Lasioglossum (Dialictus) mesillense
Creators: name: Gardner, Joel
name: Gibbs, Jason
Publisher: name: Zenodo
Year: 2020
Subjects: Biodiversity
Taxonomy
Animalia
Arthropoda
Insecta
Hymenoptera
Halictidae
Lasioglossum
Lasioglossum mesillense

description: Lasioglossum (Dialictus) mesillense (Cockerell, 1898)
Figs 55–57, 90G, 101B, 108B
Halictus nymphalis race mesillensis Cockerell, 1898b: 47 (lectotype designated herein, ♀, deposited in EMEC, examined).
Halictus clarissimus Ellis, 1914b: 222 (holotype, ♀, deposited in USNM, examined) syn. nov.
Halictus (Chloralictus) perexiguus Sandhouse, 1924: 26 (holotype, ♂, deposited in USNM, examined) syn. nov.
Halictus mesillensis – Cockerell 1906: 429 (key).
Halictus (Chloralictus) clarissimus – Sandhouse 1924: 4 (key).
Halictus (Chloralictus) mesillensis – Sandhouse 1924: 4 (key).
Lasioglossum (Chloralictus) clarissimum – Michener 1951: 1112 (catalog).
Lasioglossum (Chloralictus) mesillense – Michener 1951: 1115 (catalog).
Lasioglossum (Chloralictus) perexiguum – Michener 1951: 1116 (catalog).
Dialictus clarissimus – Hurd 1979: 1965 (catalog). — Moure & Hurd 1987: 95 (catalog).
Dialictus mesillensis – Hurd 1979: 1968 (catalog). — Moure & Hurd 1987: 112 (catalog).
Dialictus perexiguus – Hurd 1979: 1969 (catalog). — Moure & Hurd 1987: 120 (catalog).
Diagnosis
Females of Lasioglossum mesillense can be recognized by the face short (length/width ratio ~0.8), frons with very fine and dense but distinctly separated punctures, clypeus with distinct apicolateral denticles, mesepisternum with dense punctures (i ≤ 1 pd) becoming crowded and weakly rugulose on the dorsal margin, T2–4 with dark spiracular spots, T1 anterior surface usually shiny, metasomal terga usually with some dense basolateral tomentum, and mesoscutum long (length/width ratio usually ±0.84). They are most similar to L. minckleyi sp. nov., L. austerum sp. nov., and L. imbriumbrae sp. nov. Females of L. minckleyi sp. nov. have the frons with crowded and indistinct punctures, mesepisternum more densely punctate ventrally (i <1 pd), T1 anterior surface coriarious, metasomal terga without tomentum, and mesoscutum broad (length/width ratio usually ≤ 0.8). Females of L. austerum sp. nov. have the head and mesosoma with more extensive dull microsculpture, mesepisternum more sparsely and distinctly punctate dorsally (i ≤ 1 pd), T1 anterior surface coriarious, and metasomal terga without tomentum. Females of L. imbriumbrae sp. nov. have the frons with crowded indistinct punctures (nearly rugulose) medially, and mesepisternum and hypoepimeron usually with dense but distinctly separated punctures throughout (i <1 pd).
Males of L. mesillense can be recognized by the flagellomeres relatively long (F2 about 2 times as long as F1 and 1.6 times as long as broad), face short (length/width ratio ~0.84) and covered in dense tomentum below the ocelli, mesepisternum shiny and moderately densely punctate (i =1–2 pd), metapostnotum with relatively weak rugae not reaching the posterior margin or extending onto the dorsolateral slope, T2–3 often with basolateral tomentum, and clypeus apical margin and labrum orange to yellow. They are most similar to L. minckleyi sp. nov., L. austerum sp. nov., and L. clematisellum. Males of L. minckleyi sp. nov. have the flagellomeres relatively short (F2 about 1.6 times as long as F1 and 1.25 times as long as broad), frons with crowded and indistinct punctures, and T2–3 never with basolateral tomentum. Males of L. austerum sp. nov. have the flagellomeres relatively short (F2 about 1.75 times as long as F1 and 1.4 times as long as broad) and face with sparse tomentum. Males of L. clematisellum have the clypeus apical margin, labrum, and metasoma black, metapostnotum with strong rugae reaching the posterior margin and extending onto the dorsolateral slope, and T2–3 never with basolateral tomentum.
Etymology
Cockerell (1898b) named this species after the Mesilla Valley in New Mexico, where the type series was collected, plus the Latin adjectival suffix ‘- ensis ’, indicating association with a place.
Material examined
Lectotype
UNITED STATES – New Mexico • ♀; Las Cruces; [32.32° N, 106.76° W]; 5 Aug. 1893; Cockerell leg.; EMEC 530953.
