Gynandromorphs of Megachile picicornis (Morawitz, 1877) and M. deceptoria (Perйz, 1890) (Hymenoptera: Megachilidae) and their evolutionary interpretation
Journal: rej
Year: 2012

Seven gynandromorphic specimens of Megachile picicornis and M. deceptoria collected in the Crimea are described. All specimens of both species have similar morphology, i.e. the male-like head (except for the 12-segmented antennae) and legs as well as the female-like metasoma that totally lacks scopa. Arguments in favor of the hypothesis that ontogenetic anomalies of that kind could lead to the origin of cleptoparasitic species of bees from the nest-building ones are given.