Ensliniana bidentata (Friese)

Bogusch, Petr, 2023, European cuckoo bees of the tribe Dioxyini (Hymenoptera, Megachilidae): distribution, annotated checklist and identification key, Journal of Hymenoptera Research 96, pp. 599-628 : 599

Ensliniana bidentata (Friese)

Stelis bidentata Friese, 1899: 285.

Paradioxys pannonica var. rufipes Friese, 1899: 285.

Dioxys richaensis Friese, 1911: 139.

Dioxys bidentata Friese in Schulthess, 1924: 319.

Ensliniana cuspidata Alfken, 1938: 431.

Diagnosis.

Larger species, body length 7-10 mm. The only species of the genus recorded from Europe. It is typical by the characteristics of the genus; both sexes are generally similar to Dioxys species (Fig. 15A, B ) but lack axillar teeth (Fig. 15C ). T5 of females is shiny, and T6 and S6 are elongated with two lateral teeth, similar to Paradioxys pannonica (Fig. 15D ). P. pannonica differs in the black or dark brown colour of the entire body, with a reddish pattern only on the first three metasomal terga and distinct apical bands of whitish short appressed hair on the metasomal terga.

Distribution.

In Europe, only several specimens are known from Spain and Portugal (Ornosa and Ortiz-Sánchéz 2014; Torres 2020; Ascher and Pickering 2023) (Fig. 16 ). It was described from Israel (Jericho and Oran). Outside of Europe, it is known from Morocco, Algeria, Tunisia, Turkey, Syria, Israel and Jordan ( Grace 2010).

Biology and hosts.

This species probably occurs in open habitats - steppic grasslands, rocky slopes, semideserts and other habitats. Baldock et al. (2018) listed Hoplitis zaianorum (Benoist) as a likely host of this species.

Conservation status.

Nieto et al. (2014) classified this species as DD - data deficient. This species is known in Europe only from Spain and Portugal, where it was recorded both in the past and in recent years. It can be classified as VU - vulnerable because of its restricted distribution area in Europe.

Figures

Figure 15. Ensliniana bidentata A female, dorsal view B male, dorsal view C female, last metasomal segments, dorsal view D female, mesosoma, dorsal view E male, last metasomal segments, dorsal view. Red scale bars represent the length of 1 mm.

Figure 16. Ensliniana bidentata, distribution in Europe.