Andrena (Melandrena) induta Morawitz 1894

94. Andrena (Melandrena) induta Morawitz, 1894

Andrena (Melandrena) induta Morawitz, 1894: 62 (♀ ♂, Turkmenistan, Charki).

Andrena (Melandrena) patella Nurse, 1903: 542 (♀, Kashmir). Syn. nov.

Material examined

Syntype KASHMIR • ♀ (syntype of Andrena patella); 6000–7000 feet a.s.l.; 1–31 May 1901; NHMUK (illustrated Figs 165–168).

Other material

IRAN • 1 ♂; Elburz Mountains, 60 km E of Minudasht; 1280 m a.s.l.; 26 May 2007; O. Sauša leg.; OÖLM • 1 ♂, 2 ♀♀; Elburz, Ov Zanak-Ski, 1 km N of Ab Ali; 2300 m a.s.l.; 11 Jul. 1965; K. Warncke det.; G. Soika and G.A. Mavromoustakis leg.; OÖLM • 1 ♂; Fars Province [Kohgiluyeh and BoyerAhmad Province], Yasuj [Yasouj], Sarb-e Taveh [Sarab-e Taveh]; 4 May 2016; M. Kafka leg.; OÖLM • 1 ♂; Lorestan Province, Dorud Lanjaban env.; 960 m a.s.l.; 10 May 2016; M. Kafka leg.; OÖLM.

KASHMIR • 1 ♀; Gulmarg; summer 1913; NHMUK • 1 ♀; West Himalaya, Khalatse [Khalsi], Kashmir; 4000–5000 m a.s.l.; 6 May 1939; K. Warncke det.; OÖLM.

TURKEY • 1 ♂; Başaklı, Erzurum; 20 May 1972; K. Warncke det.; H. Ozbek leg.; OÖLM • 3 ♀♀; Hakkâri Şivelan; 18 May 1975; K. Warncke det.; K. Warncke leg.; OÖLM • 1 ♂; Tanyeri, Erzincan; 22 Apr. 1976; K. Warncke det.; K. Warncke leg.; OÖLM.

Remarks

Andrena induta is closely related to A. infirma Morawitz, 1876, which is found in Kazakhstan, Turkmenistan, Uzbekistan, Kyrgyzstan, and Tajikistan (Osytshnjuk et al. 2008). Structurally, there do not appear to be clear differences, but A. induta has much brighter pubescence, and females can be separated by the light (induta) or dark (infirma) scopal hairs. Gusenleitner & Schwarz (2002) argue that A. induta may therefore simply be a colour form of A. infirma. However, more study is required before a synonymy can be made with confidence.

In contrast, the type specimen of A. patella is clearly identical to A. induta, as it has the same strong raised longitudinal impunctate line on the clypeus (Fig. 167), and the scopae are golden (Figs 166, 168). It also falls within the known distributional range of A. induta, this taxon being known from the western Himalayas in Kashmir. A prudent first step is to synonymise A. patella with A. induta, and for further synonymy between A. infirma and A. induta to wait until type inspection is possible and ideally molecular work is conducted.

As Warncke’s distribution maps included points in northern Iran, A. induta is not reported here as new for the country.

Distribution

Turkey, Armenia, Iran, Uzbekistan, Tajikistan, Afghanistan, Kashmir, India (Warncke 1974c, 1975 a; Gusenleitner & Schwarz 2002; Osytshnjuk et al. 2008).