Osmia - Journal of Hymenopterology - Revue d'Hyménopterologie - Biodiversity, Entomology, Hymenoptera, Hyménoptères
Published August 30, 2025 | Version v1
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A new case of gynandromorphism in the parasitic bee Nomada lathburiana (Hymenoptera: Apoidea: Apidae)

Authors/Creators

  • 1. ROR icon University of Mons

Description

Gynandromorphy is a case of teratological aberration in which a specimen displays both male and female morphological characters. Gynandromorphs can constitute a powerful source of information for pairing sexes and studying the developmental mechanisms underlying sexually dimorphic traits. In this paper, a second case of gynandromorphy is unveiled in a specimen of Nomada lathburiana found in Tournai (Belgium). The studied specimen, classified as a mosaic gynandromorph, displays a largely asymmetric mix of male and female features only on the head. Further research in entomological collections should reveal other cases of teratological aberrations like the one reported here. Such cases offer valuable insights into the broader understanding of gynandromorphy.

Un nouveau cas de gynandromorphisme chez l’abeille parasite Nomada lathburiana (Hymenoptera : Apoidea : Apidae)

La gynandromorphie est un cas d’aberration tératologique dans lequel un spécimen présente à la fois des caractères morphologiques mâles et femelles. Les gynandromorphes peuvent constituer une source d’information intéressante pour étudier l’association des sexes et les mécanismes de développement qui sous-tendent les caractères sexuellement dimorphiques. Dans cet article, un deuxième cas de gynandromorphie est découvert sur un spécimen de Nomada lathburiana trouvé à Tournai (Belgique). Le spécimen étudié, classé comme un gynandromorphe « mosaïque », présente uniquement sur la tête un mélange largement asymétrique de traits mâles et femelles. Des recherches plus poussées dans les collections entomologiques devraient révéler d’autres cas d’aberrations tératologiques comme celui rapporté ici. Ces cas offrent des indications précieuses pour une meilleure compréhension de la gynandromorphie.

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References

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