Trichocolletes venustus (Smith)

Batley, Michael, 2012, Revision of the Australian Bee Genus Trichocolletes Cockerell (Hymenoptera: Colletidae: Paracolletini), Records of the Australian Museum (Rec. Aust. Mus.) 64 (1), pp. 1-50 : 41-43

Trichocolletes venustus (Smith)

Figs 1–2 , 12 , 79 , 119

Lamprocolletes venustus Smith, 1862, p. 57 (male). Paracolletes venustus .— Cockerell, 1907, p. 229. Trichocolletes venustus .— Cockerell, 1913a, p. 273 (female). Trichocolletes daviesiae Rayment, 1931, p. 164 . n. syn. Trichocolletes nigroclypeatus Rayment, 1929, p. 162 . n. syn.

Lectotype designation. The male specimen in BMNH, Hym 17.a 503 is here designated as the lectotype of T. venustus (see remarks below).

Specimens examined. The lectotype of T. venustus , the holotypes of T. daviesiae ♂, Heathmont , Victoria, 30 Aug. 1930, ANIC and T. nigroclypeatus ♀, Daylesford ,Victoria, Oct.1929,ANIC and the following. Australian Capital Territory: ♀, Bulls Head repeater station (35.2322°S 148.4836°E), 26 Nov. 1994, G. V. Maynard & G. J. Davis, Pultenaea and Daviesia, MV (950112); ♀, 1.9 km S Condor Ck Bridge Rd Brindabella Ra, 11 Nov. 1993, G. J. Davis, Daviesia mimosoides, MV (930737); 11♂, 4♀, 1.9 km S Condor Ck Bridge Rd Brindabella Ra, 27 Sep. 1993, G. J. Davis & G. V. Maynard, off Daviesia and Hardenbergia violacea, MV ; ♂, Pierces Creek Forrest, 29 Sep. 1993, G. J. Davis & G. V. Maynard, off Hardenbergia violacea, MV ; ♂, Warks Rd (35.21°S 148.50°E), 9 Dec. 1992, G. Maynard, off Daviesia eulicifolia, MV ; 2♂, Uriara SF (35.3444°S 148.8328°E), 10 Oct. 2001, M. Batley, AM (K.316571–72). New South Wales: ♂, Anna Bay (32.7728°S 152.0481°E), 16 Jul. 2001, M. Batley,AM (K.316570); ♂, Armidale Road (30.7642°S 151.3692°E), 10 Oct. 1999, M. Batley, AM (K.316565); 3♀, Berambing, 3 Oct. 1979 & 12 Oct. 1978, N. W.Rodd,AM (K.344594–96); ♂, ♀, 5 km NE Bilpin, 4–5 Sep. 1977, N.W. Rodd, AM (K.344576–77); 6♂, ♀, 6 km NE Bilpin, 11 Aug. 1977, 9 Sep. & 11 Oct. 1988, N.W. Rodd,AM (K.344565–71); 4♂, 7 km NE Bilpin, 23 Aug. 1977, N. W. Rodd, AM (K.344572–75); 3♂, 3♀, Bilpin (33.4814°S 150.5480°E), 9–21 Sep. 2005, M. Batley, AM (K.316573,86–88,93,94); 7♂, 4♀, Clarence, 28–31 Oct. 1979 & 4 Oct. 1988, N. W. Rodd, AM (K.344600–06,16–20); 2♂, ♀, Clarence (33.478°S 150.250°E), 20 Oct. 2002, M. Batley, AM (K.316579–81); ♂, 34 km NNE Coonabarrabran, 17 Sep. 1998, A. Sundholm & J. Bugeja, AM (K.344625–26); 2♂, ♀, Gibraltar Range NP (29.595°S 152.269°E), 27 Aug. 2007, M. Batley, AM (K.316599–600,609); 2♂, 100 km W Grafton, 22 Aug. 1992, N. W. Rodd, AM (K.344623–24); ♀, Haystack Ridge, 7 Nov. 1977, N. W. Rodd, AM (K.344591); ♀, Hazelbrook, 1 Sep. 1984, M. Dingley, AM (K.344611); ♂, Kentlyn (34.0475°S 150.8842°E), 31 Aug. 1999, M. Batley, AM (K.316564); ♀, Lansdowne, 26 Sep. 1984, N. W. Rodd, AM (K.344612); ♂, Mountain Lagoon, 9 Aug. 1977, N. W. Rodd, AM (K.344564); 4♂, ♀, Mount Banks (33.5881°S 150.3686°E), 24 Sep. 2002 & 5 Sep. 2003, M. Batley, AM (K.316574–6,85,86); 4♂, Mount Canobolas (33.3497°S 149.0164°E), 28 Sep.2005, M.Batley,AM (K.316595–98); ♀, Mount Hay Road (33.6389°S 150.3983°E), 17 Oct. 1998, M. Batley, AM (K.316560); ♂, Mt Kaputar NP, 12 Nov. 1979, N. W. Rodd, AM (K.344607); 6♂, ♀, Mt Tomah, 8–18 Sep. 1977, N.W. Rodd,AM (K.344578–84); ♀, Mt Tomah, 5 Oct. 1977, N.W. Rodd,AM (K.344588); 2♀, Mt Tomah, 20–21 Oct. 1977, N.W.Rodd,AM (K.344589–90); ♂, Mt Tomah, 10 Sep. 1978, N. W. Rodd, AM (K.344593); ♂, Mt Tomah, 22 Oct.1978, N.W.Rodd,AM (K.344596); ♂, Mount Wilson (33.5450°S 150.3356°E), 5 Sep. 2003, M. Batley, AM (K.316585); ♂, Mt