♂, Tigre, 1939, ( MACN); 1♂, Capital Federal, 5-XI-1923, ( MACN); 1♂, Sierra de La Ventana, ( MACN); 1♀, Sierra de La Ventana, - I-1985, A.Oliva ( MACN); 2♀, San Pedro, 18-X-1918, ( MACN); 1♂, Buenos Aires, 13-X-1900, ( MACN); 2♂, La Plata, - X-1969, A. Cicchino ( MLP); 1♂, Punta Lara, 10-XI-1964, Martínez Flores ( MLP); 1♂, La Plata, -1948, ( MLP); 1♂, José C. Paz, - XII-1937, ( MLP); 1♂, Villa Devoto, 2-III-1942, A.Ogloblin ( MLP); 1♂, Bernal,- XI-1970, A.Cicchino ( MLP); 1♂, Sáenz Peña (Partido de San Martín), 8-X-1950, Maldonado-Bruzzone ( MLP); 1♀, Buenos Aires, 8-I-1907, J.Brèthes ( MACN). CHACO. 1♀, Colonia Bransen, 17-I-1951, B.Torres-A.Argemi ( MLP); 1♀, Dto.Resistencia, Fonti Meyer ( MACN); 1♀, Charata, 10-30-II-1994, M.Amela ( MACN); 1♀, Colonia Benítez, 19-V-1934, J.B.Daguerre ( MACN). CÓRDOBA. 1♀, 5 Km de Realicó, 19-XII-2006, J.Torretta-G.Cilla-N.H.Montaldo ( FAUBA). CORRIENTES. 1♀, Mocoretá, 13-II-1987, A.H.Abrahamovich ( MLP); 1♀, Colonia Carlos Pellegrini, 15-XII-2002, M.Lucia ( MLP); 1♀ 1♂, Laguna Ibera, 2-5-XI-2005, J.L.Farina (MMP); 1♀, San Roque, - II-1920, ( MACN). ENTRE RÍOS. 1♀, Arroyo El Brasilero, 14-XI-2009, M.Lucia ( MLP); 1♀, Chajarí, 23-III-2010, M.Lucia-L.Álvarez ( MLP); 4♀, Salto Grande, - IV-1978, Fritz ( MLP); 1♀, Chajari, - IX-1978, Fritz ( MLP); 2♀ 2♂, Pronunciamiento, Zelich ( MLP); 2♀ 2♂, Dto. Colón, Zelich ( MLP); 2♀, Palmar (Colón), - XII-1978, Fritz ( MLP); 4♀ 2♂, Villa Elisa, 11-II-1974, L.Gontero ( IFML); 1♀, Puerto Constanza, 21-XII-1941, Birabén-Bezzi ( MLP); 1♂, 1 de Mayo, 10-X- 1941, ( MLP); 2♀, Paranacito, - I-1933, Daguerre ( MACN); 2♂, Liebig, 6-XI-2003, Zelich (Col. Zelich); 1♂, Liebig, 7-X-2005, Zelich (Col.Zelich); 2♀, Liebig, 13-IX-2001, Zelich (Col. Zelich); 1♀, Liebig, 24-IV-2001, Zelich (Col.Zelich); 2♀ 1♂, Ibicuycito, 13-II-1938, Castillo ( MLP); 1♀ 4♂, Federal, - I-1970, ( MLP); 9♀, Paranacito, III-1940, Castillo ( MLP); 1♀ 1♂, Ibicuycito, IX-1939, Castillo ( MLP); 1♀, La Paz (Los Algodonillos), - I-1952, R.L.Orfila ( MACN). FORMOSA. 1♂, Espinillo, 29-IX-1950, Monrós-Willink ( IFML); 1♀, Laguna Blanca (Dto.Pilcomayo), - IX-1948, I.Morel ( FML). JUJUY. 1♀, Jujuy, D.E.Travi ( MACN). LA PAMPA. 1♂, Santa Rosa, - X-1987, ( MLP); 3♀, Santa Rosa, Lag. Don Tomas, 21-XII-2006, Martínez ( MACN). MENDOZA. 1♀, Dto. Godoy Cruz, 14-X-1994, G. Flores (IADIZA). MISIONES. 9♀, Piñalito, 15-17-XI-2007, (53º50'18"W, 26º25'19"S, 713 m. a.s.l), M.Lucia-L.Álvarez ( MLP); 2♀, San Pedro, 19-22-XI-2007, (54º6'13,1"W 26º37'52"S, 545 m. a.s.l), M.Lucia-L.Álvarez ( MLP); 3♀, San Pedro, 16-XI-1973, Willink-Tomsic ( IFML); 2♀, Dos de Mayo, 18-XI-1973, Escobar-Claps ( IFML); 1♀, San Ignacio, 8-XII-1941, Birabén-Bezzi ( MLP); 4♀, Loreto, A.Ogloblin ( MLP); 1♀, Misiones, A.Ogloblin ( MLP); 1♀, Misiones, 3-IX-1909, A.Ogloblin ( MLP); 1♀, Misiones, 18-XII-1909, A.Ogloblin ( MLP); 1♀, Misiones, 24-II-2010, ( MLP); 1♀, Misiones, - X-1910, ( MLP); 2♀, Misiones, 12-I-1910, ( MLP); 1♀, Loreto, - V-1946, J.T ( MLP); 1♀, Misiones, 29-I-1910, ( MLP); 1♀ 1♂, Bompland, 5-VIII-1909, Jörgensen ( MLP); 2♀, Posadas, 3-VI-1909, ( MLP); 1♀, Misiones, 13-III-1909, ( MLP); 1♀, Misiones, ( MLP); 1♀, Misiones, 4-IX-1909, ( MLP); 1♀, L.N.Alem, 20-X-1950, Komilev ( MACN); 1♀, Posadas, 14-II-1934, ( MACN); 7♀, Apostoles, 9-1936, Castillo ( MLP); 9♀, Posadas, 1-III-1934 ( MLP); 2♂, Loreto, A.Ogloblin ( MLP); 1♂, Misiones, 3-IX-1909, ( MLP); 1♀, Misiones ( MACN); 1♀ 1♂, Posadas, -1935, Rodríguez ( MACN); 2♀, Misiones, Rodríguez, ( MACN); 1♀, Posadas, Rodríguez ( MACN); 1♀, San Pedro (Arroyo Biguá), 14-IV-1983, ( MACN). SAN LUIS. 1♀, San Luis, Almandoz ( MLP). SANTA FE. 8♀, Isla Los Laureles, 7-II-1940, Alberti ( MACN); 3♀, Cerro Redondo, 23-III-1959, ( MLP); 2♀, Santa Fe, -1947, ( MLP); 3♀, Santa Fe, -1946, Castillo ( MLP); 1♀, Castellanos (Sunchales), 15-XII-2005, J.P.Torretta-N.H.Montaldo ( FAUBA); 1♀, Castellanos (Sunchales), 17-XII- 2005, J.P.Torretta-N.H.Montaldo ( FAUBA); 3♀, Esperanza, 28-II-1974, M. de la Peña ( MLP); 1♂, Helvecia, - X- 1970, A.Cicchino ( MLP); 1♀, Reconquista, 19-XI-2004, J.P.Torretta-D.Medan ( FAUBA); 2♀, Rosario, - II-1930, M.Stevenin ( MACN); 2♀, Santa Fe, 5-IV-1939, ( MACN); 1♀, Rosario, 2-X-1918, ( MACN); 1♂, Rosario, 2-XI- 1915, ( MACN). RIO NEGRO. 1♂, Isla Choele-Choel, 6-I-1944, Maldonado R ( MLP); 1♀, Gral. Roca, - II-2007 ( MLP). TUCUMÁN. 1♂, Tafí Viejo, 4-X-2007, M.Lucia ( MLP); 1♂, Trancas (Tacanas), - XI-1946, R.Golbach ( IFML).

