Euaspis polynesia Vachal, 1904

Nalinrachatakan, Pakorn, Ascher, John S., Kasparek, Max, Traiyasut, Prapun, Thanoosing, Chawatat & Warrit, Natapot, 2023, A review of the anthidiine bees (Apoidea, Megachilidae) in Thailand, ZooKeys 1186, pp. 235-284 : 235

Euaspis polynesia Vachal, 1904

Fig. 10A-D

Stelis abdominalis Smith, 1858 (nec Fabricius 1793): 7. (♂) Holotype from Celebes [= Sulawesi] (OUMNH: Oxford University Museum, not examined).

Euaspis polyesia Vachal, 1903a: 97. (♀ nov., ♂), incorrectly labeled ( Baker 1995), replacement name of Stelis abdominalis Smith, 1858.

Euaspis polynesia Vachal, 1903b: 173, justified emendation.

Euaspis smithii Friese, 1904: 137, unnecessary replacement name.

Parevapis impressus Vierick, 1924: 745. (♀, ♂) Male holotype and female allotype from Surigao, Mindanao (USNM: United States National Museum, not examined).

Euaspis basalis chinensis Cockerell, 1930: 50. (♀, ♂). Female type and male cotype from Foochow, China (NHMUK, not examined).

Euaspis (Parevapis) polynesia Vachal: Popov 1933: 377.

Euaspis (Parevapis) polyesia Vachal: Pasteels 1980: 76-89, incorrectly labeled.

Euaspis polynesia Vachal: Baker 1995: 286-289; Soh et al. 2016: 55-56, figs 1, 6; Tran et al. 2016: 517-518, figs 7-10; Ghosh et al. 2023: 193-196, fig. 1.

Material examined.

