Neolarra, ASHMEAD

ROZEN, JEROME G., 2000, Pupal Descriptions of Some Cleptoparasitic Bees (Apidae), with a Preliminary Generic Key to Pupae of Cleptoparasitic Bees (Apoidea), American Museum Novitates 3289, pp. 1-1 : 1-

NEOLARRA ASHMEAD

Neolarra belongs to the monotypic tribe Neolarrini and is restricted to North America including Mexico. In her revision of the genus, Shanks ( 1977) recognized 14 species and two subgenera. She reported that all known hosts were species in the panurgine genus Perdita except for N. hurdi Shanks , which, she stated, parasitized nests of Calliopsis (Micronomadopsis) larreae (Timberlake) . She attributed this later association to me presumably because I had reported (Rozen, 1958: 54) a single individual of N. hurdi examining a nest entrance of C. larreae 18 miles west of Blythe, Riverside Co., California. I had no other indication that the Neolarra individual was attacking C. larreae ; no immatures of either presumed host or parasite were found. Rust ( 1988) reported no cleptoparasites in his study of the nesting biology of C. larreae , and recently, at the same site I had worked in the 1950s, I discovered a large nesting site of an unidentified Perdita around which numerous N. hurdi adults were searching the sand. Hence, I conclude that Neolarra is exclusively cleptoparasitic on species of Perdita so far as is now known.

Neolarra (Neolarra) californica Michener

Figures 1–3

DIAGNOSIS: The pupae of the two species of Neolarra described here are nearly identical and can be separated only on the basis of slight differences in the production of their axillae and mesoscutellum. They are easily distinguished from pupae of other Nomadinae sensu lato because of the single, long, setalike apex of the larger tubercles on the vertex and on most of the metasomal terga. These hairlike structures are longer than the tubercles themselves in Neolarra . In most other known pupae of the Nomadinae, vertical (if present) and tergal tubercles are sharply pointed, without a setalike apex (see references in McGinley, 1989; Roig­Alsina and Rozen, 1994; Rozen, 1989, 1992, 1994, and 1997a). The pupa of Holcopasites , described below, also has some cephalic tubercles with elongate apices, but some of these are hooked or zigzagged (fig. 5), unlike the straight or gently curved ones of Neolarra . The lack of tubercles on the mesoscutum, mesoscutellum, and the first metasomal tergum is also helpful in separating the genus in the pupal stage from pupae of many other Nomadinae.

HEAD: Integument without setae but with series of two small and several very small tubercles on each side; these tubercles each with elongate, setalike apex (fig. 1); elsewhere integument without tubercles but with some obscure patches of fine spicules that are not so dense or long as to appear velvety. Apex of clypeus without rounded, downward­projecting swelling on each side of labrum as in Ammobatini; labrum somewhat shorter than maximum width, its apex narrowly curved in frontal view; pupal ocelli moderately defined but not tuberculate; flagellomere not distinctly swollen apically. Mandibles vaguely swollen subapically both adorally and medially.

MESOSOMA: Integument in many areas finely spiculate but spiculation not velvety; setae absent. Lateral angles and posterior lobes of pronotum moderately produced, corresponding to those of adult. Mesepisternum without tubercles; mesoscutum without rounded or sharp tubercles or even verrucae; axillae unmodified, not elevated; mesoscu­

Fig. 4. Dorsal surface of mesothorax and metathorax, enlarged, lateral view, of pupa of N. (Phileremulus) vigilans .

Figs. 5, 6. Pupa of Holcopasites insoletus , right side, dorsal view, and entire body, lateral view, respectively, with sharply pointed tubercles of top of head and metasoma enlarged.

Scales (= 1.0 mm) refer to figs. 1 and 2, and to figs. 5 and 6, respectively.

tellum not produced, without tubercles; metanotum slightly produced, corresponding to that of adult. Tegula slightly produced, without tubercle(s); wings without tubercles. All coxae, trochanters, femora, and tarsi without tubercles; hind tibia with low, sharply point­ ed tubercles along outer surface.

METASOMA: Integument finely spiculate in some areas but spicules not long enough to be velvety; setae absent. T1 without transverse row of tubercles; T2–5 (female) and T2–6 (male) each with subapical row of tubercles, most of which bear single, elongate, setalike apex; T6 (female) and T7 (male) without tubercles. S3 and 4 (female) and S3– 5 (male) with a few very small apical tubercles (figs. 1, 2). Apex of metasoma produced as tapering, apically rounded, terminal spine as seen from above, below, or side (fig. 1). Spiracles present but obscure.

MATERIAL STUDIED: 1 female pupa, Cienega , Hidalgo Co., New Mexico, V­16­1987 (J. G. Rozen); 1 male and 1 female pupa, same except V­14­1987, from nest of Perdita luciae Cockerell (NEW HOST RECORD). Identified by comparison with adults collect­ ed at the same time .

REMARKS: These three pupae are nearly identical, displaying little variation (except for sex differences). They are reasonably well­preserved, although their metasomas have become distended, as can be seen in figure 1.

Neolarra (Phileremulus) vigilans (Cockerell) Figure 4

DIAGNOSIS: See Diagnosis for Neolarra californica , above.

HEAD, MESOSOMA, METASOMA: As described for Neolarra californica except for following: Labrum about as long as maximum width. Axillae produced as distinct lobes (accommodating pointed axillae of adult); mesoscutellum more produced relative to mesoscutum as seen in lateral profile (fig. 4), but without tubercles.

MATERIAL STUDIED: male, 1 female pupa, Fort Robinson , Dawes Co., Nebraska, VIII­ 12­1971 (J. G., B. L., and K. C. Rozen) from Perdita zebrata Cresson ? nest area. Identified by adults collected at the same time and

by features of the developing imago within the pupal exoskeleton.

Figures

Figs. 1–3. Pupa of Neolarra (Neolarra) californica. 1. Body, lateral view, with vertex enlarged to show tubercles with elongate, setalike apices. 2. Anterior part of body, right side, dorsal view. 3. Dorsal surface of mesothorax and metathorax, enlarged, lateral view.