Augochlora is a genus of mainly tropical bees, with few representatives in both North and South American temperate areas. In this contribution we present a taxonomic review of the species with southernmost distribution. Only five species occur in central Argentina and Uruguay, between 30º and 40º south latitude: A. iphigenia Holmberg, A. amphitrite (Schrottky), A. nausicaa (Schrottky), A. phoemonoe (Schrottky) and A. daphnis Smith. The first four species are common elements in the bee assemblages of the area. The fifth species, from Montevideo, Uruguay, is known from the type specimen only. Re-descriptions of all species, as well as illustrations, distributional data, and taxonomic keys are presented. A lectotype is designated for Augochlora iphigenia Holmberg, 1886. Oxystoglossa semiramis Schrottky, 1911, and Halictus brochidens Vachal, 1911, are new synonyms of A. iphigenia Holmberg. Odontochlora thebe Schrottky, 1909, is a new synonym of Odontochlora amphitrite Schrottky, 1909.
Social interactions are studied in colonies of eusocial Augochlora phoemonoe , reared in artificial nests in the laboratory. Three kinds of behavioral interactions are distinguished between foundresses and daughter bees: antennation-tarsation (the most frequent), passing, and tandem-running following. Most interactions were started by the foundresses towards daughter bees. First-brood daughter bees displayed high frequencies of specific responses, indicating that these interactions function as behavioral mechanisms of colony integration in this eusocial augochlorine. Antennation-tarsation stimulated daughter females to collect pollen in a high percentage of cases and to get involved in construction activities in a lower percentage. After passing, daughter bees began nest construction activities in a high percentage of cases, and after tandem-running following, they were induced to guard the nest in a high percentage of cases. Locomotion had no specific relationship with any interaction. The behavioral responses were not related to the age of daughter females.
The present study provides evidence of primitively eusocial behavior in Augochlora amphitrite (Schrottky). Bees were reared in laboratory nests and observed throughout their nesting cycle. Introduced foundresses constructed nests solitarily, but upon the emergence of the first daughter their activities changed drastically, marking the onset of a social phase. The colonies presented two well defined female castes according to their physiology, size and behavior. Foundresses monopolized oviposition, displayed low rates of nest construction, guarding, and pollen collection, they were the individuals that initiated social interactions, and were statistically larger. Daughter bees were smaller, with undeveloped ovaries, performed most tasks at the nest and were the subordinate individuals in social interactions.
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