Species in the subgenus Schonnherria are small (15 mm) to moderately large bees (~24 mm), often with metallic highlights on all tagmata. Schonnherria can be distinguished from all other New World subgenera of Xylocopa by the following combination of characters: female mandible bidentate (except tridentate in X. viridigastra Lepeletier de Saint Fargeau, 1841), with apical tooth about as broad as or broader than basal tooth; T1 with complete gradulus on both sexes, remaining terga with gradulus absent (except in the male of X. bambusae with gradulus also on T2); male genitalia with a large spine of the ventral margin of the gonocoxite and the apex of the gonostylus bifid.

The female of this species can be easily distinguished from other Argentinean species of Schonnherria by the following combination of characters: small body size (body length 14–17 mm); integument dark brown to black throughout, without metallic highlights; clypeus flat in profile, not elevated from adjacent paraocular area; clypeoalveollar distance long, about twice as long as longitudinal diameter of antennal socket; frontal carina projected into a distinct tubercle just above or at the upper tangent of anntenal sockets (Fig. 1); vertex and metasomal terga with large impunctate areas (Fig. 13); wings dark brown with weak coppery highlights basally, violet distally. The male can be easily recognized by the following combination of characters: small body size as in the female; body pubescence long, dense (obscuring integument in most areas), yellowish to reddish brown; supraclypeal area with a distinct tuft of long, erect, dense setae obscuring integument (Fig. 7); T1–T5 dark reddish brown, each with a distinct, broad, median yellow maculation on disc, sides and distal margins (inmaculate areas) densely covered by long, dense dark brown setae (Fig. 19). The female of this species superficially resembles X. splendidula and other small species of Schonnherria such as X. lucida Smith and X. muscaria (Fabricius) (not occurring in Argentina); however, those species have distinct metallic blue highlights on the body as well as different patterns in the punctation, pubescence, and wing coloration. The supraclypeal tuft of setae and pale maculations on the metasomal terga of the male of X. bambusae are so distinctive and unique among species of Schonnherria that these characters have been used to justify its recognition in a different subgenus.

Figures 1–6. 

Faces of females of Xylocopa subgenus Schonnherria from Argentina. 1 X. bambusae 2 X. macrops 3 X. pulchra 4 X. simillima 5 X. splendidula 6 X. viridis. Scale bars: 1 mm.

Figures 7–12. 

Faces of males of Xylocopa subgenus Schonnherria from Argentina. 7 X. bambusae 8 X. chrysopoda 9 X. macrops 10 X. simillima 11 X. splendidula 12 X. viridis. Scale bars: 1 mm.

Figures 13–18. 

Dorsal view of metasoma of females of Xylocopa subgenus Schonnherria from Argentina. 13 X. bambusae 14 X. macrops 15 X. pulchra 16 X. simillima 17 X. splendidula 18 X. viridis. Scale bars: 2 mm.

Figures 19–24. 

Dorsal view of metasoma of males of Xylocopa subgenus Schonnherria from Argentina. 19 X. bambusae 20 X. chrysopoda 21 X. macrops 22 X. simillima 23 X. splendidula 24 X. viridis. Scale bars: 2 mm.

Body length 15.9 (14.0–17.3); head length 4.2 (3.9–4.4); head width 4.9 (4.6–5.0); mesosoma width 5.7 (5.2–6.0); metasoma width 6.5 (5.8–6.8); forewing length 13.2 (12.3–13.7); forewing width 3.8 (3.6–4.0). Coloration. Integument dark reddish brown to black throughout, without metallic highlights, light brown on anterior face of F2–F9 and impunctate distal margins of metasomal terga and sterna. Wings dark brown with coppery highlights basally, golden iridescent. Pubescence. Dark brown to black. Head with scattered setae on vertex, gena, and clypeus distally (Fig. 1). Mesosoma with abundant, plumose setae except nearly asetose on discs of mesoscutum and mesoscutellum. T1 with scattered plumose setae on basal half, scattered, very short simple setae on distal half; T2–T4 medially with very short, simple setae, each seta barely exiting puncture; T3–T6 with long setae laterally; T5 with short (~1.0× OD), simple setae on disc; T6 with dense, long, both simple and plumose setae (Fig. 13); sterna with longer, denser, semierect setae than on terga. Sculpturing. Weakly imbricate to smooth and shiny. Vertex and upper gena largely impunctate, punctures small and scattered. Mesoscutum with scattered, coarse punctures on anterior margin and lateral to parapsidal lines, impunctate otherwise; mesoscutellum largely impunctate, with large, scattered punctures on disc. Metasomal terga with circular to ovoid punctures as large and coarse as those on mesoscutellum, most punctures separated by at least two times a puncture width, punctures denser laterally and on T5; sterna with elongate punctures on discs, punctures contiguous laterally, becoming sparser medially. Structure. Head broader than long (1.1–1.2:1); compound eyes with inner margins parallel; proportion of upper to lower interocular distance 1:1; middle interocular distance 2.9–3.0; vertex broad, distance between median ocellus and posterior margin of vertex 3.2–4.3 OD; orbitoccipital distance 0.75–0.85; lateral ocelli on supraorbital line; interocellar distance to ocelocular distance 1.0–1.3:1; interocellar to ocelloccipital 0.7–0.9:1; ocellocular to alveolocellar 0.6–0.7:1; orbitoccipital to ocellocular 1.1–1.3:1; alveolocular to interalveolar 0.9–1.1:1; clypeoalveolar distance long, about twice as long as longitudinal diameter of antennal socket; clypeocellar distance to distance between median ocellus and posterior margin of vertex 1.2–1.3:1; frontal carina projected into a distinct tubercle just above or at the upper tangent of anntenal sockets; clypeus broader than long, 2.0–2.4:1; proportion of length of scape, pedicel and F1–F4: 2.5–2.9:0.3–0.4:1:0.3–0.4:0.3–0.4:0.4, respectively; labrum broader than long, with three basal tubercles, median tubercle distinct, longitudinally enlongate, sublateral tubercles small, obscured by pubescence. Mesoscutellum gently convex; metanotum and propodeum obliquely inclined.