[Verbatim label: Las Cruces, NM / Aug. 5 1893 (Cockerell) // stultus? // Halictus mesillensis Cockerell // Stanford University // Halictus mesillensis Ckll / Ckll // UC Berkeley / EMEC 530,953]
Other material
MEXICO – Baja California • 1 ♂; 12 mi. S of Palacio; [30° N, 115° W]; Apr. 1939; C.D. Michener leg.; ex Prosopis; CAS. – Chihuahua • 1 ♀; Hidalgo del Parral; [26.93° N, 105.67° W]; 31 Jul. 1967; R.C. Gardner, C.R. Kovacic and K. Lorenzen leg.; UCDC. – Sonora • 2 ♀♀; 30 km E of Agua Prieta; 31.3294° N, 109.2547° W; 24 Jul. 2001; R.L. Minckley leg.; RLM • 1 ♀; same location as for preceding; 18 Jul. 2001; R.L. Minckley leg.; RLM • 1 ♀; 30 km E of Agua Prieta; 31.3097° N, 109.2778° W; 6 Aug. 2004; R.L. Minckley leg.; ex Chenopodium neomexicanum; RLM • 1 ♀; same location as for preceding; 8 Aug. 2004; R.L. Minckley leg.; ex Salsola iberica; RLM • 1 ♀; 30 km E of Agua Prieta; 31.3297° N, 109.2558° W; 3 Apr. 2002; A. Romero leg.; RLM • 1 ♀, 2 ♂♂; Cócorit; [27.58° N, 109.96° W]; 11 Jun. 1961; F.D. Parker leg.; UCDC • 1 ♀; Municipio de Agua Prieta, Rancho Nogalitos; 31.31177° N, 108.98622° W; 25 May 2008; RLM • 2 ♀♀; Rancho San Bernardino; 31.3294° N, 109.2547° W; 5 Sep. 2001; R.L. Minckley leg.; RLM • 1 ♀; Rancho San Bernardino; 31.3186° N, 109.2508° W; 5 Sep. 2001; R.L. Minckley leg.; RLM • 1 ♀; Rancho San Bernardino; 31.3303° N, 109.26° W; 8 Sep. 2001; R.L. Minckley leg.; RLM • 1 ♀; Rancho San Bernardino, 28 km E of Agua Prieta, cienega transect; [31.32° N, 109.26° W]; 27 Jul. 2000; K. Toal leg.; RLM • 2 ♀♀; Rancho San Bernardino, Bosque wet, Site 1; 31.33194° N, 109.27083° W; 10 Aug. 2006; RLM • 1 ♀; Rancho San Bernardino, Bosque wet, Site 6, Transect 3; 31.32957° N, 109.25462° W; 18 Sep. 2001; RLM • 1 ♀; Rancho San Bernardino, Bosque wet, Site 7, Transect 2; 31.31007° N, 109.25348° W; 16 Aug. 2005; RLM • 1 ♀; Rancho San Bernardino, Cafe Transect 5, Elia Thesis Study; [31.32° N, 109.26° W]; 3Aug. 2001; RLM • 1 ♀; Rancho San Bernardino, Grassland, Site 3; 31.30222° N, 109.26694° W; 12 Aug. 2006; RLM • 1 ♀; Rancho San Bernardino, Loma Transect 2, Elia Thesis Study; [31.32° N, 109.26° W]; 2 Aug. 2001; RLM • 1 ♀; Rancho San Bernardino, Loma Transect 3, Elia Thesis Study; [31.32° N, 109.26° W]; 2Aug. 2001; RLM • 2 ♀♀; Rancho San Bernardino, Los Ojitos, Lebuhn, Bee Diversity; 31.30025° N, 109.2625° W; 3 May 2002; RLM • 1 ♀; Rancho San Bernardino, Pollination Site 12, Lesquerella, Silver Creek, upstream of Big Dam; 31.3259° N, 109.28802° W; 13 Apr. 2006; ex Physaria gordonii; RLM • 1 ♀; Rancho San Bernardino, Pollination Site 22, Sphaeralcea, field 3; 31.32222° N, 109.27778° W; 6 Aug. 2006; ex Laennecia coulteri; RLM • 1 ♀; Rancho San Bernardino, Pollination Site 24, Lesquerella, Hay Hollow; 31.31333° N, 109.25028° W; 5 Apr. 2007; ex Salix gooddingii; RLM • 1 ♀; Rancho San Bernardino, Pollination Site 27, Horse Corral, 70 m N of main ranch house; 31.32556° N, 109.26667° W; 9 Sep. 2007; ex Antennaria sp.?; RLM • 2 ♀♀; same location as for preceding; 9 Sep. 2007; ex Gaura mollis; RLM • 3 ♀♀; Rancho San Bernardino, quarry, at road crossing; 31.32042° N, 109.2681° W; 2 Sep. 2003; RLM • 1 ♀; Rancho San Bernardino, quarry, general area; 31.3195° N, 109.27028° W; 18 Aug. 2003; ex Mentzelia pumila; RLM • 1 ♀; same location as for preceding; 27 May 2004; ex Mentzelia pumila; RLM • 1 ♀; Rancho San Bernardino, quarry, gravel pit; 31.31964° N, 109.26926° W; 18 Aug. 2003; RLM • 1 ♀; Rancho San Bernardino, quarry, W roadside; 31.31948° N, 109.2701° W; 18 Aug. 2003; RLM • 2 ♀♀; same location as for preceding; 19 Aug. 2003; RLM • 2 ♀♀; Rancho San Bernardino, Riparian 3; 31.31389° N, 109.25028° W; 25 Aug. 2003; RLM • 1 ♀; Rancho San Bernardino, Riparian, Site 2; 31.33194° N, 109.25833° W; 20 Aug. 2003; ex Baccharis sarothroides; RLM • 2 ♀♀; Rancho San Bernardino, Riparian, Site 2, Transect 1; 31.33168° N, 109.25817° W; 20 May 2004; RLM • 1 ♀; Rancho San Bernardino, Riparian, Site 4, Transect 1; 31.32965° N, 109.25587° W; 8 May 2002; RLM • 1 ♀; same location as for preceding; 30 Apr. 2004; RLM.
