New or little-known bees from Sicily (Hymenoptera: Apoidea)

Abstract

The authors report newly recorded species of bees (Hymenoptera, Apoidea) on the Volcan Etna (Sicily). A total of ten species belonging to three families are recorded: Halictidae (8 species), Megachilidae (1 species), and Apidae (1 species). Pseudapis valga (Gerstaecker), Lasioglossum convexiusculum (Schenck) (Halictidae), Hoplitis laevifrons (Morawitz) (Megachilidae) and Tarsalia ancyliformis Popov (Apidae), are reported for the first time for Sicily and the presence of other bee species is confirmed for the Island. Furthermore, this is the first record of the genus Tarsalia Morawitz for the fauna of Sicily. For each species data are given in relation to the altitudinal level, the plants visited, and the ecological quality of the sites where the specimens were found.