Bombus semenovianus (Skorikov, 1914)

Figs 5, 15, 125–128, 196

Lapidariobombus semenovianus Skorikov, 1914a: 127 .

Bombus lapidarius subsp. problematicus Bischoff, 1935: 255 .

Our PTP analysis (Fig. 10) of coalescents in the COI gene supports three coalescents for candidate species within the sichelii- group as identified in the four gene species tree (Figs 21–22): B. incertus, B. sichelii s. lat., and the Himalayan B. semenovianus .

From morphology, B. semenovianus is supported by its distinctive colour pattern with the thoracic dorsum entirely yellow (known otherwise only for some males of B. eriophorus from the Caucasus),

by its distinctive form of the male genitalia (see the Diagnosis), and by its slightly enlarged male eye relative to the female eye (Williams, 1991).

Diagnosis

Females (Fig. 5)

Queens medium-sized body length 17–21 mm, workers 11–15 mm. Can be distinguished by the hair on the thoracic dorsum being uniformly bright yellow (cf. B. keriensis, B. separandus, etc.).

Males

Body length 12–16 mm. Can be distinguished by the unique combination of having the eyes slightly enlarged relative to female eye and the hair of the thoracic dorsum being uniformly bright yellow (cf. B. eriophorus, B. qilianensis). Genitalia (Fig. 196) with the gonostylus as long as broad, reduced as a rounded flat scale with the inner basal process reduced to a tooth (cf. rufipes- group, festivus- group, rufofasciatus -group); volsella with the inner distal corner broadly produced but without a narrow hook (cf. rufipes- group, festivus- group, rufofasciatus -group); eye slightly enlarged relative to female eye.

Material examined

Syntype

INDIA • ♀ (queen), syntype of Lapidariobombus semenovianus Skorikov, 1914 (Williams 1991); Kashmir, Ladakh, Stakmo pass; 13 Jul. 1912; G. Jakobson leg.; ZIN (examined PW) .

Material sequenced (5 specimens)

PAKISTAN • 1 ♀ (worker); Karakorum, Holshal; 36.1962° N, 74.9496° E; BOLD seq: 1552E07; SEHU: ML187 • 1 ♀ (queen); Chitral, Tirich Valley; 36.3150° N, 71.9824° E; 27 Jul. 1984; W. Budenburg leg.; BOLD seq: 6877G11; PW: ML416 • 1 ♂; Ganokh; 34.7552° N, 76.2808° E; 4 Sep. 2017; S. Jaffar leg.; BOLD seq: 1555E10; UAP: ML258 • 1 ♂; upper Memosh; 34.7093° N, 76.1208° E; 5 Sep. 2017; S. Jaffar leg.; BOLD seq: 1555E11; UAP: ML259 • 1 ♂; same collection data as for preceding; BOLD seq: 6877H06; UAP: ML422 .

Global distribution

(West Himalayan mountain species) Himalaya: AFGHANISTAN, PAKISTAN, INDIA: Kashmir. (NHMUK, PW, SEHU, UAP, ZIN, ZSM.) The species is locally common.

Behaviour

Food-plant generalists (Williams 1991). Male mate-searching behaviour is poorly known (Williams 1991).