UNITED STATES – Arizona • 1 ♀; Cochise Co., 3 mi. W of Portal; [31.91° N, 109.19° W]; 24 Aug. 1973; R. Coville leg.; EMEC • 1 ♀; Cochise Co., 4 mi. E. Willcox; [32.25° N, 109.76° W]; 17 Aug. 1994; J.G. Rozen and J.S. Ascher leg.; AMNH • 1 ♀; Cochise Co., 4 mi. ESE of Willcox; [32.23° N, 109.77° W]; 29 Aug. 2005; J.S. Ascher leg.; AMNH • 1 ♀; Cochise Co., 5.25 km ESE of Willcox; 32.2366° N, 109.7782° W; 11 Apr. 2019; J. Gardner leg.; ex yellow mustard; WRME • 1 ♀; Cochise Co., 6 mi. S of Willcox; [32.16° N, 109.83° W]; 23 Aug. 1986; R.J. McGinley and B.M. Norden leg.; USNM • 1 ♀; Cochise Co., 9 mi. SE of Willcox; [32.16° N, 109.73° W]; 10 Jul. 1975; E.G. and J.M. Linsley leg.; EMEC • 1 ♀; Cochise Co., Chiricahua Mts, Cave Crk. Canyon; [31.89° N, 109.17° W]; 1524 m a.s.l.; 4 Aug. 1986; D.R. Corr leg.; MTEC • 1 ♀; Cochise Co., Chiricahua Mts, Portal to Ranger Stn; [31.91° N, 109.15° W]; 4 Aug. 1986; D.R. Corr leg.; MTEC • 1 ♀; Cochise Co., Coronado NF, Barfoot Meadow; 31.9176° N, 109.2793° W; 2536 m a.s.l.; 1 Jul. 2017; M.P. Argueta leg.; ex Erigeron divergens; UCRC • 1 ♂; Cochise Co., Douglas; [31.34° N, 109.51° W]; 27 Jul. 1975; E.G. and J.M. Linsley leg.; ex Tamarix chinensis; CUIC • 1 ♀; Cochise Co., 12.5 mi. N of Portal; 32.0649° N, 109.1804° W; 1 Sep. 2009; T.L. Griswold leg.; BBSL • 1 ♀; Cochise Co., Southwestern Research Station 5 mi. W of Portal; [31.884° N, 109.206° W]; 1646 m a.s.l.; 4 Jul. 1963; A.R. Moldenke and J.A. Woods leg.; AMNH • 1 ♀; same location as for preceding; 7 Oct. 1962; Vincent Roth leg.; AMNH • 1 ♀; same location as for preceding; 18 Apr. 1963; Vincent Roth leg.; AMNH • 1 ♀; Cochise Co., San Bernardino NWR; 31.335° N, 109.2528° W; 18 Jul. 2001; R. Minckley leg.; PCYU • 1 ♀; Cochise Co., San Bernardino NWR; 31.3353° N, 109.2514° W; 30 Mar. 2002; R.L. Minckley leg.; PCYU • 1 ♀; Cochise Co., San Bernardino NWR; 31.3381° N, 109.2606° W; 8 Sep. 2001; R.L. Minckley leg.; PCYU • 2 ♀♀; same location as for preceding; 8 Sep. 2001; R.L. Minckley leg.; RLM • 1 ♀; same location as for preceding; 31 Aug. 2001; R.L. Minckley leg.; RLM • 2 ♀♀; Cochise Co., San Bernardino NWR; 31.3344° N, 109.2681° W; 22 Jul. 2001; R. Minckley leg.; RLM • 1 ♀; Cochise Co., San Bernardino NWR; 31.3417° N, 109.2583° W; 17 Jul. 2001; R. Minckley leg.; RLM • 1 ♀; same location as for preceding; 26 Jul. 2001; R.L. Minckley leg.; RLM • 1 ♀; same location as for preceding; 8 Sep. 2001; R.L. Minckley leg.; RLM • 1 ♀; Cochise Co., San Bernardino NWR; 31.3394° N, 109.2631° W; 11 Jul. 2001; R. Minckley leg.; RLM • 1 ♀; Cochise Co., San Bernardino NWR; 31.3353° N, 109.2667° W; 31 Jun. 2004; R.L. Minckley leg.; RLM • 1 ♀; Cochise Co., San Bernardino NWR; 31.3342° N, 109.2678° W; 31 Mar. 2002; R.L. Minckley leg.; RLM • 1 ♀; Cochise Co., San Bernardino NWR; 31.3353° N, 109.2514° W; 30 Mar. 2002; R.L. Minckley leg.; RLM • 1 ♀; Cochise Co., San Bernardino NWR; 31.3408° N, 109.2531° W; 3Apr. 2002; A. Romero leg.; RLM • 1 ♀; Cochise Co., San Bernardino NWR; 31.3417° N, 109.2583° W; 9 Jun. 2002; R.L. Minckley leg.; RLM • 1 ♀; Cochise Co., San Bernardino NWR; 31.3364° N, 109.2675° W; 31 Mar. 2002; A. Romero leg.; RLM • 1 ♀; Cochise Co., San Bernardino NWR; 31.3353° N, 109.2667° W; 31 Jun. 2004; R.L. Minckley leg.; RLM • 1 ♀; Cochise Co., San Bernardino NWR, Bosque dry, Site 6; 31.34058° N, 109.25753° W; 9 May 2008; RLM • 1 ♀; Cochise Co., San Bernardino NWR, Bosque dry, Site 6, Transect 2; 31.34058° N, 109.25747° W; 11 Oct. 2002; RLM • 6 ♀♀; same location as for preceding; 30 Jul. 2004; RLM • 2 ♀♀; Cochise Co., San Bernardino NWR, Bosque dry, Site 7; 31.34118° N, 109.25813° W; 3 Jul. 2002; RLM • 1 ♀; same location as for preceding; 6 Aug. 2003; RLM • 1 ♀; same location as for preceding; 6 Apr. 2006; RLM • 1 ♀; Cochise Co., San Bernardino NWR, Bosque dry, Site 7, Transect 2; 31.34168° N, 109.25825° W; 17 Apr. 2001; RLM • 7 ♀♀; same location as for preceding; 30 Jul. 2004; RLM • 1 ♀; Cochise Co., San Bernardino NWR, Bosque wet, Site 2, Transect 2; 31.33627° N, 109.26752° W; 31 Jul. 2004; RLM • 7 ♀♀; Cochise Co., San Bernardino NWR, Bosque wet, Site 3, Transect 2; 31.33527° N, 109.2668° W; 15 Aug. 2005; RLM • 3 ♀♀; Cochise Co., San Bernardino NWR, Bosque wet, Site 4; 31.334° N, 109.2372° W; 5 Aug. 2003; RLM • 3 ♀♀; Cochise Co., San Bernardino NWR, Bosque wet, Site 4, Transect 1; 31.33693° N, 109.24361° W; 11 Aug. 2005; RLM • 1 ♀; Cochise Co., San Bernardino NWR, field, Site 5, Transect 2; 31.33528° N, 109.26806° W; 11 Aug. 2005; RLM • 2 ♀♀; Cochise Co., San Bernardino NWR, field, Site 5, Transect 3; 31.33417° N, 109.26778° W; 27 Jul. 2007; RLM • 2 ♀♀; Cochise Co., San Bernardino