As in the female, except for usual secondary sexual characters and as follows: body length 15.9 (15.0–16.7); head length 3.5 (3.5–3.6); head width 4.4 (4.4–4.6); mesosoma width 6.3 (6.0–6.6); metasoma width 6.6 (6.0–7.0); forewing length 11.6 (11.0–12.7); forewing width 3.6 (3.4–3.8). Coloration. Cream to yellowish maculations as follows: labrum, mandible basally, clypeus, supraclypeal area, paraocular area (except on upper one-third), anterior surface of flagellum (Fig. 7), outer surface of profemur basally, outer surfaces of protarsi, and discs of T1–T6 (maculations narrower on apical terga, sometimes absent on T4–T6) (Fig. 19). Wings subhyaline, yellowish with faint coppery highlights. Pubescence. Longer, denser than on female, yellowish to reddish brown, darker on face, vertex, sides of mesoscutum, mesoscutellum, metanotum, and inmaculate areas of terga (Fig. 19); supraclypeal area with a distinct tuft of long, erect, dense setae obscuring integument (Fig. 7); discs of mesoscutum and mesoscutellum asetose; maculated areas of terga with scattered erect setae. Sculpturing. Vertex and gena more densely punctate than in female, punctures separated by 1–2 times a puncture width; tegula impunctate, smooth and shiny on disc, otherwise dull, punctate (1–2 times a puncture width). Metasomal terga densely punctate (a puncture width or less) on inmaculated areas, including distal margins; punctures scattered on maculated areas. Structure. Middle interocular distance 2.0–2.1; distance between median ocellus and posterior margin of vertex 2.2–2.9 OD; orbitoccipital distance 0.4–0.6; interocellar to ocelocular distance 2.3–3:1; interocellar to ocelloccipital 1.2–1.4:1; ocellocular to alveolocellar 0.2–0.4:1; orbitoccipital to ocellocular 1.7–2.2:1; alveolocular to interalveolar 0.8–0.9:1; clypeoalveolar distance 1.5× longitudinal diameter of antennal socket; clypeocellar distance to distance between median ocellus and posterior margin of head 1.3–1.6:1; frontal carina strongly elevated, short 0.7–0.8, not tuberculiform as in female; clypeus broader than long, 1.5–1.6:1; proportion of length of scape, pedicel and F1–F4: 2.5–2.7:0.3–0.4:1:0.4:0.4:0.4. Mesoscutellum nearly flat, exposed, along same inclined plane with metanotum and base of propodeum; protrochanter with distinc spine; ventral surface of metatrochanter and metafemur basally glabrous, distinctly protuberant. Genitalia as in Figs 25, 30, 35, 40.

Figures 25–30. 

Genital capsule of males of Xylocopa subgenus Schonnherria from Argentina. All figures in dorsal view except Fig. 30 in ventral view. 25, 30 X. bambusae 26 X. chrysopoda 27 X. macrops 28 X. splendidula 29 X. viridis. Abbreviations: lc = lateral carina of penis valve; vp: ventroapical plate of gonocoxite.

Figures 31–34. 

Ventral view of genital capsules of males of Xylocopa subgenus Schonnherria from Argentina. 31 X. chrysopoda 32 X. macrops 33 X. splendidula 34 X. viridis.

Figures 35–44. 

Dorsal (35–39) and ventral (40–44) views of apex of gonostylus and penis valve of males of Xylocopa subgenus Schonnherria from Argentina. 35, 40 X. bambusae 36, 41 X. chrysopoda 37, 42 X. macrops 38, 43 X. splendidula 39, 44 X. viridis.

This species is also known from Brazil and Paraguay (Table 1). In Argentina it has only been recorded from the province of Misiones, which is included in the Paranaense biogeographic province (Fig. 57).

Hurd and Moure (1961: 186–187) designated a male and a female syntype as the lectotype of X. eburnea and X. bellula, respectively. In both cases Hurd and Moure (1961) unambiguously selected a specimen, provided information on the label data and repository collection, and clearly designated it as the sole name-bearing specimen, thus complying with the ICZN, Article 74. Such lectotypes designations appear to have been missed by Moure (2007: 673) who indicated syntypes for both species. The lectotype designation is valid for X. eburnea because Friese clearly mentions the existence of several males and females in the original description. However, the lectotype designation is unnecessary for X. bellula because Bréthes indicated a single female in the original description, which is currently housed at MACN. This specimen has a locality label that reads “Misiones, XII-1911, Abel Muniez”, a label in Bréthes’ handwriting and a holotype label [probably added recently]. Two other females, each bearing a locality label that reads “Misiones”, are also found with that specimen; one of them bears a lectotype label. Perhaps because of the additional two specimens, Moure and Hurd (1961) thought of them as syntypes and designated as lectotype the female collected on 1911. Curiously, the lectotype label is not found in that specimen but in one of the two additional females. To avoid further confusion, we added a red label with the following note to the type: ‘This is the true type as indicated in Bréthes’ (1913) original description. M. Lucia & V.H. Gonzalez 2015’.

Despite actively searching for nests as well as specimens of this species in insect collections and in the field, the only specimens available to us were those collected by Peter Jörgensen at different times of the year in Misiones during the first decade of 1900 (see supplemental material). The species has not been collected ever since. The nesting biology of this X. bambusae is unknown, although it presumably nests in bamboo stalks (Schrottky 1902).

This species is known only from the male. It can be distinguished from other Argentinean species of Schonnherria by the following combination of characters: small body size (body length 17.0–17.7); integument dark brown to black throughout, at most with faint metallic highliths on metasomal terga; compound eyes not enlarged, parallel or nearly so (Fig. 8); metasomal terga uniformly punctate, punctures separated by 1–2 times a puncture width, with distinctly long (≥ 2.0 OD) setae on discs (Fig. 20).

