Lasioglossum (Dialictus) ellisiae (Sandhouse)

Gibbs, Jason, 2010, Revision of the metallic species of Lasioglossum (Dialictus) in Canada (Hymenoptera, Halictidae, Halictini) 2591, Zootaxa 2591 (1), pp. 1-382 : 120-124

Lasioglossum (Dialictus) ellisiae (Sandhouse)

( Figures 104A–E , 105A–G )

Halictus (Chloralictus) ellisiae Sandhouse, 1924: 11 . ♀. Holotype. USA, Massachusetts, Forest Hills , 5.viii.1901, (W.M. Wheeler); [NMNH: 26400]. Examined.

Taxonomy. Michener, 1951: Lasioglossum (Chloralictus) ellisiae , p. 1113 (catalogue); Mitchell, 1960: Dialictus tegularis ♂ (in part), p. 423 (redescription, synonymy); Gibbs, 2009: Lasioglossum (Dialictus) ellisiae ♂, p. 18 (redescription).

Diagnosis. See diagnosis for L. tegulare .

Redescription. FEMALE. Length 4.33–5.50 mm; head length 1.12–1.40 mm; head width 1.22–1.40 mm; forewing length 2.87–3.70 mm.

Colouration. Head and mesosoma dull metallic bluish-green. Labrum sometimes reddish brown. Mandible orange. Clypeus basally and supraclypeal area with golden reflections. Antenna dark brown, F8–F10 with ventral surface reddish brown to yellowish brown. Mesoscutum with gold reflections. Tegula brown to black, central area reddish. Legs dark brown, promedio- and prodistitarsi reddish, meso- and metadistitarsi reddish brown. Wing membrane subhyaline, venation and pterostigma yellowish brown. Metasoma dark brown, terga and sterna with apical margins reddish.

Pubescence. Dull white. Moderately dense. Head and mesosoma with moderately dense woolly hairs (1– 1.5 OD), longest on genal beard, metanotum and mesopleuron (2–2.5 OD). Propodeum with moderately dense plumose hairs on lateral and posterior surfaces (2–2.5 OD). Metasoma terga with moderately sparse, fine setae. T1 acarinarial fan complete. T3–T5 ventrolateral reflexed areas with few, erect hairs (2.5–3 OD). T2– T3 basolaterally and T4 entirely with sparse tomentum. T2 apicolateral and T3–T4 apical margins with sparse fringes.

Surface sculpture. Face polished, weakly imbricate, punctation moderately strong. Clypeus polished basal margin imbricate, punctation moderately dense (i=1–1.5d). Supraclypeal area punctation irregularly spaced (i=1–4d). Lower paraocular area punctation dense (i<d). Antennocular area punctation moderately dense (i=1–1.5d). Upper paraocular area and frons reticulate-punctate. Ocellocular area densely punctate (i≤d). Gena and postgena lineolate. Mesoscutum tessellate, polished laterad of parapsidal line and on posterior margin, punctation fine, moderately dense between parapsidal lines (i=1–1.5d), dense on remainder of disc and along median line (i<d). Mesoscutellum similar to mesoscutum, submedial punctation moderately dense (i=1– 2d). Axilla punctate. Metanotum imbricate. Preëpisternum rugulose. Hypoepimeral area reticulate-punctate. Mesepisternum weakly imbricate, polished, strongly punctate (i<d). Metepisternum dorsal third ruguloso-striate, ventral portion imbricate. Tegula distinctly punctate (i=1–2d). Metapostnotum rugoso-striate, posterior margin imbricate. Propodeum with dorsolateral slope rugulose, lateral surface ruguloso-imbricate, posterior surface tessellate. Metasomal terga weakly coriarious, punctation on basal halves moderately dense (i=1– 1.5d), moderately sparse on apical halves (i=1.5–2.5d).

Structure. Head wide (length/width ratio = 0.92). Eyes convergent below (UOD/LOD ratio = 1.24–1.32). Clypeus 1/2 below suborbital tangent, apicolateral margins convergent. Antennal sockets close (IAD/OAD <0.5). Frontal line carinate, ending 2 OD below median ocellus. Gena narrower than eye. Tegula elongate with posterior margin angled posteromedially ( Fig. 7A ). Inner metatibial spur pectinate with 3–4 teeth. Metapostnotum moderately elongate (MMR ratio = 1.13–1.38), posterior margin weakly angled onto posterior surface. Propodeum with oblique carina weak, lateral carina not reaching dorsal margin.

MALE. Similar to female except for the usual secondary sexual characters and as follows. Length 4.00– 4.64 mm; head length 1.20 mm; head width 1.22–1.30 mm; forewing length. 3.05 mm.

Colouration. Flagellum with ventral surface brown to reddish brown. Legs brown, medio- and distitarsi brown.

Pubescence. Paraocular area and interantennal area with sparse, subappressed hairs. S4–S5 with moderately dense, erect hairs.

Surface sculpture. Head and mesosoma polished, weakly imbricate. Clypeal punctation dense (i<d). Preëpisternum reticulate.