NWR, field, Site 6; 31.33867° N, 109.2719° W; 8 Aug. 2003; RLM • 1 ♀; Cochise Co., San Bernardino NWR, field, Site 6, Transect 1; 31.33417° N, 109.26833° W; 11 Aug. 2005; RLM • 1 ♀; Cochise Co., San Bernardino NWR, field, Site 6, Transect 4; 31.33444° N, 109.26806° W; 30 Jul. 2004; RLM • 1 ♀; Cochise Co., San Bernardino NWR, field, Site 7; 31.33583° N, 109.2629° W; 6 Aug. 2003; RLM • 1 ♀; Cochise Co., San Bernardino NWR, field, Site 7, Transect 2; 31.33528° N, 109.25139° W; 28 Apr. 2004; RLM • 1 ♀; same location as for preceding; 27 Jul. 2007; RLM • 1 ♀; Cochise Co., San Bernardino NWR, field, Site 8; 31.33765° N, 109.26068° W; 3 Jul. 2002; RLM • 2 ♀♀; same location as for preceding; 22 Apr. 2007; RLM • 1 ♀; Cochise Co., San Bernardino NWR, field, Site 8, Transect 2; 31.3381° N, 109.2605° W; 19 Sep. 2001; RLM • 1 ♀; same location as for preceding; 11 Oct. 2002; RLM • 1 ♀; same location as for preceding; 28 Apr. 2004; RLM • 1 ♀; same location as for preceding; 16 May 2004; RLM • 3 ♀♀; same location as for preceding; 30 Jul. 2004; RLM • 4 ♀♀; Cochise Co., San Bernardino NWR, Grassland, Site 4; 31.33495° N, 109.25314° W; 5 Aug. 2003; RLM • 2 ♀♀; same location as for preceding; 11 Aug. 2005; RLM • 1 ♀; Cochise Co., San Bernardino NWR, Grassland, Site 4, Transect 1; 31.33487° N, 109.2529° W; 18 Sep. 2001; RLM • 3 ♀♀; same location as for preceding; 26 Jul. 2007; RLM • 1 ♀; Cochise Co., San Bernardino NWR, Grassland, Site 4, Transect 2; 31.335° N, 109.25389° W; 14 May 2004; RLM • 1 ♀; Cochise Co., San Bernardino NWR, Riparian, Site 7, Transect 1; 31.33955° N, 109.26312° W; 18 Sep. 2001; RLM • 1 ♀; Cochise Co., San Bernardino NWR, Shrub, nr Bathroom, Bee Diversity; 31.34052° N, 109.27165° W; 15 Oct. 2002; RLM • 2 ♀♀; Cochise Co., Southwestern Research Station, 5 mi. W of Portal; [31.883° N, 109.206° W]; 1646 m a.s.l.; 3 Oct. 1966; P.H. Arnaud Jr. leg.; CAS • 1 ♀; Cochise Co., Southwestern Research Station, Portal; [31.883° N, 109.206° W]; 3 Aug. 1966; C.R. Kovacic leg.; UCDC • 1 ♀; Cochise Co., St David Cienega; 31.8465° N, 110.2275° W; 4 Apr. 2016; C.M. Delphia and J.B. Runyon leg.; MTEC • 1 ♀; Cochise Co., Stewart Camp, 2 mi. SW of Portal; [31.89° N, 109.17° W]; 1463 m a.s.l.; 2–3Aug. 1973; R. Coville leg.; EMEC • 1 ♀; Cochise Co., Willcox; [32.25° N, 109.83° W]; 19 Jun. 1969; R.M. Bohart leg.; UCDC • 13 ♀♀; Cochise Co., 3.45 mi. SEbE of Willcox; 32.2262° N, 109.7822° W; 1273 m a.s.l.; 1 Sep. 2009; T.L. Griswold leg.; BBSL • 1 ♀; La Paz Co., Bill Williams NWR; 34.2683° N, 114.0461° W; 26 Mar. 2001; R.L. Minckley leg.; RLM • 2 ♀♀; Maricopa Co., Rainbow Valley; [33.2° N, 112.4° W]; 22 Apr. 1980; J. Gillespie leg.; UAIC • 2 ♀♀; Maricopa Co., Wickenburg, 7 km SE of Hassayampa River Preserve; 33.9097° N, 112.6752° W; 550 m a.s.l.; 11–13 Sep. 2013; M. E. Irwin leg.; BBSL • 1 ♂; Mojave Co., Mojave Valley; [34.93° N, 114.59° W]; 7 Jul. 1980; Paul Artz leg.; CUIC • 1 ♀; Pima Co., 22 km S of Robles Jct.; [31.88° N, 111.31° W]; 14 Aug. 1998; R. Minckley and K. Toal leg.; ex Kallstroemia grandiflora; SEMC • 1 ♀; Pima Co., 8 km E of Robles Jct.; 32.0667° N, 111.25° W; 6 Sep. 1997; R.L. Minckley leg.; ex Mentzelia sp.; SEMC • 1 ♀; Pima Co., Sandario Rd 7 km N of Hwy 86; 32.1833° N, 111.2167° W; 740 m a.s.l.; 12 Aug. 1998; R.L. Minckley leg.; ex Pectis sp.; SEMC • 1 ♀; Pima Co., Tucson; [32.22° N, 110.97° W]; 15 Apr. 1997; P.F. Torchio leg.; ex Nama; BBSL • 1 ♀; Pima Co., Tucson, 68.3 km SW of Hwy 286; 31.8647° N, 111.3978° W; 6 Apr. 2014; M.C. Orr leg.; ex Phacelia sp.; BBSL • 1 ♀; Pinal Co., 11 mi. SW of Eloy; [32.64° N, 111.69° W]; 3 Apr. 1934; T.R. Haig leg.; UCDC • 1 ♀; Pinal Co., 8 km SE of San Manuel; 32.5974° N, 110.5388° W; 15 Apr. 2014; R.G. Laport leg.; ex Larrea tridentata; RLM • 1 ♂; Pinal Co., 10 mi. SE of Florence; [32.91° N, 111.29° W]; 29 May 1976; P.D. Hurd, E.G. and J.M. Linsley leg.; ex Parkinsonia aculeata; CUIC • 1 ♀; Pinal Co., 10 mi. SE of Florence; [32.91° N, 111.28° W]; 25 May 1976; E.G. and J.M. Linsley leg.; ex Parkinsonia aculeata; EMEC • 1 ♀; Pinal Co., Page Ranch 7 mi. W of Oracle; [32.61° N, 110.89° W]; 3 Aug. 1992; L. Packer leg.; PCYU • 1 ♀; Yavapai Co., Beaver Creek R.S.; [34.6° N, 111.8° W]; 1219 m a.s.l.; 27 Apr. 1996; R.S. Beal leg.; CSUC • 1 ♂; Yavapai Co., Indian Springs Wash, T18N R4W Sc32; [34.9° N, 112.7° W]; 1524 m a.s.l.; 2 Jun. 2000; R.S. Beal