Body length 17.3 (17.0–17.7); head length 3.5 (3.5–3.6); head width 4.4; mesosoma width 6.0; metasoma width 6.7 (6.6–6.8); forewing length 14; forewing width 3.5 (3.4–3.6). Coloration. Integument dark brown to black except tarsi light reddish brown and cream to yellow maculations as follows: outer surface of mandible (except margins), clypeus, supraclypeal area basally, and paraocular area (except on upper one-third) (Fig. 8). Wings sybhyaline, yellowish, with weak coppery highlights. Pubescence. Long, dense, predominantly yellowish, setae dark brown to black on vertex, metafemur basally, dorsal surface of metatibia, and discs of T2–T7 (variably mixed with yellowish setae) (Fig. 20). Sculpturing. Integument largely imbricate among punctures, nearly smooth and shiny on outer surface of mandible, labrum, maculate areas of face, and discs of mesoscutum and mesocutellum. Upper paraocular area, frons, and interocellar area with coarse, contiguous punctures; vertex and gena with punctures sparser than on upper paraocular area. Discs of mesoscutum and mesoscutellum largely impunctate, otherwise punctures shallower than and about as dense as those on vertex. Discs of metasomal terga uniformly punctate, setiferous punctures circular to ovoid, separated by 1–2 times a puncture width, distal margins impunctate (Fig. 20); sterna more densely punctate than on terga. Structure. Head broader than long (1.2–1.3:1); compound eyes not enlarged, parallel or nearly so (Fig. 8); proportion of upper to lower interocular distance 0.9–1:1; upper interocular distance 6.3–6.9× OD; middle interocular distance 2.60; distance between median ocellus and posterior margin of vertex 2.6–2.7 OD; orbitoccipital distance 0.60; lateral ocelli on supraorbital line; interocellar distance to ocelocular distance 1.2–1.3:1; interocellar to ocelloccipital 0.5–1.1:1; ocellocular to alveolocellar 0.5–0.6:1; orbitoccipital to ocellocular 1.2–1.5:1; alveolocular to interalveolar 1.1–1.2:1; clypeoalveolar distance 1.5 times longitudinal diameter of antennal socket; clypeocellar distance to distance between median ocellus and posterior margin of head 1.4–1.5:1; frontal carina elevated, short 0.8–0.9; clypeus broader than long, 0.6:1; proportion of length of scape, pedicel and F1–F4: 2.3:0.4:1:0.4:0.5:0.6, respectively. Mesoscutellum nearly flat, exposed, along same inclined plane with metanotum and base of propodeum; metatibia apically swollen on inner surface. Genitalia as in Figs 26, 31, 36, 41.

Unknown.

This species is known only from Brazil and the province of Misiones in Argentina, the latter area included in the Paranaense biogeographic province (Fig. 58).

Schrottky (1912) suggested that X. chrysopoda may be the male of X. pulchra, a species currently known from the female sex. As for X. bambusae, these two species are rarely collected and are currently known from a limited number of specimens. We did not collect nor examine specimens of X. chrysopoda from Argentina captured in the last 100 years.

The female of this species can be distinguished from other Argentinean species of Schonnherria by the following combination of characters: medium-sized bees (18–22 mm); body pubescence black; integument black throughout with very weak metallic blue, often most evident on mesoscutum, tegula, outer surfaces of pro- and mesotibiae, and metasomal terga; clypeus depressed basally on disc, dorsolaterally elevated from adjacent paraocular area (Fig. 2); vertex, behind lateral ocelli, with coarse punctures separated by 1–2 times a puncture width; metasomal terga sparsely punctate, punctures coarse and separated by at least two times a puncture width (Fig. 14); wings black with metallic green and violet highlights. The male can be easily recognized by the following combination of characters: compound eyes enlarged, strongly convergent dorsally (Fig. 9); meso- and metasoma with distinct metallic blue highlights; metasoma sparsely punctate with very short setae, each seta barely exiting puncture; discs of S2–S6 each with sublateral yellow maculation. The female of this species superficially resembles that of X. simillima and X. dimidiata Latreille (not occurring in Argentina, see below) in the body size and black color of the integument, pubescence and wings. However, it can be separated from both species primarily by the midbasal tubercle of the labrum and the shape of clypeus. In those species the labrum has a single, large, capitate tubercle and the disc of the clypeus is flat. In X. macrops the labrum has three tubercles, a longitudinally elongated median tubercle and two small sublateral tubercles, and the clypeus is basally depressed, dorsolaterally elevated from adjacent paraocupar area. The male can be confused with that of X. splendidula by the compound eyes strongly convergent dorsally and the blue metallic highlights of the metasoma. However, in X. macrops the metafemur is distinctly modified, with the ventral margin strongly protuberant, the metabasitarsus is robust and shorter than the metatibia. In X. splendidula both the metafemur and metabasitarsus are unmodified, and the latter is longer than the metatibia; also, yellow maculations are absent from the labrum and discs of the sterna (present in X. macrops).

