Reedapis Michener

Genus Reedapis Michener

(Figs. 2–4, 12)

Leioproctus (Reedapis) Michener, 1989: 656.

Type species: Leioproctus bathycyaneus Toro, 1973, by original designation.

DIAGNOSIS: This is a genus of moderately large, robust bees, with a total body length of approximately 9–15 mm. The integument is generally black with at least weakly metallic blue on the metasoma (unique for the tribe) (Figs. 2, 3), while the pubescence is principally fuscous to black on the head, legs, and ventral surfaces of the mesosoma and metasoma (Figs. 2–4), with metasomal terga I–III bearing prominent apical bands of white setae, sometimes weak or incomplete on tergum I and faintly indicated amid fuscous setae on tergum IV. The head is broader than long, with the compound eye length either slightly shorter or subequal to the distance between the lower inner orbits of the compound eyes (distinctly shorter than the distance between the upper inner orbits), and the inner orbits of the compound eyes are slightly to strongly convergent below (Fig. 4). Lateral ocelli situated at the upper tangent of the compound eyes, with the scape extending to the level of the lateral ocelli (Fig. 4). The first flagellomere of females is shorter than the combined lengths of the second and third flagellomeres (Fig. 12), while its medial length is approximately equal to the apical width of the scape. The integument of the face is not entirely obscured by pubescence, with the supraclypeal area lacking a subtriangular glabrous area (Fig. 4). The male mandible, like the female mandible, has a preapical tooth. The maxillary palpus is moderately long, with at least the apical two palpomeres extending beyond the galeal apex. The mesoscutum and mesoscutellum are covered with abundant, long, white, minutely branched setae that do not obscure the integumental surface (i.e., not covered in dense, obscuring pile). The basal area of propodeum is about as long as the metanotum and is smooth to weakly transversely rugose, while the lateral surface of the propodeum is punctate, without striae or rugae. The probasitarsus has a distinct outer longitudinal comb. The meso- and metatibial spurs are straight [Reedapis bathycyanea (Toro)] or curved [R. semicyanea (Spinola) and R. melanocyanea (Toro)], with the mesotibial spur coarsely to finely pectinate and the inner and outer metatibial spurs pectinate and similar in form. The metafemoral fiscina anteriorly has elongate, fuscous setae bearing abundant long branches, while those posteriorly bordering the fiscinal space have distinctly short branches. The metatibial scopal setae are elongate, fuscous, and have numerous long branches. The metasomal scopa (on sterna II– V and apicolateral extremities of terga II– V) is composed of abundant, fuscous to black, elongate (nearly as long as exposed portions of sterna), subappressed setae with numerous long branches. The genus was thoroughly characterized by Michener (1989: as a subgenus of Leioproctus).

INCLUDED SPECIES: The genus includes three species from central and northern Chile — Reedapis bathycyanea (Toro), R. melanocyanea (Toro), and R. semicyanea (Spinola).

Key to Species of Reedapis

(females only; modified from Toro, 1973)

1. Outer metatibial spur coarsely pectinate, with branches longer than width of rachis, spur weakly arched; mesotibial spur curved apically ........................... 2

—. Outer metatibial spur finely pectinate, with branches shorter than or equal to width of rachis, spur relatively straight; mesotibial spur nearly straight ......... .................................................................................................... R. bathycyanea (Toro)

2(1). Third metasomal tergum with white setae except some intermingled black setae; fourth tergum with a poorly indicated, apical band of white setae ...... ................................................................................................ R. semicyanea (Spinola)

—. Third metasomal tergum with black setae except some intermingled white setae; fourth tergum without white setal band ................ R. melanocyanea (Toro)