Victoria, Oct. 1930, Wilson, F E., MV (16500); 2♂, 3 km S Mt Wilson, 15 Sep. 1979, N. W. Rodd, AM (K.344597–98); 2♂, ♀, 10 km W Murwillumbah, 17 Aug. 1982, N.W. Rodd,AM (K.344608–10); 2♂, ♀, Nadgee Reserve, 9 Sep. & 14–28 Oct. 1985, E. A. Sugden, AM (K.344613–15); 2♂, 8 km SE Narrabri (30.3994°S 149.8144°E), 25 Aug. 2009, M. Batley, AM (K.316610–11); ♀, 12 km SE Narrabri (30.4233°S 149.8511°E), 25 Aug.2009, M. Batley,AM; ♂, ♀, Narrow Neck (33.7492°S 150.2800°E), 27 Sep. 2002, M. Batley, AM (K.316577–78); ♀, Ourimbah SF (33.3211°S 151.3519°E), 18 Aug. 2003, M. Batley,AM (K.316582); 3♂, Parramatta Park (33.7914°S 150.0100°E), 18 Aug. 1999, M. Batley, AM (K.316561–63); ♂, ♀, Parramatta Park (33.7914°S 150.0100°E), 16 Aug. 2000, M. Batley, AM (K.316566–67); 2♂, Parramatta Park, 14 Aug. 2009, M. Batley, AM (K.316612–13); 3♀, Pilliga NR (30.9364°S 149.4222°E), 13 Sep. 2005, M. Batley, ex Pultenaea cinerascens, AM (K.316589–91); ♂, Stanwell Tops, 27 Aug. 1978, G. Daniels, AM (K.344592); ♂, Tallong (34.7194°S 150.5639°E), 30 Sep. 2000, M. Batley, AM (K.316569); 3♀, Wolgan Valley, 21 Sep. 1977, N. W. Rodd, AM (K.344585–87). Queensland: ♂, ♀, Bardon, 29 Aug. 1974, K. Lambkin, UQIC; 3♂, ♀, Beeburrum-Woodford Rd (26.56°S 152.50°E), 8 Jul. 1991, G.V. Maynard, ex Dillwynia, UQIC ; ♀, 14 km W Beerburrum (26.9419°S 152.8303°E), 25 Aug. 2008, M. Batley, AM (K.316601); 4♂, 2♀, Brisbane, 18 Aug. 1914, H. Hacker, QM; ♂, S of Eukey, 26 Sep. 1967, T.F.Houston, Daviesia, SAM (32-024505); ♀, 5 mls E Pikedale, 1 Nov. 1966, T. F. Houston, Daviesia, SAM (32-024493); 2♀, Mt Tamborine, 5 Oct. 1966, T. F.Houston,SAM (32- 024497,99); 2♀, 17 mls S Warwick, 4 Nov. 1966, T. F. Houston, Jacksonia scoparia, SAM (32-024496). South Australia: ♂, 11 km S of Clare, 29 Sep. 1973, T. F. Houston, on Daviesia corymbosa, SAM (32-024572); ♂, ♀, Cape St Albans Kangaroo Is, 2 Oct. 1970, T. F. Houston, on Swainsona lessertiifolia, SAM (32-024571,74); ♂, 2♀, 6 mi E Karatta Kangaroo, 3 Oct. 1970, T. F. Houston, on Goodia lotifolia, SAM (32-024573,78,85); 3♂, 6♀, 8 mi S Kingscote Kangaroo Is, 1 Oct. 1970, T. F. Houston, on Daviesia ulcina, SAM (32-024575–77,79–82,84,86); ♂, Kyeema Nat Pk nr Meadows, 7 Oct. 1972, T. F. Houston, on Daviesia corymbosa, SAM (32-024570); 3♂, Mt Lofty, 6 Oct. 1963, SAM (32-024486–87,92); ♂, Mt Lofty summit, 16 Oct. 1964, T.F.H., on Platylobium, SAM (32-024485); ♀, Mt Lofty, 26 Oct. 1964, T.F.H, on Platylobium, SAM (32-024489); ♂, Mt Lofty summ, 23 Sep. 1965, T. Houston, on Daviesia, SAM (32-024490); ♂, Rocky River, Kangaroo Is, 4 Oct. 1970, T. F. Houston, on Leucopogon, SAM (32-024583); 2♂, Warren Nat Pk nr Kersbrook, 7 Sep. 1975, T. F. Houston, on Daviesia, SAM (32-024568–69); ♂, Rev A. P. Burgess, SAM (32-024587). Tasmania: ♂, Hobart, 26 Aug. 1917, MV (16493). Victoria: ♀, Ararat, MV (16495); 5♂, Bendigo, 10 Sep. 1922, Burns, Alec N., MV (16538–42); ♂, Black Rock, WAA (45308); 2♂, ♀, Black Sands, 16 Oct. 1936, ANIC; ♀, Croydon, 6 Sep. 1961, MV (16507); 2♂, 2♀, Ferntree Gully, 28 Sep. 1930, Burns, Alec N., MV (16508,11,12,16); ♂, Ferntree Gully, 17 Sep. 1927, Burns, Alec N., MV (16520); ♀, Grampians, Oct. 1928, Wilson, F E., MV (16492); 4♂, Heathmont, 23 Aug. 1930, Burns, Alec N., MV (16513,28,32,36); ♂, Heathmont, 16 Sep. 1945, Burns, Alec N., MV (16524); 2♂, ♀, Heathmont, 30 Aug.–1 Sep. 1930, Rayment, ANIC; ♂, Ringwood, Oct. 1929, MV (16491); 2♂, ♀, Ringwood, 30 Sep. 1930, Burns, Alec N., MV (16506,10,21); 2♂, Ringwood, 5 Sep. 1931, Burns, Alec N., MV (16509,31); ♂, 4♀, Sandringham, Rayment, BMNH; ♂, Sandringham, MV (16494).