Body length 19.6 (18.3–21.7); head length 5.1 (4.8–5.4); head width 6.1 (5.8–6.4); mesosoma width 6.6 (6.2–7.0); metasoma width 7.6 (7.2–8.0); forewing length 15.9 (15.0–17.3); forewing width 4.8 (4.4–5.4). Coloration. Integument dark reddish brown to black with weak metallic blue-green highlights, particularly on mesoscutum and metasomal terga. Wing dark brown to black with metallic violet-green highlights. Pubescence. Predominantly black, except by pale setae intermixed with black setae on face and sides of T4–T6 and S4–S6 (sometimes absent). Head with abundant setae, scattered on gena. Mesosoma with abundant, plumose setae, nearly asetose on discs of mesoscutum and mesoscutellum. T1 with plumose setae on basal half, with very short simple setae on distal half, each seta barely exiting puncture; T2–T5 with short setae as on distal half of T1, setae longer and denser on sides of T5 and T6 (Fig. 14); sterna with longer setae than on terga, setae progressively becoming denser and longer towards apical segments. Sculpturing. Weakly imbricate to smooth and shiny. Clypeus with dorsolateral elevated area impunctate; vertex sparsely punctate, punctures denser behind lateral ocellus (1–2 times a puncture width), becoming sparser and shallower on upper gena. Mesoscutum with coarse, sparse punctures as on vertex along anterior margin and lateral to pasapsidal lines, impunctate otherwise; mesoscutellum largely impunctate on anterior half. Metasomal terga with circular to ovoid punctures smaller than those on posterior half of mesoscutellum, punctures separated by 2–3 times a puncture width, denser and elongated on T5 (Fig. 14). Structure. Head broader than long (1.1–1.3:1); compound eyes with inner margins parallel; proportion of upper to lower interocular distance 0.8–0.9:1; middle interocular distance 3.7–4.0; vertex broad, distance between median ocellus and posterior margin of vertex 3.7–4.1 times OD; orbitoccipital distance 0.7–0.9; lateral ocelli below supraorbital line; interocellar distance to ocelocular distance 0.8–1.0:1; interocellar to ocelloccipital 0.5–0.6:1; ocellocular to alveolocellar 0.6–0.8:1; orbitoccipital to ocellocular 0.8–1:1; alveolocular to interalveolar 1.0–1.2:1; clypeoalveolar distance short, about as long as longitudinal diameter of antennal socket; clypeocellar distance to distance between median ocellus and posterior margin of vertex 0.8–1:1; frontal carina elevated and forming a low tubercle near lower tangent of antennal sockets, continuing dorsally into a low carina (Fig. 2); clypeus broader than long, 2.1–2.3:1, depressed basally on disc, dorsolaterally elevated from adjacent paraocular area; supraclypeal area depressed on disc, laterally elevated from adjacent paraocular area; proportion of length of scape, pedicel and F1–F4: 2.9–3.5:0.3–0.4:1:0.3–0.4: 0.4–0.5:0.4–0.5, respectively; labrum broader than long, with three basal tubercles, median tubercle distinct, longitudinally elongate, sublateral tubercles small, obscured by pubescence. Mesoscutellum gently convex; metanotum and propodeum vertical.

As in the female, except for usual secondary sexual characters and as follows: body length 21.6 (20.7–22.7); head length 5.1 (4.9–5.4); head width 6.2 (6.0–6.4); mesosoma width 7.3 (7.0–7.6); metasoma width 7.7 (7.2–8.0); forewing length 15.5 (14.3–16.0); forewing width 4.1 (4.0–4.4). Coloration. Integument with distinct metallic blue-green highlights. Cream to yellow maculations as follows: labrum, mandible basally (sometimes absent), clypeus, supraclypeal area, inferior paraocular area, anterior surface of scape, and discs of S2–S6 each with sublateral, triangular maculation (sometimes absent on S2, S5 and S6). Wings hyaline to subhyaline with weak golden highlights. Pubescense. Longer and denser than on female, predominantly whitish, except dark brown to black on: interocelar area, vertex, pronotal lobe, metepisternum, propodeum, procoxa, inner surfaces of profemur and protarsi, remaining legs excluding posterior margin of metatibia, sides of T1, T5, T6, sides of sterna, and discs of S4–S6. White pubescence on T1 dense, nearly obscuring integument. Sculpturing. Coarser and denser than in female, particularly on sides of mesoscutum and mesoscutellum, and terga (Fig. 21). Structure. Compound eyes strongly converging dorsally, proportion of upper to lower interocular distance 0.1–0.2:1; upper interocular distance 0.5–0.8 times OD; middle interocular distance 2.0–2.2; distance between median ocellus and posterior margin of vertex 3.6–4.2 OD; orbitoccipital distance absent due to enlargement of eyes; lateral ocelli well below supraorbital line; interocellar distance to ocelocular distance 4.0–9.0:1; interocellar to ocelloccipital 0.2–0.3:1; ocellocular to alveolocellar 0.1:1; orbitoccipital to ocellocular reduced, alveolocular to interalveolar 0.4–0.6:1; clypeocellar distance to distance between median ocellus and posterior margin of vertex 0.5–0.6:1; clypeus broader than long, 1.5–1.7:1; proportion of length of scape, pedicel and F1–F4: 3.0–3.2:0.3–0.4:1:0.2–0.3:0.3–0.4:0.4–0.5, respectively. Legs robust; mesobasitarsus shorter than mesotibia; metacoxa and metatrochanter toothed; metafemur protuberant ventrally; metatibia with distinct cavity distally on inner surface bordered by two spinous projections, inner projection triangular, short, outer projection broader than and about as long as tibial spur; metabasitarsus robus, shorter than metatibia. Genitalia as in Figs 27, 32, 37, 42.

This species appears to be widely distributed in South America, occuring from Colombia to Brazil (Table 1). We examined or collected specimens from the following nine provinces in Argentina (Fig. 55): Buenos Aires, Chaco, Corrientes, Entre Ríos, Formosa, Misiones, Salta, Santa Fe, and Tucumán. Hurd (1978) also recorded this species from Jujuy and Santiago del Estero. It occurs in the following biogeographic provinces: Chaqueña, Pampeana, Paranaense, and Yungas.

Maidl (1912) described X. boops based on a single male from an unspecified location in Brazil. The species was later listed by Hurd (1978) from Tafi, Province of Tucuman, Argentina. We examined the type specimen currently deposited at NMW (Figs 49–52) as well as the male specimen from Argentina deposited at USNM. Both specimens closely agree with X. macrops in all morphologically external characters, including the genitalia, except by the size of their compound eyes. In these specimens the eyes are extremely large and convergent above so that their upper margins are nearly in contact dorsally (Figs 49, 50). Such upper interorbital distance is about 0.23 times OD in the type of X. boops whereas it ranges from 0.54–0.72 times OD in specimens of X. macrops (n = 10). The shapes of the gonocoxite, apex of gonostylus, and lateral carina of the penis valve, which have proven to be reliable in species recognition in Schonnherria (Figs 25–44), are identical between X. boops and X. macrops. Thus, it seems to us that X. boops was described from an individual of X. macrops with unusually large eyes and we have decided not to recognize this species. Here it is synonymized under X. macrops.

