Eremapis, PARVULA OGLOBLIN

Rozen, Jerome G., 2011, Immatures of Exomalopsine Bees with Notes on Nesting Biology and a Tribal Key to Mature Larvae of Noncorbiculate, Nonparasitic Apinae (Hymenoptera: Apidae), American Museum Novitates 2011 (3726), pp. 1-52 : 17-18

EREMAPIS PARVULA OGLOBLIN

Figures 41–44

DIAGNOSIS: This is the smallest species treated here, and its mature larva can be distinguished from the others by the unique lamellate conditions of the mandibular cusp and by the presumed reduction of the ventral cuspal edge to a single large thumblike spine (figs. 41–44). The homologies of the various mandibular features identified in SEM micrographs with those of other exomalopsines seem logical but need verification.

Head: Integument with spicules on dorsal surface of maxilla and hypopharynx; epipharyngeal surface uneven, questionably with spicules, but if present fine and very short. Mandibular corium without spicules.

Antennal papilla conical, elongate, longer than basal diameter and nearly as long as maxillary palpus. Apex of labrum shallowly emarginated in frontal view; front surface of labrum with paired lobes scarcely evident.

Mandible as seen in inner view with upper and lower silhouettes tapering apically to slender, nearly parallel sided, heavily sclerotized apex terminating in acutely rounded dorsal tooth and somewhat shorter but similar ventral apical tooth; mandibular apex strongly rotated so that inner surface of apical concavity surface directed dorsally at apex (figs. 43, 44) basad to which it becomes ventral; dorsal apical edge of mandibular apex with large subapical tooth so close to terminal teeth that mandible appearing tridentate (figs. 41–43); basad of subapical tooth apical mandibular edge with another large tooth presumably indicating distal end of cusp (figs 41–44) of which dorsal edge strongly produced as heavily sclerotized thin edge (referred to as lamellate in key and elsewhere), irregular in silhouette, bearing several low rounded projections (possibly modified spines), basad to which it fuses with mandible; planar surface of other exomalopsines apparently so narrow as to become cuspal edge; single large, apically rounded spine arising from ventral side (figs. 43, 44) of cuspal edge presumably homolog of spines on lower cuspal edge of other exomalopsines, as suggested by its position and slight dorsal curve; outer mandibular surface without setae although possibly with alveoli. Labial palpus slightly shorter than maxillary palpus but thinner, about twice length of its basal diameter. Salivary opening with strongly projecting lips, its width wide but clearly less than distance between labial palpi. Hypopharynx spiculate lobes but configuration uncertain.

Body: Abdominal segment 10 with dorsolateral patch of very fine spicules and with fine setae or setiform sensilla below anus suggestive of similar setae in Emphorini . Intersegmental lines clearly evident on postdefecating larva; intrasegmental lines at most weakly apparent because of association with leading edge of dorsal tubercles; abdominal segment 9 produced ventrally far less on postdefecating larvae compare with predefecating form, as seen in lateral view. Spiracular subatrium consisting of about 12 chambers. Male with single median short transverse scar on apex of ventral protrusion of abdominal segment 9; sex characters of female unknown.

MATERIAL STUDIED: Numerous (10+) pre- and postdefecating larvae: Argentina: La Rioja Province: Guandacol, 42 km SW Unión, XI-29-93 (J.G. Rozen, P. Hazeldine).

REMARKS: Nesting biology of this species was first described by Neff (1984), and additional life history information is found below.

The presence of fine setae below the anus is a unique feature of Eremapis parvula compared with other Exomalopsini , but a similar arrangement of seta is found in the Emphorini ; this matter is considered further in Discussion of Immature Stages.

Figures

FIGURES 41–44. SEM micrographs of right mandible of Eremapis parvula showing presumed homologies of structures compared with those of Exomalopsis solidaginis and other exomalopsines. 41. Mandibular apex, ventral view. 42. Entire mandible, inner view from direction of arrow in figure 5 slightly from above. 43. Same, except viewed slightly from below, showing thinness of cuspal lamella and mandibular apex, as well as upturned apical concavity at apex. 44. Entire mandible ventral view.