Triepeolus tuberculifer Onuferko, Rightmyer & Roig-Alsina, 2024

Figs 1, 9A

Triepeolus tuberculifer Onuferko, Rightmyer & Roig-Alsina in Onuferko et al., 2024: 41 (♀, ♂), figs 1i, 13d, 15b, 16.

Triepeolus n. sp. 2 – Rightmyer 2008: 30 (in key).

Proposed common name

Tubercled triepeolus.

Diagnosis

Unique to T. tuberculifer within the genus are the distinctly tuberculate pro- and mesotrochanters (Fig. 9A). Additionally, T. tuberculifer is the only South American species in the T. simplex group in which T1 has subparallel basal and apical transverse bands, which are joined on each side by a distinct longitudinal band such that the discal patch is transversely oblong (Fig. 1), and T2–T4 have medially interrupted apical transverse bands (Fig. 1).

Etymology

See Onuferko et al. (2024).

Material examined

See Onuferko et al. (2024).

DNA barcoded material

Unavailable.

Redescription

This species was recently described (Onuferko et al. 2024), and a redescription is not warranted.

Distribution

Northern South America (Onuferko et al. 2024: fig. 1i).

Ecology

Host records

Unknown.

Floral records

Unknown.

Remarks

Detailed morphological and taxonomic remarks about this species are given in Onuferko et al. (2024).

Key to both sexes of the species of the Triepeolus simplex group

1. T1 with basal band of pale tomentum arched, on each side (or each if medially interrupted) continuous with (and indistinguishable from) lateral longitudinal band, such that discal patch triangular, semicircular, or crescent-shaped (as in Fig. 11C; for additional examples see also Figs 13, 21B, 25B) .................................................................................................................................................. 2

– Not as above. T1 basal and apical transverse bands (if present and distinct) joined laterally with abrupt transition between basal band and lateral longitudinal band (Fig. 11D–E) (at least if transverse bands not effectively mirror images, as in Figs 1, 23B), such that discal patch quadrangular or transversely oblong or elliptic (as in Fig. 15; for additional examples see also Figs 1, 11A, D–E, 14B, 16B, 17B, 19B, 22B, 23B, 24B, 26B, 27B, 28B, 29B, 30B, 31B) .................................................................... 8

2. Mesoscutum without well-defined paramedian band of yellow tomentum (Figs 13B, 21B). T1 without apical transverse band (Figs 13B, 21B); if T1 extensively covered in pale tomentum, then tomentum on apical impressed area not forming distinct transverse band ....................................... 3

– Mesoscutum with well-defined paramedian band of off-white to yellow tomentum (Figs 13A, 16B, 19B, 25B, 31B). T1 with (Figs 11C–E, 13A, 19B, 25B) or without apical transverse band ............ 4

3. Mesoscutum with pale (yellow) tomentum restricted to lateral and posterior margins (Fig. 21B) [Southwestern United States to Central America] .............................. T. mexicanus (Cresson, 1878)

– Mesoscutum with large anteromedial ovate patch of pale (yellow) tomentum, which may be sparser medially such that patch suggestive of ill-defined paramedian band (Fig. 13B) [South America] .... ........................................................................................................... T. nemoralis (Holmberg, 1886)

4. Axilla with pale pubescence all along its margins (Figs 19B, 20A). Pseudopygidial area of female with glabrous midline or distinct midline of posteriorly directed setae (Fig. 19D) ........................... ...................................................................................................... T. kathrynae Rozen, 1989 (in part)

– Axilla without pale pubescence all along its margins (Figs 13A, 16B, 25B, 31B). Pseudopygidial area of female without glabrous midline (Figs 16D, 25D, 31D) ...................................................... 5

5. Mesopleuron with ventrolateral half sparsely punctate (some i>4d), laterally with sparse, pale-yellow, erect/suberect, simple setae (reaching about ½ MOD in length) in addition to the usual appressed, branched setae (Figs 18B, 25A). T1 discal patch crescent-shaped (Fig. 25B). T2 apical transverse band with pair of basomedially strongly convergent anterolateral extensions (Fig. 25B) ................................................................................................................... T. paucipunctatus sp. nov.