Hurd (1978: 25) listed X. subcyanea Pérez from Misiones and Torreta et al. (2010) from Paraná, province of Entre Rios. We were not able to capture or find any specimen of this species from Argentina in the field or in the collections we visited. However, a single female of X. macrops deposited at MACN and labeled “Paraná, Noviembre, n° 190”, was erroneously identified as X. subcyanea. Likewise, the two female specimens recorded by Torreta et al. (2010) as X. subcyanea (deposited at FAUBA) turned out to be X. macrops. Thus, it appears that records of this species for Argentina are misidentified specimens. We examined the type of X. subcyanea currently deposited at MNHN and also examined specimens of this species from Brazil. The female of X. subcyanea can be distinguished from that of X. macrops by the upper gena densely punctate (largely impunctate in X. macrops), disc of clypeus flat, uniformly punctate (largely impunctate and depressed basally in X. macrops), punctures of terga elongate, dense (punctures circular and sparse in X. macrops), and wings subhyaline, brownish (dark brown to black in X. macrops).

Figures 45–48. 

Male genital capsule of Xylocopa simillima. 45, 46 dorsal and ventral views respectively 47, 48 detail of the apex of gonostylus and penis valve in dorsal and ventral views. Scale bars: 0.5 mm

Figures 49–52. 

Male holotype of Xylocopa boops. 49 Facial view 50, 51 Head and mesosoma in dorsal and lateral views 52, 53 Metasoma in lateral and dorsal views 54 genital capsule in dorsal view. Scale bars: 2 mm, 0.5 mm (Fig. 54).

Figures 55–58. 

Collection localities for species of Xylocopa subgenus Schonnherria in Argentina.

This species is known only from the female. It can be easily recognized by the following combination of characters: small body size (body length 15–17 mm); upper gena and vertex densely punctate, punctures separated by at most a puncture width; wings subhyaline, yellowish; metasoma dark brown to black with weak blue-green metallic highlights; and discs of T2–T5, each with a broad, medially interrupted apical band of dense yellowish setae (Fig. 15).

Body length 16 (15.3–16.7); head length 4.1 (4.0–4.2); head width 5.1 (5.0–5.2); mesosoma width 5.7 (5.6–5.8); metasoma width 6.1 (6.0–6.2); forewing length 11.3 (10.7–12.0); forewing width 3.2. Coloration. Integument dark brown to black including tegula, with weak blue-green higlights on metasoma. Wings subhyaline with weak golden highlights, veins yellowish-brown. Pubescence. Dark brown to black, except: anterior surface of metatibia distally, outer surface of metabasitarsus, and sides of S2–S4 with whitish setae; metabasitarsus externally with pale hairs; discs of T2–T5 each with a broad, medially interrupted apical band of dense yellowish setae (Fig. 15). Mesosoma with abundant plumose setae except on discs of mesoscutum and mesoscutellum. Sculpturing. Weakly imbricate to smooth and shiny. Vertex and upper gena densely punctate, punctures separated by at most a puncture width. Mesoscutum with punctures separated by 1–2 times a puncture width, smooth and shiny on disc; mesoscutellum with punctures smaller and sparser than those on mesoscutum, except smooth and shiny on disc. Metasomal terga with circular to ovoid punctures separated by 1–2 times a puncture width, punctures denser laterally and on apical terga; sterna impunctate mediolongitudinally with punctures sparser than on terga. Structure. Head broader than long (1.2–1.3:1); proportion of upper to lower interocular 1:1; middle interocular distance 3.2–3.6; vertex broad, distance between median ocellus and posterior margin of vertex 4.0–4.5 OD; orbitoccipital distance short, 0.5–0.7; lateral ocelli on supraorbital line; interocellar distance to ocelocular distance 0.9–1:1, interocellar to ocelloccipital 0.8:1; ocellocular to alveolocellar 0.7:1; orbitoccipital to ocellocular 0.7–0.9:1; alveolocular to interalveolar 1.1–1.2:1; clypeocellar distance to distance between median ocellus and posterior margin of vertex 1.2:1; frontal carina low; clypeus broader than long (2.2–2.3:1); proportion of length of scape, pedicel and F1–F3: 3.9:0.4:1: 0.5:0.5:0.6, respectively; labrum broader than long, with three basal protuberances, median tubercle distinct, longitudinally elongate, sublateral tubercles small, obscured by pubescence. Mesoscutellum gently convex; metanotum and propodeum subvertically inclined.

Unknown

Hurd (1978: 23) listed this species from Brazil, Paraguay, possibly Colombia, and the provinces of Misiones and Salta in Argentina (Fig. 58). It occurs in the Paranaense biogeographic province (see comments below).

Xylocopa pulchra is known only from the female, and the male of X. chrysopoda may be conspecific with this species, as suggested by Schrottky (1902). As for X. bambusae and X. chrysopoda, this species is rare in collections, and it has not been captured in the last 65 years. In addition to the type, we were only able to examine a historical specimen from Misiones deposited at MLP and specimen from Pocitos, Salta, deposited at USNM. The presence of this species in Colombia needs to be confirmed (Gonzalez et al. 2009).

The female of this species can be distinguished from other Argentinean species of Schonnherria by the following combination of characters: large body size (body length 20–23 mm); labrum basally with a distinct, large, single capitate tubercle about as large as median ocellus; integument dark brown to black throughout, with basal three or four terga often with distinct broad, light reddish brown bands on discs (rarely orange) (Fig. 16); metasomal terga with punctures circular to ovoid, sparsely punctate on discs of basal terga (2–4 times a puncture width), punctures denser laterally and on apical terga; discs of basal terga with very short, black, simple setae, each seta barely exiting puncture, setae increasing in length laterally and on apical terga. The male can be easily recognized by the combination of compound eyes strongly convergent dorsally (Fig. 10), metasomal terga dark brown to black with basal terga light reddish brown on discs, and wings dark brown.

