Alberto H. Abrahamovich

First record of the invasive bumblebee Bombus terrestris (L.) (Hymenoptera, Apidae) in Argentina

Abstract A recent (March 2006) field survey of plant-pollinator interactions in North Patagonia, Argentina, revealed the presence of Bombus terrestris as flower visitors to several plant species in a natural environment. This is the first record of this invasive bumblebee in Argentina. The available evidence suggests that B. terrestris entered Argentina from Chile, where it was introduced in 1998, through low-altitude passes across the Andes.

Geographic distribution and associated flora of native and introduced bumble bees (Bombus spp.) in Chile

Summary In the present work, we update floral associations and geographical distribution for four species of Bombus present in Chile, two native (B. dahlbomii and B. funebris) and two introduced species (B. terrestris and B. ruderatus). We also examine possible associations among native or introduced bees with native or introduced plant species. We found a significant non-random plant association among non-native bumble bee species and non-native plant species. Because of the distributional overlap between B. dahlbomii with the two non-native bee species, it is likely that B. dahlbomii interacts with these non-native bees.

Assessment of the mitochondrial origin of honey bees from Argentina

Summary The molecular diversity of the honey bee Apis mellifera in the province of Buenos Aires (Argentina) has been analysed through the study of the mitochondrial DNA. The mitochondrial haplotype corresponding to the intergenic region tRNAleu-COII has been determined in samples from 300 colonies from 150 apiaries distributed in 71 localities of the province of Buenos Aires. Eight different haplotypes have been found, four of the African, three of the West European and one of the East European evolutionary lineages. The frequency of these haplotypes corroborates that the European yellow honey bee Apis mellifera ligustica is predominant in the Buenos Aires province whereas the black European bee A. m. mellifera is rare. The presence of the African haplotypes A1 and A4 common in Africanized honey bees, confirms a border of the africanization process located around the 30°-35° SL parallels. The other two African haplotypes (A8 and A11) are indicative of an Iberian or North African origin of some colonies. The influence of the transhumance and beekeeping practices is discussed in relation to the genetic variability detected.

Las especies del género Bombus Latreille en Argentina (Hymenoptera: Apidae): estudio taxonómico y claves para su identificación

This study presents a taxonomic review of the Argentinean species of Bombus. Keys to identify female and male specimens at the species level [including the Palearctic species, Bombus (Megabombus) ruderatus] are given. Three subgenera are recognized: Fervidobombus, the most diversified, with six different species; Coccineobombus and Robustobombus each with one species. For each taxon, queen, worker and male descriptions are given, as well as the following information: morphological variation, comparative comments and geographic distribution. Also, for each taxon SEM photographs of male genitalia and drawings of female sting capsule are provided.

Nesting biology and associated insect enemies of the exotic leaf cutter bee Megachile (Eutricharaea) concinna (Hymenoptera: Megachilidae) in Argentina

The nesting biology of the exotic bee Megachile (Eutricharaea) concinna Smith, 1879 and its negative interactions with other insects were studied. Trap nests made of wood were located in an urban environment in Buenos Aires province, Argentina, and surveyed during 26 months. The lifecycle and the structure of the nest of M. concinna are described. We also report six interactions between this bee and native and exotic parasitoids and cleptoparasites. The species Baryscapus megachilidis is recorded here for the first time in Argentina.

First detection of deformed wing virus in Xylocopa augusti larvae (Hymenoptera: Apidae) in Argentina

First detection of deformed wing virus in Xylocopa augusti larvae (Hymenoptera: Apidae) in Argentina Mariano Lucia , Francisco J Reynaldi Guillermo H Sguazza and Alberto H Abrahamovich * División Entomología, Museo de La Plata, Universidad Nacional de La Plata, Paseo del Bosque s/n, 1900FWA, La Plata, Argentina. Cátedra de Virología. FCV-UNLP, La Plata, Argentina. CCTCONICET La Plata., Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas, Argentina.

Large carpenter bees in Argentina: systematics and notes on the biology of Xylocopa subgenus Neoxylocopa (Hymenoptera: Apidae).

A systematic revision of the species of the genus Xylocopa subgenus Neoxylocopa in Argentina is provided. Seven species are included: X. atamisquensis Lucia & Abrahamovich, X. augusti Lepeletier, X. eximia Pérez, X. frontalis (Olivier), X. mendozana Enderlein, X. nigrocincta Smith and X. tacanensis Moure. The males of X. eximia and X. nigrocincta are described for the first time. Xylocopa jujuyensis Brèthes is a new junior synonym of X. nigrocincta. Photographs, occurrence maps, and identification keys for the species are presented. Information on the nest architecture and substratum preference are also given.

First record of Melaloncha (Diptera: Phoridae) parasitoid associated with Bombus (Apidae: Bombini) in Argentina

Fil: Lucia, Mariano. Universidad Nacional de La Plata. Facultad de Ciencias Naturales y Museo. Division Entomologia; Argentina. Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Cientificas y Tecnicas; Argentina

The first record of conopid flies (Diptera: Conopidae) and eulophid wasps (Hymenoptera: Eulophidae) as parasitoids and hyperparasitoids associated with carpenter bees (Apidae: Xylocopinae) in Argentina

Summary This is the first record for the parasitoid association between eulophids and conopids in the carpenter bee Xylocopa augusti Lepeletier. Biological features of Physocephala Schiner are mentioned. A diagnosis for Pediobius williamsoni (Girault) is given and morphological characters are illustrated.

Systematics and biology of Xylocopa subgenus Schonnherria (Hymenoptera, Apidae) in Argentina.

Abstract Biological information on the species of the large carpenter bee Xylocopa subgenus Schonnherria occurring in Argentina is revised. Based on the appraisal of museum specimens, the study of type material, and field surveys conducted across 15 provinces between 2007 and 2011, the following seven species are recognized for the country: Xylocopa bambusae Schrottky, Xylocopa chrysopoda Schrottky, Xylocopa macrops Lepeletier de Saint Fargeau, Xylocopa simillima Smith Xylocopa splendidula Lepeletier de Saint Fargeau, Xylocopa pulchra Smith, and Xylocopa viridis Smith. Previous literature records of Xylocopa dimidiata Latreille, Xylocopa subcyanea Pérez, and Xylocopa varians Smith for the province of Misiones appear to have been misidentified specimens, although the presence of these species in Argentina cannot be entirely ruled out given the proximity of this province to Brazil and Paraguay where they occur; Xylocopa boops Maidl was described from a male specimen with unusually enlarged eyes and is newly synonymized under Xylocopa macrops. Males and females of all species are diagnosed, described, and figured, including details of the male genitalia. Taxonomic comments, data on the geographical distribution and nesting substrates, and identification keys to all Argentinean species of Schonnherria are provided. The nesting biologies of Xylocopa splendidula and Xylocopa viridis are documented.