Andrena (Vellandrena) bassana , Warncke 1969
Creators: name: Pisanty, Gideon
name: Wood, Thomas James
Publisher: name: Zenodo
Year: 2024
Subjects: Biodiversity
Taxonomy
Animalia
Arthropoda
Insecta
Hymenoptera
Andrenidae
Andrena
Andrena bassana

description: Andrena (Vellandrena) bassana Warncke, 1969
(Figs. 89–90, 94–100, 102, 104, 106, 108–111)
Andrena (Truncandrena) bassana Warncke, 1969: 403, ♂ [Israel: OLML].
Andrena (Truncandrena) bassana Warncke: Gusenleitner & Schwarz 2002: 116–117.
Description of female (Fig. 96).
Body length: 11.5–12.5 mm.
Colour. Body dark. Anterior side of flagellomeres 4–10 reddish. Tergal marginal zones reddish to black, becoming yellowish near apex (Fig. 90). Wings slightly infuscate, veins and stigma brown (Figs. 96, 99).
Pubescence. Head and mesosoma mostly with minutely plumose golden hair (Figs. 89, 94–98). Lower 2/3 of face with moderately long golden hair, with highest density on the outer margin of antennal sockets (Fig. 94). Facial foveae with dense minute yellowish hair (Fig. 89). Vertex and genal area with golden hair (Figs. 89, 94, 96). Mesonotum, scutellum and metanotum with thick golden hairs, very short, sparse and inconspicuous centrally, dense and moderately long peripherally (Figs. 89, 96). Mesepisternum with long, dense golden hair, becoming slightly whitish ventrally. Propodeal corbicula incomplete, dorsal margin with fringe of long, moderately plumose golden hairs, upper half of corbicular surface with extremely dense, short yellowish plumose hair, with a texture reminiscent of a carpet (Fig. 98). Leg hair whitish to golden (Figs. 95–96). Tibial scopa composed of simple golden hairs. Flocculus complete, whitish (Fig. 95). Surface of tergal disc 1 with sparse, medium-lengthed yellowish hairs, the following discs with minute, inconspicuous bright hairs. Apices of tergal marginal zones 2–4 with narrow, complete bands of moderately dense whitish hair. Terminal fringe golden (Figs. 90, 96).
Head (Figs. 89, 94, 96). 1.15 times broader than long (Fig. 94). Mandible bidentate. Galea very finely shagreened. Glossa 2.7 times longer than broad. Labral process triangular, apex thickened, minutely bidentate. Clypeus almost completely flat, surface weakly shagreened on basal ¼, elsewhere smooth, punctation coarse, dense and strong, distance between punctures 0.5–1 puncture diameters, without impunctate midline (Fig. 94). Lower part of paraocular area smooth, finely and densely punctured. Malar area undeveloped, eye margin almost touching mandible base. Supraclypeal area moderately protuberant, longitudinally striated, finely and densely punctured. Facial foveae broad throughout, almost rectangular, very shallow above, deeper below, extending from level of upper margin of lateral ocellus to base of clypeus, 0.65 times as wide as antennocular distance, separated from compound eye by smooth linear area (Figs. 89, 94). Distance of fovea from lateral ocellus about 1.1 ocellar diameters. Flagellomere 1 0.85 times shorter than 2+3+4 (Fig. 94). Frons strongly longitudinally striated, interspersed with fine punctures. Ocellar triangle very densely, finely punctured. Ocelloccipital distance 1.9 ocellar diameters (Fig. 89). Genal area about 1.1 times wider than compound eye. Preoccipital ridge weakly carinate dorsally, rounded laterally.
Mesosoma (Figs.89,95,97–99).Dorsolateral angle of pronotum distinctly elevated, forming a strong dorsolateral carina. Mesonotum weakly shagreened to almost smooth anteriorly, smooth centrally, densely punctured, distance between punctures 0.5–1 puncture diameters on anterior margin, 1–4 puncture diameters on disc. Scutellum smooth, densely punctured, distance between punctures 0.5–2 puncture diameters (Fig. 89). Surface of mesepisternum with strong, very fine alveolation, overlayed by weak punctures separated by 0.5–1 puncture diameters. Surface of lower half of propodeal corbicula strongly shagreened (Fig. 98). Basal part of propodeum moderately sloping, apical part longer, more or less vertical. Surface of posterolateral part of propodeum with very strong, fine alveolation, overlayed by coarse and dense, ill-defined punctures. Propodeal triangle narrow, almost T-shaped, surface mat, lateral and apical margins very finely, shallowly alveolated, central area with weak, ill-defined fine rugae (Figs. 89, 97). Inner side of hind femur rounded. Inner hind tibial spur more or less straight and of uniform width. Hind pretarsal claw with strong inner tooth. First recurrent vein meets submarginal cell 2 beyond its middle. Submarginal crossvein 1 enters marginal cell 4–6 vein widths from stigma. Nervulus slightly postfurcal (Fig. 99).