and E. Tilgner leg.; CSUC • 1 ♂; Yavapai Co., Skull Valley; [34.5° N, 112.69° W]; 1311 m a.s.l.; 14 Sep. 2001; J. Schafer and R.S. Beal leg.; CSUC • 5 ♀♀; Yuma Co., Imperial NWR; 32.9° N, 114.45° W; 20 Mar. 2002; A. Romero leg.; RLM • 1 ♀; 10 mi. E of Cottonwood; [34.74° N, 111.83° W]; 30 Mar. 1956; F. Werner and G. Butler leg.; UAIC • 1 ♀; 3 mi. NE of Cottonwood; [34.77° N, 111.97° W]; 7 Jul. 1952; R.H. and L.D. Beamer, C. Liang and W. LaBerge leg.; SEMC • 2 ♀♀; Baboquivari Mts; [31.8° N, 111.6° W]; 24 Jul. 1941; R.H. Beamer leg.; SEMC • 1 ♀; Campe Verde; [34.56° N, 111.85° W]; 30 Mar. 1956; F. Werner and G. Butler leg.; ex Medicago sativa; UAIC • 1 ♂; Canelo; [31.54° N, 110.51° W]; 3 Aug. 1956; G.D. Butler leg.; CUIC • 1 ♀; Duncan; [32.72° N, 109.11° W]; 20 Mar. 1956; F. Werner and G. Butler leg.; ex Medicago sativa; UAIC • 1 ♂; Roll; [32.75° N, 113.99° W]; 3 Jun. 1955; G.D. Butler leg.; ex Prosopis; UAIC • 1 ♂; Sahuarita; [31.96° N, 110.96° W]; 14 Jun. 1955; G.D. Butler leg.; ex Medicago sativa; UAIC • 1 ♀; Sedona; [34.87° N, 111.76° W]; 6 Jul. 1952; R.H. and L.D. Beamer, C. Weiner, A. Wolf, C. Liang and W. LaBerge leg.; SEMC • 1 ♂; Tucson; [32.22° N, 110.97° W]; 14 Aug. 1961; G.D. Butler leg.; CUIC • 1 ♀; Wellton; [32.67° N, 114.15° W]; 6 Aug. 1954; G. Butler leg.; ex Medicago sativa; UAIC. – California • 1 ♀; Imperial Co., 17 mi. NW of Glamis; [33.15° N, 115.3° W]; 27 Jun. 1978; J. Doyen leg.; ex Croton; EMEC • 1 ♀; Imperial Co., 3.5 mi. W of Gordons Wells; [32.72° N, 115.01° W]; 10 Oct. 1957; E.I. Schlinger leg.; UCDC • 2 ♀♀; Imperial Co., Brock Agric. Res. Stn; 32.7° N, 115.0367° W; 12 Mar. 1994; R.R. Snelling leg.; ex Larrea tridentata; LACM • 1 ♀; Imperial Co., Coachella Canal Road 11.6 km NW of CA Hwy 78, then 1.0 km NE; 33.063° N, 115.25° W; 30 May–3 Jun. 2008; UCDC • 1 ♀; Imperial Co., Niland-Glamis Road 28.0 km NW of CA Hwy 78; 33.15201° N, 115.3085° W; 10 Feb. 2008; UCDC • 2 ♀♀; Imperial Co., Regina Siding, Niland-Glamis Road 26.8 km NW of CA Hwy 78; 33.14587° N, 115.29767° W; 2 Mar. 2010; ex Larrea tridentata; UCDC • 4 ♀♀; same location as for preceding; 2 Mar. 2010; ex Tamarix ramosissima; UCDC • 1 ♀; Imperial Co., Winterhaven; [32.74° N, 114.63° W]; 25 Mar. 1956; R.R. Snelling leg.; ex Larrea tridentata; LACM • 1 ♀; Inyo Co., Amargosa R./Shoshone; 35.9713° N, 116.2618° W; 457 m a.s.l.; 24 Apr. 2014; J.B. Runyon leg.; MTEC • 1 ♀; Inyo Co., China Ranch, 5 mi. SE of Tecopa; 35.79994° N, 116.19547° W; 8 Nov. 2016; Paul A. Rude leg.; EMEC • 1 ♀; Inyo Co., Death Valley Junction; 36.3142° N, 116.4567° W; 671 m a.s.l.; 19 Sep. 2013; M.C. Orr leg.; ex Cleomella obtusifolia; BBSL • 1 ♀; Riverside Co., Blythe; [33.62° N, 114.59° W]; 5–6 Jun. 1977; E.G. and J.M. Linsley leg.; ex Parkinsonia aculeata; EMEC • 3 ♀♀; Riverside Co., Corn Spring, Chuckwalla Mts, 7.5 mi. SE of Desert Center; [33.626° N, 115.325° W]; 15–17 Jun. 1973; J.P. and K.E. Donahue leg.; LACM • 8 ♂♂; Riverside Co., Hunter’s Spring; [33.49° N, 115.8° W]; 10 May 1952; LACM • 1 ♀; Riverside Co., Indio; [33.72° N, 116.22° W]; 11 Mar. 1957; E.I. Schlinger leg.; UCDC • 5 ♀♀; San Bernardino Co., Salt Springs, Death Valley; [36.5° N, 116.9° W]; 24 Mar. 1957; C.L. Hogue leg.; LACM • 1 ♀; Coachella; [33.68° N, 116.17° W]; 26 May 1928; Van Dyke collection leg.; CAS • 1 ♀; Sheep Creek Spr., Death Valley; [35.589° N, 116.36° W]; 31 May 1953; LACM. – Colorado • 1 ♀; Fremont Co., 0.5 mi. W of Coaldale; [38.37° N, 105.78° W]; 3 Aug. 1958; A.F. and R.A. Shinn leg.; SEMC • 1 ♀; Fremont Co., Coaldale; [38.37° N, 105.76° W]; 1981 m a.s.l.; 11 Aug. 1964; C.D. Michener leg.; ex Cleome serrulata; SEMC. – Nevada • 2 ♀♀; Clark Co., 0.1 mi. N of Corn Creek Sprs; 36.4403° N, 115.3577° W; 896 m a.s.l.; 5 Apr. 2004; T. Griswold leg.; ex Lepidium fremontii; BBSL • 11 ♀♀; Clark Co., 0.3 mi. SE of Corn Creek Spr.; 36.4365° N, 115.3525° W; 901 m a.s.l.; 8 Sep. 2004; T. Griswold and S. Higbee leg.; BBSL • 10 ♀♀; same location as for preceding; 24 Aug. 2004; S. Higbee and E. Ahlstrom leg.; BBSL • 1 ♀; Clark Co., 1.1 mi. NNW of Stump Spr.; 35.9991° N, 115.8317° W; 895 m a.s.l.; 12 May 2004; L. Saul leg.; ex Prosopis glandulosa var. torreyana; BBSL • 1 ♀; Clark Co., 1.5 mi. NW of Corn Creek Sprs.; 36.4497° N, 115.3812° W; 27 May 2004; Higbee leg.; ex Prosopis glandulosa var. torreyana; BBSL • 1 ♀; Clark Co., Las Vegas