Diagnosis

Eyes hairy; metasomal bands gold. Male mid tibia clear orange-brown; fore basitarsus with plume; anterior margin of hind tibia with open fringe of long hair ( Fig. 2 ). Female clypeus with V-shaped basal margin; inner hind tibial spur with c. 8 teeth..

Descriptions

Male (AM K.316582).— Head width 3.90 mm, body length 12.5 mm. Relative dimensions: HW 50, HL 38, UID 28, UFW 29, LID 29, DMA 30, HVO 4, WOC 13, MOD 4, OOD 8, IAD 8, ASD 4, AOD 7, ML 19, BMW 7, MSL 1.5, SL 13, SW 4, FL c. 52.— Eyes hairy; face narrow, inner orbits parallel; length malar space c. 0.2× basal mandibular width; clypeus with V-shaped basal margin; flagellum as long as head width; middle flagellomeres c. 1.6× as long as wide. Legs slender; hind tarsus and hind tibia of equal

length; hind basitarsus 4.5× as long as wide; basitibial area not evelated but posterior margin defined by pigmented carina reaching apex. Genital capsule similar to that for T. orientalis n.sp. (Fig. 37); S7 lateral lobes triangular, fused to base of ligulate processes, basal tooth obsolete, posterior projections moderately long ( Fig. 79 ).— Labrum, scape, mandible medially, tarsi, tibiae and distal ends of femora orange-brown; flagellum ventrally dark brown; T1–5 with medium to wide gold bands.— Clypeus densely punctate except apically; scutum strongly reticulate with indistinct, close, fine punctures.— Face densely and scutum openly covered with long, plumose orange hair; fore basitarsus with long pale gold plume; trochanters and femora with much long pale hair; hind tibia with open, but conspicuous fringe of long, sparsely-branched, pale gold hair along anterior edge.