Structure. Head moderately wide (length/width ratio = 0.98). Eyes strongly convergent below (UOD/LOD ratio = 1.50–1.52). Antennal sockets distant (IAD/OAD> 1.0). Frontal line carinate, ending 1.5 OD below median ocellus. Pedicel subequal to F1. F2 length 1.8–1.9X F1. F2–F10 moderately short (length/width ratio = 1.40–1.50). Tegula enlarged, posterior margin not strongly angled. Metapostnotum truncate (MMR ratio = 1.31–1.47), posterior margin weakly angled onto posterior surface.

Terminalia . S7 with median lobe columnar, sides subparallel, apex rounded ( Fig. 105F ). S8 with apicomedial margin weakly convex ( Fig. 105G ). Genitalia as in Fig. 105D–E . Gonobase with ventral arms narrowly separated. Gonostylus small, dorsal setae elongate. Retrorse lobe elongate, weakly attenuated apically.

Range. Ontario and Massachusetts, west to Minnesota, and south along the Appalachian Mountains to North Carolina ( Fig. 103 ).

Additional material examined. CANADA: ONTARIO: 1♀ Haldimand-Norfolk Co., Nixon W Pr , 11.v.1998, H Douglas ; 1♀ Haldimand-Norfolk Co., Nixon W Pr, 28.v.1998, (H. Douglas) ; 1♀ Norfolk Co., Pterophylla Plant Nursery , N42.384 W80.344, malaise trap, 13–22.viii.2006, (P.J. Carson) ; 1♀ Toronto, Ulster St. parquette, N43.659 W79.413, x.2006, (J. Gibbs) ; 2♀ Toronto, York University , N43.775 W79.504, 24.v.2006, (J. Gibbs); [ PCYU] ; USA: ILLINOIS: 10♀ Algonquin , 16.vi.1909, (Nason) ; 2♀ Algonquin , 24.vi.1909, (Nason) ; 3♀ Bureau Co., 3mi NW of LaMoille , 13.v.1970, on Salix, (Laberge & Molina) ; 1♀ Champaign Co., Brownfield Woods, Urbana , 29–31.iii.1968, (Laberge & Ribble); [ INHS] ; 1♀ Kankakee Co., Hooper Br , 2.vii.2003, ( R. P. Jean); [ PCYU] ; 1♀ Lake Co., 2 mi NW Volo , 22.vi.1967, (Laberge & Ribble) ; 1♀ Long L., “bog, smtwd.” 11.viii.1906 ; 1♀ Mason Co., Bath , 2.vii.1968, (J.C. Marlin) ; 1♀ Mason State Forest , 2.vi.1966, ( WJ Knee) ; 1♀ McHenry Co., Chain O’ Lakes St. Pk., 22.vi.1967, (Laberge & Ribble) ; 1♀ Whiteside Co., Morrison , 10.vii.1968, (J.C. Marlin) ; 1♀ Woodford Co., 9mi N East Peoria , 7.viii.1968, (J.C. Marlin) ; 1♂, Macoupin Co., Plainview , 22.vii.1915; [ INHS] ; INDIANA: 1♀ Jackson Co., N38.88 W86.056, 26.vii.2003, (S.W. Droege) ; 2♀ Jasper Co., Nipsco , blue pan trap, 16.vii.2003, ( R. P. Jean); [ PCYU]; MAS- SACHUSETTS: 1♂, Franklin Co., 0.86mi SSW of W. Hawley , 19.vii.2006, (M.F. Veit) ; 1♀ Middlesex Co., 0.2mi S of Townsend Gravel Pit , 27.v.2006, (M.F. Veit) ; 2♀ Middlesex Co., 0.1mi E of Airport , 29.iv.2006, (M.F. Veit); [ PCYU] ; MICHIGAN: 1♀ Washtenau Co., Ann Arbor , ix.1976, ( R. W. Carlson); [ KUNHM] ; MINNESOTA: 2♀ Clay Co., 3mi E & 2mi S of Felton , N47.047 W96.438, blue and yellow pan traps, 21.vii.2006, ( R. L. Andres); [ PCYU] ; NEW YORK: 1♂, Tompkins Co., Cornell U. campus, Ithaca , 22.vii.1971, (G. & K. Eickwort) ; 1♀ Cornell U. campus, Ithaca , 9.vii.1987; (G.C. Eickwort) ; 2♂♂, Tompkins Co., Ithaca vicinity, inlet, 5.viii.1976, (G. & K. Eickwort) ; 1♀ Tompkins Co., Ithaca vicinity, inlet, 04.vi.1976, (G. & K. Eickwort) ; 1♀ Tompkins Co., Ithaca vicinity, inlet, 14.vi.1976, (G. & K. Eickwort) ; 1♀ Tompkins Co., Ithaca vicinity, inlet, 21.v.1984, (G. & K. Eickwort) ; 1♀ Tompkins