43 (20♀, 23♂). Thailand : 1♀ , Chainat (new record) [with obscured label] (KKIC); 1♀, Chanthaburi, Makam District, 25 May 2015, N. Chattanabun (CUNHM: BSRU-AA-4458); Chiang Mai, Chom Thong District, Ban Luang Subdistrict, Doi Inthanon National Park, Ban Mae Klang Luang, Tourist Station , 1♀, (18°32'2.8"N, 98°32'55"E, alt. 1015 m), 16 Jun. 2019, N. Warrit et al., on Cuphea hyssopifolia K. [ Lythraceae ] (CUNHM: BSRU-AA-7927); 1♀, (18°32'28.4"N, 98°32'57.2"E, alt. 1020 m), 26 Oct. 2020, T. Srimaneeyanon et al. (CUNHM: BSRU-AB-1372), Chiang Mai, Chom Thong District, Ban Luang Subdistrict, Doi Inthanon National Park , Ban Mae Klang Luang . 2♂, (18°32'12.17"N, 98°32'48.99"E, alt. 1,056 m), 17 Feb. 2021, Srimaneeyanon et al. (CUNHM: BSRU-AB-2810, 2843), 1♀ 2♂, (18°32'29.7"N, 98°32'1.2"E, alt. 1,033 m), 01:00-05:00PM, 7 May 2021, T. Srimaneeyanon et al. (CUNHM: ♀ BSRU-AB-3459, ♂ BSRU-AB-3548, 3550), 1♀ 2♂, (18°32'29.6"N, 98°33'01.4"E, alt. 1,012 m), 30 Aug. 2021, T. Srimaneeyanon et al. (CUNHM: ♀ BSRU-AB-4153, ♂ BSRU-AB-4154, 4155). Chiang Mai, Chom Thong District, Ban Luang Subdistrict, Doi Inthanon National Park , Mae Klang Waterfall , 1♀, (18°29'40.70"N, 98°40'01.95"E, alt. 330 m), 18 Feb. 2021, T. Srimaneeyanon et al. (CUNHM: BSRU-AB-3056), 1♀, (18°29'33.2"N, 98°40'13.1"E, alt. 319 m), 8 May 2021, T. Srimaneeyanon et al. (CUNHM: BSRU-AB-3320). 1♀, Chiang Mai, Mae Rim District, Pong Yaeng Subdistrict, Queen Sirikit Botanic Garden , 21 Aug. 2016, Aerial net, N. Chatthanabun (CUNHM: BSRU-AB-1782); Kanchanaburi (new record) , 1♀, Tha Sao Dist., Hellfire pass interpretive centre (14°21'4.1472"N, 98°57'23.5476"E, alt. 240 m), 17 Dec. 2021, S. Deowanish et al. (CUNHM: BSRU-AB-5493) . 1♀, 1♂, Sai Yok District, Wang Krachae Subdistrict (14°11'6.5724"N, 99°3'6.9258"E, alt. 102.3 m), 24 Jun. 2016, N. Warrit et al. (CUNHM: BSRU-AA-4480, 4483) ; 1♂, Mukdahan (new record), Mueang District (16°34'11.4630"N, 104°43'47.1426"E, alt. 139 m), 18 Jan. 2017, N. Warrit et al. (CUNHM: BSRU-AA-4903); Nakhon Pathom (new record) , 1♀, Kamphaeng Saen District , 8 Jul. 2003, Subat (KKIC) . 1♀, 21 Nov 2002, Pornwat (KKIC). 2♂, (13°44'58.3908"N, 99°52'33.1242"E, alt. 14 m), 10 Jul. 2015, N. Warrit et al. (CUNHM: BSRU-AA4466, 4467). 2♀, KU Kamphaengsaen Campus, Insect Park (14°02'18.1500"N, 99°58'56.5016"E, alt. 3 m), 29 Jul. 2015, N. Warrit et al. (CUNHM: BSRU-AA-4476, 4477) ; 6♂, Phayao (new record), Mueang District, Maeka Subdistrict, Phayao University (19°1'31.45"N, 99°53'24.17"E, alt. 558 m), 1 Jun. 2012, W. Suwannarak et al. (CUNHM: BSRU-AA-4446, 4448, 4450, 4463, 4464, 4465) ; 1♀, Phetchabun (new record), Lomsak District, Bungkla Subdistrict (18°15'N, 103°58'E, alt. 162 m), 18 Oct. 2009, K. Attasopa & P. Phukphume (CUNHM: BSRU-AA-4442) ; 1♀, Phetchaburi (new record), Kang Kra Chan District , 18 Apr. 2012, C. Rungsri (CUNHM: BSRU-AA-4443); Ratchaburi (new record) , 1♀, Jom Bung District , 26 May 2012, N. Warrit & W. Suwannaruk (CUNHM: BSRU-AA-4453) . 2♂, Ratchaburi, Suan Phueng District, Pasutara resort (13°31'5.9226"N, 99°20'51.6366"E, alt. 104.71 m), 2 Aug. 2019, P. Senawong et al. (CUNHM: BSRU-AB-0764, 0765); Saraburi (new record) , 1♂, Kaeng Khoi District, Chula-Saraburi (14°31'3"N, 101°1'41"E, alt. 43 m), 15 Aug. 2015, N. Warrit et al. (CUNHM: BSRU-AA-4481) . 1♀, (14°31'23.4300"N, 101°1'43.5216"E, alt. 52.89 m), 13 Oct. 2018, N. Warrit et al. (CUNHM: BSRU-AB-0154); 2♂, Trang, Na Yong District (7°33'8.0892"N, 99°46'33.6072"E, alt. 24 m), 11 Jun. 2015, N. Warrit et al. (CUNHM: BSRU-AA-4457, 4459); Ubonratchathani (new record) , 1♂, Khueng Nai District, Ko Ae Subdistrict, Ubon Rachathani Rajabhat Univ. Faculty of Agriculture , 30 Aug. 2020, P. Traiyasut et. al. (CUNHM: BSRU-AB-1704) , 1♂, Na Chaluai District, Phu Chong Na Yoi National Park (14°26'4.98"N, 105°15'31.04"E, alt. 269 m), 23 Jan. 2015, N. Warrit et. al. (CUNHM: BSRU-AA-4460) , 1♀, Na Chaluai District, Phu Chong Na Yoi National Park, Pa Lan Pa Chad (14°26'5.36"N, 105°15'39.92"E, alt. 280 m), 27-29 Sep. 2020, P. Traiyasut et. al. (CUNHM: BSRU-AB-1704) .

Distribution.

China (Anhui, Fujian, Gansu, Guangdong, Hebei, Hunan, Jiangsu, Jiangxi, Shangdong, Xizang, Yunnan, Zhejiang), Hong Kong, Indonesia (Bali, Bangka Island, Engano Island, Java, Maluku Islands [Ambon, Buru, Kai islands], Sebesi Island, Sumatra, Sulawesi), India (Arunachal Pradesh), Japan (Okinawa Prefecture), Laos (Xiengkhouang), Malaysia (Kedah, Kelantan, Melaka, Penang, Perak, Selangor), Myanmar (Shan State, Tenasserim, Yangon), Nepal (Kathmandu), Philippines (Luzon, Mindanao), Singapore, Taiwan (Pingtung), Thailand (Chiang Mai, Chainat (new record), Kanchanaburi (new record), Loei, Mukdahan (new record), Nakhon Pathom (new record), Pattani, Phayao (new record), Phetchabun (new record), Phetchaburi (new record), Ratchaburi (new record), Saraburi (new record), Satun, Songkhla (new record), Surat Thani, Trang (new record), Ubon Ratchathani (new record)), Vietnam (Bak Kan, Dak Lak, Dak Nong, Dien Bien, Hoa Binh, Phu Tho, Son La, Thanh Hoa, Vinh Phuc).