Valley Water District; 36.1756° N, 115.1904° W; 651 m a.s.l.; 10 Jun. 2004; S. Higbee and L. Saul leg.; BBSL • 1 ♀; Clark Co., Mesquite Valley, E.; 35.76° N, 115.5832° W; 10 Aug. 1998; M. Andres, C. Shultz and T. Griswold leg.; BBSL • 4 ♀♀; Lincoln Co., 15 mi. S of Alamo; 37.1937° N, 115.0379° W; 5 Sep. 2013; T.L. Griswold leg.; ex Cleome sp.; BBSL • 1 ♀; Lincoln Co., Lower Pahranagat Lake North; 37.2806° N, 115.1191° W; 5 Sep. 2013; T.L. Griswold leg.; ex Ericameria sp.; BBSL • 1 ♂; Nye Co., Pahrump; [36.21° N, 115.99° W]; 23 Sep. 1958; R.P. Allen leg.; LACM. – New Mexico • 1 ♀; Dona Ana Co., 3 km W of Hatch; 32.6458° N, 107.192° W; 1240 m a.s.l.; 19–24 Jun. 2013; M.E. Irwin leg.; BBSL • 1 ♂; Hidalgo Co., 10 mi. N of Rodeo; [31.98° N, 109.03° W]; 24 May 1973; P.D. Hurd, E.G. and J.M. Linsley, A.E. and M.M. Michelbacher leg.; ex Larrea tridentata; EMEC • 1 ♀; Hidalgo Co., 12.8 mi. N of Rodeo; [32.02° N, 109.03° W]; Aug. 1986; R.J. McGinley and B.M. Norden leg.; USNM • 1 ♂; Hidalgo Co., 15 km N of Rodeo; [31.97° N, 109.03° W]; 18 Jun. 1993; R.L. Minckley leg.; ex Glandularia bipinnatifida; SEMC • 1 ♀; Hidalgo Co., 9 mi. N of Cotton City; [32.21° N, 108.88° W]; 11 Aug. 1978; R.W. Brooks leg.; ex Wislizenia refracta; SEMC • 1 ♀; Hidalgo Co., Cienega Lake; [32.3° N, 108.9° W]; 8 Aug. 1972; J. Doyen leg.; EMEC • 1 ♀; Hidalgo Co., Cienega Lake, N of Rodeo; [32.3° N, 108.9° W]; 3 Sep. 1967; J.G. Rozen and G. Krueger leg.; AMNH • 1 ♀; Hidalgo Co., Hwy 80; 32.09351° N, 108.96841° W; 1367 m a.s.l.; 16Aug. 2007; Gibbs and Sheffield leg.; PCYU • 1 ♀; Hidalgo Co., Rodeo vicinity; [31.84° N, 109.03° W]; 11–12 Jun. 1987; B.N. Danforth leg.; ex Berlandiera; SEMC • 1 ♂; Luna Co., Deming; [32.27° N, 107.76° W]; 11 Jul. 1975; E.G. and J.M. Linsley leg.; ex Chilopsis linearis; CUIC • 1 ♀; Sierra Co., Percha Dam State Park; [32.867° N, 107.306° W]; 16 May 1986; W.J. Pulawski leg.; CAS • 2 ♀♀; Socorro Co., Sevilleta Wildlife Refuge; 34.4162° N, 106.8027° W; 1450 m a.s.l.; 19–24 Jun. 2013; M.E. Irwin leg.; BBSL • 1 ♀; 10 mi. E of Portal; [31.91° N, 108.97° W]; 16 Sep. 1955; G.E. Bohart leg.; BBSL • 1 ♀; Eddy; [32.42° N, 104.23° W]; 13 Apr. year unknown; Cockerell leg.; ex Malvastrum; USNM • 1 ♀; Hot Springs; [35.65° N, 105.29° W]; 22 Jul. 1950; L.D. Beamer leg.; SEMC • 1 ♂; La Joya Wildlife Pres., 20 mi. N of Socorro; [34.34° N, 106.89° W]; 15–26 Jul. 1976; W. Rubink leg.; CUIC • 1 ♀; Las Cruces; [32.32° N, 106.76° W]; 7 Aug. 1972; J. Ellington leg.; NMSU • 1 ♂; same location as for preceding; 3 Jul. 1940; D.E. Hardy leg.; SEMC • 1 ♂; same location as for preceding; 12 Oct. year unknown; Cockerell leg.; USNM • 1 ♀; same location as for preceding; Cockerell leg.; USNM • 1 ♀; Las Valles; [35.4° N, 105.2° W]; 6 Aug. year unknown; W. Porter leg.; USNM • 1 ♀; Mesilla; [32.27° N, 106.8° W]; 7 Jun. 1909; C.N. Ainslie leg.; LACM • 1 ♀; Mesilla Park; [32.27° N, 106.76° W]; 6 May year unknown; Cockerell leg.; ex Mentzelia; USNM • 1 ♀; White Sands; [32.8° N, 106.3° W]; 27 Jun. 1940; R.H. Beamer leg.; SEMC. – Texas • 1 ♀; Brewster Co., Big Bend National Park, Rio Grande River, Santa Elena Canyon Trail; [29.165° N, 103.612° W]; 2 Oct. 2001; Paul H. Arnaud Jr. and Madeline M. Arnaud leg.; CAS • 1 ♀, 1 ♂; Big Bend N. P., Santa Elena Can.; [29.165° N, 103.612° W]; 640 m a.s.l.; 5 May 1959; W.R.M. Mason leg.; CNC • 1 ♀; Santa Elena Canyon, Big Bend National Park; [29.165° N, 103.612° W]; 26 Aug. 1967; R.C. Gardner and C.R. Kovacic leg.; UCDC. – Utah • 1 ♂; Emery Co., Wild Horse Creek N of Goblin Valley; [38.57° N, 110.82° W]; 1494 m a.s.l.; 21–23 Jul. 1981; Veir, Parker and Griswold leg.; CUIC • 1 ♀; Garfield Co., 3.9 mi. S of Horse Pasture Mesa; 37.6429° N, 111.0702° W; 12Aug. 2002; C. Davidson leg.; ex Tamarix sp.; BBSL • 1 ♀; Garfield Co., Capitol Reef NP, Sulfur Creek; [38.3° N, 111.3° W]; 26 Jul. 1978; Lindahl leg.; BBSL • 10 ♀♀; Garfield Co., Star Springs Rec. Area; [37.85° N, 110.66° W]; 25 May 2000; F.D. Parker leg.; BBSL • 1 ♀; Kane Co., Tibbet Canyon; 37.1606° N, 111.5392° W; 13 Jun. 2002; C. Davidson leg.; ex Stanleya pinnata; BBSL • 1 ♀; San Juan Co., 10 mi. SW of Blanding; [37.52° N, 109.61° W]; 22 Aug. 1979; F.D. Parker leg.; BBSL • 1 ♀; Uintah Co., Bonanza; [40.02° N, 109.18° W]; Jul. 1977; G. Bohart leg.; BBSL • 1 ♀; Bluff; [37.28° N, 109.55° W]; 22 May 1969; G.F. Knowlton leg.; BBSL.
