Revision of the species of the New World genus Augochlora (Hymenoptera, Halictidae) occurring in the southern temperate areas of its range

Abstract

Augochlora is a genus of mainly tropical bees, with few representatives in both North and South American temperate areas. In this contribution we present a taxonomic review of the species with southernmost distribution. Only five species occur in central Argentina and Uruguay, between 30º and 40º south latitude: A. iphigenia Holmberg, A. amphitrite (Schrottky), A. nausicaa (Schrottky), A. phoemonoe (Schrottky) and A. daphnis Smith. The first four species are common elements in the bee assemblages of the area. The fifth species, from Montevideo, Uruguay, is known from the type specimen only. Re-descriptions of all species, as well as illustrations, distributional data, and taxonomic keys are presented. A lectotype is designated for Augochlora iphigenia Holmberg, 1886. Oxystoglossa semiramis Schrottky, 1911, and Halictus brochidens Vachal, 1911, are new synonyms of A. iphigenia Holmberg. Odontochlora thebe Schrottky, 1909, is a new synonym of Odontochlora amphitrite Schrottky, 1909.