Female (AM K.316567).— Head width 4.00 mm, body length 12.0 mm. Relative dimensions: HW 50, HL 37, UID 28, UFW 31, LID 31, DMA 33, HVO 5, WOC 13, MOD 3, OOD 8, IAD 7, ASD 4, AOD 9, ML 22, BMW 7, MSL 1.5, SL 15, SW 3, FL c. 36.— Eyes hairy; face slightly wider than long, inner orbits weakly divergent ventrally; length malar space c. 0.25× basal mandibular width; clypeus convex, basal margin V-shaped; middle flagellomeres c. 1.2× as long as wide. Tarsal claws simple; inner hind tibial spur with c. 8 strong teeth; pygidial plate emarginate, sculptured, with medial elevation.— Labrum, mandible medially, tarsi, tibiae and distal ends femora orange-brown, with darker markings medially on fore and mid tibiae; remainder of legs, flagellum dorsally dark brown; flagellum ventrally brown; T1–4 with wide, gold bands.— Clypeus densely punctate and dull basally, sparsely to openly punctate and polished towards apex. Scutum strongly reticulate, with indistinct close fine punctures.— Face with long, plumose, pale hair becoming darker near ocelli, dense in paraocular area and on frons, open to sparse on clypeus and supraclypeal area. Scutum closely covered with short, plumose, dull orange hair; hair of hind tibial scopa orange except brown in basitibial area; prepygidial fimbria mid-brown.

Remarks. The original description of Lamprocolletes venustus ( Smith, 1862) refers to dense pubescence covering the face and a ferruginous scape indicating unambiguously that the author was referring to a male specimen, not a female as stated. Baker (1993) located two possible syntypes of Lamprocolletes venustus , both males, one in the University Museum, Oxford, the other in the British Museum of Natural History. The British Museum specimen was examined and Mr James Hogan (OUM) confirmed that the Oxford specimen was the same species using photographs illustrating the diagnostic features.

Baker (1993) noted that his studies indicated that the designation “In the Collection of the British Museum” in Smith’s original description might mean no more than that the species was represented in the collection and concluded neither specimen could be eliminated from consideration and both had been in Smith’s possession at some time. He recommended that both specimens be regarded as syntypes and that the BMNH specimen be designated as the lectotype. Recognition that the male characteristics in the original description confirm that Smith misreported the sex of his specimen supports this view and accordingly we have adopted Baker’s suggestion .

There was a small discrepancy in the labelling of the holotype of T. nigroclypeatus . A male and a female specimen were found carrying red Allotype and Type labels, respectively, together with identification labels in Rayment’s hand. Collection information on the labels corresponded with details given in Rayment’s original descriptions ( Rayment, 1929, 1931) except that the date attached to the holotype (Oct. 1929) did not match that given in the original description (12/10/27). It is possible that the holotype was (re)labelled by Rayment when he designated the allotype. Both specimens are T. venustus .

Rayment (1931) refers to specimens of T. venustus from Western Australia when discussing bees in the collection of the Department of Agriculture of Western Australia. The only specimen of T. venustus found in that collection was from Black Rock, Victoria and no specimens bearing the collection data referred to by Rayment were found in that or any other collection. It is unlikely that the species occurs in Western Australia.

Distribution. Southeastern Australia including Tasmania (BBS, FLB, KAN, NAN, NET, NNC, NSS, SB, SCP, SEH, SEQ, TSE, VM) ( Fig. 119 ).

Figures

Figs 1–2. Trichocolletes venustus, male: (1) fore basitarsus showing plume (2) hind leg (part) showing long hair on femur.

Figs 10–13. Faces of female Trichocolletes with elevated (10 and 11) or normal (12 and 13) vertex.

Figs 68–79. Seventh sternum of Trichocolletes males.

Figs 116–119. Known distribution of Trichocolletes species.