Sapyga angustata?

Moved

Moved from Sapyga angustata.

Given Steve Paiero's disagreement based on morphology, I'm moving these up to a more confidently known ID. We shouldn't be upholding an ID based on coloration while neglecting morphological differences. If there's proper confidence from morphology, it may be appropriate to move these to Polochrum elegans.

… Jonathan Hoskins, 12 May, 2024 - 9:31pm

Polochrum elegans versus Sapyga angustata

I have to disagree with Doug. At first look it seems like a good id but I happened to be looking at it a bit more closely and had to rethink it. Dr Yanega mentioned that Sapyga angustata "can be fairly reliably separated from Polochrum elegans by having only an anterior pronotal band (P. elegans has a yellow margin posteriorly on the pronotum)."... that works with the females but this one is a male (I have a few Polochrum males in from of me that have no yellow posterior margin). Assuming these are all the same specimens Harsi, note how the slight curve in the second recurrent vein (outermost crossvein, see image 399302) - in Sapyga angustata, this crossvein is much more sinuate. Also there is an issue with the malar space. In Sapyga species, this space is relatively short (~1/2-2/3 the width of the basal antennal segment) while in Polochrum elegans, this space is larger (>1X width of basal antennal segment)(see image 399303). Finally.. phew.. the male Polochrum has a larger terminal segment than Sapyga species (the terminal segment looks more like a ball sticking out of the end) and, assuming you have the specimen (don't have the right angle on any of the posted shots), if you were to look at the terminal segment it will have a longitudinal carina on it (something Sapyga does not).

… Steve Paiero, 27 September, 2012 - 12:23pm

Moved

Moved from Sapygid Wasps.
ID confirmed by Doug Yanega who adds that this sp. "can be fairly reliably separated from Polochrum elegans by having only an anterior pronotal band (P. elegans has a yellow margin posteriorly on the pronotum)."
It might be interesting to compile a list of the Megachildae you've found so far around your place, since by now we know that you have three different spp. of Sapygidae who use those bees as hosts.

… Hartmut Wisch, 25 May, 2010 - 6:42pm

Possibly FOUR species...

I was intrigued by Doug's comment regarding P. elegans and immediately went to explore my sapygid images from last year. When you get a chance, take a look at this specimen that I just posted.

I sometimes still have a bit of trouble distinguishing the Megachilidae from some of the other bees in the area, but I will definitely start submitting more of my unidentified photos in the hopes of coming up with a comprehensive list of possible sapygid host species.

Again, I want to thank Hartmut and Doug for their help in obtaining IDs for these wasps!

… Harsi S. Parker, 25 May, 2010 - 7:37pm