Most of the previous records were documented by Baker (1995) and Pasteels (1980). The species is widely distributed in Eastern Asia, especially in South-east Asia, where Soh et al. (2016), Tran et al. (2016), and Ghosh et al. (2023) reported additional distribution records.

Diagnosis.

This Euaspis species has an entirely reddish metasoma, while the prosoma and mesosoma are all black; face with longitudinal carina and a median longitudinal ridge; clypeus with uniform punctation; punctures on the scutellum looser and coarser than on the scutum; scutellum large, strongly produced posteriorly, apicomedially with a depressed area; female S6 acute, with a median carina, without a distinct basal area (Fig. 10D ); male S6 without emargination at the margin; male genitalia with the apical lamina with a length less than twice its width.

Floral associations.

A female collected from Chiang Mai was wandering on the inflorescences of "Tropical whiteweed" Ageratum conyzoides L. ( Asteraceae ), “Black-Jack” Bidens pilosa (L.) Benth. ( Asteraceae ), and "Mexican heather" Cuphea hyssopifolia K. ( Lythraceae ). For Singapore, Soh et al. (2016) reported that Eu. polynesia visits the flowers of Averrhoa carambola L. ( Oxalidaceae ), Grammatophyllum speciosum Blume ( Orchidaceae ), Muntingia calabura L. ( Muntingiaceae ), and Premna serratifolia L. ( Lamiaceae ). They also mention Cordia cylindristachya (Ruiz & Pav.) Roem. & Schult. ( Boraginaceae ) and Antigonon leptopus Hook. & Arn. ( Polygonaceae ), of which the latter genus was also given by Baker (1995). The recent study from India by Ghosh et al. (2023) found Eu. polynesia nectaring on Fagopyrum esculentum Moench ( Polygonaceae ).

Host-parasite relationship.

Bingham (1897) noted a single male of Eu. polynesia accessing the nest of Megachile disjuncta (Fabricius, 1781). Since the female generally takes on the parasitizing task, this must not be the direct act of the invasion for parasitisation, but the reason remains unknown.

Remarks.

Euaspis polynesia is the most common anthidiine bees in Thailand, exhibiting a size range, with the females ranging 9.0-13.1 mm and the males 6.2-12.1 mm. As a cleptoparasitic bee, its occurrence seems to follow the distribution of its hosts, especially Megachile disjuncta (see Baker 1995), which is very common and widely distributed in Thailand. Thus M. disjuncta is a megachilid species with most individuals curated at the CUNHM (i.e., 102 specimens curated, from 905 Megachilidae specimens). All 11 Euaspis localities in the CUNHM database ( Nalinrachatakan et al. 2021a) have been associated with bees from the genus Megachile (at least 7 subgenera were identified). Aethomegachile (8 localities) and Callomegachile (8) contributed the most, e.g., M. (Ca.) umbripennis (6), M. (Ca.) disjuncta (5), and M. (A.) laticeps (6). Other notable species belonged to M. (Creightonella) fraterna (5), and another cleptoparasitic bee genus Coelioxys was also found in eight of 11 occasions. This information shows that both Euaspis and Coelioxys may have a wide range of their candidate host, and there is the possibility of overlap or of having an evolutionary pressure on each other that cannot be ignored, as both genera were reported to come with different brood-parasitizing strategies ( Litman et al. 2016; Litman 2019).

A probable new species of Euaspis from Singapore ( Soh et al. 2016) is superficially similar to Eu. polynesia , but mostly differs in the terminalia, apical terga coloration, and with a pale mark on the scutellum margin, while their genitalia are superficially similar. Further studies and molecular evidence are required to resolve this taxonomic conundrum.

Figures

Figure 10. Females of Euaspis polynesia Vachal, 1904 (BSRU-AA- 4453) (A - D) and Euaspis strandi Meyer, 1922 (BSRU-AA- 4470) (E-H) A, E lateral habitus B, F face C, G mesosoma including the scutellum D, H S 6, with a white dash line indicating boundary of the median elevated area in the left. Scale bars: 2 mm (A, C, E, G); 1 mm (B, D, F, H).