Redescription
Female
COLOURATION. Head and mesosoma blue to blue-green; clypeus apical colour black, reddish brown, or orange; labrum black, reddish brown, or orange; mandible orange with black basal spot and red tip; flagellum black to reddish brown dorsally, reddish brown to orange ventrally; pronotal lobe reddish brown to orange; metasoma orange with dark spiracular spots on T3–4 and usually also T2; T4–5 usually darker than T1–3; legs reddish brown with femur-tibia joints, tarsi, and sometimes tibiae mostly orange; tegula pale amber; wing membrane hyaline, veins with subcosta brown, otherwise light brown to pale amber.
PUBESCENCE. Body hair colour white. Tomentum dense on paraocular area, lower frons, gena, pronotal collar and lobe, space between pronotal lobe and tegula, scutum anterolateral margin, metepisternum, T2–3 basolaterally, and T4 throughout; sparse on supraclypeal area, scutum posterolateral margin, preëpisternum, and mesepisternum. Scutum hair thin to moderately plumose. Wing hairs dark or light, short and dense. Acarinarial fan complete, sparse. T2 fringes sparse, T3 fringes sparse.
SURFACE SCULPTURE. Clypeus punctures fine and moderately sparse in basal half (i =1–2 pd), larger and irregular apically (i ≤ 2 pd), diversopunctate, sculpture shiny, sometimes weakly tessellate basally; supraclypeal area punctures sparse to moderately dense (i=1–4 pd), sculpture shiny or tessellate; paraocular area punctures dense (i <1 pd), becoming crowded and indistinct around antenna socket, sculpture shiny, becoming imbricate and ruguloso-punctate around antenna socket; frons punctures dense (i <1 pd), sculpture shiny or weakly imbricate; vertex punctures dense laterally (i <1 pd), sparser between ocelli (i =1–2 pd), sculpture shiny or weakly imbricate; gena punctures moderately sparse (i =1–2 pd), sculpture shiny; postgena sculpture shiny to tessellate, sometimes becoming weakly rugulose posteriorly; tegula punctures absent; scutum punctures moderately sparse (i =1–3 pd), sometimes becoming dense laterad of parapsidal lines and posteriorly (i <1 pd), sculpture shiny to tessellate; scutellum punctures dense marginally and on median line (i ≤ 1 pd), sparse submedially (i= 1–5 pd), diversopunctate, sculpture shiny, sometimes becoming tessellate marginally and on median line; metanotum sculpture shiny and finely, densely punctate (i <1 pd), becoming weakly ruguloso-punctate laterally and anteriorly; metapostnotum rugae strong, anastomosing, not reaching margin, sculpture tessellate; preëpisternum sculpture areolate-rugulose; hypoepimeron punctures dense (i ≤ 1 pd), obscure, sculpture weakly ruguloso-punctate; mesepisternum punctures crowded and indistinct dorsally (i =0 pd), becoming sparser ventrally (i ≤ 1 pd), sculpture imbricate and ruguloso-punctate dorsally, becoming smooth and shiny ventrally; metepisternum sculpture ruguloso-lineate dorsally, finely reticulate ventrally; propodeum lateral face sculpture tessellate; propodeum posterior face sculpture tessellate with sparse, obscure punctures (i= 1–3 pd); T1 anterior face sculpture shiny to coriarious; T1 dorsal surface punctures fine, sparse (i=1–3 pd), becoming sparser apicomedially (i=3–6 pd), nearly impunctate in large apicolateral oval patches, sculpture shiny; T2 disc punctures fine, sparse (i =1–3 pd), disc sculpture shiny, rim punctures fine, sparse (i=1–4 pd), rim sculpture weakly coriarious.
STRUCTURE. Face length/width ratio 0.8 (± 0.03 SD). Clypeus projecting ~50% below suborbital tangent; clypeal area length/width ratio 0.45 (± 0.04 SD); apicolateral denticles rounded acute points; supraclypeal area length/width ratio 0.67 (± 0.04 SD). Forewing with 3 submarginal cells; pronotal angle obtuse, sometimes nearly right-angled; tegula shape normal. Intertegular distance 0.87 (± 0.08 SD) mm. Scutum length/width ratio 0.86 (± 0.03 SD); scutum/scutellum length ratio 2.79 (± 0.15 SD); scutellum/ metanotum length ratio 1.69 (± 0.14 SD); metanotum/metapostnotum length ratio 0.61 (± 0.07 SD). Propodeum lateral carinae not reaching dorsal margin; oblique carina absent. T2 depressed apical rim length less than 50% of segment. (n=12)
Male
COLOURATION. Head and mesosoma blue-green to olive green; clypeus apical colour orange to yellow; labrum orange to yellow; mandible orange to yellow with brown basal spot and red tip; flagellum reddish brown, sometimes orange ventrally; pronotal lobe orange; metasoma black to reddish brown with rims of terga and sterna and downcurved lateral areas of terga becoming orange to translucent yellow to brown, dark spiracular spots on T2–4; legs orange to yellow with coxae, trochanters, femora, and tibiae sometimes reddish brown; tegula orange; wing membrane hyaline, veins with subcosta dark brown, otherwise orange to dark brown.
PUBESCENCE. Body hair colour white. Tomentum dense on face below ocelli, gena, pronotal collar and lobe, space between pronotal lobe and tegula, and sometimes T2–4 basolaterally; sparse on episterna and sometimes T5 basally. Scutum hair thin to densely plumose. Sterna hair short (0.75–1.25 OD), moderately plumose, dense and erect. Wing hairs dark or light, short and sparse.