Body length 21.8 (20.3–23.0); head length 5.8 (5.5–6.1); head width 6.6 (6.4–7.0); mesosoma width 7.5 (7.2–8.4); metasoma width 9.1 (8.8–9.6); forewing length 19.6 (18.6–19.7); forewing width 5.7 (5.6–6.2). Coloration. Integument black with posterior margin of mesoscutellum and basal three or four metasomal terga with broad, light reddish brown bands on discs (terga rarely orange). Wings dark brown with violet highlights. Pubescence. Dark brown to black. Head with scattered setae on vertex, gena, paraocular area, and clypeus distally. Mesosoma with abundant, plumose setae except nearly asetose on disc of mesoscutum and posterior half of mesoscutellum. T1 with scattered plumose setae on basal half; distal half of T1, as on discs of T2–T5, with very short (0.2–0.3 times OD), appressed simple setae, each barely exiting puncture, setae becoming longer and denser towards apical terga; disc of T6 and sides of T1–T6 each with long, semierect, simple and plumose setae; sterna with semierect, long setae as long as those on sides of terga. Sculpturing. Weakly imbricate to smooth and shiny. Vertex and upper gena largely impunctate, punctures denser behind lateral ocelli. Mesoscutum with punctures slightly smaller and denser than those on vertex on anterior margin and lateral to parapsidal lines, impunctate otherwise; mesoscutellum largely impunctate, punctures separated by at least two times a puncture width. Terga with circular to ovoid punctures as large and coarse as those on mesoscutellum, separated by 1–2 times a puncture width, denser laterally on each tergum and towards apical segments; sterna with punctures smaller, nearly contiguous laterally, larger and sparser medially. Structure. Head broader than long (1.1–1.2:1); compound eyes with inner margins parallel; proportion of upper to lower interocular distance 0.8–0.9:1; middle interocular distance 4.2–4.5; vertex broad, distance between median ocellus and posterior margin of vertex 4.6–5.3 OD; orbitoccipital distance short 1.1–1.3; lateral ocelli below supraorbital line; interocellar distance to ocelocular distance 0.6:1; interocellar to ocelloccipital 0.3–0.4:1; ocellocular to alveolocellar 0.7–0.9:1; orbitoccipital to ocellocular 1.0–1.3:1; alveolocular to interalveolar 1.2–1.4:1; clypeoalveolar distance about 1.8 times longitudinal diameter of antennal socket; clypeocellar distance to distance between median ocellus and posterior margin of vertex 0.7–0.9:1; frontal carina moderately elevated, forming a small tubercle just above lower tangent of anntenal sockets; clypeus broader than long, 2.2–2.5:1; proportion of length of scape, pedicel and F1–F4: 2.9–3.2:0.2–0.4: 1:0.3–0.4:0.4–0.5:0.4–0.5, respectively; labrum basally with a distinct, large, single capitate tubercle about as large as median ocellus. Mesoscutellum gently convex; metanotum and propodeum vertical in profile.

As in the female, except for usual secondary sexual characters and as follows: body length 22.6; head length 5.7; head width 6.8; mesosoma width 8.8; metasoma width 9.8; forewing length 20.6; forewing width 5.6. Coloration. Clypeus, supraclypeal area and lower paraocular area yellow. Structure. Head broader than long (proportion 1.2:1); compound eyes enlarged, strongly converging dorsally (Fig. 10); proportion of upper to lower interocular distance 0.3:1; upper interocular distance 1.6 OD; middle interocular distance 2.3; distance between median ocellus and posterior margin of vertex 4.2 OD; orbitoccipital distance absent due to enlargement of eyes; lateral ocelli below supraorbital line; interocellar to ocelocular distance 4:1; interocellar to ocelloccipital 0.2:1; ocellocular to alveolocellar 0.1:1; orbitoccipital to ocellocular reduced; alveolocular to interalveolar 0.4:1; clypeocellar distance to distance between median ocellus and posterior margin of vertex 0.7:1; clypeus broader than long, 1.7:1; proportion of length of scape, pedicel and F1–F4 2.8:0.4:1:0.2:0.4:0.4, respectively. Genitalia as in Figs 45–48.

This species occurs in Misiones (Fig. 58), an area that is included within the Paranaense biogeographic province.

Brèthes’ original description of X. rotundiscuta was based on three females. To stabilize this name, Hurd and Moure (1961: 191) unambiguously designated one of the syntypes as the lectotype. This specimen, deposited at MACN, has a locality label that reads “Misiones”, a catalogue number 7597 [misinterpreted by Hurd and Moure as 2597], a handwritten number 765 [interpreted by Hurd and Moure as 753], and a lectotype label. Such a valid designation appear to have been missed by Moure (2007: 668).

Both sexes of this species can be distinguished easily from other Argentinean species of Schonnherria by the following combination of characters: small to medium body size (body length 13–19 mm); body pubescence entirely black in the female, in the male with dense off-white pubescence on mesepisternum, tegula anteriorly, sides of mesoscutum and mesoscutellum, and dorsum of T1; meso- and metasoma with distinct metallic blue highlights; wing membrane subhyaline with weak violet highlights; male compound eyes enlarged, dorsally convergent, with upper margins separated by at least 2.7 times OD (Fig. 11); and hind leg of male unmodified, except by metatibia with long, slender subapical projection on inner margin, similar in size and thickness to tibial spur. This species can be confused with X. macrops, particularly the male, by the compound eyes distinctly convergent dorsally, metasoma with metallic blue highlights, off-white pubescence on mesosoma and T1, and wings subhyaline. However, in X. macrops the compound eyes are larger and closer dorsally (0.54–0.72 times OD) than in X. splendidula and the hind leg is distinctly modified, with coxa and trochanter each bearing a tooth or spine, femur strongly protuberant ventrally, tibia with two large subapical spines on its inner margin, and basitarsus robust, shorter than the tibia (slender and longer than tibia in X. splendidula). In addition, the labrum is yellow and the metasomal sterna are maculated in X. macrops (labrum and metasoma inmaculate in X. splendidula).