– Mesopleuron more densely punctate (i≤ 3d), laterally without erect/suberect, simple setae or with short (<¼ MOD), erect/suberect, simple setae (Figs 6D, 16A, C, 18D, 31A, C). T1 discal patch semicircular or triangular (Figs 11C, 13A). T2 apical transverse band without anterolateral extensions (Figs 10D, 11C–D, 16A–C, 31B–C) or with pair of ill-defined, perpendicular anterolateral extensions (Fig. 13A) ......................................................................................................................................... 6

6. Metasomal tergal bands progressively paler (Figs 10A, 31). T2–T4 apical transverse bands clearly not as broad as bands on T1, those of T2–T3 medially somewhat removed from apical margins of terga (Figs 10A, 31). S5 of male with short, straight subapical setae (only S4 with apical/subapical fringe of dense, long (>1 MOD), curved setae) (Figs 10A, 31C) [Nearctic] ..................................... .................................................................................................. T. simplex Robertson, 1903 (in part)

– Metasomal tergal bands concolorous or T1 basal band paler than succeeding bands (Figs 10D, 11C– D, 13A, 16). T2–T4 apical transverse bands about as broad as (if not broader than) bands on T1 and usually very little removed from apical margins of terga (Figs 10D, 11C–D, 13A, 16). S4–S5 of male each with apical/subapical fringe of dense, long (>1 MOD), curved setae (Figs 10D, 16C) [Neotropics] ...................................................................................................................................... 7

7. T1 with (Fig. 13A) or without apical transverse band; if T1 with apical transverse band, then basal band not more widely interrupted medially than apical transverse band (Fig. 13A) [Brazil] ............ .................................................................................................................. T. alvarengai Moure, 1955

– T1 with apical transverse band (Figs 10D, 11C–D, 16A–C). T1 basal band more widely interrupted medially than apical transverse band (Figs 11C–D, 16B) [Mexico and Central America] ................ ....................................................................................................... T. eumeniformis sp. nov. (in part)

8. T1 basal band forming inflexed arch and thus gradually narrowed but not completely interrupted medially, such that discal patch with short, narrowed (i.e., inverted V-shaped) anteromedial projection (as in Fig. 15A, F; for additional examples see also Figs 14B, 30B). Legs entirely reddish orange from trochanters to tarsi (Figs 14A–C, 30A–C) ............................................................................... 9

– T1 basal band rather abruptly if not completely interrupted medially, with region of dark, short, appressed setae expanded basally or such that discal patch with inverted U- or horseshoe-shaped anteromedial projection (as in Fig. 15D–E; for additional examples see also Figs 1, 11A, D–E, 16B, 17B, 19B, 22B, 23B, 24B, 26B, 27B, 28B, 29B, 31B); if projection at all narrowed basomedially, then basal band deeply invaginated, such that basal transverse band appears completely interrupted medially in dorsal view(Fig.15B–C).Legs entirely reddish orange from trochanters to tarsi (Figs 17A– C, 18A, 19A–B, 23A–C, 24A–C, 27B, 29A–B) to extensively dark brown/black (Figs 11D, 18D, 19C, 22A–C, 26B, 31A–C) ............................................................................................................. 10

9. T1 apical transverse band interrupted or (less commonly) at least narrowed medially (Figs 14B, 15A). T2 apical transverse band complete or interrupted medially (Figs 14B, 15A) [Southwestern United States and adjacent Mexico] ...................................................................... T. apache sp. nov.

– T1 apical transverse band complete (Figs 15F, 30B) or (less commonly) narrowly interrupted medially. T2 apical transverse band complete (Fig. 30B) [northern Arizona and northern New Mexico to Western Canada] ................................................................................ T. shoshone sp. nov.

10. Mesopleuron laterally with long (≥½ MOD), erect/suberect, simple setae (Figs 6B, 18A, C) .......11

– Mesopleuron laterally without erect/suberect, simple setae or with short (<¼ MOD), erect/suberect, simple setae (Figs 6D, 9, 18D) ....................................................................................................... 13

11. Legs extensively dark brown/black from coxae to femora (Figs 18C, 28A–C). Pseudopygidial area of female with underlying integument dark brown/black (Fig. 28D) ................................................. ....................................................................................... T. saturninus Cockerell & Sandhouse, 1924

– Legs entirely reddish orange from trochanters to tarsi (Figs 6B, 17A–C, 18A, 24A–C).Pseudopygidial area of female with underlying integument entirely dark brown/black (Fig. 17D) to predominantly reddish orange (Fig. 24D) ............................................................................................................... 12

12. Pseudopygidial area of female with three subregions of differentiated setae: basal patch of dense, golden setae; darker subapical band of sparser, coppery brown setae; and apical row of dense, suberect, silvery setae (Fig. 17D). Axilla black (Figs 5C, 17B). Generally smaller (body length 5.5–9.0 mm; ITW 1.2–1.7 mm) (Fig. 17A–C) [Southwestern United States and adjacent Mexico] .. ............................................................................................................................... T. hirsutus sp. nov.

– Pseudopygidial area of female without distinct subregions of differentiated setae; setae golden to silvery and relatively uniform in density (Fig. 24D). Axilla commonly with reddish tip (Fig. 24B). Generally larger (body length 8.0–12.0 mm; ITW 1.7–2.5 mm) (Fig. 24A–C) [Central and South Texas] ............................................................................................................ T. parahirsutus sp. nov.

