Heriades texana Michener, 1938

Rojas-Arias, Laura, Griswold, Terry, Hinojosa-Díaz, Ismael, Morrone, Juan J. & Barajas, Ricardo Ayala, 2025, Neotropical bees of the genus Heriades Spinola, 1808 (Hymenoptera: Megachilidae: Osmiini) with description of nine new species, Zootaxa 5570 (2), pp. 201-259 : 247-248

Heriades texana Michener, 1938

( Figs. 2H , 28–29 )

Heriades texana Michener, 1938 . American bees of the genus Heriades . Annals Entomological Society of America. Vol. XXXI:517.

Type locality: Kerrville, Texas, April 12, 1907, ex Marrubium vulgare (F. C. Pratt)

Holotype female in USNM.

Diagnosis. Malar area with angular projection ( Fig. 29C ) although is smaller on males; large ocelli ( Fig. 3C ); OPR 2.6 times OD ( Fig. 29B, D ). Male: projection on malar area (similar to H. crucifera but differing on having clypeus, frons and hypostomal area with plumose, long, white to goldish hairs); scutum and T3 with punctures medium-sized (0.67 times OD); posterior margin of S1 produced to median sub rectangular shape ( Fig. 2 Hb), in profile, with low ventral angle less than one third of distance from apex to base ( Fig. 2 Ha); posterior margin of S5 similar to H. crucifera , and H. leavitti , with two rectangular lobes, two rounded tufts of capitate hairs directed medially ( Fig. 29E ); S6 with two subapical tufts of short, thin hair, directed downward, all hairs with similar length ( Fig. 29F ). Female: large body size, outer surface of mandible with pointy, obtuse, angle at base of outer ridge forming a false ventral margin; apical margin of clypeus with two rounded tubercles and a submarginal, straight, transverse elevation between tubercles ( Fig. 29C ).

Additional material examined: MEXICO: Coahuila, Cuesta La Muralla , 500 m, 28.25055556 -101.0388889, 12/IX/1976, ( BBSL 1♂) . Hidalgo, Jacala , 1500 m, 21.03 -99.20277778, 27/VIII/1962, 05/V/1989, ( KUNHM-ENT 3♀) . Michoacán, Morelia, Colonia Lomas de Vista Bella, Calle Tihuapu , Lote Baldío , 1981 m, 19.673528 - 101.197028, 1/V/2023, S. Currea. ( CNIN 1♀) . Nuevo León, 5minE Galeana Jct. [1641 m, 24.82555556 -100.0775], 16, 17/IX/1976, J. A. Chemsak, et al. ( BBSL 1♀) . Querétaro, Cadereyta de Montes, Jardín Botánico Regional de Cadereyta de Montes “Ing. Manuel Gonzalez de Cosio”, 2062 m, 20.68365933 -99.80146833, 26, 27/VIII/2023, A. Pereira. ( CNIN 1♀ 1♂) . Sonora, El Novillo , 22 km E. [412 m, 28.97777778 -109.6341667], 23/IV/1990, J. G. Rozen ( AMNH 4♀) . Nogales , 1219 m, 31.30111111 -110.9380556, 11/IX/1965, A. E. Michelbacher ( BBSL 1♀) .

Distribution. This species is mainly present and abundant in the United States, but its distribution now includes records in central Mexico, Sonora, and Hidalgo ( Fig. 28 ). Altitudinal range: 412 to 2164 m.

Comments. Compared to other species, females present the lowest tubercle in mandible from apex to base, with strong angle and tubercles more separated on apical margin of clypeus than in H. timberlakei Michener, 1938 and H. gracilior Cockerell, 1897 . Mandibles are similar to H. vulcanica sp. nov., but differ by having white hairs on posterior terga, not orange. Males present similar S5 and S6 to H. leavitti , H. cristina sp. nov., H. vulcanica sp. nov., H. crucifera , but can be recognize by the projection on the malar area and clypeus covered in plumose, whitish to golden hairs, all of the same length.

Figures

FIGURE 2. S1 of male, (a) profile with posterior margin of sterna to the right, (b) posterior margin in ventral view, and (c) ventral process of S1 in posterior view with dorsal surface up, when relevant (shown for A and B applies to the reminder) A. H. micheneri B. H. amanda sp. nov. C. H. bruneri D. H. briceida sp. nov. E. H. currani F. H. leavitti G. H. viridiana sp. nov. H. H. texana I. H. cristina sp. nov. J. H. danuncia sp. nov. K. H. vulcanica sp. nov. L. H. mariana sp. nov. M. H. nora sp. nov. N. H. luisa sp. nov. O. H. crucifera.

FIGURE 3. Ocellar size, punctation on scutum, pits on propodeal basal zone, apical terga fasciae and T3 punctation.A–C ocelli: A. small (H. currani) B. medium-sized (H. micheneri) C. large (H. mariana sp. nov.). D–F scutal punctation: D. small (H. luisa sp. nov.) E. medium-sized (H. briceida sp. nov.) F. large (H. cristina sp. nov). G–I propodeal basal zone pits: G and H. small to medium-sized (H. briceida sp. nov. and H. micheneri) I. large (H. cristina. sp. nov.). J–L Terga apical fasciae and T3 punctation: J. Fasciae with row of thick, short, white hairs and T3 with dense punctures (H. briceida sp. nov.) K. Fasciae with rows of thin, long, orangish hairs and T3 with small and sparse punctures (H. bruneri). L. Fasciae with rows of thin, short, white hairs and T3 with large, horseshoe-shaped punctures (H. cristina sp. nov.)

FIGURE 28. Known distribution records for Heriades texana.

FIGURE 29. Heriades texana. Male: A. frontal view B. dorsal view. Female: C. frontal view D. dorsal view. Male: E. S5. F. S6. G. genital capsule in dorsal view and H. ventral view.