Body length 17.2 (16.6–18.3); head length 4.9 (4.7–5.0); head width 5.5 (5.2–5.8); mesosoma width 6.3 (5.8–6.6); metasoma width 7.1 (6.6–7.5); forewing length 13.3 (12.7–14.0); forewing width 3.7 (3.6–3.8). Coloration. Integument dark brown to black with distinct metallic blue highlights, particularly dorsum of meso- and metasoma. Wings subhyaline with weak violet highlights. Pubescence. Dark brown to black, except patch of off-white setae on sides of T5. Head with abundant setae, scattered on gena and vertex. Mesosoma with abundant, plumose setae except nearly asetose on disc of mesoscutum and anterior half of mesoscutellum. T1 with scattered plumose setae on basal half; distal half of T1, as on discs of T2–T5, with very short, appressed simple setae, each barely exiting puncture, setae becoming longer and denser towards apical terga; disc of T6 and sides of T1–T6 each with long, semierect, simple and plumose setae; sterna with semierect, long setae as long as those on sides of terga. Sculpturing. Weakly imbricate to smooth and shiny. Vertex and upper gena with punctures separated by 1–2 times a puncture width, punctures scattered on upper gena. Mesoscutum with punctures separated by 1–2 times a puncture width, punctures becoming sparser towards center to completely absent on disc; mesoscutellum largely impunctate, with few, scattered punctures. Metasomal terga with circular to ovoid punctures separated by 1.0–1.5 times a puncture width, punctures becoming denser laterally and towards apical terga; sterna with elongate punctures on discs, punctures contiguous laterally, becoming sparser medially. Structure. Head broader than long (1.1–1.2:1); compound eyes with inner margins parallel; proportion of upper to lower interocular distance 0.8–0.9:1; middle interocular distance 3.4–4.0; vertex broad, distance between median ocellus and posterior margin of vertex 3.7–4.4 OD; orbitoccipital distance 0.6–0.8; lateral ocelli below supraorbital line; interocellar distance to ocelocular distance 0.9–1:1; interocellar to ocelloccipital 0.5–0.6:1; ocellocular to alveolocellar 0.6–0.8:1; orbitoccipital to ocellocular 0.9–1.1:1; alveolocular to interalveolar 1.0–1.3:1; clypeoalveolar distance 1.3 times longitudinal diameter of anntenal socket; clypeocellar distance to distance between median ocellus and posterior margin of vertex 0.8–1:1; frontal carina moderately elevated, forming a small protuberance at level of lower tangent of anntenal sockets; clypeus broader than long, 2.1–2.3:1; proportion of length of scape, pedicel and F1–F4: 3.2–3.5:0.3–0.5:1:0.3–0.4:0.4–0.5:0.4–0.5, respectively; labrum broader than long, with three basal protuberances, median tubercle distinct, longitudinally elongate, sublateral tubercles small. Mesoscutellum gently convex; metanotum and propodeum subvertically inclined.

As in the female, except for usual secondary sexual characters and as follows: body length 16.1 (13.3–18.6); head length 4.7 (3.8–4.4); head width 4.9 (4.6–5.2); mesosoma width 6.2 (5.6–6.8); metasoma width 6.8 (6.6–7.6); forewing length 12.6 (12.0–13.3); forewing width 3.3 (3.2–3.4). Coloration. Clypeus, supraclypeal area, paraocular area, and anterior surfaces of scape and F1 yellow (Fig. 11). Pubescense. Off-white pubescence on mesepisternum, tergula anteriorly, sides of mesoscutum and mesoscutellum, and dorsum of T1. Sculpturing. Punctures denser than in the female, particularly on metasomal terga. Structure. Compound eyes enlarged, strongly converging dorsally, upper orbital margins separated by at least 2.7 times OD; proportion of upper to lower interocular distance 0.4–0.6:1; upper interocular distance 2.0–2.9 times OD; middle interocular distance 1.7–2.0; distance between median ocellus and posterior margin of vertex 2.6–3.1 OD; orbitoccipital distance 0.1–0.2; lateral ocelli below supraorbital line; interocellar distance to ocelocular distance 2.0–4.5:1; interocellar to ocelloccipital 0.3–0.5:1; ocellocular to alveolocellar 0.1–0.2:1; orbitoccipital to ocellocular 0.5–1:1; alveolocular to interalveolar 0.5–0.7:1; clypeocellar distance to distance between median ocellus and posterior margin of vertex 0.9–1.1:1; clypeus broader than long, 1.4–1.6:1; proportion of length of scape, pedicel and F1–F4 2.8–3.1:0.3–0.4:1:0.3–0.4:0.4–0.5:0.4–0.5, respectively. Legs slender, unmodified, except metatibia with long, slender subapical projection on inner margin, similar in size and thickness to tibial spur; mesobasitarsi longer than tibiae. Genitalia as in Figs 28, 33, 38, 43.

This species is presumably widespread in South America (Table 1) as well as in Argentina, where it has been found in all provinces except Tierra del Fuego and Santa Cruz (Fig. 56). It occurs in all biogreophic provinces except subantartica. The southernmost collection locality for this species is Altares, Province of Chubut, near parallel 43°.

Lepeletier de Saint Fargeau (1841) described this species based on a female specimen from Brazil, which is presumably deposited at MNHN as indicated in the original publication. We received a female specimen from the MNHN identified as the type of X. splendidula. The complete label data for this specimen are as follows: “Museum Paris-EY0000001755 // Type ? [red label] // del` emb. del` Uruguay jusquiana missions [handwritten-round label] // splendidula [handwritten]”. Because this specimen was collected in Uruguay, not in Brazil, it is not the true type of X. splendidula. We also examined from the same museum three specimens of X. splendidula from Brazil, but the label data do not agree with those indicated in the original description. Therefore, the whereabouts of the type of X. splendidula are currently unknown.

In specimens of both sexes the color of legs, propodeum, mandibles and tegulae ranged from black to dark brown, and that of the metasoma from greenish to bluish. The presence of tufts of white setae on the sides of the terminal terga is also a variable character.

Both sexes of this species are easily recognized by the distinctive metallic green highlights on all tagmata, body pubescence yellowish, and metasomal terga uniformly covered by long, appressed simple setae on discs, and with white, tomentose, plumose setae on apical margins laterally (Figs 18, 24).