Co., Ithaca vicinity, 21.v.1984, (G. & K. Eickwort) ; 1♀ Otsego Co., East Worchester , 22.vi.1971, (G. & K. Eickwort) ; 1♀ Van Natta’s Dam, Ithaca , 23.v.1937, Babiy ; 2 ♂, Van Natta’s Dam, Ithaca , 14.viii.1931, (P.P. Babiy) ; 1♂, Ithaca 10.viii.1916 ; 1♀ Ithaca , 22.vi.1936 ; 1♀ Ithaca , 2.v.1915 ; 1♀ Ithaca , 6.vii.1947, (C. Robinson) ; 1♂, Ithaca , 22.vi.1936 ; 1♀ Ithaca , v.1913 ; 1♂, Ithaca , 20.vi.1962 ; 1♂, Otsego Co., East Worchester , 13.viii.1968, (G. & K. Eickwort) ; 1♀ Tompkins Co., Ithaca, Monkey Run , 26.iv.1986, (G.C. Eickwort) ; 2♀♀ Tompkins Co., Monkey Run , 1.vi.1984, (B. Alexander) ; 1♂, Tompkins Co., Michigan Hollow gravel pit, 5mi S of Danby, 7.ix.1968, (G. & K. Eickwort) ; 4♂♂, Tompkins Co., Buttermilk Falls S.P., Ithaca , 7.x.1967, (G. & K. Eickwort) ; 1♂, Tompkins Co., Taughannock Falls S.P., Ithaca , 7.x.1967, (G. & K. Eickwort) ; 1♀ Tompkins Co., Taughannock Falls S.P., Ithaca , 5.vi.1976, (G. & K. Eickwort) ; 1♂, Tompkins Co., 1mi S McLean , 23.vi.1975, (M.J. & C.A. Tauber) ; 4 ♀ Ontario Co., Selkirk Shores S.P., 12.vi.1976, (G.C. Eickwort) ; 1♂, Tompkins Co., Dryden , 18.viii.1968, (G. & K. Eickwort) ; 1♀ Tompkins Co., Robert H. Treman S.P., Ithaca , 14.viii.1971, (G. & K. Eickwort) ; 4♂♂, Nassau Co., Hempstead Lake S.P., 4–6.vii.1974, (G.C. Eickwort) ; 1♂, Albany Co., 2mi NW Westerlo , 6.vii.1969, (G.C. Eickwort) ; 2♂♂, Schuyler Co., ear Reynoldsville , 17.vii.1976, (G.C. Eickwort) ; 1♀ Greene Co., Stony Clove Creek , 42 8’00, 74 15’ 10, 412m, 28.vi.1978, ( T. L. McCabe) ; 2 ♀ Cayuga Co., Fair Haven Beach S.P., 27.v.1984, (G.C. Eickwort) ; 1♀ Seneca Co., Junius Ponds , 6mi NW Waterloo, 24.vi.1986, (G.C. Eickwort) ; 1♀ Seneca Co., Junius Ponds , 6mi NW Waterloo, 12.viii.1986, (G.C. Eickwort) ; 1♀ NY, Tompkins Co. 6-mile creek, SE. Ithaca Reservoir , 25.v.1968, (G. & K. Eickwort); [ CUIC] ; NORTH CAROLINA: 1♂, Great Smoky Mountain National Park, Cataloochee overlook, N35.54 W83.06, 6.viii.2006, (J. Gibbs); [ GSNP] ; 1♀ S. of Bryson City, Bryson City Rd. & Queen Branch Rd. , N35.284 W83.487, 8.viii.06, (J. Gibbs); [ PCYU] ; PENNSYLVANIA: 1♀ Stroud Co., Stroudsburg , 14.vii.1976, ( R. J. Pollack) ; 1♂, Lehigh Gap River , 19.vii.1903, (J.C. Bradley) ; 1♂, Roberts , viii.1905, (J.C. Bradley); [ CUIC] ; WISCONSIN: 1♀ Sauk Co., Spring Green Preserve , N43.19785 W90.05904, 23.vii.2006, (A. Wolf); [ UWGB] .

Floral records. The floral records reported for L. tegulare are likely attributable, in part, to L. ellisiae .

Comments. Common. This species was once considered a synonym of L. tegulare ( Mitchell 1960) but was recently resurrected by Gibbs (2009).

Figures

FIGURE 7. Tegula of (A) L. imbrex (tegulare species group), (B) L. oceanicum.

FIGURE 103. Distribution of Lasioglossum ebmerellum (dark grey) and L. ellisiae (light grey).

FIGURE 104. Lasioglossum ellisiae (Sandhouse). Female (A) lateral habitus; (B) dorsal habitus; (C) face; (D) mesepisternum; (E) tegula. Scale bars, A–C = 1 mm.

FIGURE 105. Lasioglossum ellisiae (Sandhouse). Male (A) lateral habitus; (B) dorsal habitus; (C) face; (D) ventral view of genital capsule; (E) dorsal view of genital capsule; (F) S7; (G) S8. Scale bars, A–C = 1 mm, G = 0.5 mm.