Megachile (Aporiochile)

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Taxonomy

Family: Megachilidae
Subfamily: Megachilinae
Tribe: Megachilini
Genus: Megachile Latreille, 1802
Subgenus: Aporiochile Gonzalez and Engel 2018
Common name: none

Overview

Megachile (Aporiochile) have black and reddish-brown integument which is generally visible through their sparse yellow-tan and white hairs (Cockerell 1927; Gonzalez et al. 2018). Males range in body length from 7–9 mm; females are currently unknown (Cockerell 1927; Gonzalez et al. 2018). The single identified species in this subgenus had previously been considered a member of Megachile (Rhyssomegachile) prior to the description of Megachile (Aporiochile) by Gonzalez et al. (2018).

Diagnostic characteristics

(modified from Gonzalez et al. 2018)

Note: Only males are known from this subgenus.

• Male preoccipital carina strong both dorsally and laterally.
• Male antenna with unmodified flagellum; F1 shorter than F2.
• Male mandible three-toothed.
• Male mid tibial spur present.
• Male fore coxa with spine.
• Male scutum punctures are well-spaced.
• Male T6 preapical carina strong and medially emarginate.

May be confused with

Male Megachile (Aporiochile) may be confused with bees within the subgenus Megachile (Ptilosarus) as both have a preoccipital carina that extends dorsally (Gonzalez et al. 2018). They can be differentiated by examining the forecoxa for a spine, which is present on Megachile (Aporiochile), but absent on Megachile (Ptilosarus) (Gonzalez et al. 2018). Additionally, Megachile (Aporiochile) has spaced punctures on the scutum, whereas Megachile (Ptilosarus) has contiguous punctation (Gonzalez et al. 2018).

Host associations

The floral resources used by Megachile (Aporiochile) are currently unknown.

Nesting behavior

The nesting biology of Megachile (Aporiochile) is not yet known (Gonzalez et al. 2018). They are considered members of Group 1, as defined by Michener (Michener 2007, Gonzalez et al. 2019). Group 1 bees, including closely related subgenera like Megachile (Ptilosarus), typically construct nests in pre-existing cavities using pieces of cut leaves (Michener 2007; Gonzalez et al. 2018; Gonzalez et al. 2019).

Diversity

Megachile (Aporiochile) is a monotypic subgenus consisting of one species: M. tricosa (Gonzalez et al. 2018).

Known invasives

There are no known invasives.

Distribution

Megachile (Aporiochile) is a South American subgenus which has been recorded in Bolivia, Brazil, and Peru (Gonzalez et al. 2018).

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