Metasoma (Fig. 90). Tergal discs mostly smooth and shiny, strongly and densely punctured, distance between punctures 1–2 puncture diameters on tergum 1, 0.5–1 puncture diameters on terga 2–4. Tergal marginal zones very broad and arched, weakly to moderately depressed, surface sculpture similar to tergal discs except for basal margins which are more sparsely punctured. Pygidial plate normally developed, without elevated medial area.
Distribution: Gaza Strip *, Israel, West Bank, Jordan *, Syria *.
Flight period: February–April. A single male was apparently collected in July.
Flower records: Asteraceae: Pallenis spinosa; Brassicaceae: Sinapis sp.; Ranunculaceae: Ranunculus asiaticus.
Pollen preferences: Four analysed loads from Bet Guvrin, Lakhish and Ya’arot Hakarmel contained 40% Boraginaceae (Echium - type), 38% Papaveraceae (Papaver), 20% Asteraceae (Anthemis - type, Crepis - type), and 2% Brassicaceae (Sinapis - type). The species therefore appears to be polylectic.
Genetic sequences available: BOLD accession nos. ANDIL357-22, ANDPH033-21 (Israel); Genbank accession no. SRX10365470 (UCE, Israel).
MATERIAL EXAMINED: HOLOTYPE: ISRAEL • ♂; Ramleh [Ramla]; OLML. – PARATYPES: ISRAEL • 2♂; Daphne [Dafna]; 20 Mar. 1941; H. Bytinski-Salz leg.; SMNHTAU • 1♂; Deganya A [Degania Alef], Bet Gordon; 1 Mar. 1942; Y. Palmoni leg.; SMNHTAU • 1♂; Migda [Gilat Research Center]; 14 Mar. 19[??]; H. Bytinski-Salz leg.; SMNHTAU • 1♂; ibid.; 18 Mar. 19[??] • 7♂; Ginosar; 6 Mar. 1965; H. Bytinski-Salz leg.; SMNHTAU.— non-type material: GAZA STRIP • 1♀; Deir El-Belah [Deir al-Balah], 8 m. SW of Gaza; 7 Apr. 1917; E.E. Austen leg.; OLML.— ISRAEL • 2♀; Avivim; 25 Apr. 1983; A. Hefetz leg.; SMNHTAU • 1♀; Bet [Beit] Guvrin; 3 Apr. 1988; I. Yarom leg.; SMNHTAU 374706 • 2♀; Kokhav HaYarden [Belvoir Castle], moat of castle; 26 Mar. 2001; L. Friedman leg.; SMNHTAU • 1♂; B.Shemen [Ben Shemen]; 15 Jul.[?] 1980; E. Shney-Dor leg.; SMNHTAU • 1♀; Nahal Besor [Besor Stream]; 15 Mar. 1970. M. Kaplan leg.; SMNHTAU 374717 • 1♀; Benjamina [Binyamina]; 16 Mar. 19[??]; H. Bytinski-Salz leg.; OLML • 2♂; Daphne [Dafna]; 20 Mar. 1941; H. Bytinski-Salz leg.; SMNHTAU • 1♂; Nahal Dishon [Dishon Stream]; 1 Apr. 1991; R. Kasher leg.; SMNHTAU • 1♂; Ein-Avazim, S Qiryat Shemona [Kiryat Shmona]; 13 Mar. 1995; R. Kasher leg.; sleeping on Ranunculus asiaticus; SMNHTAU • 1♂; Gonen, E Hula Valley; 23 Mar. 1995; R. Kasher leg.; SMNHTAU • 1♂; Har Shana ([Mount] Carmel); 24 Mar. 1989, J. Kugler leg.; SMNHTAU • 1♀; Karmei Yosef; 22 Mar. 2018; T. Roth leg.; pan trap; SMNHTAU 291203 • 3♀; Lakhish; 19 Mar. 2013; T. Shapira leg.; pan trap; SMNHTAU 133511, 150223, 150309 • 1♀; ibid.; 20 Mar. 2013; SMNHTAU 150574 • 1♂; Lakhish, 3 km NE; 31.575° N, 34.870° E; 4 Mar. 2016; G. Pisanty leg.; SMNHTAU 235267 • 3♀; ibid.; 11 Mar. 2016; SMNHTAU 236064, 236065, 236069 • 3♂; ibid.; SMNHTAU 236041, 236042, 236055 • 2♀; ibid.; 19 Mar. 2016; SMNHTAU 236547, 236548 • 1♂; ibid.; SMNHTAU 236552 • 1♂; ibid.; 1 Apr. 2016; on Pallenis spinosa; SMNHTAU 238684 • 2♂; Lakhish, 3 km NE; 31.579° N, 34.871° E; 11 Mar. 2016; G. Pisanty leg.; on Sinapis; SMNHTAU 235970, 235972 • 1♀; Zomet Lakhish [Lakhish Junction]; 30 Mar. 2002; A. Freidberg leg.; SMNHTAU 374704 • 1♀; Migdal; 14 Apr. 1942; Y. Palmoni leg.; SMNHTAU 181005 • 1♀; Mizpe Zohar; 6 Mar. 1972 [?]; K. Yefenof leg.; SMNHTAU • 1♀; Yaarot HaKarmel [Mount Carmel National Park]; 14 Apr. 1945; H. Bytinski-Salz leg.; SMNHTAU 374705 • 2♂; Hare [Mount] Gilboa’; 32.415° N, 35. 