A new species of Microsphecodes from Peru, with notes on the classification of the genus (Hymenoptera: Halictidae)

Abstract

A new species of the cleptoparasitic bee genus Microsphecodes Eickwort & Stage (Halictinae: Halictini) is described and figured from Amazonian Peru.  Microsphecodes stenochorus Engel, new species, is closest to M. kathleenae (Eickwort) and M. russeiclypeatus (Sakagami & Moure) but may be distinguished by coloration and propodeal sculpturing.  Microsphecodes consists of two groups of divergent morphologies and these are newly considered as distinct subgenera: Microsphecodes s.str. and Baeosphecodes Engel, new subgenus.  Provisional keys to species of Microsphecodes are provided.