SURFACE SCULPTURE. Clypeus punctures fine, moderately sparse (i =1–3 pd), sculpture shiny; supraclypeal area punctures dense to moderately dense (i ≤ 2 pd), sculpture shiny; paraocular area punctures dense (i <1 pd), sculpture shiny; frons punctures dense (i <1 pd), sculpture shiny; vertex punctures moderately dense laterally (i=1–2 pd), sparse medially (i=1–4 pd), sculpture shiny; gena punctures sparse (i= 1–3 pd), sculpture shiny; postgena sculpture shiny to imbricate, sometimes lineolate; tegula punctures absent; scutum punctures moderately sparse (i=1–2 pd), becoming sparse submedially (i =1–3 pd), sculpture shiny, becoming tessellate anteromedially; scutellum punctures dense marginally and on median line (i ≤ 1 pd), sparse submedially (i=1–4 pd), sculpture shiny; metanotum sculpture shiny and finely, sparsely punctate (i =1–4 pd); metapostnotum rugae strong or weak, anastomosing or subparallel, reaching or not reaching margin, sculpture shiny to imbricate; preëpisternum sculpture areolate-rugulose; hypoepimeron punctures dense (i <1 pd), sculpture shiny; mesepisternum punctures moderately dense (i =1–2 pd), sculpture shiny; metepisternum sculpture lineate dorsally, areolate ventrally; propodeum lateral face punctures obscure, sculpture rugulose; propodeum posterior face sculpture shiny and finely, sparsely punctate (i=1–4 pd); T1 anterior face sculpture shiny; T1 dorsal surface punctures sparse (i =1–4 pd), sculpture shiny; T2 disc punctures moderately sparse (i= 1–3 pd), disc sculpture shiny, rim punctures sparse medially (i= 1–4 pd), absent laterally, rim sculpture shiny.
STRUCTURE. Face length/width ratio 0.84 (± 0.03 SD). F1:pedicel length ratio 1.02 (± 0.13 SD); F2:F1 length ratio 1.99 (± 0.24 SD); F2 length/width ratio 1.57 (± 0.17 SD); F9 length/width ratio 1.32 (± 0.13 SD). Forewing with 3 submarginal cells; pronotal angle obtuse; tegula shape normal. Intertegular distance 0.88 (± 0.05 SD) mm. Scutum length/width ratio 0.79 (± 0.05 SD); scutum/scutellum length ratio 3.18 (± 0.28 SD); scutellum/metanotum length ratio 1.48 (± 0.21 SD); metanotum/metapostnotum length ratio 0.68 (± 0.07 SD). Propodeum lateral carinae not reaching dorsal margin; oblique carina absent. (n =10)
GENITALIA. As in Fig. 90G. Gonocoxite broad, weakly truncate. Gonostylus broad, weakly concave apically, with a few long hairs. Retrorse lobe relatively small, ovoid, covered in sparse short hairs.
Range
Colorado south to Chihuahua, west to California (Fig. 57).
Floral records
AMARANTHACEAE Juss. Chenopodium L. C. neomexicanum Standl. • Salsola L. S. iberica Sennen & Pau • ASTERACEAE Giseke: Baccharis: B. sarothroides A.Gray • Berlandiera • Ericameria • Erigeron:
E. divergens Torr. & A.Gray • Laennecia: L. coulteri (A.Gray) G.L. Nesom • Pectis • BIGONIACEAE Juss. Chilopsis D. Don: C. linearis (Cav.) Sweet • BORAGINACEAE Juss. Nama L. • Phacelia Juss. • BRASSICACEAE Burnett: Lepidium L. L. fremontii S. Watson • Physaria (Nutt. ex Torr. & A.Gray) A.Gray: P. gordonii (A.Gray) O’Kane & Al-Shehbaz • Stanleya Nutt. S. pinnata (Pursh) Britton • CLEOMACEAE Bercht. & J. Presl: Cleome L. C. serrulata Pursh • Cleomella DC. C. obtusifolia Torr. & Frém. • Wislizenia Engelm. W. refracta Engelm. • EUPHORBIACEAE Juss. Croton L. • FABACEAE Juss. Medicago: M. sativa L. • Melilotus: M. indicus (L.) All. (MH87) • Parkinsonia: P. aculeata L. • Prosopis: P. glandulosa Torr. P. g. var. torreyana (L.D. Benson) M.C. Johnst. • LOASACEAE Juss. Mentzelia L. M. pumila Torr. & A.Gray • MALVACEAE Juss. Malvastrum A.Gray • ONAGRACEAE Juss. Gaura L. G. mollis E. James • SALICACEAE Mirb. Salix L. S. gooddingii C.R. Ball • TAMARICACEAE Link: Tamarix L. T. chinensis Lour. • T. ramosissima Ledeb. • VERBENACEAE J. St. -Hil. Glandularia J. F. Gmel. G. bipinnatifida (Schauer) Nutt. • ZYGOPHYLLACEAE R.Br. Kallstroemia Scop. K. grandiflora Torr. ex A.Gray • Larrea Cav. L. tridentata (Sessé & Moc. ex DC.) Coville.
DNA barcodes
Six sequences available (BOLD process IDs: DLII1074-07, DLIII118-18, DLIII119-18, DLIII120-18, DLIII161-19, DLIII162-19; BIN: BOLD:AAB5532). These sequences are all identical. No unique fixed substitutions distinguish L. mesillense from all other western red-tailed L. (Dialictus).
Remarks
There has been a great deal of confusion over the identity of L. mesillense. Neither Cockerell (1898b) nor Moure & Hurd (1987) reported the location or number of the type specimen(s), and the original description is vague and could fit almost any red-tailed L. (Dialictus). Keys in Cockerell (1906) and Sandhouse (1924) are more helpful, but still highly prone to user error. Specimens determined as L. mesillense in various collections were a mixed series including L. hudsoniellum, L. clematisellum, and L. julipile sp. nov. in addition to the true L. mesillense.
Two specimens possibly belonging to the type series were located, one in EMEC and one in SEMC. The EMEC specimen can be assigned to the type series with greater confidence, given the collection date before 1898, the small label reading “stultus?” (Cockerell 1898b writes that L. mesillense has “formerly been recorded as H. stultus ”), and the location label and second identification label with red borders. This specimen appears identical to the holotype of L. clarissimum. The SEMC specimen has labels reading “Ckll. 2876. / on Melilotus // Las Cruces / NM // H. mesillensis Ckll. ”, and is a typical L. hudsoniellum. In order to stabilize the application of the name Lasioglossum mesillense, the EMEC specimen is herein designated the lectotype.
Lasioglossum mesillense, as defined here, is morphologically variable. Most specimens have distinct punctures on the lower half of the mesepisternum, a shiny anterior surface of T1, and abundant tomentum on the metasomal terga. However, a few specimens can have any combination of the mesepisternum mostly ruguloso-punctate, T1 anterior surface coriarious, and metasomal terga with no tomentum. It is possible that there are additional cryptic species awaiting discovery, but so far there is no supporting genetic or geographic variation.
description: Published as part of Gardner, Joel & Gibbs, Jason, 2020, The ' red-tailed' Lasioglossum (Dialictus) (Hymenoptera: Halictidae) of the western Nearctic, pp. 1-242 in European Journal of Taxonomy 725 on pages 125-136, DOI: 10.5852/ejt.2020.725.1167, http://zenodo.org/record/4298139