The subgenus Centris (Aphemisia) in Colombia

Centris (Aphemisia), as well as almost all other subgenera of Centridini, is poorly known in Colombia. According to Smith-Pardo (2003) only C. fusciventris [cited as Centris (n/a) aff. fusciventris (n/a= unknown subgeneric category)] and C. mocsaryi [cited as C. (M.) aff. mucsary ([sic= mocsaryi] (M.)= Melanocentris)] occur in Colombia, although C. plumipes (cited as C. xanthosara Moure, 2002) was also recorded a year earlier by Moure (2002). Thus, three of the 12 species of the subgenus occur in the country today: C. mocsaryi, C. plumipes and C. quadrimaculata.

The study of the material housed in the main Colombian entomological collections resulted in the recognition of these three species, as well as of Centris lilacina, newly recorded for Colombia, and two new species which are described herein.