13. T1 discal patch narrowly oblong or elliptic (as in Fig. 15C–D; for additional examples see also Figs 1, 22B, 23B, 26B) ................................................................................................................... 14

– T1 discal patch trapezoidal (as in Fig. 15E; for additional examples see also Figs 11A, D–E, 16B, 19B, 27B, 29B, 31B) ...................................................................................................................... 17

14. Pro- and mesotrochanters distinctly tuberculate (Fig. 9A) [northern South America] ....................... ................................................................ T. tuberculifer Onuferko, Rightmyer & Roig-Alsina, 2024

– Pro- and mesotrochanters not tuberculate (Fig. 9B–D) [North America] ...................................... 15

15. Mesoscutum and metasomal terga with bands of pale-gray to white/off-white, short, appressed setae (Fig. 22). Legs, at least from coxae to femora, partially to predominantly dark brown/black (Figs 3B, 9B, 22A–C). Pseudopygidial area of female with underlying integument dark brown/black (Fig. 22D) ......................................................................................... T. obliteratus Graenicher, 1911

– Mesoscutum and metasomal terga with bands of pale-yellow, short, appressed setae (Figs 8B, 15C–D, 23, 26). Legs predominantly dark brown/black from coxae to femora (Fig. 26B) to entirely reddish orange from trochanters to tarsi (Fig. 23A–C). Pseudopygidial area of female with underlying integument entirely dark brown/black (Fig. 23D) to predominantly reddish orange (Fig. 26D) ... 16

16. T1 discal patch broadly rounded laterally and rod-shaped (Figs 15C, 23B). Axilla black (Fig. 23B) ................................................................................................................... T. oblongimacula sp. nov.

– T1 discal patch somewhat narrowed and/or curved posterolaterally and thus allantoid (Figs 15D, 26A–C). Axilla black (Fig. 26B) or to some extent reddish orange, especially in western specimens (Fig. 26C) ......................................................................................... T. rhododontus Cockerell, 1921

17. T2 apical transverse band without anterolateral extensions (Figs 10D, 11C–D, 16A–C, 31B–C) or with pair of ill-defined, perpendicular anterolateral extensions ..................................................... 18

– T2 apical transverse band with pair of basomedially strongly convergent anterolateral extensions (Figs 11A, E, 15E, 19A–C, 27B–C, 29A–C) .................................................................................. 19

18. Metasomal tergal bands concolorous or T1 basal band paler than succeeding bands (Figs 10D, 11C– D, 16). T2–T4 apical transverse bands about as broad as (if not broader than) bands on T1 and usually very little removed from apical margins of terga (Figs 10D, 11C–D, 16). S4–S5 of male each with apical/subapical fringe of dense, long (> 1 MOD), curved setae (Figs 10D, 16C) [Neotropics] ....................................................................................................... T. eumeniformis sp. nov. (in part)

– Metasomal tergal bands progressively paler (Figs 10A, 31). T2–T4 apical transverse bands clearly not as broad as bands on T1, those of T2–T3 medially somewhat removed from apical margins of terga (Figs 10A, 31). S5 of male with short, straight subapical setae (only S4 with apical/subapical fringe of dense, long (>1 MOD), curved setae) (Figs 10A, 31C) [Nearctic] ..................................... ................................................................................................... T. simplex Robertson, 1903 (in part)

19. Axilla extending little if at all beyond midlength of mesoscutellum (Figs 20B, 29B); tip distinctly pointed, but mesally unattached to mesoscutellum for less than 2/5 medial length of axilla (Figs 20B, 29B). Pseudopygidial area of female without glabrous midline (Fig. 29D) ....................................... ........................................................................................................... T. segregatus (Cockerell, 1900)

– Axilla extending well beyond midlength of mesoscutellum (Figs 5B, 19B, 20A, 27B); tip distinctly pointed and hooked (i.e., concave along medial margin), mesally unattached to mesoscutellum for approximately half medial length of axilla (Figs 5B, 19B, 20A, 27B). Pseudopygidial area of female with glabrous midline or distinct midline of posteriorly directed setae (Figs 19D, 27D) .............. 20

20. Axilla with pale pubescence all along its margins (Figs 19B, 20A). T1 discal patch without semicircular anteromedial projection, apical transverse band at most slightly narrowed sublaterally (Figs 11E, 19B) [Southwestern United States and Mexico] ........ T. kathrynae Rozen, 1989 (in part)

– Axilla without pale pubescence all along its margins (Figs 5B, 27B). T1 discal patch trapezoidal with semicircular anteromedial projection, apical transverse band usually greatly narrowed sublaterally at posterior corner of discal patch (Figs 11A, 27B) [The Bahamas and Cuba] ..... T. roni Genaro, 1999