Augochlora (Augochlora) pura (Say)

Portman, Zachary M., Arduser, Mike, Lane, Ian G. & Cariveau, Daniel P., 2022, A review of the Augochloropsis (Hymenoptera, Halictidae) and keys to the shiny green Halictinae of the midwestern United States, ZooKeys 1130, pp. 103-152 : 103

Augochlora (Augochlora) pura (Say)

Diagnosis.

Augochlora pura is most similar to Augochlorella aurata and Augochlorella persimilis . Both sexes of Augochlora pura can be recognized by the distinct and prominent facial lobes (Fig. 3C, E ), which extend below the level of the base of the mandible and are stronger than those found in Augochlorella , but the difference is subtle and easy to confuse. Female Augochlora pura are unique in having a keel on S1 (Fig. 3A ) and the hind tibial spur is simple. In addition, the mandibles of Augochlora pura females are more robust, with 2 distinct and nearly equally-sized apical teeth, whereas Augochlorella have 1 main tooth and a smaller subapical tooth.

Males of Augochlora pura can be further recognized from Augochlorella by their straight apical margin on S4 (compared to concave in Augochlorella ) and they have distinct punctures on the rear of the propodeum (Fig. 3B ), compared to impunctate or obscure punctures in Augochlorella males (Fig. 2D ).

Comments.

Augochlora and Augochlorella are frequently confused in collections, especially males. Midwestern specimens of Augochlora pura fall under subspecies Augochlora pura pura . More work is needed to determine whether Augochlora pura pura and Augochlora pura mosieri Cockerell are distinct taxa.

Figures

Figure 2. Characters to separate Agapostemon from Augochlorini: Complete raised carina on the rear face of the propodeum in Agapostemon A female and B male. Incomplete carina in C Augochloropsis female and D Augochlorella male E Agapostemon male hind leg with first two tarsomeres fused (red arrow pointing to point of fusion).

Figure 3. Characters to separate Augochlora and Augochlorella A S 1 of Augochlora pura female with a median keel indicated by red arrow B Augochlora pura male rear propodeum showing distinct punctures C Augochlora pura female face with protruding paraocular lobe indicated by red arrow D Augochlorella aurata female face with undeveloped paraocular lobe indicated by red arrow E Augochlora pura male face with protruding paraocular lobe indicated by red arrow F Augochlorella aurata male with undeveloped paraocular lobe indicated by red arrow. Scale bars: 1 mm.