The Palaearctic complex of anthidiine bees closely related to Pseudoanthidium scapulare has long been a source of unresolved taxonomic and systematic issues. Until now, the number of species in the complex and their geographical distributions were largely unclear, thus complicating the compilation of accurate species checklists and hindering conservation efforts. In order to address these issues, we use morphology and mitochondrial cytochrome c oxidase subunit I (COI) sequences, combined with a thorough examination of the relevant literature and type material, to delimit species within this complex, assign names to species and clarify geographical ranges. An unexpected result was that a certain number of morphologically distinct taxa exhibited low levels of genetic divergence at the COI locus, resulting in species paraphyly. A set of ultra-conserved elements (UCEs) was also sequenced in order to further investigate relationships among these taxa. One morphologically distinct species was also paraphyletic using UCE data, hinting at recent species divergences and genetic exchange at zones of contact between morphologically well-differentiated taxa. The results of our study reveal the presence of ten species in this complex, including a previously overlooked species for western continental Europe. A complete diagnosis of the males and females of these species is provided, as are maps detailing the geographic distributions of each. An illustrated identification key to the males and females of each species is presented. Two new species are described, Pseudoanthidium kaspareki sp. nov. and P. rozeni sp. nov. New synonymy is established for several species and Pseudoanthidium palestinicum and P. tropicum are raised to species level. The new combination, Icteranthidium floripetum comb. nov. is also established. Lectotypes are designated for the following species: Anthidium eversmanni, A. floripetum, A. frontale, A. karakalense, A. nanum and A. reptans. Previously unpublished lectotype designations are published here for A. sinuatum and A. tenellum.
Climate change is an important driver of the spread of apiary pests and honeybee predators. These impact on one of the economically most important pollinators and thus pose serious threats to the functioning of both natural ecosystems and crops. We investigated the impact of the predicted climate change in the periods 2040–2060 and 2060–2080 on the potential distribution of the European beewolf Philanthus triangulum, a specialized honeybee predator. We modelled its potential distribution using the MaxEnt method based on contemporary occurrence data and bioclimatic variables. Our model had an overall good performance (AUC = 0.864) and the threshold of occurrence probability, assessed as the point with the highest sum of sensitivity and specificity, was at 0.533. Annual temperature range (69.5%), mean temperature in the warmest quarter (12.4%), and precipitation in the warmest quarter (7.9%) were the principal bioclimatic variables significantly affecting the potential distribution of the European beewolf. We predicted the potential distribution shifts within two scenarios (optimistic RPC4.5 and pessimistic RCP8.5) and three Global Circulation Models (HadGEM2-ES, IPSL-CM5A-LR, and MPI-SM-LR). Both optimistic and pessimistic scenarios showed that climate change will significantly increase the availability of European beewolf potential niches. Losses of potential niches will only affect small areas in southern Europe. Most of the anticipated changes for the period 2060–2080 will already have occurred in 2040–2060. The predicted range expansion of European beewolf suggests that occurrence and abundance of this species should be monitored.
On the presence in France of Andrena confinis Stöckert, 1930, and Osmia bidentata Morawitz, 1876 (Hymenoptera, Andrenidae, Megachilidae). Andrena confinis Stöckhert, 1930, and Osmia bidentata Morawitz, 1876, are two wild bee species for which presence in France is dubious. Some French specimens were found in the collections of the Muséum national d’Histoire naturelle (Paris), so affiliation of these two species to the French fauna is confirmed. Major diagnostic features, ecology and distribution are provided.
Psenulus carinifrons (Cameron, 1902), a new exotic species for the fauna of France (Hymenoptera, Psenidae). Psenulus carinifrons iwatai (Gussakovskij, 1934), native from Japan, was detected in a reed bed in Camargue, in south-eastern France.
scite is a Brooklyn-based organization that helps researchers better discover and understand research articles through Smart Citations–citations that display the context of the citation and describe whether the article provides supporting or contrasting evidence. scite is used by students and researchers from around the world and is funded in part by the National Science Foundation and the National Institute on Drug Abuse of the National Institutes of Health.