Figures

FIGURES 1 – 4. Head of female, frontal view. 1, Xylocopa atamisquensis; 2, Xylocopa augusti; 3, Xylocopa eximia; 4, Xylocopa frontalis. Scale bars: 1 mm.

FIGURES 9 – 14. Metasoma of female, dorsal view. 9, Xylocopa augusti; 10, Xylocopa eximia; 11, Xylocopa frontalis; 12, Xylocopa nigrocincta; 13, Xylocopa tacanensis; 14, Xylocopa mendozana. Scale bars: 2 mm.

FIGURES 15 – 20. Head of male, frontal view. 15, Xylocopa atamisquensis; 16, Xylocopa augusti; 17, Xylocopa eximia; 18, Xylocopa frontalis; 19, Xylocopa mendozana; 20, Xylocopa nigrocincta. Scale bars: 1 mm.

FIGURES 21 – 26. Metasoma of male, dorsal view. 21, Xylocopa atamisquensis; 22, Xylocopa augusti; 23, Xylocopa eximia; 24, Xylocopa frontalis; 25, Xylocopa mendozana; 26, Xylocopa nigrocinta.

FIGURES 27 – 32. Hind tibia of male, posterior view. 27, Xylocopa atamisquensis; 28, Xylocopa augusti; 29, Xylocopa eximia; 30, Xylocopa frontalis; 31, Xylocopa mendozana; 32, Xylocopa nigrocincta.

FIGURES 33 – 38. Genitalia male, dorsal view. 33, Xylocopa atamisquensis; 34, Xylocopa augusti; 35, Xylocopa eximia; 36, Xylocopa frontalis; 37, Xylocopa mendozana; 38, Xylocopa nigrocincta.

FIGURES 39 – 44. Genitalia male, ventral view. 39, Xylocopa atamisquensis; 40, Xylocopa augusti; 41, Xylocopa eximia; 42, Xylocopa frontalis; 43, Xylocopa mendozana; 44, Xylocopa nigrocincta.

FIGURES 45 – 56. Gonostyle and pennis valve, ventral view. 45, Xylocopa atamisquensis; 46, Xylocopa augusti; 47, Xylocopa eximia; 48, Xylocopa frontalis; 49, Xylocopa mendozana; 50, Xylocopa nigrocincta. Gonostyle and pennis valve, dorsal view. 51, Xylocopa atamisquensis; 52, Xylocopa augusti; 53, Xylocopa eximia; 54, Xylocopa frontalis; 55, Xylocopa mendozana; 56, Xylocopa nigrocincta.

FIGURES 57 – 60. Occurrence maps.? = Province cited in bibliography, but not confirmed in this study.