Body length 16.7 (14–18); head length 4.5 (4.3–4.7); head width 5.1 (4.6–5.4); mesosoma width 5.9 (5.4–6.2); metasoma width 6.5 (6.0–6.8); forewing length 11.7 (11.0–12.3); forewing width 3.1 (3.0–3.2). Coloration. Integument dark brown to black with strong metallic green highlights. Wing subhyaline with weak golden highlights. Pubescence. Predominantly whitish to yellowish; black or gray setae on face, vertex, upper gena, mesoscutum, mesoscutellum, sides of T2–T5, and most of T6, S5 and S6; ferrugineous setae on inner surface of tarsi. Head and mesosoma with abundant setae, except asetose on discs of mesoscutum and mesoscutellum. Basal half of T1 with scattered, semierect simple setae; distal half of T1 and T2–T6 with appressed setae on discs, each setae at least twice as long as a puncture width, becoming longer towards apical terga, apical margins laterally with dense, white tomentum of appressed plumose setae (Fig. 18); disc of T6 and sides of T1–T6 each with long, semierect, simple and plumose setae; sterna with semierect, long setae as long as those on sides of terga. Punctation. Weakly imbricate to smooth and shiny. Vertex densely punctate, punctures separated by at most a puncture width, becoming enlongate and sparser on upper gena. Mesoscutum with punctures separated by 1–2 times a puncture width, punctures becoming sparser towards center to completely absent on disc; mesoscutellum largely impunctate, with few, scattered punctures. Terga densely and uniformly punctate, setiferous punctures elongate, separated by a puncture width or less; sterna with punctures sparser than on terga. Structure. Head broader than long (1.1–1.2:1); compound eyes with inner margins parallel; proportion of upper to lower interocular distance 0.9:1; middle interocular distance 3.2–3.5; vertex broad, distance between median ocellus and posterior margin of vertex 3.7–4.6 OD; orbitoccipital distance 0.6–0.8; lateral ocelli below supraorbital line; interocellar distance to ocelocular distance 0.9–1.1:1; interocellar to ocelloccipital 0.6–0.7:1; ocellocular to alveolocellar 0.6–0.7:1; orbitoccipital to ocellocular 1.0–1.2:1; alveolocular to interalveolar 0.9–1.1:1; clypeoalveolar distance about as long as longitudinal diameter of anntenal socket; clypeocellar distance to distance between median ocellus and posterior margin of vertex 0.9–1:1; frontal carina moderately elevated, slightly protuberant at level of lower tangent of anntenal sockets; clypeus broader than long, 2.1–2.2:1; proportion of length of scape, pedicel and F1–F4: 3.5–3.8:0.4:1:0.4:0.5–0.6:0.5–0.6, respectively. Labrum broader than long, with three basal protuberances, median tubercle distinct, longitudinally elongate, sublateral tubercles small. Mesoscutellum gently convex; metanotum and propodeum vertical in profile.

As in the female, except for usual secondary sexual characters and as follows: Body length 15.3 (14.3–16.3); head length 3.7 (3.5–3.8); head width 4.3 (4.0–4.4); mesosoma width 5.6 (5.2–6.0); metasoma width 6.1 (5.6–6.6); forewing length 12.1 (11.3–12.7); forewing width 3.2 (3.0–3.4). Coloration. Outer surface of mandible, labrum, clypeus, supraclypeal area, and anterior surfaces of scape, F1 and F2 yellow. Tegula reddish brown. Pubescence. Longer and denser than in female. Structure. Compound eyes with inner margins slightly converging dorsally; proportion of upper to lower interocular distance 0.8:1; upper interocular distance 4.0–4.6 OD; middle interocular distance 1.9–2.0; distance between median ocellus and posterior margin of vertex 2.4–2.7 OD; orbitoccipital distance 0.2–0.3; interocellar distance to ocelocular distance 1.8–2.2:1; interocellar to ocelloccipital 0.7–1:1; ocellocular to alveolocellar 0.2–0.3:1; orbitoccipital to ocellocular 0.8–1:1; alveolocular to interalveolar 0.6–0.7:1; clypeocellar distance to distance between median ocellus and posterior margin of head 1.2–1.3:1; clypeus broader than long, 1.4–1.6:1; proportion of length of scape, pedicel and F1–F4: 2.8–3:0.4–0.6:1:0.4–0.5:0.5–0.6:0.5–0.6, respectively. Legs slender, unmodified, except metatibia with blunt subapical projection on inner margin, shorter and thicker than tibial spur; mesobasitarsi longer than tibiae. Genitalia as in Figs 29, 34, 39, 44.

This species has been recorded from Bolivia, Brazil, Colombia, Costa Rica, French Guiana, Guatemala, Guyana, Mexico, Panama, Paraguay and Peru (Moure 2007). In Argentina, it is known only from the province of Misiones (Fig. 57), which is included within the Paranaense biogeographic province.

Xylocopa viridis, ranging from southern Mexico to Argentina, appears to be composed of multiple species. An appraisal of museum specimens under X. viridis deposited at SEMC from locations across its distribution range revealed considerable variation in body pubescence, punctation, body size, and shape of the apical projection of the inner surface of the male metatibia. A similar case seems to occur in X. varians Smith, a species with metallic green highligths that has also been recorded from Misiones and presumably confused with X. viridis. We studied the male holotype of X. viridis and the female type of X. varians, both from Brazil, as well as specimens of both species from Brazil and other countries in South America. We observed that both sexes of X. varians can be distinguished from those of X. viridis primarily by the terga with black setae on their discs (yellowish in X. viridis) and the upper gena of the female densely punctate, with a narrow impunctate band behind the outer margins of the compound eyes (upper gena sparsely punctate and with broad impunctate band behind outer margins of compound eyes in X. viridis). We found a female and male specimen from Misiones, both identified by P.H. Hurd as X. varians. These specimens are deposited at MACN and SEMC respectively, and their complete label data are as follows: “7596” // Misiones // 766 // Xylocopa varians Smith, P.H. Hurd 59 (MACN); “Misiones, Pindapoy, II-1956 // SEMC 1232909”. Both specimens agree with the characters listed for X. viridis and thus the record of X. varians for Argentina appear to be based on misidentified specimens.

Specimens of X. viridis from Argentina and southern Brazil also seem to be different from those of northen Brazil, particularly in the length of the setae on metasomal terga, the color of tegulae, and the shape of the apical projection on the inner surface of male metatibia. Such differences are suggestive of a distinct species and further studies are needed to determine the species limits of X. viridis.