441° E; 80 m a.s.l.; 15 Mar. 2021; A. Dorchin leg.; SMNHTAU 358713, 358714 • 1♂; ibid.; BOLD accession no. ANDIL357-22; SMNHTAU 358715 • 1♂; Amud W. [Nahal Amud]; 3 Mar. 1984; E. Shney-Dor leg.; SMNHTAU • 3♂; Golan, Nahal Sa’ar; 18 Apr. 1992; R. Kasher leg.; SMNHTAU • 1♀; Golan, N.Saar [Nahal Sa’ar], 13 km W Qiryat [Kiryat] Shmona; 18 Apr. 1990; R. Kasher leg.; SMNHTAU 374711 • 1♀; Ya’ar Nehusha [Nehusha Forest]; 18 Mar. 2015; T. Chaprazaro leg.; SMNHTAU 184889 • 3♂; Ramla; 28 Mar. 1972; H. Bytinski-Salz leg.; SMNHTAU • 1♀, 9♂; Ramleh [Ramla]; 24 Mar. 1971; H. Bytinski-Salz leg.; SMNHTAU • 1♂; Shoham Forest Park; 32.00° N, 34.963° E; 28 Mar. 2022; G. Pisanty leg.; sweeping; SMNHTAU 388591 • 1♀; Snir, Hermon Field Study Center; 5 Mar. 1996; R. Kasher leg.; SMNHTAU • 2♂; ibid.; 27 Mar. 1997 • 1♂; ibid.; 30 Mar. 1997 • 1♂; ibid.; 3 Apr. 1997 • 1♀; Tel ‘Eton; 31.492° N, 34.925° E; 3 Apr. 2022; G. Pisanty leg.; sweeping; SMNHTAU 388483 • 7♂; ibid.; SMNHTAU 388476 to 388482 • 1♂; Tel Hadid; 31.968° N, 34.95° E; 20 Mar. 2015; G. Pisanty leg.; SMNHTAU 208036 • 1♀; ibid.; 31.968° N, 34.951° E; pan trap; BOLD accession no. ANDPH033-21, Genbank accession no. SRX10365470; SMNHTAU 207993 • 1♀; Emeq HaEla [Valley of Elah]; 31°41’ N, 34°58’ E; 20 Apr. 2011; A. Moran leg.; SMNHTAU.— JORDAN • 1♀; Irbid, Saham vill [village]; 25 Apr. 2003; I. Pljushtch leg.; OLML • 1♂; S of Irbid; 13 Apr. 2009; M. Snižek leg.; OLML • 2♀; N. Shuna env; 30 Apr. 1996; Mi. Halada leg.; OLML.— SYRIA • 1♂; 30 km NW Dara; 29–30 Apr. 1994; S. Bečvář leg.; OLML.— WEST BANK • 1♀; Inn of [the] Good Samaritan; 11 Apr. 1899; Morice leg.; OLML • 1♀; Ma’ale Adumim; 24 Feb. 1974; M. Kaplan leg.; SMNHTAU • 1♂; NofePerat [Nofei Prat], Kefar Adummim [Kfar Adumim], north-facing slope of Nahal Perat [Wadi Qelt]; 27 Feb. 2007; L. Friedman leg.; SMNHTAU • 2♂; Sartava NR [Nature Reserve], Wadi Jeruzaliya; –70–+ 300 m a.s.l.; 14 Feb. 2019; L. Friedman leg.; SMNHTAU 301538, 301539.
Remarks. Due to the dearth of available material and the differing morphologies of the two sexes, in his original account of A. bassana, Warncke (1969) could not confidently associate the females with the males, and therefore described only the latter. Six years later, having examined more material from Turkey and the Levant, he very briefly described the female of A. b. etesiaca (herein elevated to species status), in terms of the distinguishing characters from the nominate subspecies, which was still left undescribed (Warncke 1975). This is unfortunate, as the holotype of A. b. etesiaca is a female. An adequate description of the females of either subspecies was therefore essentially lacking, and the above treatment is given to amend this issue.
description: Published as part of Pisanty, Gideon & Wood, Thomas James, 2024, The early-diverging subgenera of the bee genus Andrena (Hymenoptera: Andrenidae) in the Old World, pp. 451-488 in Zootaxa 5474 (5) on pages 481-483, DOI: 10.11646/zootaxa.5474.5.1, http://zenodo.org/record/12712066